Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Step One: First step for my training! (long)

I am going to start "training" soon...yeah another boring post from me!

Hey all, as I am sure some of you know I am a clyde and I have posted here many times and I have asked a lot of questions. I am currently in the begining stages of "going all out" with my 2006 LeMond Etape. (great bike and I see no need to get a new one! :D) Anyways I have decided that it is time for me to start "training". So I am currently working on picking out my first set of clipless pedals, debating if I should complain to the bike shop about my crap wheelset (It's those cheap Alex rims...) I don't think I am to "big" for them since I am only having problems with one of the wheels. So I am figuring out if I am going to complain to the bike shop and try and get them to get me a new set of rims or I am going to buy some. So I am basically working on getting new parts for the bike, pedals, seat, wheels (as stated above). So thats about it bike wise...as for me I am currently going to buy a new LS jersey, shorts tights and a winter jacket (really cold here down on the cape! The ocean was a block of ice in 2005!).

Ok, so I figured that if I am going to start "training" to shed my clyde title (which I love so much, we are an amazing bunch of people!) at 220# and only 5' 8" the only thing that makes me a clyde is the weight factor. Being 16 I am not really proud of the fact that I am a clyde and I know that it isn't my fault that I am a clyde (I was layed up for almost two years due to knee and ankle injuries). I have decided that it is time that I shed the weight that I have gained and start cycling the way I have always wanted to (someday I hope to get on some kind of cycling team).

So I figured what better way to start my training other them logging onto BF and posting this in the clyde and Athena section! (my home away from home)

Ok so I am currently deciding what I am going to do for a cyclocomputer, power meter (if I will get one or not) and trying to develop a training program.

Ok so now that I have bored you with these so far pointless sentences I figured I would post here this way if I don't start training I wil feel guilty and I will get my arse on that bike and pedal!


No training tool better then a community of people that will support me!

Just a couple of things. Good job on starting a post to get you on your way.

Talk to the LBS about clipless and discuss how you plan on using your bike, and then decide on the style of shoe and clipless setup you want.

I would spend the money on a heart rate monitor, before I spent the money on a cyclometer, but that is just me. I would rather know where my heart rate is and for how long I was in what zone to lose weight. If you buy a cyclometer, buy one with a cadence monitor as that will help you pedal at a pace that will not hurt your knees.

Good luck with changing your lifestyle to improve your health.

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the info and the support. I have looked into pedals and shoes a bit but haven't ordered anything yet (not for a few weeks, waiting on the money lol) But I did look into these

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=RXS+Carbon+Pedals&vendorCode=TIME&major=5&minor=2

for pedals, seemed to offer what I was looking for, I looked into speedplays but I didn't like the ideas of the matience issues that I read about and a friend of mine hasn't had good luck with then, crankbrothers looked good but I wasn't really "into" them, for some reason they seemed like they might not handle the abuse I will put out.

As for shoes I was looking into getting the sidi ergo2 but as I am only 16 (and my feet are most likely still growing) I am wondering if it is worth the money.

I looked into cyclo computers and I am not really sure what direction to go in, I was looking into the Garmin 305 but I have seen mixed reviews and the only thing about it that seems to make it better then other computers is the fact that it is GPS. On that note I do not know if it will work well (I am moving up north and I fear the trees might affect it)

Any input on any of these points is appreciated!

Crank Brothers are mountain bike pedals and very abuse proof. :D They also have a LOT of float. That's the route I'm going when I get back on the bike;)

I hear you about the Alex wheels. I re-laced mine with some DT Stainless steel spokes and haven't had any more problems with broken spokes.

I hear you about the Alex wheels. I re-laced mine with some DT Stainless steel spokes and haven't had any more problems with broken spokes.


Yeah they are some crap wheels. I have had nothing but problems, been thrown off the bike a few times, got the LBS to replace all the spoke like 3 times and they won't give me a new set of wheels and they wont send in the repair sheet to LeMond. So because of that unless I somehow get the LBS to get me a new set I will have to buy a new pair lol.

Hey Tom, thanks for the reply, specifically what pedals of crankbro were you looking at? I was looking into the quattro ones (road specific) I think or atleast they are "for" road bikes. I still think that I might go with the time RXS not sure though, I have seen great reviews on them.

I'm putting Egg Beaters on my bike. Universal direction to clip in and easy separation. They also work well with Sidi Mountain Shoes. Sidi is worth the bucks!

I'm putting Egg Beaters on my bike. Universal direction to clip in and easy separation. They also work well with Sidi Mountain Shoes. Sidi is worth the bucks!

thanks for the reply tom, I hope sidis are I have really tough feet to deal with, I have only found one shoe that works well in my 16 years of life (lol). When they are on sale I stock up, I have 3 pair of the same shoe since I blow through them so fast (since I wear the same shoe all the time)

I would love to get sidis I am just hoping that the experience is worth the expense. As for pedals I will be going to the LBS tomorrow to test some out (they have alot of CrankBro's in stock) and it is a different LBS then the one that is giving me problems with the wheels so hopefully it is a different experience!

Again if anyone has any input on wheels, pedals, shoes, and cyclocomputer let me know...if you know of a cyclocomputer that is good but not GPS let me know!

Cateye makes a good one

Polar makes a good one with HR monitor function

Blackburn makes a couple of good Cyclo computers as well.

Personaly, though, I just use a cheap Schwinn Cyclocomputer I bought at Walmart for $18.95 ;)

lol wow Tom you are ontop of this thread today! Thanks for the info! Ok now I am off to watch House! thanks again for all the info!

House is over, so here is my input.

Crank brothers makes good stuff, but there are a lot of options. Talk to the LBS about your riding style and what you will do off of your bike with the shoes to make a decision also.

I have a Cateye cyclometer. It works great. I have a cheap ***** schwinn from wal-mart that is not as accurate and does not work as well. Buy what you feel comfortable with and you can afford, or wait a month and buy something better. I used to always go for the lower price, but have decided to save money a little longer and buy some quality stuff.

I am thinking about the 305, but I don't really know if it is worth the money.

yeah I was thinking the same thing about the 305. I like the idea of the more acurate info since it is GPS based but I do not think that it is worth the price difference. I am looking into power meters too but at this stage I don't see a real need for one. I think I will probably end up with a regular cyclocomputer. Most likely a wireless one (the wires wouldn't hold up where I live, lots of sand and rocks. I have friends who have their wires "broken" after getting hit with a stone.

I am basically looking at all my options, I want to get really serious about cycling (I already am I just don't have the "weight" to back it up I guess. I have always loved riding bikes. Now it's just time for me to get rid of this gut of mine.

I will have to talk to the LBS about pedals and the such tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the input

PS House was good!

yeah I was thinking the same thing about the 305. I like the idea of the more acurate info since it is GPS based but I do not think that it is worth the price difference. I am looking into power meters too but at this stage I don't see a real need for one. I think I will probably end up with a regular cyclocomputer. Most likely a wireless one (the wires wouldn't hold up where I live, lots of sand and rocks. I have friends who have their wires "broken" after getting hit with a stone.

I am basically looking at all my options, I want to get really serious about cycling (I already am I just don't have the "weight" to back it up I guess. I have always loved riding bikes. Now it's just time for me to get rid of this gut of mine.

I will have to talk to the LBS about pedals and the such tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the input

PS House was good!

Don't forget that a GPS needs to "see" at least 2 satellites at all times to work properly, so in thick forest or heavy rain/snow the GPS may not work. Even cheap cyclometers work by counting the number of times a magnet passes by a switch, then multiplying that by the wheel circumference, typically in millimetres. Often when blamed as inaccurate it's because the cyclometer has the wrong wheel circumference programmed into it.

Best way to program a cyclometer, is to get a piece of chalk, and a meter measuring tape of at least 10m length, mark off a starting point, and another mark at the 10m point, now ride between the 2 marks with your normal tires, at normal pressure, with normal load, now you need a cohort, to count the number of times the valve stem is at the bottom of the wheel, you start with the valve stem beside your starting point, ride to the 10m mark, continue until the valve stem is at the bottom, add the distance from the 10m mark to the valve stem and add that to your 10m, multiply by 1000 and divide by the number of times the wheel went around, This is your wheel circumference in mm. If you change to a different tire, you repeat this process.

I didn't watch House, I taped it, so nice to know it's a good episode, so please don't spoil it....

Thanks for the reply, yes I know that issue pertaning to the GPS systems. As for the cyclocomputer you are right they can always be programed wrong and the such.

I was looking into Garmins new Edge 705. It looks cool and seems like it may stop some of the issues people have been having with the edge 305. (I wonder what happened to the 4 and 5, 05. Anyways back to the 705, I like the fact that it has a base map and offers a map on screen. This would come in handy for me as I am going to be moving soon and I do not know the area that I am moving to. I am just trying to find a way to justify the cost. I am still not sure how I will go cyclocomputer wise but I will have to find somthing out.

I also went to the LBS today and check out the bunch of different pedals they had. Apparently they have the sidi ergo2s that I was looking at getting so I got to try those on and also try them with some different pedals.

Ok so, I tried the Crankbro eggbeaters and found that they didn't give me enough area to "step on" so those are out. Next they let me try the crankbro candy and quattro, both I didn't like, still felt like I wasn't "Stepping" on anything, and I am not sure why they certainly look like they had somthing there. Next the owner gave me some look Keos to try on and they actually felt like I was standing on somthing. So I liked those and then the last kind I tried on were the time RXSs that I was looking at yesterday. They felt good (just like I thought they would after reading a review online) They were easy to get in and out of and they felt good putting a "good" push on them. (they were attached to all of these bike (in my size) that were on trainers) so I could get on and do a couple of pedal strokes.

All in all I liked the Keos and time RXS. I think I am going to read up a bit more on them and check out some more reviews. Maybe even go back to the bike shop and check em out again.

I won't be able to buy anything until the second week or so in December but I am learning as much as I can on what I want to buy before I do buy them!





Don't forget that a GPS needs to "see" at least 2 satellites at all times to work properly, so in thick forest or heavy rain/snow the GPS may not work. Even cheap cyclometers work by counting the number of times a magnet passes by a switch, then multiplying that by the wheel circumference, typically in millimetres. Often when blamed as inaccurate it's because the cyclometer has the wrong wheel circumference programmed into it.

Best way to program a cyclometer, is to get a piece of chalk, and a meter measuring tape of at least 10m length, mark off a starting point, and another mark at the 10m point, now ride between the 2 marks with your normal tires, at normal pressure, with normal load, now you need a cohort, to count the number of times the valve stem is at the bottom of the wheel, you start with the valve stem beside your starting point, ride to the 10m mark, continue until the valve stem is at the bottom, add the distance from the 10m mark to the valve stem and add that to your 10m, multiply by 1000 and divide by the number of times the wheel went around, This is your wheel circumference in mm. If you change to a different tire, you repeat this process.

I didn't watch House, I taped it, so nice to know it's a good episode, so please don't spoil it....

Hey all, thought I would come back and post a few pictures that I took of me, this will be the start of my before and after shots I guess. Please pardon the quality as they are from a camera phone and are quite crappy!

Front:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/DSC00041.jpg

Side:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/DSC00042.jpg

Better Front:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/DSC00040.jpg

My Bike: looks weird because of the angle but it is regular sized wheels (well the Alex ones that broke and when I went to the LBS today and got the owners wife who was so nice, they said they will either fix them (again) or get a new set)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/000_2344.jpg

Head Shot:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/276316448_m.jpg

Me Being Silly:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/000_0181.jpg

My Inpiration: (My mom had cancer when I was young and is still with me and doing great! I have had some other fam. members that have passed from the disease. (RIP)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/images.jpg

I'm really shocked that the shop would give you a new set. You bought an inexpensive bike so that means inexpensive wheels. This will be the 4th time, I'm surprised. I think 220 is alot for an inexpensive set of road wheels to handle.

I bought my Lemond Tourmalet ($1000) knowing the wheels are the first place the compaines choose to cutback. Like I thought they lasted about 10 months then I built my own.

If I were you, I'd invest a few bucks into a rear wheel. It will save you lots of heartbreak in the long run!:D

I'm really shocked that the shop would give you a new set. You bought an inexpensive bike so that means inexpensive wheels. This will be the 4th time, I'm surprised. I think 220 is alot for an inexpensive set of road wheels to handle.

I bought my Lemond Tourmalet ($1000) knowing the wheels are the first place the compaines choose to cutback. Like I thought they lasted about 10 months then I built my own.

If I were you, I'd invest a few bucks into a rear wheel. It will save you lots of heartbreak in the long run!:D

thanks for the reply, yeah the LBS where I bought the bike is cool, the guy who sold me the bike was an ***** and he was the one I first talked to about my wheels then today when I went to the LBS and got the owners wife she was saying that she is sorry and might give me a new set (I have to bring the wheels in and show them but it's in NH in storage (not safe I know but I had to move from my house to my grams while we (me and my mom look for a house). so its up there, once I bring it down here and go to the LBS the owners wife will let me know whats going on. lol

I use Look Keos. I've had older Looks that were always problematic. The Keos are great. Quiet, too. After 7,000+ miles, I do have to have the bearings re-packed, but that's it. The cleats: I've gone through 3 pair in those miles--a little more than the older style Looks. I've never had any other style than Look.

Cateye makes a great cyclometer. I'd recommend them. I've used them for years until i got my Garmin.

HR Monitor? Polar is the best, but also the most expensive.

GPS? I own a Garmin 305. Nice working with the company. My original unit developed a habit of shutting off when vibration from roads. Company had me send unit back, they sent me a re-conditioned one about 4 days later. It was worse than mine. They sent me a brand new unit! Not just the computer, but the cadense sensor, HR strap...the whole shebang!! Awesome as I had broken my cadence sensor previously :D Is working fine, now, BTW. (Also, Garmin units ship with a magnetic sensor that attaches to your wheel just in case they lose the satellites. So no problem there. You can even ride on your indoor trainer in winter.) Also, Garmin does Heart Rate, cyclometer functions, and cadence all in one.

Power Meter? No...don't get (yet?). What if the cycling thing isn't enjoyable to you? You'd have a lot of $$$ wasted. Power meters are also more for racers with specific training plans. Unless you're going that route... :shrug:

My recommendations?

1. Get a good wheelset.
2. Get some clipless pedals/shoes.
3. Get a cyclometer. If you're into tech, get a Garmin and software to best analyze its data. It's alot of fun. You might want to hold off until the new 705s come out. Then you can skip #4 below.
4. Get a HR Monitor and a book on how to use it for weight-loss.

After some weight loss, if you feel the need to compete, try it. If it looks promising, then get a Power Meter and/or a coach.

Hey Mark, thanks alot for the reply! Lots of info in there and this thread in general!

I am looking into wheels, I will have to see how this plays out with my LBS depends if they are going to make me keep the crap I have or get me a new wheelset (if they do I will have to see what it is (lol))

As for the GPS I think I will hold off. I will try a regular cyclocomputer first. As for the clipless pedals I am going back to the LBS soon (probably when I bring my wheelset in) and I will talk to them again about pedals and this time I will focus on the Keos and the Time ones that I was looking at. I will have to decide between them and whatever other options may come up.

Thanks again for the post I really appreciate it!

this is just another question from me (I guess this is my fullpurpose thread) but has any clyde here had any luck or experience with any of the Zipp wheels?

Me not directly, although they do make a Clyde version in several of their models. I'm thinking about getting some myself, but I think I want a Power meter first. Not sure I'd want it on Zipps (although lots do).

Thanks Mark, I have always liked the way zipps have looked I am just wondering if it is worth the expense and if I do get the clyde version if they will hold up well.

If anyone has input please let me know!

I like my Keos PD357 pedals and Sidi Genius 5 shoes very much. I can also recomend the Garmin cyclo computers for the money. I run a Forerunner 305 to train running and cycling, but if just cycling then a Edge 305 HR+ would be a great training tool. Heart rate training is the way to go!!

Wheels still have me scratching my head:) No recomendation there that already haven't been aired in this forum.

Hey Barabus, thanks alot for the reply! I think I am going to get some sidis's they look cool and I hear that they are great so I am going to go that route.

Thanks for the reply!

I mentioned the same thing in your post about a new bike, zipp makes amazing wheels, I test rode a set about a week ago, and at some point i will probably get them, but not till I prove they are worth it, two grand is a lot for a set of wheels, and I don't have the engine to make them worth while. Lose some weight, build your skills, then look at new gear. I know a couple guys who ride top end gear and they aren't nearly as fast as a couple guys who ride middle of the road 5 and 10 year old gear. Wheels and high performance bike will make performance differences of fractions of a percent. As a (relatively new cyclist) I can assure you that your time and money is better spent on the bike you have (assuming it fits correctly) riding yourself into better shape, learning your riding style, learning about bikes, and then start worrying about those fractions of a percent.