Thorn-resistant tubes. And a big belly.

PowerCranks, although that only works for a few weeks. :-)

---

--------------
Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

you could put some bags of concrete in one of those tow behind kids trailers.

---

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. - Fight Club
Industry Brat.

Don't forget the reflectors and if you can find one, one of those lights with a generator that runs off the wheel friction.

Should add: purpose is to get a better/longer workout on a flat commute on multi-use paths that limit bike speed, so its hard to get continuous time at threshold. Slowing down the bike, through increased aerodynamic drag/friction etc. means getting more training for the same miles.

This isn't my racing tri-bike, so about any modifcation that is safe is okay.

Anyone else faced with these same issues (bike path, speed limits due to bad roads, etc.)?

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

Some sort of Camelback-ish beer delivery system?

LOL

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

Zero to PUPM in 3 posts! That's got to be a record!

good idea! but the trails are kind of rough and narrow in spots, so the trailer might bounce all over the place or take out a sign or two...

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

This would be a great add to the slow-bike project; do you know if they still make these?

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

Just stay in your 39/27. That will slow you down and give you a good workout.

---

--------------
Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

Take some pieces of plastic (say, from a milk jug or a bleach bottle) and tape them to the spokes making them into a big fan (alternate direction so you don't end up with a lot of side force).

---

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/

Slime
lower pressure
Knobby tires
Bigger gear
Front basket
Paniers
Jacket 1/2 zipped
Generator lighting system
Cards in the spokes

I often thought about designing a friction hub system which allows the rider to dial in the amount of resistance. IMO, it would be a pretty cool training tool...

Thats true, but I want to try to get threshold work at optimal cadence/high resistance, not fast spinning at low resistance.

Thought about going your big gear route - 53/12 fixed, or something like that, but have seen some good reasoning behind NOT doing slow cadence/big gear and high cadence/big gear would be way too faast for my route.

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

You could ride with me, or.... maybe switch to a TitanFlex

Awesome suggestion - would have double benefit of creating big belly that was suggested earlier - but I can't do threshold work on carbonated drinks, too much gas.

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

The problem with the big gear approach is it will be hard to keep the speed down. If you can increase the "rolling resistance" of your bike enough you will find the "small gears" plenty hard at bike path speeds.

---

--------------
Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

The trailer wouldn't bounce as much if it had a keg in it!

They have several listed at e-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It doesn't say if it works but some look new.

Running parachute.

Edit: I imagine it's fun and entirely safe.

Attach your trainer inverted to your rear wheel with max tension.
watched an athlete do hills that way

OMG.

Can see how this might be possible but .... kids need me alive another few years to pay for college

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

Hokey Spokes.

How about "flat beer"? You could dig up the old "How do you make flat coke" thread and see if the same principles apply to beer. ;-)

Try pulling a 5 y/o kid in a Burley d'Lite trailer.

14 mph on the flats is like HIM pace. 16 mph is threshhold.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Tubular tires, Tufo brand, inflated to 140+ PSI. After hanging around these forums for a while I'd say with that combination you'd be lucky to propel the bike in a forward motion at all. And if that doesn't work raise your seat even higher and that should do the trick :-).

I'd have to borrow a 5y/o - mine are 15 & 16 - can't see persuading one to get in the trailer, though would make a good home video

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

Get the old lights that had a generator that rubbed on the tire, you'll need dual front and back. That should give you four generators rubbing.

Take a lot of casino playing cards and clothespin them to flap in your spokes.

Let your hubs rust up.

John

---

---

Top notch coaching: Francois and Accelerate3 | Follow on Twitter: LifetimeAthlete |

Put some Trek decals on it?

use the lighter gears Frank suggested, and don't sit down. do the entire ride standing. doesn't matter if you coast(you will!), it will kill your legs in a few miles.

Kickstand.

---

Larry Lahodny
Owner, Gizmo Socks
Henderson, NV

Knobby tires and the thickest flat proof tubes you can find. David K

My slowbike is a fixie, so can't do this one - though have done it on the tribike several times, and you're right, its pretty effective

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

as someone else suggested, a running parachute and/or a backpack full of bricks.

The parachute is a cool idea, but would probably not work on the bike - would get caught up in the rear wheel at every stop. The backpack idea will kill me in Houston heat + humidity, I got the luggage rack to avoid the sweat soaked pack, plus with upright position and loose flapping jersey the backpack won't add much extra drag.

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

thanks for the suggestions! So far got the following practical slowbike adds:

1. Heavy, thick, tough tubes
2. Some knobby tires (might be problem fitting between seat stays on road bike)
3. Slime in the tubes
4. tire driven generators - though probably can't work with knobby tires
5. pull a loaded trailer - but could be problematic on poorly maintained multi-use trails
6. some kind of spoke mounted air-catcher, wheel weight
7. Panniers
8. run with low tire pressue - also problematic on poorly maintained trails
9. rusty hubs/bottom bracket - I've got this one covered already
10. front basket - never tried one, will this affect handling?

---

------------------------------------------------------------
some days you're the windshield some days the bug

I think you can add several of these together..

Thorn-resistant tubes filled with slime. Add in the anti-puncture strips between tube and tire, and then run hybrid-bike type tires if knobbies don't fit. Run these at 60psi or something along those lines.

The tire-driven generators run off the sidewall, usually, so they'd be compatible with any tire.

Use heavier wheels, preferably something with lots of spokes. Adjust your brakes poorly.

Don't use your drops.

Anything that sticks out is your friend - racks, panniers, rear-view mirrors, a frame pump, large saddle bag, things mounted to your handlebars.

Add friction in the drivetrain. Perhaps a dog fang that gently rubs your chain?