biking

[TurdBerglar]

I know a lot of you guys bike. what do you ride? how often? where do you ride? do you keep track of how many miles you ride a season? anybody ride seriously?

I have a 2011 trek top fuel which has almost all custom parts:
http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2011/large/topfuel8_silverblack.jpg

I ride a combination of road and steep trails. I try to ride at least 20 miles each ride. sometimes I hit 50 miles. the most I've ever ridden in one day is around 80 miles. that was a while ago when I would ride three times a day if I had the whole day off. last summer I rode 1100 miles. I use to ride 2000+ a year. i'd like to approach that again but I doubt I ever will. my riding season is usually from mid spring to mid autumn.

I have a bunch of old parts I've accumulated over the years that I plan to use to make a new bike. all I need is a frame. I just ordered this fame as a beater/spare/friend bike: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/22588-175_SETRK1-278-Frames--/Sette-Reken-Alloy-Hardtail-Frame.htm

[Adam]

I commute if that counts? 20 miles a day in total, five days a week. Sometimes out at the weekend. I love it.

I recently gave away my BMX to a charity recently and right now I just have one bike - a good practical hard tail and rigid forks commuter-cum-tourer bike. Like with the panniers, dynamo lights, all the mudguards etc

I want to get a bit more into hill training (London is too flat but moving back up north soon - I hope) and maybe something I could do a proper epic ride with that can handle a few dirt trails. I've had an eye on this 29er by Corratec (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75559). It's been on my shopping list of while but I am waiting for a voucher code to come my way first. I was always a little dubious about 29 inch wheels but I read some reviews and the concept I like - a comfortable long fairly easy ride at. Travel round the coast of the UK doing around 20-60 miles a day camping light is on my to-do list in the next few years.

[Dorothy Wood]

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/images/gal9_bignr.jpg

^I have that thing. I generally just use it as a mode of transportation. I bike almost everyday 6-20 miles, unless temps drop below 20. It's all city biking, mostly flat except for bridges over the river. My longest ride was 75 miles.

[miss soul fire]

I used to ride my bike every Sunday for about 6km, I guess, but I never really kept track of the time and kilometers. Recently I bought a polar watch, but I never used. I love riding my bike, but I feel lazy, very lazy.:/

[TurdBerglar]

I commute if that counts? 20 miles a day in total, five days a week. Sometimes out at the weekend. I love it.

I recently gave away my BMX to a charity recently and right now I just have one bike - a good practical hard tail and rigid forks commuter-cum-tourer bike. Like with the panniers, dynamo lights, all the mudguards etc

I want to get a bit more into hill training (London is too flat but moving back up north soon - I hope) and maybe something I could do a proper epic ride with that can handle a few dirt trails. I've had an eye on this 29er by Corratec (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75559). It's been on my shopping list of while but I am waiting for a voucher code to come my way first. I was always a little dubious about 29 inch wheels but I read some reviews and the concept I like - a comfortable long fairly easy ride at. Travel round the coast of the UK doing around 20-60 miles a day camping light is on my to-do list in the next few years.

29er's are more for more advanced trail riding. I don't really see why they'd make a 29er commuter bike. the whole reasoning behind larger wheels is that larger wheels roll over holes better. there's no reason for the added weight of 29inch wheels and the larger frame to accommodate them on a commuter bike(commuter bikes are already heavy enough). if you wanna go the 29er rout just get a basic hardtail cross country mountain bike. it may be expensive as 29ers haven't been around that long. affordable durable hardtails can weigh like 25lbs or less.

and for whatever reason commuter bikes are insanely over priced.

[TurdBerglar]

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/images/gal9_bignr.jpg

^I have that thing. I generally just use it as a mode of transportation. I bike almost everyday 6-20 miles, unless temps drop below 20. It's all city biking, mostly flat except for bridges over the river. My longest ride was 75 miles.

road bikes are so smooooooth and light. I just find them to be too twitchy. I've always wanted one but I spend too much time in the dirt to warrant one. I wish I could ride all year long. well I can. I just fucking hate the cold with a passion.

[TurdBerglar]

I used to ride my bike every Sunday for about 6km, I guess, but I never really kept track of the time and kilometers. Recently I bought a polar watch, but I never used. I love riding my bike, but I feel lazy, very lazy.:/

are polar watches one of those gps type things? there's these small gps devices that keeps track of where you went and how much change in elevation you experienced on your ride/run. you can upload it to your computer and it keeps track of what you've accomplished. they're huge motivators.

[abbott]

I have 2 bikes. I plan on selling one.

I have an altitude moniter coming cause I climb some hills and want to know.

[The Notorious LOL]

I have a newer Schwinn Frontier I got for free. Nothing amazing, but it works for now and Im going to convert it to single speed in the spring. I didnt really start biking until late last summer, and Im not sure why it took me so long to get into. Minneapolis is a very bike friendly city, so thats a huge plus.

Near the end of the year I was biking probably 25-30 miles a day a few times a week. I'll probably pick it back up as soon as the weather warrants it.

[TurdBerglar]

why a single speed? just curious. people seem to really like single speeds.

[TurdBerglar]

I have 2 bikes. I plan on selling one.

I have an altitude moniter coming cause I climb some hills and want to know.

altitude monitor? like you'd see in a plane? or is it like a gps type thing. I've been thinking about getting on of those for a while. I don't really climb up massive hills. but the constant up and down steep trail paths must add up and I'd love to know.

[The Notorious LOL]

why a single speed? just curious. people seem to really like single speeds.

less complexity I guess. The chain falls off my bike more than I'd like it to, and since the vast majority of the city is flat anyway...the extra gears arent a necessity. I used to think it seemed like a stupid gimmick until I used a friends single speed bike and I really liked it.

Fixed gear I'll never understand though.

[TurdBerglar]

this is the kind of riding that i do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqTAk7Npm_A

I live about five miles from this place. I haven't been there much and I don't really know why. im forcing myself to go there once spring hits.

another place where I ride is more technical than the above. maybe I can find a video of it.

[abbott]

there are several trails near my home.

I stay on asphalt 95% the time, but dont ride a 100 % road bike.

I average 2 days a week for 45 minutes. I ride about 5-10 miles. I might change 2000 feet in a ride so my ride is up and down.

I do have an alternative flatter rout and I guess it changes at least 750 feet. Here's the video of that path ... http://youtu.be/k1ew4UDqfgY

oh yea, check out the lightning stike at the very end... three bolts become one...

[TurdBerglar]

was that once a railroad track?

they do that around here. convert the old abandoned railways into bike paths. there's a real nice one a few towns up north that cuts through a couple typical picturesque new England college towns. it's real nice but there's always way too many people on it.

[abbott]

not a railroad. The city builds bike/walking tacks all over the city. There are 50 miles of connected bike trails around the city and along the river and they are building more.

[Guy Incognito]

i realise that i am going to lose a lot of the small amount of man points that i have but you are all fucking mental.

I respect your bravery and love of the thrill, i get all that but being in control of a big ass bike is not something i would ever want or enjoy.

Serious questions: does it not constantly worry you that you are more likely to have an accident than a motorist or that you are less protected? Does thinking about being safe lessen the enjoyment of it? Doesnt the restriction of most roads frustrate?

[TurdBerglar]

not a railroad. The city builds bike/walking tacks all over the city. There are 50 miles of connected bike trails around the city and along the river and they are building more.

that sounds great. if they built bike paths through my city the hoodrats would just use them as ambush points to jump people for their bikes.

[TurdBerglar]

i realise that i am going to lose a lot of the small amount of man points that i have but you are all fucking mental.

I respect your bravery and love of the thrill, i get all that but being in control of a big ass bike is not something i would ever want or enjoy.

Serious questions: does it not constantly worry you that you are more likely to have an accident than a motorist or that you are less protected? Does thinking about being safe lessen the enjoyment of it? Doesnt the restriction of most roads frustrate?

I've been biking my whole life. it's like an extension of myself. totally second nature as would anything would be if done that long. and these bikes, well the good ones at least, are very light and nimble. and I don't really see myself as doing anything really all that extreme. that video I posted is pretty much the extent of what I do. to me that's very tame compared to what can be done. my bike is a full blown full suspension mountain bike and it only weighs about 25lbs. so it's not this behemoth that you need to lug around. it's not any different than playing any other sport. the person playing the sport never really worries about the potential injuries or how crazy it may be because they've just been doing it their WHOLE life.

if you're freaked out by that shit you should check out downhill mountain biking. that shit is insane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByI0ifNXgY

[Dorothy Wood]

i realise that i am going to lose a lot of the small amount of man points that i have but you are all fucking mental.

I respect your bravery and love of the thrill, i get all that but being in control of a big ass bike is not something i would ever want or enjoy.

Serious questions: does it not constantly worry you that you are more likely to have an accident than a motorist or that you are less protected? Does thinking about being safe lessen the enjoyment of it? Doesnt the restriction of most roads frustrate?

Honestly, it can get scary and it is a dangerous way to travel (where I am). But I stay as safe as I can, bordering on paranoid. It's a dense city, so traffic is never really going so fast that you'd be critically injured if hit.

The risk is somewhat thrilling, I feel very empowered. Getting from place to place with my own energy, feeling strong. Especially since I started riding year round. I took the past 10 days off because it was below freezing and quite icy, but I rode about 10 miles last night. Still some ice and snow, but pretty clear roads. I have kevlar tires, and they're really grippy, I was nervous because they have no tread, but the flat smooth surface actually works better in slick conditions.

Plus it's like, okay, I could've taken a cab to the show I went to last night, would've taken 20 minutes would've cost $15 or so...or I could've taken two trains for $2.25, 45 minutes to an hour travel time, plus about a half mile of walking. Or, I could walk out my door with my bike and get to the show in a half hour for free and also have a ride home. Fashion choices are limited of course, but I make it work.


Biking gets easier and more enjoyable with practice. My bike is not very big and pretty simple to operate. The key is finding one that fits. My mom never rides her bike, I tried to ride it and it was like pedaling through molasses. I keep trying to tell her that the bike sucks, but she just thinks I'm a snob. heh. Maybe I'll buy her a good bike for her birthday so she will listen to me for god damn once. :P

[The Notorious LOL]

i realise that i am going to lose a lot of the small amount of man points that i have but you are all fucking mental.

I respect your bravery and love of the thrill, i get all that but being in control of a big ass bike is not something i would ever want or enjoy.


who cares

[Guy Incognito]

nothing like taking a half a post and having a go.

as for the real answers, thanks. I suppose i have thought about it too much to ever be comfortable on a bike. But fair do's if you enjoy it

and who cares? lots of people worry about people on bikes. I imagine members of your family for starters

[Yeti]

was that once a railroad track?

they do that around here. convert the old abandoned railways into bike paths. there's a real nice one a few towns up north that cuts through a couple typical picturesque new England college towns. it's real nice but there's always way too many people on it.

The best rail trail I have ever biked was along the Greenbrier River on West Va. Rail trail biking is fun for me because it is easy but it is also a great workout. Also, my 6 year old can come along. I still want to do the Creeper Rail Trail in Abington, Va.
http://www.vacreepertrail.com

http://www.greenbrierrailtrailstatepark.com

[TurdBerglar]

the creeper trails looks amazing

[Yeti]

The Virginia Creeper trail is supposed to be awesome. There is an incline going one way and they say once you get to the end you can almost coast back the other way. It is about 5 hours from my house so this summer we are thinking of renting a cabin or something.

[TurdBerglar]

I want this thing but it's way over priced :mad:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=69043

[TurdBerglar]

so I just got an older used version of the thing I posted above from ebay. it's pretty cool. it came with a heart rate monitor that I wasn't expecting. apparently I have a very low resting heart rate of around 60bpm. I wonder what I can get it down to after I really start riding this spring.

[TurdBerglar]

I need to find out how to prevent leg cramps. eating bananas and stretching before a ride doesn't seem to help and I drink a ton of water. I seem to get cramps before I've exhausted myself. I normally ride till complete exhaustion and have a difficult time even standing. but sometimes leg cramps prevent me from using up all that I have and have to quit early. really sucks when each muscle and its opposite muscle decide to cramp up and you're locked into this really stupid position and people are looking at you like you're some sort of dipshit.

[Helvete]

http://www.moredirt.co.uk/bikes/16965.jpg

Used to have this one until someone stole it. Can't bring myself to spend that money on a bike again but managed to pick myself this one up quite cheap instead.

http://www.beelinebicycles.co.uk/medialibrary/_shadowboxbig/2011/10/18/58a685cc/Trek%206300%20Disc%202012%20WhiteSilver.jpg

I used to do a lot of road riding around the city when I lived there, did it more for the thrill of being a complete dickhead through the traffic than anything. Did a bit of downhill but my bike wasn't a hardcore downhill bike and I wasn't good enough to enjoy it. I prefer just riding trails through woods, nothing too crazy. The base I am at for the next few months has some really good tracks that people come from miles around to visit, so should be able to get some good time on the bike then.

[TurdBerglar]

those are both great bikes

[Helvete]

I loved the first one, cost me well over 1000 GBP, seemed to get quite a lot of punctures on the back though! That's what happens with skinny rims and wide tyres I suppose. The second I just happened to know someone who was selling it, think it was almost a grand when new (900?) but was in great condition and got it for a good price. I missed being able to ride about off road just having the road bike, so when it came up, just had to get it!

[HEIRESS]

I've been riding a piece of shit I got for 15 bucks at a garage sale for the past few years, it was a heavy as hell venture from the 80's. My gear cables snapped last summer but I was too cheap to get them fixed so I continued to ride it regardless.

I just got a job that I expect to cycle to for most of the next 6-8 months, about 18 km round trip.
I picked up a "new" bike 2 weeks ago for 200 bucks, it's old but the guy put all new cables, brake pads and wheels on it plus it came with fenders so I'm good to go. I'm just excited to have a more road-worthy bike, even an old one, because it will be like peddling through hot butter compared to the tank I was riding a good 10+km/day before.

Looks exactly like this (http://pistescyclables.ca/bikes/VA839/000_0001.jpg), not sure of the year etc though.
I believe it's a 6 speed, again, I'm no expert I just adore the freedom of having my bike as a reliable mode of transportation. Winters around here are pretty brutal, but I can't wait to start biking everywhere again in a few weeks. :D

[TurdBerglar]

I loved the first one, cost me well over 1000 GBP, seemed to get quite a lot of punctures on the back though! That's what happens with skinny rims and wide tyres I suppose. The second I just happened to know someone who was selling it, think it was almost a grand when new (900?) but was in great condition and got it for a good price. I missed being able to ride about off road just having the road bike, so when it came up, just had to get it!



those punctures were probably caused by not having enough air in them. called a pinch flat. basically if there's not a enough pressure, it allows the tire/tube to roll over and crinkle up on itself and it pinches a hole in the tube.

[TurdBerglar]

I've been riding a piece of shit I got for 15 bucks at a garage sale for the past few years, it was a heavy as hell venture from the 80's. My gear cables snapped last summer but I was too cheap to get them fixed so I continued to ride it regardless.

I just got a job that I expect to cycle to for most of the next 6-8 months, about 18 km round trip.
I picked up a "new" bike 2 weeks ago for 200 bucks, it's old but the guy put all new cables, brake pads and wheels on it plus it came with fenders so I'm good to go. I'm just excited to have a more road-worthy bike, even an old one, because it will be like peddling through hot butter compared to the tank I was riding a good 10+km/day before.

Looks exactly like this (http://pistescyclables.ca/bikes/VA839/000_0001.jpg), not sure of the year etc though.
I believe it's a 6 speed, again, I'm no expert I just adore the freedom of having my bike as a reliable mode of transportation. Winters around here are pretty brutal, but I can't wait to start biking everywhere again in a few weeks. :D

if your bike is the same age as that bike in the pic it's probably from the 70's/early 80's.

well at least the 80's

[TurdBerglar]

this was my last ride. I went to that state park I mentioned earlier in this thread. the place is amazing.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/312878442#

[Dorothy Wood]

I want this bike now:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_stripper.htm

I'm sick of my gears! I don't even know how to use them, so I never do :(
I would have a freewheel and brakes though, no fixie for me, too much stopping to do in the city.

[abbott]

Fuck yes. I like the color

[TurdBerglar]

i couldn't survive biking without gears. i have a 27 speed and use nearly all those speeds. 30 speeds are now what you'd get a on top line mountain bike.

and that bike is pure class. it looks like it could weigh as little as 15 pounds if made from the right aluminum.

[TurdBerglar]

well my riding season is well over. I hit 1400 miles this year. I'm fairly happy with that. I could have probably hit 1500+ if wasn't such a fucking pussy when it starts to get colder. people that are crazy serious about riding can hit huge numbers like 20,000 plus miles. I think I pushed myself harder this year than I have ever. that GPS cylcocomputer is a huge motivational tool. it tells you how much of a piece of shit you're being. letting you know that you're not going as hard as you actually can.

[abbott]

im still riding the Big Ripper, but I have put a few custom touches on it, like a mirror and a bell. Some people say you shouldn't put a bell on a big ripper, but I say you need a bell, or a fog horn.

Still have my 29 Marlin SS also, but I should sell it as I havent touched it for a year.

[cosmo105]

Man I wish biking in LA wasn't so completely terrifying. I used to ride all the time when I lived in a quieter neighborhood and now I live near much busier streets and no one knows how to drive around cyclists. There are a few dedicated lanes and even a path or two but getting to them is pretty gnarly.

I recently took the retractable rear wire baskets off the back of my old-ass Trek and though I do love how much lighter my bike is I miss having sweet baskets when I needed them for groceries and books and stuff. They looked so damned cool.

Oh, also, on the most recent CicLAvia I rode the subway next to a guy who had the most amazingly beautiful tricked-out bike I'd ever seen. Deep wood paneling everywhere, plaid cloth padding, a wooden 6-pack holder with the LA symbol worked into the metal frame, and a fucking flask holder in place of a water bottle holder. It was glorious. He beamed when I told him how nice it was and said it was "a lot of fun to put together."

Bikes!

[ericg]

i used to bike everywhere in arcata, ca. but i had to leave so i gave it away.. cost me 400 used. it was like 1500 new. the cheapest new bike they had for sale in arcata was 700. just crazy.

[TurdBerglar]

Man I wish biking in LA wasn't so completely terrifying. I used to ride all the time when I lived in a quieter neighborhood and now I live near much busier streets and no one knows how to drive around cyclists. There are a few dedicated lanes and even a path or two but getting to them is pretty gnarly.

I recently took the retractable rear wire baskets off the back of my old-ass Trek and though I do love how much lighter my bike is I miss having sweet baskets when I needed them for groceries and books and stuff. They looked so damned cool.

Oh, also, on the most recent CicLAvia I rode the subway next to a guy who had the most amazingly beautiful tricked-out bike I'd ever seen. Deep wood paneling everywhere, plaid cloth padding, a wooden 6-pack holder with the LA symbol worked into the metal frame, and a fucking flask holder in place of a water bottle holder. It was glorious. He beamed when I told him how nice it was and said it was "a lot of fun to put together."

Bikes!

they just started painting in bike lanes in my city. funny thing though is that they've started installing them in the affluent suburban areas where people getting around on bikes is more for fun. bike lanes aren't even needed in these areas. they should be in the downtown areas where they could actually serve a meaningful purpose.

there's a bike path that runs up and down the river. they've even installed substantial bridges to cross RR tracks. this path could be used as like a central thruway with offshoots every few blocks. nobody uses this thing. I don't think anyone knows it's there.

[Dorothy Wood]

My dumb city puts in fancy protected or extra wide bike lanes in spots where it's never that dangerous to bike anyway. And then neglect the major roads that've had bike lanes or a shared lanes for years...they're all potholed up.

I ride on a busy road over a scary bridge every day almost. No bike lane. Im so used to it, I manage to avoid danger by anticipating shitty driving behavior. Like basically always expecting to get hit by cars at every intersection. It's pretty nuts how many people run lights or turn in front of oncoming traffic with no regard (usually while talking on a cell phone).

I ride through the winter, it was 20 degrees the other night though and I wasn't prepared so my gloves were too thin and my hands froze up and it was so painful I almost cried. And so I chickened out riding today, took the bus. Good thing I did, several people I know bit it while riding today. but if you have the right gear it's not so bad. Kinda liberating at times.

[TurdBerglar]

riding over bridges is nerve racking. especially when it's windy and you're right up against the railing and you're a fucking million feet above the water. the only three bridges that cross the river all have nearly meaningless sidewalks on them, though. I wouldn't even attempt it if there wasn't any sidewalks.

the bridge sidewalks are always covered in broken bottles, used condoms and puke. there must be some crazy bridge parties going on.

[Dorothy Wood]

Oh my bridge is pretty short and not very far above water. It's scary because it's a 4 lane road with no shoulder and a 12" curb. On the way to work, I ride with traffic, on the way home at night I ride on the sidewalk. It's right by a big shopping area so I feel like people drive extra shitty going that direction and fly over the bridge without paying attention regardless of the time of day though.

[TurdBerglar]

yeah all three bridges are connected to a highway on the other side through a rotary with on and off ramps that you have to cross. definitely not fun. I don't ride to that side of town very much.

[TurdBerglar]

so I was trying to pass this guy. he was going along at a decent clip. I chased this mother fucker for like 2 or 3 miles trying to pass him! I could not catch up with him! he was perpetually 100 feet in front of me! he was going so effortlessly. peddling so slowly. It was completely fucking with me that this shmuck I could not catch up with. it was maddening. he was just some average joe and I couldn't pass him :(. when I finally caught up with him he had one of those FUCKING ELECTRIC MOTORS attached to his bike! I was all like... CHEATER! you son of a bitch!. he just laughed at me and zoomed off while I nearly died. cocksucker. :mad:

[Dorothy Wood]

hahahaha!

I wonder what an electric bike would feel like to ride? Seems kinda weird, but it would probably be fun. I wonder if you could use it long distance.

I did NOT ride through the winter this past year. It was too cold. My boyfriend did and I thought he was nuts. But he did it, even when it was like -5 degrees. The power of wool+body heat, I guess. brrr.

I thought it'd be tough getting back to biking, but I'm doing alright. I think because my workplace changed and I began having to stand up for 8 hours a day, and run up and down stairs, I stayed in decent shape through the winter. Still haven't had a good long ride yet though.

I still want that bike I posted!

[TurdBerglar]

those electric bikes seem to have more power than those shitty vespa type scooters. those douche bags on the scooters try to race me sometimes.

[ms.peachy]

I have had an ebike for a litle over a year now and it rules. Can't imagine life without it now. But it's different over here of course, car drivers and bike riders are used to sharing the road and you don't have the crazy antagonism here like you do in the US or UK, where each one hates giving the other any space., Here you just... go. It's a little unnerving in that cars will ride up quite close to you esp coming up on that left flank, but they're not trying to mess with you, they're just there because in the older parts of the city, the streets are narrow and that's just where its at.

[HEIRESS]

Just bought last year's model in black (http://www.marinbikes.com/ca/bikes/description/2014-kentfield-cs2)

It is nice to ride a bike that isn't 30 years old for once :D

[TurdBerglar]

the thing looks crazy light

[MC Moot]

My fave ride/route ever...

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10203876986225301&set=pcb.10203877004105748&type=1&theater

[HEIRESS]

It is sooooo light and lovely.

I still have my old tank bike from the early 80s in case I am riding to a destination where it's a bit sketchy locking up a bike outside, so I especially notice the difference when I switch between the two.

Ottawa definitely has an awesome system of recreational pathways (http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/image-full/uploads/page/images/IMG_0060_0.jpg), dedicated bike lanes throughout the city are a bit scarce though, sadly.

[TurdBerglar]

My fave ride/route ever...

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10203876986225301&set=pcb.10203877004105748&type=1&theater

this isn't working

[RobMoney]

My house backs up to New Hampshire's largest state park, Bear Brook State Park. (http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-new-hampshire/trail/bear-brook-state-park-mtn-bike-trails/prd_168934_4563crx.aspx)
So I got this Trek (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152299083814032&set=a.403799744031.178241.781729031&type=1&theater) this weekend to start exploring it.
The wife picked out this Trek (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152644778857577&set=pcb.10152644780737577&type=1&theater).

[TurdBerglar]

none of these facebook links work for me

[RobMoney]

Here's mine. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/imagejpg1.jpg)
Here's my wife's (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/imagejpg2.jpg)

[TurdBerglar]

a friend of mine bought a trek very similar to yours a couple of years ago. great bike for the price. I really like the colors. is it a 29er?

[RobMoney]

Yeah, it's a 29. I paid $680 I think.
I rode a Haro and a Specialized before settling on the Trek. It just felt the best.
Just took it on some trails behind my house. Soo much fun.

[TurdBerglar]

I want a 29er. when I got a new bike in 2011 I didn't even know 29ers were a thing yet. they were still new. had I known about them then I definitely would have gotten one. they're suppose to be so much smoother and better with the rough stuff.

in the last few years there's been a lot of changes with the standards that tend not to change very often.

[RobMoney]

The path I just rode was a little "rooty". I really liked how the suspension handled them.
I'm happy with the bike.

I'd like to outfit the bike with a wireless computer and an emergency kit saddle bag soon.

[TurdBerglar]

I keep all my emergency stuff in my camel back(small backpack that can hold water). tubes, a small tire pump, a pump for my shocks(I have air shocks) and various essential tools. everything I need fits in this small backpack. holds two liters of water as well. very much worth the prices they can be.

you can get a decent WIRED cyclo-computer for like 20 bucks. If you wanna go all out you can get gps computers that are fucking awesome. Garmin has a few models. I have one and I love it. they're really pricey new but I got mine used off of ebay.

[Dorothy Wood]

I fell two times in the past 3 weeks after riding incident-free for a few years. The first was just a dumb topple over because the person ahead of me was too slow and I lost my balance going up a small incline, ended up with nasty bruises, but overall was fine. Yesterday I caught my back wheel in a groove between pavement and a railroad track and got whipped to the ground. I cracked my helmet in a few places, got a lump on my head and a scrape near my temple. Minor bruising otherwise. If I hadn't have been wearing a helmet, I probably would've been knocked out or worse, strange to think about. I rode 5 miles back home and took it easy. Today I feel like I got whiplash, and my hearing and sight are really sensitive. I don't think I'm concussed, but I definitely jostled my brain.

I'll go back out soon enough, but I'm thinking maybe I should get thicker tires because I'm not racing, I'm on very bumpy shitty streets. And also I will not try to hop over rails parallel to my direction. And always wear a helmet! I'd been tempting fate a few times without one lately, it's like the universe was like "fuck you!"

[TurdBerglar]

trying to cross a ridge parallel to your tires can be very tricky sometimes! you don't even realize it then all of a sudden your back wheel gets kicked out from underneath you. for whatever reason the small towns around here all have these weird curbside drainage grates that are different than any others I've seen. the grating is just wide enough and long enough for your tires to slip right in and get wedge. road bike wheels would probably just slip right in.

I've never worn a helmet. it get this strange sweat rash and then my hair falls out. just get some on road mountain bike tires if your rims are wide enough for them.

[RobMoney]

Got Bontrager bike computers installed this weekend. I'm not thrilled w them. May need to upgrade to a Garmin in the near future. Also got a new gel saddle for my fat ass. Soo much better than the old stiff saddle that came w the bike.
I've been tackling some of the trails in the 10k acre state park behind my house. I usually get out everyday around 9am for about an hour before the weather starts getting hot.
There's an endless amount of trails to ride in this park.

[TurdBerglar]

insanely jealous of having a state park in your backyard. you don't even know.

[TurdBerglar]

who wants a 16,000 dollar bike?

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/performance_race/emonda/emonda_slr_10_h1/#

ten pounds what the fuck

[TurdBerglar]

I bashed the fuck out of my knee, broke a rib or two, and got road/dirt rash all over my knees and elbows and somehow my fucking armpit. couldn't bend my knee for like a week. totally swollen and sore. couldn't laugh or sneeze or cough or breath deep for like three weeks without feeling like my ribs were going to crack. my ribs still hurt.

this crash was probably the worst crash I've ever had.

I don't even know what happened. all of a sudden I noticed I've was bailing hard straight into the dirt right before a foot bridge down this sweeping banked turn. tumbling like crazy. good thing I decided to start wearing a helmet this year.... felt my head bouncing off various roots and rocks. when I finally came to a stop I was splayed out half on the bridge and half in the muck. thought I broke my knee cap because I had this deep gash on my knee and it looked like my knee cap was split in two and my leg locked up immediately. the shock must have triggered bad muscle spasms. realized I was somewhat ok dusted myself off and continued on. I must have being going about 20mph.

asked a couple the young girl lifeguards at the swimming hole at the start park I was in if there was any running water nearby so I could clean my wounds out. I must have freaked them out. I was covered in dirt and blood. they were just looking at me all like.... uhhhhhhh.

all in all a good ride that day...

[Lyman Zerga]

damn

[TurdBerglar]

do you have any idea what it's like to have road rash in your fucking armpit? the busted ribs aggravated me less.

[TurdBerglar]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Um03RJO7E

[TurdBerglar]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOgSKNQDPVM

[TurdBerglar]

This is my secondary bike that I've mostly built from spare parts and an inexpensive frame. Has a carbon fork and disc brakes. Really smooth and stiff city bike.

http://s986.photobucket.com/user/Rootdown4594/media/WP_20151126_15_02_23_Pro_zps1ftzvqfs.jpg.html

[TurdBerglar]

http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331754023802/red-bull-rampage-2015-nicholi-rogatkin-crash

[TurdBerglar]

Anyone use Stava?

https://www.strava.com/athletes/wheelsmith

[Dorothy Wood]

No stava here, but weird this thread was bumped because I was coming here to ask about bikes because I was thinking of getting a new one, and my bike heard me and was like "fuck you!" *flat tire*, so now I'm on a bus.

Anyway I was also thinking I might buy a truck...so I shouldn't buy a new bike probably. Or I could just buy a bike. Can't decide.

[TurdBerglar]

what were you going to ask?

[Dorothy Wood]

ha, I forgot.

but what about this bike http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/fixed/fixed-uno-riser-2015

I might get that guy

[TurdBerglar]

Honestly that bike is a little style over substance. specifically made to appeal to too cool for school hipsters with money to burn. so it's grossly overpriced. especially considering its lack of drivetrain components since it's a single speed. you can get a much better/more comfortable/faster/durable bike in that price range it just won't be as classic and pretty or cool.

it gets it's classic look from using out dated engineering.

It's definitely not a bad bike but you can do better for the price.

[TurdBerglar]

http://s986.photobucket.com/user/Rootdown4594/media/WP_20151126_15_02_23_Pro_zps1ftzvqfs.jpg.html


That^ is a very appropriate city bike. I built this one up myself but you can get something similar to that in any decent bike shop from around $500-$700 considering components.

[Dorothy Wood]

Honestly that bike is a little style over substance. specifically made to appeal to too cool for school hipsters with money to burn. so it's grossly overpriced. especially considering its lack of drivetrain components since it's a single speed. you can get a much better/more comfortable/faster/durable bike in that price range it just won't be as classic and pretty or cool.

it gets it's classic look from using out dated engineering.

It's definitely not a bad bike but you can do better for the price.

Ok, interesting take. I didn't realize it was for hipsters. Saw it in a shop on sale, liked the green, but thought maybe had too many logos.

I do want a single speed. I don't know if I can give up the classic look, but maybe I should for performance sake. I should talk to my friend who is a bike mechanic. I could just get something built. I don't know why I haven't. Just seems intimidating for some reason.

[TurdBerglar]

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/city-bikes/urban-commuter-bikes/allant/c/B445


http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/city-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/c/B421


Those two bikes are perfect for city riding. I especially like the Allant 7.2 because of the disc brakes. disc brakes are a HUGE improvement especially in the wet. water and rain has no effect on them whatsoever. if you don't want to spend the 600 for the base model Allant, the FX is basically the same thing minus the disc brakes. If you scroll though the page the base model FX is like 400 bucks and a totally fine bike that will last forever. the FX range also offers frames that are specifically designed for women's proportions. I'm not talking about the sloped top tube models. there's no point to that other than to appeal to people who want a "girls" bike. it's actually less than ideal to build a frame like that.

every major bike manufacturer that you'd find in a proper bike shop pretty much offers the same thing. doesn't really matter which manufacturer you go with, they essentially all offer the same things.

Single speeds are tough because they're kinda niche and trendy right now. there's always a markup on ANYTHING niche and trendy. or the complete opposite of making a totally crap bike that's a single speed/fixie hoping that its trendiness with be the appealing factor of selling it to unsuspecting people who think they're getting a neat and nifty and cool bike.

STAY AWAY FROM FIXIES. no point whatsoever in a bike that doesn't have a freewheel and can't coast and you have to pedal at all times. I don't get it at all.

building up a bike will cost a lot more but you'll get exactly what you want.

[Dorothy Wood]

Yeah I'll stay away from fixies. I like pedaling backward too much, when I can't I feel like I'm stuck and I'm gonna fall down.

I just have to go talk to the bike guy. He built up a bike for my dude for around 400. Vintage frame that is weirdly lightweight, single speed, pretty generic wheels, but good quality. It's fast, I have a hard time keeping up.

I for some reason can't get the hang of changing gears, I just like bikes to feel consistent. I will probably keep my bike with gears for a winter beater. I was able to ride most of the winter this year, but I'm destroying the bike. :/

[TurdBerglar]

if you can get a pieced together quality vintage bike with Shimano or Campagnolo(campy) components built by an actually bike tech for 400 bucks in good condition, don't fucking hesitate.

have you ever used newer shifters? they're incredibly easy and smooth to use.

Road Shifters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YYzVjWDJy0

Mountain Shifters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dil-Lyr3bPI

[TurdBerglar]

Just bought this:

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2014/12/03/1417566399129-1huboh8277338-960-540.jpg

Got a really good deal on it because it was last years model and is a weird color(they call it snozzberry).

[Bob]

i started biking and it kind of rules

i was scared of it for a long time because boston streets/drivers are awful, just awful, but i've dipped my toes into the water with hubway (those public short term commuter rental bikes all over the city) and i'm gonna get a bike of my own soon

it's nice because i live 7 miles away from work, which is a good distance for biking and now i can get decent exercise just from commuting

haven't had any "oh shit i'm going to die" moments yet and i've been at it long enough to get some confidence

basically the trick is to know that 99% of cars are going to do their best to avoid killing you (if only to avoid the paperwork) and to just keep your eyes open for the other 1% and ready to dodge

[TurdBerglar]

I can't even imagine biking through boston. it's treacherous just on foot.

Eventually you develop this sixth sense of the cars around you. kinda just know what they're about to do before they actually do it. be very weary of young women drivers. not cautious at all. young men drivers are reckless but they at least notice you.

[ericg]

i got turned on to biking even more when RAD came out.. always wanted a Haro cuz the guy with the blue and white magged wheels was so awsome in the beginning of the movie. (they were all awesome!)
the last bike i had was a great mountain bike i rode everywhere in arcata, california when i was going to college there. i miss that bike.
anyway...

[Bob]

I can't even imagine biking through boston. it's treacherous just on foot.

Eventually you develop this sixth sense of the cars around you. kinda just know what they're about to do before they actually do it. be very weary of young women drivers. not cautious at all. young men drivers are reckless but they at least notice you.

Yeah the idea of it freaked me out for the longest time and I never would've imagined myself doing it, but something changed one day and now I'm giving it a try. mostly i'm just tired of the T

I'm still really careful about which roads I go down, some are better than others. And I'm still a coward that hops off the bike and crosses on foot at some of the hairer intersections. But if you plan it out in advance enough, you can pick a route with long straightaways on roads with bike lanes (such as they are) and you can get where you're going about as fast as you would if you took the T.

It also helps that there are lots of other bikes out there on the road, so usually you can just follow someone who looks like they know what they're doing and now cars are half as likely to not see you

[Adam]

It also helps that there are lots of other bikes out there on the road, so usually you can just follow someone who looks like they know what they're doing and now cars are half as likely to not see you

This is what makes London a joy to ride in. The infrastructure is slowly getting better but it was always safer than the shitty backwards city I live in now even though it has less traffic because there is safety in numbers. There are always enough people around that regular drivers in London expect someone to be there. Tourists are a problem but it's hard to educate them because they are either looking up at buildings or looking down at phones - never what's in front of them.

[Dorothy Wood]

if you can get a pieced together quality vintage bike with Shimano or Campagnolo(campy) components built by an actually bike tech for 400 bucks in good condition, don't fucking hesitate.

have you ever used newer shifters? they're incredibly easy and smooth to use.

Road Shifters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YYzVjWDJy0

Mountain Shifters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dil-Lyr3bPI


I have the road shifters, I still never use them! ha. Actually now one is fucked because someone hit my bike when it was locked up outside during a storm. I need a new bike soon, I just keep putting it off because my bike, even beat up, is still rolling along just fine. I just like the geometry of it. I have thought about getting some kind of heavier duty bike simply because the city streets are so rough. I feel like I'm riding on an obstacle course, a really shitty obstacle course. Fuckin rocks and crags and potholes, sink holes, sand pits, dust. Whoever is in charge of repairing the roads under this mayoral administration should be fired and banished from working in the field again. Just shameful.


Glad you're biking, Bob!

[TurdBerglar]

The bike I jus bought is a cyclo-cross bike(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclo-cross_bicycle). It's essentially a road bike that's just a bit sturdier and slacker(not as twitchy). Cyclo-cross bikes also have the frame clearance for fatter tires to help smooth out the bumps and pot holes.

I have yet to see a basic model though. They're all kinda high end. I was able to get mine for $800. Down from $1100 because it was last years model and nobody wanted it because it's fucking some kind of weird purple color.

The bike is definitely worth it. I fucking love it. It's so smooth and solid and can take a beating compared to a full blown road bike.

Cyclo-cross bikes make real good city bikes.

[Dorothy Wood]

What about this guy: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/disc-brake-road-flat-bar/vanquish-discbrake-fixie-track.htm

Seems decent, I would get someone more knowledgeable than me to put it together.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott-wt-fixie-wide-tire.htm

Aesthetically, I like that one a lot ^

I am warming up to bigger tires with the roads the way they are. I was into skinny tires for awhile for the speed, but it's not worth it with the roads being shitty. After I ate shit a couple years ago when my tire slipped into a railroad track groove in an industrial area, I got bigger tires and it's resulted in more control and cushioning...but I recently popped a tube hitting a pothole too hard. I've been trying to jump stuff, which is not always successful when I'm carrying a full pannier, ha. It would be cool to have a bike that is more agile/tough.

[TurdBerglar]

Both of those bikes seem pretty good for the price. The first one has an aluminum frame while the second one has a cro-mo frame. Aluminum tends to be lighter but cro-mo tends to be more forgiving and not as harsh as a ride. The first one has disc brakes which are loads better than rim brakes but it looks the second one has better over all components.

[Dorothy Wood]

Thanks, I might go for the green one!

There's also this: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1182857_-1_401105__401105

Which is okay

or this http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1182881_-1_400306__400306

Which seems pretty practical, but also kinda ugly.

[TurdBerglar]

that brown one is fucking awesome. Hydraulic disc brakes and internal gearing. The rear hub houses an 8 speed transmission internally. Won't get dirty or fucked up. Should work perfectly all the time. Hydraulic brakes are incredible. One finger braking. very powerful even when sopping wet.

An I deal commuter bike. Isn't over encumbered with a bunch of shit. Really lean and basic and fitted with parts that are bullet proof. If you ride in not so perfect weather conditions mostly commuting, that bike is the perfect fit for you. if you don't mind the price.

I don't find it ugly at all. Kinda has a very well made wallet or a nicely upholstered vintage chair look to it. Stately

[Dorothy Wood]

ha, I forgot.

but what about this bike http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/fixed/fixed-uno-riser-2015

I might get that guy

Honestly that bike is a little style over substance. specifically made to appeal to too cool for school hipsters with money to burn. so it's grossly overpriced. especially considering its lack of drivetrain components since it's a single speed. you can get a much better/more comfortable/faster/durable bike in that price range it just won't be as classic and pretty or cool.

it gets it's classic look from using out dated engineering.

It's definitely not a bad bike but you can do better for the price.

Alright, I got that one after all, a year later. 25% off. I like it! Just got it today. It just felt natural when I test rode it. Zipped around today and it performed well. I feel like I can almost jump stuff or pop wheelies. Handlebars are little wide, but kinda felt like bmx, in a good way. But I'll probably switch them out.

[TurdBerglar]

neat

If the bars are too wide you can just easily get them cut with a simple pipe cutter. A lot of bars have markings on the ends so you can easily cut them to a specific length. If you wanna get drop bars you'd have to get different brake levers.


I just got this:

http://vitusbikes.com/products/sentier-vrx-2017/

It's a fucking monster of a bike. The neatest thing about it is the seat post works like an office chair(called a dropper post). I can drop the seat down at a push of a button and get my ass down low for going over technical shit. Then I can push the button again and the seat shoots back up for better pedaling.

The only fucking problem has been the fucking weather. I bought it in February that week it was 70 degrees thinking it was going to be an early spring. Then we got that blizzard a couple a weeks ago in the middle of march. then that snow all melted. Then it fucking snowed again last night. Fucking bullshit.

[Dorothy Wood]

neat

If the bars are too wide you can just easily get them cut with a simple pipe cutter. A lot of bars have markings on the ends so you can easily cut them to a specific length. If you wanna get drop bars you'd have to get different brake levers.


I just got this:

http://vitusbikes.com/products/sentier-vrx-2017/

It's a fucking monster of a bike. The neatest thing about it is the seat post works like an office chair(called a dropper post). I can drop the seat down at a push of a button and get my ass down low for going over technical shit. Then I can push the button again and the seat shoots back up for better pedaling.

The only fucking problem has been the fucking weather. I bought it in February that week it was 70 degrees thinking it was going to be an early spring. Then we got that blizzard a couple a weeks ago in the middle of march. then that snow all melted. Then it fucking snowed again last night. Fucking bullshit.

I wrote a whole response to this, then my computer froze. Something up with the site? Is it hacked?!

I'd be afraid of that fancy seat lowering abruptly, it must have a really heavy duty mechanism.

Also yes, fuck the weather. It's always wet and rainy these days. The streets here are also so sandy and torn up, total mess.

[Dorothy Wood]

My bike is great so far, I am keeping the wide stance handlebars for now because they're kinda fun. Plus, it turns out my supervisor is into bikes, and he saw me leave with it and was like, "that's YOUR bike?" and I was like :cool: Then the other day a higher up guy was like, "hey, nice bike!" when I came in to work. So, it's good for my career! hahaha

I came here to post this though, what the fuck is this shit? Why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk-PfmvCLuE

[Bob]

i'm still biking and have not died or been hit

i'm playing the long game

[TurdBerglar]

Who doesn't want a bike that'll scissor your nuts right off?


and bob, if you haven't died yet then you're not doing it right. try harder.