patrick schneider

I’ve updated the wobble board section of my website, which resides in the area dedicated to ProBodX.

There is now expanded information on how to make a wobble board yourself. Previously, I had just a snippet and some pictures. The pictures are still there
and haven’t changed, and hopefully the new explanation will help in understanding them.

The ProBodX system was written by Marv Marinovich and Edythe Heus. The basic, generalized idea of the exercise system is to combine lightly-to-moderately strenuous motions with an unstable base. The unstable surfaces are achieved through wobble boards, balance disks, slant boards, large PVC pipes, and exercise balls. This off-balance type of exercise, they contend, allow the nervous system to become integrated with the movements of the muscles and provide for a much more functional and usable type of stregth. Compared to conventional weight trainig which entirely isolates a specific muscle group, ProBodX is quite a novel and radical idea to fitness.

I’ve been using ProBodX for around a year and a half now, quite inconsistently. During the few consecutive week stretches that I have stuck with the program, the results have been fairly impressive, mainly in the realm of increased balance.

I’ve recently (for the past year) been in the market for a heavy-duty road bike/touring bicycle. There are a good number of them out there, but a lot of them are made by specialty companies and run in the range of several thousands of dollars. What’s more, local bike shops tend not to stock even the most basic touring bike, such at the Trek 520.

Anyway, Kona and Bianchi both have some interesting options that I asked my friend (who is a bicycle mechanic) to compare. He did a very awesome and very in-depth in his comparison of the ‘05 Sutra and the ‘05 Volpe, so I thought I’d post his thoughts for anyone else that’s interested. The two bikes I’m talking about are available here:

2005 Bianchi Volpe

2005 Kona Sutra

Those two bikes appear to be an interesting comparison.  You've
got a more classical design versus a more modern design.  So right
off the bat we've got a nice rift between the two.  

The first thing I see with both bikes is that the Kona has disc
brakes, and no options for other brakes.  I don't see any
cantilever posts, and the fork has the word "disc" in the name, so
I don't expect to find threads to insert any posts if you ever
want to use regular brakes.  Disc brakes in my opinion are more of
a headache than they're worth.  Plus these particular brakes are
cable drawn, which manufacturers began doing so that disc brakes
would begin to appear on lesser costing bikes.  You're not even
getting the full benefit with hydraulics.  Now the Bianchi has
cantilever brakes.  Nice and strong, they will allow wider tires
than road caliper brakes, and you're left with WHEEL OPTIONS.  You
won't be limited to disc-specific hubs.  You can build a
superlight wheelset for rallies, or you can run daily beaters
which it comes with.  You could even throw some linear pull brakes
on there for more power over the canti's, and even continue using
your standard pull STI brake levers with minimum modification.  As
for which is more reliable, disc or rim, I'm not sure.  I'd bet
though that there's as much chance of breaking a rim brake arm as
there is braking a disc pad caliper.  If you're running for three
weeks across a few states, either carry a few extra brake pads or
a spare rotor.  If I were running disc brakes on a touring bike,
they would have to be cable drawn, because bleeding brakes on the
side of the road is just stupid.  And a cable drawn disc brake is
stupid.  So my personal choice is to stick with rim brakes.

Next I see the differences in the two frame designs.  The
Bianchi's geometry is certainly relaxed from a racing bike, but
not quite as upright as the Kona.  The Kona has an extrememly
sloping top tube, and the cranks appear to be kicked a little
further out.  That's all good and fine for comfort, but I would
think it gives you less control.  I would wager that the Bianchi
probably rides more like a road bike, the Kona more like a
mountain bike.  In a perfect world there's a shop in Austin
carrying both Bianchi and Kona.  If so, go ride them both, one for
as long as they'll let you, and then the other for as long as
they'll let you.  See how they both feel, but try not to just
coast at five miles per hour doing quick turns in the parking
lot.  Although that may be your only option.

Those are the two most obvious concerns that stand out to me.
Frame design, because that determins what kind of bike you have,
and how it will handle undernieth you.  Then brakes.  Not becuase
brakes are so important, but because they affect the wheels.  And
wheels are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.  Plus the ease of regular
maintenance, and more critcally, roadside-friendly repairs.  

Aside from that I'd sum up the rest of the two bikes as the Kona
utilizing the most modern components, the Bianchi sticking to
classic work horse components.  That GXP crank on the Kona is
Truvativ's answer to Shimano's external bottom bracket setup.
Notice that it's hollow, you can see straight through it.  It
pushes the crank arms further away from the frame, which will
increase stability (great for off-road), but it's main goal is to
be lightweight.  Plus the design is brand new.  It has yet to
become a standard, or to flop.  The Bianchi has lower gearing on
the crank, and a very wide range cassette.  It is certainly more
cargo and touring friendly, and without bling-factor.  The only
thing I could set next to the bling category on the Bianchi would
be that suspension seat post.  I would trade it out for a regular
seat post.  The Kona has 105 shifters, the Bianchi has Tiagra.
Honestly, the Tiagra shifters are keeping the cost of the Bianchi
down.  The 105's are better, but you'll still get years out of
those Tiagras.  Maybe not as many as the 105's, but certainly your
money's worth.  And if you have a "new rider wreck" that will
graduate you into "experienced rider" (doesn't happen to many
people, but we see it with road bikes often enough), and you total
your shifters, you're breaking less, and possibly replacing it
with more.  Also, the Bianchi comes with clipless pedals, the Kona
does not.  They appear to be SPD style mountain pedals, but that's
okay.  Trade them out for some road pedals, or throw them on your
mountain bike.  

If I had to choose one of these two bikes, based on package only,
no money concerns, you can probably deduce from my comparison
which it would be.  If not, good.  That means my personal opionion
won't be contributing in any way to your method of balancing what
you think about the two versus what I think about the two.  

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention wheelbase.  I couldn't find a
geometry chart for the Kona that included wheelbase, if you do
email me a link.  The Bianchi does give wheelbase, and yes, it's
nice and long.  The Kona probably builds its long wheelbase with
that sloping top tube.  You'd ride a bigger number frame for the
Kona than you would the Bianchi, because the standover is so short
on the Kona.  You might ride the 55cm Bianchi, but a 58cm Kona.
Both will probably have a wheelbase about the same.  Unless Kona
is crazy and puts a short wheelbase on that bike.

So the smoking ban in Austin passed. It basically means you can’t smoke anywhere inside in Austin, period. Including bars. There is an exception, however. Bingo parlours.

How do you get such an odd “public health” policy passed?

My thought: old people go to bingo parlours. Old people vote. Some old people also smoke. Old people that smoke are not going to change their ways. (Old, stubborn, old & stubborn, crotchety, etc… did I mention old?) So, make an exception for them, and let them decide how the young ‘uns should live their nightlives.

I voted against the ban. Early. Personally, I don’t smoke. And I’m selfishly glad that I can now go out and come home without smelling like smoke. But a bingo exception? Seems a bit odd… does the Austin City Council value old peoples’ lives less? If the law is in the name of “public health”, it would appear so.

…today. I wound my way through downtown, through some residential areas, over on Lamar, up through some more residential areas, then up the Shoal Creek corridor. If you take a look at the Austin Bicycle Map, find Route 31, and you’ll have a good idea of my journey.

Today’s bicycle commuting stats:

• Miles: Approximately 14
• Time: 1 hr. 25 minutes
• Avg. Speed: need a computer
• Max Speed: need a computer

Hopefully I’ll be able to get better statistics when I invest in a computer. Anyway, I feel great and am ready to tackle the workday…

The ride from the office to campus was incredible. I took Shoal Creek Blvd. south; it covers nearly the entire route. On 38th & Lamar (a very busy intersection), I stopped and pulled out the Austin Bicycle Map because I was trying to stay on designated bike routes the whole time. It must have been pretty amusing to passersby. Or maybe not. Anyway, the commute took right at an hour with two stops. (The other stop was to fix the trunk which had fallen off.)

So about 3/4 of the way through judo, I hear my cell phone going nuts; one call after another. On the fourth set, I get annoyed, stop randori, and answer. Robin’s battery is dead. Glad I answered. Coached her through how to get back to my car and get me. Let the healing begin. I’m moderately impressed with the Jeep battery holder. Perhaps after years of working on the ‘85 Landcruiser, a taste of modern engineering…

So, no ride to work this morning. I did haul the Raleigh up in the back of the LC though; if the weather stays this gorgeous, I’ll definitely be riding home.

::Beck - Sea Change::

Well, with the rising cost of gasoline and my very fuel inefficient FJ60, I’ve decided to commute via bicycle as much as I am able. The ride varies from 15 to 20 miles, depending on the route. The 15 mile commute is residential and extraordinarily hilly, while the 20 mile commute happens mainly on a highway shoulder with a gradual incline.

At this point, I’ve only done the complete journey once (to work, in the morning). I’ve been riding elsewhere (to the store, to Robin’s apartment, etc.), though, to help build confidence while cycling in traffic. Today I drove to work, but I plan on cycling to campus for judo, home afterward, then back up to work in the morning. I’ll leave the LC at the office (it’s covered!).

I’ll follow up tomorrow with news on how the bicycle commuting is going. Hopefully I can add a section of the site (perhaps under DIY) on how my commuting venture is going.

Oh, currently I’m riding an ‘02 or ‘03 Raleigh M20. My dad won it as some kind of prize at one of the birding conventions he attended. The bike is nice enough (for being free!), but it’s undersized and under-capable for my purposes… I’m currently researching better options and plan on purchasing something new within a few months. Hopefully I can leave notes on that as well.