I need some advice on what kind of bike that I should look into. You guy's have inspired me to check into doing this. I only work six miles one way to my job. I have lost several pounds over the last year by walking and I think that bike riding would do me a even better benefit with cardio and more weight loss.
I really would like to start out not having to spend three hundred plus dollars and find out that this just isnt for me. Having said that. I have been checking out Craigslist and the prices vary greatly. Problem being is there are Mountain bikes, Road course bikes, off road bikes. 15, 12, 10, 8 gear bikes. It is far more complicated than I ever imagined it would be.
Do I need to get the whole bike riding outfit and a backpack for my work clothes, helmet, glasses etc. etc. etc. ?
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 13, 2012, 10:34:55 AM
I need some advice on what kind of bike that I should look into. You guy's have inspired me to check into doing this. I only work six miles one way to my job. I have lost several pounds over the last year by walking and I think that bike riding would do me a even better benefit with cardio and more weight loss.
I really would like to start out not having to spend three hundred plus dollars and find out that this just isnt for me. Having said that. I have been checking out Craigslist and the prices vary greatly. Problem being is there are Mountain bikes, Road course bikes, off road bikes. 15, 12, 10, 8 gear bikes. It is far more complicated than I ever imagined it would be.
Do I need to get the whole bike riding outfit and a backpack for my work clothes, helmet, glasses etc. etc. etc. ?
For daily commuter use I recommend a hybrid, which is basically a mountain bike style frame with street tires.
Mountain bike tires are too fat and require extra work to move, street tires promote less friction and less stress.
You might also look into a "townie", but I would recommend against single speed.
For commuting take these things into account:
Comfort: is the seat comfortable, are the handle bars in a comfortable arrangement so they don't make your arms tingle over time?
Versatility: can you commute and also take this bike for a joy ride on the weekends. Can you add baskets or panniers for carrying cargo?
Fun: Is it fun to ride?
Upkeep: Is it easy to maintain?
Pride: Is it a heap, or are you proud to be seen on it?
This one is important: Storage - Keep the bike where you can see it. out of sight is out of mind for a commuter bike...make sure the bike is as accessible as your car so you can easily make the decision to opt to ride over drive.
Modified to add:
I forgot to mention weight...if you have to carry it upstairs or onto a car or bus rack make sure it's easy to carry with one arm.
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 13, 2012, 10:34:55 AM
I really would like to start out not having to spend three hundred plus dollars and find out that this just isnt for me.
Most of the guys here try to stay under $1000. I haven't heard of anything serious in the $300 range but then I am not looking.
I'd written a reply earlier, but my router fritzed and when I tried to re-send it deleted. I was hoping Carlton would chime in with his two cents since he and Ed W are the two most avid commuters on here. I think his recommendation is right on for you as far as bike type.
I ride a lot but what works for me might be horribly uncomfortable to you. Please resist the urge to buy a bike off Craigslist in hopes it will save you money. If you'd been riding for some time and had a better idea on selection, I'd say "go for it". You actually have a better chance of ending up not liking biking because you don't know what a proper fit is supposed to feel like and the bike you buy turns out is way out of tune. Spend a little extra to get a bike you know fits properly. Otherwise you are now in the same boat as the guy who sold you the bike on CL: you have a bike which does not fit and you are out $100 or $200.
Two people I'd recommend you go see are:
Tom Brown at Tom's Bicycles. Sure, he's got high end stuff, but also lower end and may get trades occasionally. I've known him for over 20 years now and he's probably the most conscientious shop owner I've met. He's usually at the 68th & Peoria store. You can mention I sent you in.
G. Oscar Herron at G. Oscars: 1623 S. Main St. Tulsa, 582-1711. I had business downtown at lunch and thought I'd check to see what he's got on hand for you. He's got a couple of good, lightly used hybrids which might be perfect for you. When I think of good used bikes, G. Oscar's comes to mind. He can be a little aloof, don't let that put you off.
As far as bike clothing: get a comfortable seat and you won't need padded bike shorts. I am an advocate of wearing a helmet on the bicycle. Curb strikes on the noggin are a beotch. Main thing is, find wear what breathes well when it's warm out and something that will keep your pant leg out of the chain when it's cooler weather. Fortunately, we've got a shower here at work, so I can actually get in a full-on work out prior to work and clean up before I get to my desk.
You are also welcome to send me a PM if you have more questions.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 13, 2012, 01:52:45 PM
As far as bike clothing: get a comfortable seat and you won't need padded bike shorts. I am an advocate of wearing a helmet on the bicycle. Curb strikes on the noggin are a beotch. Main thing is, find wear what breathes well when it's warm out and something that will keep your pant leg out of the chain when it's cooler weather. Fortunately, we've got a shower here at work, so I can actually get in a full-on work out prior to work and clean up before I get to my desk.
I want to work where you work! I tried to get a couple of previous employers to put in a shower - to the point of paying for and installing it myself! That is GOLD!
Find the absolute best saddle you can afford and then spend a little more.
We even have a full apartment with a working kitchen, a jacuzzi tub, & bedroom. The kitchen is nice, easy to have hot lunch when you don't feel like going out.
I suggest visiting Tom's and trying a few out. I got a Giant hybrid from him for around $450 a few years back. (he was kind enough to build it that day, even!) It served me very well when I was using it on a daily basis and still serves me well now that I ride it much less often than that. IMO, you want something with street tires, you want something light, and you want something with gears if your route involves hills.
That's sweet! We have a restaurant with a decent selection at pretty good prices (less than going out), but would rather have the smaller kitchen type thing. Just can't do it with this many people.
Awesome ! I knew you guy's would come through. Thanks.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 13, 2012, 02:15:58 PM
We even have a full apartment with a working kitchen, a jacuzzi tub, & bedroom. The kitchen is nice, easy to have hot lunch when you don't feel like going out.
It's probably for the best none of my clients have actual bedrooms at their office; they'd probably have caught me napping too many times to count by now. The showers are still nice for those days that turn into two, though. Luckily there's less of that these days.
Dolfan, probably not your ideal starter bike:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/nor/2896467643.html
Quote from: Conan71 on March 13, 2012, 04:19:54 PM
Dolfan, probably not your ideal starter bike:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/nor/2896467643.html
Dude your a nut. Only you could find a bike to make me laugh.
As noted, a bike has to fit right, otherwise you won't ride it for long. Would you buy a pair of shoes just because the price was right? (The question only applies to the men in the group!)
Try some of the shops and ask for fit advice and whether they have any used bikes available.
I'll write more later....gotta do chauffeur duty for SWMBO and her understudy.
Why does the bike need a kickstand?
Because it is two-tired.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on March 13, 2012, 05:10:33 PM
Why does the bike need a kickstand?
Because it is two-tired.
No, no, no. That's supposed to be "Why do men sleep on their sides? It's because they have kickstands."
I sleep on my back, though, 'cause the kickstand is too long.
A couple of things: Bike fit is key. One that doesn't fit right will cause you pain. Now, there's good pain and bad pain, and a bike that doesn't fit causes the bad kind. In all honesty, even a properly fitting bike will require your body to acclimate to the added work load and seat position.
Where a gentleman sits is very important, and while someone said that you should look for an expensive saddle, I respectfully disagree. You need to find the saddle that fits your particular anatomy. Bike shops often have bins of saddles you can try. I've used the classic Brooks Professional, the Brooks B-17 (my all-time fave), a Sella Royale Strada, and even a minimalist's track shell, and many more that will remain nameless. Very minor adjustments in saddle position can make tremendous differences in comfort.
Gloves provide a bit more cushioning, and in a fall they protect your hands. They're cheap insurance.
Cycling shoes are stiffer than walking shoes so your foot doesn't try to wrap itself around the pedal. Some strap to the pedal, others are 'clipless'. They make a difference when you're spinning fast because you can pull up as well as push down. Also, when crossing RR tracks, you're less likely to slip off a pedal and fall. They're not essential, but they will make you more comfortable.
Cycling shorts are another somewhat controversial item among non-cyclists. they're actually quite practical since they have no internal seams to cut into your skin, reducing saddle sores and making rides more comfortable. For the every day cyclist, they offer improved hygiene, again to prevent saddle sores, and make it possible to ride every day.
Saddle sores are a whole icky topic in themselves, but I won't go into the various types and causes. This is a family forum, after all, and I haven't had dinner yet.
Helmets - use one or not at your discretion. They're cheaper than a set of xrays, so I always wear one.
Lights - Oklahoma law requires a white front light and a red rear reflector or red light. I use all of them, and include pedal reflectors or reflective tape on cranks, as well as an amber rear reflector and an amber rear light. Amber penetrates rain and fog better than red. Use DOT spec reflectors, too, rather than CPSC ones. DOT reflectors are brighter.
Law - under OK law, bicycles are considered the same as motor vehicles, except for those laws that do not apply. You are obligated to stop at stop signs and red lights. You must signal your turns. You cannot ride in the left hand lane unless you're avoiding a hazard or preparing for a left turn. In a practical sense, a bicycle is a meat powered motorcycle.
Commuting is an exercise in problem solving. The hardest part is deciding to try it in the first place. After that, it's all figuring out how to do things, like how to carry work clothes, how to carry lunch, how to deal with rainy days, etc.
Bike security is a biggie, too. A U-lock is your friend. A U-lock and a cable is a very good friend.
There's more...lots more...consider signing up for a safe cycling course through the HUB or with a local instructor. I no longer teach, but I'll answer any questions you have.
Quote from: Ed W on March 13, 2012, 07:38:56 PM
Where a gentleman sits is very important, and while someone said that you should look for an expensive saddle, I respectfully disagree. You need to find the saddle that fits your particular anatomy. Bike shops often have bins of saddles you can try. I've used the classic Brooks Professional, the Brooks B-17 (my all-time fave), a Sella Royale Strada, and even a minimalist's track shell, and many more that will remain nameless. Very minor adjustments in saddle position can make tremendous differences in comfort.
Cycling shorts are another somewhat controversial item among non-cyclists. they're actually quite practical since they have no internal seams to cut into your skin, reducing saddle sores and making rides more comfortable. For the every day cyclist, they offer improved hygiene, again to prevent saddle sores, and make it possible to ride every day.
Helmets - use one or not at your discretion. They're cheaper than a set of xrays, so I always wear one.
Commuting is an exercise in problem solving. The hardest part is deciding to try it in the first place. After that, it's all figuring out how to do things, like how to carry work clothes, how to carry lunch, how to deal with rainy days, etc.
Bike security is a biggie, too. A U-lock is your friend. A U-lock and a cable is a very good friend.
I have a couple of old Raleigh's ('60s vintage) that have the slick unpadded leather seats. An incredible pain in the butt. Will be using your list as starting point to find a better seat. Thanks.
Shorts - I have ridden so many miles with a seam in the crotch area, it is almost as painful as having the seat height adjusted incorrectly. Shorts are really, really good.
Helmet - I caught a front wheel in a storm drain grate and literally swiveled over the top of the front wheel to do a massive face plant on the concrete. Lots of face rash, but the helmet was shattered. SO glad I had it on!!
When worked around 15th and Sheridan, would ride when weather permitted from BA (81st and Elm area). Wouldn't ride up 145th on a bet now days. Sponge bath is good alternative if the company has no shower. Just takes a little time. Rain? Hah...what rain? Just pre-wetting for the sponge bath!
For the commute, would just bring the bike into the back shop. Made a concession of weight to carry a large chain covered with shrink tubing and a lock. Still have it, but those U-locks look pretty good now.
I said get a "comfortable" not "expensive" seat. In reality some of the more comfortable ones are the least expensive.
I personally ride high end saddles that give the right amount of support in the right places, give good support for seated steep climbs, and will work well with the chamois (butt pad) in my shorts over a 30 to 100 mile ride with a cadence of 80 to 100 rpm. For the type of cycling I primarily do, a slimmer profile is actually more comfortable. Either that or myself and all the people I ride with have a snob factor that will allow for the purchase of an incredibly uncomfortable piece of smile for $120 to $200 but have the pride of it only weighing 100 grams ;)
Quote from: Conan71 on March 14, 2012, 09:59:11 AM
I said get a "comfortable" not "expensive" seat. In reality some of the more comfortable ones are the least expensive.
I personally ride high end saddles that give the right amount of support in the right places, give good support for seated steep climbs, and will work well with the chamois (butt pad) in my shorts over a 30 to 100 mile ride with a cadence of 80 to 100 rpm. For the type of cycling I primarily do, a slimmer profile is actually more comfortable. Either that or myself and all the people I ride with have a snob factor that will allow for the purchase of an incredibly uncomfortable piece of smile for $120 to $200 but have the pride of it only weighing 100 grams ;)
At this point, comfortable is my number 1 criteria. Don't care if it is $30 or 250. I want the comfort. Don't even care if it weighs 3 or 4 pounds.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on March 14, 2012, 10:02:59 AM
At this point, comfortable is my number 1 criteria. Don't care if it is $30 or 250. I want the comfort. Don't even care if it weighs 3 or 4 pounds.
A good friend of mine rides a Bianchi Volpe with the full tour kit- fenders, rack, panniers. He does Freewheel, he does century rides. He's an old terrapin- 13 MPH average, doesn't matter the terrain or the day. Swears by his Brooks saddle, much like this one. No padding, just a well-engineered piece of leather for padding. Says it hurts like a grumble till it's broken in (about 6 weeks according to him) after that, plush.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Brooks-ENGLAND-leather-TEAM-Pro-CLASSIC-Bike-seat-Saddle-HONEY-NEW-IN-BOX-/110840311683?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19ce98ef83#ht_2830wt_986
It makes my very happy to hear that the world may well have another bike commuter.
Quote from: jacobi on March 14, 2012, 11:05:21 AM
It makes my very happy to hear that the world may well have another bike commuter.
I would be if I didn't have to Paul Tay on the highway. (only way for me to get to work)
Quote from: Townsend on March 14, 2012, 11:08:57 AM
I would be if I didn't have to Paul Tay on the highway. (only way for me to get to work)
The phallus, rear wagon and santa costume are only optional for commuters, they are not obligatory.
Quote from: jacobi on March 14, 2012, 11:05:21 AM
It makes my very happy to hear that the world may well have another bike commuter.
And all thanks to you guy's. I never would have even considered it without the postings on this forum.
The little woman thinks I'm crazy. Mid life crisis and all.
Quote from: Townsend on March 14, 2012, 11:08:57 AM
I would be if I didn't have to Paul Tay on the highway. (only way for me to get to work)
Actually it's not. I could map you a safe route. ;)
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 14, 2012, 11:22:14 AM
And all thanks to you guy's. I never would have even considered it without the postings on this forum.
The little woman thinks I'm crazy. Mid life crisis and all.
Not crazy at all. Less gas, lower car maintenance, and lower body maintenance from getting into better shape.
QuoteAnd all thanks to you guy's. I never would have even considered it without the postings on this forum.
The little woman thinks I'm crazy. Mid life crisis and all.
You should hit the trails to get your practice in for commuting. Did you say you live in bixby? the trail that follows the creek is really pretty and challenging.
Quote from: jacobi on March 14, 2012, 11:33:05 AM
You should hit the trails to get your practice in for commuting. Did you say you live in bixby? the trail that follows the creek is really pretty and challenging.
No I'm in B.A. and I was planning on doing the rides through my neighborhoods to get myself acclimated to riding again. I was quite the wheelie king as a youth. I believe I will leave that ability to fond memories.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 14, 2012, 11:22:15 AM
Actually it's not. I could map you a safe route. ;)
We'd need to be reasonable on my stick legs. It takes me 15 to 18 minutes on a straight line going 70 to 80 miles an hour...Can't imagine how long it'd take me getting off the bike and walking up hills...
Check out the trail that ends at NSU BA. It connects to riverside. In fact you can get all the way to skiatook without leaving the trail for more than a few blocks downtown.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 14, 2012, 09:59:11 AM
I said get a "comfortable" not "expensive" seat. In reality some of the more comfortable ones are the least expensive.
I made the remark about getting the best seat you can afford. Better said, don't try and skimp and save money on the saddle. IMO, shoes and clips can wait for future purchase, a saddle can't. If cycling to the office is a literal pain the in the donkey it won't be long before you are back in your comfortable automobile.
Quote from: rdj on March 14, 2012, 01:33:42 PM
I made the remark about getting the best seat you can afford. Better said, don't try and skimp and save money on the saddle. IMO, shoes and clips can wait for future purchase, a saddle can't. If cycling to the office is a literal pain the in the donkey it won't be long before you are back in your comfortable automobile.
Do they make a jell filled toilet shape ? :D
I would favor a road type bike, However, Mountain bikes may have an advantage because the thicker tires would not get flat as offten. I have a old 10 speed 26" road bike from 1985 that I hardly ever use, flat tires were the biggest problem for me when I rode it- maybe today they make better tires and tubes to resist flats. I use the trails alot but I'm a runner- I never could get much into cycling. I run on the RiverSide Trails many cyclists ride there. Anyhow every person has to get a bike that fits them the best. All the best.
Quote from: sauerkraut on March 14, 2012, 02:46:23 PM
I would favor a road type bike, However, Mountain bikes may have an advantage because the thicker tires would not get flat as offten. I have a old 10 speed 26" road bike from 1985 that I hardly ever use, flat tires were the biggest problem for me when I rode it- maybe today they make better tires and tubes to resist flats. I use the trails alot but I'm a runner- I never could get much into cycling. I run on the RiverSide Trails many cyclists ride there. Anyhow every person has to get a bike that fits them the best. All the best.
Fat mountain type tires are for riding on rocks, not roads. If you are going any street distance at all you will curse those fat tires and will work twice as hard to get from point a to point z.
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 14, 2012, 11:22:14 AM
And all thanks to you guy's. I never would have even considered it without the postings on this forum.
The little woman thinks I'm crazy. Mid life crisis and all.
You are crazy. But it is a fun, harmless kind of crazy.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 14, 2012, 10:54:25 AM
A good friend of mine rides a Bianchi Volpe with the full tour kit- fenders, rack, panniers. He does Freewheel, he does century rides. He's an old terrapin- 13 MPH average, doesn't matter the terrain or the day. Swears by his Brooks saddle, much like this one. No padding, just a well-engineered piece of leather for padding. Says it hurts like a grumble till it's broken in (about 6 weeks according to him) after that, plush.
That looks identical to the seats on the old Raleighs. I must have never gotten them broken in right, cause they always were sub-optimal - I rode them, but it wasn't enjoyable. The late '70s Raleigh has/had a much more padded seat and was pretty comfortable after got used to it. Would like even more cushion now.
Brooks saddles are not cheap, but after they're broken in they're very comfortable. They do require some care and they're best kept out of the rain. Both my commuter bikes have Brooks Professionals.
Two commuter bikes? Why in the world would someone have two commuters? Well, there's one for nice days, and the other one is for foul weather. The 'nice day' bike is a '96 Bianchi San Remo, one of the last made with a lugged steel frame. Shortly afterward, Bianchi switched to a welded model. The San Remo was in the catalog for nearly 50 years, originally as a racing bike for rough roads like those found on Paris-Roubaix. It used cantilever brakes for extra mud clearance.
The foul weather bike is an old Centurion LeMans 12. All that's left of the original bike is the frame and fork. Everything else has been replaced or discarded over the years. It's now a single speed with fenders, a rear rack, and ordinary platform pedals so I can ride it to the grocery store.
And that's another subject. Even if you can't consider using a bike to commute to work, consider using one to run errands around town. I've even gone to garage sales on the bike, looking for old tools, old books, or old cameras.
My mom and step-dad got a pair of bikes years ago wanting to use em to get in shape. She just dropped em of here a couple of hours ago. Used so little they still have everything original, even the tires with no wear. They are mountain bikes though, so I think we will need to look into finding some street tires for it. And the seat on the woman's bike is really uncomfortable, so that is on the list too. If I can get it ready for riding, I've got a two block ride to hit the trail that will drop me right onto campus when I'm heading to SE.
Quote from: Ed W on March 14, 2012, 07:02:40 PM
Brooks saddles are not cheap, but after they're broken in they're very comfortable. They do require some care and they're best kept out of the rain. Both my commuter bikes have Brooks Professionals.
Two commuter bikes? Why in the world would someone have two commuters? Well, there's one for nice days, and the other one is for foul weather. The 'nice day' bike is a '96 Bianchi San Remo, one of the last made with a lugged steel frame. Shortly afterward, Bianchi switched to a welded model. The San Remo was in the catalog for nearly 50 years, originally as a racing bike for rough roads like those found on Paris-Roubaix. It used cantilever brakes for extra mud clearance.
The foul weather bike is an old Centurion LeMans 12. All that's left of the original bike is the frame and fork. Everything else has been replaced or discarded over the years. It's now a single speed with fenders, a rear rack, and ordinary platform pedals so I can ride it to the grocery store.
And that's another subject. Even if you can't consider using a bike to commute to work, consider using one to run errands around town. I've even gone to garage sales on the bike, looking for old tools, old books, or old cameras.
Um, think you could send a photo of the San Remo? I LOVE bike porn, especially the Italian type. ;)
This discussion has me fired up. I'm going to pull "The MILF" (my beloved 1984 steel lugged Bianchi) out of storage and buy a rack and pannier set. I've done some searching and Topeak seems to have what I want. I've bought a few of their components and I've always been happy with what I have bought. I'm thinking primary purpose is the ride to work and back. The tank bike will get grocery store and close to home commuting duty. And, of course, the thoroughbreds will always have their purpose. :P
Quote from: Conan71 on March 14, 2012, 08:06:12 PM
Um, think you could send a photo of the San Remo? I LOVE bike porn, especially the Italian type. ;)
This discussion has me fired up. I'm going to pull "The MILF" (my beloved 1984 steel lugged Bianchi) out of storage and buy a rack and pannier set. I've done some searching and Topeak seems to have what I want. I've bought a few of their components and I've always been happy with what I have bought. I'm thinking primary purpose is the ride to work and back. The tank bike will get grocery store and close to home commuting duty. And, of course, the thoroughbreds will always have their purpose. :P
I have an entire folder of bike porn, Conan! But there aren't any good photos of the Bianchi. I had a folder with a bunch of my bikes in it, but I can't locate it. Tomorrow I'll clean the old girl up a bit and take some photos. It's my favorite bike, as comfortable as an old lounge chair. It probably has more than 30,000 miles behind it. Despite regular maintenance, the drive train is due for replacement again. The last time, the only cogs available were Campy Record 8 speed. That and a chain was about $100. This time I think the chain rings will need to be replaced too along with the rear derailleur and some new hub cones. I could probably buy another (cheap) bike for what the parts will cost.
Quote from: Ed W on March 14, 2012, 09:05:21 PM
I have an entire folder of bike porn, Conan! But there aren't any good photos of the Bianchi. I had a folder with a bunch of my bikes in it, but I can't locate it. Tomorrow I'll clean the old girl up a bit and take some photos. It's my favorite bike, as comfortable as an old lounge chair. It probably has more than 30,000 miles behind it. Despite regular maintenance, the drive train is due for replacement again. The last time, the only cogs available were Campy Record 8 speed. That and a chain was about $100. This time I think the chain rings will need to be replaced too along with the rear derailleur and some new hub cones. I could probably buy another (cheap) bike for what the parts will cost.
Yeah, but unless someone has never ridden lugged steel to compare the ride to aluminum/carbon or carbon, they simply will never appreciate why the ride is so much better on a lugged steel frame and therefore why you have 30K miles on that bike. The MILF was my only bike and sat idle quite a bit until I started riding again to x-train for rowing in '08. I might put 50-100 miles a year padding around the neighborhood from about 1990 until then. I figured I needed more gears and a lighter bike if I wanted to expand my riding horizons around town. That's when the second Bianchi came into the picture and the MILF got parked again. Then I needed to see what full carbon was all about- oh, and just had to have a mountain bike and a cyclocross bike for good measure! Then there was the day the tank bikes arrived at my office. Really, I've got to stop there or just open a bike shop. ;)
Last year, MC and I decided to ride from my house down to the crits on Crybaby Hill during Tulsa Tough and I figured I'd take the oldest bike in the stable. I couldn't believe how much better the old steel frame absorbs road vibration. It was like riding a giant spring down the road. I had to take her and the CX bike to storage while I was doing the recent renovation projects on my house so I had room to move around (we have something like 9 or 10 bikes between us, plus the two motorized ones and a few more antique Harley projects).
Speaking of bike porn:
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/71conan/TN/001.jpg)
Look! Conan is fired up too! Awesome. Tulsa's bike culture has done nothing but explode over the last few years.
A buddy of mine e-mailed me that he has a Haro Zero 1 hybrid and a electric Ezip. Whats the thoughts on those ?
Be still my heart! Here's the hot rod bike:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--s5NCEbfqG4/T2JgAZ19AHI/AAAAAAAAF3M/x0kGW2z006U/s640/tmpF575.jpg)
Look carefully, and you'll notice the front tire is flat! Duh.
And here's the comfortable old lounge chair:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l11Ek7CrZqQ/T2JgBGLn2pI/AAAAAAAAF3c/v8mLI1G5UhA/s640/tmp271.jpg)
I started a Bike Porn folder on my G+ page at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114874700548780474647/BikePorn (https://picasaweb.google.com/114874700548780474647/BikePorn)
There are photos of my bikes, some shots from the old Detroit portable track, the New York Bike Show from the early 80s, and more. There's even one photo of John Howard's speed record bike. He did 152 mph behind a specially built pace car.
I'm sorry, I can't get the word Bee Hotch outta my head now.
I think I have found my Bike. It is a Cannondale m400
I just hope the seller still has it. I like the way it looks and it can be used on and off road. The tires are not really all that knobby so on the street shouldn't be that much more of a challenge to pedel.
I'm really looking forward to this. Thanks for all your help.
No problem.
I returned from lunch today to find that my new rear rack and pannier set for my, ahem, mature Bianchi had arrived. MC and I are going to keep a running log on how many car miles we save this year from commuting by foot or bike.
Edit: If it's the 20" one on CL, that's going to be too small for you. That's basically a kid's bike, assuming that's the wheel size and not the frame size. Frame looks way small to me, but photos can be misleading.
QuoteI returned from lunch today to find that my new rear rack and pannier set for my, ahem, mature Bianchi had arrived. MC and I are going to keep a running log on how many car miles we save this year from commuting by foot or bike
+1 (whatever that means)
Quote from: Conan71 on March 21, 2012, 02:22:05 PM
No problem.
I returned from lunch today to find that my new rear rack and pannier set for my, ahem, mature Bianchi had arrived. MC and I are going to keep a running log on how many car miles we save this year from commuting by foot or bike.
Edit: If it's the 20" one on CL, that's going to be too small for you. That's basically a kid's bike, assuming that's the wheel size and not the frame size. Frame looks way small to me, but photos can be misleading.
That's the one. What size should I look for ? I just liked the style and the way it looked.
Minimum 26" wheels for an adult, but you may need anywhere from a 15" to 21" or small, medium, large, or XL on a frame (if you are looking at a mountain style or hybrid frame, 40 cm to 62cm for a road frame). Again, I'd highly recommend you go see Tom or G. Oscar and get fit properly. Finding something that looks good on Craigslist is a quick way to end up with a bike that's horribly uncomfortable and your wallet being $150 to $200 lighter.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 21, 2012, 03:14:07 PM
Minimum 26" wheels for an adult, but you may need anywhere from a 15" to 21" or small, medium, large, or XL on a frame (if you are looking at a mountain style or hybrid frame, 40 cm to 62cm for a road frame). Again, I'd highly recommend you go see Tom or G. Oscar and get fit properly. Finding something that looks good on Craigslist is a quick way to end up with a bike that's horribly uncomfortable and your wallet being $150 to $200 lighter.
thanks. I will take your advice and look a little bit more. Just trying to not get into a big hurry.
Conan. I got a call from the guy who has the bike and I expressed my concern on the size of the bike and he told me that it is a adult bike and that Cannondale only made one style larger and it was 21" inch.
He said that he started out selling it at 250 and then dropped it to 225 and he was not getting very many calls and so now that he is asking 150 that his phone is finally ringing.
He mentioned that when the bike was new it sold for 635 dollars and I countered that I had seen that when it was manufactured in the mid to late 90s. I am doing some research. If he still has it Saturday I am going to take a look and a spin. I'm just glad to be 40 pounds lighter doing this.
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 22, 2012, 08:48:02 AM
Conan. I got a call from the guy who has the bike and I expressed my concern on the size of the bike and he told me that it is a adult bike and that Cannondale only made one style larger and it was 21" inch.
He said that he started out selling it at 250 and then dropped it to 225 and he was not getting very many calls and so now that he is asking 150 that his phone is finally ringing.
He mentioned that when the bike was new it sold for 635 dollars and I countered that I had seen that when it was manufactured in the mid to late 90s. I am doing some research. If he still has it Saturday I am going to take a look and a spin. I'm just glad to be 40 pounds lighter doing this.
Okay, he must be talking frame size then rather than wheel size. Still, the frame looks pretty compact to me. My inseam is about 32" and I ride a 20" mountain bike frame. The other part of the fit is your reach over on the top frame tube. Do yourself a favor and don't buy it just because it's a Cannondale for $150 if it still doesn't fit completely right. I realize you are on somewhat of a budget to do this- mainly out of fear of spending more then finding out cycling isn't for you. If it doesn't fit correctly, you will more rapidly believe cycling isn't for you.
I hope this works out for you if it's what you want. If not, please take other's suggestions and get a bike custom fit for you. If I wasn't going to be busy moving MC's stuff up here from OKC this weekend, I'd gladly volunteer to go with you to look over the bike, but not in the cards for this weekend.
Thanks for the offer Conan. I will proceed with caution and if it rubs me the wrong way when ridden. I will walk away.
Quote from: DolfanBob on March 22, 2012, 01:19:50 PM
Thanks for the offer Conan. I will proceed with caution and if it rubs me the wrong way when ridden. I will walk away.
..bowlegged
Did ya get your bike yet? I'm not into cycling and don't know anything about it or the cycling culture or the rides groups of cyclists go on, but on the RiverSide Trails over the weekend there were alot of cyclists, many were in groups so I dunno if some sort of bike ride or bike race was going on or what- needless to say they all have to pass me as I jog on the sections of trail that are single wide. When the trail was a double not many cyclists there. A problem I notice that seems to be getting worse is all the dogs on the jogging trail, you now see people walking 3,4 or 5 dogs at once and the dogs wonder all over the trail then they poop. Tulsa has dog parks why don't dog owners go there, I'd like to see dogs banned from RiverParks. The north section of the trail seems to have the most dog poop.
I like to jog but I'm not sure about cycling. I like Ft Worth but mostly Arlington and I like my gasoline to be the kind that only has dead dinosaurs in it. While I was in WalMart I though about jogging and then I thought about dogs and how they make me mad. I bet Mary Fallin can get rid of all of those dogs like she did all of those unemployed people.
Quote from: sauerkraut on April 02, 2012, 03:20:27 PM
Tulsa has dog parks why don't dog owners go there, I'd like to see dogs banned from RiverParks. The north section of the trail seems to have the most dog poop.
Provocative idea to say the least.
Sauer, if you are seeing a lot of dog poop on the north end, and actually on the path, you are probably mistaking Geese droppings for dog poop. Especially on the North end which is where most of them congregate to party. I ran last night on both sides of the river from 23rd to the pedestrian path and never saw any dog poo (but certainly a lot of dogs).
More bike porn of the Italian flavor, just for Conan:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4278051/Photo_110507_001.jpg)
My vintage Gianni Motta.
Quote from: AquaMan on April 03, 2012, 11:32:11 AM
Provocative idea to say the least.
Sauer, if you are seeing a lot of dog poop on the north end, and actually on the path, you are probably mistaking Geese droppings for dog poop. Especially on the North end which is where most of them congregate to party. I ran last night on both sides of the river from 23rd to the pedestrian path and never saw any dog poo (but certainly a lot of dogs).
So you are saying Sauer don't know sh!t.
Quote from: Red Arrow on April 03, 2012, 12:31:41 PM
So you are saying Sauer don't know sh!t.
;D Pretty good at reading between the lines there RA!
Quote from: AquaMan on April 03, 2012, 12:46:24 PM
;D Pretty good at reading between the lines there RA!
This isn't the first time someone has pointed out that this is fowl foul to him.
Just wait, soon he will complain about trail markers and draw his usual comparison.
The "pack mule" fully dressed with new Topeak rack and trunk bag with expandable panniers. Just guessing: total rig weight coming to work this morning with the bags packed was about 50-55 lbs. It's heavy, but it rides so much smoother than my lightweight carbon bike. Of course, now that I've got my gear together for commuting, the weather is looking a bit sketchy this week.
The shortest route I can take is right at 8 miles each way on the bike. Naturally, if I have extra time I can add in a few more miles before or after work.
By car via the detour on the IDL, it's 12 or 13 miles or I-44 from home is about 10 miles. So I save not quite a gallon of gas each day, plus the wear and tear on the car. Taking just the short route every day, round trip will burn about 700-800 calories, plus gaining all the endorphins.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q55/71conan/TN/BianchiPackMule.jpg)
Steel-lugged, made in Japan all original Shimano Z401 equipment. I bought it Sept. of '84 when I started school in Stillwater, it made me a Bianchi fan for life.
So far my biggest problem is getting to know the gear configuration. I think I should have went with a ten speed as compared to the twenty one.
I will be going along at a comfortable speed and come to a little incline and think that I need to shift and when I do. I go from long stride peddling to a ultra fast peddling going nowhere.
Quote from: DolfanBob on April 09, 2012, 11:51:01 AM
So far my biggest problem is getting to know the gear configuration. I think I should have went with a ten speed as compared to the twenty one.
I will be going along at a comfortable speed and come to a little incline and think that I need to shift and when I do. I go from long stride peddling to a ultra fast peddling going nowhere.
On the contrary! I think I know what you are doing.
On your left bar, the shifter controls the front derailleur, on the right bar, that shifter controls the rear derailleur. As a 21 speed, you have three chain rings on the front, and seven geared cogs on the rear. Sounds like you are down-shifting on the left bar going up-hill when one or two gear changes to a larger cog on the rear would suffice. Keep in mind: every change on the front derailleur represents a major change in your final drive ratio.
Smaller gear ring on the front equals higher pedaling cadence, less pedaling effort, and less speed. Bigger cog on the rear means higher pedaling cadence, less pedaling effort, and less speed. Vice versa in the other direction on the front and rear.
They designed three ring crank sets originally for mountain bikes to help with really slow-speed, steep climbs. I seriously doubt you need to ever be in the smallest chain ring riding on the trails or streets around Tulsa & Broken Arrow. When you come to a hill down-shift on the right handlebar next time and see if that makes a difference.
Quote from: Conan71 on April 09, 2012, 12:27:36 PM
On the contrary! I think I know what you are doing.
On your left bar, the shifter controls the front derailleur, on the right bar, that shifter controls the rear derailleur. As a 21 speed, you have three chain rings on the front, and seven geared cogs on the rear. Sounds like you are down-shifting on the left bar going up-hill when one or two gear changes to a larger cog on the rear would suffice. Keep in mind: every change on the front derailleur represents a major change in your final drive ratio.
Smaller gear ring on the front equals higher pedaling cadence, less pedaling effort, and less speed. Bigger cog on the rear means higher pedaling cadence, less pedaling effort, and less speed. Vice versa in the other direction on the front and rear.
They designed three ring crank sets originally for mountain bikes to help with really slow-speed, steep climbs. I seriously doubt you need to ever be in the smallest chain ring riding on the trails or streets around Tulsa & Broken Arrow. When you come to a hill down-shift on the right handlebar next time and see if that makes a difference.
Now when you are talking about down shifting on the right. The numbers are 1-7. so you are referring dropping from 7 down to 1 right ? And the front sprocket should usually stay on one of the two larger ones ?
Quote from: DolfanBob on April 09, 2012, 01:33:16 PM
Now when you are talking about down shifting on the right. The numbers are 1-7. so you are referring dropping from 7 down to 1 right ? And the front sprocket should usually stay on one of the two larger ones ?
Yep, first gear on the right should feel really easy, 7th really difficult. Personally, I'd keep it in the two larger chainrings in the front unless I were on a long, slow, sustained climb.
Quote from: Conan71 on April 09, 2012, 01:57:06 PM
Yep, first gear on the right should feel really easy, 7th really difficult. Personally, I'd keep it in the two larger chainrings in the front unless I were on a long, slow, sustained climb.
Thanks Conan. You da man. It was so much easier with one sprocket and one gear back in the day.