What have you found to be "cycling myths"?
08-25-14, 07:47 AM
#102
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How long have you been riding for?
This bike has gone to the moon and back in distance.
And rpen, Yes I have gone through many cogs and chains as well as being on the second Grouppo ( Campy centaur). Point is the myth that it is a poor choice for a chain is just that, a myth.
This bike has gone to the moon and back in distance.
And rpen, Yes I have gone through many cogs and chains as well as being on the second Grouppo ( Campy centaur). Point is the myth that it is a poor choice for a chain is just that, a myth.
08-25-14, 07:54 AM
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Because gravity acts as a point source from the center of both masses, lead is more dense and the scale contacts a surface of either mass so that the distance between the Earth's center and the center of the lead (d) is less than the distance to the center of the feathers. As weight is G*M1*M2/d^2
Sorry, pure irrelevant snark on my part but I am overcome in a fit of nerdiness and couldn't resist.
08-25-14, 11:38 AM
#107
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If you're weighing them both on the same scale, and the lead and feathers have exactly the same mass of one avoirdupois pound and the same shape and orientation, then the pound of lead would be heavier.
Because gravity acts as a point source from the center of both masses, lead is more dense and the scale contacts a surface of either mass so that the distance between the Earth's center and the center of the lead (d) is less than the distance to the center of the feathers. As weight is G*M1*M2/d^2
Sorry, pure irrelevant snark on my part but I am overcome in a fit of nerdiness and couldn't resist.
Because gravity acts as a point source from the center of both masses, lead is more dense and the scale contacts a surface of either mass so that the distance between the Earth's center and the center of the lead (d) is less than the distance to the center of the feathers. As weight is G*M1*M2/d^2
Sorry, pure irrelevant snark on my part but I am overcome in a fit of nerdiness and couldn't resist.
No problem.
Last edited by roadwarrior; 08-25-14 at 12:34 PM.
08-25-14, 11:52 AM
#108
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Very peculiar and, of course, very personal. The vast majority of cyclists do better commando. An awful lot of development goes into getting the seams, stitching, pad design in cycling shorts just right for comfortable riding. None of that applies to undershorts. Also if your undershorts are cotton, that means they hold the perspiration right up against your skin instead of wicking it away. Also not good. Rather than thinking you have debunked a myth (which it surely could be for you), why not try giving commando a longer trial? You might try using a chamois cream or Body Glide to lubricate the surfaces at least while you accustom yourself to the differences.
Of course if your underwear are silk...well, let's not go there.
Of course if your underwear are silk...well, let's not go there.
As for debunking a myth, absolutely not. Different strokes for different folks. Things would probably be far more comfortable if there was not a rough seam running down the center of the interior of my cycling shorts. Unfortunately, it's like that on all of them, and I have a few different types of shorts.
Any suggestions on some styles and/or brands to try that aren't designed this way?
08-25-14, 12:29 PM
#109
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Myth: Helmets make you safer
Myth: Helmets don't do anything
Truth: ???
Myth: Helmets don't do anything
Truth: ???
08-25-14, 12:51 PM
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I don't believe the chamois cream is going to help in my case, as it's a matter of a seam being right down the center of the shorts (on the inside of the shorts). While the seam is a flat seam, it is rough. Nonetheless, for lack of a better term, it just "rubs things the wrong way" and irritates quickly. I thought I was going to have to walk my bike back home.
As for debunking a myth, absolutely not. Different strokes for different folks. Things would probably be far more comfortable if there was not a rough seam running down the center of the interior of my cycling shorts. Unfortunately, it's like that on all of them, and I have a few different types of shorts.
Any suggestions on some styles and/or brands to try that aren't designed this way?
As for debunking a myth, absolutely not. Different strokes for different folks. Things would probably be far more comfortable if there was not a rough seam running down the center of the interior of my cycling shorts. Unfortunately, it's like that on all of them, and I have a few different types of shorts.
Any suggestions on some styles and/or brands to try that aren't designed this way?
08-25-14, 02:05 PM
#112
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08-25-14, 02:10 PM
#113
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Based on physics a heavier rider will descend faster, but it's a moot point since the advantage gained on the descent is a fraction of the disadvantage that heavier rider has on the climb up the hill. This is why you don't see Marcel Kittel winning mountain stages on the descent. Not to mention there's more a lighter rider can do on a descent to make them faster than a heavier rider, eg. pedaling harder, getting more aero, or having a better wheelset.
08-25-14, 02:35 PM
#114
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08-25-14, 03:12 PM
#115
Señor Blues
You want to make it indisputable.. All else being equal besides the weight of the riders, the heavier rider WILL descend faster. You're welcome..
08-25-14, 03:41 PM
#116
Señor Blues
Pedaling in circles maybe?
Ran across this old post from RChung, very interesting and he is very wise.
What are your thoughts?
The question is simple. In fact, the answer is pretty simple, too: to go faster, longer, you need to increase the ratio of your power to the various sources of drag that're slowing you down. The reason why people can make a living at coaching shows that although the answer is simple, the path to attaining it isn't. And, as you can see from this thread, taking answers from random people on random internet fora is a crap shoot. Pedaling motion (i.e., the "smoothness" you referred to in your original subject heading) doesn't appear to be part of that path. Studies of elite cyclists show that they don't pedal any "smoother" or "rounder" than average cyclists. Pedaling circles in order to go faster is a red herring (the exception may be for MTBers, who appear to have the most even pedal force application, presumably because they ride on the sketchiest surfaces).
So, to get back to the simple answer, you need to improve your power/drag ratio. Good coaches (and sometimes good books and sometimes, though more rarely, random people on random internet fora who happen to be knowledgeable) know that cadence and pedal motion drills aren't a particularly good way to spend your time if what you're trying to do is increase your power.
[Edit:] Alex Simmons, a pretty good coach and a guy who posts to many internet fora (though perhaps not this one?), used to be a pretty fair racer, with lots of data on his own power and training. Then about 3 years ago he lost his lower left leg after an accident. Not only does he have more than a little L-R imbalance, there's no possible way for him to pedal "circles" or to "scrape mud off the bottom of his shoe" -- his prosthetic won't allow it. He'd yank his stump right out and leave the damn lower leg hanging on the pedal. All he can do is stomp, and stomp hard. Earlier this year he reported that he'd finally matched and exceeded his pre-accident FTP. I bring this up not just because it's an inspiring story, though it is. I bring it up because it's also consistent with the theory, data, and research on pedaling motion. Elite riders don't have smoother pedal motions than those of us who are non-elite. As riders improve their power, they freely choose to increase both their cadence and torque. There is no evidence that exogenously increasing either cadence or torque is a shortcut to improved power. There is no "lost" power to be found by smoothing out your pedal stroke. So the bottom line is, just focus on improving your power and reducing the various sources of drag that slow you down. Everything else is a red herring.
Ran across this old post from RChung, very interesting and he is very wise.
What are your thoughts?
The question is simple. In fact, the answer is pretty simple, too: to go faster, longer, you need to increase the ratio of your power to the various sources of drag that're slowing you down. The reason why people can make a living at coaching shows that although the answer is simple, the path to attaining it isn't. And, as you can see from this thread, taking answers from random people on random internet fora is a crap shoot. Pedaling motion (i.e., the "smoothness" you referred to in your original subject heading) doesn't appear to be part of that path. Studies of elite cyclists show that they don't pedal any "smoother" or "rounder" than average cyclists. Pedaling circles in order to go faster is a red herring (the exception may be for MTBers, who appear to have the most even pedal force application, presumably because they ride on the sketchiest surfaces).
So, to get back to the simple answer, you need to improve your power/drag ratio. Good coaches (and sometimes good books and sometimes, though more rarely, random people on random internet fora who happen to be knowledgeable) know that cadence and pedal motion drills aren't a particularly good way to spend your time if what you're trying to do is increase your power.
[Edit:] Alex Simmons, a pretty good coach and a guy who posts to many internet fora (though perhaps not this one?), used to be a pretty fair racer, with lots of data on his own power and training. Then about 3 years ago he lost his lower left leg after an accident. Not only does he have more than a little L-R imbalance, there's no possible way for him to pedal "circles" or to "scrape mud off the bottom of his shoe" -- his prosthetic won't allow it. He'd yank his stump right out and leave the damn lower leg hanging on the pedal. All he can do is stomp, and stomp hard. Earlier this year he reported that he'd finally matched and exceeded his pre-accident FTP. I bring this up not just because it's an inspiring story, though it is. I bring it up because it's also consistent with the theory, data, and research on pedaling motion. Elite riders don't have smoother pedal motions than those of us who are non-elite. As riders improve their power, they freely choose to increase both their cadence and torque. There is no evidence that exogenously increasing either cadence or torque is a shortcut to improved power. There is no "lost" power to be found by smoothing out your pedal stroke. So the bottom line is, just focus on improving your power and reducing the various sources of drag that slow you down. Everything else is a red herring.
The only way to correctly determine optimum pedaling technique is to test different pedaling techniques with a fully articulated robot, with sophisticated variables, power adjustment of all actuators and extensive feedback capability, on a trainer. My hypothesis is that given certain skeletal dimensions along with a well matched machine, optimum pedaling technique can be determined, and using optimum pedaling technique, as long as that technique doesn't interfere with other processes, will improve overall performance. It may not be significant, but I think performance will be improved. My hypothesis..
08-25-14, 04:02 PM
#117
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I have enough bikes. (This was my wife's contention, but I've proven this notion wrong on multiple multiple occasions.)
Tubulars are not worth the hassle/expense.
Lighter = always better/faster.
Lance Armstrong.
Tubulars are not worth the hassle/expense.
Lighter = always better/faster.
Lance Armstrong.
08-25-14, 05:14 PM
#118
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I'm sorry you have that problem. Most shorts do have a center seam. On mine it is so flat, no matter what brand, I don't even notice that it is there. I can't imagine what makes yours so worrisome, but I guess that is just the way it is. The kind of undershorts I wear wouldn't even do any good for me considering the seam doesn't start until the back of the chamois/pad is above the waist line of my briefs.
08-25-14, 06:00 PM
#121
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I hear ya. But the general consensus is exactly the opposite. The seams inside bike shorts are nowhere near the contact points between the body and the sade. The many seams in jockey shorts style underwear are exactly at the contact points between the body and the saddle. I know which one I am more concerned about. COMMANDO FOREVER!
08-25-14, 06:08 PM
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Myth: "If you lube your chain, sprocket and cassette "properly" it will never get dirty and rub off on your leg/socks." Load of horse pockey. I remember a similar statement while working for the government.."If you planned 'properly' in the first place the project would not be behind." Note the definition of 'proper' resides with the author of the statement. A control freak's ploy to always win the argument.
Rich
Rich
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08-25-14, 06:14 PM
#123
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wax lubes are self cleaning.
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
08-25-14, 07:49 PM
#124
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08-26-14, 05:09 PM
#125
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