I currently have a very entry-level Iron Horse Triumph that I bought to get into cycling a little over a year ago (1200miles). I've been very happy with it overall, but lately I feel like I'm always riding on a flat tire. I really like riding fast and have been striving to ride more consistently above 20mph, but feel like I'm wasting energy pushing hard.
Overall, I've taken this to be a sign that I've outgrown my current rig, but I'm really not sure! Is this a common sort of feeling? The feeling of a flat tire slowing you down? Or feeling like I've always got a headwind...
Maybe I'm just a pansy? Maybe I need to train harder and eat healthier and ride more and that will give me a better benefit, but I'm finding it hard to train with the thought that my bike is holding me back. I've ridden with a few friends who are less experienced riders but have better bikes and they leave me in the dust on hills and sprints.
I don't know if I'm ready for a new bike yet, but I'm thinking of maybe upgrading the wheelset or some other components (I just got new pedals/shoes and put on aero bars). Is this a wise decision? I figure wheels would be good cause I can take them to a new bike when I do get one. I want to shed weight, too and figure wheels/tires are a great place to do it because of their rotational momentum effects as well. Any recommendations to get me back up to speed? Or should I just head to the LBS and spring for a whole new bike? Or am I just a wuss?
-Grant-
Overall, I've taken this to be a sign that I've outgrown my current rig, but I'm really not sure! Is this a common sort of feeling? The feeling of a flat tire slowing you down? Or feeling like I've always got a headwind...
Maybe I'm just a pansy? Maybe I need to train harder and eat healthier and ride more and that will give me a better benefit, but I'm finding it hard to train with the thought that my bike is holding me back. I've ridden with a few friends who are less experienced riders but have better bikes and they leave me in the dust on hills and sprints.
I don't know if I'm ready for a new bike yet, but I'm thinking of maybe upgrading the wheelset or some other components (I just got new pedals/shoes and put on aero bars). Is this a wise decision? I figure wheels would be good cause I can take them to a new bike when I do get one. I want to shed weight, too and figure wheels/tires are a great place to do it because of their rotational momentum effects as well. Any recommendations to get me back up to speed? Or should I just head to the LBS and spring for a whole new bike? Or am I just a wuss?
-Grant-