Fifty Plus (50+) - Road Forum Whoo!

I just spent some time looking at the road forum. Man do they get wound:mad: up about Bikes Direct. Anyone know why?

The best I have been able to figure is some Fred out there is smoking them with a 1,500 dollar BD bike while they are riding one they bought for 6,000.

Definitely an insensitive clod! :rolleyes:

If you really want to get them wound up, just tell them you are passing roadies on a recumbent....

If you really want to get them wound up, just tell them you are passing roadies on a recumbent....

:D:D:D:D

If you really want to get them wound up, just tell them you are passing roadies on a recumbent....

Yep...'cause "telling them" is a lot easier than actually doing it.* :D




* FWIW, in the last 10 years, and 40,000+ miles of road cycling, during which I've participated in numerous large centuries, group rides, and tours, I have never once been passed by a 'bent. Not uphill, not downhill, and not on the flats.

I'm not saying it could never happen - presumably there are some fast 'bent riders out there. But, I've not seen 'em in California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, or France. The fast ones must be exceedingly rare.

Those recumbent bikers must know to stay away from you!

Yep...'cause "telling them" is a lot easier than actually doing it.* :D




* FWIW, in the last 10 years, and 40,000+ miles of road cycling, during which I've participated in numerous large centuries, group rides, and tours, I have never once been passed by a 'bent. Not uphill, not downhill, and not on the flats.

I'm not saying it could never happen - presumably there are some fast 'bent riders out there. But, I've not seen 'em in California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, or France. The fast ones must be exceedingly rare.

SSP is the MAN!

I know that this is sort of a steriotype but an unusually large number (Tom can give you some official name for this form of statistics..:) ) of roadies that I encounter drive up to the LBS in giggadollar SUV's and look like they would be golfers in any other life.

While they appear to be perfect physical specimens, tapering from huge legs to much smaller points at the top, they do not seem adept at relatively minor mechanical adjustments. One pictures a formula one driver, with 2 fashon models and an unbrella girl on each elbow, disdanefully waving a hand toward a hord of lesser beings polishing and adjusting his steed and saying "If they give me a proper car I will drive it to victory!"



:D We're going to hear about this one folks!

:D We're going to hear about this one folks!

What's this "we" stuff, Lone Ranger?

I certainly don't mean to imply that this is so for the members of this forum who choose to ride upon asphault. I ment those "others".

The use of Bottecchia and Motobecane brands bothers me, for personal reasons.

I had (and still have) a campy Bottecchia from the 70's and my wife had a Motobecane (hers was stolen). We rode everywhere together on those bikes.

Otherwise, I think Bikes Direct offers some of the best deals around. I just wish they had acquired other brands.

Bikes Direct: I think the complaint is the way they represent the product. An old respected brand gets bought out & becomes their store brand, which they label as "Ultegra" or something similar even though it might only have one or two parts on it that are the advertised level. I have no idea whether or not the accusation is true, but that's the gist of what I hear there.

Recumbents: I just like going fast. I got my first 'bent for comfort, but I got the second one for speed. It's comfortable, too. :)

Yep...'cause "telling them" is a lot easier than actually doing it.* :D


See? Even the 50+ roadies bristle at that idea. FYI, that was a joke, a reference to a thread in the recumbent forum that got roadies stirred up.

But yes, I do it a lot more often than I tell it.

Bikes Direct: I think the complaint is the way they represent the product. An old respected brand gets bought out & becomes their store brand, which they label as "Ultegra" or something similar even though it might only have one or two parts on it that are the advertised level. I have no idea whether or not the accusation is true, but that's the gist of what I hear there.

Recumbents: I just like going fast. I got my first 'bent for comfort, but I got the second one for speed. It's comfortable, too. :)

BD seems to be using brand names from defunct manufacturers - Windsor, for example.

I've seen a BD Motobecane up close. Ugly welds. The owner said the bike was mechanically sound, but there was a defective wheel he had to replace - from what I've heard a common complaint with BD bikes.

I got a BD Motobecane SL and it was an amazing deal. The welds are "raw" that is not sanded and painted smoothly like trek, but those in the know tell me they are perfectly good.
My bike weighed about 16 pounds without pedals.
It came with American Classic 420 Wheels
It has Ultegra brifters and a had a really unconfortable saddle.
$ 1300

I figure it really would have been over 2 grand anywhere else.

But yeah, I wish it just said "BIKESDIRECT.COM" instead of Motobecane on the tubes...

They were fine to deal with. I'm buying a Kestrel frame through them even as I type.

What it's like to be BlazingPedals:

movie (http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s219/lowracervk2/?action=view&current=VID0044.flv)

Best guess, we were doing 28-30 mph on this flat stretch. Even when we got to the climbs, nobody was catching us.

I have never once been passed by a 'bent. Not uphill, not downhill, and not on the flats.


Well that just makes me skeptical. They are soooo much faster downhill. Part of the reason I don't like to ride bents in a group is the yo yo effect of blowing by everybody on the descents. It seems too dangerous to me overtaking roadies who are down in their tuck and presuming nobody could be coming up from behind so they pay no attention.

Bikes Direct: I think the complaint is the way they represent the product. An old respected brand gets bought out & becomes their store brand, which they label as "Ultegra" or something similar even though it might only have one or two parts on it that are the advertised level. I have no idea whether or not the accusation is true, but that's the gist of what I hear there.

Recumbents: I just like going fast. I got my first 'bent for comfort, but I got the second one for speed. It's comfortable, too. :)

Also they regularly get accused of starting shill posts just to keep their name/product out there. If it is true it may be a brilliant marketing idea that no doubt someone will get a govenment grant to study. Some have been know to buy their Dura Ace bikes to strip for the groupset and then dump the frame on scambay, usually for very few dollars.

Also they regularly get accused of starting shill posts just to keep their name/product out there. If it is true it may be a brilliant marketing idea that no doubt someone will get a govenment grant to study. Some have been know to buy their Dura Ace bikes to strip for the groupset and then dump the frame on scambay, usually for very few dollars.

The "shill" marketing concept works. Do a Google Groups search under the name "Joyce Hatto." The "Hatto hoax" was aided by shill posters for Concert Artists, the label that issued the pirated CDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Hatto

Well that just makes me skeptical. They are soooo much faster downhill. Part of the reason I don't like to ride bents in a group is the yo yo effect of blowing by everybody on the descents. It seems too dangerous to me overtaking roadies who are down in their tuck and presuming nobody could be coming up from behind so they pay no attention.

I've heard that too, but none of the bents I've passed on climbs has ever re-passed me on a downhill.

I suspect that they may be faster on long straight downhills, but when you throw in the curves and switchbacks that are common in big mountain descents, I'm not so sure that their aerodynamic advantages outweigh the handling advantages of uprights. An upright allows me to stand on the outside pedal (getting center of gravity down low), and also push the bike over hard into a corner...those dynamic techniques are not, AFAIK, possible on a 'bent.

FWIW, my Colorado riding buddies call me "Il Falco", because I go downhill like a falcon and none of them can keep up with me on "their" roads :eek:. It's a good thing too, because my Colorado friends all live at 8-9000 feet elevation and I have a hard time keeping up on the climbs when we get above 10,000 feet or so! :D

What it's like to be BlazingPedals:

movie (http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s219/lowracervk2/?action=view&current=VID0044.flv)

Best guess, we were doing 28-30 mph on this flat stretch. Even when we got to the climbs, nobody was catching us.

I would say that video pretty much says it all. I mean I am sure most of those people were riding recreational but you can tell a few tried to keep up and didn't have a chance.

What it's like to be BlazingPedals:

movie (http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s219/lowracervk2/?action=view&current=VID0044.flv)

Best guess, we were doing 28-30 mph on this flat stretch. Even when we got to the climbs, nobody was catching us.

Was this the Indiana Hilly Hundred? I've heard mention of another but I think it's the Horrible Hilly Hundred or something like that.

How was the video mounted? The images weren't shaking like some I've seen.

We have a couple bents that join us on club rides and they have no problem passing us on flats and hills. They do have some problems keeping up on the hills.

* FWIW, in the last 10 years, and 40,000+ miles of road cycling, during which I've participated in numerous large centuries, group rides, and tours, I have never once been passed by a 'bent. Not uphill, not downhill, and not on the flats..

You just have to find the right bentrider on the right recumbent.

What it's like to be BlazingPedals:

movie (http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s219/lowracervk2/?action=view&current=VID0044.flv)

Best guess, we were doing 28-30 mph on this flat stretch. Even when we got to the climbs, nobody was catching us.
'bent riders were the inventors and perfectors of the "poser pass".

You pedalled your brains out during that clip, then pulled over to the side and puked your guts out whilst the wedgies flew by you, snearing as they went.

Seen it too many times before.

'bent riders were the inventors and perfectors of the "poser pass".

You pedalled your brains out during that clip, then pulled over to the side and puked your guts out whilst the wedgies flew by you, snearing as they went.

Seen it too many times before.

Drat - you mean that Mrs G and I on the tandem didn't invent that?;) No matter, I'm sure we've perfected it

I've heard that too, but none of the bents I've passed on climbs has ever re-passed me on a downhill.

I suspect that they may be faster on long straight downhills, but when you throw in the curves and switchbacks that are common in big mountain descents, I'm not so sure that their aerodynamic advantages outweigh the handling advantages of uprights. An upright allows me to stand on the outside pedal (getting center of gravity down low), and also push the bike over hard into a corner...those dynamic techniques are not, AFAIK, possible on a 'bent.

FWIW, my Colorado riding buddies call me "Il Falco", because I go downhill like a falcon and none of them can keep up with me on "their" roads :eek:. It's a good thing too, because my Colorado friends all live at 8-9000 feet elevation and I have a hard time keeping up on the climbs when we get above 10,000 feet or so! :D

HERE WE GO!

Beverly - yes that was at the Hilly Hundred (http://hillyhundred.org). The camera was an Archos bullet cam, taped to the chainstay.

The Weak Link - Yeah, that's it. Busted! I barfed about a thousand times that weekend. Or not. Believe what you want.

You just have to find the right bentrider on the right recumbent.

Yep...I definitely think you're right there.

Racing has taught me that there's always guys who are faster, and I'm sure that someday I'll be passed by a bent. And when I do, I promise to post about it here in 50+ (with suitable excuses as to why it occurred :)).

Back to the OP. Yes they do get a bit excited about various topics and once in a while they get banned (botto DocRay etc). But mostly they are pretty good. And most of the banned posters come back eventually. If you want to see some bikers - er cyclists - getting mad at each other, try the racing forum at the Daily Peloton. But the worst I have seen is on a travel forum. We are going to Mexico in Jan and have been watching a couple of forums on the location we have chosen. Those folks are really steamed at each other. Calling each other liars, cheats etc. They form packs and gang up on posters and it appears that at least a few create new user names frequently to re-enter the bashing after they are banned. Dudes over there even track people down by IP address to call them out! Holy Cow. I have to admit though it does make for some good entertainment. Think I'll mosey over there now for some laughs.

I did not know that Whoo and bents were related. I see a lot of bents and I have passed a few (I consider them low value targets:D) but I have not been passed by one yet. It seems to me that bents are an acquired taste and the initial purchase is driven by a need for more comfort or to overcome a physical limitation. However, I think the trick ones are cool and I suspect the riders get very good using the technology. It is always about the engine not the technology. I would like to see the P/1/2 elite racers of our racing club on bents versus SSP. I think I know who wins.:D

I did not know that Whoo and bents were related. I see a lot of bents and I have passed a few (I consider them low value targets:D) but I have not been passed by one yet. It seems to me that bents are an acquired taste and the initial purchase is driven by a need for more comfort or to overcome a physical limitation. However, I think the trick ones are cool and I suspect the riders get very good using the technology. It is always about the engine not the technology. I would like to see the P/1/2 elite racers of our racing club on bents versus SSP. I think I know who wins.:D

The P/1/2's would probably kick my old butt riding beach cruisers. At that level, they're all freakishly strong compared to us mere mortals.

Perhaps that's another reason why you don't see very many fast bents - the really strong guys who want to race have a lot more opportunities to do so on uprights than on bents.

The P/1/2's would probably kick my old butt riding beach cruisers. At that level, they're all freakishly strong compared to us mere mortals.

Perhaps that's another reason why you don't see very many fast bents - the really strong guys who want to race have a lot more opportunities to do so on uprights than on bents.

Me too.;)

What it's like to be BlazingPedals:

Best guess, we were doing 28-30 mph on this flat stretch. Even when we got to the climbs, nobody was catching us.

Wheelsucker!

Really a nice bit of film. Thanks for sharing.

So is the road forum problem with BD the fact that bent riders may be faster? :D

:lol:

Perhaps that's another reason why you don't see very many fast bents - the really strong guys who want to race have a lot more opportunities to do so on uprights than on bents.

That's exactly it. If you buy a recumbent with intentions of racing, you aren't going to find much to enter. So there are, indeed, not many 'bent racers.

Recumbents are less than one percent of the bicycle market, and racing recumbents are only a small percentage of that, and even when you run across one, the rider may just be a wheezing geezer like myself, but it does take fewer watts to hold speed on flat terrain on one, so we do zoom by a few folks.

That's exactly it. If you buy a recumbent with intentions of racing, you aren't going to find much to enter. So there are, indeed, not many 'bent racers.

Recumbents are less than one percent of the bicycle market, and racing recumbents are only a small percentage of that, and even when you run across one, the rider may just be a wheezing geezer like myself, but it does take fewer watts to hold speed on flat terrain on one, so we do zoom by a few folks.

Plus, chicks dig uprights more than bents. :D

I have "Some" Respect for some bents- but a lot of respect for one rider. Did a 50 miler years ago and this bent stayed with us all the way till we got to the one hill- He then took the lead and we Struggled to stay with him. This was a Tri-cumbent by the way. Got to the top and we all needed a breather and the Bent rider joined us for a Burger at the Stand. When he got off the bent- He was Handicapped. He had a big accident at work and could hardly walk with a mis-shapen back. His legs were affected too but as he said- Riding had got him fit after the accident and kept him sane.

That is the only bent rider I have ever respected- but I did have a go on a Bent Tandem once. That was scary. 2 wheel cornering on a 3 wheel bike is not good.

Plus, chicks dig uprights more than bents. :D

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Plus, chicks dig uprights more than bents. :D

I'm beyond worrying about that! :D

I've heard that too, but none of the bents I've passed on climbs has ever re-passed me on a downhill.

I suspect that they may be faster on long straight downhills, but when you throw in the curves and switchbacks that are common in big mountain descents, I'm not so sure that their aerodynamic advantages outweigh the handling advantages of uprights. An upright allows me to stand on the outside pedal (getting center of gravity down low), and also push the bike over hard into a corner...those dynamic techniques are not, AFAIK, possible on a 'bent.

FWIW, my Colorado riding buddies call me "Il Falco", because I go downhill like a falcon and none of them can keep up with me on "their" roads :eek:. It's a good thing too, because my Colorado friends all live at 8-9000 feet elevation and I have a hard time keeping up on the climbs when we get above 10,000 feet or so! :D

I think you're right. Bents can hit a scary speed pretty quick on a long downhill. The same hills that have me shifting weight and tucking deep on a regular bike have me riding the brake on a bent. Too scary.

[QUOTE=SSP;5790520]
* FWIW, in the last 10 years, and 40,000+ miles of road cycling, during which I've participated in numerous large centuries, group rides, and tours, I have never once been passed by a 'bent. Not uphill, not downhill, and not on the flats.

QUOTE]

Wow! Not even coming from the direction you were heading :D:D:D

***Sorry, couldn't help myself***;):rolleyes:

I have "Some" Respect for some bents...

I respect all bikes, and usually their riders too.

Plus, chicks dig uprights more than bents. :D

Chicks might but most women gauge their preference on the rider and not the bike;)

They are soooo much faster downhill.

+1

I went on a group ride recently with one recumbent in the mix. It was a mixed bag of people, and we had to stop and regroup a few times. The recumbent was generally on the slow end.

Then we got to a stretch where it was a long gradual downhill. Good pavement. Light traffic. It was all about being aerodynamic on that road. The bent rider just dusted the rest of us there.

Speedo

+1

I went on a group ride recently with one recumbent in the mix. It was a mixed bag of people, and we had to stop and regroup a few times. The recumbent was generally on the slow end.

Then we got to a stretch where it was a long gradual downhill. Good pavement. Light traffic. It was all about being aerodynamic on that road. The bent rider just dusted the rest of us there.

Speedo
Actually I think you wanted to say "the bent dusted the rest of us there." :) Seems like from the rest of the thread the rider has little to do with the bent's downhill superiority - except for weight? :D

As with uprights I have seen bent riders on all ends. Some get a bent because they have physical problems that don't allow them to ride an upright and this probably effects their performance as well. However, I have seen a number of bent riders who can drop uprights on flat roads with little problem. I also know that when I have ridden with these guys on their uprights they are not as fast. A bent has a lot of mechanical advantage and definite aero advantage over an upright.

On a bent I was hitting 55mph on steep downhills before doing the brake thing out of fear. Everybody else was working hard to be aero just to hit the high 40's. The thought of wiping out (hitting pothole or something) while pushing 60mph on a recumbent was not pleasant. At my age (our age) major broken things (like hips and pelvis and shoulder and collarbone, etc) might turn into extended hospital stays and replacement surgeries and eventual wasting away into nothingness. Arrgghhh!

When did Bikes Direct start selling recumbents?

Chicks might but most women gauge their preference on the rider and not the bike;)


Ahhhh. I think he was referencing the rider...