Yesterday, my wife and I just got back from spending anohter week in Kronenburg in Germany. This time, instead of taking the Z Pro with me, I took the 700X because I did not want my riding limited to road riding only. The day before we left home, I switched the regular handlebars of the 700X for the butterfly bars I tried on the Z Pro a while ago. To make sure I could keep riding, I put the regular handlebars in the car, just in case ....
We were very lucky with the weather again : although autumn had already started, we had mild late summer days. All of my riding was done with my new bike-sandals and short sleeved bike shirts, just to give you an idea. I did a total of almost 220 miles in 4 days, this was the first time I spent so many hours on a CF bike. More on that later.
Since I rode almost the complete Kylltal radweg earlier last week on my Z Pro, I did the other part between Lissendorf and Losheim ( I tried to find the source of the river Kyll, but couldn't find it). I was very glad that I had the 700X with me, for most part of this route is on gravel roads through the woods where it is impossible to ride a road bike. And a bit more challenging too since it's more uphill. On other trips, I rode the most part of the
Ahrtal Radweg and the Prümtall radweg. I really enjoyed these marked bicycle routes, for they take you to such beautiful places that you would miss if you stay on the main road. The 700X turned out to be the perfect bike to do so, since parts of the routes are on gravel and/or small dirt roads. This turned out to be no problem for the 700X, I even managed to leave another full suspended mountain biker in the dust on one of my trips (the fellow asked me to stop when I was waiting to cross the road to ask me all about my bike).
We were very lucky with the weather again : although autumn had already started, we had mild late summer days. All of my riding was done with my new bike-sandals and short sleeved bike shirts, just to give you an idea. I did a total of almost 220 miles in 4 days, this was the first time I spent so many hours on a CF bike. More on that later.
Since I rode almost the complete Kylltal radweg earlier last week on my Z Pro, I did the other part between Lissendorf and Losheim ( I tried to find the source of the river Kyll, but couldn't find it). I was very glad that I had the 700X with me, for most part of this route is on gravel roads through the woods where it is impossible to ride a road bike. And a bit more challenging too since it's more uphill. On other trips, I rode the most part of the
Ahrtal Radweg and the Prümtall radweg. I really enjoyed these marked bicycle routes, for they take you to such beautiful places that you would miss if you stay on the main road. The 700X turned out to be the perfect bike to do so, since parts of the routes are on gravel and/or small dirt roads. This turned out to be no problem for the 700X, I even managed to leave another full suspended mountain biker in the dust on one of my trips (the fellow asked me to stop when I was waiting to cross the road to ask me all about my bike).
Somewhere near Alendorf
I learned a couple of things : the butterfly bars are staying on the 700X. I finally found out why they did not work earlier: I put them upside down on my Z Pro ! It's only when I put the bars on my 700X the day before we left that I payed attention to the prints on the handlebar, that I realized that I had them upside down on my Z Pro. On the 700X it provides plenty of hand positions, especially when you ride up and down all the time. The butterfly bars did not feel more comfortable (or less uncomfortable) than the straight bars, so I'm gonna leave them on the 700X for now.
The other thing I found out was that you can get a sore butt on a CF bike. Although I've ridden both my CF bikes for a couple of hours before (meaning 3 hours + riding), halfway during my ride on the 3rd day, I noticed that my butt began to feel uncomfortable. I always ride my CF bikes with spandex running shorts and never felt the need for padded bike shorts before, but this time I did. I can't quiet explain what caused it, but both my sitting bones did hurt after that 3rd day of riding. Is it the 2 bolts that keep the carbon pan in place that I'm starting to feel through the after a while ? Could be .... I'm considering to put a small piece of foam between the pans cover and the carbon pan to see whether this will eliminate the feel of the two bolts. And maybe try a bib short again. Only time will tell.
Another thing I learnt on my last rides is that front suspension is not a bad idea for a CF bike at all. I was convinced that since less weight is put on the handlebars of a CF bike compared to a regular bike, there is no need for suspension. Boy, was I wrong ! On several downhills I had to work very hard to keep the front of the 700X steady and keep the bike in line. In fact, I'm considering switching the carbon fork for a suspension fork (although I really like the carbon fork !). I'll have some homework to do now ;-)
Anyway, I really enjoyed my last bike holiday in Germany. It's not that far away from home (only a 2,5 hour car drive away from where I live), you have miles and miles of bike lanes and bike friendly roads to discover (this was probably the 13th time we spent around Kronenburg and I still managed to find new roads and trails) and, maybe most important of all : you are treated like an equal sharer of the road when riding in traffic (meaning that German drivers do not cut you off or put you in any kind of danger like they normally do elsewhere). You should really try to ride your bike in the Rheinland Pfalz region of Germany !
Another thing I learnt on my last rides is that front suspension is not a bad idea for a CF bike at all. I was convinced that since less weight is put on the handlebars of a CF bike compared to a regular bike, there is no need for suspension. Boy, was I wrong ! On several downhills I had to work very hard to keep the front of the 700X steady and keep the bike in line. In fact, I'm considering switching the carbon fork for a suspension fork (although I really like the carbon fork !). I'll have some homework to do now ;-)
Anyway, I really enjoyed my last bike holiday in Germany. It's not that far away from home (only a 2,5 hour car drive away from where I live), you have miles and miles of bike lanes and bike friendly roads to discover (this was probably the 13th time we spent around Kronenburg and I still managed to find new roads and trails) and, maybe most important of all : you are treated like an equal sharer of the road when riding in traffic (meaning that German drivers do not cut you off or put you in any kind of danger like they normally do elsewhere). You should really try to ride your bike in the Rheinland Pfalz region of Germany !
Panorama near Birgel
