PedalSmart.blog

Welcome to 2024 I did 52 bike related posts on PedalSmart.blog in 2023. 40 of these posts apply to the Stages SB20 Smart Bike .  Here are the 5 most popular SB20 posts based on views by my readers . 5. Comparing SB20 with another Power Meter  Many of us are concerned about power meter accuracy. ZwiftPower users can easily do comparisons. Comparing Power Meters with ZwiftPower One Downside: Zwift keeps track of all these comparisons. They may use these tests to disqualify you in the future. For a totally private test, consider:  Comparing Power Meters using a Spreadsheet   4. Top 10 SB20 Modifications and Upgrades Here are the 10 biggest improvements I've made for better indoor riding. My 10 Indoor Bike Improvements   3. Zwift Power Sources What's best way to connect Zwift to the SB20? It depends. How to Pick a Zwift Power Source   2. Measuring SB20 Power Meters  Comparing the SB20 with the power meters is a good first step. But how do you know ...

 What is a Zero Reset?  The  Stages SB20  bike has power meters that support a  zero reset  function.  Zero Reset  tells the vertically positioned crank power meters: "Torque should now be zero Newton-meters (Nm)" .  This allows subsequent readings to be made from a correct  offset value . It's like setting 0 lbs/kg on a bathroom or kitchen scale. Here are things that commonly affect the offset value : 1. Different pedals. 2. Temperature or humidity changes. 3. Nearly depleted batteries.  The Left and Right numbers you see in the Stages Cycling app are an internal representation of the amount of torque that will be added or subtracted from each PM reading. Before Every Ride? Should you do a Zero Reset before every ride? It depends . If your riding environment has consistent temperature and humidity then Zero Reset does nothing.  If temperature and humidity changes significantly between riding sessions, Zero Reset m...

 TIGHTENING PEDALS - WHICH WAY TO TURN? Can't remember which way to turn the wrench? I have always used this method: 1. Turn wrench in the direction of the pedal stroke to tighten the pedal. 2. Turn wrench in the opposite direction of the pedal stroke to loosen the pedal. Same rule for right and left cranks . That means the left crank has left hand (reversed) threads i.e., clockwise to loosen, counter-clockwise to tighten. Of course, it works for the smart bikes too 🎉. 

THEY COST WAY TOO MUCH TL;DR Summary: I love having no pinch flats with tubeless road tires. Lower PSI allowed with tubeless also adds to riding comfort.  But... I remain disappointed that I can't find a tubeless tire with durability that matches dozens of mid-priced clincher tires. I've had low priced tires, like the Continental Ultra-Sport, last a couple of years and get to more than 8000 km. My tubeless experience has been far less stellar. LOOKING FOR DURABILITY At the start of the season, I bought a pair of mid-priced Vittoria Rubino Pro Tubeless tires. I avoided top line tires since I wanted durability over better rolling resistance. I was happy to consider an even lower-tier tire, but couldn’t find any. MY EXPERIENCE IN 2023 1. My first rear Rubino Pro failed rather miserably after 3300 km in June. It had more than 20 tread-wear-through failures. Note that the centre tire ridge still has plenty of rubber. Why so many "wear-thru" locations? My bad. I wasn't...

 TUBELESS PUNCTURE (ROAD TIRE; SELF-HEALED) A few days ago I got a typical tubeless puncture: a pin-sized hole that self-repaired and allowed me to make it home with no drama (aside from sealant sprayed all over my bike). What I did next is perhaps more controversial. 1. The hole was centered in the middle of tread. I marked the hole with paint as soon as I found it. That turned out to be good. After the sealant dried I could not see the hole. In any event, my concern remained: The puncture is no longer leaking but can I really trust it? I decided to do permanent patch on the inside of the tire. 2. After draining left-over sealant, I had to wash my bike and the tire thoroughly + add some drying time. 3. I used a normal tube repair patch that was additionally clamped lightly in a bench vice for a few hours. Aside: Let's face it. This is more work than fixing a tube flat. But given how few tubeless flats I get, I am not really complaining. I also do all this extra repair work at ho...

Inconsiderate Behaviour Many people say: Cyclists must get along with pedestrians. Now I'm not so sure. I was riding my bike the other day when THIS happened . When are they going to learn? What do you think? Was this non-cyclist being reckless? I think it is a CANADIAN 🇨🇦 problem 🤣.                                                                                                                   Captured with a Cycliq Fly12 camera. Works like a car dashboard camera.  Some people say you can use these cameras to track down bad drivers. Never helped me in that respect. It has mainly recorded unexpected events like this one 🙂.

Minimalist Tool Kit While many people like to be “prepared for anything”, I have always strived to have the smallest and lightest toolkit that will simply “get me home”. For me this means:  fit flats reconnect broken chains adjust critical bolts and screws. In tube tire days, I needed a spare tube, tire levers and arguably a bigger pump for 120 psi tires. With a hooked bead tubeless configuration, I carry only a tubeless repair kit. I know, you can carry spare tubes but I find that to be impractical. Converting to tubes on the road takes a lot of time and is messy. Also, I use only hooked bead rim and TLR tires. They don’t come off the rim in a blowout like hookless rims commonly do. This improves the odds of getting by with just a tubeless kit. After many iterations, here’s what I settled on: 1. Old versus new: As mentioned above, just a tubeless repair tool and “bacon strips”. I carry only the hex wrenches I need (that’s 3, 4 & 5 mm since I have replaced all screws on my bik...

 HOOKED VERSUS HOOKLESS RIMS (ROAD BIKE) IMHO: There are two types of tubeless tire riders, those who get stranded and those who don't. Riders who get stuck the most have hookless rims that allow the tire to fall off in a blowout. They can't get the tire re-seated and need to call for help. The other tubeless camp has hooked rims (includes me). Ours tires rarely come off. We can patch with a tubeless repair kit bacon strip in 5 minutes. We don't even need to carry a spare tube. My limited sample: On club rides this year, about a half dozen people have needed to call home home after getting a tubeless flat. All were riding hookless rims. Few people seem to know the difference and vendors are pushing pretty hard to sell us hookless rims. Does this pass the smell test? DEJA VUE ALL OVER AGAIN? Hookless Rims remind me of Press Fit Bottom Brackets 15 years ago. Vendors insisted they were great. Reality for most people was different: Noisy, loose fitting and bearings that faile...

 MANY MAGIC LUBE METHODS Here's the thing about novel and well-intended chain lube methods: How do you know it works? Lubrication is a long game. Wear is measured over months and 1000s of kms. How can any one person tell if their method is valid? You might be personally happy but you really don't know if you're creating more drivetrain friction and wear compared to a more conventional approach. In the auto industry, we have independent testing so we can use the right lubricant, in the proper manner, for the correct time interval. I might think olive oil and WD-40 is a great crankcase lube. Testing will say otherwise. Not so in the bike world. Independent testing is scarce. ZERO FRICTION Many in this group know about https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/lubetesting/ . Good work is being done here. Understanding their testing protocols requires some work - but worth it if you ask me. SOME TAKEAWAYS ZERO FRICTION TESTING: Long term chain wear is their indirect indicator for fric...

 3D PRINTED SADDLE I bought this saddle from Ali Express. The Specialized version of this 3D design costs around $500. The Fizik version costs about $400. My no-name 3D printed saddle set me back $90. I have mounted it on my indoor bike for the winter. This saddle is comfortable. No pressure points and no urge to stand up during long indoor sessions. That's a first. My only concern is longevity. Will this saddle last? UPDATE: October 2023 After 4 months indoors and 6000 kms outdoors, this saddle is still pristine.  And still comfortable too.