02/20/14 RBR Newsletter - Disc (-brake) Fever, Part 1

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Disc (-brake) Fever, Part 1 Issue No. 611 - 02/20/2014  ISSN 1536-4143  RoadBikeRider (RBR) Newsletter IS POSTED IN ITS ENTIRETY ON OUR WEBSITE. Click the links in this email to view complete articles and the entire weekly newsletter on our site. Click here to go directly to our website to read the entire issue Click here to open the PDF version to read or download From the Top    Views from the Editor John Marsh The TT Must Go On! Quick Note:  Just to let you know that I’ll be out of pocket Friday and most of the weekend as my wife and I are heading out of town to celebrate our anniversary. If you need to contact me for anything, I’ll get back in touch no later than Monday. – John First off, thanks for the well-wishes from a few readers re: Atlanta’s ice storm last week. Several hundred thousand folks lost power during the storm, but RBR HQ (my home office) was, thankfully, spared. Despite the storm, and continuing frigid weather into last weekend, the annual Tundra Time Trial scheduled for this past Saturday went off without a hitch. I ride it every year as a benchmark with my riding buddies, just to gauge where we are in relation to last year at this time. Like most of you, based on a recent reader poll we did asking if you ever ride a TT, I’m in the group of those who seldom do. It’s just not my preferred type of riding. But I mention the Tundra because it holds a few brief tips worth sharing that can be applied not just to time trials: Click to read the entire article on our website Become an Annual Premium Member Today! "Although I've been a long-time reader of the newsletter, I only recently became a Premium Member. "I just want you to know that after my recent exchange with Jim Langley, I'm now sold on its value. Jim provided prompt, friendly answers to my questions about chain skipping and I'll try out his suggestions this weekend. "Far better and much more personal than trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff and craft the right Internet search to get a valid answer." -- Russ Wood Ask Coach Fred     Training & Nutrition Tips Fred Matheny   What Climbing Cadence is Best for Knees? Question: I've heard that it's better for knees if you spin a lower gear on climbs rather than mash a big gear. Why is it harder on the knees to pedal at a slower rpm? What about pedaling slowly when out of the saddle? -- Jim M. Click to read Coach Fred's reply on our website The RBR eBookstore -- Now Over 100 Titles! NEW!  Dynamic Conditioning Monthly – Part 4: Power Endurance, by Coach Dan Kehlenbach. It’s the 4th installment in Kehlenbach’s 5-month series, with each building on the previous installment. Part 4 focuses on building stamina through a circuit-style workout. NEW! Coach Harvey Newton’s new 132-page Strength Training for Cyclists Manual, which can be purchased on its own or as part of the entire Strength Training for Cyclists System (eManual, DVD and 28-page hard copy Quick Start Guide). This is the strength training resource for cyclists. NEW! Coach John Hughes’ new 28-page eArticle Productive Off-Season Training for Health and Recreational Riders offers 12-week training programs for both cyclists who primarily ride to stay healthy and for those who do more intensive recreational riding. Click links or book covers for more info on these titles, and click author names to view all titles by that author. Jim's Tech Talk     Mechanical & Product Advice Jim Langley   Disc (-brake) Fever, Part 1 No, not disco fever, as in John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever, but disc fever, as in disc-brake fever, the new craze for road bicycles. And for roadies wanting the latest in brake technology, or doing gravel rides, loaded touring and cyclocross. Let’s look at some pros and cons of these hip new stoppers and I’ll give you my take on them at the end. We’ll start out today with the pros, and finish up next week with the cons and my concluding thoughts. So that we’re on the same page, disc brakes differ from rim brakes in two major ways. The brake calipers mount low and on the side of the fork and frame on dedicated mounts, and instead of gripping the wheel rims when you squeeze the brake levers, the calipers squeeze discs that are attached to the wheel hubs. The discs are also called “rotors,” so don’t be confused if you hear that. Click to read the complete article on our website Also in this Issue     Our Regular Weekly Features News & Reviews:  Product Review: Niterider Stinger USB taillight • Coach K's 4th Monthly Dynamic Conditioning eArticle • "How RBR Helped Me with My Health Problem" • Shimano Enters the Action Camera Business • Steel is the Deal • The World's First Suspended Traffic Circle for Bikes No Problem:  The Big Ride - What to Do on Century Day Quick Tips:  The Simple Pleasures of Simple Green Cadence:  Are Women's Body Proportions Different From Men's Question of the Week:  Do You Own a Carbon-Fiber-Frame Bike? Click any link to go directly to the full content of that section on our website. Enjoy Your Ride!   John Marsh Editor & Publisher Featured Sponsors RBR eBookstore Purchase and download expert Books and Articles on cycling fitness, training, skills, tech and more. Click to see over 100 titles and the newest additions.   by Coach John Hughes by Coach  David Ertl by Joshua Cohen by Alan Bragman, D.C. by Joe & Maria Kita by Coach John Hughes Free eBook 29 Pro Cycling Secrets for Roadies with your first purchase! Premium Site Access hundreds of pages of exclusive road cycling content from our experts and get a 15% discount on all eBooks, eArticles and RBR logoed gear. Membership Benefits Visit Our Marketplace RBR: An Independent Resource for Roadies RoadBikeRider (RBR) Newsletter is a product of RBR Publishing Co., Inc. All material is copyright © 2001-2014 RBR Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, please subscribe by clicking here. No cost or obligation! Disclaimer: Consult your physician and follow all equipment safety instructions before beginning any training program or using any gear or equipment discussed in this newsletter or on www.roadbikerider.com. Consult your physician or dietician before beginning any diet or consuming any product discussed in RBR Newsletter or on www.roadbikerider.com. No medical, health, legal or other information discussed in RBR Newsletter or on www.roadbikerider.com is intended to be, nor should be construed as, “medical advice” or “legal advice.” Consult your physician or attorney to discuss the specifics of any issues you might have.

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