In article <3fbabb1c$1@darkstar>, Benjamin Weiner <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Ryan Cousineau <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > > But shouldn't you be spending the money on coaching, Ryan?
> Yeah, right. Don't believe everything you read on TV. A google search of this group suggests that
> a Trek 5200 weighs 18-19 lbs without pedals (or cages presumably). A 22 lb bike is already fairly
> light. To get to 16-17 with pedals you probably need very light components and/or very light
> wheels with tubulars, at least.
Touche. But you know, my bike is lugged. That can't be aerodynamic
. Seriously. I love the bike.
The most fun part is beating expensive bikes.
> Last year I was loitering with one of the local D3 pros at a race. His new bike was sick light. He
> also estimated it would cost over $5000 retail.
>
> > Yeah, the coaching would probably still help more, but I may be the only guy in this ng who can
> > honestly claim that the weight difference between these two bikes would make a performance
> > difference for the racing I do.
>
> What kind of racing is that? Bike toss? BTW, I have a 28 lb touring-bike cyclocross conversion,
> and I actually have to carry the monster
I still get beat by ripped older guys on full-squish
> mountain bikes, because as always, it is about the rider.
Okay, yes.
> > But then, that's not really the point, is it?
> > --
> > Ryan Cousineau,
[email protected] http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni
> > Fan Club
>
> Well, it is if you want Fabrizio to respect you, and that is a major part of racing, after all.
Are you kidding? Fabrizio wants me to get on a decent Cannondale Saeco replica, and then work on the
training
.
> I am the last person who should be giving out coaching advice on Usenet, but here goes. Based on
> what you've said elsewhere, start doing longer rides as base or preparation training. If you have
> comfort or fit issues that keep you from doing a five hour ride, spend money to resolve that
> (saddle, professional fitting, etc). Do long rides with people that are faster than you and you'll
> get faster, or die trying, IME.
Oh, I know. My weekend rides should be nice serious multi-hour tours. Right now they're nonexistent.
Maybe I'll try joining the 80 km "easy spin" ride that runs on Sundays... (easy spin = 3 hours!)
At some point, my racing goals will start conflicting with my ability to put in riding time. When
that happens, the goals will give way. Racing is a fun way for me to gain fitness (horses for
courses; I know some people who enjoy riding 600 km in 40 hours...who knows why...), and I do want
to win a race or two and Cat up this year. We'll see.
--
Ryan Cousineau,
[email protected] http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club