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Rode on drops for the first time

Old 09-11-13, 09:53 PM
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Rode on drops for the first time

A coworker of mine gave he his old (?) Trek 1200 bike the other day. He used to ride with Pax Velo, but ended up getting another bike he liked more, so this one was just sitting around. It came with just those tiny clipless pedals and it didn't have a seat, but I fixed the seat issue pretty quick with a lucky salvage find. Managed to give it a spin the other night. Let me tell you, I had no idea how different these kinds of bikes are. Drops and a short top tube really scrunch you in weird directions, and those skinny tyres are something else. 700x32c, specifically. And the thing has frame shifters! Totally different skill set, ended up staying in first gear (out of 14) the whole way (which I think has roughly the same ratio as like my regular bike's 5th gear or thereabouts - gotta maths that later). This is also the first time I've ridden a bike with those brake levers mounted perpendicular to the horizon. That was...refreshing.

I'll see about getting some pics soon. It is a bright neon yellow kind of colour, with what could either be some serious marring or some kind of weird paint pattern.

I still have the tiny pedals attached, much less than optimal, but I'm in the middle of unpacking from a move so I haven't had a chance to go buy a wrench, new pedals and attach them yet. The thing weighs like less than nothing - first time I picked it up I almost dropped it because I over compensated.

But yeah, drops. Stoked. Once I get proper pedals, I might try seeing just how fast I can go...

M.
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Old 09-11-13, 09:56 PM
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Road bikes can be weird at first, but very addicting afterward.
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Old 09-11-13, 10:02 PM
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I am pretty sure that bike has 23mm tires, not 32. But yes, road bikes are fun.
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Old 09-11-13, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
I am pretty sure that bike has 23mm tires, not 32. But yes, road bikes are fun.
Yep, you're right. Transposed some numbers there. Skinny skinny. Surprised they didn't get diced on some glass or something.

M.
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Old 09-12-13, 01:47 AM
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From the perspective of someone who has been riding road bicycles since she was about 11 years old ... this thread made me chuckle.

I'm amazed how upright mtn bikes are, and how wide and heavy the tires are.
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Old 09-12-13, 03:38 AM
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Are you sure this bike is the right size? If you're feeling "scrunched up", it may be too small. Or perhaps you need a longer stem.
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Old 09-12-13, 06:41 AM
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The pedals that are currently on it are the "proper" ones.
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Old 09-12-13, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by MEversbergII
I still have the tiny pedals attached, much less than optimal, but I'm in the middle of unpacking from a move so I haven't had a chance to go buy a wrench, new pedals and attach them yet.

Once I get proper pedals, I might try seeing just how fast I can go...
If you post a photo of the pedals, we might be able to tell you want kind of cleats to get so you can use them.
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Old 09-12-13, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by rebel1916
The pedals that are currently on it are the "proper" ones.
Figure out what kind they are and get some cycling shoes and cleats to ride them.
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Old 09-12-13, 09:45 AM
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I actually don't think I can use cleats. This is because I was born with Achilles tendons that do not have the proper length - too short. Subsequently, my shin muscles are very weak and I can't flex my foot upwards away from the ground. Thus, I think pulling upwards during the upstroke would be impossible, and I'd just be dragging my foot downwards as my leg goes up.

M.
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Old 09-12-13, 09:51 AM
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The "pulling on the upstroke" benefit is largely overstated. The main reason to have clipless pedals is solid foot retention that you can easily operate with your feet (as opposed to reaching down to tighten/loosen toe clips.)
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Old 09-12-13, 09:52 AM
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You might want to have the friend who gave it to you check to make sure you have the seat at the right height and explain the clipless pedal system to you. If you're about the same size, maybe he will even have an old pair of shoes you can try out?

I think you're wise to stay in one gear until you get used to the bike. I remember the first time I rode a road bike, I was so busy trying to figure out how to shift that I crashed into a brick wall. Years later, when I once again had a bike with down tube shifters, it took a while to relearn the skill. That time I rode off the pavement while concentrating on the gears, but at least I didn't hit a wall. I recommend that you do your practice runs on a quiet trail rather than around car traffic!
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Old 09-12-13, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by MEversbergII
I actually don't think I can use cleats. This is because I was born with Achilles tendons that do not have the proper length - too short. Subsequently, my shin muscles are very weak and I can't flex my foot upwards away from the ground. Thus, I think pulling upwards during the upstroke would be impossible, and I'd just be dragging my foot downwards as my leg goes up.

M.
Well then, you might want to go with good old toe clips, although that's another learning curve. Power Grips are another possibility.

a lot of us transportation riders use BMX type pedals, even on skinny tire bikes. These platform pedals have little teeth to keep feet on the pedals. Two advantages here: cheaper, and you can wear regular (non-cycling) shoes while pedaling. These work great, but you will lose many cool points with the roadies.
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Last edited by Roody; 09-12-13 at 10:05 AM.
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Old 09-12-13, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
(as opposed to reaching down to tighten/loosen toe clips.)
Hi,

I think most who use toeclips just set them and forget them, none
of the reaching down shenanigans. When racers used them they
would tighten them for hard climbs, sprints and finishes but have
them looser most of the time, otherwise they are too uncomfortable.


rgds, sreten.
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Old 09-12-13, 12:15 PM
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No one use them with cleats anymore, huh?
https://www.yellowjersey.org/tocleat.html
That's a 2013 model.
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Old 09-12-13, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Roody
Well then, you might want to go with good old toe clips, although that's another learning curve. Power Grips are another possibility.

a lot of us transportation riders use BMX type pedals, even on skinny tire bikes. These platform pedals have little teeth to keep feet on the pedals. Two advantages here: cheaper, and you can wear regular (non-cycling) shoes while pedaling. These work great, but you will lose many cool points with the roadies.
I think toe clips may have some of the same problems. I'll have to experiment. I might get some cage pedals with good teeth for security. My SO and I are around the same size so we're are both able to use it (she actually thinks it's awesome), so flat pedals means I wouldn't have to get two sets of cleats

RE scrunching: It's actually a bad choice of words. Not used to the body position, specifically how close over the front wheel I am compared to what I regularly ride and how I have to position my head.

M.
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Old 09-12-13, 12:38 PM
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That's a zero float slot.. I liked the wider cleat on my old Sidi Cyclocross shoe..
but better yet is a hourglass slot so angle of fo to pedal can change..

So I got a sole, custom modified to my need, built up on either side of the slot , and that worked .. for Me.
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Old 09-12-13, 05:32 PM
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I recommend platform pedals until you are used to the bike.
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Old 09-12-13, 08:45 PM
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For down tube shifters, just look dead ahead and reach down by feel following the outisides of the tube to find and grab the shifters. it's when you look down that you get unstable. a few rides and you will fimd them easily.
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Old 09-12-13, 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by TromboneAl
I recommend platform pedals until you are used to the bike.
Originally Posted by kingsqueak
For down tube shifters, just look dead ahead and reach down by feel following the outisides of the tube to find and grab the shifters. it's when you look down that you get unstable. a few rides and you will fimd them easily.
Good advice!
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Old 09-13-13, 10:13 AM
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M, I enjoyed your post because I recently had the same experience when a friend my size gave me an older road bike. I had what we used to call a "ten speed", which meant road bike back in the early '80s, but haven't been on one since.

Quote edited to highlight the same experiences I had:

Originally Posted by MEversbergII
... those skinny tyres are something else. 700x32c, specifically. This is also the first time [in decades] I've ridden a bike with those brake levers mounted perpendicular to the horizon. That was...refreshing.

The thing weighs like less than nothing - first time I picked it up I almost dropped it because I over compensated.

But yeah, drops. Stoked. Once I get proper pedals, I might try seeing just how fast I can go...
I'm in the same boat. Mine came without any pedals at all and I put on some platforms from another bike just to try it out. Mine will need a full overhaul, I think, and I'm saving my pennies to have that done. Does anyone have an idea of what bike shops charge to completely rebuild a bike - not just a tune-up, but new cables, all bearings repacked, etc.? I imagine it's too variable with whatever's wrong with an individual bike to say for sure. I'm thinking $200-ish. Whether right or wrong, that's my target for savings for this project.

I'd sure like to find some local bike freak who would do the job for fun and a couple cases of beer.
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Old 09-13-13, 10:57 AM
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Awesome to hear you got a good one too. I just ordered some platforms and a wrench, expecting to toss the pedals on middle of next week. In the meantime my bike attention is on an old 3 speed...

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Old 09-13-13, 11:17 AM
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Post some pics if you get a chance. I'd love to see your freebie. Here's mine. Needs matching tires, handlebar tape, probably new cables, and I suspect a new chain and possibly a cassette since it pops and clangs and clunks in the back if I pedal hard, like going uphill.

https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...psbc44ca82.jpg
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Old 09-13-13, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by MEversbergII
I actually don't think I can use cleats. This is because I was born with Achilles tendons that do not have the proper length - too short. Subsequently, my shin muscles are very weak and I can't flex my foot upwards away from the ground. Thus, I think pulling upwards during the upstroke would be impossible, and I'd just be dragging my foot downwards as my leg goes up.

M.
I've got seriously jacked up feet and ankles... born with bilateral clubbed feet. I've got very limited ankle motion, but it's a non-issue. You will benefit from clipless regardless. You don't really pull up (or flex-up) with your shins in that way. I would at least give them a try. I did and would never go back.
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Old 09-17-13, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by puckett129
I've got seriously jacked up feet and ankles... born with bilateral clubbed feet. I've got very limited ankle motion, but it's a non-issue. You will benefit from clipless regardless. You don't really pull up (or flex-up) with your shins in that way. I would at least give them a try. I did and would never go back.
Man, I thought I had it rough! Was your club foot corrected?

On the bright side, I am slowly overcoming some of the deficiencies. I still have ****e range of motion, but I can semi-competently stand and pedal now. A year ago, that was a recipe for disaster.

M.
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