Torsional Stiffness: Am I Making This Up?

When I crashed my bike, I ruined the front Shimano stock wheel and had to replace it with a new wheelset as you can’t just buy one wheel here in Thailand.

The first wheelset I purchased was a Reynolds Stratus Elite set. Unfortunately, they were total junk and the freewheel failed within the first two weeks and after factory replacement the spokes pulled thru the hub. Not impressive.

Wheel stiffness
Wheel stiffness

What intrigues me is the difference between the stiffness between the Shimano and DT Swiss wheelsets. There are three types of wheel stiffness; lateral stiffness (side-to-side) stiffness, radial stiffness (towards the hub), and torsional stiffness (twisting around the axis). I don’t think I can tell the difference between the wheelsets with respect to radial stiffness, the road vibrations feel the same. My riding style doesn’t push the limits of lateral stiffness so I haven’t experienced any difference there.

Experts (see links below) write that there is very little, if any, measurable difference between the torsional stiffness of various wheels. However, I’m sure I feel a difference in how my peddling power is transferred from the crank to the wheel. The peddling impulse when riding the DT Swiss wheels feels sharper than the Shimanos.

That’s a bit of a dilemma. I’m really convinced I feel something that is too subtle to measure. I think that means that what I’m feeling is not exactly what is being reported by the experts.

I would really like to understand the subtleties.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Debunking_Wheel_Stiffness_3449.html

http://caravan.hobby.ru/materiel/Bicycle_Wheel_-_Jobst_Brandt.pdf

How To Read Gatorskin Tire Tread Wear Indicators

How to read the Tread Wear Indicators on Continental Gatorskin road bike tires.

Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Folding Tire (All Sizes)These tires have stood up to thousands of kilometers of Thai roads in all the heat and junk that Thailand could put them up against.  These are not subtle tires, nor are they especially light. But, neither have they worn out quickly.  I can’t say that for the other tires I’ve used out here.

 

How, why, where and when to use Chamois Cream

How, why, where and when to use Chamois Cream – and my advice on the kind of Chamois Cream to use along with my specific brand recommendation.

My favorite Chamois Cream. It comes in a tube so it stays clean and ready to use without mess. There is no extra tingly stuff in the product.
The tube is good but it’s tingly. My second favorite brand.
Jar and tingly.  Not my favorite.

 

 

Final Product Review: Garmin Edge 810


Final Product Review:  Garmin Edge 810 – Time to give up on getting a software update to fix the Garmin 810 crash. It does the basics but crashes when adding maps and live tracking on a real ride. The next tech purchases will be Bluetooth HR, speed, and cadence sensors to use with an old cell phone.

Alternative choices for Heart Rate and Speed/Cadence Sensors: https://oldmanrider.com/tech

Link to How to Crash a Garmin Edge 810 video.

Fast After 50 – Book Review and Applications

Fast After 50: How to Race Strong for the Rest of Your Life

 

Joe Friel wrote Fast After 50 as he was turning 70 years old. Now, this guy’s a lifetime coach and athlete himself so he’s earned the right to be listened to. He’s pulled together the latest, most current, and the best science, from the best universities. Now, understanding that science is always moving. But, learning what he can learn from the people that have gone before us. I really appreciate that. It’s real put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is kind of book. And, without taking action it’s kind of worthless. So, I’m really trying to put into my life what he’s pulled out from his experience and make a change.

Continue reading “Fast After 50 – Book Review and Applications”

Real Sweat and Ponya Sweatbands

Up at the Finish Line at the top of Samoeng mountain talking about sweat and the Ponya Sweatbands.  These sweatbands are a simple product that really works.

They are made from super-absorbent bamboo fibers from Nepal and that means a lot as we used to live on the India / Nepal border.

Sorry if the sweat on the first take is a bit gross but everything on my channel is real!

Visit the Ponya website.

Ponya
Ponya

 

How to Crash a Garmin Edge 810

How to Crash a Garmin Edge 810

Garmin Tech Support: https://support.garmin.com/support/sw/escalateForm

Garmin Course File:   https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1t2eSK6nDajMUxEZWpKcDY0YWM

Garmin Activity File:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1t2eSK6nDajRVpBTnhHbGFxeEk

Garmin Edge 810 Software Version: 5.10

Ken from OldManRider back in Thailand. Beautiful sunny days, middle of the rainy season now which means the rains will be coming. But, it’s great because that means the forest will be crazy green, the roads are clean, and the weather is a lot cooler. It’s just a joy to ride along the mountain tops or along the river, whatever it is. Come out and join us it’s a great place.

The purpose of today is to share how to crash a Garmin Edge. This is my 810. I got it for Christmas last year. It’s a wonderful tool that I use on every ride, long and short. Besides, I need the Strava miles. But, it crashes.
Continue reading “How to Crash a Garmin Edge 810”