Road Cycling - Upgrades and changes to my bike

Well, I figured that with all these people showing off their new bikes, I figured I should show off my (sort of) new seat and newly flipped stem. Man, flipping the stem really helps with my speed. Aerodynamics does make a difference! I increased my average speed the first time out.

I got the Saddle on sale on the specialized site for 39.0

before:

After:

And the seat...yea buddy. i think this is probably the sexyist seat I've ever sat on...And the rails are Mangenese!

Yeah but you gotta lose that reflector. :D I'd go for a removable flasher unit myself.

I took off the reflector and my dad threw a fit...I figured it weighs just a couple grams...I'll leave it on there.

Also, your running with the full spacer stack, which just isn't cool IMO. If you find you like the lower bar position and plan on keeping it, flip the stem back up and take out enough spacers to get back to the same bar height. That will look a lot cleaner and will also be stiffer.

That's a pretty bike, I like the panel designs like that. Bet it rides nice too! :) Are you still growing, or do you reckon you can stick with this size permanently?

I'm 6'1", and I'm sixteen years old. I believe that I am done growing...

ABout that spacer thing...wouldn't it be dangerous to have the spacers above the stem? Is it even possible to have a protruding steerer tube (safely)?

Originally posted by Phatman
I'm 6'1", and I'm sixteen years old. I believe that I am done growing...

ABout that spacer thing...wouldn't it be dangerous to have the spacers above the stem? Is it even possible to have a protruding steerer tube (safely)?

Don't sweat having the reflectors. Sure they save wieght when removed, but you need to be seen if you ride at night. Car drivers don't need more reason to be angry a bike riders.

And don't feel that you're done growing.. trust me on that.

well, considering that I haven't grown since freshman year (age 14?) I think that it is possible.

Originally posted by William Karsten
Don't sweat having the reflectors. Sure they save wieght when removed, but you need to be seen if you ride at night. Car drivers don't need more reason to be angry a bike riders.

I wasn't suggesting that he have no safety device for nighttime riding. I was just saying that a flashing taillight is almost always the better choice over a reflector.

Originally posted by khuon
I wasn't suggesting that he have no safety device for nighttime riding. I was just saying that a flashing taillight is almost always the better choice over a reflector.

I misread your post. I thought it said "Ditch the reflector".

Originally posted by William Karsten
I misread your post. I thought it said "Ditch the reflector".

Well I did. I also followed up with a suggestion to go to a flasher. John Forester makes a good argument against reflectors (http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/night.html)

nah...I never actually ride at night...If I did, the reflector would do jack *****, anyway. Its just there so my parents wouldn't fret.

I think mini LED technology is coming a long way, and soon we'll have better than reflectors.

However, a reflector is better than nothing.

16yr old males have another 2-3yrs or growth potential left. You might shoot up another 2-4", or might not. Occasional teens can exceed even this amount before height stops increasing. Girls stop growing a yr or two sooner. Steve

I know I stopped growing when I was 13, been 5'7" ever since. One of my friends who is now I think 6'5" just stopped growing when he was around 25 and he grew half inch year before.

jeez. I really hope that doesn't happen. I might have to buy another bike :D

Originally posted by Phatman
jeez. I really hope that doesn't happen. I might have to buy another bike :D

Oh the horror... :D

Originally posted by Phatman
I'm 6'1", and I'm sixteen years old. I believe that I am done growing...

ABout that spacer thing...wouldn't it be dangerous to have the spacers above the stem? Is it even possible to have a protruding steerer tube (safely)?

You don't replace the spacers, just cut off the stem at the appropriate length.

eek. i'd rather keep my options open.