SureRock

Hello lads,

Newb here in cycling. Due to my ankle torn ligament a year ago I cant do my usual sports (badminton, football (the one that uses foot), and takraw). After a year with alomst no exercise I had bad news from my Doctor that my health is deteriorating and if I continue this way expect that a visit to ER and bypass surgery round the corner. So check with my physio advised me for low impact sports either swimming or cycling. Due to swimming lacking shopping therapy so I've decided to take cycling. Tried my cousins racing bike and dint like the aggressive stance, tried MTB and like it but I don't think I'm up to it riding along the forgotten trails (yet). So my friendly neighborhood bike shop suggest I custom a Hybrid. I don't know what it is then but it sounded cool so i just nod along. So after 3 days of trying to fit the budget here what I got.

Frame: Corratec X-Vert S 0.2 2013
Wheels: Stans No Tube Alpine ZTR
Tires: Maxxis Detonator
Huns: MVR Racing
Crankset & Brakes: Shimano Acera
Handlebar, Seat, Grip, and Seat Post, handlebar Headset: Spectra Tec
Pedal: Some generic pedal since the shop didnt have a white one



Paid around MYR2450 (approx USD770)...all excited and brought this home...then when I pipe down....I realized I should made a research first..lol...but too late for that...took it for a ride going up hills and find it tad bit heavy...probably should have spend more on fix carbon fork and bigger wheels. Not sure if it can fit tho. and finally...any advice to make it slightly lighter? thanks

canadiandude

I personally would replace the suspension fork with a straight carbon fork. What does the bike weigh at this point?

And welcome to the forums, by the way!

blue_cheese

There have been some very good comments on this forum with regard to suspension forks and weight. Basically, if you are doing it for fitness, it doesn't matter.... a carbon fork may be a little more efficient, but hey so is the seating position on a road bike. A higher spec model may be a couple of pounds lighter, but hey, so is a road bike. And you said you don't like the road bike.

I have a "heavy" Trek DS8.4 with one of those "awful suspension forks" and in a year of more and more intense riding, hills that made me struggle on the granny gear are now nearly effortless. I don't think a lighter, rigid fork would give you as drastic of a result as you expect.

Wanderer

That's a beautiful bike! Just ride it, and enjoy it.................. MHO

deerfly

That was my thought too.
You may find it a tab bit heavy now but the more you ride, the easier those hills will feel.

SureRock

Thanks for the welcome, I'm not sure bout the weight to be exact....The bike shop estimated probably round the range 11-13 kilos...but I think he lied....I't feels like 1 ton going up that hill...

Thanks for the info, I think the reason I'm feeling it heavy because I'm fit like a sloth

Thanks for the compliment, sadly my wife said its a sore to the eyes in our living room.....we appreciate beauty differently

Agreed...just got back cycling in 5 in the morning...air is colder and the bike feels lighter...now I think it weights around 990kilos...

daihard 

Yeah, hills can be tough, but like others say, you will get better as you ride more hills. I have a mile of 5 per-cent grade hill on my commute. When I first tried it, I had to use the granny gears (34/34T) and was still out of breath when I got on top. After a month, I can now climb it with a higher gear combination (34T/24T) fairly comfortably, if not effortlessly. Good luck! You'll get there.

Wanderer

Make sure those tires are pumped up to max. I even inflate mine about 7-8# over max. You might be amazed, if you are riding them under inflated. My Schwalbe Marathon Supremes are rated at 85, and I pump them to 93-92, because that's where mine roll the best. Just don't go overboard with over inflation.

What size, and model, are those tires********** What is their max pressure?

Also, if that fork locks out, keep it locked out unless you really need it......

SureRock

The tires Are Maxxis Detonator 26x1.5 and max pressure are 80psi....so I can inflate higher psi? by how much ? But first...I need to buy a pump...lol

I always lock the fork since I ride on paved road....I prefer the stiffer feels but why do you advice me to keep it lock all the time?

Wanderer

Locking it wherever you are on good surfaces eliminates pogoing when you pedal hard. That robs energy. Yes, while not recommending it, I always inflate to where my tires roll the best. In the case of the Schwalbes, the recommended was exceeded by 7-8 PSI, and works great. I have never had a problem over inflating by 10%

blue_cheese

I would argue that there is no such thing as "robs you of energy" when the goal is exercise All you have to do is output the energy/calories... where it goes is a different story and someone else's problem.

Wanderer

Agreed, to the end result; but, it makes riding much less enjoyable.................. making it less likely that it will continue!

10 Wheels

For Hills:

Shift to your Front Small chain ring (24 T)
Shift to your Largest Cog in the rear (cassette).

Sit up straight, Do Not look at the top of the hill. See how Slow you can go up, Not how Fast.

Once you become accustomed to a hill you can go to harder gears.

SureRock

Definitely didn't look up...I was looking the parallel jogging track where all those chicks are running...I like ya advice mate...go slow...then I can keep up with the girls

https://www.strava.com/activities/89306961

Here is my short route to build up my stamina...my target is to try to do bellow 10 minutes/lap.....ideally by end of the month...

blue_cheese

Yeah...those two 36% grade look nasty, short but nasty, pick up some speed and shift down to keep your pedaling cadence up, don't drop to granny gear right away but shift down to keep cadence up, the hills are steep but fairly short distance

Edit: BTW those may not be the best to start with an ankle injury..... at that slope they may be akin to doing leg presses in the gym

SureRock

The ankle injuries are a year old....doesn't hurt at all since there is no lunging and side stepping compared to my other usual sports....but thanks for the tip...only go granny if I really needs too....