Elaine's Awesome Start to 2012 Group! - Closed! (Page 17)

sigh....I feel like such a newbie.  You guys are talking about fit.  I went to the store yesterday to look at shoes and pedals and walked out confused and defeated.  Only because I like to feel I have a good knowledge base about things but that left me clueless. So much more to consider with a bike. Im a runner. Sneakers and I go!!

I have a hybrid bike. And I dont think I was even fitted for it right. I got on it it felt okay and thats it. I havent even rode it to tell if I can spend sometime on it and work it up if need be.

Im thinking that I thought this was something I could easy into but Im realizing its going to take a whole lot more than just getting on a bike and going. Thats if I want to be comfortable anyway.   First step. Get on my dang bike.

That's all you gotta do.

I did my first tri on my dad's bike - and he's 6'1", I'm 5'4". I could barely keep my foot on the pedal at the bottom of my stroke! After that, I spent like $150 on an old steel roadie and rode that for a few years. 

I happened to fall into a great deal on a tri bike that still doesn't quite fit right I got my first pair of shoes and pedals with it (also hand-me-down) and just gave it a go!

The only thing I can do to get better, though, is RIDE MORE!

We're here to HELP!

On shoes and pedals:

Pedals come with clips! So, no worries to match pedals to the right clips. They all come together.

Basic designs are the delta-style (delta = triangle) like the look ones above, or these Shimano ones: 

and the clips look like this:

Or "SPD" ones like this:

where the clips look like this:

I have the top ones on my tri bike, and the bottom ones on my mountain bike. No reason the bottom ones can't go on your hybrid/roadie, but I wouldn't put the top ones on a mountain bike (dirt gets everywhere!!)

As for shoes:

Tri-shoes are generally REALLY easy to get into, and super-vented:

Road shoes generally have a little more padding (I ride my tri bike in road shoes because I found a pair that fits so well!

And Mountain bike shoes actually have some grip on the bottom so you can move around in them on the trails. No reason you can't ride with these for a tri either!

***************************************************

These are called CLIPLESS! - because "clips" are these:

ratherbeswimming - 2012-02-17 9:52 AM So, group, tell us about YOUR bike!

I've got a 2011 Felt F75, Size 61, 105 Shifters/Derailers, compact crank 50/34.  She's still got the stock white tires, white seat and white bar tape as I've only put a few hundred miles on her.  That rediculous white will all become black when I get around to it.  I guess the ads looks good with the white but after some serious use it just looks crappy.  My next project with the bike will be to dress her with the black bar tap, put a black saddle on and fit the Conti GPS 4000S tires on.

I plan on passing a few all carbon TT bike with this lady

Michelle,

If you go with the SPD type pedals/shoes for your hybrid, one additional benefit to that is spin class bikes generally have SPD type pedals so you can bring your bike shoes and clip in.  I only have road shoes (Look style pedals) so I wear my running shoes and use the toe clips (straps) on the pedals.

ratherbeswimming - 2012-02-17 9:52 AM So, group, tell us about YOUR bike!

My first tri was on a mountain bike. I then bought a bike from a friend (in 2009) and am still riding it... although the I think the miles I put in justify an upgrade. : ) But for now I'm on an Trek I think from the mid 90s. I bought Specialized shoes and keo look pedals a year and a half ago.

ratherbeswimming - 2012-02-17 9:52 AM So, group, tell us about YOUR bike!

My first tri was on a mountain bike. I then bought a bike from a friend (in 2009) and am still riding it... although the I think the miles I put in justify an upgrade. : ) But for now I'm on an Trek I think from the mid 90s. I bought Specialized shoes and keo look pedals a year and a half ago. (the attached picture is after a century ride I did in Mendocino, CA).

(49170009.jpg)

My Bikes, My Passion, 

If I could collect anything it would be bikes!  

Tri = 2009 Giant Trinity.     

Cyclocross = Specialized S-works

Mountain = Trek 3900 which is about to go for sale to get something new. 

It was a great day!

Great work again.   You setting some good paces for a half. 

Metcalf34 you rock!!!!!

michelle,  

I ride with SPD style clips.    I switched to these because of the spin class reason.     Keep plugging along we where all there sometime.    I did my first try on a bike i borrowed from a friend.   It did not fit right but i plugged away to get it done.    Take you time on making changes to what you are getting and ask questions.   If you set yourself up right the first time you will be ahead of most people.   

My bike I rode forever was a 1990 Specialized Allez with Campi, It still screamed 80s with black frame and Hot pink and Green highlights.   Everyone looked at me like a freak when I brought it out.   It was a full carbon and had to be retired after a crash a few years ago.    I would love to have that bike back and i wish I still had the broken frame to hang on the wall.    I miss her so.     

Phillip Great job again.  Where are you racing next weekend.  

5K Trail Run!

Jon - glad you survived round 1 of exams!!!

Philip - GREAT race!!

Dave, Eddie, Jen and Reece - thanks for sharing your bike stories!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

I spent mine here:

That's Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70mi west of Key West. If you are ever in the keys, you should really check this place out!

My boyfriend recently accepted a job in Tucson, so we're trying to get in as much of South Florida as we can. We got to dive on the Vandenburg, too! http://ussvandenberg.com/

This week, I'll be trying to get my training in, helping my boyfriend pack, and maybe even flying to Tucson for an interview!

So... what are you up to this week?

AND - what's your dream tri? If you had the endurance/skill, and the cash to do ANY race in the world, which one would you do?

Elaine!!! I need to get there quick!!! That is beautiful!!! I thought it was Puerto Rico but being in the Keys is much easier!!!

I havent even thought of my dream tri.  Since this is all new to me I am amazed and would be privileged to compete in any!!

My tri dream is age group winner Kona!

Well I have some running and biking planned for the week.   we are suppose to be close to 70 degrees this week.  

My dream race,   I have two dream races,  One the experience of Kona,   I have thought about trying to qualify and then see what happens.   

My second could be either race but I would love to do the ironman in Germany or Switzerland.   I think that either one would have some unbelieveable landscapes and the experience of racing in a different country sounds like a good idea.    I will have some sweet dreams tonight biking through switzerland.