Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

What have you found to be "cycling myths"?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

What have you found to be "cycling myths"?

Old 08-24-14, 12:57 PM
  #76  
Senior Member
 
Dudelsack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South Hutchinson Island
Posts: 6,647

Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times in 46 Posts
A knight on the rim is dim.

Oops, wrong forum...
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.




Dudelsack is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 01:00 PM
  #77  
Senior Member
 
woodcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times in 569 Posts
Originally Posted by surgeonstone
How long have you been riding for?
This bike has gone to the moon and back in distance.


And rpen, Yes I have gone through many cogs and chains as well as being on the second Grouppo ( Campy centaur). Point is the myth that it is a poor choice for a chain is just that, a myth.

When riding to the moon & back,
one could time it so that it was down hill both ways,
but a heavier rider would not have an advantage.
woodcraft is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 06:13 PM
  #78  
Redefining Lazy
 
Slackerprince's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: North Metro, MN
Posts: 1,923

Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Synapse 5 105, 2013 Giant Escape 3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fora=Forums.

S
Slackerprince is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 06:16 PM
  #79  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 431
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
This is great,
I Love riding behind a hot chick, It is my excuse to ride slow, very slow and it is a great way to improve balance, no myth there.
I also like the post about the MTB guy that rides 200 miles per week and goes 20mph riding against a headwind.
Yeah right..
Everyone on the forum is an expert and commutes at 20mph in all conditions.

Myth: there are no thread drifts at BF.
I was waiting for the 1st thread drift and I wasn't disappointed...lol

As far as pedaling in circles, I may feel like I am, but probably I'm not, even when I consciously think about the 4 steps.
I just try to keep constant pressure on the bottom bracket and push down heavy with 1 foot while keeping my other foot light while it is going up.
I guess if you think about it, your feet are going to travel in circles anyway because there is no where else for them to go...
'round and 'round.
I also don't get pedaling in squares, I have actually tried this but can't do that either...lol
xuwol7 is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 07:04 PM
  #80  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Myth: Selecting a bike to buy out of two, based on the opinions of a group of people you don't know anything about, prior to test riding either of said bikes, is always a good idea.

Myth: You didn't already know which bike you were going to buy before posting "which bike should I buy?"
pmclamb is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:51 PM
  #81  
Still can't climb
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
get a pro fitting.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer

No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:54 PM
  #82  
Still can't climb
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by surgeonstone
WD-40 is bad for the bike.
that myth is really bad because it is actually very good in many bike uses. when cleaning moving parts other than bearings, it drives out water and protects from rust. after a wet ride i spray it into all the nooks and crannies of moving parts other than bearings.

rear derailleurs benefit most from a wd40 drenching. excellent for chain cleaning too.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer

No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 09:22 PM
  #83  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 616
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by SumoMuffin
Not to mention there's more a lighter rider can do on a descent to make them faster than a heavier rider, eg. pedaling harder, getting more aero, or having a better wheelset.
I don't get it, are you really saying that a heavier rider can't do any of these things?
CharlyAlfaRomeo is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 09:27 PM
  #84  
Other Worldly Member
 
Jseis's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: The old Northwest Coast.
Posts: 1,540

Bikes: 1973 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, 1981 Centurion Super LeMans, 2010 Gary Fisher Wahoo, 2003 Colnago Dream Lux, 2014 Giant Defy 1, 2015 Framed Bikes Minnesota 3.0, several older family Treks

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 194 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times in 53 Posts
"Cycling will save your life". Lifestyle changes will change your life but cycling like a 21 year old at age 59 will shorten your life. Or 2nd Amendment style cycling (you can have that lane when you pry it from my cold dead feet). Cycling in moderation with lifestyle changes will improve your life.
__________________
Make ******* Grate Cheese Again
Jseis is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 09:58 PM
  #85  
wants185s
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Burr Ridge, IL
Posts: 176

Bikes: Cannondale 2003 Caad 4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bicycling Science is not engaging to read. But, it is a good reference to have around particularly if you are technically inclined.

Originally Posted by kbarch
About the pedaling in circles myth, well, it seems obvious that attempting to maintain a perfect circle is not the best way for human legs to maximize power output, but it does seem that smoothness is more efficient in the long run, and it must be healthier in terms of wear and tear.

But speaking of myths and science, who here has read Bicycling Science by David Gordon Wilson? Looks like a hefty tome, and it's published by an academic press, so I'm wondering if it is in any way engaging to read. Unfortunately, the sample chapter was the first, on history, so it's hard to tell how dry or head-spinning the actual science might get.
wants185s is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:07 PM
  #86  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 974

Bikes: One with square wheels

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
Heavier riders descend faster
wrong

Originally Posted by Lazyass
Myth: High internet forum post counts and multiple replies in every single thread make you more knowledgeable than others.

wrong

I am slowly on my way to bust these two myths. #watchoutworld
Team Sarcasm is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:02 PM
  #87  
Senior Member
 
JameB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 94
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Team Sarcasm
wrong




wrong

I am slowly on my way to bust these two myths. #watchoutworld
Heavier riders do descend faster... it's not wrong, it's simple physics. If two riders get into aero positions, the heavier guy will have an advantage...
JameB is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 01:34 AM
  #88  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 974

Bikes: One with square wheels

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JameB
Heavier riders do descend faster... it's not wrong, it's simple physics. If two riders get into aero positions, the heavier guy will have an advantage...

I will prove the "myths" wrong
Team Sarcasm is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 01:58 AM
  #89  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kearneysville, WV
Posts: 739

Bikes: 2012 Cannondale Flash Alloy 2 (mountain bike), 2010 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 (road bike)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Oldhead
Are you talking not pedaling? I consistently go down hill faster than smaller riders. I close the gap fast enough that I have to drag the brake to stay behind them or I just zip right by.
I've ridden with riders heavier than I am, and this is true. I'm always the slower one down the hill. I've even swapped bicycles with people for descents just to see if the results would change. They haven't. Physics 101.

Myth: Cycling shorts are far more comfortable without wearing underwear underneath them.

My Personal Experience: I'd recently tried taking that advice of "riding commando" and didn't make it halfway around the block before I felt like I was using sandpaper on my table, so to speak. I wasn't even on the bike for five minutes.
Wooden Tiger is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 06:36 AM
  #90  
Solo Rider, always DFL
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beacon, NY
Posts: 2,004

Bikes: Cannondale T800, Schwinn Voyageur

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Myth: you can get EVERYTHING you need out of a compact with an 11-speed, no need for a triple crank.
superslomo is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 06:47 AM
  #91  
Senior Member
 
rpenmanparker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by Wooden Tiger
I've ridden with riders heavier than I am, and this is true. I'm always the slower one down the hill. I've even swapped bicycles with people for descents just to see if the results would change. They haven't. Physics 101.

Myth: Cycling shorts are far more comfortable without wearing underwear underneath them.

My Personal Experience: I'd recently tried taking that advice of "riding commando" and didn't make it halfway around the block before I felt like I was using sandpaper on my table, so to speak. I wasn't even on the bike for five minutes.
Very peculiar and, of course, very personal. The vast majority of cyclists do better commando. An awful lot of development goes into getting the seams, stitching, pad design in cycling shorts just right for comfortable riding. None of that applies to undershorts. Also if your undershorts are cotton, that means they hold the perspiration right up against your skin instead of wicking it away. Also not good. Rather than thinking you have debunked a myth (which it surely could be for you), why not try giving commando a longer trial? You might try using a chamois cream or Body Glide to lubricate the surfaces at least while you accustom yourself to the differences.

Of course if your underwear are silk...well, let's not go there.
__________________
Robert

Originally Posted by LAJ
No matter where I go, here I am...
rpenmanparker is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 06:55 AM
  #92  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Originally Posted by JameB
Heavier riders do descend faster... it's not wrong, it's simple physics. If two riders get into aero positions, the heavier guy will have an advantage...
Unless the lighter guy is more dense to a sufficient degree ... or his aero shape is a smooth taper ...
wphamilton is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 06:59 AM
  #93  
Perceptual Dullard
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,395
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 1,122 Times in 482 Posts
That "very wise" describes RChung. "Wise guy" is a better fit.
RChung is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:10 AM
  #94  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Originally Posted by xuwol7
...
Everyone on the forum is an expert and commutes at 20mph in all conditions.
...
As far as pedaling in circles, ...I guess if you think about it, your feet are going to travel in circles anyway because there is no where else for them to go.....
Snipped for brevity. It's probably exaggerated but don't be too sure that some don't commute in all conditions and usually at 20mph.

Regarding the pedaling in circles there have been a few posts and it IS thread drift, but since you mention it, my 2 cents. It's about the power variation in the stroke, shoving down forcefully on the more vertical part with less force before and after. It is more efficient, velocity for given power, to smooth that out however the ultimate difference is very small. You may fatigue faster with "squares" - I don't know, I'm just looking at the equations of motion.

The same can be said for the flywheel effect of heavier wheels, said to smooth out the pedal stroke #myth We'd need quite heavy wheels for it to actually have an impact.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:28 AM
  #95  
Senior Member
 
halfspeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275

Bikes: are better than yours.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by superslomo
Myth: you can get EVERYTHING you need out of a compact with an 11-speed, no need for a triple crank.
Myth: Everyone else's needs are identical to your own.
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
halfspeed is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:34 AM
  #96  
Senior Member
 
roadwarrior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664

Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Elvo
Myth: Carbon is safe
Carbon is faster and lighter.
roadwarrior is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:35 AM
  #97  
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NRW Germany
Posts: 29

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 10 3 Ultegra / Cube AMS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Myth: I gained an extra 1-2mph after shaving my legs.
Chris_2014 is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:37 AM
  #98  
Senior Member
 
roadwarrior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664

Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by woodcraft
When riding to the moon & back,
one could time it so that it was down hill both ways,
but a heavier rider would not have an advantage.
Especially in zero G.

What's heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead?
roadwarrior is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:42 AM
  #99  
mud
Lurker
 
mud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: So IL
Posts: 269

Bikes: 07 Fuji Professional 2.0, Specialized Roubaix SL4 Elite

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
The myth I keep hearing....At the end of the summer you will be able to stay up with the group!!!!......I'm 68...that's not gonna happen....sigh...
mud is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:43 AM
  #100  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,758
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3192 Post(s)
Liked 2,461 Times in 1,490 Posts
Myth: Certain colors of bicycles are faster than others. I've tried every color in the spectrum and still get passed by turtles.
seypat is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.