Went for a bag of milk

[Nightshade]

Came back with SPDs


Just got done dialing them in and I am wondering why I didn't invest in these a long time ago. Just looking forward to a good day to give them a real test, so far in my spins around the block I can feel a definite difference in maintainable speed though the muscle useage is definitley going to take some getting used to. I am hoping these get me solidly into 3 minute mile average for a 20 mile ride.

A530 is what I got because I commute on the bike too

10909.jpg

[Zackk]

Niiice.

I ride some old school Look deltas on my Felt. What kind of shoes do you have? I use Diadora sprinter 2's. Not too bad.

Get ready for your hamstrings to explode. Spinning clipless is a godsend.

Do you ride a lot of trails? I thought those were MTB pedals.

[Nightshade]

Niiice.

I ride some old school Look deltas on my Felt. What kind of shoes do you have? I use Diadora sprinter 2's. Not too bad.

Get ready for your hamstrings to explode. Spinning clipless is a godsend.

Do you ride a lot of trails? I thought those were MTB pedals.

They are MTB pedals, I got them for the dual purpose setup of being able to ride with or without clipped shoes. I am using them on my old DB Topanga SE which has been converted to a hybrid commuter and my weekend road bike as well. I also will be using these when I get my Surly LHT for touring.

I picked up a set of the Specialized MTB shoes from my local shop, gonna give them a year and in that time I should have a better idea of what I love/hate about them so my next pair will be a higher end design, probably a road design with an adaptor for the cleat or possibly a change in pedals.

Edit: No trails for me, strictly road riding.

[Zackk]

Allllright.

Surlys are great bikes. I've only ridden one, and it seemed solid. It appears that they tend to put a lower end group on them, so most people put a 105 gruppo on it. I have 105 on my felt and commend that it's an awesome set.

I was planning on doing a tour from New Orleans to Miami this summer, but the damn mcat got in the way. Once I get into med school (hopefully next April) I'm taking the summer off to tour.

What other gear do you have? Shorts, kit, bibs etc? I keep it pretty simple with Pearl Izumi shorts and jersey, and just a $100 bell helmet. I've really wanted to sink some money into a good headlight for summer night riding as Louisiana is a little too warm in the summer for day riding. Comfortably anyway.

[Nightshade]

I am just getting started on getting gear together but basically I have some of the Starter Dri-Star jerseys, couple pairs of regular shorts and the shoes for the SPDs. I am looking to pick up some cycling shorts (probably Pearl Izumi), a helmet, socks and a couple of real jerseys (undecorated). Aside from that it will be the cycle setup of racks, panniers, bar bag, custom laced rims, upgraded derailleurs and of course camping gear for touring.

For a headlight I have a Catz halogen that works pretty well but eats batteries quickly similiar to this model and a cheap but effective Bell tail flasher.

Just started saving so its gonna be a bit yet, but my current setup I average 100-150 miles a week on and I am getting 33 minute 10 milers which is pretty good for the setup (bike is too small).

Have you checked out crazyguyonabike.com yet? If you are interested in touring at all its a neat resource with some really informative touring blogs. I spend a lot of time reading about others tours on the routes I want to do.

[Zackk]

I am just getting started on getting gear together but basically I have some of the Starter Dri-Star jerseys, couple pairs of regular shorts and the shoes for the SPDs. I am looking to pick up some cycling shorts (probably Pearl Izumi), a helmet, socks and a couple of real jerseys (undecorated). Aside from that it will be the cycle setup of racks, panniers, bar bag, custom laced rims, upgraded derailleurs and of course camping gear for touring.

For a headlight I have a Catz halogen that works pretty well but eats batteries quickly similiar to this model and a cheap but effective Bell tail flasher.

Just started saving so its gonna be a bit yet, but my current setup I average 100-150 miles a week on and I am getting 33 minute 10 milers which is pretty good for the setup (bike is too small).

Have you checked out crazyguyonabike.com yet? If you are interested in touring at all its a neat resource with some really informative touring blogs. I spend a lot of time reading about others tours on the routes I want to do.

There are definitely better shorts out there than the Pearl Izumi's, but since cost is a huge factor for myself I think they're pretty great bang for their buck. Honestly, if you've been throwing up 150 miles a week without biking shorts, you could probably ride on a 2x4 by now. Christ man, I could never do that. What kind of saddle do you have?

Keep your eye on chainlove.com. They throw up crazy deals from overstock from time to time. As I post this right now, they have Sidi carbon road shoes for $80 that you can buy anywhere else for $260. It's where I got my helmet (Paid $33 for a $100 high end bell helmet).


I also throw a lot of money at nashbar.com. A lot of money savings there. I just wouldn't recommend buying any of their brand of riding shorts. Everything else is good there. My buddy got a fuji road bike for like $400..$800 off.

[Nightshade]

I have heard of Nashbar and heard the same about their riding shorts, I also heard their jerseys are acceptable as an upper low end to mid line product. Gonna check them out though and maybe see about building a low buck roadie.

Not sure the brand seat I have, it's a gel padded seat with the prostate cut out on it (I will check brand later), but yeah I have 3 pairs of shorts I can cycle in because the seams are just righht and the fabric weights work for me. I once did 30 miles in jean shorts my first time trying a distance ride...it hurt for a few days

I will be checking out chainlove as well, I need a helmet ASAP.

[Zackk]

I have heard of Nashbar and heard the same about their riding shorts, I also heard their jerseys are acceptable as an upper low end to mid line product. Gonna check them out though and maybe see about building a low buck roadie.

Not sure the brand seat I have, it's a gel padded seat with the prostate cut out on it (I will check brand later), but yeah I have 3 pairs of shorts I can cycle in because the seams are just righht and the fabric weights work for me. I once did 30 miles in jean shorts my first time trying a distance ride...it hurt for a few days

I will be checking out chainlove as well, I need a helmet ASAP.

I've had Gyro and bell helmets. Gyro helmets are always nice. Bell helmets are only nice if they retail for $60 an up. Don't skimp on the helmet, as a cheap one will really hurt your neck and wear you down on longer rides. I didn't think it to be the case, but it made me extremely uncomfortable on longer rides.

Nashbar's shorts...I don't know. I got a pair of the Tecumseh shorts and hated them. Padding was very thin and in all the wrong places. I paid $17 for them. There are reviews of guys that spent $40 on the same pair and LOVE them. I went to a brick and mortar shop and tried on some Pearl Izumi quest shorts and could immediately tell the difference in quality. I recommend going into a shop and trying some on, then buying them on amazon. I got my quests for $50, but can be had for $30 shipped on amazon. I only bought them that day because I had a big ride planned for that weekend. When you get some new shorts you'll probably want a new saddle, but that can wait once you get your Surly.

This is my helmet. I have it in white:
http://www.bellsports.com/cycling/he...pavement/array

But like I said I got it for cheap. I think nashbar has them regularly on sale for $50. I have a big dome and it fits me perfect (adjustable).

[Nightshade]

Took a quick spin and broke my ride up into two seperatley timed 10milers and hit a new personal best on the first one at 33:07 which was a 5sec improvement

Its a bit different riding with these and I can see I am going to have to recondition my legs for the pull motion, glad I just took a short ride instead of shooting for a 50

[white_n_slow]

I still run platforms on the Maverick. I miss my old-school 90's toe cages