by John | Nov 22, 2011 | Instructor Training, Spinning Class
Josh Taylor showing off their new Foot!
Spinner PRO/NXT/Blade feet that is.
While I was at Club Industry last month Josh Taylor walked me through a number of the improvements Star Trac has made to the new Spinner bikes/cycles. I'm never sure which word to use… they only have one wheel so technically they are “cycles” but I'm guessing you understand either way.
Providing a stable, secure platform for the riders in our classes is part of them actually enjoying the class. So if the cycle feels a bit tipsy because the floor isn't perfectly level, most manufactures offer adjustable “feet” on the bottom of each corner where you can make adjustments for an uneven surface. It sounds good in theory; put a rubber “foot” on a steel bolt, which is then screwed into the frame rail. Turning the “foot” changes it's length/height and you can easily adjust the bike to set flat on the floor.
But in real life that steel bolt tends to be corroded from sweat and nearly impossible to turn after a few years of use.
Enter Star Trac's very elegant solution; don't use steel, manufacture the bolt/foot adjuster from high-strength plastic. As you can see in this picture of Josh holding their new adjuster bolt/foot. Looking at the diameter of this thing makes me think it will support any giant who shows up at your studio.
One other thing: I'm aware of a club here in Minneapolis where they use the adjusters to tilt the cycle upwards slightly. I'm aware that cyclists on trainers will do something similar and the Tour de France bike you've seen advertised on Versus touts how their cycle tilts for and aft. Does it make sense to do this [wlm_firstname]?
by John | Nov 16, 2011 | Instructor Tips and Tricks
This can't feel right - and what is that white strap sticking out? Communicate it!
In my class this morning I noticed that the saddle on one of the Star Trac NXTs was way out of adjustment. Ouch! That can't feel good to ride on no matter male or female. When I got closer I noticed that there was a white strap sticking out from the slider adjustment mechanism. This is a common problem that Josh Taylor showed me is solved on the latest NXT/PRO/Blade model Spinning bikes.
To communicate a problem like this in the past, I would run around looking for a pen and something to write a note on. Then, if I wasn't distracted by anything, bring the note into our Dept Head's office, with the hope she could understand what I had written (I admit – I have some pretty crappy handwriting) and would have someone make the repair before the next scheduled class. Very inefficient and it maybe the reason why in the past my requests weren't acted on…
But not this morning 🙂
Today I just snapped a quick picture with my iPhone and texted it to her. This picture clearly shows both problems. My Dept Head can then forward the pic to the maintenance people. Total time; about 30 seconds!
While I was taking pictures I noticed how the chain adjuster on this cycle was near the end of it's rage of adjustment.
Clearly time for a new chain - before someone gets hurt.
So I clicked another pic and hit “send” for a second time.
