Originally Posted by
alanbikehouston
It is amazing to me how few guys in "Road Bikes" have a clue how a bicycle works.
Oh, this should be fun.
You spin the pedals and the bike goes.
False.
If you select a 70 inch gear, the speed of the bike results from how many times per minute you spin the pedals.
And it doesn't if you select a 100 inch gear?
And, using a well-designed platform pedal, such as the MKS "Sneaker" pedals, a guy who normally spins at 90 RPM's with his "pretend racer" pedals and "pretend racer" shoes will be able to spin at 90 RPM uses work shoes, hiking boots, tennis shoes, or crocs...the speed of the bike relates to the speed of spinning.
He might "be able to", but I know damn well I pull on the upstroke and spin circles often enough that platforms would compromise the ability of my body to produce the power I want.
Today I was with my 11 year old nephew and he saw a guy leaving work dressed just like Lance Armstrong...full team kit, racing shoes, etc. He said "That is why none of the kids at my school ride a bike".
None of the kids at his school ride a bike because they all have video games, cell phones and the internet.
Thanks to the "Look like Lance" bunch, most kids think riding a bike is a "sport" for folks with some serious "style" issues that will take a lot of professional help to resolve.
You're never too young to start wearing lycra.