kinks to work out
 

hey everyone...im making a thread! i want some general feedback on some stuff. (plz)

a) i keep getting/aggravating bruises on my inner thighs mostly around my knee but also right below the good stuff. this just poor technique? or something that will stop bruising once i dont bump it so much? maybe im answering my own question? has this happened to others etc etc ?

i think part of the problem is that my firends have been riding fixed for a long time and can do some cool stuff so i try to imitate and i dont have the skillz to back it up

b) i practiced some more advanced skids cause im cool and i broke through a new/cheap tire in like 2 days (30 miles of commute and 2-3 hours of long skids and some shifty 180s). is this cause of the bad tire? it was a bontrager "select B" ... costs 15 bucks from bike line (i didnt want to go there but it was late and stupid philly shops close to me arent open mondays!). am i gonna have to buy nicer tires or was it maybe just a weak tire? this isnt typical right? (i weigh like 180 now so maybe its just too much pressure back there?)

c) i forget the size of this bike im riding but its mad small height-wise. im 6' and its like the perfect size for my 5'6" gf. the top tube is a great length for me though so my upper body is comfortable and the drop from seat (which looks ridiculously high) to bars feels really good. do i have to worry about the bike being too small for other reasons? is it basically top tube length and seat to handlebars drop height (being too large or warranting an unsightly high stem!) that would make a bike too small?

i type dumb. i hope i made sense and get some helpful responses by tomorrow. bed time now!

get a frame pad from r.e.load. and get a good set of tires. I have some michelin carbon tired and ive ridden atleast 300 miles on them and skidded a who crap load and they are still fine, and I got them semi used. but expect to go through tires real fast if you keep doing long skids.

never buy bontrager selects again.. worst tires ever if you skid at all. get some gatorskins or specialized armadillos if you are gonna skid for 2 hours at a time

what sort of gearing are you running? it's entirely possible that you only have one skid patch, which would lead to your tires wearing through prettttttty quickly in one spot.

i only have one skid patch, and i rotate my tire a little bit maybe once or twice a week. been riding my current set of tires for just shy of a month & they're still going strong. i wouldn't say i skid A TON, but i think it's fun so i will from time to time.

52/18 so 9 patches. seems like enough to me. im gonna call around some places and see who has a decent deal on tires.

this wasnt my only problem... ;;

a. +1

b.+1

c. If it fits, it fits.

I wouldn't be surprised if all the skidding is also causing a lot of the bruising. I don't skid, but I imagine if you are locking your legs on the top tube for 2 hours at a time some bruising is likely to occur. You might toughen up, changing your technique might help, but banging your legs against s steel tube repeatedly is bound to cause some bruising.