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Road Bike Reflections
Posted: Oct 06 2009
Did you know?—- Different Bikes sells hundreds of road bikes every year, from beginner to Pro-Tour! We can help you with your training, riding and accessory needs! Wilier, Kona, Rocky Mountain, Norco, Moots, Independent Fabrication and more!
With onset the cooler weather, shorter days and wetter roads, many of you who love your road bikes are hanging them up for the season, and wondering how to get your endorphin fix and fight the winter bulge. Here’s a few suggestions to shake up this winter and have you ready to roll strongly next spring!
Don’t stop riding!
We know, you don’t want that beautiful carbon toy with the flawless parts and paint to be sullied by road grime and grit. We understand! Consider picking up a winter training bike to use and abuse with no guilt. Cyclocross bikes with slick tires make great choices – lots of fender clearance, slightly more upright position, built for rougher roads, and with excellent choices for a fraction of the cost of that pure road machine you own. Others opt for a less expensive “winter” road bike with a similar geometry to their summer ride. Add fenders, 25c sticky tires, lights and you’re ready to spin around with no worries. For even more flexibility and durability, look at a performance hybrid or 700C commuter bike, complete with disc brakes and mountain bike style components. Comfortable, durable and again costs less than one of those fancy wheels on your nice road bike. Accompany any one of these choices with the right clothing – waterproof jacket, some tights, gloves and booties and you can steal rides on all but the coldest and wettest Vancouver days.
Hit the trainer.
Can’t bear to ride in the dark and wet? Pick up a stationary trainer to mount your bike on in the garage or basement. Look up some interval workouts, or just spin and watch TV or listen to music. Personally, I read the paper some days. You’re not moving but you are sweating and keeping the engine tuned for the spring. Trainers start below $200 for basic magnetic resistance types, and step up through more realistic fluid resistance and then to very fancy computer driven simulators. We can help get you what works for your schedule. Don’t forget to put old tires or trainer specific ones on your bike.
Join a spin class group.
Trainers can be boring and it is sometimes too easy to get off early or not spin too hard. Join a spin class group in your area – whether a community centre program or one of many run by professional coaches. They are hard, but rewarding and will help your fitness in a big way. It is always more fun to suffer in a group!
Cross train
Sometimes it is good to take a break from the bike. Trail run, hit the gym, play some hockey, try skate skiing. We can help with *Nordic skiing equipment and clothing *- if you like working hard on a bike, you’ll love the skate ski workout!
Motivate! Pick your 2010 road bike or parts upgrades now!
We’re getting ready now for 2010. Now is the time that we’re ordering bikes for our stock next year. When it comes to higher end road bikes, keep in mind that many brands can be hard to get and can sell out early. If you’re dreaming of something new, come talk to us now so there is no disappointment. We can make sure it will be here for you when the sun is warmer and the roads are dry and welcoming in the spring.
Looking for something unique, rare or custom? We can source a wide range of bikes and parts – let us know what you want and we’ll do the work for you.
