Clip out faster.

Posted on April 3, 2013 by dean

I learned a valuable lesson tonight.  Sometimes you can’t clip out fast enough in an emergency.

So there I was.  Just got home after commuting on my hybrid bike.  Hopped on my bike  and headed out for a 15 miler.  Almost made it to the turnaround before I learned my lesson.

I made a complete stop at an empty intersection and just got started when disaster struck. Disaster to me anyway.  Someone came across the intersection in a hurry. I think they didn’t stop for the sign. No matter. I jerked to the right so fast I started to tumble over. Being the smart guy I am, I reach out for a street sign post.

So there I was. Clipped in and dangling from a steel post.  I was twisted so much to the right that I was having problems turning my heel enough to clip out. It must have been some sight – guy on bike twisted and attached to a steel pole looking at the sky.

The bike was saved. But my back hurts like hell.

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Lesson from a “performance fit” Trek Madone 5.5

Posted on April 3, 2013 by dean

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? I learned a valuable lesson on the Madone 5.5 this morning.

I didn’t pay much attention to the term “Performance” fit when I bought the bike. Basically this means that the rider has a more upright, or less aggressive riding posture than traditional road bikes. Although this isn’t much of a problem for most, I did notice one important detail.

You CANNOT have your non-turning foot in the forward position if you have to make a sharp turn. Why? Because your cycling shoe will contact the tire acting like a brake. I don’t have big feet, so the shoe size wasn’t a problem. The space between your foot in the forward position and the tire is a very short distance when turning.

I’m not sure if an increased fork rake will make a difference but I’m going to look into it.

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