| How many bikes do I need to get to the next level in | | | | on the climbing bikes, which have less use and can |
| cycling? When we look at the pros who could get | | | | thus have more "delicate" components. |
| whatever they want, we find that they use a small | | | | 3) Time Trial bike. |
| number of bikes with different roles. At KGS Bikes, we | | | | This bike is only necessary for triathletes, and for |
| have many people who come into the showroom and | | | | people who want to do time trials. We do not |
| say, "I want to get to the next level in cycling, and I can | | | | recommend this as the "only" bike, as we strongly |
| afford the same equipment that the top professionals | | | | discourage riding time trial bikes in fast groups. These |
| use. How many bikes do I need, and what should I | | | | bikes do not handle as well, and if one is in the aero |
| get?" When we look at the pros who could get | | | | bars, one cannot safely take part in an echelon. Team |
| whatever they want, we find that they use a small | | | | time trials are different, of course, and training for them |
| number of bikes with different roles. Here are the roles | | | | can and should be done on this bike. We believe that if |
| we find that work best for them, and we then apply | | | | one can ride fast, straight and smooth on a road bike, |
| this model to cyclists who wish to have the best: | | | | that transitioning to the time trial bike is easy, and can |
| 1) Road bike with powermeter. | | | | be done effectively and safely. |
| This is the primary "everyday" bicycle. Almost all of the | | | | 4) Travel Case or Travel Bike. |
| top racing cyclists and a growing number of active | | | | There are pros and cons for each. It is really nice to |
| recreational riders use power meters. We recommend | | | | travel and ride. Using a case allows one to use their |
| either an SRM or a PowerTap to compliment a sturdy | | | | bike and go anywhere. Using a break-apart bike, one |
| road bike. We specify a stiff yet comfortable frame | | | | can have a "titanium copy" of their custom road bike, in |
| with Campagnolo Record or Chorus components | | | | a durable format with a small travel case that is under |
| (unless the client insists on Shimano, but that is another | | | | the airline maximums. This is great for international |
| story!), and a set of light but sturdy wheels like the | | | | travel and for situations where a large case is not |
| Reynolds Alta Race or Spinergy Xero Lite. We | | | | possible because of small cars, etc. |
| develop the road "fit" model to work around this bike, | | | | 5) Track bike, with a road fork and a front brake. |
| as most of the time will be spent on it to improve form | | | | This is definitely not for everyone, but is a tremendous |
| and technique. Triathletes will also spend most of their | | | | training tool. One can get an unbelievable workout in a |
| time on this bike, learning to ride fast and improving | | | | short period of time and can develop hyper bike |
| handling skills by riding safely in groups with the faster | | | | handling skills with a bike like this. |
| riders. | | | | To sum up, we feel that an individual who wants to |
| 2) Light road bike for climbing, spare bike when primary | | | | "do it right", can benefit greatly from a few great bikes |
| bike is in maintenance, and for "Mental Health" rides. | | | | with the following parameters: |
| The climbing bike is a very efficient, lightweight machine | | | | 1) A fully defined Precision Laser Fitting. |
| which has a geometry similar to the primary bike, but | | | | 2) An educated and informed plan to specify frame |
| with lighter components, and no powermeter. When | | | | and components. These bikes last a long time, so |
| training using power, it is easy to get focused on the | | | | planning here maximizes enjoyment and makes the |
| numbers and to lose much of the sensory input we | | | | investment the most cost-effective. |
| get from a "pure" bike ride. We like to advise that one | | | | 3) A plan for improving riding skills, training, and goals |
| bike has no more than a minimal computer, Garmin | | | | for improvement so these tools can be utilized to |
| Edge, or even nothing at all, so one can either race by | | | | improve the rider's cycling lifestyle. |
| feel, or ride for the sake of riding. Many times the light | | | | 4) We follow the saying that was overheard in an Indy |
| bike comes out for recovery rides, for fun group rides, | | | | 500 team garage: "The best we can get is barely |
| and for aggressive group rides in the hills. We also find | | | | adequate! |
| that many people like to put more exotic components | | | | |