DoB

Isn't that kind of the case for all accidents? Are you suggesting that everyone who has ever had an accident of any kind is a careless idiot?

So instead of doing things in out life that reduce our chances of accidents I guess we should all be perfect, aware and careful people like you.

DoB

If there were stops every 500 feet on my 25 mile daily ride I don't think it would be feasible for me.

I also doubt the pictured woman is doing a 25 mile RT commute on that bike.

I-Like-To-Bike

You are wrong only when you think you think the appropriate places for posting the recommended efficiency techniques/equipment for racing events belongs in the commuting forum. Commuting IS more about going to the store for a loaf of bread (or going to work to earn it) than training for the next "event." Except for the Real Cyclists' brand of commuting.

SSP

Well, I'm glad we got that straightened out.


As has been pointed out to you previously, many of us who commute by bike enjoy it because it's an easy way to incorporate extra miles and training time into our busy lives. As such, we're interested in tools and techniques that can assist us in our quest for fitness and efficiency on the bike.

Of course, those are all non-issues if you're a a member of the Real Slow Cyclists' brand of commuting, but hopefully there's room enough in this forum for both.

Banzai

I'm glad you are here to tell me what I'm wrong to talk about. Please explain to me the topics I am allowed to discuss in the commuting forum. I missed the allowed discussion points obviously, but I certainly don't want to say things that ILTB thinks I shouldn't say.

I thought I had pointed out that clipless was actually not specifically for racing, but that racing is a pursuit that certainly has a corner on power efficiency. Sure is good to know I screwed that up too.

I will be much happier if you will help me to be a true commuter, as opposed to the fake one I am now, by telling me how my convenient recessed cleat egg-beater clipless system is hindering my trip to the grocery store and only helping me train for the next "event".

Here I was, trying to stay on-topic with the OPs attempt to define and test an hypothesis. Absolutely ridiculous! He shouldn't have even started this thread! That I even let myself get suckered into a thread started by one of the so-called Real Cyclists...if we're not careful, those factinistas will be swarming the commuting forum, telling stories about their so-called commutes when all they care about is their next event. It's like stealing food right out of my mouth...especially if they beat me to the grocery store with enough time to still crawl on all fours to the bread aisle before I can beat them to it!

THAT'S IT, Real Cyclists...you are officially ON NOTICE! Don't think you can infiltrate our borders like this and get away with it. I'm watching you now that I've been shown the error of my ways!

(Yes, I realize that even responding to the above post has diminished me as a person, but I was overwhelmed by a wave of sarcasm.)

Banzai

No, but whatever she's doing...she looks good doing it!

(Beautiful woman commuting on a bicycle...I'm in love!)

On a serious note, it could be argued that the coffee would make her less inclined to stop. Continued forward motion makes it easier to balance and sip said coffee. Stopping may entail the need for both hands, resulting in a catastrophic spill.

Barabaika

Well, if she and you both commute, for example, 3 miles, she will win with ease even going 5 mph.
She doesn't need time to put on and take off special biking clothes and shoes.

If her bike has a coaster brake, she can stop by backpedaling. No need for both hands.

slvoid

Ha.. yeah me, careful, you must be new around here.
I'm suggesting that anyone who keeps having accidents that the majority of people seem to avoid is absolutely a careless idiot, you're right. Real careless.

slvoid

That's exactly why I seem to stop less on my track bike or when I'm eating or holding the phone while I'm riding.

Lamplight

I don't doubt that clipless pedals make for a more efficient pedal stroke than platform pedals. But to be honest, the bikes I usually commute on are a 24 year old touring bike and a 45+ pound 14 year old mtb with a homemade light (and a lead acid battery) and tires that probably weigh over two pounds a piece. I'm obviously not too concerned about squeezing out every ounce of efficiency. I am, however, concerned about being able to hop on a bike without "suiting up".

I-Like-To-Bike

Correct. It belongs in the Road Cycling list where the subject is relevant.

M_S

And what about the many people on here who commute 20 miles each way? Increased efficiency may indeed mean quite a bit to them.

And what about my case? My commute is short, but I only have one bike in my dorm room, and I also like to do recreational riding. According to you, it seems, my options are:

1) Get a set of platform pedals and switch them out every time I want to commute. I'm skeptical that this would in fact be more conventiant than simply changing my shoes at work (which I don't always do anyways, since I have recessed cleats).

2) Get a set of platform pedals and keep them on. I suppose I could do my 100 mile ride tomorrow with platforms, as well as race cyclocross, but no thank you.

3) Stop commuting by bike.


I think I'll just continue using clipless, even if it means I'm not actually commuting.

BarracksSi

Okay, this is getting ********.

If clipless pedals can help with efficiency, then wouldn't it be a good idea for -- oh, let me guess -- commuting??

If we were talking about cars, some of you would be crapping on fuel-efficient cars as a stupid idea for the daily hour-long drive to work.

This retro-grouch, "I'm so hardcore that I ride on wooden wheels" bull**** is some of the stupidest stuff I've ever read. If I'm carrying five hundred pounds of gear to the office, you can be damned sure I'm going to find every way possible to get every bit of my pedaling strength to the ground.

SSP

ILTB is the resident curmudgeon. He commutes (slowly) on a heavy bike fitted with a nasty-looking 30 year old leather saddle, and seems to believe that everyone else should too.

Apparently, he has "issues" with anyone who:

• rides for fitness or speed
• wears lycra
• rides carbon fiber
• rides clipless
• posts about these topics in "his" Commuting forum

It's been pointed out to him on numerous occasions that people commute by bike for many reasons...and that many of us are interested in discussing modern cycling accessories and techniques in this context. But he persists in his curmudgeonly quest to define what a "Real Commuter" should look like and ride, and attempt to disparage those who think differently.

BTW, you'll know you've upset him when he starts calling you a "racer boy".

M_S

I guess since I currently ride a modern touring bike, I'm almost but not quite there.


I have been annoyed with the trollish content of ILTB's comments before. I really don;t understand what his problem is.

Sammyboy

This is not accurate. I'm careful, and aware, and in, what, 30 years of cycling now, I've avoided this happening every time but once. I rode that bike 10 miles a day every day summer and winter for two years. No matter how careful you are, sometimes things go wrong. Additionally, even without that aspect, I much prefer the feeling of my feet being anchored in pedals, and am often aware of pulling up when climbing, or sprinting onto a roundabout (commuting often involves a lot of sprinting, IMO). I don't mind other people not liking clips and straps, or preferring clipless, for me, the clips and straps are optimal. I can do without them, and indeed, I like not having to faff with the pedal while pulling away, but on balance, I wish they were there.

I-Like-To-Bike

The "problem" is your inability to comprehend an idea or a concept that doesn't fit your own frame of reference, i.e. all bicycling issues revolve around racing efficiency. Hence for you any other opinion offered must be trollish.

Testing Grant Peterson's theories of pedaling efficiency and the opinions of racers and trainers for the most efficient techniques for "events" is not really a commuting issue but might fit well on the Roadie, Touring or Racer lists. Sure those techniques might be of interest to some commuters, but then so might some mountain biking techniques or BMX, or Car Free ideas, or even some classic and vintage tips. Maybe BF Forums should only have one discussion list since there might be some crossover, for the likes of yourself who don't want to discuss the subject in the most appropriate list, eh? Understand now, Jack?

BarracksSi

*COUGH*WHEEZE*OBNOXIOUS THROAT CLEARING* Um... You're really not making any sense. Sorry.

Earlier:

Any more of this **** and my ignore list gains another member.

BarracksSi

Okay, fine. I'll actually address your post.

You can stop right there. Bicycling has been all about efficiency from the start, and has nothing to do with racing. People bike to get somewhere relatively quickly with less effort and more flexibility than by using other methods.

Your complaint that the quest for efficiency is only applicable to racing, then, is a completely invalid complaint.

You should take the chain off your bike, since it's obviously a mechanism designed for increasing efficiency. So are the wire-spoked wheels with pneumatic tires. You have to ditch your metal frame, too, since it's lighter yet stronger than a wood frame.

Come back to BF when you've reached your Holy Grail of slow, heavy bicycling. Until the, you can just shut your hole.

I-Like-To-Bike

Oh My! Is that a threat, insult or a boast?
IMO, it is just another silly Jack Donkey boasting with pride about his technique for avoiding any potential negative waves that might upset his emotional equillibrium and tender sensibilities.

BarracksSi

Wow, what a **** you are. Goodbye.

Banzai

Firstly, my apologies to the OP for ALLOWING ILTB to drag myself and others into a pissing match on this thread, especially when you obviously put some thought and effort into that post and probably wanted a little more discussion about it.

Secondly, being familiar with ILTB's narrow concept and unexplainable anger over what a "True Commuter" should be, I stated earlier that I knew even responding to his post diminished me as a person. It somehow lends a little bit of validation to some of his ridiculous statements while dragging me into a fruitless use of my time. Ever see an adult actually "argue" with a two year old? It's just that silly.

Finally, however...I couldn't help myself. Obviously there are several others who couldn't either. ILTB's growling and curmudgeonly posts are what they are, and typically I easily dismiss them as wrong-headed. But this was a new step; instead of simply saying something angry and ridiculous...he decided to tell me (and others) what I can and cannot say on "Commuting". Which, I suppose, is a new way to "win" a debate/discussion; no one is ALLOWED to post anything that differs from your own viewpoint.

That pegged out my "you are full of $#!T meter".

If I COMMUTE (i.e. run errands, go to work, or other "utility" transportation use of a bicyle) with:

-A CF Cervelo racing bike and full lycra.
-A single speed/fixed gear.
-A CX bike with or without clipless.
-A MTB with full suspension and shredded up camoflage shorts.
-A recumbent bike.
-A touring bike with or without disc brakes.

I'll discuss it here. And so will others. Just so you know, ILTB, the commuting forum IS that nightmare of a "crossover" forum you alluded to. It's a "pluralistic society" if you will, and no matter how silly I may personally think it is to commute on a full suspension MTB with knobby tires...guess what?

They can discuss here, on the Commuting forum.

SSP

^^^^^^^^^^^^


Very well said!

plodderslusk

At 50 I have biked more than half my life anchored to the pedals with either clips and straps or clipless pedals. I simply do not feel safe riding with my feet loose on the pedals. I would of course get used to it if I tried but why I should is beyond me. If someone likes to go slow and use platforms (or fast for that matter), it is perfectly OK with me. I like the control over the bike that clipless gives me, and I like to get to work and back home as fast as I can. Cudos to the OP for putting the issue to a real test.

BarracksSi

Yup. Commuting, at its core, is about getting there.