Any bicyclists out there?
jgibv
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 5,996
After riding my bike into work today, I got thinking "I wonder if there's a cycling thread on CCOM."
So I did some searching, didn't turn up much and figured us cyclists needed a thread to discuss all things bike related.
So who all rides and what are you guys ridin'?
What's your favorite riding - road, smooth trails, or "mountain" riding? Anybody bike to work?
I just got back into riding about 2 months ago after not being on my bike for about 2 years. My fiance didn't have a bike so we got one for her - Nishiki mountain bike, hard tail with front suspension fork.
We've ridden together about 6 times since then, anywhere between 4-12 miles. I've got in a few other solo rides too, I usually try to go about 10 miles.
And today was the first time I rode into work, on a workday. I had done a couple "practice rides" to figure out the route and timing - but it was finally cool enough that I could do it today without having to shower when I got to the office. It was a 6.8 mile ride, took me 33 minutes and I feel awesome! Great way to start the day.
And I'm riding a Specialized Hard Rock hard tail, front suspension fork. It's probably close to 7-8 years old now and still rides surprisingly well for it's age.
It needs a tune up though; chain needs greased, brakes need adjusted, derailuers need tuned, and I need to (at least) tighten the shifter cables - maybe replace them since they're the originals.
I've always taken it to the local bike shop in the past but want to learn how to do these things myself; any of you do your own bike maintenance? If so, any tips or good sites I should check out for a "beginners how-to guide."
Ride on!
So I did some searching, didn't turn up much and figured us cyclists needed a thread to discuss all things bike related.
So who all rides and what are you guys ridin'?
What's your favorite riding - road, smooth trails, or "mountain" riding? Anybody bike to work?
I just got back into riding about 2 months ago after not being on my bike for about 2 years. My fiance didn't have a bike so we got one for her - Nishiki mountain bike, hard tail with front suspension fork.
We've ridden together about 6 times since then, anywhere between 4-12 miles. I've got in a few other solo rides too, I usually try to go about 10 miles.
And today was the first time I rode into work, on a workday. I had done a couple "practice rides" to figure out the route and timing - but it was finally cool enough that I could do it today without having to shower when I got to the office. It was a 6.8 mile ride, took me 33 minutes and I feel awesome! Great way to start the day.
And I'm riding a Specialized Hard Rock hard tail, front suspension fork. It's probably close to 7-8 years old now and still rides surprisingly well for it's age.
It needs a tune up though; chain needs greased, brakes need adjusted, derailuers need tuned, and I need to (at least) tighten the shifter cables - maybe replace them since they're the originals.
I've always taken it to the local bike shop in the past but want to learn how to do these things myself; any of you do your own bike maintenance? If so, any tips or good sites I should check out for a "beginners how-to guide."
Ride on!
Comments
And in my book, everyone who rides one should be able to completely rebuild a bicycle on the side of the road. Ride them long enough, and the opportunity will arise. LOL.
Sadly my community's had two cyclist fatalities in the past 5 months, which is rather ironic because a committee was established two years ago in Newport, RI to make the community more bicycle friendly. One thing I've learned cycling around town is you really gotta watch your a$$.
One of my college buddies had a dual suspension mtn bike that he let me take off trail a few times, and it was so much smoother than my hard tail, i was amazed at the difference.
And that's why I want to learn how to work on it myself, at home, before I have a problem. I hope to start biking to work a few days a week and don't want to have to hike it or wait on a ride if a problem would come up, you know?
@ JCizzle - Never owned a Trek but I know they're great bikes; I was between Trek and Specialized when I bought mine.
My uncle lives in Phoenix and is always biking, even in the summer months when the temperature is ungodly hot...I don't know how he (or you) could do it, that's way too hot for me!
@ y2pascoe - I'm sorry to hear about the cyclist fatalities, that's truly sad. I've been to Newport a couple times and last time I was there I swore there were designated bike lanes on some of the roads....but I also remember some of the folks were driving like maniacs, I just can't understand why motorists aren't more vigilant and often have such a problem with "sharing the road".
One of the things I'd say to the OP is to check out your local REI - if you're not familiar with them, look it up... it's pretty much a cult, but one I'm glad to be a part of. Join the Co-Op ($20 for life), and you get stupid discounts on their classes - my local ones run classes all the time on bikes 101, bike maintenance, advanced riding, etc..
Do I really have to answer that...?
I ride my 9 yo Trek mtn bike. Try to get as many hills as possible. I love hills and single tracks. Aren't the dual suspensions harder to ride uphill?
While in school I was able to ride on campus and around town a lot, got a smaller 20" Kris Holm trials uni. But now I do not ride often. I would love to get a big 36" (basically the road bike of unicycles) Man, I do miss living so close to good trails. We did some pretty nasty stuff!
And thanks for the suggestion about REI, I've heard of them but we don't have one locally....
We do have some pretty good bike shops though so I might check them out to see if they offer something similar - I just always assumed that since they performed maintenance as part of the business, they wouldn't want to give away the "tricks of the trade."
But I did successfully adjust my brakes over the weekend after some tinkering and watching a couple YouTube videos - it turned out to be pretty easy and now the brakes are extremely responsive and feel brand new.
I want to adjust the derailleurs too but think that might be a little more complex
I've shopped around on a few website looking at the various styles/brands/models and have been reading articles on them but am a bit overwhelmed.
I need to stop at the bike shop and talk to a "professional" about the pedals, but probably won't be able to get over there for a couple weeks - so in the mean time I'll pose the question to you folks: does anyone have clipless pedals? If so, will you share some feedback?
Is there a noticeable difference in power/efficiency between standard and clipless pedals? Are they easy to clip in and out of - have you ever wiped out because you couldn't unclip your foot quick enough?
i usually ride "illegally" or in the urban jungle.
Kent State University has some good hills and steps and whatnot.
my neighborhood has a few elevation changes that are good. the downtown area in Cuyahoga Falls has a few good places and a few parks around here have areas that are good.
ill ride to the park, ride at the park, ride to another location, ride at that location, then ride home.
Most of the metro parks only have jogging/walking trails and all of the closest bike trails are flat & paved paths.
But it's still fun to hop on the paved trail, ride to a park or 2 and hit the "impromptu trails" then head home.
That's not as "mountain" like & technically challenging as the official trails I mentioned earlier, at Alum Creek State Park, but then again it sure beats having to pack the bikes in the car - and driving 30 minutes each way just to ride the "official trails."