tcovert's Winter 2009 Mentor Group - FULL (Page 28)

Nice looking bike, Matt. Is it carbon? aluminum?

Still a nice run, Amber. You can catch that PR at the next one, absolutely. And, Todd. I'm sorry you're having problems with your arches. Good idea to take it easy and get to a dr. 

As for me this week, I'm going to get in a spin class or maybe two since it's supposed to rain most of the week. Run a couple of times and some core work and at least 2 swims. I'm still on the relaxed schedule, but keep training (of course) and trying out some new classes and strength building. 

Work on tap for today. We'll see how many peeps come out in the rain for their meetings. 

Have a good one---everyone.

Its aluminum, here are the specs:

Main Frame	6061 ALUMINUM Custom butted, Aero shaped, (Double water bottle mounts) + Replaceable Rear Derailleur hanger
Fork	SuperAero Carbon Fiber Blade with 1.125 inch Aluminum steerer
Crankset	Mercier or Truvativ or RPM(by FSA) (NoChoice) Aluminum polished black, 53/39T
Bottom Bracket	Sealed Cartridge (english / standard threads)
Pedals	Order NOW for FREE Clipless Road Pedals (includes cleats which attach to most any spd-type/two bolt pattern shoe)
Front Derailleur	Shimano Tiagra Clamp-on
Rear Derailleur	Shimano 105, (RD5600)
Shifters	Shimano Tiagra STI (integrated brake+shift) 9-speed
Cassette/Freewheel	Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 12-25T
Chain	KMC Z-9000 Super Narrow, 9-Speed
Front Hub	Shimano R500 Sealed Bearing
Rear Hub	Shimano R500 Sealed Bearing
Spokes	Bladed Black Stainless steel, 20/24
Rims	Shimano R500 Aero Section, Black w/ CNC sidewalls
Tires	Kenda Koncept Lite Kevlar bead, 700x23c with presta tubes
Brake Set	Tektro 423AG Dual Pivot Aluminum
Brake Levers	Shimano Tiagra STI (integrated brake+shift) 9-speed
Headset	FSA Orbit IS2 Sealed Cartridge Bearing Threadless 1.125 inch
Handlebar	Aluminum Anatomic bend Road Racing OS 31.8mm
Stem	3D Forged Aluminum OS 31.8mm
Tape/Grip	Mercier custom cork wrap
Saddle	Custom Road SLR-Style or Selle SanMarco SKN (NoChoice)
Seat Post	Aluminum MicroAdjust, 27.2
Seat Clamp	Mercier Ultralite alloy, 31.8mm
Sizes	48cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm (Pull down the size menu to see what is available) For Geometry Info - Click HERE
Colors	SpeedPearlWhite (as shown)
SPECIAL LIMITED TIME PROMO PRICE +PLUS FREE PEDALS+ PLUS FREE CLIP-ON Aero Bars $799  You Save $696 over $1495.95 MSRP! This bike comes 90% assembled.   We suggest you take it to your local bike shop for final assembly & safety checks.

Congrats on the run! Great job!

This week, I get back on schedule, revised for my cycling coach.  Down one swim to 2, down one run to 2.  Several Power Tap workouts on the bike.  Strength training, which was lacking before he stated to push it. 

Congrats on the race! I just read the report!

Glad to hear your arch is healing. Injuries are SOOOOOO frustrating. Have a good down week!

I didn't do all my training last week. Big shock. I didn't do either swim, but swimming is my strength. I got in both rides, which is good. I did two of my three runs, and it was the two longest.

This week is the same, but longer distances: 2 swims, 2 rides, 3 runs and I'm also going to integrate core training. I've done it sporadically but need to get into it.

Hey UCLAMATT, 

My advice on bikes is that before you buy;

 1. Visit several local bikes shops and ride what they have in your price range.  Try several different brands and models.  Once you do, you'll get a feel for the bike you want.  My own experience is that I keep riding long enough and enough bikes, eventually one says, "Buy me."  The only exception was my titanium build.  Never had ridden one before but the deal was too good to pass and I knew I could make money reselling it if need be.  I love it.  It is my main ride now.

 2.  Make sure you have them fit it for you and keep going back until you feel that it's right.   

 3.  When you buy without a bike shop standing behind it and making some guarantee of service, you should have had your own basic bike building and maintanence class so you can fix simple things like derailuer adjustments, brake adjustments and cables.

 4. The goal is to find a bike you love to ride.  IMO, you should really hate missing a riding opportunity, you should love your bike that much.

 Have fun!

I hear ya...it was 40 degrees for my bike commute to work. The good news is that all my parts are now defrosted and back to their original color!

So i think I just struck gold on craigslist looking for a bike. A 2004 Felt S32 with no peddles or seat for $325!!! His wife road it in 2 IMAZ twice and is upgrading to a Giant tri bike because her team is sponsored by them.  I talked to the guy for about 10 minutes and it looks like I am first inline for it. He's calling me back laster this morning with a time to go look at it. Its a 2 hour drive to check it out but I can't tur down a deal like this. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I really hope this works out.

The ad:

This bike is a 2004 model and is still in good condition. It is a 52cm frame with 650cm wheels. This bike has probably been ridden approx 1,500-2,000 miles. This is my wife's bike and the only reason she is selling it is because she has just been give a brand new tri bike.

Sounds like a great deal on accommodations.

Hey Matt, I noticed those wheels are smaller than you probably used to.  700s are generally the norm.  You may need to replace them.    

Thatks for the note. I actually noticed that and I think I am ok with it. The 650s are supposed to climb a little better than the 700s on a tri bike and I live in a fairly hilly area. This frame can take 700s though if I choose to go that way down the line.

uclamatt2007 - 2009-02-10 10:26 AM

So i think I just struck gold on craigslist looking for a bike. A 2004 Felt S32 with no peddles or seat for $325!!! His wife road it in 2 IMAZ twice and is upgrading to a Giant tri bike because her team is sponsored by them.  I talked to the guy for about 10 minutes and it looks like I am first inline for it. He's calling me back laster this morning with a time to go look at it. Its a 2 hour drive to check it out but I can't tur down a deal like this. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I really hope this works out.

 

The ad:

This bike is a 2004 model and is still in good condition. It is a 52cm frame with 650cm wheels. This bike has probably been ridden approx 1,500-2,000 miles. This is my wife's bike and the only reason she is selling it is because she has just been give a brand new tri bike.

 

WOW!!! THAT ROCKS!!!

Matt, the Felt looks AWESOME!  I can't wait to hear your decision... what a deal!

Todd, your accommadations sounds outstanding!  I am sure that staying near the winery will have its perks POST-Ironman! 

Matt,

That's a GREAT deal!  Hope it works out for you ...

Well, it's still too cold in the mornings for me to start the bike commuting again (only in the 40s for those of you in the colder climes, I know, I know ...), but I've been doing lunch time rides with a few guys from work twice a week, and it's fantastic!  Great to get out from the computer and telephone, and to enjoy some sun and crisp weather.  One of the guys I ride with is a former racer, and we like to push each other so we get the most out of the hour we have on the road.

As for swimming ... I'm back in the pool, but I've lost a lot of swimming fitness!  Speed is still there, but endurance is not and boy, does it hurt!  I know it will come back quickly, but I really put it off for too long.  Lesson learned, I guess.  No open water swims since November, though, and I'm racing next weekend.  Should be interesting.

Anyone doing or interested in doing the UCSD Tritonman?  Little sprint race in Mission Bay (**ahem, Lynn, ahem**).  Come on down!

So I now have a bike. I no longer have any excuse not to ride (except for the fact it is supposed to rain everyday for the next 2 weeks). I ended up having to pay $450 for it but I got some extras. I comes with a downtube waterbottle cage as well as a double behind the seat cage. It also was upgraded to a Dura Ace crank and comes with a wired cycling computer.

 A few questions...

1. Any seat recommendations?

2. I have some cheap plastics flat pedals on it right now but I plan to upgrade to clipless once I am slightly more confident that I won't run into a tree on it. Pedal/shoe recommendations?

1. I like the ISM Adamo Road Saddle

It took a while to get used to because it's harder than it looks.  Once I got used to it, I much preferred it (and still do) to a more common seat with long nose.

2. For pedals, make sure they're compatible with the shoes you like.  I started out mountain biking and feel most comfortable in mountain shoes.  They're a little more flexible and easier to walk around in off the bike (at least for me).  I use Shimanos with the SPD cleats (two hole), so I use standard Shimano pedals.  Cheap-Os, really, but I like them.  Again, just make sure the shoes are comfortable for you and then go after pedals that will work with them.  I'm sure others have more to say about actual road shoes and pedals ...