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OK so I'm around 170lbs, which is 77kg. 77 * 6 is 462, so let's say 470W over an hour? Sounds like a lot :p Is there any reasonable method in calculating bike power other than using those powertap cranks? I'm nowhere near TdF levels obviously, but I'd be interested in finding out quite how much I suck.

Anyone ever considered doing the TdC? - I'm going to be doing it in or before 2010 (the year I'll be 30). My main problem being finances to afford it (3 months off work + fees = $$$), if need be I'll go it alone without the Tour proper, but I'd rather not if poss.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6055289)

Anyone ever considered doing the TdC? - I'm going to be doing it in or before 2010 (the year I'll be 30). My main problem being finances to afford it (3 months off work + fees = $$$), if need be I'll go it alone without the Tour proper, but I'd rather not if poss.

I was going to do my ride with them, but there were some issues with being able to raise money for charity while doing their ride. I don't think my blood presure will like me getting into those issues.

That said, while in Quebec I met some people who were doing it. They said it was a good operation. They did have nice maps for each day's ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jet sanchEz (Post 6054586)

I really wonder about radial on the streets of Toronto, you don't think they might be too delicate? I am pretty big though, so I know I could never get away with it but then again, I am riding 28h Miches and haven't had a problem......yet.

Radial seems alright for me in the front. My Shimano R561 front wheel is radial. Same with the Aksium front. I wouldn't want radial anywhere in the rear, tho.

So it is possible to do distance on fixed. I rode fixed up to the school (GH)... s'alright, just gotta go down from 82 gear inches. Maybe go from a 50t in the front to a 46 or 42.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6055289)

Nothing remotely useful anyways. There's online calculators which is just basically one big derviation from first principles of how much power you "should" be putting out to maintain a certain speed. Obviously none of the variables that are important can be measured accurately enough to give you a good wattage end result. (*coughs* iBike)

So in a nutshell: powertap ($900 for the hub) is the cheapest way to determine power. 6W/kg is elite, lance armstrong level so you don't necessarily need to be that high. If you can get yourself on a computrainer, that will also tell you how much power you're doing.

http://www.biketechreview.com/archive/pm_review.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jet sanchEz (Post 6055052)

Sounds like they will be a wicked set of wheels, what are they going on?

My steelie clamont

Quote:

Originally Posted by kergin (Post 6055527)

So it is possible to do distance on fixed. I rode fixed up to the school (GH)... s'alright, just gotta go down from 82 gear inches. Maybe go from a 50t in the front to a 46 or 42.

82 gear inches o_0

On Half-radial for rear wheels, this is what Sheldon has to say:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown

"More and more rear wheels now are built "half-radial" with semi-tangent spoking on the right side and radial spoking on the left. Radial front wheels offer mainly esthetic benefits, but half radial rear wheels are substantially more durable than conventional ones. The high amount of dishing called for to make room for more and more sprockets has caused an increase in spoke breakage on the left side of rear wheels. This is caused by metal fatigue.
A spoked wheel relies on having all of the spokes in constant tension. A highly dished rear wheel starts with very light tension on the left side spokes. The torque of hard pedaling can cause the left side "leading" spokes to occasionally go completely slack momentarily. Repeated cycles of tension and slackness cause these spokes to fatigue at the bends, and ultimately break.

With half-radial spoking, the amount of dish is slightly less to begin with if you run the radial spokes up along the inside of its flange. In addition, since there are no "leading" spokes, no amount of torque on the hub can reduce the tension on any of the spokes. In fact, if you have a customer who has been breaking left side spokes, "half rebuilding" the wheel into a half radial will solve the problem once and for all.

Shimano makes some nice wheels, and preform much better aero wise than their price suggests. Check this out: http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html

It's a multi-part "grand" wheel test, wait for the other parts to come online (only the first two right now). But it should be well worth it. They test all the most modern wheelsets against each others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBenway (Post 6055086)

So I do have a chance (6'4", 190lbs)? Was he old too?

Rennick and I a great meet with Sean from the Bicycle Film Festival (Toronto). They've got some good ideas and are looking to really do it up this year - provided all of the required sponsorships, etc... fall into place. But we're going to try and help with that as well. That said, don't be surprised if you get a PM begging to tap into your expertise/networks. :D

Tell him not to do it on the same weekend as the Hot Summer Nights 24h race this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iherald (Post 6055460)

Yeah I read about that a bit, kinda bothered me too as I was thinking of doing some charity-type thing for my venture to make it less selfish and worth more than just self gratification. I signed up to the TdC group though so I could get all the info I could re: LONG distance touring and stuff like that. It does look as though they've got a good operation going. I've never seen anywhere else in Canada really, so for me it's a big personal jaunt as well as a feat unto itself I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuz (Post 6053824)

Hey anybody knows where to get a tool to remove the dust cap on MKS pedals (GR-9: 2 small holes diametrically opposed)? They could use a overhaul. I guess urbane or curbside (who carry MKS pedals) have it...

when in doubt, use vice grips.

i'm not sure i'd be comfortable radial-lacing a rear wheel (a dishless fixed one anyway); mostly because i ride off curbs and am already a big guy (cycling wise) with a penchant for beer and carrying cargo. i do have a 28h wheel that is many years old and holding up fine however. i can't see the reason for building half radial save for wheels with 10 speed cassettes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremywhitehorn (Post 6057731)

when in doubt, use vice grips.

Nooo! :eek: Vice grips are tools to be used only as a last resort! :)

Anyways... turns out the dustcaps are simply popped in. But they're recessed in the pedal so they were very hard to remove.

where is everybody? it's monday, i thought you'd all want to ease your way into the work week with a little bike talk...

I'm having a hard time not walking out of work today, so many stupid people and things that they do... gah! :p Looks like I've got a case of the Mondays! ;)

My BB is on it's last scrape of life by the feel, it's got a significant amount of play in the spindle now - and I need it to last me until payday so I can get it repaired (replaced). As it's my only running bike right now, I'm feeling the pain. Each revolution I'm catching the front derailleur because the cranks are being pushed about that much... Preventative maintenance would've been good here. The extra torque I had to use with the trailer on the back really sent it into a faster decline, I think.

^^ Time to say bye to that FD. Honestly, that sucks. What type of BB do you need?

No idea, I'll be taking it into the shop to get them to do it (likely Urbane) - I don't have the tools for BB replacement either. It's a mid-80s (I think) Centurion LeMans.

I should get rid of the FD, I only use the 42T chainring on *very* rare occasions (like climbing the Niagara Escarpment) - I'm usually singlespeeding it on 52:19. S'ok, it's been an awesome bike and abused to hell and back for a freebie.

does anyone know an approximate cost of stretching a canvas onto one of those wooden stretcher frames? I guess the cost of that stretcher frame too.

kergin/lordfoo:

Can we meet up at bikechain tomorrow or wed around lunch sometime? What times you guys good for (later the better for me 2-3pm?)

How'd you like that play in the BB eh Rob? :p Cheers for booking me in, I'll be sure to clean 'er up before I bring it in too - the Bloor/Danforth valley bridge was *filthy* on Sunday.

So is anyone interested in bike-movies for Thursday circa 7pm?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6067843)

Lol @ the play. Flimflam - if you have time free during the day you can bring it by bikechain and I can help you overhaul/tighten that up. It might just be saveable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by operator (Post 6067374)

kergin/lordfoo:

Can we meet up at bikechain tomorrow or wed around lunch sometime? What times you guys good for (later the better for me 2-3pm?)

Wednesday is better for me, and I can meet there at around 2:30?

Quote:

Originally Posted by operator (Post 6067996)

Lol @ the play. Flimflam - if you have time free during the day you can bring it by bikechain and I can help you overhaul/tighten that up. It might just be saveable.

Where's that then? Google tells me "Cumberland House, 33 St. George St., just north of College St." - if that's still cool, what time will you be there? I've only an hour lunch but can take it just about any time I want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6068484)

Meet 2? Or you can find me at urbane around then - i'm going to ride up there (literally 2 blocks north).

Quote:

Originally Posted by iherald (Post 6067327)

does anyone know an approximate cost of stretching a canvas onto one of those wooden stretcher frames? I guess the cost of that stretcher frame too.

give the people at woolfitt's art supplies a call. i think it depends on the size of the canvas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremywhitehorn (Post 6068718)

give the people at woolfitt's art supplies a call. i think it depends on the size of the canvas.

Thanks!!

kergin/lordfoo: wed it is

ok,

so normally when i'm booking it along college, and a car starts getting to close to the bike lane i'll give a shout, and if they do it again i'll give their car a love tap.

what do you do when the car that repeatedly keeps almost sideswiping you is a cop car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylehutton (Post 6070125)

If you're riding a fully legal bike (read: reflectors/lights/bell), give 'em hell. Otherwise the most I'd do is give them the stink eye. :)

On a related note, I saw a cop car park in the bike lane (with the car still running, 'natch) at College & Huron yesterday while dude ran into Pita Pit for a sammich. Setting a fine example, particularly since there's legal parking on Huron.