Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Any Avid Cyclists on This Forum?
- Thread starter AlphaDogg
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Someone stole my seat once, and I had to do that. I had locked it up at the library
Haha, I know the feeling
Many years ago, a friend of mine bought a Trek Y-frame dual suspension bike, and it was his pride and joy. He and I rode about 3-4 miles from our neighborhood to a singletrack we knew about, but during the ride he got a nasty puncture.
In a fit of what I can only describe as sheer idiocy he rode home on the rim.
In a fit of what I can only describe as sheer idiocy he rode home on the rim.
It's been a glorious Spring day so I've taken advantage and got out on the bike this afternoon...
On the way home from work on the Pompino.
On top of Clent Hills on the Hummer.
On the way home from work on the Pompino.
On top of Clent Hills on the Hummer.
In a fit of what I can only describe as sheer idiocy he rode home on the rim.
I almost rode home with my front tire completely flat. The back tire was fine. But I decided against it and I walked my bike. I went to my bike just now (about 24hrs after I got the flat), and both tires are completely flat. I am going bike shopping this weekend, but I am probably going to get a new one at the end of the month. I am using my dad's bike for the time being. I want either a road bike (out of my price range) or a Specialized mountain bike (slightly out of my price range). I will probably end up with a decent mountain bike. I am going for probably 26" (including the tire) wheels and like a 14" frame.
Here is a picture of my bike (with two flat tires):
Here are pictures of my dad's bike:
i've had the same bike for ~10 years now, since 6th grade (!).
I've put more than a few miles on it, I think I once figured easily 4,000 total. Not so many in the past few years I guess though.
I am fairly strongly considering buying an entry level roadbike this summer for my commute of roughly 25 miles each way. At roughly 30mpg, biking to work each day would save me $300 just in gas - not to mention maintenance, etc - which would nearly halfway pay for the bike itself
Not to mention my mountain bike is in need of some serious TLC (brakes are sketchy, shifting only partially works - takes finesse, front wheel needs alignment), is too small for me, and overall probably should be retired.
Plus I love biking.
I've put more than a few miles on it, I think I once figured easily 4,000 total. Not so many in the past few years I guess though.
I am fairly strongly considering buying an entry level roadbike this summer for my commute of roughly 25 miles each way. At roughly 30mpg, biking to work each day would save me $300 just in gas - not to mention maintenance, etc - which would nearly halfway pay for the bike itself
Not to mention my mountain bike is in need of some serious TLC (brakes are sketchy, shifting only partially works - takes finesse
, front wheel needs alignment), is too small for me, and overall probably should be retired.Plus I love biking.
I'm liking that road bike quite a bit....steel? I'm favoring steel for my next mount. I'm also considering buying a frameset and doing my own build. I think it would be a fun winter project.
I've got a white and green Brompton I use for commuting and riding to collect my car from the pub the day after.
OllyW said:Steel and not expensive.
Wow, not bad! I've been looking at U.S.-made frames and they tend to be closer to $1000 just for the frames.
Designed in Yorkshire, made in Taiwan.
It's built to a similar quality to your Surly frames (I've had a couple of those too).
I've taken a long, hard look at Surlys. They seem pretty good value. I'm not hell-bent on a US-made bike, especially when US builders charge over $1000 for cro-moly frames (my '98 Trek 930 with it's US-made cro-moly frame was under $600 for the whole bike. I would strip and rebuild it but the frame is too small for me ).
).
I'm going to look at some bikes this weekend. Can anyone recommend a decent mountain bike (preferably with disc brakes) for under $400? I have had my Schwinn for about 3 years and it cost $250. I would rather not get a Schwinn for my next bike.
I rode my dad's bike today. I rode it for 14.355 miles. My highest speed was 27.3mph (going down a hill) and my average speed was 9.5 (it would have been higher if the wind wasn't against me and if the route I took wasn't mostly uphill). I recorded a bit of video with my iPhone for your viewing pleasure. I am uploading it to photobucket. It shows you (1) how windy it was; and (2) part of my route. I will edit it into this post later.
Edit: here is the video. Click on it to view it.
![]()
I rode my dad's bike today. I rode it for 14.355 miles. My highest speed was 27.3mph (going down a hill) and my average speed was 9.5 (it would have been higher if the wind wasn't against me and if the route I took wasn't mostly uphill). I recorded a bit of video with my iPhone for your viewing pleasure. I am uploading it to photobucket. It shows you (1) how windy it was; and (2) part of my route. I will edit it into this post later.
Edit: here is the video. Click on it to view it.
Last edited:
Getting back to the thread..
I ride ~125 miles a week with school&work for exercise - I usually will ride 3 times a week and on the weekend have the 3rd ride be my 'long day' where I go out twice for a total of ~65-80 miles.
Things are finally starting to 'warm up' - it was very cold for a while and even with my winter kit - it was brutal out on the bike - so I missed a bunch of miles this winter.
I recently started running and am planning on a half marathon this october so that is cutting into my riding too.
I have worked in repair shops since I was 13 and have worked this past year in Road/Mountain bike shops around the metro atlanta area.
I ride a road bike, and will go to the mountains any time I luck out with a borrowed bike.
I do need a pretty big bike though (60-62cm, although 56-68cm is fine for mountains) so finding a loaner is kinda tough (even if you can convince a guy to let you go and thrash his workhorse on the trails).
happy commuting!
i got a b17 standard to go on my new one, how do you find yours ? everyone i know who has one raves about them
also how's the alpine hub getting on ? did toy with the idea of getting that hub on my next hybrid
The b17 standard saddle on my Cooper ss is really good, but there's certainly a breaking-in period of around 2 weeks. It'll feel hard, and your ass will slide around for a bit before the glossiness wears off.
The Shimano hub on my other bike is fantastic. It took me around 100 km before it "wore in", though. I don't know if there's a wear-in period, but I found that when I first bought the bike, sometimes the gears wouldn't shift when I told them to. Usually they shifted fine, but sometimes there was a delay in response. Plus, having 8 gears is great. I only use 3 or 4 of them.
well i'm planning on doing a Jogle in August this year (near 1000 miles) in around 7-10 day's
on this bad boy- although adding Brooks B17 saddle Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and other things which cost lots of money too
I'm envious! Sounds like a very fun ride.
I bought a pair of those three months ago and it's made a huge difference in my daily commute times. I have a pair of Shimano shoes, not MTB not street, sort of in between and just ordered a pair of Keen sandals for the summer months.
I have a Trek Allant town/commuter and a Trek 1500 road bike. I'm really considering buying the Trek Soho belt drive next year. I was concerned about fixing flat tires, but last year I put Schwalbe Marathon Extremes on my Allant and despite all the thorns here in the central valley of California, I have yet to have a flat.
I would consider a steel frame if they were more affordable. I sort of like the idea of building my own so...
Some of the UK frame builders do a frame building course where you can make your own steel frame. Not cheap though.
I'll stick to buying a finished frame and building it up with components. Welding is a real art, and I wouldn't trust a bike I welded!
I just finished a 27 mile bike ride on the Cherry Creek trail. I recorded a video of part of the trail that goes through Downtown Denver with my iPhone. I will upload it to youtube in a minute. Link to the video here. I also stopped at a Sports Authority store to look at their bicycles. The bike that I found was a K2 Astral 2.0. I really like it. I think I am going to get it. Good deal for $399?
Pictures of the bike:
Pictures of the bike:
Last edited:
Looks okay to me, although I don't know much about bikes. If you cycle a lot on the road I could see that being really great, with the thin road tyres and that (and no suspension to weigh it down).
It's actually a hybrid bike, according to K2's website. Anyway, the model of the bike that they had in stock at Sports Authority was a little too big for me. I have to wait until they get one with a smaller frame in stock.
Switched out the BB5s for Magura Louises, and a NuVinci 360 to replace the original 1st gen.
whooooaaaahh look at that chain !!
Looking to invest in my first road bike!
I currently have a Trek hybrid something or another (it's an older model, not sure which one) and I'm looking to purchase an entry-level road bike that will serve me well for the next 3-5 years and won't break my bank. I'm looking in the $700-$800 range.
I'm a runner and just recently got into biking last year. As a student, I don't have a lot of free time throughout the week but usually log a consistant 60-70 mi. during most weeks (weather permitting).
I'll admit, I'm not very well-versed on road bikes and their components...it's hard for me to tell one from the other when looking at specs alone, so I was hoping you guys can help me make a more informed decision.
Right now, I'm looking at two models:
1.) Trek 1.1 series
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/11/
and
2.) Giant Defy 3
http://www.bikesale.com/giant-defy-3-road-bike-2011.aspx
Both cost nearly the same and (from what I can tell) have comparable specs. I plan on going to my two local bike shops to test drive both models but was hoping you guys might be able to offer some insight.
Does anyone have experience with both brands/models? If so, which do you prefer and why? I'm kind of new at this but I guess my primary goal is to get a fast, reliable, good-looking bike for under $1,000. I don't know if it matters, but I'm 5' 7" and weigh around 125 lbs.
Thanks!
I currently have a Trek hybrid something or another (it's an older model, not sure which one) and I'm looking to purchase an entry-level road bike that will serve me well for the next 3-5 years and won't break my bank. I'm looking in the $700-$800 range.
I'm a runner and just recently got into biking last year. As a student, I don't have a lot of free time throughout the week but usually log a consistant 60-70 mi. during most weeks (weather permitting).
I'll admit, I'm not very well-versed on road bikes and their components...it's hard for me to tell one from the other when looking at specs alone, so I was hoping you guys can help me make a more informed decision.
Right now, I'm looking at two models:
1.) Trek 1.1 series
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/11/
and
2.) Giant Defy 3
http://www.bikesale.com/giant-defy-3-road-bike-2011.aspx
Both cost nearly the same and (from what I can tell) have comparable specs. I plan on going to my two local bike shops to test drive both models but was hoping you guys might be able to offer some insight.
Does anyone have experience with both brands/models? If so, which do you prefer and why? I'm kind of new at this but I guess my primary goal is to get a fast, reliable, good-looking bike for under $1,000. I don't know if it matters, but I'm 5' 7" and weigh around 125 lbs.
Thanks!
I've been riding fairly regularly for the last 30 years, but I wouldn't call myself an avid cyclist. I ride about 25 kms each workday. I'd rather walk/catch public transport, but i start before the buses do. I am just sick of the stress involved.
It's great riding around the CBD in Sydney, but anywhere else that involves commuting can be a pain. Sydney drivers are recognised as being one the most aggressive in the world towards cyclists. We also have a roads department that constantly misunderstands that their in creating a pretend cycling environment on the road, they actually making it more dangerous for people who actually cycle. If you ride where the cycling signs are, unless it is a dedicated cycleway and their aren't too many of them that actually go anywhere useful, you will soon be dead. To survive in Sydney means to ride your bike like a car. You have to ride in the middle of the lane if it is narrow otherwise somebody will try to squeeze past, without any regard for your safety. Opening car doors are a constant danger if you try to be too considerate by riding to the left. Cyclists are a regular topic for vilification on the talk back radio shows that cater for the local brain dead population.
Sorry about the rant. The vast majority of drivers here are fine. It is only a very small demographic who are actually threaten you with their vehicle. Actually most Sydney cyclists tend to fairly awful themselves with their lawless behaviour and stupid riding patterns, like riding too close to the left or undertaking me. Some seem to think fluro may clash with their black cafe attire. I used to regularly have chats with random cyclists on my commute, but that doesn't happen these days as everybody is either in too much of as hurry or just plain afflicted by the egocentricity that is the lifeblood of Sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydneys-drivers-worst-for-bike-rage/2008/08/01/1217097533825.html
It's great riding around the CBD in Sydney, but anywhere else that involves commuting can be a pain. Sydney drivers are recognised as being one the most aggressive in the world towards cyclists. We also have a roads department that constantly misunderstands that their in creating a pretend cycling environment on the road, they actually making it more dangerous for people who actually cycle. If you ride where the cycling signs are, unless it is a dedicated cycleway and their aren't too many of them that actually go anywhere useful, you will soon be dead. To survive in Sydney means to ride your bike like a car. You have to ride in the middle of the lane if it is narrow otherwise somebody will try to squeeze past, without any regard for your safety. Opening car doors are a constant danger if you try to be too considerate by riding to the left. Cyclists are a regular topic for vilification on the talk back radio shows that cater for the local brain dead population.
Sorry about the rant. The vast majority of drivers here are fine. It is only a very small demographic who are actually threaten you with their vehicle. Actually most Sydney cyclists tend to fairly awful themselves with their lawless behaviour and stupid riding patterns, like riding too close to the left or undertaking me. Some seem to think fluro may clash with their black cafe attire. I used to regularly have chats with random cyclists on my commute, but that doesn't happen these days as everybody is either in too much of as hurry or just plain afflicted by the egocentricity that is the lifeblood of Sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydneys-drivers-worst-for-bike-rage/2008/08/01/1217097533825.html