bcoppola

Our record setting winter is finally relinquishing its icy grip here. It was 50 and sunny today so I took the (not so)Frigid Rigid out for its first real ride as opposed to the previous around-the-block shakedown; a leisurely 7-ish mile spin around Stoney Creek metropark. Report:

1) I like this Biopace stuff! Wasn't sure about those weird elliptical chainrings but yet again, the late great Sheldon was right. Only time I really noticed anything odd was when grannying up a grade or putting on some power, and then in a good way. Gave my legs little mini-rests just when needed. I will have to find a Biopace or similar ring for my fixie. Heck, maybe even for my Giant OCR.

2) The 820 Antelope is heavy but doesn't feel heavy somehow. Maybe fit and geometry trump weight. Or maybe it's some of that Biopace mojo.

3) Boy, outside sure is better than the trainer! (Duh.)

4) I celebrated at a Dairy Queen. Calories be darned.

5) Glad I got those plastic fenders at a swap meet for the snowmelt puddles.

And by golly, some daffs and early tulips are ju-u-u-st beginning to poke out of the semi-frozen dirt in the garden.

BSLeVan

That, my friend, is one of the reasons I ride.

solveg

Yay! I liked the biopace stuff when I tried it, too!

Glad to see you got the rigid out, even though it wasn't totally frigid! I'm impressed with these old mountain bikes. They are seriously sweet.

Tom Bombadil

Good to hear people are finally getting out. I got in a little 3 miles today, riding with my daughter whose bike I just adjusted and cleaned up. Going up a mild incline, I was very discouraged by how out of shape my legs got over the winter.

I've never had a chance to ride a biopace bike.

Road Fan

I had my first outdoor ride today, too, here in Ann Arbor. We went out in the mornign around 6:50, 33 degrees. Rode an 8-mile loop on the old Trek 610. I'm finding the "new" 172.5 cranks very much to my liking, and strangely I'm climbing the smooth hills pretty well. It has tubulars, SKS fenders with a mud flap, a Noodle, an Alias, and an old Chorus gruppo is taking over the drivetrain piece by piece. 8-speed ergos are in waiting in the wings.

It feels great!

Tomorrow mornign we'll hit that route again, it's easy enought for a daily run when you just need to get in some pedalling. Then we'll hit Breugger's for bagels on the way home.

Bcoppola, think there's any chance we could meet for some rides this year? I know it didn't work out last year!

Road Fan

Road Fan

Solveg, why is there a little winged creature next to the star next to your name?

Road Fan

solveg

That's an Igor. If you've donated time or money to a charity, preferably in Sheldon Brown's name, you get a winged eagle like the one on Sheldon's cap. It's a way to encourage giving, the way Sheldon did.

So if you've donated recently, or next time you do, just shoot Brian an email and let him know. Or, you could see my siggie below, if you're looking for a way to donate!

cranky old dude

I've got Biopace rings on both my Trek 820 and my Schwinn 354. I
hardly even notice the difference anymore. I switch around from one
bike to another so often I guess I just know how those two will feel
when I ride them. Now, if the BioPace were to disappear from those two
bikes...then I might notice.

On a simialar note, I think I notice a definite ride difference between my
steel frames and my aluminum frames. I usually like the stiff aluminum better
though sometimes I'll be in the mood for a recreational romp on a steel frame.
Isn't it strange, the things we notice about our bikes?

Happy trails

bcoppola

Well...I have the Metro Grand Spring Tour (Sunday, May 4 https://www.lmb.org/dcc/mgst/ ) flyer here in front of me...you doing it?

cmcanulty

I ride all winter in Marquette Michigan up on lake superior, keeps me tough enough to do anything.

WillisB

I have biopace on my Miyata. Love them!

BluesDawg

The only problem I've had with Biopace is when installing a front derailleur, I have to remember to set the derailleur height on the tallest part of the ring or else it will hit when it turns. I've never noticed any particular advantage or disadvantage while riding.

BluesDawg

Now that my rigid Trek 970 is no longer forced into duty as my main offroad ride, I am plotting yet another Frankenbike conversion for it. This time I think I'll go with some version of a dirt drop handlebar, probably an Origin-8 Gary bar and something similar to Ritchey Speedmax dual purpose tires to make it a true on/off road bike.

bcoppola

Yeah, well, us trolls think you Yoopers are a mite tetched in the head.

(Insider jokes for Michiganders)