u/Larry-McJohnson

I just started cycling a year ago and I’ve never ridden in a group ride before. I was trying to build up my stamina and endurance before doing so. I typically ride in a very hilly area and don’t have a good ability to judge my actual average speed on the flats. I’d like to join a local group ride here and there that’s around the 14-17mph range for around 20miles.

Today I did a longer ride for me which was 22 miles. It took me 1 hour 40 minutes, 1204FT of elevation gain, AVG speed = 13mph, average heart rate = 137bpm. These are my typical stats for an average ride. Thoughts?

I’m looking for tubeless tire recommendations for riding on the old rough paved roads near my house and where I mainly ride. I am riding a 2026 Trek Domane AL5 that fits up to 38MM tires. It seems like the only tires in stock at multiple LBS are GP 5000s. Is that the best option to go with? Curious what people’s recommendations are. I’m not racing or anything like that. I’m doing more endurance rides/fitness.

Here’s a long story for you all and looking for some insight.

When I first got into cycling I didn’t really know what I was doing and bought a 2023 Giant contend AR3 size ML (56cm). I thought I was 5’10” but found out I’m really 5’9” (175cm) with a 30” inseam (76cm / shorter than average inseam). I rode that for a while and struggled with a little knee and hip pain but made it work in order to ride a couple times a week.

Fast forward to this year, I bought a MTB size medium. Been riding twice a week and Absolutely no hip or knee pain whatsoever and it’s definitely more demanding than road cycling. Yesterday I jumped on my road bike for the first time this year and really noticed the difference in how stretched out I felt and my right knee is killing me today.

Is it worth it to try to make the bike feel a size down by getting a shorter stem, shorter cranks, moving the saddle forward? Or is trying to Frankenstein a bike something that I’m always going to be fighting against? I was thinking about ditching the 2x9 sora groupset and upgrading to a shimano 105 2x11 or 12 speed. Wondering if having better gear ratios will also help (ride in very hilly areas). I really don’t want to have to buy a new bike and take a loss on my current bike if I don’t have to.

I know mostly people are probably going to say “sell the bike and buy something smaller used”. And that may be what has to happen. But also looking for thoughts on the adjustments to my current bike. TIA.

I’ve been wanting my 2021 Ibis Ripley AF to have a little bit more of a plush feel since I’m using it for more aggressive trail riding/enduro. So today I swapped the air shaft assembly from 130mm to 140mm and removed 2 tokens(3 installed from the manufacturer) and wow…. Feels like a totally different ride which is incredible.

I’m going to be throwing bigger tires on (29” x 2.5”maxxis aggesai). I bought two of them. Do you think it’s fine to have those tires on the front and rear or is it overkill? I’m riding in New England which is very rocky/loaded with roots.

Any other recommendations for making for of a plush set up for the 2021 Ripley AF? Rear shock is a Marzocchi inline bomber. Added new PNW loam grips. Brand new cassette, chainring and chain put on 4 weeks ago. Thanks!