Do Shinny New Bells and Whistles Make You Pedal Faster?

Well I went to Performance Cycle and spent some money. Actually I went to their web site since the actual store did not have the sale Items on hand, big surprise. I went on line and they had a few items but not what they showed in the size I wanted, or the color they showed. A little disappointing but the tall son now has possession of a new jersey and we both did get some new carbon fiber substance, pedals. I still would like to have/need a new helmet.

We replaced our Shimano “SPD” type clip in pedal with a, heavier (they are much bigger), carbon fiber, Forte “Keo” type clip in pedal. The sale prices were well worth it, the pedals have fixed a couple of problems. Since I have an updated, designed in this century, new pair of bike shoes I could never get the cleats adjusted to the pedals quite right. With the new type pedals and cleats, I was actually forced to learned how to adjust them to work together correctly. I’m not a professional but I am in a really small ball park of being right on. The results, I have no more ankle, knee or hip pain. Another plus, the pedals are large and give you a larger platform to actually pedal in comfort and more important, efficiency. Lance Armstrong, the cycling legend, has been quoted as saying “Cycling is measured in millimeters”. This was during a discussion of advantages between competitive cycling teams as well as the members within those teams. Bottom line, for the recreational rider, adjust, adjust, adjust.

So am I any faster? Did the simple change really make a difference or did the shiny new bobbles, that we are all so attracted to, just make me feel faster. 10 rides with the new shoes, the last 3 with the new pedals. Prior to the new found comfort I was pretty consistent with 13 -18 mile rides and an occasional 25 -30 miler. The last 10, 6 were over 30, my cadence is up, and the last 3 rides, 2 were with an average cadence of over 70 for over 30 miles. That is coming up to the lower end of being respectable. Even though I am only faster by fractions, I feel much faster. Feeling faster combined with no pain, equals longer rides, which will equal faster and lighter.

As for the tall kid, he’s taller and now about an average of 1.5 mph than his previous rides, Ahhh to be young again.

Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Safe, But Ride.

“G”