Methods of Bike Storage

Bike Rack

Bike Parking Rack

As most people have used a bike rack at a library or school yard they are very familiar with the system you see above.  A standard bike rack, which come in various amounts of slots for each rear wheel of the bike.

Pro’s : Easy for everyone to use
Con’s : Bikes can lean over and possibly falling over.

Hooks

Delta Wall Rack

These are a commonly found in garages, or storage rooms where you can drill into your studs.  There are two common ways you see these used:  Either hanging one in a stud and placing a wheel (front or rear, make sure they are tight!) The bike then hangs vertically down the wall or stud.  Another method is to space two so both wheels can be hooked and the bike will hang upside down off the ceiling.

Pro’s : Get’s your bike more out of the way than the above bike rack.
Con’s : Require power tools and a wall that you don’t mind drilling into.

Bike Stands

Delta Gravity Storage

Topeak Two-Touch Bike Stand

In the bike storage arena, the most popular are various types of stands.  There are ones that lean against your walls, tension against your ceiling and floor or simply keep your bike upright on the floor.

Pro’s : Normally easy to setup, portable, cost effective
Con’s : Figuring which one to chose

What Do You Use?

Turning the floor to you all, tell me what you use or better yet – send us photos!  Girly@BikeShopGirl.com

Test Ride

One thing I can’t recommend enough to anyone is test riding.  Suit up with your shoes and pedals, make sure your seat height is set right and take the bike for a short spin.  Take any guess work out of test riding the bikes, I’ll explain more of those details shortly.

In the Details

#1 make sure each bike is setup the same in the fit.  If your seat is too high or too low, you’ll feel that in the response of the bike.  From there, make sure to compare like bikes, like parts and even like wheels when you start looking at higher end bikes.  If you are price point shopping take the time to feel the difference in shifting, weight and any suspension difference.

What I’m Riding

Today I’m test riding the Cervelo R3 with Ultegra 6700 components.  This is a two fold test ride, the new Ultegra shifting and the Cervelo R3 frameset.  My goal for this is to find a new due all bicycle that won’t time out after a year of technology change.  Look for a recap on both of these products!

Questions for you

• Do you feel your children needed training wheels?
• Do you have fear for your children?
• How outside of the box can most parents think?

Before you buy any SRAM Force brakesets, for your sake, go check the date stamp on the brake.  If your brake is within the date range below, SRAM will replace the brakes under warranty.

SRAM’s Recall Notice

Description: The recall involves the SRAM Force Road Brake Calipers sets sold as aftermarket components. The brake caliper sets have “SRAM Force” and some have a date or production code embossed on the unit.

The SRAM brake caliper sets may have also been installed on the following makes and models of bicycles: Specialized (S-Works Tarmac SL, S-Works Roubaix); Trek (Project One Madone models); Fuji (Fuji SL1); Scott USA (Addict R3); Bianchi (Bianchi 928 SL); Kuota (Kuota KOM, Kuota KREDO, Kuota KEBEL); Orbea (Orca, Aqua, Loboular, Opal, Arin, Aqua Dama, Dama Race and Diva); Kestrel (Evoke SL/Force, RT700/Force), Titus (Vuelo, Solera) and Sampson (Diablo).

Single Speed

A single-speed bicycle is a type of bicycle with a single gear ratio. These bicycles are without derailleur gears, hub gearing or other methods for varying the gear ratio of the bicycle.

Many individuals looking to improve the efficiency, speed and comfort for bicycle riders developed freewheel systems and gearing systems for bicycles. The term ‘single speed’ in this article refers to modern bicycles. *

Fixed Gear

Fixed-gear bicycle (or fixed-wheel bicycle) is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving. Track cycling in a velodrome has always used fixed-gear track bikes, but fixed-gear bicycles are now again used on the road,^[2] a trend generally seen as being led by bicycle messengers and hipsters.^{[3] *}

What does that mean?

Both versions of a single speed (one speed) are very efficient as you have taken the pulley system out of the drive train.  The fixed gear you have more direct control over as you can utilize your legs, chain and wheel to help turn, slow or stop.    They are also both very easy for up keep and many hard core messengers and city commuters prefer them as there isn’t that much to break, nor is it expensive to replace the parts if they do break.

If you want to worry less, ride more without thinking and develop amazing looking leg muscles, get one.

My encouragement is for women to use a trailer system to expand their current bikes capacity.  One of the biggest issues I’ve always had with putting racks and bags on a daily ridden bike is that your bike weight to people weight ratio becomes very skewed.  Especially for smaller women and men that ride a 51cm or below size bike.   Permanently adding 3-4 lbs to your bike can really affect the handling and high speed stability.   Yes, the Travoy is heavier than your average rack system but you can easily take the trailer off when you aren’t using it.    In the video above you can see I attached the trailer to a full carbon road bike.  Carrying that amount of weight on a bike such as this was never possible before, but now it is done quickly!

Other than child trailers, have any of you used a trailer for cargo/groceries and such?

nuun is a electrolyte replacement, with a little flare.  These little tablets come in 8 flavors, and are kept in plastic tube to keep them readily available on long rides.   With available flavors like Kona Cola, which tastes exactly like Coca Cola, and Lemon+Lime, tastes like Sprite, or Banananuun.  My personal favorites will always be the fruity styles like Citrus Fruit or Tri-Berry.

The flavor isn’t the only unique feature of Nuun.

What’s in nuun?

Active ingredients                                                 level (mg)

Sodium (carbonates)                                                    360.0
Potassium (bicarbonate)                                              100.0
Calcium (carbonate)                                                      12.5
Magnesium (sulfate)                                                      25.0
Vitamin C                                                                          37.5
Vitamin B2                                                                        500mcg

Photo Credit : nuun.com

A Family Product

In my household my entire family, except the dogs, have used Nuun.

My kid’s put Nuun in their water bottles for hot days on the lacrosse field, they got a big kick out of the soda flavored tablets.   As a parent we know our children need more than water, but Gatorade often creates a backlog of bathroom problems with the amount of sugar and extras.   In the past we have used various supplement electrolyte water enhancers.  This is the first one that is easy to deal with, no big tub and scooper, and can be kept in a pocket or purse.

On the Bike Experiences

My first Nuun trial was on a 95 degree day, with very hot water and their lemon lime flavor.  It was horrible.  I can’t blame the Nuun as drinking hot water was horrible enough, but hot Sprite flavored drink was pretty darn bad.

My second experience I put it in a Camelbak insulated bottle and made sure to shake it up a ton before setting off on the bike. I felt like I was cheating the whole ride as I was drinking a “soda pop” but at the end I had no groggy headache from dehydration, and at night I had no cramping from lack of salt in my buddy.

Overall Feedback

In my family we all liked it.  It was simple to use, the design of the tube was easy to store in bags, purses or hydration backpacks.  Some of us liked certain flavors more than others, so make sure to test out different ones.

No carbohydrates.   This was a big thing for me, as for some reason my stomach doesn’t like me to “drink” my carbs, yet it doesn’t mind me pounding down tons of bread and such on the bike.  No matter, my stomach was happier which made me ride much better on a hard ride.

One tube has 12 tablets inside, and on average these tubes cost about $8.  Nuun currently has a buy 3 for $19.50, plus they allow you to mix and match what flavors you like.

The Con’s

After calling every bike shop within 30 miles, most of them didn’t know what Nuun was, and none of them carried it.    The closest I found was the Camelbak Elixir, which looks and plays the same drumbeat.   Starting a trend isn’t a bad thing, but special ordering your food every order can be a hassle.

Is this Nuun or the distributors problem?  This is a separate topic, but it doesn’t matter how good a product is, it needs to be available and bike shops need to know what it is.

Visit nuun online or on Twitter @MinistryofNuun

My answer is yes, and well… no.  Up until this year I have always worn short sleeve jerseys when riding.  Maybe it is the roadie in me where sleeveless jerseys are banned from racing.  I often have freaky tan lines from gloves, helmet strap and short sleeve jerseys.

At the bike shop and at home I have now invested in KINeSYS sunscreen, in the spray bottle!  It is the least we can do for our skin, but in the long term it probably isn’t enough.

Next step is SPF clothing, but that will be another time.

Today we are covering the essential equipment or gear I feel with get you across the finish more comfortable and confident.  At the end I will also list things that aren’t essential but a good long term investment.

Apparel

The outfit is almost as important as the training, in my opinion.  This is also a necessary as you do not want to be caught dead swimming in your biking shorts with the padding, and biking in a swim suit can be very painful.

Normally, triathlon outfits are broken down into “tri suits” or “two piece.”  Tri suits are more popular as you move up the ranks of triathletes, and you look the part.  The two piece set can be mixed and matched as it is a tri short, paired with a tri specific top such as a bra, tank or jersey.

Tri suits – A great investment as things are more compressed, often have a built in shelf bra, and no shirts are riding up.  They are more expensive, starting around $90-100, and some women wouldn’t be caught dead in them.

Two Piece - Tri tops can double as a cycling or running top, the shorts can be worn as a cycling short and you can buy different tops depending on your mood.

Apparel Suggestions

Do not buy a white or light colored outfit if you are doing open water swims.  Most water will change the color of your outfit into a nasty shade of brown.  For pool swims, buy something bright if you can, that way your hubby or friends can find you easily.

Swim

Goggles - Depending if you are swimming in the pool, or in open water, you’ll want a clear or tinted pair.  Make sure to try them on, or borrow a couple different pairs.

Swimcap – Most races provide a swim cap but if you are training prior you’ll want your own.

Biking

Basic, safe, helmet

A bike – Borrow a friend or even rent a bike.  The bike is the biggest investment of the triathlon so make sure you’ll be doing more before the big investment.  Test it out and go for a bike ride, but also make sure you have enough time to train with the bike before your race. Remember, you can use your bike for other things after a triathlon. One of my most popular “first tri bikes” is a sporty fitness hybrid.  Not an upright comfort bike but not extreme like a road bike.

Padded shorts – For training these are a life saver. Most folks aren’t used to riding so sitting on a hard, very small, object isn’t very thrilling to start.  Ease you and your rear into it.  Cycling shorts range from $40-60 for a good pair that will last until you are ready to go more than 25 miles at a time.

Helmet - Don’t ride your bike without it.

Hydration – A basic water bottle and cage <$15.  Remember to drink a bottle per hour.

Running

Pearl Izumi Run Shoes

Shoes – As simple as it sounds, the running shoe you bought at Dick’s Sporting Goods because they are your favorite color – probably won’t cut it.  Go to a running store, ask them to watch you run, have them FIT you for shoes.

Yankz or Speed Laces – These aren’t a necessity but many triathletes swear by them.  Personally I run with my shoes loose enough that Yankz do more harm than good.  The other note is to make sure you start with them looser than normal, and test them before your first run.  Most people will lace them too tight and cut off circulation.

Things You May Want

There are many things that I have learned over the years to need.  They aren’t essentials but may help you finish your training or race a bit more comfortable.

Body Glide or Vaseline – Apply generously where you may rub.  The worst is when you are still wet from the swim and everything is rubbing on everything.  Not only is this causing chaffing, but mentally it messes with my head.

Baby Powder – I put this in my shoes, cycling and running, to help absorb moisture and so my feet don’t end up as prunes.

Training Partner -  Have some poor sucker sign up to do the triathlon with you, then you’ll have someone to whine with at those 5am swim practices.

Going Forward

We will continue to chat about triathlon’s, training, motivation and tips.  Tell us what you want to learn about!

Join the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @BikeShopGirlcom

How Does It Work?

Traditionally triathlons consist of swimming, biking and running.  There are also the times between each of these sections, called transition. If you look at the order things are done they work as so :

Swim, Transition 1 or called T1(running from water, getting bike and accessories, running with bike out of transition area,) Bike, Transition 2 or called T2 (running from beginning of transition area, racking your bike and getting running accessories,) and finally the run.

Where to Start?

You’ll need the basics to start training, a place to swim, a bike and basic accessories to get you started like a helmet and run shoes.  If you are completely new and have anxiety about any particular event, it will be well worth it to find a coach or instructor.  Finding a good swim instructor, cycling coach or maybe a triathlon specific coach that can do all three.

Other Options

There are several distance of triathlons and they aren’t all the same.  The best one to start with is a short sprint with a pool swim, the alternative is open water swims which are hard to conquer for your very first triathlon. Another great option is a relay team, where up to 3 people (one for each event) can finish the triathlon as one team.

Going Forward

We will talk about the basic things to purchase to help your triathlon experience go smoothly, how to set up your transition areas and how to stay motivated during training.