Bike Forums - 65-85+ Thread

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I'm looking too but cadence is more important to me; and, if there's something new that doesn't require wires, all the better. Anyone liking Cateye's Strada wireless?

Done deal...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....jaL._SS75_.jpg
Cateye Strada 410 Digital Wireless Computer

Arriving tomorrow...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougG (Post 17800951)

Unfortunately, at 68 I'm still as competitive as ever. I say "unfortunately" because it's what's led to my recent string of injury problems (running-related, not from biking). Back when I was a middle-of-the-pack runner, I didn't care that much about my time as long as I finished "in the top half" or whatever. But the last few years I've actually started placing much higher and even won my AG in a well-attended 10K a couple years ago. So now I tend to try to break into the top 3 at these events, and in a 5K that means running hard from start to finish. As a result I'm still trying to get over my latest hamstring pull and knee problems.

This is pretty much me too, now 65 and I ran my last 5k two years ago at 24:32. The R knee pain that results from running just not worth the risk. I really miss running but no pain when riding and I'd like to keep it that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougG (Post 17800951)

Fortunately, it hasn't affected my biking, and there's no way I'll take that up competitively!

Nor would I but still have that competitive spirit!

Retired from a college, want to get back (way back) to biking, & am hoping a folder arrives next week. Bike as I swim, slow but cheerful.
Favorite bikes from back (way back) when = 2 St. Raphael Geminianis, mixtes. They had a je ne sais quoi.
This is a fun thread, if thread's the right word.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 622keehner (Post 17912623)

Retired from a college, want to get back (way back) to biking, & am hoping a folder arrives next week. Bike as I swim, slow but cheerful.
Favorite bikes from back (way back) when = 2 St. Raphael Geminianis, mixtes. They had a je ne sais quoi.
This is a fun thread, if thread's the right word.

mixtes like this? : http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...l/DSC_0468.jpg

New folder with 20 inch wheels?

Mixte, my mistake, wrong word for the St Rafs--women's bikes they were--had a mixte Raleigh ahhh.
New folder a 16 inch.

Correction--St Rafs did appear as in photo, except had a used look: 1st handpainted bumpy blue, 2nd rescued from thrift store. Great bikes.
How did you come across the St Raf in photo?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 622keehner (Post 17914341)

Correction--St Rafs did appear as in photo, except had a used look: 1st handpainted bumpy blue, 2nd rescued from thrift store. Great bikes.
How did you come across the St Raf in photo?

Google. I don't remember ever hearing of Raphael bikes before.
specifically, I googled 'Raphael Geminianis mixte' images.

I'm new on the forum but I'm 68 so I guess I belong here with the rest of you old Guys:thumb::thumb:

Cheers
Bob

After a certain age the more competitive among us have begun going by our resting heart rate instead of age... cheers.

I am amazed there are 67 pages of old people talking about bicycling. I am an old people too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedde (Post 17910960)

,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm at 65 too I ran for years at good times now I'm trying to get my 5k to 25 min. I'm satisfied, even though there are runners in my group older and running 21-22 min 5k's,, I say let them and listen to your body ,,,If I had known I was gonna live this long ,I would have taken better care of myself....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougG (Post 17852482)

I also doubt it's "short cage." Your bike has the latest trend in gearing that has an 11-32 tooth spread on the cassette as opposed to the 12-27 that came on my last road bike with a similar crank. With a compact double crank, this gives you a lower climbing gear (34-32), which is better than the racier combo with a 34-27 low gear and is actually not that far from my oldest bike with its triple crank and a 30-27 lowest ratio.

The disadvantage of an 11-32 cassette IMO is that you lose having as many close-spaced cogs, but that 11th gear helps with that (on my 12-27 cassette, the first 6 gears are only a tooth apart).

Apparently, I was wrong about being a long cage RD. As it turns out, Shimano's new 11-speed derailleurs are either small or medium cage. As they're currently designed, "medium" 105s handle up to a 32T freewheel whereas the "short" 105s go to 28.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460222

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDB (Post 17917033)

I'm new on the forum but I'm 68 so I guess I belong here with the rest of you old Guys:thumb::thumb:

Cheers
Bob

Me, too....'cept I'm 72. Newly 99% retired and after 20 plus years away back into cycling. Got the time now, got the energy, and it's just freakin' great!

Well, I am pretty sure I qualify for this thread because I am 73 and just bought a Trek 7.4fx two weeks ago. Haven't ridden any distance except a 10 mile ride in Germany three years ago. So now I am riding a little every day in our neighborhood...2+ miles...and it is beginning to feel good. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so i get to use all the low gears for sure. My hands were going numb, so I had a stem extension installed and that has helped a lot with an 80% improvement. Today I bought some gloves with the tricky little pads, so I am hoping that does the rest of the improvement.

I have been a regular gym go-er for the last six or seven years, and before that I was a runner...long distances and very slow. So while I have some aerobic base, my body is still getting used to this new activity. I have a lot to learn.

I am happy to find this thread, because I thought I was the only 70+ year old riding...but now I know there are other strange people out there like me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeway (Post 17929733)

Well, I am pretty sure I qualify for this thread because I am 73 and just bought a Trek 7.4fx two weeks ago. Haven't ridden any distance except a 10 mile ride in Germany three years ago. So now I am riding a little every day in our neighborhood...2+ miles...and it is beginning to feel good. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so i get to use all the low gears for sure. My hands were going numb, so I had a stem extension installed and that has helped a lot with an 80% improvement. Today I bought some gloves with the tricky little pads, so I am hoping that does the rest of the improvement.

I have been a regular gym go-er for the last six or seven years, and before that I was a runner...long distances and very slow. So while I have some aerobic base, my body is still getting used to this new activity. I have a lot to learn.

I am happy to find this thread, because I thought I was the only 70+ year old riding...but now I know there are other strange people out there like me.

Too much weight on the hands will do that. Had the same issue at about 5-6 miles as I was getting acquainted with new bike before I began adjusting stuff. Stem changes fixed that for me as well.

Started out with a mile to, max, two miles a day. Within a month my daily distance was eight. For some reason, maybe a lot to do with my current bike, this is now a hell of a lot less "work" and more fun than when I last rode at age 50.

Strange is good, imo. Tho, over 70 I believe we now get to legitimately get to claim eccentric.

Izumi gloves with gel pads have helped my hand numbness about another 15%...only 5% to go. I have adjusted the grips, so I think next maybe some gel tape...there is such a thing, right?

I am experimenting with clip-on aerobars. Never used them before...

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBTC (Post 17933655)

I am experimenting with clip-on aerobars. Never used them before...

IMO, clip-on aerobars=best thing since sliced bread. Only way I can get out and enjoy longer rides on the road bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldTryGuy (Post 17933744)

IMO, clip-on aerobars=best thing since sliced bread. Only way I can get out and enjoy longer rides on the road bikes.

Good to hear. I'm looking forward to that working out for me too.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=461240

I brought the(aero+bullhorn Profile) bars up and closer, the real aero part was a Fairing, Zzipper"thriller"
not hunkering over like a Hunchback.

it was the rig for a 12 OW, 24 RT mile commute in the 90's , since dismantled, since I Moved House and then a different Town.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBTC (Post 17856193)

This is what I was thinking: 15 unique gears about equally spaced apart --e.g.,

Gear inch chart:

Shimano 50/34T Chainrings
11-Speed Freewheel

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[TR]
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Rings
/
Cogs

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[TD="width: 55, bgcolor: transparent"]

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