[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by dukelavis

Industry_Hack, that's exactly what I am hoping to do. But you made me remember a point I've heard before. Is it true that cables and chains stretch out over the first hundred miles or so? What should I be looking for?

We call it stretch because unless you hand build bikes, taking a Dremel to cable housing and cutting them perfectly square and getting them to seat perfectly, things are going to settle a bit here and there. Which is why good shops let you bring your bike back for a free service after a certain amount of time/miles.

[jeepster93]

The thing about racing wheels and tires is durability.
I have a set i race with but do not daily ride with. They were expensive and a low spoke count and exotic materials make them impractical for daily miles. But for a race...zoom, zoom.

Bike weight...rolling weight is the "heaviest" weight on your bike. This weight is the tires, wheels, hubs, spokes and cranks(with pedals). The stuff that spins, basically. Wheels make the biggest weight change for this reason, a lighter set of wheels/tires will make a faster bike than say a lighter saddle.
But with lighter goes less. Less is less. Less strong, less durable, less miles.
Weight of a bike and long term durability goes hand in hand.

[dukelavis]

Thanks for all the advice, fellas. My first ride on the new bike was Saturday. It was a revelation after my older equipment: acceleration, climbing, and descent have all taken quite a jump.





Plus, the red one was getting a bit small.

Now I'll work on upgrading myself.

[John_V]

Originally Posted by kneedrachen

I agree with the above, but I'd start with a good bike fit; you may find your "upgrades" are more comfort-oriented, which will lead to performance gains. Think stem and saddle swaps as well as adjustments.

Knee beat me to it, but this is the way I would go. Unless you plan on doing a lot of racing or you're a super speed freak, the gain you will get with a lighter set of wheels in Florida is going to be minimal. Reading posts on this and other forums, most posters say that the saddle is the first thing that they upgrade.

Edit: Nice looking bike, BTW.

[bikertank]

The trek saddle is a good one - but I think nothing is more personal than the saddle - I love my Fisik ! spelled wrong i am sure

And with your model of Trek - there aren't a lot of upgrades that will impact your riding unless you are already phenomenal

I bought my wife the WSD model of your bike & I won't spend any more money on bikes unless she starts kicking my butt and then I will spend it on my bike to keep up with her - I have the 3.1

[dukelavis]

Well I'm definitely not phenomenal. Not even close. But I am improving.

What drew you to the Fizik? In fact, what should I look for in a saddle? Will I know if I am on a poor saddle just by feel? Can you tell if a new seat will work just by sitting on it for a moment? What factors (such as weight, nose shape, holes in the saddle, etc.) should I consider.

It may help to share my goals. I am close to 30 and have been riding for six months. I don't race. I do like to perform strongly, well as strong as I can muster, on group rides. And I really enjoy cycling events. I've lost close to 25 pounds, currently weigh 191, and desire to shed more body fat. I'm 6'2". My dream right now is to easily hang with a long B ride.

I hope that makes sense. Thanks for all your help and advice.

[bikertank]

A student of mine who is a competitive cyclist said - buy this one ! after about $400 of wasted money on various seat inventions to get comfortable. The little thin seats and there comfort level is a bit counter-intuitive but they work. Jon V swears by a seat I have never tried. The Bontrager that comes stock on yours is a pretty good seat but not as good as the Fizik - I would strongly recommend listening to others that are LONG DISTANCE daily riders for their input. By the way GREAT job so far ! Addicted to biking yet ?? sounds like we got another one

[davereo]

Cycling can make a rich man poor. No matter what you are riding there will be something later and greater out there. If you are not having great discomfort with your saddle stick with it.

[synack]

Get your sit bones measured at the lbs. I would recommend the Specialized Toupe Expert, it's been good to me.

[davereo]

Looking at your picture of your new bike I would suggest that you transfer you bottle cage to the down tube instead of the seat tube. That would make for an easier reach while riding. Now thats a free upgrade.