Kevin Durant, NBA superstar… and now avid cyclist

[PotomacCyclist]

For non-basketball fans, Kevin Durant is generally acknowledged to be one of the best young talents in the NBA, if not among the top 2 or 3 players overall. (He is also supposed to be a good character guy, from what I’ve heard.) You may have seen the new commercial in which he credits cycling for taking his game to another level. Even if you aren’t a basketball fan (I’m not a big fan myself), this further increases the prominence of cycling among those who might otherwise dismiss it as something silly. NBA MVP LeBron James is also known for his enthusiasm for cycling. He even sponsors a community bike event every year near Akron, OH.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7m-xs4mBTw

Some of the commenters harp on his bike fit, but he’s not riding a road bike. Plus, he may just look different on a bike because he’s so tall. I don’t think there are many pro cyclists who are 6′ 9″. Even Fabian Cancellara is just 6′ 1″. (I’m not knocking cyclists here. I’m well under 6′ myself.)

“I wanted to push myself. There’s no team to fall back on. No defender to stare down. Out here, it’s just me against my own will.”

Topic

[dasgeh]

Maybe if we took the Wizards out on some training rides, they’d win some games?

[PotomacCyclist]

The Wizards were respectable in the 2nd half of the season. It’s that first month or two that killed them, when John Wall was out with injury. I think they’ll be decent next year.

[JorgeGortex]

There is a small piece in the latest Outside magazine about Kevin and LeBron’s interest in cycling. They both ride in Critical Mass events in Miami. They just show and ride, no fanfare.

[krazygl00]

Conan Obrien is 6’4 and rides a Ti Serotta something-or-other*. Check out the EPIC head tube! I would be willing to bet that fork (its uber-long steerer tube) had to be custom made:

He was probably professionally fitted for that bike, but there must be something about the really tall guys that just makes them look not-quite-right on a bike.

Edit: Wow sorry about the HUGE picture
Second edit: * Looks like an Otrott

[ShawnoftheDread]

Conan is cool (in an anti-cool sort of way), but that picture of him might set cycling’s image back at least a decade.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Thread needs more Dempsey.

[vvill]

@ShawnoftheDread 48673 wrote:

might set cycling’s image back at least a decade.

[americancyclo]

@TwoWheelsDC 48675 wrote:

Thread needs more Dempsey.

This might get my wife interested in cycling.

[consularrider]

We could get in the way back machine and use:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2670[/ATTACH]

[OneEighth]

@krazygl00 48670 wrote:

Conan Obrien is 6’4 and rides a Ti Serotta something-or-other*. Check out the EPIC head tube! I would be willing to bet that fork (its uber-long steerer tube) had to be custom made:

He was probably professionally fitted for that bike, but there must be something about the really tall guys that just makes them look not-quite-right on a bike.

Edit: Wow sorry about the HUGE picture
Second edit: * Looks like an Otrott

Could have substituted a little seat to bar drop for that grotesque headtube. But hey, if it works for him, my two cents are just that.

[Tim Kelley]

Some of us are even taller than Conan and still manage to have normal looking head tubes:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2671[/ATTACH]

[OneEighth]

@consularrider 48685 wrote:

We could get in the way back machine and use:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2670[/ATTACH]

It’s all about the stache.

[Megabeth]

@Tim Kelley 48689 wrote:

Some of us are even taller than Conan and still manage to have normal looking head tubes:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2671[/ATTACH]

Always loved how ya’ll look all tough and aero and meanwhile there’s my little photobomb peace sign in the back wheeling along as if it’s a Sunday stroll in the park. Ha!

[Rod Smith]

Product placement (not his own bike)? The saddle was too low early but maybe sorted out by the end of the ad? Looks better in the last shot.

[bikenurse]

Conan just looks awkward and unhappy on that bike. It’s hard to look at.

[Author]

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