Cycling is not only a hobby. It is a passion, a way of life.
This site contains information on the experiences i have encountered in my life as a cyclist.
First ride, it feel different, lighter than its actual weight, it just feels lighter.
After I've got my 2nd hand voodoo frame, i love it. The feel of a steel bike is something that I can not forget, it simply climbs very easily. Stomp on the pedals and the bike will react instantly. Parts are as follows:
1. Fame = Voodoo Erzulie "s"
2. Fork = Fox float 100 RL
Wheels
3. Wheels = Mavic Crossmax and Mavic X819 tubeless
4: Tyres: Skinny Jimmy 1.9
Transmission
5: Crank: Shimano XTR with Sugino rings 46, 34, 24
6: Brakes: Shimano XT disc
7: Shifter: Shimano LX
8: Front Derailuer: Shimano XT
9: Rear Derailuer: Shimano LX gold
Contact
10: Seatpost: Thomson 27.2 11: Handle bar: Amoeba Carbon Yan
12: Pedal: Shimano PD-520
13: Stem: Easton EA50
14: Saddle: Velo
Monday, January 4, 2010
The choice of bicycle used is predominantly determined by the format of ride chosen.
Road cycling is one of the most common format locally, bicycles used usually comes with 700c wheels, drop handlebar and double chain ring. Deviation such as triple chain ring, flat handlebar and 650c wheels are also available. Road bike comes with thin tyres ranging from 18mm to 25mm commonly. The seat angle is somewhere between 72 degrees to 74 degrees. It is suitable for smooth surfaces.
Above: An example of road bike
Another format of road cycling is Time Trial. Some of the cyclist call it Tri bike, however, the difference between the 2 is the seat angle. Sporting pursuit bar (bullhorn) with aero bar. wheels are either in deep V, trispokes or disc. The position of Time Trial bike make it every aero dynamic. Seat angle for TT bike is generally 72 degrees to 76 degrees, Tri bike usually spot a seat angle of 76 degrees to 80 degrees.Tri bikes are not UCI legal. While TT bikes are not Mass start legal.
Off Road riding is sub divided into a few discipline. Cross country, downhill, 4X, trial, etc
In this post i shall only describe cross country cycling. Cross country cycling or XC bikes are typically lighter then other off road bikes, it primary function is to participate in races traversing cross country terrain. Typically a cross country bike comes with a suspension fork. Some models come with suspension frame.
Frame with suspension is known as full suspension (full sus/ FS), frame without suspension is known as Hardtail (HT).
Fork is usually telescopic fork, in some models multiple linkage fork. Its travel ranges from 63mm to 100mm. Travel means the amount of verticle movement made by the lower of the fork.
Wheels are typically 26 inches, with the new standard of 29 inches. Tyres are fat ranging from 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches, with studs and patterns known as treads.
The drivetrain is usually 3 triple chain ring, with huge gear ratio. Sporting either a flat handlebar or riser bar.
Above: Cross country bike
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Current bike setup
Frame: Cervelo Soloist Team Wheelset: Karbona Neo T2 Crank: KCNC with Rotor Q rings Pedals: Shimano Durace Drive train: Full Shimano Ultegra Handlebar: Bontrager X lite Stem: Unbranded Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Chain: KMC gold 9X Saddle: San Marco Bottle cage: Unbranded Computer: Polar S510 and Cateye Velo 8
Bike fitting is probably the most important thing in cycling. Without a proper bike fit, a light weight super bike can be hard to ride.
There are a few contact points worth mentioning in bike fitting.
1. Saddle top to pedals 2. Stem length 3. Handle bar width 4. Handle bar drop 5. Saddle fore and aft 6. Cleats fore and aft (For clipless pedal users)
How to calculate saddle height. (Saddle top to pedals) 1. Wear you cycling shoes and stand against a wall and measure you crouch to the floor. 2. Take the measurement and multiply by 0.883 3. Make minor adjustment from there, it should be within 2cm of the most efficient seat height
Stem length. Drop a straight edge (plumb line) from nose. It should bisect the stem. If the position to too much forward, then the stem is too short. If the position is too aft, then the stem is too long.
Handlebar width. The handlebar should be the same as your shoulder width. Handlebar drop Handlebar drop affect comfort and airway. Therefore it is one of the most important measurement. As a guide, it should be 1cm top 2cm below the saddle. No doubt lower handlebar position improve aerodynamics, but, can you sustain in that painful crouch position for long?
Saddle fore and aft As a guide, when the crank is at the 9 o'clock position, a plumb line dropo from the knee cap should be inline with the axle of the pedals.
Cleats fore and aft As a guide, the broadest part of the feet should be on the axle of the pedals. Some individuals prefers extreme position. Personally, i love to have the axle nearer to the heels. It feels more stable and powerful.
Equally important is the geometry of the frame.
Personally, i had experience with different geometry. I can tell you, the difference is really significant. With a steep triathlon geometry of 77 degrees seat angle, i feel good in the aero position, however, on the climb, the quadriceps is unable to exert enough force onto the pedals, thus, on the climb, a steep seat angle is a disadvantage. On a 74 degree seat angle bike,the climb is easy, however, staying in aero position is painful.
