Manatees Roar into the 20s! CLOSED (Page 31)

Originally posted by UberClydesdale

I was just reading that this morning. I know that my core is very lacking, so I'm going to have to figure out a routine to help build up my core. The upside that a stronger core will help with my swim too! 

Thanks!

Tom

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk

THIS. although, sometimes numb hands are just due to a bad fit. If you can afford the time (and $) definitely get a professional fit. You'll be happier in the long run!

Originally posted by lisac957

Guuyyyyssss I popped into All3Sports over lunch (see my blog!). Asked the owner guy to walk me through new bike options based on what I'm looking for and my "middle of the road" budget, what he would recommend for me. He said he would recommend an Argon. He used the word "bulletproof" when talking about them, which kind of sold me. 

They have an Argon E117 with the Di2 electronic shifting (which seems kind of fancy for little ol' me, but sounds like heaven compared to my years of shifting issues.) on the floor. It's last year's model so 20% off. And they have it in my sizeeeeee. 

Anyone ride an Argon and have thoughts to share?

Originally posted by jmkizer

Today's Gravel Talk is about gearing.  I am not knowledgeable about gearing but I'm pretty sure that gravel gearing is not road gearing or Cx gearing. The fact that there are gravel groupsets was a big tip off!

So, I have a (heavy) Cx bike with a 46/36t crank and 11-32t cassette. Will this work for starter gravel? Yes, this should work nicely

And I have a road bike with a compact (50/34) crank and 12/28 (I think) in the back. 

I am looking to replace my road bike and I am thinking that it will be a roadie compatible with larger tires -- something like a Specialized Roubaix or Trek Domane. The Domane can use tires as large as 38mm.  I was thinking that if the gearing was such that the bike would work for road, it's primary purpose, and gravel (sometimes), I could change tires/wheels for it's gravel adventures.  But if the gearing is not compatible, that may not be the best idea in the world.  It's just that I'm interested in gravel but there is not much in my area so I am hoping to find a balance.

P.S. Bike purchase on hold until I get my current leg situation resolved.

P.P.S. I found this explanation to be useful:  A Look At Gearing For Gravel- Part 1, A Look At Gearing For Gravel – Part “2X”

Originally posted by jmkizer

I know several people with the Argon road bikes and they all love them. I test road their tri bike and I found it to be somewhat twitchy but that's just me.

Originally posted by abake I found a thread about just what you are considering --- sounds like it could be workable. Maybe have a chat with the LBS and see what their thoughts are? When I first started getting into gravel riding, my first bike was a Specialized Diverge. I thought I might swap out wheels and use it as my road bike now and then. But having a second set of wheels was pricier than I had anticipated, so I just went with different tires. And that was fine until I went with tubeless, which is much better for the gravel in this area, but a royal pain to swap out. Ultimately I just kept my old road bike and used the Diverge for strictly gravel/off road stuff. https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1150...

Originally posted by jmkizer

Thanks, Anne!

It sort of kills me that I have wheelsets in my garage that I won't be able to use with any new bike that I am considering because of the whole disc brake thing.  Ah well. 

Originally posted by abake I found a thread about just what you are considering --- sounds like it could be workable. Maybe have a chat with the LBS and see what their thoughts are? When I first started getting into gravel riding, my first bike was a Specialized Diverge. I thought I might swap out wheels and use it as my road bike now and then. But having a second set of wheels was pricier than I had anticipated, so I just went with different tires. And that was fine until I went with tubeless, which is much better for the gravel in this area, but a royal pain to swap out. Ultimately I just kept my old road bike and used the Diverge for strictly gravel/off road stuff. https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1150...

Originally posted by lisac957

Guuyyyyssss I popped into All3Sports over lunch (see my blog!). Asked the owner guy to walk me through new bike options based on what I'm looking for and my "middle of the road" budget, what he would recommend for me. He said he would recommend an Argon. He used the word "bulletproof" when talking about them, which kind of sold me. 

They have an Argon E117 with the Di2 electronic shifting (which seems kind of fancy for little ol' me, but sounds like heaven compared to my years of shifting issues.) on the floor. It's last year's model so 20% off. And they have it in my sizeeeeee. 

Anyone ride an Argon and have thoughts to share?

Originally posted by jmkizer

Thanks, Anne!

It sort of kills me that I have wheelsets in my garage that I won't be able to use with any new bike that I am considering because of the whole disc brake thing.  Ah well. 

Originally posted by cdban66

I have two different wheelsets for my hardtail, one knobbier with a higher gearing cassette (14-38?), the other with more narrow, less knobby tires(gravel) with smaller gearing on the cassette (13-34?). I had issues with it just simply because the cassettes were slightly different, so one of them was a bit "crunchy" if you will. Point being, multi-purpose bikes present their own challenges. If you are going the single bike route, you'll want two wheel sets like Anne mentioned, due to tubeless, ease of use, etc. And sometimes, the wheels can run as much as a bike. If you determine you like gravel after testing it out in an event or a few rides or whatever on your CX bike, you may want to either change some components on the CX (probably not) or get a new bike. I know, what were the chances that the answer is buy a new bike?!?! There are a few budget(?) options available, but you may want to look into something steel with a carbon fork. Lower cost and a smooth ride in exchange for weight. This is hard for triathletes to comprehend, but it may be worthwhile. And the gravel components seem to be based on mtb products, with larger gaps in the gearing and supposedly stronger(?) as opposed to road components. Those are a new market segment for manufacturers. My outlook is that of a more conservative shopper. I like to buy something that is proven, rather than buy something with no track record and take my chances.

Originally posted by cdban66

Isn't the answer always "buy the bike"?

Not helpful, I know. Electronic shifting has taken big steps forward in the past couple of years in terms of reliability and functionality. What kind of brakes are on it? I saw both rim and disc brakes available on them. 

20% is a heck of a deal!

Originally posted by lisac957

This one does not have disc brakes.

Also, the color scheme is the black and red frame, which are the same colors as my tri club kit. IS THAT A SIGN??? haha

Originally posted by lisac957

This one does not have disc brakes.

Also, the color scheme is the black and red frame, which are the same colors as my tri club kit. IS THAT A SIGN??? haha

Originally posted by alaskatri



That is a sweet looking bike. The electronic shifter sounds amazing...until it's not? I have zero experience with electronic shifters, so others' opinions here on it will be more helpful. But any time I've thought of getting something with them, in my head I envision that scenario where I'm standing in line to check out at a store and the clerk tells me it's going to be a few minutes "because the computers are down" and they can't ring up my order without a computer. Climbing a hill, electronic shifter goes out or quits communicating with the derailleur for whatever reason...then what?

I would love to hear others' thought on that.

Originally posted by lisac957

This one does not have disc brakes.

Also, the color scheme is the black and red frame, which are the same colors as my tri club kit. IS THAT A SIGN??? haha

Originally posted by alaskatri That is a sweet looking bike. The electronic shifter sounds amazing...until it's not? I have zero experience with electronic shifters, so others' opinions here on it will be more helpful. But any time I've thought of getting something with them, in my head I envision that scenario where I'm standing in line to check out at a store and the clerk tells me it's going to be a few minutes "because the computers are down" and they can't ring up my order without a computer. Climbing a hill, electronic shifter goes out or quits communicating with the derailleur for whatever reason...then what? I would love to hear others' thought on that.

Originally posted by UberClydesdale

First ride on the trainer is a success. Kinda. Let me explain. 

I was able to get about 30 minutes of riding in this evening. Nothing crazy, as I wanted this ride to be about getting everything figured out. At the end of the ride, I had made a few observations. 

• I need new bib shorts, as the ones I have are about 2-3 sizes too big. I guess that means a purchase to Aerotech Designs is forthcoming on next payday. 
• I really need to do some fitting with me and the bike. I just don't feel quite right yet, like a little cramped. 
• My hands were starting to get numb, so I'm placing too much weight on them. I am going to do some research on how to alleviate that pressure. 
• I had my wife take this photo. I think the knee angle is ok, but I suspect the seat needs to be slid back, as the knee looks too far forward in relationship to the pedal.

Bike fit (along with clothing, cars, etc.) is always an area that I have to address. At 6'2", I'm "tall" but I have a LONG torso and short legs. That means that my bike fit isn't going to come straight from the factory. :| 

I know Janyne was eager to hear how it went, so here is my first bike on the trainer!

Tom

Originally posted by cdban66

Good job Tom, congrats on getting it set up and going. As a non-trainer guy, I have little input, although I will say that the shorter rides in the beginning are a good idea. Rome wasn't built in a day, but you seem to have the long view in mind, so just keep doing those rides. You may need new shorts, you may need a better position, you may benefit from better gloves, a stronger core or any combination of those. The one thing I think we can all agree on s that it will get easier in time and you will get more comfortable in time as well. 

Originally posted by leatherneckpa

I hate to say this, really hate to say this, but I'm going to look into the diabetic cookbooks at home and see if I can't find some interesting salads for suppers.  LOL, you have to understand, I really hate eating salads.  To me, salads have always been nothing but solid green water; zero flavor, zero nutrition, zero interest.