Archives for March 2009

Peddling pedals

03.05.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 8 Comments

Recently, I got into a discussion with a friend about pedals. Now, pedals are not a big deal with me. Since I started riding clipless, I’ve stuck with the Look-style pedal, although I currently ride on Shimano SPD-SLs, which have a slightly wider platform than the Looks. But our discussion got me to wondering? What pedal preferences are there? Is there a clear-cut leader?

I suppose we could get into the debate between clipless, toe clip, and platform pedals. But I’m going to skip that. I assume that most readers come here because they’re road bike riders like me and therefore, have adopted clipless pedals (which you really clip into, but that’s another post).

I noticed when talking about cleat position a while ago, several readers chimed in with the praises of Speedplay pedals. These are the small round pedals that attach to a cleat that resembles no other. Speedplays come in several different models, with varying amounts of float. That makes them attractive to me, because the six degrees of float on my pedals seems restrictive. Speedplays are pricier than most other pedals, however, which is why I chose to pass on them.

Look pedals are the daddy of the clipless. You need shoes that will fit a three-bolt cleat. The Looks, and those like them, clip solidly into the pedal, to make you feel as one with the bike. Pedals shaped like Looks and Shimano SPD-SLs are weighted at the back, so they point up when the rider is not using them. I always chuckle when pulling away from a stoplight during a group ride, as everyone tries to find the clip-in position. Some do it faster than others. Click, click, click.

Other riders prefer Shimano SPDs.

These pedals take smaller two-bolt cleats, that recess into the shoe’s sole. Mountain bikers make use of these, but many road bikers like them because the recessed cleat lets the rider walk normally — a nice option during a stop at a coffee shop during the ride. I’ve never used these, and I wonder if they give the rider as solid a connection to the bike as the Looks.

The mountain-bike style SPD pedals look uncomfortable to the layperson. How about it, SPD users? Do SPDs provide a good platform for the foot? Or do they cause some discomfort during a ride?

I you were starting road biking from scratch — knowing now what you didn’t know then — which pedal system would you recommend, and why?

Why haven’t I been riding more? (Guest post)

03.03.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

Bike Noob is proud and happy to turn over this blog to a post by my friend and colleague, Gilbert Martinez. Gilbert is the Vice President of the Austin Cycling Association, the city’s largest bike club. His biking interests are somewhat different than mine, because he is more focused on the utility aspects of biking. But he’s been backsliding lately, and wrote about it in the February issue of Southwest Cycling News, the ACA’s monthly newspaper. The following is an edited version of his article.

I have a nearly all-purpose hybrid bicycle that allows me to do a whole range of cycling — from regular commuting, thanks to a rear rack and panniers, to quick jaunts and errands to my brothers’ houses.

When I travel, I sometimes pack my folding bike and enjoy hitting the streets in new destinations. If I want to go off-road, I have a front-suspension mountain bike that’s raring to go.

What I don’t have, it seems, is the will to ride.

Oh, I believe in cycling — I believe that cycling is better for me on all sorts of levels. I know that regular cycling will ease the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. I know that I’m feeling better, mentally and physically, when I’m riding regularly. I know that cycling is better for the environment and means that I use my motor vehicle less. I also know that simply riding my bike in Austin helps make Austin a more bike-friendly community. Plus, I’m certain that it’s fun because I’m reminded of that every time I ride.

So, what’s happened to my will to ride? Did I misplace it? If I did, have you seen it, and if you have, can you return it, or at least tell me where it’s gone?

Somehow, I’ve fallen off the bike, so to speak, and I’m searching for ways to more consistently get back on.

I’ve got some ideas.

I was inspired at the last ACA monthly meeting when we had a commuter bike show-and-tell. We had a wonderful turnout and a fabulous range of bicycles, including a recumbent. I loved hearing what these experienced cyclists said about what they carried on their regular commutes, how they dealt with night riding and with inclement weather, and how they modified their rides to overcome challenges.

It inspired me to come up with a plan.

First, I think I need to work harder at making cycling easier and more comfortable. For example, I can do a lot to prepare for a work commute the night before so that when I wake up I can get out the door quickly.

But, just as importantly, I think it’s also about challenging myself and pushing out of my comfort zone.

How easy is it to develop excuses if you only rode in ideal conditions? Granted, we have pretty good weather in Central Texas, but we do get rain on occasion. How often have you bailed on riding because of the weather? Because it was too cold, too wet, too hot, too sunny, too cloudy?

In fact, I had planned on riding my bike to the commuter bike show-and-tell but got scared off because of weather reports of steady rain beginning a couple of hours before the meeting. Of course, it didn’t rain, and I was left wondering why I let the excuse win out yet again.

So I’ve decided that 2009 will be the year I get back on my bike in a big way. I’m going to make pedal strokes, not excuses. I’m going to find a way to commute to work, even if it means once a week at first. I’m going to match my beliefs about cycling’s benefits to my actions.

Specifically, I’m getting excited thinking about a trip to Alabama and Georgia in June. Two lengthy rails-to-trails projects were connected last year — the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama and the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia. The Ladiga Trail runs about 33 miles from Anniston in northeast Alabama to the state line. On the Georgia side, the Silver Comet runs 61 miles to Smyrna, a suburb of Atlanta.

Remember what I said about comfort zones? I’ve never ridden a century before. I’ve done a metric century (62 miles) and a tad more a few times, but nothing close to 100 miles in one ride.

Time to get out of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to making 2009 a year of riding, not excuse-making.

What’s in YOUR seatbag?

03.01.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 12 Comments

A reader recently asked me by email, “Bike Noob, what do you carry in your seatbag?” Funny he should ask, because I’ve just gone through a switch to a new bag, and then a switch back to the old bag. Here’s why.

I bought my seatbag when I bought my bike. It’s made by a company called “Inertia Designs,” and is somewhat larger than many bags I see on road bikes. In fact, some other bikers have referred to it as a “trunk.” But it’s worked well for me, holding what I consider the necessary accessories for biking.

However, when I got my seat post-mounted water bottle cage, it seemed that I would need a smaller bag to fit between the seat and the water bottles. So I dug up a smaller, bullet-shaped bag we had lying around, and put it on. But it was barely large enough to carry a spare tube. I crammed my multi-tool in also, and that’s why, when I got my pinch flat two weeks ago, the spare was punctured, too. The edge of the multi-tool had apparently rubbed a hole in it.

So, I’m back to the bigger bag. I lowered the water bottle cage almost to the bottom of the seat post, and there’s room enough for bag and bottles. The picture is for comparison purposes — the small bag is propped on the top tube.

bags1

The size difference between the current bag, on the left, and the small bag, on the right, is evident.

Well, why is it so important for me to have a big bag? Plenty of folks use bags the size of the one on the right in the picture. Here’s why. A look at the stuff I must have on a bike ride.

openbag When unzipped, the bag opens its maw to reveal a cornucopia of bike stuff.

Actually, only four different items are accounted for here. First, a spare tube. I like to carry it in its box, to avoid any more accidental punctures. Then, a patch kit. I do carry one, altho I haven’t used it in the field yet. Bet I do, some day. The blue thing is my multi-tool. Three Allen wrenches in 4, 5, and 6 mm size, plus two screwdrivers. I use it a lot. Finally, two tire levers.

There might be just a little room left in the bag for me to carry more stuff, but the only need I’ve found for that is when we drive to a ride. In that case, I’ll stick my car keys in the bag. But I carry my ID, a little cash, and my cell phone in my jersey pockets.

I’m happy with my seat bag. I suppose I could go to one like this:

medbag “Medium” seatbag by Acorn Bags.

But I doubt it. What do you think? Am I carrying too much stuff? Is there an item that I ought to have in my bag, but don’t?

What’s in YOUR seat bag?

Peddling pedals

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Why haven’t I been riding more? (Guest post)

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What’s in YOUR seatbag?

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