More cycling/road bike questions

[masraum]

1 Why do we need bike computers? I'm just curious, other than keeping track of speed and distance, what else are they going to do for us or what does having the speed and distance do for us?

2 If we (Mrs and I) both always ride together, then do we need 2 or would 1 do the trick?

3 Tubeless? The guy at the LBS today asked if we wanted him to convert our bikes to tubeless. I did a little Internet research, and that seems to be the way the world is going, and it seems mature enough to be a good deal. He said that he could do it for $20 per bike (I assume that's just labor). The wheels on our bikes are "tubeless ready". I assume we'd need new tubeless tires. I have thought that we would use the tires that the bikes came with for a little bit when we're probably just riding 30-60 mins, and then after some time when we're more comfortable, we might change the tires to something better, and at that time, it seems like it would be a good time to go tubeless.

We now have helmets, shoes, pedals and gloves. Bikes, bibs, jerseys, pedals, my saddle and a Halo skull cap with tail and socks are on the way. (The Mrs' bike is at the bike shop. It's going to get delivered after New Years. My bike was ordered and will hopefully be delivered next week, but I don't know for sure. The rest should be arriving next week. We had our sit-bones measured. I'm able to take a fairly common saddle, but the Mrs, despite having a tiny derrier has wide sit-bones so needs something less common. We've got a line on a local bike shop that has some saddles in stock for the Mrs to try out. I'm confident that one of them will work.

We still need a few things, but we're getting there.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Computers- nice, and you'll probably end up with one, but you don't need them. I've had a bunch over the years, SRM, garmin, cateye, etc.

Right now, I don't even use a computer? Why? All the batteries are dead and I'm too lazy to replace them. Secondly, it's more fun for me to ride without all the data. So there

That's not to say they are bad though-
They can be handy in training- for example- it's nice to know/track how far you went, how fast you are going, etc.

Of all the features I've had, power(edit- power combined with hr) has been the most useful for SERIOUS training, but, you don't really need that for a 150km ride.

Average speed is fun too, but there are a lot of things that can throw average speed off. It's like the average speed feature on cars. I'll do a road trip and know I was doing 70-80 the whole way, yet get an average speed readout of "35mph" why? It's taking into account all the stop and go traffic lights/ piss/ coffee breaks/ etc. Even if you only take an ave. speed on a segment, it's still a little biased. Headwind? Tailwind? All the big guns were having a hammerfest that evening and you got a good paceline going? They will all effect ave. speed.

A lot of these fancy new watches do the same as the bike computers do. Garmins are neat because they can track your ride and show elevation, etc.

Calorie features are nice because they can estimate cal burning- but in my experience, a lot of them calculate high on on how many calories got burnt. After years of riding, you get a feel for what you are doing. When a 300 cal effort reads as 1200, you know something is off. I remember watching a "race across america" documentary. Some dude said he just burnt 12,000? calories by merely sitting at a rest station eating a banana. I don't think so. Whatever number he gave, he'd be dead due to burning more calories than he could ingest. Even if he sat there and ate cheesecake 24/7, he'd be dying (see cool tip #1 below).


The important thing about computers is to start collecting data for learning, but more importantly is computer coolness.

Cool tip #1.

Be cool. Do NOT announce your stats to other riders. Do NOT announce cadence on rides. Who f'n cares? 89 rpm vs 85? so what? Same goes for average speed, wattage, heart rate, etc. A lot of that stuff can be useful for personal understanding/growth, but to other riders is meaningless. Kind of like my 911 sc only has 180 hp, but it's almost a 1/2 ton (I'm guessing) lighter than my station wagon, which has over 200hp, but is heavier, so slower.

Announcing that stuff to the peleton drives me crazy. It is only permissible to announce 1.trip distance 2. elevation gain, only if someone ask. The quieter you remain, the cooler.

I would also get two computers, one for each bike. If I walked into a store tomorrow, I'd get two of the most simple computers out there. Get fancy garmin stuff/ powermeter info depending on your overall tech geek status, but keep the info to yourself for your own learning/training info. Apple watches and fit bits might be a good way to start if you already have them.

Whatever you get, make sure it has a way to display stuff so you can see it. Large numbers on the handlebar are nice. When your eyes are sweaty, or the computer is covered in rain, that's handy.

Also, don't get too hung up on tubeless vs. tubes. 40 years ago everyone showed up talking about gluing tubulars. With clinchers mtb everyone talks pinch flats. With tubeless, everyone talks about burping and not being able to get a good bead. Somebody somewhere is *****ing about something. These are the same people who are announcing about all their computer stats. For your purposes, I would only recommend that "if" you go tubeless, make sure to have some honest to goodness tubes in your pack. If things go south and it's raining. fixing tubeless can get daunting.

Good luck

[KFC911]

Are you gonna pedal off and leave the missus behind? I bet you won't care about the stats if ya do... ! If I'm doing something for "fun".... I just don't care about stuff like that...but that's just me.

[gchappel]

Computers are a "nice" thing to have, but certainly not needed. I know several very good riders that do not use them. For beginning training, I would find a heart rate monitor much more useful than a bike computer. If you want to track distance use an app like strava on your phone.
I found tubeless tires a mixed blessing, on a road bike. Makes a much bigger difference on a mountain bike where low pressures can really make a positive difference. On the road bike it gave a slightly better ride. Flats seemed to be less common, but when you did flat it was a real pain. The tubeless tires can be more difficult to mount, repair and reseat on the rims when you are on the side of the road. For me it was not worth it and I went back to tubes for training.
Get some puncture resistant tires like gatorskins and go ride.
I do not think you mentioned lights. At least for training rides get a good flashing red rear light for each bike. A good one. Depending on where you ride, a bright flashing front white one may also be helpful. You can now be seen from space, but still 1/2 of the drivers will never see you.
Have fun
Gary

[wswartzwel]

I use one on my road bike to show my cadence for training purposes... and a speedometer is nice if riding with a group so you can maintain a constant speed when it is your turn to ride in front.

For keeping records of how much I ride in a year and to monitor progress a simple phone app like strava works just fine. Hope you and your wife enjoy cycling as much as my wife and I have. First hobby we have found that we can enjoy together.

[crb07]

I use a computer every time I ride. Training rides I use it for intervals and to stay in zones. Group rides I watch speed and heart rate. I know where to keep heart rate depending on how long the ride is. When I get to do some climbing it is really helpful for watching grade, speed and heart rate. The computer lets me hold a steady speed which is important if you are riding with others in a pace line, probably the best reason to have one for a new rider.

[masraum]

I've got a phone that could do the same as a computer (except that the screen would be harder to see in bright light, and the battery would get sucked down with the screen and GPS running constantly). I've got a watch that could also do it including telling me my heart rate. Ditto on the battery life. I've also got a chest strap HRM that will work without the phone or watch or can work in real time with them. (without, I can download my data once I get back to the phone).

For shorter training rides, I suspect any of those would do.

[masraum]

It sounds like in the very near term, we can skip the computers and use phones/watches (we're both covered that way).

It sounds like we might end up with them before the big event once the training gets longer and more arduous.

[greglepore]

No to tubeless. No real advantage. Allegedly they self seal. They do maybe 50% of the time. When they don't, you need to take a tire full of sealant off and insert a tube to get home. Royal mess. Not a mature tech for the road. MTB is another story.

[flatbutt]

+1 Strava...don't forget bright blinking lights even during the day.

[slow&rusty]

I ride on "tubed tires" and swear by good quality tires and less puncture prone tubes, I ride 700x23 on my road bike and although the tubed tire adds a little weight in the event of a puncture 30 miles from my house, its easy to change or repair. I carry a spare tube under the saddle in a pouch.

[Schrup]

If you're going to a LBS to have your asses measured for a saddle, I would return for a pro fit.

[rwest]

I just have pretty simple computers on my bikes that tell speed, distance etc. usually about $20-30 and I like them to be wired- have had bad luck with wireless. Cadence can be nice, but adds more wires and cost.

I really like knowing my speed and distance, but could live without after awhile- habit to look down now, especially when trying a new route, hammering or going down a big hill.

Enjoy your new bikes.

[masraum]

OK, at least initially, I'll stick with NOT having tubeless, and unless someone comes up with something really compelling, I'll continue that route later too.

At least to start, I won't worry about a computer either.

Lights, hmm, I'll think about that. I can do a 25-30 mile ride on bike trails without having to hit the street other than once for about 2 blocks. We'll be signing up for some group rides or maybe ride training, and that will be on streets in larger groups. Safety is important.

Any recommendations on what are good lights? I'm sure there's 1000 options.

[flatbutt]

I run Cateye front (white) and rear(red). Since I ride fairly busy streets I also run small red side markers from Planet Bike.

[rwest]

For the front light, get one with a solid clamp, not the rubber strap or o-ring mount, the rubber mounts tend to let the light shake and it can be annoying to your vision.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by masraum

Any recommendations on what are good lights? I'm sure there's 1000 options.

Bright ones, USB chargeable.

[Bill Verburg]

As has been mentioned you don't need a computer, but

I have 40 yrs of data that I find interesting to look at, you can see how things have changed over the years. Sometimes better and sometimes worse

Back in the day bike computers were simple analog devices w/ small watch batteries that needed to be occasionally replaced, data was kept in a notebook, simple stuff like time, avg speed and distance. During the ride it was interesting to see current speed, avg speed and distance covered, If you knew the route you would have some idea of how much time and distance still needed to be covered

then came desktop computers and spread sheets, now data was organized in Excel

Then came GPS, my first was a 2 Piece Timex Ironman, clunky and a PIA but, in addition to the old data, elevation changes were added and route maps. This one was also good for running where the only data you previously had was from a watch,

Then came the more modern one piece GPS computer that mounts on the handle bars, w/ rechargeable batteries, these added Rte maps embedded in Google earth maps and elevation, speed,heart rate profiles that could be reviewed at leisure. Then came online storage, Strava and Garmin connect, now you could compare and contrast w/ friends and usually w/ strangers( still anonymously) w/ segments, and lists of fastest to slowest.

A lot of the bike computer stuff is interesting health wise, heart rate is probably the most important, my doctor always asks about this stuff. calories is a rough approximation of what work was done but I find that to be wildly optimistic most of the time.

Currently I have a couple of bike computers, the bigger one will display route maps and course turns if I go to the trouble of entering the route, usually from downloadable bike club organized ride route map. This can be very nice on long rides in unknown territory, a phone can do this as well but in some areas phone coverage is spotty,

I gave up on chest straps for heart rate, I have a gps watch that does that plus all the other stuff too, the newer computers communicate w/ watch like mine and phones through blue tooth. The watch is used by itself for runs and collects all the same data as the gps bike computers.

Both bike and watch upload to Garmin Connect where all the data is correlated and collected, you don't have to do that of course but I find it interesting to see how my speeds and times compare to my own and others over various user defined segments of a given route.

[masraum]

I totally get it, Bill. I love to have/see data and measure things. I got the chest strap HRM last spring when I was running. Then I got an Apple watch which was great, because it had a HRM (which jives pretty closely to the strap and the treadmills at the gym) and GPS and my music.

I think the watches (we both have Apple watches) will be fine for most of our cycle training (which I'm assuming will be mostly 1-2 hours), but I'm not sure how they'll do battery-wise for 75-100 mile ride at what I'm assuming will be 14-16mph. I assume the GPS will run the batteries down pretty quickly. If we could get a full days ride out of them, then we could probably carry a spare battery to recharge them that night. I could disable things like wifi and bluetooth to extend the battery life, but I'm not sure if it would be enough.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by masraum

I totally get it, Bill. I love to have/see data and measure things. I got the chest strap HRM last spring when I was running. Then I got an Apple watch which was great, because it had a HRM (which jives pretty closely to the strap and the treadmills at the gym) and GPS and my music.

I think the watches (we both have Apple watches) will be fine for most of our cycle training (which I'm assuming will be mostly 1-2 hours), but I'm not sure how they'll do battery-wise for 75-100 mile ride at what I'm assuming will be 14-16mph. I assume the GPS will run the batteries down pretty quickly. If we could get a full days ride out of them, then we could probably carry a spare battery to recharge them that night. I could disable things like wifi and bluetooth to extend the battery life, but I'm not sure if it would be enough.

My watch is a Garmin Forerunner 35, a few years old now, cheapest GPS watch at the time, Bluetooth synch to my bike computer a Garmin Edge 520, smallest and cheapest at the time that has mapping available. I like the watch because though it has GPS it also learns your stride and can work indoors w/o the GPS.

I do a 3 to 4 hr ride almost daily in nicer weather, the 520 isn't even close to out of juice, it gets charges when I connect to the home computer to upload data after a ride. The 35 goes days w/o a recharge though I usually take it off and charge over night. It's interesting to see the watch data after track days and ski trips.

Here's a typical ride, HR wasn't being monitored that day because it was just a relaxing fun ride w/ a few friends