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Bicycle age
- Thread starter elrechazado
- Start date
Psychotext
Member
Surprised it would take you that long. These days I can do it in minutes.
jakonovski
Member
Are you guys trading euphemisms or something?
Yeah, it didn't take me long to install the mech and set the limits and alignment, but I skimped on not changing the cable to save time and didn't fit a new chain. Got a feeling those are contributing to the searching issue. I'll probably change the cable and chain tomorrow and be done with it. Need to double check the alignment of the hanger too - I can't believe it wasn't damaged somehow - the old mech is bent like a bastard. Must have been one hell of a force.
Psychotext
Member
I bought an alignment tool, I bend my mechs a lot.
How does it work?
Psychotext
Member
Bolt it on to the hanger and spin it around checking if the sideways bar meets the rim. If it doesn't, bend and repeat. Quite easy.
marimorimo
Member
To the guy wanting to put weights on his bike to be slower: I don't think it will slow you down significantly after you get rolling, especially on flat terrain. If you're doing a lot of hills, then it would most likely work.
How about challenging yourself by doing a different kind of training instead? Like: limit yourself to the inner cog and pedal only using the lower gears. Coast when you have spun out the gear. Heck, if you feel that's still too fast, how about doing one-legged pedaling drills on the road?
How about challenging yourself by doing a different kind of training instead? Like: limit yourself to the inner cog and pedal only using the lower gears. Coast when you have spun out the gear. Heck, if you feel that's still too fast, how about doing one-legged pedaling drills on the road?
Psychotext
Member
I already know it works by virtue of having gone out with that much weight on the bike (bikepacking). That was the whole reason behind trying to find a more balanced way of getting the weight on the bike.
Besides, slowing down on the flats is easy, going slow on the hills is another story.
Besides, slowing down on the flats is easy, going slow on the hills is another story.
Yep. Hanger was bent to buggery. The whole mech was toeing in.
Took the mech off and persuaded it square with a big adjustable spanner, checking the final fit with my DIY calibration tool (a length of fibreglass rod sitting in the drop-outs and a square plate for alignment. Perfect!
Took the mech off and persuaded it square with a big adjustable spanner, checking the final fit with my DIY calibration tool (a length of fibreglass rod sitting in the drop-outs and a square plate for alignment. Perfect!
Psychotext
Member
Adjustable spanner related... I trued my discs that way a few days back. They no longer touch my pads, but the discs wiggle like crazy now when you look at them close up. 
Hey guys firat time posting on this thread.
I'm going to be doing some courier work starting next week for some extra cash but also to take advantage and get in shape. I know how to ride bikes but have no idea of what's good and What isn't so I'm lookig for some help. Midtown and downtown manhattan will be where I will be doing deliveries.
What is the best starter bike for this kind of situation? My budget is from $200 to $400 and maybe $500 if absolutely necessary. I'm trying to learn about all the brands and stuff but my god there is just so much to absorb in such a short amount of time. Had no clue the Bicycle world was this complicated and expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P470E96/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030U8SU6/?tag=neogaf0e-20
So far these two have caught my eye but I would really like some of you experienced folks to guide me. Thanks!
I'm going to be doing some courier work starting next week for some extra cash but also to take advantage and get in shape. I know how to ride bikes but have no idea of what's good and What isn't so I'm lookig for some help. Midtown and downtown manhattan will be where I will be doing deliveries.
What is the best starter bike for this kind of situation? My budget is from $200 to $400 and maybe $500 if absolutely necessary. I'm trying to learn about all the brands and stuff but my god there is just so much to absorb in such a short amount of time. Had no clue the Bicycle world was this complicated and expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P470E96/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030U8SU6/?tag=neogaf0e-20
So far these two have caught my eye but I would really like some of you experienced folks to guide me. Thanks!
Psychotext
Member
Most couriers I know use shitty old bikes, generally single speed or fixie (the fashionable tossers on the latter). I'd be half tempted to grab something used.
I don't like buying used things. Never works out for me. I also don't mind investing on a decent bike because it won't only be used for courier sevices. That's only for some extra cash and I won't be working more than 3-4 hours a few times a week. Getting in good shape is more important to me but I'd just like to knock down 2 birds with one stone
Psychotext
Member
Fair enough, but one way or another you're going to need to learn how to maintain / fix a bike if you're going to be spending courier sorts of time on it. At it's heart a bike is a really simple bit of kit. Easy to check over for problems.
Phobophile
A scientist and gentleman in the manner of Batman.
I have a 5 year old Gary Fisher Tiburon and the stock hardware's seen better days (the front derailleur doesn't even shift into 2nd anymore). The frame's a bit heavy, but I like it for the mix of city and trail riding that I like to do, and I'm on a budget so I'm looking to just turn this into a Frankenbike. Any suggestions on affordable derailleurs and other hardware I would probably need? I wouldn't mind tires a bit fatter to handle dirt better, but I'm not sure if I can do that with the stock rims or if I'd have to get a couple new ones. I'm open to buying new rims, too.
Also, I'd like to get a rooftop rack for my 2012 Ford Focus hatchback. Any recommendations on that? Thanks.
Also, I'd like to get a rooftop rack for my 2012 Ford Focus hatchback. Any recommendations on that? Thanks.
Psychotext
Member
Before you assume that the derailleur has gone, have you replaced the cable?
If it wasn't returning to the inner sprocket it would be one thing, but not shifting up is usually because of cable stretch.
As for the rack... if you have to go that way, then Thule Proride is considered the gold standard. Towbar mount racks are better though (you will utterly annihilate your fuel economy with a roof rack model), and far more safe / secure. Maybe also consider something like this: http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products...nted-bike-carriers/thule-raceway-991-_-991000
If it wasn't returning to the inner sprocket it would be one thing, but not shifting up is usually because of cable stretch.
As for the rack... if you have to go that way, then Thule Proride is considered the gold standard. Towbar mount racks are better though (you will utterly annihilate your fuel economy with a roof rack model), and far more safe / secure. Maybe also consider something like this: http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products...nted-bike-carriers/thule-raceway-991-_-991000
Did you get some padded biking shorts? I'm not sure how I managed without them for a while, but I always wear some when I go out now.
Also, what bike did you get?
Psychotext
Member
Yeah, some padded undershorts will help. Your butt will HTFU eventually though.
Hey Psychotext, I think I'm just gonna take your advice afterall and go for a single speed bike. I was looking at a certain fixed gear model. Its a good price and has decent reviews. Tell me what you think
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CFDMQQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CFDMQQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Psychotext
Member
Can't fault it on looks. To be honest though, that side of the fence isn't my speciality. There are a few posters here who know that sort of stuff.
jakonovski
Member
That looks like a Chinese catalogue brand, so you could be getting a good bike or a bad bike, bit of a crapshoot really.
You should probably check out bike stores in your area first, could be you find a great bike there, singlespeed or otherwise.
davidnic
Member
I bought Thule roof racks for my VW Polo GTI Hatchback when I bought in 2013. I love them use them every weekend to go racing.
I use this ones,
www.thule.com.au/thule-wingbar
http://www.thule.com.au/details.php?p_id=805&listid=1&slistid=&seo=Thule_Rapid_System_754
http://www.thule.com.au/thule-outride-561
But before doing this go Thule site and do "Fit my Car" just make sure everything fits,
http://www.thule.com.au/fit-my-car.php
I also had cut about 5 cm (2inchs) of my bike carriers cause there hit my boot when it went up.
Psychotext
Member
Yup
will you be dealing with a lot of hills or is it relatively flat?
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I buy a lot of stuff online and through Amazon sight unseen, but I would never buy a bike this way. Especially not for a first bike. Go find a a place by you that sells bikes and look at them, take them for a ride, then buy something.
Gray Matter
Member
Having the saddle a bit higher does feel way better. The ride to work today was super smooth.
Psychotext
Member
It's well worth getting a bike fit, or at the very least, using something like this:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp
Gray Matter
Member
When I bought the bike, the fitting was purely visual, but I could tell that is not under/over sized.
Psychotext
Member
Looks like I might be doing Velothon Wales. Or trying to, don't know how my knee is going to stand up to that.
http://www.velothon-wales.co.uk/en/route/route-information/interactive-route-map/#map
http://www.velothon-wales.co.uk/en/route/route-information/interactive-route-map/#map
Looks great, how might you find yourself with an entry after it's been sold out? Charity entry?
Psychotext
Member
Someone pulled out so I've been offered the place. I might go and ride the tumble the week before to make sure I can handle it.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Should also be noted that any adjustments you made should be given at least a week to work themselves out. Some professional fits will have you come back in 2-3 weeks to reaccess your riding position. As you adjust your hips, shoulders, back, etc can move again. It takes some time to get something perfectly dialed in.
Phobophile
A scientist and gentleman in the manner of Batman.
Hmm, maybe I'll take my bike into a local shop and have them take a look. There's and affordable and honest one in my neighborhood I've been to a few times. If it just needs a tuneup, that's great. I'm willing to learn that stuff and to it myself, but I just don't have the time.
Bummer about the added drag from the rooftop racks. I hadn't thought of that. I get 38-40 mpg on the highway and I'd be miffed if I lost that.
Unfortunately, that fit my car is only on the Aussie website.
I'm not really a fan of those rear mounted bike carriers, either. What about getting a hitch installed? I know my car isn't rated for towing, but that shouldn't preclude me from getting a hitch for a bike rack.
Psychotext
Member
I lose about 5 to 8mpg with my bikes on the roof.
...and yeah, you could get a tow bar (hitch) fitted, though obviously that can be expensive.
opticalmace
Member
I used to mountain bike a lot. I haven't done it regularly since maybe 2011. I'm sort of thinking about getting back into it but apparently wheels larger than 26" are a common thing now? Can anyone fill me in on that stuff? Or maybe point me in the right direction...
Phobophile
A scientist and gentleman in the manner of Batman.
Is that just with the bikes on? Do you lose mpg with the rack empty? I'm fine with losing mileage with bikes on top since that's not a daily occurrence for me. It's a dealbreaker if I lose mileage during my daily commute.
davidnic
Member
You do use more km/L or mpg with the roof racks on with no bikes but isn't too much, I tink mine use .4 of Litre more per 100km. Any car is made as aero as possible by the manufacturer and any add-ons to any car will increase the kms\L or mpg.
29 was the big thing for a year and now it is 27.5. Next year 26 will be retro cool.
Anyone here have any experience flying with bikes? What sort of bags/cases do you use?
Psychotext
Member
There's really not much between them in terms of speed, but it's hard to recommend at 26er these days as companies are starting to stop making them.
Go with a 27.5 (650b) or 29er and you'll be fine. The difference isn't really worth going into, but generally if you do much twistier, tighter trails, the small wheel size is better. If you're doing more climbing and general cross country, the bigger wheel size is better.
1 or 2 mpg less with the bars on generally, though it depends on the bars. I have Thule Wingbars which are considered to be amongst the most aero you can get.
I generally try to hire when I'm there (I don't need my pride and joy smashed to bits), otherwise, one of these: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...es/product/review-evoc-bike-travel-bag-39710/
I tend* to fly solo, buy a bike there to use, then ship it back home..!
*I did this once.
jakonovski
Member
I got sick air on my bike once. It was rad.
Psychotext
Member
Hey Mascot, is it Slade Woods that's your local haunt? Been looking at various trails all day, trying to catch up on some long term route planning.
Indeed it is! Responsible for one chipped elbow, one (tiny) fractured coxxyx and one bent rear mech in the last month alone...
Heading down this way? Hit me up and I'll be your tour guide.
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