New to cycling

[DJM83]

Yeah, nah cant see anything
Hopefully pull up ok Rob and can continue on.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Hopefully pull up ok Rob and can continue on.

Hope so. Nearly 3 hours on the bike this morning, checking out a new bike path.

[prydey]

I was about to link my strava account but pics seem to be working now. Not that they're much to look at. My phone is old and I'm not much good at picture taking...

I think my bike looks awesome but it never seems to photograph well. The proportions always seem different.

[Blue Ice]

Spent Sunday afternoon at the Maryvale Pines Trails, heaps of tracks to test out, was a good workout. Had near on 20mm of rain the day before which made for plenty of action (read slippery AF with muddy sections)https://www.trailforks.com/region/maryvale-pines-19417/

[DJM83]

My Strava year in sport.


Also another ebike on order

[roKWiz]

Hope you're not riding today or tomorrow.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Hope you're not riding today or tomorrow.

I did 25kms this morning kicked off at 8am so wasnt too bad but when we were done a few hours later it was warm.
I need to start taking my hydration pack but they annoy me to wear even though ive found a good option with the one i have.

Ill be riding to work tommorrow, but i do have an ebike in the shed just to lesson the pain!
I generally ride Tuesday mornings, but looking at how warm its going to be through tommorrow night/Tues morning i might pass. That or take the ebike.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I did 25kms this morning kicked off at 8am so wasnt too bad but when we were done a few hours later it was warm.
I need to start taking my hydration pack but they annoy me to wear even though ive found a good option with the one i have.

Ill be riding to work tommorrow, but i do have an ebike in the shed just to lesson the pain!
I generally ride Tuesday mornings, but looking at how warm its going to be through tommorrow night/morning i might pass. That or take the ebike.

Was that you passing us with a P plate on the back, heading for Nail Can ? We just exited the Botanical Gardens.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Was that you passing us with a P plate on the back, heading for Nail Can ? We just exited the Botanical Gardens.

Im way too old for p plates my friend

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Im way too old for p plates my friend

Should say it was on his shirt back and riding with another older guy, not on a car just to clear that up.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by DJM83

“A fox is a wolf who sends flowers.” — Ruth Brown

Ive been debating a new bike for a bit, but i couldnt justify it until i seen this. It has big shoes to fill but we'll see, price was better than good also
2023 Mondraker Foxy XR Carbon.
image
image
Made a few changes to suit me like tyres/mudguard/bigger rotors. Ride wrapped it also (My first go) ill need to practice more on that topic.

Also a few pics from the last cpl weeks racin.
Point to point race cpl weeks ago. Finished 20/39. Issue with my race plate that still isnt sorted.
image
Last weekend 7 stage gravity enduro.
This was fun, sadly only 4 in my category.
Ended up P2
image
image
My Norco has served me well, and if the new bike isnt right it'll stay on longer.

Well!
New bike is now gone.

Ive been back riding my Norco for a bit now, its just a better all round bike really.
New (gone) bike, was an amazing bike in its own right and i tried to convince myself it was right for me but sadly it wasnt.

I do have another ebike coming, this time not a full fat ebike as such. Only has a 400wH battery, but full 85nm mota in a light weight carbon frame.
Should be here sometime in Jan.

[Syndrome]

Just completed the last ride for 2024. According to Garmin I covered 1,020 km this year. As I only rode 10 of the 12 months, that is 100 km per month average. See if I can do more in 2025.

[Syndrome]

Today I purchased Shimano pedals, cleats and corresponding shoes for my road bike. First time I've ridden with cleats. Did 40 kilometers at Edithvale Velodrome and did not notice any benefit compared to the flat pedals. What am I missing?

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Today I purchased Shimano pedals, cleats and corresponding shoes for my road bike. First time I've ridden with cleats. Did 40 kilometers at Edithvale Velodrome and did not notice any benefit compared to the flat pedals. What am I missing?

its the technique. With Cleats, you need your pedal action be like you are 'scraping mud off your shoe' on the stroke down and back, and on the up stroke you lift as the other foot is beginning its down stroke, and repeat the action with the other foot. Repeat over and over. Means more efficiency when riding and you engage different muscles, therefore producing more power and speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6h30OqTyTg

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by blueoval

its the technique. With Cleats, you need your pedal action be like you are 'scraping mud off your shoe' on the stroke down and back, and on the up stroke you lift as the other foot is beginning its down stroke, and repeat the action with the other foot. Repeat over and over. Means more efficiency when riding and you engage different muscles, therefore producing more power and speed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6h30OqTyTg

I used GCN to position the cleats on my shoes. And I had little problem clipping and unclipping.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Today I purchased Shimano pedals, cleats and corresponding shoes for my road bike. First time I've ridden with cleats. Did 40 kilometers at Edithvale Velodrome and did not notice any benefit compared to the flat pedals. What am I missing?

Cleats allow your legs to become an extension of your bike. A simple test would be to go back to flat pedals after a few weeks and then see if you feel the same way. Especially up an incline.

Technique is a discussion that is constantly changing. Generally though, life Shav says, you should focus on the downstroke and the bottom, like scraping dog turd off your shoe. The jury is still out on whether there is any huge benefit in focusing on the up stroke. Mostly it's about pedalling in a circle rather than thinking about up and down.

Pedalling technique can take a long time before it becomes natural, especially when the body gets tired. Like a lot of sports, maintaining technique when fatigued is much more difficult if it isn't practiced to the point of being natural.

I know my technique isn't great and when I get tired I'm guilty of just mashing at the pedals.

[DJM83]

New bike day for me this week
2024 Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 2.
Full 85nm mota.
Lighter 400Wh battery.
Carbon Frame.


Ive added Sram GX AXS wireless shifter and rear mech.
Cushcore inserts front and rear.
One Up handlebars.
Weighed it yesterday, 21.25kg.
First ride yesterday, it feels pretty good. Its closer to a trail bike than my non pedal assist bike. But the geometry feels pretty similar.
Its also a mullet (29 inch front wheel/27.5 inch rear wheel) which i love so the shorter rear end is much more playful and i dont think i get my backside buzzed on the rear tyre as much!

[prydey]

Thought I'd ride down and check out the Willunga hill stage of the tour down under. Pretty hot day so by the time I got home I was cooked. Thankfully there was plenty of cyclists around to tow me home.

I was a bit annoyed with myself. I'd wanted to get up the hill and then ride further along the range to see the peloton go past, and then ride back to get a vantage spot near the top of the hill to see them come up the hill the 2nd time for the finish, however when I jumped on the bike and left my house, I got halfway up my street and realised the di2 battery was flat, so no gears. Back home and charged it for about 20min... So by the time I got up the hill the officials were kicking everyone off the road.

Still a good day out. So many fancy bikes to dribble over.

Can't believe the speed and power of the pro guys. TV doesn't do them justice.

[prydey]

Forgot to mention, heading back down the hill after the event there were hordes of people. Cyclists, pedestrians and cops trying to keep everyone safe. About halfway down it started to thin out and speeds started to creep up. I was doing about 45-50 on the brakes because still pretty chaotic with non regular cyclists amongst those riding. Then I hear the sound of a bike coming from behind me, clearly sending it. I was thinking what moron is taking this risk.... Then they flew past. It was a lotto sdl rider... Then more followed. Crazy bike skills these pro guys. Makes a difference when you don't own your bike too I reckon. They were hard on the brakes and full gas off the corners. Good to watch though.

Further down toward McLaren Vale the groupama fdj team came past. Tried to keep up for a bit but even their casual riding was too quick for me. Pretty cool to ride alongside though, even if it was only for a short time.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by prydey

Forgot to mention, heading back down the hill after the event there were hordes of people. Cyclists, pedestrians and cops trying to keep everyone safe. About halfway down it started to thin out and speeds started to creep up. I was doing about 45-50 on the brakes because still pretty chaotic with non regular cyclists amongst those riding. Then I hear the sound of a bike coming from behind me, clearly sending it. I was thinking what moron is taking this risk.... Then they flew past. It was a lotto sdl rider... Then more followed. Crazy bike skills these pro guys. Makes a difference when you don't own your bike too I reckon. They were hard on the brakes and full gas off the corners. Good to watch though.

Further down toward McLaren Vale the groupama fdj team came past. Tried to keep up for a bit but even their casual riding was too quick for me. Pretty cool to ride alongside though, even if it was only for a short time.

Keeping 'on the wheel' of a pro team even in a casual ride setting gets really hard when a hill comes. On the flat it feels like you are almost doing no effort and still moving at 45-50kph.

[DJM83]

Did some explorin of my locals trails on the ebike today!
Really love this aspect of ebikes!
Been riding here for years, but theres so many different places to see without fear of not being able to get out when using me ebike.

[prydey]

Slow, but felt ok. First ton for a while.

After doing close to 70km last Saturday watching the TDU, I headed out again Monday (Australia day) and did the same ride again but padded it out a bit to notch up 80km.

Pulled up ok and felt fine all week at work, so yesterday thought I'd up the ante a touch more. Apart from being slow I felt ok.

Unfortunately I woke up pretty sore today and spent most of the day lying down. Super frustrating.

Still, it was great being out on the bike.

And yes, I need to upgrade my Garmin.

[DJM83]

Nice effort Rob.

PM sent re Garmin

[blueoval]

Big effort considering the heat. You did well Rob, well done!

[FTE217]

hey you bike experts.
In the near future I'll be needing to buy a couple of general use e commuter bikes.
Going to the local shops, maybe carry small items, possibly a surfboard rack for 1 of them And maybe one that can take a pillion.
Can you lead me towards mid range kind of product for starters if possible.
No rush in your time and thanks in advance.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by FTE217

hey you bike experts.
In the near future I'll be needing to buy a couple of general use e commuter bikes.
Going to the local shops, maybe carry small items, possibly a surfboard rack for 1 of them And maybe one that can take a pillion.
Can you lead me towards mid range kind of product for starters if possible.
No rush in your time and thanks in advance.

That's a big ask.



but seriously I see a lot of these below getting around the inner city carrying shopping, child and even chairs.



Good place to start looking is Narrabeen cycles, Sydney electric bikes, https://www.sydneyelectricbikes.com.au/ or Bike addition in Freshwater. https://www.bikeaddiction.com.au/

The way I went many years ago was to pull a BOB trailer. (single wheel trailer) used it for many commuters carrying tools etc. Often thought way back then it would have been nice to power the trailer for uphill slogs.

[FTE217]

Thanks you have already helped no big ask
Those links are the start Thankyou.