PedalSmart.blog

 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. 

Indoor Bike Rocker Plate on the Cheap Here are the latest updates to my DIY indoor bike "Rocker Plate".  I want side-to-side movement for comfort and especially when do sprints. Commercial product are too big and unwieldy.  They also provide for and aft movement that I don't find particularly helpful. The Stages SB20 bike footprint is essentially the same as before. It rides surprisingly well thanks to dual density foam. A padded centre-line offers support and good dampening.  

 NOISY PRESS FIT BOTTOM BRACKETS My Cannondale 2010 era BB30 has been noisy for 10 years. I have tried multiple fixes. In the end: Two complete bearing failures and a damaged frame shell. All appear to be related to poor alignment of the bearings that induces movement between at frame shell junction. For BB30, and most press fit BBs, primary interference (i.e., the place where the bearing is supposed to be firmly seated and immovable) is between the bearing and frame. FWIW: Electric motors I have worked on, have the interference between the axle and bearing - with frame friction being lower. This is generally a better design - especially when you want quiet operation. Only Campagnolo Ultra Torque has this axle interference design. Go figure.  Long story short: My BB30 bearing had too much movement where it mates with the frame. I tried using red Loctite as a permanent fix. That only lasts a few rides. Same for pumping in large amounts of grease. REPLACEMENT SLEEVE I purchased ...

 My Zwift Cockpit (with updates) What's Here? Stages SB20 Smart Bike Left iPad: Stages Cycling App.  Shows virtual gear, L:R pedal balance, 1s Watts and Cadence Right iPad: Zwift app. iPad 9th generation - all that's currently needed for optimum Zwift performance Wireless charger for iPhone with on/off switch . Useful for showing the Zwift companion app in group rides Garmin Computer . Why a Garmin Computer? Zwift automatically records speed, distance, cadence and power. Much of this is based on Zwift's internal physics model that includes calculations for road surfaces, hills and wind resistance. Nice but it doesn't include: L:R balance and pedalling dynamics data. Data that Garmin uses for TSS and IF metrics plus ongoing V02 Max estimates. Warm-up and warm down segments. I do a lot of Zone 2 training.  My warm-up and warm-down is a significant part of my workout. I want to see this data. I use a Garmin computer to record all my workouts, winter and summer. The pow...

Here is my new cycling blog that focuses on improving fitness and longevity while saving money at the same time. In 2023, desirable road bikes cost $6000 and up. Indoor smart bikes cost almost as much. I have some ideas to improve performance while spending less. A wise person (probably) said: "It takes no great skill to overspend on bikes and their maintenance". Let's go.