General Cycling Discussion - Things I do NOT get!

People riding bikes in flip-flops... especially the kinds that are so worn, there about 3mm of material on the soles.

Clipless pedals... that you use to clip yourself into.

More will come...

As in.. why are they called "clipless" if you have to clip into them? I've never understood that. Or why anyone would use them. I shift foot position depending on the kind of riding I'm doing. For cold starts with a heavy trailer I put the back of my foot down. For climbing it's closer to my toes. For cruising somewhere in between.

They are called clipless because the old kind of pedal had "toe clips" i.e. straps and cleats, where the modern kind have cleats but not the toe clips. The cleats work like ski bindings rather than just a spike that catches on the pedal. So no clip = clipless. However the idea of being "clipped in" still stuck around, hence the naming paradox.

As for why you want to use them... It's easier to transfer power across the entire pedalstroke, not just the downstroke. And they are especially useful and more secure when sprinting or climbing out if the saddle.

They are called clipless because the old kind of pedal had "toe clips" i.e. straps and cleats, where the modern kind have cleats but not the toe clips. The cleats work like ski bindings rather than just a spike that catches on the pedal. So no clip = clipless. However the idea of being "clipped in" still stuck around, hence the naming paradox.

As for why you want to use them... It's easier to transfer power across the entire pedalstroke, not just the downstroke. And they are especially useful and more secure when sprinting or climbing out if the saddle.

Top clips

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://bikeisland.com/images/652%2520004.JPG&usg=AFQjCNGiZiVrED62y0rpudoZz7PZ3gcswg
http://www.yellowjersey.org/NOCLIP.JPG


Clipless

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/images/clipless_pedal.jpg&usg=AFQjCNHduX6yBW6ZmAoj09Ttazuza0fH9g
http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.silvercg.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/s5030213.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGiGHbh8AG8UFYEGYqXfBAvUth-nQ

Toe clips used to be used in conjunction with a cleated shoe (occasionally) that engaged the rear of the pedal. You had to tighten down the straps over the shoe to hold the foot in place. But the strap also serve the function of allowing you to pull up on the pedal. So track racers still use cleated shoes, toe clips and straps.

The cleat is still there for clipless. The toe clip is just gone.

The cleat is still there for clipless. The toe clip is just gone.

that's what I said

your shoes need a polish...

Never had the option for a cleat on the several pairs of Bata Bikers that I used with toe clips.

#1: Convenience. People that ride in flip-flops aren't concerned with safety or pedaling efficiency.

Things I don't get:
Why is it called a TV set when you only get one?
Why is it called the Secret Service when everyone knows about it?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
Why are they called apartments when they're all stuck together?

There seems to be 2 well defined schools of thought as to how much toe-clips do or don't help. Some swear they are great, some swear at them. Personally I have issues with attaching "sporting equipment" to my body... my collection of ski poles have all had the wrist straps cut off.

Speaking of shoes, at the beginning of thee summer I was using an old ratty pair of sneakers... the knubby soles had come off so all it had was a smooth rubber surface. But they were pretty ratty, I dug into the closet and came upo with a pair of Performance "bike" shoes I had used 15 years ago (still fit just fine). Knobs and grooves and all, clearly meant to better interface with the pedal.

FGor the kind of biking I do, the old ratty ones I seem to prefer. The ones designed to mate have meant I spent an inordinate amount of time (IMO) gettingm them into the right position. Because I must take them off the poedel to reset. I seem to spend the forst 50 yeards fussing to get my feet positioned... with the smooth surface, they slide easily and I can do it without looking.

BTW, those smooth soles seem to not slip around at all... they are rubber (if very thin) and the pedals have ribbed edges meant to provide some measure of grip.

------------------------------------------------

So here's my next set:

14 year olds in clothing looking like they came from a dumpster around the housing projects in NYC riding fully suspended MTBs that probably cost 2-4 grand.

Guy riding a folder... not so unmusual, but this one, I swear, had 8" wheels.

Normal sized guys riding bikes meant for 6 year olds... they do NOT even get to a 90 degree bend on downstrokes and if they bent their headsa at all, they are in danger of having their knees breaking their teeth.

Wouldn't it be nice to change scenery and leave NYC for a while?

I don't get why people pass me then slow down.

I don't get why joggers with headphones dart into the street without looking.

I don't get why when I blow the horn for someone doing something stupid they give ME the finger.

I don't understand how a glorified styrofoam cup is considered a legal safety helmet.

I don't understand how people can spend so much time on the Internet while at work.

People who spend $$$ on a bike and don't lube the chain. I have a whole rant on this but I'll just sum it up with a simple :bang:

Personally I have issues with attaching "sporting equipment" to my body... my collection of ski poles have all had the wrist straps cut off. I hope all your skis have the bindings ripped out too. I also hope you are staunchly anti-helmet. :rolleyes:

I do not get this thread.

I don't get why people are so damn stupid.

A couple more...
Folks riding upper-end full-suspension mountain bikes equipped as roadsters. Mirrors and all that...

Folks with multi-speed bikes laboriously climbing hills in way-too-high gears, or even getting off and pushing....

Folks with roadsters who seem to have their hands welded into "the drops" instead of using the multi-position qualities of standard road bars.

Folks who seem terrified to use the front brakes....

There seems to be 2 well defined schools of thought as to how much toe-clips do or don't help. Some swear they are great, some swear at them. Personally I have issues with attaching "sporting equipment" to my body... my collection of ski poles have all had the wrist straps cut off.


Best you avoid skydiving then. :p

I do not get this thread.

Vent, let off steam? Except for the typical pointless attack posts, I find it interesting to see what others peeves may be.

Roadies that hold up traffic when there is plenty of room to move over, they wont have to slow down, and only need to do it for a few seconds.

Roadies that ride two abreast and don't give a crap about others on the road.

Spending over $300 on a fixed gear bike with no brakes, and not racing it.

Driving a car with 425hp at 10mph UNDER the speed limit everywhere you go.

.......................

Posts such as Totaled108's.

I bought a house in South Central Los Angeles and have seen the worst of the worst, most on bikes. I always ask myself:
1. Where are they riding to in the middle of the day?
2. How long have they been riding on a flat?
3. Don't they realize their bike is too small?
4. When was the last time they lubed their chain
5. How are they able to ride after hitting the pipe?

I do not get this thread.

It lets you know who you can add to your ignore list. :thumb:

I dont get people that own bikes, all the gear, but take their bike to a shop for a FLAT TIRE! Yes, Ive seen it, it was a $900 road bike. I had to leave the shop before I said something stupid. And no, the guy was NOT riding it, he brought it in with a car.

Why am I willing to suffer on a bike to reach a speed or climb a hill, when nobody will ever know?

nymtber....Tell me about it. We buy our police bike stuff at a local roadie shop, a high-end kind of joint.

Most everytime I'm there, someone will come in with their uber-expensive road chariot, wearing all their Pearl Izumi gear, and want some trivial adjustment made to the bike.

nymtber....Tell me about it. We buy our police bike stuff at a local roadie shop, a high-end kind of joint.

Most everytime I'm there, someone will come in with their uber-expensive road chariot, wearing all their Pearl Izumi gear, and want some trivial adjustment made to the bike.

I guess it is the same type of people who shell out large coin for a high end Merc, BMW, etc and bring it into the shop for making the slightest noise and aggravate service advisers to no end.

I don't get strip clubs. Every payday in the killbot factory, some barracks prodigy would get the same unique, fresh epiphany he had last payday: "Hey Y'all--let's go to Puss&Boots!"

Let me get this straight:
~Our mean monthly income is about $471
~We're going to act like a bunch of bigshots by putting tens & twenties into the underwear of the only women within a 50-mile radius of this female-forsaken heck-hole.
~The probability of these women having sex with one of us makes a lottery ticket look like a sound investment.
~After an hour or two of watching naked women dance & flirt, we're going to drag our erections back into this dank, foot-smelling dungeon and pretend to be asleep.
:thumb:
You guys go ahead and have fun. I'll be cutting my wrists in the latrine.

I don't get men who are afraid of getting in touch with their feminine side

I don't get why anyone would pay $400 to shove a thinly disguised carbon penis up their buns.


http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/medium/50-7112-CAR-ANGLE.JPG
My girlfriend saw this and immediately said "that looks like a penis. They must not know we laugh at them."

Roadies that hold up traffic when there is plenty of room to move over, they wont have to slow down, and only need to do it for a few seconds.

Roadies that ride two abreast and don't give a crap about others on the road.

Spending over $300 on a fixed gear bike with no brakes, and not racing it.

Driving a car with 425hp at 10mph UNDER the speed limit everywhere you go.

.......................

people that expect me to let them run me into the curb just so they can pass (you can blame my center lane position on women on cell phones. when i ride to the right they damn near run me over!)

I don't get how Marijuana, and hemp for that matter, can still be illegal.

I don't get Andy Rooney.

A couple more...
Folks riding upper-end full-suspension mountain bikes equipped as roadsters. Mirrors and all that...
Because road-going suspension is nice, and it's long overdue on road bikes.

The last upright bike I owned (before switching to recumbents) was a full-suspended MTB that I had put slicks on. If I could have found a touring-style road bike that had front and rear suspension, I might not have switched. Moulton seems to be one of the very few companies so perceptive, and they do it with folding bikes no less. They do charge a pretty penny tho'.

Course,,,,,, you can [maybe] DIY now, using a suspension seatpost and fork. I know there's lots of 700c hybrids around with both. Back ~8 years ago when I was looking, those things didn't exist or were prohibitively expensive.

------

As for riding in flip-flops, that's just plain silly.
Why not just put rubber-block pedals on there, and ride barefoot?
(-I do this occasionally, but not a lot because even with sunscreen my feets gets sunburned something fierce-)
~

I don't get suiting up in our favorite bike clothes, jumping on our expensive Colnago and then talking on the cell phone while riding. WTF?

I don't get suiting up in our favorite bike clothes, jumping on our expensive Colnago and then talking on the cell phone while riding. WTF?

What does one thing have to do with the other?

why does Hawaii have an interstate?
why are the Atlanta Braves in the NL West?
why do people say "Kneel down"...you can't "kneel up"

im at a college campus and...

I also do not understand the combination of flip-flops and riding a bike in them.

I do no understand why people on multi-speed bikes ride in the lowest gear spinning away and barely going faster than walking pace.

I ride a fixed-gear and do not understand when i see fellow fixed gear riders with a. no foot retention and b. brakeless with that combo, and even sometimes flip-flops.

I do not understand why pedestrians will step into the bike lane without looking left or right, yet they sometimes check for cars when crossing the street.

I do not understand why people insist on riding the wrong-way on a bike path.

I do not understand why people do not have proper seat height. it's like trying to watch someone walk while crouching at the same time.

ugh that felt good.

ps. all my friends get annoyed by the fact that any cyclist i see i critique them.

oh and the interstate in hawaii thing. i live in Texas and we have interstates, which are only in our state.

ugh that felt good.

Kinda why I started this thread!

why are the Atlanta Braves in the NL West?


1993 called; they want their complaint back.

yeah, i don't get why people have nice bikes and don't even bother to do maintenance. It's not supposed to sound like a squeaky hamster wheel!!!

I don't understand why Stems are so much money. I saw an aluminum stem on bonktown for $100.... ALUMINUM! (and bonktown which means its discounted!)

You can get a carbon fork for under $200 but a short shaft of aluminum to attach your handlebars is $100.... even $50!?! I don't get it. This seems like what should be a $20 part....

I don't understand why every third day, there is a "what bike should I get?" or "can I use my road bike for cyclocross?". Maybe that's the smart way... I simply bought the first bike I rode that fit.

I don't get the people that feel that doing bike maintenance is anything but a p.i.t.a. Some people say they *clean* their chain after every rain ride, or every day. Every day? Or the people who clean the *frame* of their bike every week. One guy on here insisted "there's no way that waxing my steel frame every year is an excessive amount of maintenance to expect anyone to do"?? Or the people who feel that your average, every-day joe would find repacking the bearings on his wheel to be "easy".

I don't get the people riding comfort hybrids (you know, the ones where the seat is even put in a comfort-over-efficiency position) who ride in the bike lane down my road to work when there's a dedicated bike path right next to the road. I'm not talking about the roadies or anyone doing over 13mph, I'm talking about the guy who may actually be going 5mph - who then looks frieked-the-hell-out every time a car passes him. And even better, the road and path run along the river - there's no intersecting roads to worry about.

I'm scared by the joggers who decide they're going to run on a path with bikes, then (assumably reaching their time or distance limit) give *no* warning and flip around into the space next to them. Now I've never hit any of these people because any time I pass someone I always give them at least a body width of extra space both because I don't like to scare them by passing that close, and I feel it's best for my personal safety whether they're joggers or bird watchers. But I'm afraid one day they'll manage to jump right into my path anyways, somehow...

I don't get why it's so incredibly difficult to get a 50 tooth chainring with a ring guard (that plastic circle on the outside that keeps your pant leg from getting caught in the chain). I tried to find one this summer - I *finally* found a bike shop willing to help me out, but it was a real pain. For something so incredibly useful, to!

I don't get why cyclocross racing made disc brakes illegal. I don't get why cyclocross bikes come with such crappy brakes. I don't get why it's so incredibly difficult to find a fast, modern, nearly racing road bike with enough clearance for 28c tires plus fenders (my ideal commuter bike) from a major manufacturer.

I don't get anyone who *prefers* downtube shifters. I really don't get anyone who says they prefer them for their commuter bike - riding in traffic is the absolute last place I want to take my eyes off the road and hands off the handlebars all the time, and I can't think of any reason other than cost for why on earth you would want to subject yourself to that.

I don't get why I keep writing stuff, lol. :-)

Oh yeah, and I don't get why a certain group of people seems to find it so aesthetically abhorent that I might put a rack on my road bike. I need to carry a raincoat with me, people! :-P

And I don't get the people who insist that they need a full suspension mountain bike because "they might ride over some grass some time".

i don't get why some deck themselves out in full usps riding kits to ride 10 miles on
a rail trail

i don't get why some deck themselves out in full usps riding kits to ride 10 miles on
a rail trail

This one is marginal, not in spirit, in time. It is getting to the point where left over USPS kits will be deeply discounted. With any luck some guys should score quality gear at a low price.

I don't get diarrhea




much

I don't get why it's so incredibly difficult to get a 50 tooth chainring with a ring guard (that plastic circle on the outside that keeps your pant leg from getting caught in the chain). I tried to find one this summer - I *finally* found a bike shop willing to help me out, but it was a real pain. For something so incredibly useful, to!


Never heard of such a thing, but I like it.

I don't get why so many people buy SUV's.

I dont' get why they're called Sport Utility Vehicles, when they aren't sporty, and all but the most hugemungous don't provide that much utility.

I don't get the appeal of watching professional sports on TV.

I don't get WalMart.

I don't get people who could retire comfortably 10 years ago, but still work. And complain about their jobs.

Never heard of such a thing, but I like it.

It was a total p.i.t.a. to get it. Most guards or after-market chainrings don't go up above 48 teeth. 2 different bike shops told me you couldn't just add a guard onto an existing chainring. They also told me no one just sold a large ring with one attached - I'd have to buy an entire new crankset to get one, and even then weren't sure that a 50 tooth crankset with a chainring even existed. The only reason I have one is that the shop I bought the bike from decided to take the large ring off one of their stock cranksets that had one and put it on my bike.

It is *super*, awesomely useful though! :-) I put it on my Specialized Sequoia - I bike I specifically bought as my "casual"/"commuter" bike. It's so great to be able to hop on with my jeans on and no shoe change and bike 3 miles without having to screw around with a ankle strap. I just think "I should go over there" and jump on my bike - that's it. It's partially the additional time it takes just screwing around with it, partially trying not to lose it, and partially that an ankle strap (I wore one until I found a replacement ring) makes biking jeans *way* less comfortable - jeans are much hotter when they're sealed off at the bottom, and noticeably more constricting as well. I might not bike 20 miles in jeans, but it's super awesome to be able to jump on the bike for a 3 mile trip to the store or work without changing clothes, but also be able to use the same bike for a 20 miles "biking shorts and cleats" ride on the same bike.

The chain ring is just so useful with no drawbacks, I don't understand why *all* new bikes that aren't "high end racer" bikes don't come with one. Not only is it cheap, but it's not even visually noticeable! Anyways - they're super useful. :-)

P.S. This was one possible option I was considering that appeared like it might work if you're looking for one - Inspired Cycle Engineering - Chain Ring Guard:
http://www.calhouncycle.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=1242