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Questions on handlebars and trainers

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Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

Questions on handlebars and trainers

Old 05-21-14, 02:03 PM
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Questions on handlebars and trainers

Two seperate questions here.

First, I currently have a Schwinn Continental from the early 70s that I ride, and it has drop bars. I'm not sure if it's an endurance issue, or if I just don't like riding on drop bars, it tends to cause me to get some sore arms and a sore back after a couple miles. I'm 6' 350lbs, are any other larger clydes having problems with them? Are there any better handle bar setups you would recommend?

And, since the winter here was brutal, I ended up putting back on all the weight I lost in the last few summers as I couldn't get out and do anything. The weather is nice now, but I still don't have much time while the sun is up due to switching to a new job on second shift. Does anyone who is larger have experience with trainers? It's something I've been really considering for a while, and the main reason I haven't jumped on one is the fear that I would destroy one very quickly. I have very strong legs and obviously, I do not have a small frame.
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Old 05-21-14, 02:29 PM
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I'm an advocate of trainers as much as I had being on them.
Right now you could probably find a good deal on a Kurt Kinetic or similar and along with a program such as Trainer Road or some other semi-guided program you could see results. I believe that the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll is the only one in their line that has a weight limit.

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Old 05-21-14, 02:39 PM
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IBOHUNT is on target here ... I'm a bigger guy, was pushing close to 300 earlier this year and I spent time on a trainer (Blackburn, older mag model).

Any quality trainer should be fine, except the Kurt Kenetic noted above.
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Old 05-21-14, 02:54 PM
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You and I are about the same height and weight.

I have a Kurt Kinetic. I bought the Kinetic because it said it would handle a tandem, so I figured it would be able to handle the load I would put on it.

As far as drop bars, I like them when I am lighter, although I usually ride on the hoods. At my current size, I stick to my hybrid. Of course, my drop bar bike has a tall stem, so I am not sure if I would like the Continental or not. It has been a long time since I rode a Schwinn from that era (although I have 2 LeTours from the 70's).

I know that the Continental's stem is the old Schwinn oddball size for insertion into the head tube, but I don't know what the clamp diameter is. You could possibly get a riser handlebar with the right clamp diameter and change the bar (and brake levers) or do the common "rotate the bars so that the drops are above the stem" routine, but when I see those, I am always curious how they stop the darned thing safely.

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Old 05-23-14, 03:19 PM
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Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm currently saving my pennies so I can afford a new trainer, hopefully before next winter.

And on the handlebars subject, do any of you bigger guys have much experience with flat bars or mustache bars? My only flat bar experience has been a bit too low for me and gave me a lot of numbness. I'm at a point right now where I think riding comfortable will make me ride more, instead of less.
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Old 05-23-14, 03:45 PM
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I ride riser bars (specifically Easton EA-30) that would not work on your Continental due to clamp diameter, but you could probably find something similar. I prefer a little more rise and sweep than the typical mountain bike flat bar. I also use Ergon grips to aid the hands a bit.

I think a rider gets used to lower bars with time, but you have to be comfortable enough to get there... kind of a a catch 22 situation.

Let me dig through my parts bin and see if I have anything I can send you to aid the transition that will work with your Continental. If so, I'll let you know in the next few days via PM.
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Old 05-23-14, 05:40 PM
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I started back riding at the start of winter so I utilized a trainer over The colder months. Also like nights tonight where I had an emergency at work I ended up not riding but when things quieter down tonight I will get on for an hour.
Another thumbs up here for the Kurt Kinetic. It has a great warranty and it is strongly built that will easily take your power . It also has a power curve that is consistent across each one which allows you to calculate power output as well as allows applications like Trainerroad to calculate your power output.
i have to be honest when I started on the trainer I would quickly get bored. Now I train to DVDs called Sufferfest Cycling Training Videos / THE SUFFERFEST and that has helped me increase my time and taken away the boredom.
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Old 05-23-14, 08:57 PM
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I am a bit smaller clyde, I use drops on all of my road bikes except the tt bike. 90% of my riding is one the brake hoods. I only use the drops to be in an aero position or when going against strong head winds.

Are you riding on the drops, or on the hoods or by the bends on the top of the bars? Is the stem raised to the minimum insertion mark?

I really don't care for straight bars for long riding, there are too few hand positions on them. I like drops because of all the hand positions available and that keeps my hands from feeling numb.

In the early spring I get sore arms too, I think that is because I am supporting all my upper body weight on my arms for 2 hours. As you build body strength the muscle pain will be reduced.

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