Fat On A Bike

Frustrated… So what do I do now?

// February 2nd, 2010 // Comments Off on Frustrated… So what do I do now? // Bloging, Diet, Riding

It has been covered in recent articles, and it is something that I do encounter nearly inall my rides – the bike is slow on flat terrain. Sure, it is an All Mountain bike and not a Trail bike, but still, the bike was design to be your everyday ride and not just an All Mountain. Add to that the fact that I am a big guy and the geometry of the bike is very good for me… and you can see why did I get this bike. Currently my riding style is Trail more then anything else. The winter has its contribution as well. When it rains and when there is mud out there I prefer to ride in Park Hayarkon for about 25km – 20km. When riding in the park everything just seems so slow. I cannot get more then around 20km per hour.

With 14Kg that were already lost (in 8 weeks), an XT crank, XT cassette, and an XTR chain, I thought I should be getting some more speed. I know that the 2.35 tire does not role fast, and that a 2.2 or a 2.0 tire would be faster, but it seems odd to me to use these tires on an All Mountain bike.

The psychology of things simply drives me nuts. Losing a significant amount of weight had to improve something with my ride, right? Or am I just too linear on this? Maybe it just takes its time, maybe I had a really awful riding day… everything is possible. What is clear is that I had been frustrated all day long, instead of being happy about the things I managed to achieve.

Connected

// December 21st, 2009 // Comments Off on Connected // Bloging, Riding

The one thing I have replaced with the Enduro is the pedals. Instead of the nothing you get with the bike, I got Crank Brothers Mallet 2 pedals. Why should I mess around with cleats when I have only 4 months of experience riding bikes? – The answer is simple. My knees.

See, since I am a big guy my legs are placed on the pedals in an angle and not strait. My right leg has the worst angle where my heel sometimes touches the chain guard. This had a direct effect over the pain I feel in my knees after a ride. So what would be an appropriate solution? Cleats! Force the leg to be placed strait on the pedal.

Today it was the first time I rode my bike with the new pedals. I have tried to get my shoes connected with the cleats in the driveway but failed. It took me a kilometer and a half until I got the left shoe to get connected. Suddenly I heard a click… and that was that. Only two kilometers after I managed to get the right shoe connected as well. I could feel the difference immediately, although my right leg still wanted to shift right, but the shoe had prevented that.

The use of cleats forced the legs to be placed strait on the pedals lowering the pressure on the knees. I was not stressed from the fact I was connected to the bike. Only on one part of the ride I got nervous. The part where I have a stoplight and I am to stop. For some reason I could not disconnect at first, but after taking a deep breath I disconnected… finally.

I hope that in time and with the fact my muscles should get stronger (as they all say and write about), and with the use of cleats, most of my knee pain would vanish.

My new ride – Specialized EnduroSL Comp 2010

// December 14th, 2009 // Comments Off on My new ride – Specialized EnduroSL Comp 2010 // Information

On Friday I traded my Gary Fisher Big Sur 09’ with a brand new Specialized EnduroSL Comp 2010.

I have learned many different things about myself and about cycling in the course of the last three and a half months. Simply put, I love this sport.

The problem I had is that I went through a frustrating and expensive process to put me on the right bike. See, I had 4 bikes during this short time period. From a Trek 4300 2010, to a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo 09’, to a Gary Fisher Big Sur 09’, and finally to a Specialized Enduro SL Comp 2010. The whole thing could have been easier on me if I had a clue about cycling when I went to buy my first bike, or the understanding that an uber Clyde like me must check few basic things in a bike just to consider them to be fit. My experience could have been different if the bike store I first entered would have fitted me on the right bike instead of selling me a Trek 4300 (the front fork was for show only). And instead of trying to squeeze me for more cash trying to fit me on other bikes that cannot fir me (the Gary Fishers are very aggressive on the geometry of the bike) would have give me a good advise on which actual bikes I should get. Now I understand they do not have a clue about Clydes and what should or should not work for them.

Uber Clydes like me should look for a bike designed for Freeride, Downhill and/or All Mountain ride. Some key parameters to look for are:

• A strong frame that can sustain abuse
• Relaxed geometry
• A 160mm front fork
• Strong rims with good spokes to carry the weight

The Specialized Enduro has it all. Once I have finished the test ride I fell for it (I tested few bikes that day). It was the first bike I rode which immediately felt right. I could finally feel the front fork is doing its job (Rock Shox Lyrik 1600mm), and that the rear shock (Fox RP2) is effective even when a heavy guy like me sits on the bike.

On Saturday I rode 24km with the bike. I still need to adjust it here and there, but overall it was a great ride. I cannot wait until I get the bike out the next time (the weather here is tricky these days).

I truly hope that ‘small’ people like me would learn from my experience, and the hassle of being hassled would be saved for them.