BICYCLE

How Many Bikes Do I Need?

Cycling is your passion. You’ve reached the point where you want to get to the next level in cycling, and can afford the same equipment that the top professionals use. How many bikes do you need, and what should you get? When we look at the pros who could get whatever they want, we find that they use a small number of bikes with different roles. Here are the roles I find that work best for them, and I then apply this model to cyclists who wish to have the best:

1. Road bike with powermeter.

This is the primary “everyday” bicycle. Almost all of the top racing cyclists and a growing number of active recreational riders use power meters. I recommend either an SRM or a PowerTap to compliment a sturdy road bike. I specify a stiff yet comfortable frame with Campagnolo Record or Chorus components (unless the client insists on Shimano, but that is another story!), and a set of light but sturdy wheels like the Reynolds Alta Race or Spinergy Xero Lite. I develop the road “fit” model to work around this bike, as most of the time will be spent on it to improve form and technique. Triathletes will also spend most of their time on this bike, learning to ride fast and improving handling skills by riding safely in groups with the faster riders.

2. Light road bike for climbing, Spare bike when primary bike is in maintenance, and for “Mental Health” rides.

The climbing bike is a very efficient, lightweight machine which has a geometry similar to the primary bike, but with lighter components, and no powermeter. When training using power, it is easy to get focused on the numbers and to lose much of the sensory input we get from a “pure” bike ride. I like to advise that one bike has no more than a minimal computer, Garmin Edge, or even nothing at all, so one can either race by feel, or ride for the sake of riding. Many times the light bike comes out for recovery rides, for fun group rides, and for aggressive group rides in the hills. I also find that many people like to put more exotic components on the climbing bikes, which have less use and can thus have more “delicate” components.

3. Time trial bike.

This bike is only necessary for triathletes, and for people who want to do time trials. I do not recommend this as the “only” bike, as riding time trial bicycles in fast groups is strongly discouraged. These bikes do not handle as well, and if one is in the aero bars, one cannot safely take part in an echelon. Team time trials are different, of course, and training for them can and should be done on this bike. I believe that if one can ride fast, straight and smooth on a road bike, that transitioning to the time trial bike is easy, and can be done effectively and safely.

4. Travel case or Travel bike.

There are pros and cons for each. It is really nice to travel and ride. Using a case allows one to use his bike and go anywhere. Using a break-apart bike, one can have a “titanium copy” of their custom road bike, in a durable format with a small travel case that is under the airline maximums. This is great for international travel and for situations where a large case is not possible because of small cars, etc.

5. Track bike, with a road fork and a front brake.

This is definitely not for everyone, but is a tremendous training tool. One can get an unbelievable workout in a short period of time and can develop hyper bike handling skills with a bike like this.

To sum up, I feel that an individual who wants to “do it right”, can benefit greatly from a few great bikes with the following parameters:

• A fully defined Precision Laser Fitting.
• An educated and informed plan to specify frame and components. These bikes last a long time, so planning here maximizes enjoyment and makes the investment the most cost-effective.
• A plan for improving riding skills, training, and goals for improvement so these tools can be utilized to improve the rider’s cycling lifestyle.
• I follow the saying that was overheard in an Indy 500 team garage: “The best we can get is barely adequate!”

About the Author

KGS Bikes is known around the world as the premiere bicycle fitting studio and boutique. Kevin Saunders, President, has over 25 years experience in bicycle fitting and high-end bicycles. In addition to fitting services, KGS Bikes sells bicycles from Parlee, Serotta, Zinn, Co-Motion and Guru. Visit http://www.kgsbikes.com and our blog at http://blog.kgsbikes.com for more information.

Comparison ZeroCx carbon wheels vs zipp vs hed vs campagnolo vs mavic

Campagnolo Road Bike Wheel Bag // 700c Cycling Storage Travel $2.04

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Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Rear 2011 Campagnolo wheel GREAT CONDITION! $599.99

NOS Campagnolo Nouvo Record Hi-flange /AVA wheel $65.00

Campagnolo OS Fixing Bolt for 07′ Record/Wheel Hubs $24.88

2012 CAMPAGNOLO BORA ULTRA 2 TWO MATTE BLACK DECALS STICKERS FOR CARBON WHEELS $23.63

New CAMPAGNOLO Bora Ultra Two 700C Wheel Set F+R 2011 $2,899.95

Campagnolo Victory/Chorus Hubs 700c Clincher Wheels 36 hole 126 $51.00

Giulietta Giulia Spider Sprint 750 101 (105) 1955-1965 – Campagnolo wheel nuts $49.90

Campagnolo Ukai 20 x 1 1/8″ Wheels Pair 5 Speed Used $175.00

campag shamal rear wheel $205.44

campag/mavic on wolber profil 18 wheels $126.42

CAMPAGNOLO EURUS CLINCHER FRONT WHEEL GREAT CONDITION WITH WHEEL BAG $197.52

Campagnolo HB-HY100 CULT HUB BEARING KIT FOR BORA/HYPERON ULTRA WHEELS $325.40

Campagnolo Record OS hubs Ambrosio Nemesis Wheels $450.00

New Campagnolo Eurus G3 DPRO Dual Profile Wheelset Road Bike Front Rear Wheels $999.00

2011 Wheel set Campagnolo Neutron Shimano / SRAM Hub 700c Clincher wheelset $879.00

206/246 “L” Campagnolo Knock Off Wheel Plates Style 42 $625.00

Campagnolo wheel bags $20.00

Campagnolo Wheels, Wheelset, 700×23, Performance Comp hubs Shimano 600 sprocket $99.99

FULCRUM RACING 5 BLACK CLINCHER CAMPAGNOLO WHEELSET PAIR ROAD BIKE WHEELS NEW $274.97

Fujimi TW23 Campagnolo Wheel & Tire Set 1/24 scale kit $8.80

FAR NEAR TUNING KIT CAMPAGNOLO BLACK DERAILLEUR JOCKEY WHEEL PULLEY BOLT ZIPP $83.77

FAR NEAR TUNING KIT CAMPAGNOLO RED DERAILLEUR JOCKEY WHEEL PULLEY BOLT ZIPP $83.77

New ZIPP 202 Tubular Rear Wheel (Campagnolo or Shimano/SRAM $1,265.00

Campagnolo Eurus Wheels $250.00

NOS RARE Campagnolo C-Record ball bearing Pulley/Jockey Wheels rear derailleur $99.95

REAR END FRAME DROP OUT / REAR WHEEL ALINEMENT ADJUSTERS FIT CAMPAGNOLO COLUMBUS $7.89

2012 Campagnolo Bullet Ultra 50 Ceramic Bearings Carbon Clincher Wheels $1,490.00

Campagnolo Atlanta Rim 32H campy 34mm depth wheel 700c $135.00

NOS Campagnolo Record Front Wheel axle w/o cones (Campy) $24.99

1997 Lemond Maillot Jaune OCLV Carbon Fiber Campagnolo Record Zipp Wheels $1,299.00

campagnolo cassette compatable freehub body off of a reynolds MV32T wheel $40.00

NEW 2012 CAMPAGNOLO SHAMAL ULTRA 2-WAY FIT WHEELS USB CERAMIC – Shimano/SRAM $1,265.00

2009 Zipp 303 Carbon fiber Tubular wheels * Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo * Light! $1,550.00

Renaissance 1/24 Campagnolo Wheels (Set of 4) $25.14

Campagnolo KIT BORA 2006-09 FRONT COMPLETE WHEEL REBUILD KIT $130.78

CAMPAGNOLO VINTAGE TUBULAR FRONT BICYCLE WHEEL VICTORY CRONO $30.00

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