Gear tips for a roadie newbie? and random musings

[captenaj]

I've never worn arm or leg warmers but I've sure thought they would come in handy. Canuck, if you're giving stuff away, I wouldn't mind trying a pair.

[mimitabby]

pockets, pockets! how could you NOT want pockets?

that's where I put keys, cellphone, camera, money?? where do YOU put these things?

when i ride without a bike jersey i have to find somewhere ELSE to put all that stuff!!

[indysteel]

I'd like to recommend Sugoi's Helix tight. I bought a pair of those last years for less than $40 retail, along with several much more expensive pairs of tights, Sugoi's Midzero and Shebeest something-or-another. I loved the Helix tights far and above the other two. They're relatively thin, but I found them to be very warm and comfortable. The Midzero's had a seem in the crotch that really bothered me and the Shebeest's were kind of bulky and unflattering and, despite being much thicker, they weren't any warmer.

As for shorts, I'm a big fan (thanks to Susan at TE) of Sugoi's RS Short. I feel sort of disloyal saying this on TE's forum, but you can get a good deal on the 2006 model at Campmor.com.

And I agree that you'll make good use of rear pockets when you start doing really long and/or unsupported rides. You should have seen me when I did the Ride Across Indiana. I was loaded down. I don't put anything too heavy back there as a general rule, but in any event, you get used to it. You could use a bag for your top tube instead if it really bothers you.

Have fun!

K-

[Trekhawk]

I love my jersey pockets!!
Its funny but after awhile you get use to stuffing gear in them. Im amazed at how much stuff I have been able to get in mine on longer rides. On some rides I have had food in one section a light shell in another and leg warmers on the other side and have still been comfortable

[lph]

I haven't done any rides longer than three hours yet, and for that I'll have spare tube+co2-inflator+card/cash+cellphone in my seatpost bag, plus a little room left over to stuff my windbreaker in. (Yes, I still have a big dorky seatpost bag).

But I'm just finding out that having an energy bar thingy or two in my jersey pocket IS handier than having to rummage it out of the bag and having spare tube+co2-inflator etc. start falling out...

Off to buy arm warmers and tights/leg warmers today! whee, new sport to shop for!

[lph]

ooo, got a pair of really nice "long legs" (amazing what money will buy ), a sleek little PI saddle bag and a jersey WITH pockets on sale yesterday. Boring colour but cheap.

But I have another question if anybody's still reading this thread: reach, yet again. I have my saddle set up to the correct position, as far as I can tell. Tha handlebars are low, but feel fairly comfortable. I've always "ridden low" and my back is quite flexible, eg. I can put my hands flat on the floor with straight legs.

The drops are a bit of a reach, but I can still bend my elbows if I "have to". But if I do I have trouble pedalling - my thighs start hitting my upper body! Ribs and shoulder, I'm flatchested. Um - maybe I'm just not supposed to bend that far over (and pedal)? To pedal efficiently it feels better to have my hands up on the hoods with elbows more bent. I can also keep my elbows narrower like that.

I'm wondering if I should try a shorter stem or slightly higher handlebars.

[DirtDiva]

Have a play with the angle of the bars too. Can you flip your stem to get a little more rise? Neither of these will necessarily be the answer, but they're the cheapest options, so worth trying first!

[Veronica]

pockets, pockets! how could you NOT want pockets?

that's where I put keys, cellphone, camera, money?? where do YOU put these things?

when i ride without a bike jersey i have to find somewhere ELSE to put all that stuff!!

I hate having stuff in my pockets.

Keys, cell phone, money, extra food go into a small handlebar bag. Food I'm actually eating goes in the Bento box. If I'm expecting Thom to call I'll put my cell phone in my jersey. I keep my camera in my jersey since I'm more likely to use it if it's there.

V.

[Starfish]

About your bib question...I'm looking forward to trying bibs someday when I get the budget because my digestion can get a little iffy on longer/harder rides, and I find the double waistband of shorts+tights can bother me.

[PscyclePath]

About your bib question...I'm looking forward to trying bibs someday when I get the budget because my digestion can get a little iffy on longer/harder rides, and I find the double waistband of shorts+tights can bother me.

Bib shorts are very comfortable, since you don't get the pinch around the middle that regular bike shorts can give you. Where they come up short, especially depending on what kind of "digestive troubles" you're referring to, is that when you have to make a "natural" stop, the jersey has to come off before the over-the-shoulder straps can be slipped off and the shorts come down so that you can do your business.

It's bad enough for us menfolk, depending on the circumstances (Bob Roll tells a hilarious story about such a stop he made in the 1989 Tour de France in his book, Bobke II), but I strongly suspect it's also why female riders tend to stick with the regular bike shorts.