I'm just mindful of the recovery and my need to hit ~30 mile running each week this week and next. Then September i've a 30ish mile race at the end. Then come October i can give longer rides a bit more thought.
Mixing two different sports together, certainly two like running and cycling, then recovery will be quite key. Although one thing I do see runner friends doing is using cycling for 'active recovery' type rides rather than doing 'recovery runs'. Cycling is low impact and good to spin/stretch out some of those muscles/bones damaged/stressed by running. Some of the best cyclists around me are ex-runners who got injured or grew to love cycling more!
Hmm interesting video. I was curious last night how my cycling speed compared to "average". My 2 rides so far have been around the 12.5mph area. I was curious how it might change if i switched to the 32mm road tyres i was given with the bike vs the 38mm gravel tyres given i'm realising i'm likely to spend most of my time on the roads. The 32mm width should still give decent grip i'd have thought.
Came across this video, so think i'm going to switch over and see what the real world impact is for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCrL7yHPMqo&ab_channel=GCNTech
You'll find the road tyres faster on the road, but think you already knew that. What are the gravel tyres? Obviously depending on how 'fast' they are and the type of grip will determine just how much faster.
But realistically, at those speeds it won't be a massive difference, but they'll likely feel loads faster to you! 32mm road tyres do give good grip. I've been using them in winter the last couple of years and ended up liking 32mm so much continued using them through the summer the last 2!
You’ll get significantly faster quite quickly just by riding. That’s not to say don’t switch tyres, just don’t be surprised when you’re quicker next time out, and the time after that, and the time after that, regardless of setup etc.
I would honestly say the best way you can spend your time and money at the moment is just to ride it a load while we’ve still got the weather and stop worrying so much about setup etc.
Totally, really good sound advice and something I'd back up.
Any new riders, or changes in equipment, you need to get the miles in to really 'see' the difference. If you're a new rider the differences will be more pronounced as they'll likely also give you more confidence. The rapid increases in speed and fitness you get in those early months/years just from riding is quite incredible. Do get quite jealous sometimes seeing some of the massive differences!
Back on the trainer again after a 5weeks ish off recovering from Outlaw.... Ramp test on trainer road down 6% FTP and it hurt so bad
Struggling to get back into training though have to say, very little motivation.
Big break but well deserved! Set some smaller goals and targets just to get those legs going again. Doesn't have to be anything massive but will help with motivation and just getting back out there!
Also a slight win, i seem to have sold the spare front wheel, old cassette and toolkit with broken chain tool so that's re-couped a decent chunk of cash.
Result!
Went for a short 25 mile ride yesterday with a few hills. I'm getting quite good at climbing (comparatively speaking, not a patch on most of you) compared to my recent efforts and I managed to beat some of my friends with road bikes up the hills...
Good work and as you've probably figured out - all the fixie riding has given you quite a bit of torque - excellent for climbing, especially when cadence starts to dip down. You likely just need to work some of the faster twitch muscles to get their endurance at higher cadences and you'll not fatigue your legs as much.
I swear I'm not competitive.
I'm sure everyone has said that at some point...!
I have an annoying noise in the top 4 gears of my new Giant Defy Advanced 2 I would like a second opinion on. I think it is the chain contacting the front derailleur. I can't see it touching off the bike in those gears but it is very close. I also can't replicate the noise in the stand. Hopefully the link works
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkUPc9gNniVqg_E97haFWPhK0jrizg
edit: turn your mic down a bit first
Yup sounds like the chain on FD. Likely some frame/BB flex when under load is the cause, you'll probably find the noise happens more when you're pushing harder through the drive side pedal stroke?
FD just needs a slight angle tweak, or the limit screw adjusting out slightly to allow for it and stop the rub. But first thing would be confirming you're not using the levers trim setting while on the upper end of the cassette.