New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER! Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-07-14 10:48 AM

User image

Veteran
331
10010010025
Roxborough Park
Subject: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
I don't know if this qualifies as bike porn.  I wasn't expecting to be able to get a road bike until the winter, but a family member had this one hanging around and it hadn't been ridden in about 5 years, so I snapped it up.  New tubes, clean chain and off I went!

I have a six mile route from home that I was using to chart my progress.  Last time I went all out for speed on my MTB it took me 45 minutes (I know, SLOW) but today I figured I could do that route for my 33 minute scheduled bike.  IT ONLY TOOK ME 23 MINUTES (still slow, but wicked fast for me!!)  Whee!  So..... with 2 more months of training I am crossing my fingers that I can get my total sprint time down to about 1:20 for my race on Sept 13 and then I have a chance of being top 10 in my AG. Wouldn't that rock? 




(Smaller bike photo.JPG)



Attachments
----------------
Smaller bike photo.JPG (51KB - 6 downloads)

2009-07-14 11:26 AM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
Congrats! Nice find
2009-07-14 11:31 AM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Elite
3395
20001000100100100252525
Raleigh
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
Congrats! Great improvement. One question: Is that the actual angle of your bars? They look to be point down about 75 degrees too much.  The ends of the bars should be at most parallel to the ground. Just MTCW.
2009-07-14 11:32 AM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Extreme Veteran
398
100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!

Great news, keep up the good work!

2009-07-14 11:55 AM
in reply to: #2284327

User image

Veteran
331
10010010025
Roxborough Park
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
DougRob - 2009-07-14 10:31 AM Congrats! Great improvement. One question: Is that the actual angle of your bars? They look to be point down about 75 degrees too much.  The ends of the bars should be at most parallel to the ground. Just MTCW.


Thanks for noticing- I'll change that.  I have NO CLUE what a properly positioned bike is supposed to look like so I hadn't even noticed.  I'll try fixing them tonight.
2009-07-14 12:01 PM
in reply to: #2284402

New user
476
100100100100252525
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
GrilloOriginal - 2009-07-14 12:55 PM
DougRob - 2009-07-14 10:31 AM Congrats! Great improvement. One question: Is that the actual angle of your bars? They look to be point down about 75 degrees too much.  The ends of the bars should be at most parallel to the ground. Just MTCW.


Thanks for noticing- I'll change that.  I have NO CLUE what a properly positioned bike is supposed to look like so I hadn't even noticed.  I'll try fixing them tonight.



If you raise it up like suggested then you can rest your hand between your thumb and first finger on top of the breaks.  As alternates you can put your hands on the cross bar or the curves down below.

They don't have to be perfectly parallel, but start there then adjust a little up or down to your comfort level.

Edited by JC5066 2009-07-14 12:02 PM

2009-07-14 12:04 PM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Extreme Veteran
589
500252525
Gig Harbor
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
Awesome wheels girl - just remember its the engine that matters not the bike!

......Unless you are riding a mtn. bike thats different I rode a mtn. bike 75 miles per week for 3 years until I discovered the sweet sweet speed of my roadie!
2009-07-14 12:06 PM
in reply to: #2284433

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
The Nat - 2009-07-14 12:04 PM Awesome wheels girl - just remember its the engine that matters not the bike!

......Unless you are riding a mtn. bike thats different I rode a mtn. bike 75 miles per week for 3 years until I discovered the sweet sweet speed of my roadie!


The bike can make a HUGE difference.  Going from my tank of a road bike to my lighter tri bike saved me 3mph with no effort.  I agree that the engine is important, but engine being equal the bike can make all the difference in the world....
2009-07-15 2:03 PM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Member
53
2525
Nor Cal - Bay Area
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!
Wow, nearly 1/2 the time. Excellent, and quite remarkable.

Since the handle bars were set in an unusual position it is quite possible that there are other adjustments that could/should be made. For instance, is the seat height properly set? Improper seat height (either too high or too low) can lead to knee problems, so you may want to seek out help as to correct fitting of the bike to you.

Good luck,
John



Edited by johnrsims 2009-07-15 2:03 PM
2009-07-15 2:50 PM
in reply to: #2284181

User image

Elite
3091
20001000252525
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER!

Very nice, congrats!! Bianchis are nice bikes. I like the funky bar tape. As mentioned, correct the bar position, and unless your legs are really, really, short-- that seat's probably too low.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New (to me) bike- MUCH FASTER! Rss Feed