What did you do to your Cruzbike today?

[ratz]

I honestly think the zig zag method is rather useless unless you cadence is well below where you should be. Zig Zag for quick sprints because your just going all out for for sustained effort I consider it useless. I'm sure there are those who think it works all the time but I just don't agree myself. Also I don't climb that fast on the Vendetta, it just seems that way because I can compensate so much going DH and on the flats over an all day ride, I'm getting killed on the climbs.

I just finished up and easy 180 miles with a friend who was the one who told me about next weeks double.

I concur I'm usually going dead straight going up hill; usually because there is too much traffic risk on a hill (our big ones are near town and busy). Fortunately our hills are much smaller than those out west. If we had bigger ones I would compensate with bigger gears so I could maintain 80-90 rpm and 70-80 for the super steep stuff. I can and do pump the bike/boom as a tool; like rocking on a DF and pumping the bike; that however is a limited use tool; I can only do it for so long and only so many times in succession. Extremely useful if I loose focus and my cadence plummets to 50 rpms; I can burst that way back up to 70rpm and prevent a stalling out. The relative shortening of the cranks helps a ton; but it is very anaerobically expensive for me personally; probably like burning 2 matches in a sprint

 

[RojoRacing]

I concur I'm usually going dead straight going up hill; usually because there is too much traffic risk on a hill (our big ones are near town and busy). Fortunately our hills are much smaller than those out west. If we had bigger ones I would compensate with bigger gears so I could maintain 80-90 rpm and 70-80 for the super steep stuff. I can and do pump the bike/boom as a tool; like rocking on a DF and pumping the bike; that however is a limited use tool; I can only do it for so long and only so many times in succession. Extremely useful if I loose focus and my cadence plummets to 50 rpms; I can bust that way back up to 70rpm and prevent a stalling out. The relative shortening of the cranks helps a ton; but it is very anaerobically expensive for me personally; probably like burning 2 matches in a sprint

Yes basically all this ^ you nailed it, thanks for saying what I'm currently too tired to convey

 

[ChaleJake]

ChaleJake, I ride our Softrider off road all the time. Have several hundred miles on Rails-to-Trails trails and local backroads and firetrails. Except for occasional front wheel slip on steeper climbs and loose dirt the Softrider is an excellent off-roading choice. First pic is Rails-to-Trails outfit with 1.5 tires and second two firetrail outfit with 1.95 tire.

That is a great looking Bike. I am looking forward to the ride. I've done a few rails to trails on the bike. This is on service roads through the woods. It should be fun.

 

[bladderhead]

When I reached the top of the big hill I realised that my hands were aching from bar-pulling, but I did not zigzag at all. I agree with ratz. Zigzag is only for explosive sprint. Are you a fast-twitcher? Click your shifter.

 

[DavidCH]

Lately on bridges, I haven't needed to change down to the smaller chain wheel , I just accelerate before hitting the slope, hit down a couple of gears with the deurallier and plough over the crest with a bit of a zig zag; just using abdominals without pulling on the bars.

After a recent scare of tendonitis on my left arm it's all important to take it easy on the grip.

If it's a big hill I set up markers and constantly look at my heart rate. Lie back in the seat and take the pressure off the knee by pulling with the opposite leg. Much better to use the force of your primary muscle sets (legs) than trying to put tension thru the arms.

 

[RojoRacing]

Well I have t ridden it all week but I have made it look a bit faster with some carbon and vinyl work.
http://cruzbike.com/forum/posts/126669/

 

[ChaleJake]

I put on new Conti tires and then rode 161 miles over 4 days. Racked the bike to come home. When I got home the front tire was flat. I also had my first slide with the bike. The bike is fine and so am I. The front tire hit some concrete and just slid out. I wasn't going very fast so no big deal. I rode another 60 miles after that spill. At least the flat did not happen during the ride. New handlebars this coming weekend.

 

[RojoRacing]

I put on new Conti tires and then rode 161 miles over 4 days. Racked the bike to come home. When I got home the front tire was flat. I also had my first slide with the bike. The bike is fine and so am I. The front tire hit some concrete and just slid out. I wasn't going very fast so no big deal. I rode another 60 miles after that spill. At least the flat did not happen during the ride. New handlebars this coming weekend.

Glad you ended up ok with the spill. At least you found the flat when you got back and not as you were about to leave to meet people on your next ride. I hate that last minute surprise flat tire.

 

[DavidCH]

Finally got the Enduro XD-15 ceramic BB fitted, OMG the bike doesn't seem to be such a grind. Broke 5 of my PBs on strava and I wasn't racing. It was a transitional ride. No kidding. You want to improve overnight without having to lose a pound or two, buy one of these. Fantastic.
RWC@
http://www.enduroforkseals.com/

 

[ChaleJake]

I was able to change my flat tire and cleaned the cassette. Got it all back together and it all works. I'm glad my first flat occurred where I could change the tire in my garage. It is not so scary now. There was a hole in the tube. I did not check inside the wheel for anything goofy. Hope I do not regret that action.

I did use the bike on the side method and reviewed the video first. Thanks for a great video.

Now, I'll tackle the handlebar swap. Swapping out the original bar for the salsa woodchipper 2.

 

[RojoRacing]

Another Double Century another Fastest time of the day, just another day at the office out here on the west coast.

 

[super slim]

Jason did you use the disc rear wheel?

 

[bladderhead]

just another day at the office out here on the west coast.

Hippy

 

[RojoRacing]

Jason did you use the disc rear wheel?

https://www.facebook.com/mrjustintoo/videos/867114380086707/

 

[super slim]

Stunning Ride!! with a 28 kph average with 3,420 m of climbing!!!

Did you notice any changes in the bike handling with the rear disc and the battery box?

 

[RojoRacing]

Stunning Ride!! with a 28 kph average with 3,420 m of climbing!!!

Did you notice any changes in the bike handling with the rear disc and the battery box?

Nothing it all just rolled the same as before. There was wind in all directions throughout the day but not at the speeds I get back at home. I'll continue with the disc until I experience anything I feel dangerous. My first morning commute on the disc will certainly point out any handling issues.

Right now the big question is whether or not to use the disc at the final round of the CA triple crown race next weekend. It has one 6000' climb at the start and a total of 14'000 over the 200 miles. Will the extra aero on the slight DHs and flats outweigh a slower climb up the big mountains. I'm already at a huge disadvantage when climbing and I can expect I'll give away 20-30 mins in that first climb alone.

 

[super slim]

Jason what is the weight of the disc covers?

 

[RojoRacing]

Jason what is the weight of the disc covers?

85 grams per side so they come in basically at the same weight as the Catalyst carbon covers who claim 180 grams for the set of half of what the $100 abs covers are. There is absolutely no way to go any thinner on the material. I'd like to try about 25% heavier and see how much stiffer it would be but I don't really have any reason to spend any more money on the project.

They aren't hard to make and only require some minor tools and patience to get it perfect. It's not something I'm willing to add to the RojoRacing product line because a perfect fit really requires the actual wheel to be in hand during the making of the covers.

If I did a full mold and proper carbon layup I'd like to try some way to mold in the surface dimples used on golf balls and ZIPP wheels. They claim that surface design reduces surface friction as the air is never fully in contact.

 

[LarryOz]

Will the extra aero on the slight DHs and flats outweigh a slower climb up the big mountains. I'm already at a huge disadvantage when climbing and I can expect I'll give away 20-30 mins in that first climb alone.

I can't imagine that 85 grams per side is going to make much difference in your climbing speed. However, you will make significant increased speed on the downhills and flats. I say keep them on.
Of course, the only true way is to test it on an identical climb, under same conditions.
I would go up a grade at a predetermined average wattage, and put your lap average on your Garmin Screen and your 3 sec power.
Start you lap at the beginning of you climb and also remember how fast you are going when you do it.
Try and keep the power extremely level on the grade, and tweak slightly up or down to peg the power you want to hit each time.
Do the same thing with and without the covers.
The more passes you do, the more accurate your data will be and the easier it will be to see a difference.
A lot of work!
My guess is that there will be so little difference that your data will bounce back and forth so that you won't be able to really determine which is better ( since the weight per side is so little.)

 

[RojoRacing]

I can't imagine that 85 grams per side is going to make much difference in your climbing speed. However, you will make significant increased speed on the downhills and flats. I say keep them on.
Of course, the only true way is to test it on an identical climb, under same conditions.
I would go up a grade at a predetermined average wattage, and put your lap average on your Garmin Screen and your 3 sec power.
Start you lap at the beginning of you climb and also remember how fast you are going when you do it.
Try and keep the power extremely level on the grade, and tweak slightly up or down to peg the power you want to hit each time.
Do the same thing with and without the covers.
The more passes you do, the more accurate your data will be and the easier it will be to see a difference.
A lot of work!
My guess is that there will be so little difference that your data will bounce back and forth so that you won't be able to really determine which is better ( since the weight per side is so little.)

Yeah so I'm going to save myself the trouble and just go with your pre determined results. If side winds are truly not an issue I'll keep them on.