Modifications to Merida MTB for the Brevets ride.

[Akshat Katre]

Hi Folks,

I needed some advice on some modifications that I am planning to make
to my bike, I have a Merida Matts 10 (MTB). I want to participate in
the Brevets 200k on 15th Jan.

1. Change the tires to slicks. I hope I am using the right
terminology.
Goal: To attain greater speed with less effort.
,
2. Change the Saddle. I have been reading up quite a bit on this
particular subject but the more I read the more confused I am getting
on this particular topic. I understand that a narrower and harder
saddle is better for longer rides.
Goal: Avoid saddle sore.

Please let me know if I am on the right track. Any comments /
suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Akshat

93428.24023

[Sudhir P]

Changing to slicks will definitely help

If u ever change a saddle, make sure u have spent enough time 'breaking-in' to the new saddle before the actual big ride.... As far as narrow / hard is concerned, not all people like it the same way

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

--
================================
Sudhir.P
Cycling team: http://www.facebook.com/cleatedwarriors
Blog : http://roastedneutrons.blogspot.com
Photoblog : http://roastedphotons.blogspot.com
Comic strip: http://ktpdq.blogspot.com

I do not suffer from insanity......
I enjoy it!
================================

[shan...@gmail.com]

Yeah slicks help a lot.

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85

[Manish Sharma]

See if you would like to go for "bar ends". This could help you get more positions for your hand/palm rest. 

HTH

Manish

[san2411]

+1 for bar ends .It helps on long rides as you have different
positions for your hand. I had completed the brevet launch ride on my
MTB with knobbies and bar ends were really helpful . Planning to
switch to 1.5 slicks .

On Dec 11, 10:03 am, Manish Sharma <hackdali...@gmail.com> wrote:
> See if you would like to go for "bar ends". This could help you get more
> positions for your hand/palm rest.
>
> HTH
> Manish
>

> On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 7:58 AM, shanka...@gmail.com <shanka...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Yeah slicks help a lot.
>
> > Regards,
> > Shankar
> > Sent from my Nokia N85
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Sudhir P
> > Sent:  11/12/2010 07:55:59
> > To: Akshat Katre
> > Cc: Bangalore Bikers Club
> > Subject:  Re: [BBC] Modifications to Merida MTB for the Brevets ride.
>
> > Changing to slicks will definitely help
>
> > If u ever change a saddle, make sure u have spent enough time 'breaking-in'
> > to the new saddle before the actual big ride.... As far as narrow / hard is
> > concerned, not all people like it the same way
>

> > On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 4:23 AM, Akshat Katre <akshat.ka...@gmail.com

> > >wrote:
>
> > > Hi Folks,
>
> > > I needed some advice on some modifications that I am planning to make
> > > to my bike, I have a Merida Matts 10 (MTB). I want to participate in
> > > the Brevets 200k on 15th Jan.
>
> > > 1.      Change the tires to slicks. I hope I am using the right
> > > terminology.
> > > Goal: To attain greater speed with less effort.
> > > ,
> > > 2.      Change the Saddle. I have been reading up quite a bit on this
> > > particular subject but the more I read the more confused I am getting
> > > on this particular topic. I understand that a narrower and harder
> > > saddle is better for longer rides.
> > > Goal: Avoid saddle sore.
>
> > > Please let me know if I am on the right track. Any comments /
> > > suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> > > Thanks
> > > Akshat
>
> > > 93428.24023
>
> > > --
> > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

>
> > --
> > ================================
> > Sudhir.P
> > Cycling team:http://www.facebook.com/cleatedwarriors
> > Blog :http://roastedneutrons.blogspot.com
> > Photoblog :http://roastedphotons.blogspot.com
> > Comic strip:http://ktpdq.blogspot.com
>
> > I do not suffer from insanity......
> > I enjoy it!
> > ================================
>
> > --
> > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

[George Joseph]

Shorten your handlebars by shortening them or getting a new one. This will reduce the drag you generate at higher speeds. It'll also help reduce weight, which'll help you stay faster.

Get a longer stem which will help you stretch out better over the bike. It'll also brung you lower on the bike for better are position which reduce the energy to go fast at a certain speed.

George Joseph
gjos...@gmail.com
IN cell: 91 94-83-501169
NA cell:1-847-859-9591

[htedum]

@George: I'm guessing your entire mail was butchered by iPad auto-correct? :)

[George Joseph]

Sent hastily on my iphone - while on a plane that was touching down. :)

The autocorrect works for me pretty well. Ofcourse I don't touch type, increasing accuracy, and I get how an adjacency matrix works. 

George Joseph

gjos...@gmail.com

IN cell: 91 94-83-501169

NA cell:1-847-859-9591

On Dec 12, 2010, at 12:35 AM, htedum <abhijit....@gmail.com> wrote:

@George: I'm guessing your entire mail was butchered by iPad auto-correct? :)

--

[Yogesh]

Slicks/Semi-slicks - just changed my knobbies to semi-slicks. Huge difference! Guess complete slicks would be even better.

Bar ends - Very convenient. Used to have painful wrists before them but now have many more positions. Get the short stubby ones. I think you get them in Decathlon as well for about 500 bucks.