things that feel natural to you
11-30-07 | 07:49 PM
#26
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Bar tape made a big difference for me. I used to use cinelli cork exclusively, but having wrapped my bullhorns with velox.. I really like this feel. It just feels solid because you can't move it around as much and the edges don't peel up.
11-30-07 | 07:56 PM
#27
what.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: SD, CA, USA
Bikes: raleigh rush hour
i only use them when i go on crazy long rides but i love my look keos. they feel so freaking awesome.
really i just like my bike. a lot. sometimes i think about how much better a higher end bike might be, but i think my bike has more than proven itself. corny as it sounds, the bike really feels good.
really i just like my bike. a lot. sometimes i think about how much better a higher end bike might be, but i think my bike has more than proven itself. corny as it sounds, the bike really feels good.
11-30-07 | 08:20 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 1
From: Santa Barbara
Bikes: SE Quadrangle, '82 Venus NJS, '03 Bianchi Pista, '86 P'sonic Mt Cat, Fat City Yo Eddy '91 + '93, B'cuda A2E, '86 Trek Elance 400, '88 Centurion D.Scott Expert, '88 Fisher Mt Tam (and no longer with me: SE OM Flyer, Umezawa/B-stone/Samson NJS)
Put one on my Yo Eddy in 199x, later was chewed up by a dog, got a new one, then another after too many crashes ran it ragged. Now one sits on the Bianchi back home and I found a nicely used one in the bargain/old parts bin at the shop near my place in Tokyo that I have been loving for the past few months.
I've always wanted to try the Alps (was it? version with the sides flattened).
Go Flights!
11-30-07 | 08:28 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 1
From: NYC!
Bikes: Jamis Sputnik (2007) & Bridgestone RB-2 (1994).
Clipless for sure, and a good secure shoe. Good stiff bars (I was able to flex my first ones, which made me not trust them).
I still have yet to find the saddle of my dreams. But the one I have is good for the duration of most my rides.
When I was using grip tape I found that the ones that were cork felt like wood to me and that felt more natural compared to more 'foamy' types.
I still have yet to find the saddle of my dreams. But the one I have is good for the duration of most my rides.
When I was using grip tape I found that the ones that were cork felt like wood to me and that felt more natural compared to more 'foamy' types.
11-30-07 | 09:01 PM
#31
monster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: NYC
I tried a Flite once I couldn't get into it. I've been on a $14.00 Vetta Turbo knockoff since summer and it treats me right. Also switching from risers to bullhorns has been by far the most comfy "upgrade" I've done in awhile.
11-30-07 | 09:02 PM
#32
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
11-30-07 | 10:11 PM
#33
*****es love tarck
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,301
Likes: 1
From: Sandy, UT
Bikes: so many
At the risk of further exposing my lameness feel most natural on my old cruiser. Wide bars with big cushy grips, platform pedals, big ass sprung saddle, wide whitewall tires at 35psi and a coaster brake. Not so go for a long ride, and even worse for going fast but for a lazy ride to the dog park or taco stand it can't be beat.
__________________
11-30-07 | 10:17 PM
#35
King of the Hipsters
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 2
From: Bend, Oregon
Bikes: Realm Cycles Custom
Originally Posted by oneredstar
Bio pace chain ring. All my friends make fun of me, but it feels natural.
Strangely, I like my biopace on my Pista, and I like my round, steel Surly ring on my Karate Monkey.
Other than the fixed gear and clipless pedals, it has taken me almost three years to find the right stem for my bullhorns.
But then...everything.
Each piece of the puzzle that has improved the fit and function has increased my joy in riding beyond any rational expectation.
Finding a seat post with a 35mm setback changed my life.
Discovering the combination of a Conti 4 Season tire in front and an Armadillo in back changed my life.
Brooks saddle.
Barend brake lever.
Cane Creek Volos Track wheels.
But I guess if I had to pick one thing, I would pick four; bullhorns, stem, setback seatpost and saddle.
12-01-07 | 04:32 AM
#36
Post-modern sleaze
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: Fuji fixed, Browning fixed, MTB
Cork tape, Cinelli brand especially. Fresh, stiff leather toe straps--they never feel quite as good once they loosen up. Brand new tires--subtle difference, but nothing quite like it. The chain/cog/ring right after you clean and lube it.
12-01-07 | 07:29 AM
#37
double diamond tram girl
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: 406
Bikes: surly cross-check, cannondale CAAD8 optimo 1
this is a tough one. each of my bikes has something different that feels natural. if I could combine those then I'd have the perfect bike.
but three things I can pick out:
-clipless (on 2 of 3 bikes)
-long cranks (172.5/175; also on 2 of 3 bikes)
-and GLOVES. when I ride without bike gloves I feel totally off.
but three things I can pick out:
-clipless (on 2 of 3 bikes)
-long cranks (172.5/175; also on 2 of 3 bikes)
-and GLOVES. when I ride without bike gloves I feel totally off.
12-01-07 | 06:40 PM
#40
fixed or bent
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: 1989 Panasonic Track 4000, 2000 Burley Django (bike show prototype), 1980's Serotta Custom Criterium
Brooks Flyer sprung saddle
Brooks leather MTB grips
Nitto Promenade porteur style cars
Sew-ups
A lack of gears
Brooks leather MTB grips
Nitto Promenade porteur style cars
Sew-ups
A lack of gears
12-01-07 | 08:16 PM
#42
The way I fit on my conversion...something about the saddle being high and forward with my hands low and close together. Complete opposite of how I fit on my road bike, and I can't put a finger on it.
__________________
https://blicksbags.com/
https://blicksbags.com/
12-01-07 | 10:30 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Zeus (Razesa) tarck, Giant TCR road, Eddy Merckx road, Fuji Touring Series IV for everything else
38cm flip/chops cut high so they almost start to curve back at me, wrapped in cinelli gel cork.
I was never comfortable on a saddle till I got a Fizik Aliante Sport taken off a new bike at my shop. I've got two of them now and I'm trying to save up for a real Aliante, but they start at over $100. Wish I still worked in a shop and could get the discount.
I was never comfortable on a saddle till I got a Fizik Aliante Sport taken off a new bike at my shop. I've got two of them now and I'm trying to save up for a real Aliante, but they start at over $100. Wish I still worked in a shop and could get the discount.
12-02-07 | 01:45 AM
#46
Super Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: Track Bike
i need a good saddle, mine chafes my special places.
but natural
My bike is a cold steel *****.
It pushes me to go harder, to go faster. to want more. It makes me wants to spin until my legs melt, to sprint until my I can taste my lungs, and to climb until I see only God.
Earlier this week I changed the seat position on my fixed gear bike into a much more aggressive stance, since I know I have gotten stronger since I started riding it. At first I thought I ruined the ride quality and felt like I would be changing it back shortly. But then I adopted a low fighters crouch. My hands out in front of me, head tucked down eyes raised up. And everything changed.
This was no longer dancing. This was a fight.
I made is across town in a record time. I think I may have set a pace that rivals the times I usually go for on my geared bike.
I was standing next to my front door, grinning from ear to ear and I realized the only things I remembered from the entire ride home were the streaks of light as they shot past the corners of my eyes. And the words harder, faster. more, coming from the cold steel ***** between my legs.
but natural
My bike is a cold steel *****.
It pushes me to go harder, to go faster. to want more. It makes me wants to spin until my legs melt, to sprint until my I can taste my lungs, and to climb until I see only God.
Earlier this week I changed the seat position on my fixed gear bike into a much more aggressive stance, since I know I have gotten stronger since I started riding it. At first I thought I ruined the ride quality and felt like I would be changing it back shortly. But then I adopted a low fighters crouch. My hands out in front of me, head tucked down eyes raised up. And everything changed.
This was no longer dancing. This was a fight.
I made is across town in a record time. I think I may have set a pace that rivals the times I usually go for on my geared bike.
I was standing next to my front door, grinning from ear to ear and I realized the only things I remembered from the entire ride home were the streaks of light as they shot past the corners of my eyes. And the words harder, faster. more, coming from the cold steel ***** between my legs.
