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Does anyone here go out on a bike much?
I started using my bike a lot last summer when I became too old for 40p bus fares.
I bought a new hybrid bike (a Specialized Crosstrail) late in 2009 as my previous bike was a cheap one from Decathlon which was starting to fall apart, and it was a bit too small.
I have used it a lot and am managing to go faster and much longer distances.
Who else makes use of two wheels?
I used to when I was younger, but haven't much since I learnt to drive years ago.
I did buy a new mountain bike about 6 years ago, as a friend's dad had a load come into his company at a very good price, and I have used it sometimes to cycle into the new forest, but not often. It's also not the best bike in the world, with the gears not being that accurate at changes into the correct ones or staying on the rear cogs that successfully, which isn't so good, so I don't think it was quite the bargain it looked at the time.
I do also still have a racer that was left to me by my great uncle, but it needs some TLC as I've not used it in over 15 years. I used to ride it everywhere and it was a great bike at the time. Light 531 tubing and hand made.
I started cycling again about 2 years ago in a bid to get fitter and loose weight. After a few months I gave up again because I just couldn't be bothered.
Possibly that's something that could be overcome with a bit of tweaking, or new cables.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrison
Whether or not that is worth bothering with is another question though, getting the adjustments right can be quite challenging.
I used to cycle everywhere until I learnt to drive.
Once I was a driver, I never really used the bike.
I have given it a go, adjusting the cable tensions and altering the derailleur height, angle etc, which did improve things, but I still have to manually judge the position of the gear selectors to make the derailleur jump to the correct gear, and can't go by the numbering as you end up with the chain shooting off the end of the gears.Quote:
Originally Posted by J T
It does work, I just need to be careful when changing into the lower ratio gears.
I will definitely be considering cycling more this summer. Maybe even combining it with camping.
I literally have no room for a bike (yes, I know how little space a bike needs. I don't have it available), or I would've had one ages ago. Reason is I live very close to the town, so close that most things are really within walking distance. The large shopping centre which is mostly where I'm going is 30-35ish minutes to walk though, which I do only occasionally when I don't mind taking the time. But for most quick trips down there I don't bother and take the car. And it's trips like that I wish I had a bike for. Same with most of my friends and family. A little too far for a normal walk, but fine for a bike. I personally do think taking the car for these distances is lazy, but I end up doing that a lot anyway. Really do wish I had a bike.
I used to do some road cycling. I have a E.1600 bike sitting in the basement and rode it quite fanatically for 3 or 4 years. I actually did a tour from Amsterdam to Paris once (about 5 years ago), in which I sustained a knee injury during the last day. Since then, I haven´t used the bike much, if at all.
I'm considering getting into it, because now that I have a full time desk job, I don't have as much time to exercise, so it makes it easy to put on weight. I've lost about 5kg now, getting back to a lean machine, I've been doing weights, so strength is increasing as well :)
I used to have a BMX when I was a child. :)
I remember wanting a BMX for about 2 years as a child. Seeing them in all the shops, displayed even in high street windows. But my parents couldn't afford one. I ended up with a second-hand Chopper, and looking back now I'm glad I got one of those instead as it was a great little bike, and fun to ride.
The Chopper was a 70's icon.
I've got a bike that I ride to and from work. I like the combination of exercise and fresh air. Also nice to save some money on transport. :)
If I lived fairly close to my work I would definitely start cycling to work when the weather as nice. Saves money on Petrol, reduced wear and tear on the car, and lets you avoid traffic jams.
Just out of interest, was that because a BMX was necessary for the kind of riding you intended to do? Or more for 'fashion' purposes?Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrison
I was just wondering, because I had a load of people try and show off to me on their BMX bikes the other day whilst I was riding my hybrid bike which has 700mm wheels and gears.
Whilst one of the BMX lads managed to finish the rather short journey a few seconds earlier than me, it was obvious that I put in considerably less effort. And I would have gone faster if it a) wouldn't have risked crashing into him and b) if it wouldn't have risked crashing into pedestrians.
When the BMX first appeared at the start of the 80's every school kid wanted one. It felt very similar to the first major interest in skate boarding, or even championship yo-yo's that happened in the 80's also. Everywhere you went stores were selling them. Loud coloured frames, and contrasting brightly coloured tires, and the unique handlebars that could spin 360, plus the foot balance bars on both wheel axles.
They did fade out of general popularity quite fast though, as I remember a couple of years later everyone wanted racing bikes. I was lucky enough to be left a very nice hand made racing bike by my Great Uncle and I used that bike almost every day for years. And still have it, but it needs to TLC to bring it back to good condition as it hasn't been ridden in a few years and the tires need replacing, and some rust on the frame needs sorting out.
It was good to see the BMX make a come back more recently, and now enjoying professional stunt events. Something it was known for from the beginning, but never really that well publicised years ago.
Hi All
I still use my racer 1st was a raleigh elan 14 speed had a little accident got slightly bent had it for 15ish years. 2nd is a elswick hopper turbo 12 bought at an auction for £32 2 years got some new parts total cost about £90. This year did about 500mile on it and still going:) thats about my last 20 years of cycling. and lost about 2 stone this year.
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
I've been getting back into it, I've set myself a challenge: Cycle a distance equal to the length of the Equator. Crazy, I know! Check out my progress!
Hi Submeg
Yes a little crazy but why not keeps you going and lots of time to think aswell about amiga problems:)
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
I keep saying to myself 'this week, I will cycle to work at least once, and build up from there'
Problem is, although it's not that far work is up a big-ass hill from home. My bike is a $100 special from Big W. It has suspension front and back, and as you might expect it's really actually quite shit and weighs a ****ing ton. Also, the brakes and gears need setting up properly. I don't think the wheels are truly centered in the forks either. Maybe if I get some more use out of it I could justify getting something better.
There are showers at work so really I have very little excuse other than lasiness.
Hi J T
I agree moutain bike are heavy and slow and then tyres get a bit of speed up they sound like a land rover:lol:
A hybrid or racer thems the one to get. Getting up hills can be a little problem just think of speed coming down it:)
I do all my own bike repairs + servicing so much cheaper and you know you have done good job. Setting up gears is
easy when you know how. I got manuals from the library.
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
Sorting the gears out on mine has been a nightmare in the past, and I actually haven't used it for quite some time now. It would keep jumping out if gear which was annoying and I think the derailleur must be slightly bent. I really must start riding again.
@Submeg. That is a crazy target, but good luck with it. I hope you make the goal! Why not try to get sponsored for a good cause?
I've had my road bike nearly a year now. I've enjoyed using it. Unfortunately I've not used it as much as I'd have liked to.
My gears are ready for adjusting again. Not too difficult :).
I reckon I could probably fine tune gearing that was OK to start with. The problem with el-cheapo bike is that straight out the box (I had to put it together myself) things weren't set up even close to properly, so I'm almost starting from scratch. I didn't expect too much from a bike that cost very little, but it's still a bit annoying.
I'll have to grab a guide online or a book and sit down for a while until I get it properly sorted out. Thing is, because the bike isn't working too well, i'm not using it much; and because I'm not using it much I can't be bothered to spend the time to fix it so I'm caught in a bit of a cycle (heh) there.
Hi All
Having indexed gears are a little harder to setup the racer iam using has no indexed gears its all done by feel or known as friction gears. only 3 adjustments to get right.
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
That is a problem I have with my bike. My older racer has these friction style gears where you just move the lever until the gear moves into position, whereas my newer mountain bike has fixed gear selections and it never wants to go completely into the gear or 3 or 4 of them all of the time. Often it will be just on the edge of moving over and not quite. I've attempted to adjust it in the past but not with complete luck. And I avoid the largest gear as it often jumps the chain off the gear into the middle of the wheel. It wasn't that expensive a bike when i bought it... I think about £100 or maybe slightly less, but that as VAT free via a friend's father's company... Still, I wasn't ever hoping for something amazing, but I did at least have hope it would work. :lol:
Oh well.
Sheldon Brown's website has good information on how to set up things like brakes and gears properly. Might be worth a read. http://sheldonbrown.com/.
Thanks for that link. Looking at the info about adjusting gears I need to first look for the limit stop adjusters and see if mine has them as it should allow me to stop the chain going too far off the end of the last gear. :)
Hmm, getting sponsored hey? I never even thought of that! But because it will take me such a long time (I'm only riding in my spare time) I don't think I could justify it!
So $1 a km? haha
It seems that in bikes, you get what you pay for. I haven't had one issue with my bike and I've had it since I was a kid!
Hi All
How many people have nearly been hit by a car cos the driver didnt see you. My latest was by an older driver on a round about i doing about 18ish mph. he saw me at the last minute and then stopped i had to brake hard and swerve to miss him just. by then i was on the other side of the road. pants were nearly full by then. It just make you more aware of car drivers.
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
As a car drivers I've been noticing more this year the number of idiots riding bikes with no lights and dark clothes. At this time if year that is mad as you just can't see them in the evening until you are right on top of them, especially down country lanes or areas with lots of trees. Mad!
Yes i have noticed that aswell. I cycle during daylight hours so theres no excuse of not seeing me unless thy are blind.
At the moment i use main roads were i live. Country roads are bumpy for a racer.
Many Thanks
Andrew1971
Last time I nearly got run over by a car was because I was in a bus lane where the traffic lights hadn't detected my presence and hence refused to change to green, so I had no choice but to go through the red light, and consequently nearly got run over. Now if that happens in this particular bus lane I just go on the pavement and walk across.
Last year, I did make a bright light for my bike (using an MR11 lamp and a sealed lead acid battery): http://stevecoates.net/bikelights/. I used it a bit but found it a bit pointless a lot of the time because most of the main roads were illuminated by streetlights, making a bright light unnecessary (take note, car drivers). Been to college on the bike a few times recently, and that is mostly unlit country roads. Unfortunately, using my little AAA battery powered LED light, I couldn't see the road for half the journey.
Not forget visability on a bike or as a pedestrian is much better than driving a car. Even with street lights, car lights are still very much needed. So the point of bikes having lights in such areas is really just so car drivers can see them.
That's true, Harrison. Yesterday was both dark and rainy. While driving I spotted a cyclist that had blinking lights on his bike.. great stuff.. I would have trouble spotting him if he didn't! :)
It's been a while, but I now have a good bike and can actually pick up some speed. I have now done over 300 km...
Length of equator (m) 40,075,035.54
1 degree of longitude in m 111319.54
Date 8/10/2012
Distance travelled to date (m) 306777
Time Taken 14:02:27
Average Speed (km/h) 21.85
Time til completion (Days) 75.84
Degrees of longitude travelled 2.755823461
Percentage travelled 0.77%
Starting at Macapá, Brazil, travelling West… (R. Jose Luis Barata – 0,-51.075933)
CURRENT LOCATION: 0, -48.32011
Submeg, cool.
Does the Crosstrail feel like a mountain bike? I have the 2009 Crosstrail which is kinda a mix between a road bike and a mountain bike, but I noticed over the last few years, they have made it look more and more like a mountain bike.
Um, if you have the front shocks open the whole way, it feels like a lightweight mountain bike. But if you lock the shocks, it's a heavy road bike that can corner better. Perfect for what I was looking for.
I am extremely motivated to ride now, I've been doing at least 30 km to 100 km a week for the past few weeks. Losing weight quickly but my legs are getting massive! Pants will be a problem soon!
Thats why the pro's wear Spandex. You just gotta ask yourself if you are kinky or brave enough to dare them. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Submeg;49745[I
The doc says I'll need at least one knee replacement before I'm 60, so no biking for me thesedays. Bah @ getting 0ld0r and no real excuse to wear Spandex. :eyebrow:
Lycra clothing is ideal on a bike. Comfortable, doesn't get in the way, looks cute, faster etc.
Lycra wouldn't look well on me, you'd better believe it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Coates
I'll take your word for that.
But it does suit some people quite well.