Commander in Chief training with power meter

by Softie on Dec 18, 2007 5:42 PM EST

http://www.slate.com/id/2180254/

Apparently the POTUS attached a power meter to his mountain bike. I, a non-racing randonneur who gauges his fitness with an occasional climb of Lyceum Ave in Philly, suddenly want one.

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"this year's hot gizmo for cyclists."

If this year is, oh, 2004?

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 18, 2007 5:49 PM EST reply actions

W finally got...

some clipless pedals too!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Dec 18, 2007 6:08 PM EST reply actions

I cannot comment on the clipless pedals

as I just got some for my Mtn bike as well. Spent a couple of hours riding around my back yard falling over for no reason. These are going to take some getting used to.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

by Clydesdale on Dec 19, 2007 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

If you've got some wax based lube (white lightning or Pedros ice wax), drop some onto your cleats/pedal clips. It will help you get in and out faster while they break in, and you get used to snapping your foot out.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 19, 2007 10:09 AM EST reply actions

I am sure my wife thought

it was pretty comical as I would ride around the yard and then as I slowed to a stop I would just fall over as I tried to get used to unclipping.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

by Clydesdale on Dec 19, 2007 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

I think it's funny

and I wasn't even there...

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 19, 2007 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

I thought it was funny enough

to be laying on the ground laughing as I tried to unclip and do it all over again.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

by Clydesdale on Dec 19, 2007 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

IIRC

I didn't think it was as funny when I was working it out. At a traffic stop.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 20, 2007 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

Luckily

I did :-)

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 20, 2007 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Btw

What pedals did you get?

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 19, 2007 10:09 AM EST reply actions

I went with these...

With the thinking that the transition would be easier as I have been riding with aggressive platform pedals for years.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

by Clydesdale on Dec 19, 2007 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

They look good but

heavy. Can you get rid of the platform part when you're used to unclipping?

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 19, 2007 11:17 AM EST reply actions

I can assure you that

at this point shaving a few grams from the pedals is not going to make any noticeable difference for me. They are listed as 540g per pair.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

by Clydesdale on Dec 19, 2007 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, it's not the weight

but the bulky-ness of them. Although, I don't know what kind of riding you do so the size may well be applicable.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 19, 2007 3:59 PM EST reply actions

I like the Candy's

enough platform to be comfy, but it doesn't hide the eggbeater. I like the crank bros design so much, that I might eventually switch to them for the road from my customary Speedplays. they have a similar float feeling as the speedplay, but the cleat isn't too sensitive. actually the whole system is designed to be about as trouble free as possible.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Dec 20, 2007 6:46 AM EST reply actions

crank bros sweet design

They deserve some sort of award. Simple, effective. I had minimal trouble getting clipped in through mud. I have had some trouble getting into them in wet snow--strange.

I've ridden Looks forever on the road, and experimented with speedplays, etc... but I can't get used to the feel of any other pedals.

-K-

by KevinK on Dec 20, 2007 8:13 AM EST up reply actions

put the Candy's on my cross bike

last night and took it for a 30 mile road ride today (with road tires). Normally this time of year, I'd be cursing my speedplays as the cleat clogs with snow and dirt, but the crank bros are a joy to use. I think I'll leave them on all winter, and put the cleats on my road shoes. They have a nice float to them too. It's a recentering float (unlike the pure free float of the Speedplay X2's), but very knee friendly. I am really, really, really thinking about switching to them for the road....Really.

Any road guys using them? Any hot spot issues?

For those unfamliar with hotspots. Imagine placing a burning piece of coal on the sole of your foot and bashing it with a hammer.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Dec 22, 2007 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

For clogged crank bros.

Just give them a good kick with your heel and all the crap should fly out of them. Or at least enough that you can get re-clipped. They are far and away the best pedal for cross, I'd never consider riding anything else.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Dec 20, 2007 9:33 AM EST reply actions