| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
Well, living in gorgeous country and trying to get back in shape, I finally took the plunge and got myself a new MTB. The last one I owned was pre-accident (2008) and WOW has tech come a long way since then!! Loving the bike (GT Karakoram) and looking forward to working out with a change of scenery (and not just staring at my basement wall!), but now I get to wade through sensors and apps and computers and stuff so I can track my rides like I track my workouts on the elliptical and rowing machine. Anybody have any thoughts? I run an iPhone 6 and picked up a stem bag with the bike so I can at least carry it along. My elliptical is ifit capable and I do track steps with an ifit link. Not sure if there's an ifit cycle app yet, just started looking... Trying to decide if an app is the way to go, or a dedicated cycle computer...and I'm pretty well broke after buying the bike so I can't go nuts on farkles. Yet. Eventually as tech downsizes and gets more affordable I may get a HR monitor, but for now a finger on the carotid will work just fine...but I can see this quickly spiraling into debt if I'm not careful!! Any other cycle workout folks on the board? And no...spandex is NOT on the "must have" list. | ||
| Damnut |
Are you going to use the bike primarily in the woods or the street? I have a dedicated bike computer to track my cadence, speed and mileage. I use a heart rate monitor that has a watch and I keep the watch strapped to my handle bars so I can monitor it while riding. I also use a tracking app called Maprika. This app is awesome and I use it for everything from cycling to skiing. I think it's the best tracking app out there. I use an X-Grip mount to hold my phone like this one. I also use it on my motorcycles. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAP-SB-187-UN7U-RAM-Mounts -EZ-Strap-Rail-Bicycle-X-Grip-Mount-fits-Smartphon es-/201654111828?hash=item2ef3858e54:g:js0AAOSwgZ1 Xv5dh | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'll check out maprika, thanks. Use will be mixed. Primarily to start, I live a mile from a decommissioned army base that's open to the public. So...road, some light trails, some dirt, but nothing too gnarly. Gets me on the bike and away from traffic without having to resort to singletrack...which I am NOT in shape for!! | ||
| Sifo |
Last century I used to track my miles on my MTB. I was doing over 3,000 per year of single track riding. I knocked the computer off one day doing an unscheduled dismount and lost it. I never did replace it. Enjoyed my riding that much more without concern of my miles, or average speed, etc. MTB riding is very difficult to track anyways. We would do some rides where 30 miles was a good day. Other rides over really technical terrain could be only 5 miles, but be just as physically challenging. To each their own on the logging stuff though. I'll never do it again. I haven't actually been on the bike for a few years now, for various reasons. I have new interest in the MTB now that I am getting settled in the new place in norther MI. I need to get a new shifter for the rear gear set. Found my go to mail order shop, Pricepoint, is out of business. Ordered from Jenson USA. Shifter should be here Friday! Not to hijack the thread, but as long as it's about the purchase of MTB stuff, where are people buying these days? Few shops ever carry stock in the parts that would hold up to the kind of riding that I did, so shopping local really sucked, especially when they tell you that they can order it, but will charge you full retail on parts they don't stock. | ||
| 86129squids |
Have fun Joe! I'm jonesing for a new mountain bike or hybrid- the greenways in this area are great and getting better all the time. Knoxville just won a contest and a grant from Bell Helmets to build a "gravity park" for mountain bikers... I used to really enjoy Ijams Nature Center's trails, a MB park out at Bull Run in Oak Ridge, and others- but that was years ago. Since then, things have really gotten good! I'll be watching with interest! | ||
| Teeps |
Rat, Been riding since '86. Started with road, did mtb for a while, back to just road now. My opinion: K.I.S.S. method is best, just get on the bike and ride. Unless your aspiring to race competitively... I recommend getting a basic heart rate monitor and cycling computer. Also, if you're in the least bit serious about riding. Cycling shorts ARE in your future, your junk will thank you... Anecdote: When I started riding my mentor gave 2 key pieces of advice, he said: if your lungs are burning up shift if your legs are burning down shift. Of course this was pre electronic gadgets but the method works. No tracking gadgets necessary for casual riding. | ||
| Gowindward |
I like Runtastic's cycling apps. https://www.runtastic.com/en/apps/mountainbike | ||
| Britchri10 |
I use "Sports Tracker". It's a free App. I have it on my Samsung phone. It's pretty basic but works for me. GPS based and you can upgrade it for HRM etc' but you have to pay for that and I'm cheap/not involved enough to use all the pay features. I cycle c100 miles/Wk. Mainly on cycle paths and roads. Chris C | ||
| Sifo |
Also, if you're in the least bit serious about riding. Cycling shorts ARE in your future, your junk will thank you... Of course there are plenty of MTB shorts that are not spandex. At least on the outside. BTW, the best farkles I ever put on my MTB, was a good lighting system, and a bunch of us got into riding single track at night in the snow. Freaking awesome good time! Best is to have at least a light on your bars, and one on your helmet. | ||
| Xb9er |
Get the Strava app | ||
| Court |
I ride a lot but it's very casual . . . carriage trails in Arcadia and so forth. But . . . this thread has me laughing as I've been restoring pressure for over a year to "upgrade" my bike. I have the Schwinn Woodlands that I bought to get in shape when I did the Buell Lap of America. It still works fine . . is the envy of the online Schwinn "vintage" crowd and does everything I need. I'll be listening here to get tips for a possible upgrade for next year. It's been a big month for me . . . just bought the first motorcycle helmet I've paid for since 1987 and actually rode a motorcycle a couple hundred miles yesterday to try it (and the Sena 20S) out . . . both performed incredibly. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Pick me! I was a pretty avid mountain biker in highschool, but got into cars and lost interest for a while. I've recently lost a little over 50 lbs and started riding my few year old GT Traffic 2.0 (flat bar road bike with disc brakes) around the community (gated with lots of winding roads). I can't really commute with it since I'm in the sticks, but we don't have trash/recycling here and have to take it to a dumpster a little under a mile away, so I put the recyclables in the pannier daily and ride to the dumpsters. If I can get down to 200 lbs, I'll be treating myself to a new mountain bike. I'm looking at rigid chromo bikes, like a Surly. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Sifo, night rides make an old, boring trailer into something new and exciting. A local bike shop used to do a Halloween ride at Alum Creek near Columbus, OH and they would loan you the lights. | ||
| Sifo |
Night, when it's snowing can be surreal experience. Especially when it's cold enough to get those big flakes that really reflect the light. The snow really helps to brighten up the entire area. Night without snow, can make you feel really isolated. Especially when eyes glow back at you. | ||
| Ourdee |
Joe, When I trained serious on bicycles, I watched 2 things. I went for a target heart rate and tried to maintain it. I also had a chosen cadence to work on. By keeping my cadence at a set rate (like running an engine at a given RPM). I would then use different gears to change my load, thus regulating my heart rate. Don't forget to warm up. A mellow workout was at a 90 cadence. I won't brag about how fast I could spin them. I'm sure there are faster guys on here. I did enjoy rides through the neighborhood on a fixie. Something you may look into. Fixies are rocket ships! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Congrats on the new bike Joe! GT's are NEAT! I'm echoing Teeps and RD (great shifting advice Teeps!) A heart rate monitor is great. HR zone training once you're comfortable on a bicycle is really the way to tune your machine, I like interval training for cutting fat and improving my overall fitness. I have simple (Cateye brand) computers on my road and mtn bike with cadence and that helps me a lot in training. It gets cumbersome to add more stuff, I don't mount my iphone (also a six) to the bike, just stuff it into a pocket with the app started when I head out, turned off when I get there. I've heard good things about the Strava app xb9er mentioned... I had runtastic, but like Mapmyrun best (there's also "map my ride") since I can use it to track and log running, gym workouts (elliptical or weights), bicycling... pretty much any active thing can be listed as exercise. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well I survived the first day out.  I live a half mile from a defunct army base (Ft Ritchie, MD - soon to become Cascade Town Centre). But...I'm about 300' above the base so my return home leg is UP. But...I dove in headfirst yesterday. Thought about packing the bike to the fort in the jeep so I could haul it home...nah. Just rode. Used the Sports Tracker app. Works for what I want - distance, time, mph. I track my workouts like I track my bike and truck MPG - any anomaly is a cue that there's an issue somewhere. Had to redo the straps on the stem bag so my phones not pointed at my junk (hard to read it that way lol) but today should go much better. I WILL be moving my bar ends from the old bike to the new. I'll adjust front fork preload. It's too soft now and I keep going from active to lockout; if I firm it up I should have that magical middle ground. Tires are set for trail. I'll be adding a few PSI. Other than that, the shop did a great job of setup. Cables are perfect, hydro disc brakes are just badASS, and they even set them moto-style for me so the front brake is on the right, like the Buells (so I don't kill myself on either the GT or the Buells!). And I do still have my cycle shorts. Under standard shorts, so as not to offend the general public  There are blazes all over the fort, on the pavement: "RUN" with arrows. Apparently there's a run course. I need to find start/stop but I'll be using that as my standard course once I do. Yesterday was orientation (to the bike, and to the course), but sports tracker said I did about 8 miles in 45 min. Not hateful in my mind considering terrain, and how out of shape my old ass is right now... I might add wheel sensors for cadence and stuff, but honestly...distance and time over a fixed route is all I'll need for my workout rides and progress mapping. And it was a HELL of a lot more fun than looking at the basement wall!!! This is my 3rd or 4th GT over the years and I love em. Good components, nice finishes, they just fit me and work for me. And they make everything from beach cruisers to psycho-technical rock hoppers. Honestly if it wasn't for my accident causing my last one to be neglected outdoors while I healed, freezing and cracking the frame...I'd still be on it. But I'm kinda glad I had to buy a new one. Tech is light years ahead of where it was 10 years ago. | ||
| Britchri10 |
FWIW I carry my phone on my bike in a MOLE First Aid pouch. It attaches across the handlebars via the four sewn on straps and poppers. It has room for extras like a cape, wallet, cigarettes etc'. This setup makes accessing the phone a breeze and allows you to listen to instructions/reports from the App etc' so long as there is not too much ambient noise. Chris C | ||
| Ourdee |
I can't remember what the distance number for tire size was that I put in was. But I once used a cheap bike speedo with a sensor and magnet on the front chain ring as cadence meter. My heart rate cateye had a separate sensor for that. | ||
| Tootal |
I'm there with you Joe. Started riding again this last Spring once my ankle healed up. I was so out of shape from sitting with my foot up I could only do about 2 miles! Now I'm up to 6 miles, or 30 minutes for workout. I've gone 10 miles and didn't feel too bad so it's coming along. My last bike was my dad's and was just a little small for me. It was an old Bridgestone 10 speed. I gave it to my neighbor and bought a belt drive bike with 11 speeds. It fits me well and is so quiet I don't even disturb the dogs! It's great exercise for folks with bad joints! | ||
| Azxb9r |
I just use a cateye wireless computer. They are cheap so if (when)you break it in a crash it is not a big loss. As others have mentioned, dont become a slave to your electronics. You are not a professional racer, you should be having fun. Monitoring too many things can become a chore and take away from the joy. Mt biking is often better measured by time than mileage due to the variables in terrain. Proper attire i.e. shorts, a jersey not made out of cotton, gloves and helmet are a must, but so is a camelback IMO. Slime is also a good investment. | ||
| Sifo |
Camalback, spare tube, glueless patches are super light and small to pack, plastic tire irons, if you need them, mini pump, chain tool, 3 way allen tool for bikes, small roll of duct tape. This list has kept me from having to hike back too many times to count. Just sayin'. | ||
| Steeleagle |
When I first "got into" cycling, I bought a heart rate monitor for "training" and used it ALL the time. But when I went out for a casual ride with my buddies, I found myself looking at the monitor to make sure I was in the proper range or HR "zone" for a "casual" or "recovery ride. The result was just that I was constantly perplexed about not riding in the proper HR "zone" for the type of riding we would be doing. I forgot the monitor for a couple of rides and found myself enjoying the rides a LOT more. So my suggestion on the HR monitor: If you are TRAINING, get one. You'll get faster, more endurance, etc. If you're riding for the ride and the social aspects of it all, leave it at home. There's a lot out there to enjoy. You'll still get tired, but you'll have more fun and won't have a gadget to say "I told you so!" | ||
| Ratbuell |
The only "training" I'm doing is for a longer healthier life...trying to stay in shape. I had a tree fall last weekend and it should NOT take me 45 min to chop through a 12" trunk with an axe sharp enough to shave with...but it did. I'm out of shape. It sucks. My cardio is awful, and it pisses me off. But I suspect tracking time vs distance will give me all the data I need as far as keeping in shape goes. | ||
| Teeps |
Rat, A lot of good info and advice contained in this thread. Your last sentence tells me that, you've got it... | ||
| Sifo |
Mountain biking isn't really a good "training" exercise. Good single track tends to vary the necessary exertion to keep a target heart rate. Mountain biking is a great exercise in that it's something that I can actually enjoy and get some actual exertion. It will improve your cardio, especially if the goal is simply a better day to day life. 45 minutes to chop a tree with a sharp axe? You're doing it wrong.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
I use an axe on purpose. Just like, after six months in a wheelchair in '08, I push mow my back yard. Because I can. I have chainsaws for utility and emergency work. I have a zero turn for the 4 acre field for time management. But I budget as much true physical activity as I can every day - mainly because I remember all too well the days when I couldn't get out of a chair and walk across a room. And the mtb is more a durability choice (and gear ratio spread) than a desire for singletrack. Where I'm riding, a hybrid would do fine. HOW I ride, and the fact that I need lots of really tall, and really SHORT, gear ratios because of lots of hills...sent me to a mtb. Kinda like my Uly. I don't spend a LOT of time in the dirt...but it's nice to know I COULD. and sometimes...I do. A good mile or so of the run circuit I use is gravel. Rough gravel. So a road bike would never work for me....and this is just my entry level riding. I'm sure (knowing myself) I'll get back onto trails next season and end up hurting myself. I've seen me do it, and I'm sure I'll do it again! But for now, it's in the name of fun. And I'm justifying it (time and $) by saying its "healthy". And it is. But I'm not doing it to train. Just...stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. | ||
| Sifo |
This thread needs pictures. Got the new shifters installed on the Yeti. Ready to roll!  And an inspirational pic I took quite a few years ago. The trail is called the Pottery Barn. It's full of broken pottery from an old resort. About a 20% chance of someone in the group getting a puncture from a sharp piece of porcelain.  |
