Ask Bicycling

Why getting lighter may not always be a good thing.

Sometimes you just need to be realistic about your body. Some people get leaner than others; it’s just the reality of life. “Your body type (ectomorph versus mesomorph or endomorph) will determine how fast and how much weight you can (and should) lose,” says cycling and triathlon coach Morgan Johnson. If you’re a mesomorph, for example, you’re probably always going to be heavier than an ectomorph, but that’s because you’re naturally more muscular, and muscle is heavy.

Also, remember that losing weight doesn’t always equal better health. Losing muscle is bad – especially for cyclists, who need power to push pedals. “Finding a weight that you perform well at is much more important than stressing over a number on a scale,” says Johnson.

Please help! I cleaned and lubed my chain, but now it’s dirtier than it was before. What did I do wrong? Sounds like you’ve gone overboard with the lube there. When you over- lube your chain you risk turning it into a giant, revolving grime magnet, collecting dirt and dust that will slow you down and ultimately accelerate wear on the whole drivetrain.

To do it right next time, apply one drop of chain lube to each link, spin the cranks backwards a few times to distribute it, then use a rag to wipe off as much of it as you can. What’s left over will be evenly spread over the chain, without any excess dripping onto parts of the bike that shouldn’t be lubed. As a roadie, is it necessary for me to wash my bike? It’s not like I’m rolling in the dirt every day. You should clean your bike every time you get it dirty – and even if you don’t get it dirty, clean it every 20 to 25 rides.

Your bike may not be covered in mud, but there are still plenty of reasons to wash it. This is especially important if you use your bottle cage for sugary drinks that might slosh onto the frame. If you don’t wash that off, you’re setting yourself up for deteriorated shifting, from sugar collecting at the bottom bracket.

Regular cleaning will also remove the build- up of dirt in the drivetrain, and keep it spinning smoothly. Plus, cleaning your bike involves examining it up close, which gives you the opportunity to find minor damage before it becomes major.