All about bicycles

[dmatthews]

I was wondering if I would ride this winter and where, but the bike parts shortage kind of took that option away. I took my bike to the shop in mid December and have been awaiting a new rear cassette since. I called yesterday; they expect it will be done tomorrow.

As for the cost of biking vs guitar analysis; I've kind of done that. I spent more on my bike than I did on five of the seven guitars. But less has worn out on the guitars. Besides strings, some electronics have needed replaced (and bought a better soldering iron), some bridge pins, my first guitar needed a refret, and that's about it.

In the nine months and ~2,500 miles after getting a bike and returning to riding I've replaced a few innertubes (thinking of going tubeless), a set of tires, a set of pedals, a rear wheel, and now a cassette. (Wheel and pedals partially covered under warranty). I've also bought a few tools and various accessories.

And a few sets of padded liner shorts.

But I've greatly enjoyed riding, it's helped me continue to get healthier, has helped me deal with some difficult life situations, and generally feel physically and mentally better.

Here's a photo from one of my last rides before taking it to the shop.

I had 3 flats on my Fathom and then went tubeless. Not another flat in 2 years. Will go tubeless on the Stance E soon.

 

[dmatthews]

Out for about 28kms along the greenway.
Mounted the bike lock, and seat pouch.

 

[tiboy]

Tomorrow the shortest month of the year comes to an end. There is at least a 90% chance of rain. This marks the first time ever, with one exception, that I recorded 0 miles in a month. With that same exception, it will be the first time I recorded 0 miles in any given week. The exception was a bike crash and resulting broken hip back in 2009. I’m in the worst shape of my life both in terms of cycling and resistance training. I plan to rectify that starting March 1. I’m even considering giving up the holy trinity, wine, beer and chocolate, for the month to jump start my return to fitness.

 

[AaeCee]

Any fixie die-hards here? After 40 years of being a roadie, it was my obsession until my 'first encounter of the SUV kind' which ended me up in shock-trauma and ended my cycling life altogether. I sold all of my road bikes, but couldn't let my two fixies go despite the fact that they've basically only gathered dust since. I love their elemental purity.

 

[pac90]

Tomorrow the shortest month of the year comes to an end. There is at least a 90% chance of rain. This marks the first time ever, with one exception, that I recorded 0 miles in a month. With that same exception, it will be the first time I recorded 0 miles in any given week. The exception was a bike crash and resulting broken hip back in 2009. I’m in the worst shape of my life both in terms of cycling and resistance training. I plan to rectify that starting March 1. I’m even considering giving up the holy trinity, wine, beer and chocolate, for the month to jump start my return to fitness.

Steady, keep the red wine.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Any fixie die-hards here? After 40 years of being a roadie, it was my obsession until my 'first encounter of the SUV kind' which ended me up in shock-trauma and ended my cycling life altogether. I sold all of my road bikes, but couldn't let my two fixies go despite the fact that they've basically only gathered dust since. I love their elemental purity.

Hope you’re recovered physically now? I’m sure the trauma is still with you.

I’m a roadie at heart. Never been a fixie-lover.

 

[DISTORT6]

10+/- years ago, I was riding my bike up my steep driveway and had my feet locked into the pedals when my chain came off. I quickly remembered advice of not using your arms to catch your fall, and thus, tucked in my arm and made the decision to absorb the fall with my right shoulder. I was shocked by the pain that jolted through my body when it made contact with the concrete.

So, over the past 10 years, my right shoulder has given me different levels of discomfort, but none I couldn’t endure, until this past week. Last week’s MRI revealed that I have been living with not only a torn rotator cuff, but a chipped bone that has been held in place by my muscles.

I went snow sledding with my granddaughter last week, and evidently reinjured myself. I couldn’t raise my right arm above shoulder without disabling pain.

My shoulder specialist ortho has informed me I have no choice because of the bone break. “Fix it now, or face total shoulder replacement” in the days ahead.

Very soon, Mr. Scalpel will be my new friend. It requires a larger than normal incision because I need cadaver tissue for repair. I’m certainly not looking forward to the discomfort, but my bigger concern is all of the things I won’t be able to do for the next couple of months.

How will I open the toothpaste tube, and apply the paste on my brush? How do I put on my clothes? Wipe- dear God! And no guitar playing. Sigh. I know there are MANY who face much greater struggles than mine, and for my overall good health, I’m thankful and grateful. Still, it’s going to be a couple of long months. I feel sorry for my poor (and wonderful) wife.

Hopefully you’ll be able to throw 110mph fastballs with your new cadaver parts.
Then again, there have been horror movies about evil cadaver parts...

 

[veinbuster]

Any fixie die-hards here? After 40 years of being a roadie, it was my obsession until my 'first encounter of the SUV kind' which ended me up in shock-trauma and ended my cycling life altogether. I sold all of my road bikes, but couldn't let my two fixies go despite the fact that they've basically only gathered dust since. I love their elemental purity.

I love my fixie, but I am fairly selective about where I ride it, mostly minimizing traffic interaction.
I live around rolling hills, and I get a better leg work out on it than anything else.

 

[AaeCee]

I love my fixie, but I am fairly selective about where I ride it, mostly minimizing traffic interaction.
I live around rolling hills, and I get a better leg work out on it than anything else.

That's exactly how I used mine. A 25-30 mile road route with rolling hills on a fixie is a fairly quick yet satisfyingly brutal workout!

I'm a runner now, but converted one of my fixies into a crazy trail bike. We have a local, fairly flat bike/hike trail on a converted rail line that's about 35 hard-pack miles (each way) through the woods. It's quite popular but there's plenty of room for bikes, so I used an old track frame with just enough clearance for the sturdier set of wheels with 32c tires I specially built, figured out the best gear combination, installed a front brake, and I now have a crazy looking but very effective trail beast that's a blast to ride. I typically do 20 up, 20 back, and 40 miles like that on a fixed gear will definitely leave you pretty spent!

 

[AaeCee]

Hope you’re recovered physically now? I’m sure the trauma is still with you.

I’m a roadie at heart. Never been a fixie-lover.

AR ... the precise former bike mechanic I was (best in the business!) just noticed something on your bike that bugs the heck out of me! The section of brake cable housing between your rear caliper and frame boss is way too long! A shorter piece will definitely improve your braking action and look proper. Just a 2.5 cm. cut should do it. You're welcome!

And BTW ... nice bike!

 

[veinbuster]

That's exactly how I used mine. A 25-30 mile road route with rolling hills on a fixie is a fairly quick yet satisfyingly brutal workout!

I'm a runner now, but converted one of my fixies into a crazy trail bike. We have a local, fairly flat bike/hike trail on a converted rail line that's about 35 hard-pack miles (each way) through the woods. It's quite popular but there's plenty of room for bikes, so I used an old track frame with just enough clearance for the sturdier set of wheels with 32c tires I specially built, figured out the best gear combination, installed a front brake, and I now have a crazy looking but very effective trail beast that's a blast to ride. I typically do 20 up, 20 back, and 40 miles like that on a fixed gear will definitely leave you pretty spent!

I wasn’t bold enough to fixie trails, but did set up a single speed for that. Wider, knobbier tires and a smaller gear, with a brake.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

AR ... the precise former bike mechanic I was (best in the business!) just noticed something on your bike that bugs the heck out of me! The section of brake cable housing between your rear caliper and frame boss is way too long! A shorter piece will definitely improve your braking action and look proper. Just a 2.5 cm. cut should do it. You're welcome!

And BTW ... nice bike!

Thanks. I was confident enough to cut it cleanly and the cutters I have aren’t great. Any suggestions? Other than buy a better set.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Thanks. I was confident enough to cut it cleanly and the cutters I have aren’t great. Any suggestions? Other than buy a better set.

Should have been “wasn’t”

 

[AaeCee]

Thanks. I was confident enough to cut it cleanly and the cutters I have aren’t great. Any suggestions? Other than buy a better set.

Nah, don't buy another set because the shop quality stuff will be pricey and more than you need. There's a 'method' to cleanly cutting housing well even with a cheap set ... Just make your cut, and if it leaves a sharp or bent burr, cut at that rough end until you get it clean enough. Start by cutting a hair less than desired though just to leave some 'fudge' room!

 

[StephenShort]

Out for about 28kms along the greenway.
Mounted the bike lock, and seat pouch.

I like your bike, I want the same one. How much does it cost?

 

[dmatthews]

I like your bike, I want the same one. How much does it cost?

Thanks.
MAP when I bought it in January was $4199 CAD. Two weeks later it went up $200 CAD.

 

[tiboy]

I got in my first real outside ride today since January 28. Legs were rubber, but it felt soooooo good.

 

[slater529]

I got in my first real outside ride today since January 28. Legs were rubber, but it felt soooooo good.

I rode outside today too. First time for me since last October. Looking forward to some warmer, drier weather!

 

[Egads]

I wasn’t bold enough to fixie trails, but did set up a single speed for that. Wider, knobbier tires and a smaller gear, with a brake.

Living in CO, I was slow to the single speed trail bike, but (once you are in shape for it) there is no more fun than climbing and zipping on a SS mountain bike on single-track! Make it a belt drive, and it's pure heaven!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Living in CO, I was slow to the single speed trail bike, but (once you are in shape for it) there is no more fun than climbing and zipping on a SS mountain bike on single-track! Make it a belt drive, and it's pure heaven!

I wanted a Gates Carbon belt drive on my new ride so bad. Alas, it wasn't an option.