K-Swiss Blade Light Run Shoe Review

Most runners/triathletes around these parts get sold on a particular brand of shoe.  Some are the more popular brands, like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, or Asics.  There are also some lesser known brands that have a strong following, like Mizuno, Puma, Brooks, Zoot, and Saucony. Most athletes will find a shoe that works for them and they like, and will stick with the brand.  In some cases, many people buy 6 pairs of the shoe when they find it on sale.

I don't really have an allegiance to a particular shoe or brand.  In fact, I mainly base my shoe buying decisions on the amount of ca$h money I have to hand over.  I tend to look for deals online, check out some photos and brief customer reviews on durability, and usually choose my shoe based on price.  I purchased my pair of K-Swiss Blade Light Runs back in late August/September, in preparation for my first half marathon.  I have worn them for 2 races, the Cerner 15k, and the KC Half Marathon. To date, I have logged just under 200 miles in them, and feel like I have a good feel for the shoe.

Unboxing

Immediately trying them on!

First race in them!

Purchasing:  I originally became interested in the shoes for a few reasons.  They were triathlon-specific, meaning they were equipped with loops to help slip them on, had holes in the soles to help with water drainage, and had plenty of vents and mesh to keep my feet cool.  I also liked the look of the shoes, which is kinda important to all of the fashionistos running around town....

Drainage holes inside the shoe

Larger holes on the bottom of the soles

I also wanted to try out a K-Swiss product.  Many of my favorite professional triathletes are sponsored by K-Swiss (Lietos and Raelerts), and I feel like the company is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the sport.  I wanted to support them, and try out a pair of their shoes!  Lastly, I got a hell of a deal on the shoes online, something like $40 off the original price! Can't pass that up!


Feel:  Although my experience with running shoes is VERY limited, these shoes just feel different when compared to other running shoes.  Maybe it's the sock liner made for sockless runs during triathlons, maybe it's the cushioning.  Something is different.  When I wear these, I feel like my foot is completely secure in the shoe, as if my foot and shoe are one solid unit.  I have virtually zero foot slippage inside the shoe, which has led to a decrease in blisters for me! Yeah!

The only problem with the feel of the shoe for me is the plastic support that wraps around the midfoot.  The lateral aspect of the support tends to rub against the base of my pinkie toe on both feet.  I've found a solution, though.  I basically just skip the first row of lace loops, which allows a little more freedom in the toebox of the shoe.

An "aerial view" of the kickzzzz

My Genius lacing solution

The shoes are incredibly lightweight (8.8 ounces for a size 10, so maybe 9.5 ounces for my size 12s), and I use the shoes for any type of run.  Long runs, short runs, recovery runs, walk/runs. You name it.  Like I mentioned, I've used the shoes for the KC Half Marathon in October, and frequently use them for speedwork at the track.  They are very versatile, and I hope to break them out in a triathlon this summer.

The only problem I might foresee for people considering purchasing this shoe would involve running mechanics and foot striking.  While I won't get into the details here, I had some issues wearing these shoes late last year, when I was prone to heel striking.  See below:

Yup, right on the heel...

I actually dislocated a bone in my right foot after the KC HM, and I mistakenly attributed the dislocation to the shoes.  I didn't wear the shoes again for a few months.  In the between time, I worked pretty hard on improving my running mechanics and cadence, which has almost eliminated my heel strike.  Now, as a mid foot striker (well, mostly...), I've gone back to using the shoes with great success!


Durability:  The shoes have held up great.  After almost 200 miles, I can't see any noticeable changes in the cushioning, sock liner, supports, or mesh around the shoe.  In fact, they feel even better!  I really can't tell as of now how long they will last, but I'm hoping to get at least 400 miles in them before they are retired to my "hospital shoes" rotation. FYI that's one step ahead of yardwork shoes...

200 miles in and still looking fra fra fra FRESHHHH(ish)...

All in all, I really have loved these shoes, and would recommend them to any midfoot strikers that are looking for a solid lightweight training shoe, or a triathlon racing shoe that offers a good, supportive feel.  I hope to try out other K-Swiss products and shoes in the future, and believe and love their company commitment to triathlon!


Any questions about these shoes, leave a comment!


Thanks for reading!

Travel Trac Fluid + Trainer Review

Back in late August, I made my first "indoor" workout purchase in preparation for the brutal and unpredictable winters Kansas usually has to offer.  I purchased an indoor fluid trainer for my bike workouts.  I chose to go with the Travel Trac Fluid + Trainer.

 I ended up choosing this particular trainer for a variety of reasons:

• It had great reviews, and was recommended as a superb "starter" trainer.
• The price was right, and because it was Summertime, Performance Bike was offering a sweet discount.
• It was a fluid-type trainer (as opposed to magnetic or wind), which seemed to be the best fit for me.
• Performance Bike offered a 60 day return policy, and also had a 2 year warranty.

I am here to give a unbiased, accurate view of my experiences using this trainer.  I, in no way, was treated any differently by the Performance Bike staff in purchasing this trainer, and was offered the same discounts and rebates every customer was given at the time.  With that, let's get to it!

Setup:
The box containing the trainer was a bit larger than I originally expected, and weighed a bit more, as well.  The UPS guy was nice enough to drop it off at my front door, so I only had about a 10 inch walk to get the trainer inside.

After immediately tearing into the box and opening approximately 45 plastic bags, I had the trainer unpacked and ready to rock!!!

Dog chew toys come separately.

Set up was practically non-existent.  Everything was just covered in plastic bags.  Once you tear those off, all you need to do is adjust the tension on the axle that holds the rear tire on the resistance thread.

After the tension is adjusted to your liking, all that's left to do is basically set your rear tire on the resistance thread, and lock the rear axle on the trainer.  With this trainer being my first, I was unaware at how quick this process actually is!  It takes literally 5 seconds to put your bike on, get it locked in place, and ready to ride.

Slide the rear wheel on the thread, and lock in place!  Simple!

Rear axle locked in place.

The final resting place for the bike this winter!

Features:  
The Travel Trac Fluid + Trainer has many features that I feel separates it from other trainers on the market, while making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment.  I will just focus on a few main things:  Fluid resistance, Progressive resistance, and the shift lever.

The fluid resistance of this trainer really mimics road riding well, but it's definitely not 100% the same. Although I have limited experience using different types of trainers, I really think it's as close to road cycling as I can get inside.  This coincides with basically every review I have read on fluid trainers in general, with inertia trainers also doing a great job, too (Inertia was way out of my budget).  What I like about the fluid resistance is the effect it creates as you increase your speed.  The faster you go, the more difficult it is to maintain that speed, JUST LIKE OUTSIDE!  Crazy!

The progressive resistance this trainer offers was the final selling point for me.  I was contemplating buying the Fluid + Trainer, or the cheaper Travel Trac Fluid Trainer.  There was about a $35 difference between the two trainers.  The standard Fluid Trainer didn't offer the progressive resistance, and after reading some reviews on the trainer itself, many people recommended more resistance.  In the end, I chose the more expensive option because of the ability to add a little more resistance, and I'm glad I did.

The Progressive Resistance can be added in 5 different increments.  Right now, I am doing some leg strength workouts on the bike with intervals set at 5/5 resistance, and I have to tell you it is tough.  Like... close to the hardest hills I have ever gone up.  I love being able to simulate hills, or add a bit more resistance to longer rides to break up the monotony.  I would have been disappointed if I hadn't gotten the progressive resistance.  While I love the fluid resistance, I tend to "run out of gears" on my bike when trying to get to specific heart rate training zones.  There have been times where I can sustain 30 mph on the trainer, and still not break out of zone 3.  With the added resistance, I can easily get to z5 in a hurry.  I love it!

One thing I will mention about the progressive resistance that I have noticed is the increments don't seem equal to me.  The only time I notice a distinct change in resistance is going from 1 to 3, or 3 to 5.  And the difference is big.  I spend most of my time at a resistance level of 3 because I feel like that should help simulate wind resistance and the friction of road riding.  But when I jump from 3 to 5, there is a massive increase in resistance, almost like getting a flat and trying to ride through it.  I just wish the progression was a bit smoother, but maybe I'm just nit-picking.

Going along with the progressive resistance is the Shift Lever.  Although not wireless, the trainer comes equipped with a separate shift lever to increase or decrease the resistance.  The lever comes with some sort of attachment option that allows you to attach the lever to your handlebars or aerobars.  The lever attaches to a long wire that runs to the resistance mechanism of the trainer.  The wire is about 6 feet long, which gives you plenty of slack to attach it anywhere.  Although a wireless option would be convenient, I find the wired option plenty useful.

5 levels of resistance

Attached to the aerobars

Noise/Sound Levels:
Again, although I have experience on only a few trainers/stationary bikes, I will say that the trainer is fairly quiet.  If anything, my bike/fan makes way more noise than the actual trainer does.  Although probably a given, the faster you go or the more resistance you have applied to your back wheel, the louder the trainer is.  But I have used much worse.  After viewing sound videos for Computrainers and Cycleops Fluid trainers, I think this trainer is much quieter.  This is nice because it allows me to keep my TV/Music volume a bit lower, which makes for happy neighbors/Girlfriend!

Watching some TV a while back.
Also demonstrating proper helmet use.

Workouts:
While I have yet to tackle any workouts longer than 1.5 hours on the trainer (not complaining...), I have been KNOCKING OUT INTERVALS!  Since I started out with EnduraLabs Coaching, I have done exactly 18 workouts on my trainer, ranging from 1 hour to 1.5 hour interval sets based on HR.  These consist of z3-5 work, as well as time trials for calculating LTHR and "race pacing".  The progressive resistance gives me the control and versatility I need to quickly crank up the intensity, or decrease resistance to recover for the next set.  While I love the trainer and the control it gives me during my workouts, I have noticed a few things:

• The trainer's resistance unit gets hot.  REALLY hot.  Like to the point of melting my tires and dissolving the glue holding the rubber on.  My plan this winter was to use my old tires for my "trainer" tires, and save my newer ones for 2012.  Well, turns out the old ones can't handle this trainer's heat. 

Eventually, 1/3 of the tire tread was off of the tire.

• Like all trainers, this one goes through tires fairly quickly.  I anticipated this, and have decided to put my newer kevlar tires on the trainer.  The tread is quickly rubbing off, especially when the resistance is set at 5/5.

Tire residue...

• When you move your trainer and don't have anything under it to catch your tire residue, it will appear as though you were doing weird burnouts or skidmarks on your carpet:

I'm hoping this vacuums up easily...

• Get a towel or rug to place under your bike.  The amount of spray sweat is disgusting... A solid fan is a must, as well!

Summary:
As of today, I have logged over 500 miles on this trainer, and can truly say it's still going as strong as the day I got it!  I haven't noticed any changes to the smooth fluid resistance, and think the progressive resistance is just as hard as when it was new.  This is one thing I will be watching in the future, as I've read that fluid trainers in general have the tendency to lose some of their "fluid-ness" after thousands of miles.

I know there are plenty of more expensive fluid trainers on the market today that may be just as good as the Fluid + trainer (or even better), but I really feel that the Fluid + trainer is unbeatable at the price.  Currently on Performance Bike's website, the trainer is listed for $219.99, with 20% off available. This compares to the Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer for $305.99, and $329.99 for the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.  If you are looking to get a new trainer this winter, are wanting to try out a fluid trainer, or just need ideas for Santa, I highly recommend this trainer!

If you have any questions on the use of the the trainer, how it's holding up, or anything else, let me know!  Thanks for reading!

Mark's Christmas List!

For about the last month, I've been trying to figure out what I want for Christmas and put together a Christmas List (You're welcome, Mom).  Normally, I just try to find something kinda big that I sorta want or might see myself using in the future.  Examples from past years include: a Suit (classy), a heavy Peacoat (douchy), and a lifesize inflatable T-Rex (awesome). With this being my first Triathlon Christmas, I have PLENTY of ideas for my family and blog-readers!  Definitely a first for me!  Well, not really... Sidenote:  If anyone has an extra lifesize inflatable T-Rex you aren't using, I am interested.

This is how the last one popped... Oh Rex, I miss you...

The last few months, I have been keeping a list of things I need, as well as prioritizing the need for new things (New bike is needed, but NOT GOING TO BE HAPPENING this year.  Upgrading the "engine" instead).  Here is my up-to-date list for Christmas!  Please pass it along to Santa!

Wetsuit:  Last year, I rented a wetsuit for my first race, but ended up just going without one after.  There were some colder races that were wetsuit legal, but I just didn't use one.  This year, I am planning on up-ing my distances, as well as early season races, so I want to be sure I get a wetsuit for the added warmth and buoyancy.  I'm still trying to figure out whether I want a full sleeve or sleeveless. I am open for suggestions! Please help!

Goggles:  As I mentioned HERE, I am in need of some new goggles!  I am looking at getting a pair specifically for races, that have more of a tint then my "training" pair.  I kinda learned this the hard way last year, and staring into the rising sun made sighting a little bit difficult come race day.  Plus, it will be cool to have some more race-specific stuff!

Compression Sleeves: Although somewhat hesitant because of varying amounts of research and use, I am still anxious to try out a pair of compression sleeves for my calves!  My calves have been pretty sore after runs lately.  I am looking at mainly just using them after long runs to aid in recovery and delayed onset muscle soreness.  Most of the evidence I have read about encourages the use of compression garments to aid in recovery POST workout.  So that's what I'm planning on doing!  I have my eye on a pair from Sugoi, and can't wait to review them! 

Sugoi's Pison 200 Calf Sleeves

Race Entry Fees:  Self explanatory for a triathlete!!! And now is the time to buy, with most of the races for next year in Early Bird pricing!  The early bird gets the cheapest race!  I have already booked several races for next year (schedule will be announced oh so soon...), but I REALLY have my eyes set on one race I still need to register for, in particular.  I hope I get it, I'm kinda structuring my season on it...!

2012 Teaser?

New Saddle:  I have been hitting the trainer/bike hard the last month, which has brought one important detail to the surface of my mind.  Well, actually the surface of my ass:  My seat sucks.  I have a rigid aluminum bike frame, which makes every bump and crack in the road noticeable in my "areas".  On the trainer, I am also really starting to notice a distinct "numbness" in the aforementioned "areas".  Not good.  Especially for 2 hours.  My solution is a new saddle!  I have been scouring reviews and personal suggestions, and have settled on the ISM Adamo Race saddle.  And boy, does it look different!  But I have heard only great things, and can't wait to try it!  Regardless, I am 100% sure it will be an upgrade!

Aerobar Hydration Bottle:  Now that I have some aerobars, I figure I can also get a water bottle that goes right between them!  My thinking is if I have to stare at the bottle, I'm probably going to hydrate, which is a good thing!  I have done some research on the wind tunnel testing for a few different bottles and straws, and have learned that the long straw hanging out isn't exactly aerodynamic.  So, I am looking at one with a shorter straw! It's made by Torhans, and is a bit more expensive, but has much less drag!  

Made by Torhans, short straw = more aero!

Bike Fit: I am somewhat hesitant to put this in here, but it is something I need and will be getting regardless.  Next year, I want to have an injury free race season.  I also want to be as powerful and comfortable as possible on my wreck bike.  As I transition to some longer races, I know fit and comfort are going to be incredibly important to race day experience and results.  I am looking at making sure I have my aerobars and seat in the correct position for me, and will hope to get some measurements for a new/dream bike.  Ahhh someday...

Well, that's it!!!  Not TOO bad.  I mean, I could have mentioned the new Quintana Roo Illicito with Shimano Di2 components, but that wouldn't be practical.  Or possible... 

If I sold my car...

Regardless, whether I get any of these wonderful things or not, I will still be making due next year and racing my ass off!  I can't wait!  Now all I have to do is be a really good boy till December 25!  Do-able? Sure!!!

Classes end this week for me, with a final project due next week (Boo Statistical Regression). I am planning a few product reviews that I will get out in the coming weeks.  And I have added another sponsor for 2012!!!  Check back soon for info!!! It's a good one... I guarantee you've heard of them...

Thanks for reading!

In the drink...

Let the offseason begin!

Oh, what's that?

There isn't an "offseason"?

Oh, okay!

Yeah, yeah, yeah... it's break time.  No races planned till 2012 means some decreased volume on the training front.  And it really couldn't come at a better time.  My right foot is still killing me, 4 days post race.  Probably not a good thing... Getting a running evaluation done this winter is a definite priority!!! I need shoes that fit me, instead of my foot trying to conform to my shoes.

So, you may be wondering what my offseason is going to look like.  Hmm, well I really don't know yet.  My goal (and the fun part) is going to be doing what I feel like doing.  I'm still probably going to spend a good amount of time on the trainer, on the treadmill, and in the pool (cold here in Kansas).  But that's a given.  I definitely will be spending some time planning out 2012.  But the biggest change in training will be the strength training!  I'm going to make it a priority to lift at least twice a week, something that I haven't done since December 2010.

I do have some good news!  Today was my first day back in the pool in over 3 months.  The last time I swam was at the Shawnee Mission Triathlon back in July.  Although somewhat unannounced, I have been dealing with some intense eye issues.  Back in June, I had a corneal tear that became infected.  Once that healed, I then started developing ulcers on the same eye. I was then told I needed surgery, and have a chronic eye condition.  My eye Doc said it would be best to hold off on swimming because of the increased risk of more infections with (basically) open wounds on my eye.  So after 3 months, my eye is healing up and finally good enough to swim!

I did my strength training before the swim today, so my arms were a bit tired, but i felt pretty good overall!  I did mostly drills, and kept the distance at an easy 1000 yards, baby steps...  Easing back into it...  And for some reason my hips weren't sinking as much as usual!  My feet were right at the surface!

Apparently, the 3 months of non-swimming activity took it's toll on my goggles. As I reached in my bag to put them on, I realized they had turned a funky soft yellow color.

That's so not Raven...

It reminds me of tupperware if you microwave spaghetti in it, and has a funky stain on it... Weird example...

Hoping for a new pair at Christmas! (hint hint)

Still waiting on race photos, and working on my Suspension Trainer Post!!!

A Handy New Tool

A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of new training tires that happened to be on sale.  I was pretty pumped, because my rear tire was looking dangerously thin.  The last 2 training rides outdoors has resulted in 2 flats.  After the last flat, I had had enough, so I was lucky to find the tires at a good price.  As soon as they arrived, I "tried" putting the new ones on my wheels.

I have changed tires/tubes before, but I wouldn't say I'm a pro yet.  It still takes me about 10 minutes, but all in all, I get it done without pinching the tube.  That was until I tried the new set.

These tires were IMPOSSIBLE to get on.  The front tire I previously had on my wheel was pretty tight, to the point of using a tire iron to get the tire on the wheel.  But, it still went on.  I tried everything I could think of for the new set.  I used tire irons, heating up the tires in the sun, using soap to 'ease' the tire over the lip of the rim of the wheel, all to no avail.  The new tires have a kevlar component to the rubber, which made it tough to get it over the lip without pinching the rubber tube on the rim lip.

Three tries, all unsuccessful...

After pinching 3 tubes without being able to get the tires on, I went online to search for a solution.  That's when I found this:

Image retrieved from Gear.com

This is called the Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack, and after reading some reviews, I decided to give it a try (it was about $9).  Basically, the tire jack pulls the edge of the tire over the lip of the rim, without pinching the tube underneath.  I tried doing this with a tire lever, but I was unable to generate the force needed to pull the tire over the rim.

Tire and tube on wheel, and fully inflated!  Success!

I need to clean....

I am pleased to say that it worked!  I mainly wanted this because I was really concerned with flatting out on a ride and being unable to change my tube without having to run home.  I can take the jack with me on the ride, and pop the tire back on once the tube is changed or repaired.  I hope my tires loosen up a bit with some riding, but if not, I know I can now quickly change them!

If you ever have a hard time changing tight tires, I would give the bead jack a try!  It worked for me!

Thanks for reading, and GO CHIEFS!

Lazy Sunday...

10 Things I Have Learned From My Bike

Maybe a more appropriate title would be "10 Things to be Aware of Before You Purchase Your First Bike".  If you follow my thoughts (via twitter) and postings religiously, as I'm sure most of you do, there is no doubt that you are aware of my bike and I having "issues" in the past.  After my first triathlon with her, her nickname became "the Anchor", as my bike split was much slower than I thought it would be. In retrospect, I, myself, am much more of an anchor than the bike...

I have had so many issues with my "whip", ranging from shifters not working during a race, to having my handlebars dip 180 degrees as I am riding 25+ mph...

With fall here and winter quickly approaching, bikes of all sorts will be going on sale (Now is the time to buy!!!) If you are like me, buying used can be the way to go.  So, here is a quick list for my own personal advice when it comes to looking for a new bike (AKA sh!t I wish someone told me...)

1. Get sized before you buy! Fit is not only important for a comfortable ride, but also from a performance standpoint. Fit can also be important in injury prevention, as you will spend a lot of time in a not-so-ergonomic position if you buy one that doesn't fit you.
2. Make sure you RIDE IT FIRST! This is something I didn't do (gasp), as there was 2 feet of snow on the ground when I made my purchase. I know, but hey, the price was right....
3. Components are a vital (and expensive) part of your bike!  Make sure they are functioning properly.  It would also be a good idea to research the component brand, model, and speeds!  I have an old Shimano group set on my bike, with a 7-speed setup.  Unfortunately for me, they stopped making 7-speed components back in the late 90s, so now that I need to replace my shifters, I actually need to replace the entire group set. Not. Cheap. Doing a little research before purchasing can save you time and money in the long run.
4. Take into account the price of repairs, replacing old parts, etc, into the overall cost of the bike.  This is something I didn't take into account, and now my bike is a little more pricy-er (definitely not a word), than I originally anticipated. All of the little things (tires, chain, bar tape, shoe compatibility) add up!!! This may also be a way of negotiating the price down.
5. When buying a bike computer, pay the extra $5 and go wireless. Please reference this incident.  After the Garmin purchase, I have finally gotten myself the speed and cadence sensor for my bike, so it's all good in the hood.
6. Don't necessarily trust the previous owner. The previous owner of my bike actually worked at a local bike store, and said he kept up with the maintenance.  After taking it in to get serviced, the maintenance guy doubted it.  Take everything with a grain of salt, and ask specific questions as far as maintenance and upkeep goes. Ask why they are selling it.  How often they road and the estimated distance.  Did they ever crash?
7. Get it serviced immediately after you buy it.  I didn't and road it as soon as the weather cooperated.  As soon as I got going, the handlebars slipped because the screws were loose. Luckily I had my hands on the brake hoods and was able to stop before faceplanting on my front tire.  Your LBS will make sure everything is in working order.
8. Ask around about certain brands.  I asked friends, twitter peeps, and fellow bloggers about their opinions and experiences with their bikes.  I knew the bike I was going to purchase would need to last a while, but not forever, so I wanted the best bike for the price.  In the end, I think I got it (amongst other issues).
9. Before you buy, have an idea of how long you will own the bike.  I didn't, and now I wish I would have spent a little more to get a better bike.  On the other hand, I needed a bike as soon as possible, so this didn't exactly work out for me.
10. Make sure there are no cracks, rusting, or bends in your frame.  The frame itself is a vital component to the bike and your safety.  Carbon frames can crack if they have been dropped, as can aluminum.  Make sure you thoroughly check this before purchasing. I didn't and got lucky.

All in all, I have had some great moments with my bike, and some not so great moments.  I am planning on getting a triathlon-specific TT bike at some point, but that more than likely won't be next year unless someone wants to donate one... cough cough....  So I get to ride another year with "the anchor" and see how I improve over the winter.  I am glad I have had the experiences, as I now feel I am a more knowledable rider and consumer (AKA I now know what I want...).  Regardless, I am still planning on keeping the bike for training and group rides once I get my new bike. 

What are your experiences with your first bike?

Thanks for reading! Seriously, though, I need someone to donate a TT bike... Not a joke...

Goodies!

In preparation and anticipation of a long and brutal winter here in Kansas (can't be worse than this summer), I began researching and considering purchasing a bike trainer.  One of my early goals for this winter and next year is to ride more often to improve my bike splits.  As I see it, the bike is where I will be able to improve the most, in the shortest amount of time (God, I hope....).  I know many people that have indoor trainers for their bikes, and really swear by them during the winter months.  Although not as enticing as a ride outdoors, they still give you an option of getting your ride in, despite the conditions.  I am interested because I will have no excuse not to ride... I mainly researched about the type of trainer (magnetic, fluid, inertia), and the brands and products available.  One thing I really was looking for was getting the most "bang for my buck," as they say... I don't know who "they" are, though.

After looking into the pros and cons of each type, I decided on getting a fluid trainer.  From what I've read, they have the most road-like ride experience.  The only downside from what I can see is the resistance, or lack there of, with fluid-based trainers.  I plan on building leg strength this winter on the trainer, or as much as possible, so this was kind of a letdown.

I looked into the usual suspects for brands:  Cycleops, Kurt Kinetic, Blackburn, etc.  I was impressed by some of their products, but not necessarily their price tags. I really can't justify spending $300+ on a trainer as a student.  Let's not even mention the $1500 Computrainer, which looks SUUUWEEET!

While reading some of my junk mail one day, I stumbled across Performance Bike's newsletter.  I was curious to see if the site had any specials on trainers, and turns out they did.  They carried the mainstream brands, but also the "Travel Trac" brand, one that I was unfamiliar with.  After doing a little research and checking out some reviews, I became really interested.

Travel Trac had a good priced (for me) fluid trainer on the website, and for a few bucks more, they had a fluid trainer + resistance (mag).  The added resistance covered my only concern of using my gears for resistance.  After reading some good reviews, I was sold!  Also got free shipping and $70 off because I was a new customer.

A week goes by, and it arrived today!!!

First time ever a package arrived before the "anticipated delivery date"

I picked it up over lunch at my apartment, and had to spend the rest of the day at work/school.  When I got home at 7, I got right to work getting everything set up!

Everything unpacked and ready for a bike!

After about 15 minutes of me skipping the directions, I finally gave in a checked them.  My bike was set up on the trainer 3 minutes later...Pssh... men... am I right, ladies?!

Like my riser block?

I can't wait to try it out!  I have a feeling the "newness" factor will wear off, and will begin to feel like running on a treadmill.  Right now I don't care, because this winter there would be no alternative.  I am really excited to try some new drills, like one-legged sprints, to work on my pedaling economy (nerdy).  All in all, price was definitely right, performance sounds good (judging from reviews), and I get to train throughout the winter!

I have some other projects for the bike, although not too big.  I finally got some new tires, and will be re-taping my handlebars soon!

Going with a "red" theme (CHEAPEST AVAILABLE)...

Sidenote:  If anyone has some killer indoor workouts, please email me! or tweet me a link!  Or post in the comments! I need to book up my winter training plan!!!

Thanks for reading!

Bye Bye Bike Computer

As you may have read in my Tinman Race Report, my bike computer hasn't been functioning properly. I have literally gone step by step on the owner's manual for common problems, but can't seem to figure it out.  I have tried resetting it, measure the spacing for speed and cadence sensors; everything is right where it needs to be.  And yet still no speed, distance, cadence, etc.

Today, as I rode the bike to my swim workout, I uncovered the problem.  Let's go through my thought process, pic by pic:

Hmmm.... this seems to be working....

Rear tire looking okay... yup, that's lining up within 5mm....

That looks righ...oh.... wait....

Not to be a poopmouth, but damn....

Well, there's your problem!

So, yeah.  At some point between my arrival to the race and the race itself, I seemed to "lose" a fairly large segment (about 2 feet) of the wiring that connects my handlebar-mounted computer to the sensors for my speed and cadence.  Mystery solved.  The only problem is that I kinda like knowing my cadence, distance, speed, etc., when I'm training.  Kinda important info, ya know!?

My solution to the problem is a few weeks away.  I am HOPING to get my first Garmin watch for my B-day.  While the 310XT would be ideal for triathlons, I am going for the 305 because:  1. My parents are purchasing it for me (hopefully).  2. I live on student loans, and am hoping to also grab all the extras, like cadence for the bike, foot pod, bike mount, etc. 3. I am MOVING this weekend, and will probably be needing to by some stuff for the new place.  Eventually there might be a 310XT or something even newer in my future, but I would be fully content with the 305.  All I have to do now is figure out how to get my parents to read this.  Step 1:  A blog is.....