What's this?

[OakLeaf]

I quite liked having three, but always felt the middle one did me no good.

Maybe you just didn't have the right gear ratios (the chainrings were too close to each other in size), because most people with triples spend most of their time in the middle ring. The exception would be if your terrain is VERY steep!


PS It took me probably a couple of weeks with brifters before I stopped reaching for my down tube every time I wanted to shift. But then I'm getting to the age where the experts say I should be having difficulty adapting. Once I figured out where they were, I just had to keep telling myself, "small paddle, smaller cog; big lever, bigger cog."

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

PS It took me probably a couple of weeks with brifters before I stopped reaching for my down tube every time I wanted to shift. But then I'm getting to the age where the experts say I should be having difficulty adapting. Once I figured out where they were, I just had to keep telling myself, "small paddle, smaller cog; big lever, bigger cog."

If you think THAT's a sign of old age....on my first ride using brifters today (switching from bar end shifters) I first had to think up a new way to remember my rear cassette shifting on my right hand, and I came up with this:
Every cloud has a silver lining- so the big silver lever helps you climb uphill into the clouds.
and....
Going downhill will bring you to the black earth and black dark caves, so the little black lever is for going downhill.

Now all i have to do is think about the front rings on my left hand as being 'the world turned upside down'- the clouds are down and the earth is up.

I went to Percy Warner park today and Fred made my quads burn with an angry snarl. I am going to shower now. I will be taking Tylenol to sleep tonight.

So Meg- who's Fred, and why were your quads burning??

[Meg McKilty]

So Meg- who's Fred, and why were your quads burning??

If you had been reading the posts so far, AHEM HEM, you would have read that Fred is my bike dealer. Beyond that, he is my friend's husband and a Serotta fitter. Anyone who ever said a Serotta fit is the way to go was right!

My quads were burning because Percy Warner Park is a hiking and scenic view park with an 11 mile ride more than 50% uphill. Waaay uphill. Very difficult climbs. I am going to have to do lunges to get used to those climbs.

I also want you to know I was howling with laughter when you posted this, due to the fact I thought you would catch it sooner and knew you would question it's nature. Bahahahahaha.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you had been reading the posts so far, AHEM HEM, you would have read that Fred is my bike dealer.....
I also want you to know I was howling with laughter when you posted this, due to the fact I thought you would catch it sooner and knew you would question it's nature. Bahahahahaha.

BWAHHHHhahahah HAH.....I thought maybe you named your bike Fred, and that 'Fred' was making your quads burn!

Or that maybe you thought you WERE 'a Fred':

fred:
1) n. a person who spends a lot of money on his bike and clothing, but still can't ride. "What a fred -- too much Lycra and titanium and not enough skill." Synonym for poser. Occasionally called a "barney".
2) n. a person who has a mishmash of old gear, does't care at all about technology or fashion, didn't race or follow racing, etc. Often identified by chainring marks on white calf socks. Used by "serious" roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable "freds" drop the "serious" roadies on hills because the "serious" guys were really posers. This term is from road touring and, according to popular myth, "Fred" was a well-known grumpy old touring rider, who really was named Fred.

And I'll have you know I have been reading all the posts! It's just that my remaining brain cells are aging!

[madscot13]

I was afraid I was asking too much.

I think I want to Fred #1

[Tuckervill]

I saw something on teevee the other day...they taught a bunch of senior citizens and a bunch of 10 year olds how to juggle. It took longer for the senior citizens to learn to juggle, but each group had the same success rate at the end of the same time period.

So you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Karen

[SouthernBelle]

I've met Fred. Poor guy. Terrible name for a bike mechanic. A snicker for his customers though.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My quads were burning because Percy Warner Park is a hiking and scenic view park with an 11 mile ride more than 50% uphill. Waaay uphill. Very difficult climbs. I am going to have to do lunges to get used to those climbs.

Meg, is it really hilly in general all around where you live?

You're young though, a definite advantage!

[Meg McKilty]

Meg, is it really hilly in general all around where you live?

You're young though, a definite advantage!

It can be depending on which general area you choose to climb. My knee is smarting today; I can't tell whether it is the rain or the climbing residuals.

Btw, I am holding on the phone for my bank. I hate this music.

[SouthernBelle]

"Tennessee Hills" is a correct phrase. Though since Meg has moved into the big city, she may have more flats to ride.