Commute heavy, race light

[I FLY]

I have never enjoyed climbing (in 13 years of cycling) and often had to push my bike up long, steep climbs.

 

During Joberg2C I was amazed that not only was I climbing everything in relative comfort but was actually enjoying myself.

 

I can only attribute this "miracle" to my commuting regime.

 

Last night I weighed my commuter bike as I ride it and it weighs 18kgs ( tools, water bottle, bike bag, steel luggage carrier and lights). My FS weighs 12kgs and I have lost 6kgs in weight since Dec 10.

 

So the combined difference from Dec to Joberg2C is 12kgs. I am climbing without a spare bike on my back.

[Guest Iron]

Dude so so with you on this , i also commute on my SS to jetpark ( same as you )( backpac with laptop clothes and chow ) and last week i dusted off my road bike and went for a ride with my hill climbing machine mate " Eldron" and i was quit surprised how pleasant the climbs were .

 

will see how its helping at Induna in a few weeks .

[Eldron]

Dude so so with you on this , i also commute on my SS to jetpark ( same as you )( backpac with laptop clothes and chow ) and last week i dusted off my road bike and went for a ride with my hill climbing machine mate " Eldron" and i was quit surprised how pleasant the climbs were .

 

will see how its helping at Induna in a few weeks .

 

Eldron was not happy at all

 

Eldron is plotting his revenge though

[Spat]

Also do the same, you almost feel like something is missing when your ride the lighter race bike

[Guest Iron]

Eldron was not happy at all

 

Eldron is plotting his revenge though

 

 

Oh crap , this sounds like its going to hurt Iron ....... mmm bring it on

 

You buying coffee afterwards, and may then have to help me remove my tong from my chain ring

[Eldron]

Oh crap , this sounds like its going to hurt Iron ....... mmm bring it on

 

You buying coffee afterwards, and may then have to help me remove my tong from my chain ring

 

Mwaahahahaha - alas Ironsan - 1 week is not enough to hatch, nurture and grow Revenge Plan 1.0

 

The short term plan is to tighten my brakes as I give Mr. 29er to you to try

 

The legs are weak but the sneekines is strong...

 

Bring on the Groenies!

[Guest Iron]

Mwaahahahaha - alas Ironsan - 1 week is not enough to hatch, nurture and grow Revenge Plan 1.0

 

The short term plan is to tighten my brakes as I give Mr. 29er to you to try

 

The legs are weak but the sneekines is strong...

 

Bring on the Groenies!

 

 

He He , see you then mate .

[Guest Iron]

I FLY,

 

Sorry we kind of hijacked your post .

 

Hijack over

[Dexter-morgan]

HI guys, I do not commute but I have a racer, not a top notch one and don't have the budget to get a super light one, what I am planning to do is actually weight the bike down with a 2kg ankle weight for training and just remove it on race days - I hope it works as well.

[Eldron]

Iron - yup - our collective bad...

 

To get the thread back on topic - try riding a single speed as your commuter bike - it adds a huge grin to your face and good strength to the legs.

 

Personally climbing feels waaaay on your race bike after a few commutes turning a big gear up the hills on your SS*

 

*those with weak/problematic knees should not try this!

[Guest Iron]

Agree with Eldron ,

 

Commuting on a single speed also makes a big diff to your climbing when you get on your race bike with gears.

 

I commute on a SS and love it.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I was thinking exactly the same, mine is also sub 20kg and that includes a 2kg U-Lock . I do serious climbing on my morning commute with gradients over 10' on some parts.

 

Yeah, commuting with weight makes a difference.