"might be caused by the liner + moisture.. "
- that was my experience anyway. High end shorts have more breathable pads but they're still more of a problem in that respect than 2 thin layers of wicking, non-cotton fabric. I get the best blister-free comfort from 2 thin pairs of hiking socks and riding in sports boxers and thin baggies seem similar provided the fit is good. Chammy cream in small doses is the majority of the prevention for me on a long ride, not a pad. All FWIW anyway, perhaps a bit OT.
I've been told by a work colleague that this ^ is mind bleach stuff so I'm out : )
Shaving - IMO the only reason to shave is if you like the look/feel of it. Sure, you can make up other reasons like aero/massage/road rash but you fundamentally have to *like* it. Embrace doing something jsut for the aesthetics - taking some joy in your own appearance is something that nobody can take away from you. Obvs if you don't lke leg shaving then don't bother.
MTB vs Road pedals - road pedals feel a bit nicer / more secure but it's not night and day. If you're just starting out and looking at making your bike a nicer place to be then I'd think about fit, saddle an tyres before worrying about pedals.
Sure, you can make up other reasons like aero
It's actually once of the most effective things you can do for aero benefits, it's something like 15w saved at 25mph (someone racing). Substantial.
FWIW I hate shaving, the feel and the look.
On the road clip-in pedal thing, I think it depends on the shoes and the pedal. Stiff road shoes and Shimano road SPDs definitely feel a shedload more stable and direct to me, particularly if you're comparing them to off-road, non-platform SPDs used with a slightly more flexible trail shoe, maybe less so if you habitually use very stiff-soled XC race shoes.
I like arm-warmers. Just adds flexibility to your clothing system, particularly useful on long rides in changeable conditions, ditto lightweight, windproof gilets.
Loose clothing on road bikes seems okay until you find yourself screaming down the Galibier and your loose shorts, jacket etc start vibrating and flapping in the wind, there is a practical reason for fitted roadie stuff. and don't get me started on flappy baggies when pedalling. That said, I'm fine with whatever anyone else wants to wear, but it still looks all kinds of wrong to me. Likewise, if you're going to wear super s****, race-style Lycra with fey floral patterns and stuff, at least have the decency to be blindingly fast with it...
I don't shave my legs, but I'm not very hairy anyway. If I had hairy legs, I'd maybe consider it for the summer if I were riding on the road a lot.
Where it all gets ambiguous, in my book, is what you choose to wear on a 'gravel' bike, where the gammut seems to run from people in full-on mtb trail kit through to elite roadie race lycra and, of course, check shirts and comedy beards.
Question: do you wear road stuff on a gravel bike?
4) Road pedals/Shoes – would I really benefit from them?
I prefer them for road - the cleat is a lot more stable and secure which is quite nice. But by no means essential, if you're comparing road shoes to XC type MTB shoes.
this is complete bollocks! and an absolutely terrible idea to train you muscle memory into doing this, if you also MTB on flats 😂I think to realise their benefit you are supposed to adjust your pedalling style to very lightly “pull” on the upstroke
https://gearandgrit.com/the-cycling-myth-that-wont-die-pedaling-circles/
Also, road pedals are less fugly than SPD's. There should be no fugly stuff on a road bike, so that means no disc brakes, fat/wobbly carbon etc etc 🙂
1. What are bibs for? I can’t work out what the benefit is over padded shorts. Will I suddenly realise about 40 miles from home one day that bibs are far more comfortable or something?
2. Related to the above, how can I tell which padded shorts it’s acceptable to wear without baggies (assuming purchasing online)? NOTE: I do not want to show the world my bare arse through semi transparent shorts.
3. I really like the commitment to not having a rucksack roadies have so I’m looking at arm warmers. On this size chart, it says to measure my bicep. Do they mean my forearm circumference? (Told you these could be stupid questions).
1. I have never liked bibs, much prefer shorts. Get ones that fit you properly and they dont go down, dont constrict your was etc etc. The short bit themselves there isnt any difference.
2. All half decent padded shorts ok to wear without baggies. IMO roadies wearing baggies look stupid.
3. Why would you want to carry a rucksack? Never understood this on mtb either unless doing remote mountain stuff. Arm warmers are ok, I would prefer the right layers personally. Too cold IMO at the minute to wear T-shirt and arm warmers. Arm warmers are ok for the colder summer mornings where its going to heat up.
this is complete bollocks! and an absolutely terrible idea to train you muscle memory into doing this, if you also MTB on flats
Hmmm..well you might want to tell that to Trainerroad who are a pretty large well respected AI coaching platform and they certainly advocate it as do various other coaching platforms I've used.
Also the various power meter manufacturers who specifically measure the upstroke in their metrics.
Maybe rather than "complete bollocks" its a technique that could be beneficial to some in certain circumstances to varying degrees? Just a thought.
this is complete bollocks! and an absolutely terrible idea to train you muscle memory into doing this, if you also MTB on flats 😂
I like road SPDs and was fully prepared to believe they were more efficient, but I think the benefits boil down mostly to the stiffness of the shoe, am pretty sure GCN did a test comparing power/speed on flat pedals and SPDs and showed negligible difference. Might be one of those things where an ex-pro with a smooth pedal stroke skews the results though.
I'll still keep using SPDs though, don't think there's any flat shoe out there that's light enough or on trend enough aesthetically to persuade me to switch 😎
No difference between a good set of road shoes and pedals and a good set of mtb shoes and spds imo.
and mtb shoes are far more practical
SPD's are fine, it's the shoes that matter.
XC disco slippers are fine, but I find the softer soles of trail/enduro shoes means you can really feel the cleat after a few hours.
The only real difference (assuming identical shoes) is SPD's tend to float freely, the metal on metal contact patch is pretty much frictionless (assuming a drop of two of wax lube has been applied). Whereas the big plastic roadie cleats have a bit of drag, your foot still finds it's natural position but it doesn't feel loose. I suspect if you measured power output to the nearest watt it probably makes a difference as the leg isn't having to stabilize itself as much.
The only time I have issues is on the fixie, I think the spring on SPD's releases if you pull back hard enough, so I've had them fly out at TDC a few times on fast descents, but that's at 180RPM+ on a fixed gear. I can't maintain that cadence on a bike with a freehub. The clamping force on road pedals presumably overcomes this (or track riders just wear straps over their shoes).
I know some people use flats, but it's just wrong. Baring any medical reasons, although even then my knackered knees do better in SPDs, I think because they're in the right position all the time rather than it changing each time I move my foot.
Also, road pedals are less fugly than SPD’s. There should be no fugly stuff on a road bike, so that means no disc brakes, fat/wobbly carbon etc etc 🙂
I'd be more concerned about the fat, wobbly rider.
If anyone's really interested in the pedalling dynamics thing, the Time Crunched Cyclist podcast recently did an exhaustive look at pedalling. I listened to it a while back and have vague memories that the whole circular action thing was somewhat debunked:
Also good for big mountain rides where you want short sleeves for climbing but then long sleeves for being up high.
And also for a fast descent. Hypothermia sets in quickly at higher speeds in cool conditions, especially if you're all moist from the climb.
If anyone’s really interested in the pedalling dynamics thing, the Time Crunched Cyclist podcast recently did an exhaustive look at pedalling. I listened to it a while back and have vague memories that the whole circular action thing was somewhat debunked:
It's so obviously hookum if you spend more than a few minutes considering it.
1) Anyone who's sat on a wattbike knows the distribution looks like a peanut.
2) As above, just try holding 160rpm+ on a bike with a freehub, you end up clacking over TDC because you can't accelerate your foot forwards fast enough to keep up with the pedal/chain/rear wheel, you can pedal faster on a fixie because it smooths it out for you. The two are transferable though, learning to pedal at 200rpm on a fixed gear smooths you out on a normal bike, and pedaling smother on a normal bike makes you even better on the fixed.
3) Biomechanically you can't pull up in any meaningful / sustainable way. Most people can split squat BW+50kg fairly easily. Now attach your BW+50kg to your ankle and try and lift it. That's the imbalance right there.
4) Same with TDC and BDC, TDC is your Quads trying to explode your kneecap at almost max extension, BDC is your glutes trying to act against the whole lever your your straight leg AND your quad trying to keep your knee stable. Not really much happening in terms of force being exerted on the pedal as a result.
