DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> I think I want a bicycle...
Pages:  
Showing posts 76 - 100 of 130, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 05/07/2015 08:06:22 AM · #76
Reading the reviews and description before buying will most likely reveal whether the cleat hits the floor while walking. It is usually a concern of most riders. I use Shimano mountain bike shoes which have a pretty thick tread and only after several years started to scrape a bit. There are so many shoes out there but if you start out with the dual-purpose pedals you should be able to ease into clipless at your own pace.

Taking a look around, these look pretty sweet for ladies but my taste may not match yours ;)
 05/07/2015 08:12:28 AM · #77
BTW: When I started riding regularly,

I started an Instagram account

with the specific theme of photographs taken during rides. These are almost exclusively iPhone photos just because it is quick and easy (and sometimes I shoot while pedaling along =). A visual photo book and creates little memories you can look back on over time.
 05/07/2015 06:59:51 PM · #78
Originally posted by tate:
I started an Instagram account


You've seen some interesting stuff, good idea!
 05/07/2015 09:14:48 PM · #79
Originally posted by tate:
BTW: When I started riding regularly,

I started an Instagram account

Nice collection. And Nice gravel grinder. Is that a Specialized AWOL? Gravel grinders are quickly becoming my favorite type of do-anything bike. A local riding friend recently built one up. He said he was inspired by my drop-handlebar Trek 900 conversion. (Which coincidentally, got new handlebars in the mail today. Going to install them now...)

Message edited by author 2015-05-07 21:15:57.
 05/07/2015 10:51:39 PM · #80
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think a cannondale is worth spending a little on for a nice.paint job. JMO, of course.


I don'tâ€Â¦not this one at least. I have a laundry list of nitpicks about how it doesn't suit meâ€Â¦ On the other hand, it's the bike that I have and I can buy some of that Plutonium Paint and hopefully improve its appearance. If it looks like crap, at least it won't be flaming orange. Right now, I have it stripped down in the garage. Next I'll clean it, then mask it, sand it, give it a solvent rubdown and finally paint. I suppose I should take pictures as I go.
 05/07/2015 10:54:37 PM · #81
What about stripping it and clear coating the bare frame?
 05/07/2015 11:05:37 PM · #82
Originally posted by tate:
BTW: When I started riding regularly,

I started an Instagram account

with the specific theme of photographs taken during rides. These are almost exclusively iPhone photos just because it is quick and easy (and sometimes I shoot while pedaling along =). A visual photo book and creates little memories you can look back on over time.

Love the fly fisherman shot! And your bike in the shots add scale to the works behind it and fit in unobtrusively. Looks like it's got the wheelbase of a tourer. Mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes?

Message edited by author 2015-05-07 23:07:32.
 05/07/2015 11:13:13 PM · #83
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
What about stripping it and clear coating the bare frame?


That crossed my mind, but bare aluminum really needs to be polished and/or anodized (IMO) and honestly that's too much work. What I really want is a rigid bike with a 7 or 8 speed internal gear hub, but those are pricy, no one in the area carries them, so I'd be buying with no chance to try. Besides, I already have the paint in hand. I got one can of black and 2 cans of a dark navy blue. We'll see how it goes.

05/08/2015 12:03:45 AM · #84
Most online bicycle retailers give a 30 day money back trial period. However, where it gets expensive is with return shipping.
 05/08/2015 08:52:06 AM · #85
Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Love the fly fisherman shot! And your bike in the shots add scale to the works behind it and fit in unobtrusively. Looks like it's got the wheelbase of a tourer. Mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes?


Thanks! This is the breed. Mechanical disk brakes.

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Nice collection. And Nice gravel grinder. Is that a Specialized AWOL? Gravel grinders are quickly becoming my favorite type of do-anything bike.


Funny you mention the AWOL (very close guess BTW - you guys are good! =). I believe that came out in 2015 and that was my "I shoulda waited and got that one" bike. Mine is a 2014 Specialized Tricross sport disk. It has been a great work-horse. Does a nice job on the commute and wasn't bad at all for my first Cyclocross races this past fall =) And yes, I like it as a do-everything bike - I take it on wooded trails on occasion and it does a decent job. The tires are road-friendly puncture resistant so after 1900 miles on it, still have the original tubes and tires. =)
 05/08/2015 09:09:08 AM · #86
While we are on the topic, any thoughts on upgrading from an aluminum to a carbon fork?
 05/08/2015 02:53:58 PM · #87
Originally posted by tate:
While we are on the topic, any thoughts on upgrading from an aluminum to a carbon fork?


I prefer carbon for its vibration damping properties, it should be more comfortable in the long run, all else being equal.

When I used to road race in college, I used 3 bikes. A Cannondale for short races like criteriums, a steel bike for longer rides and one of those super dorky time trial bikes with a 700C rear disk wheel and a 650C front wheel with 28 radially laced bladed spokes. The aluminum bike was super twitchy, stiff and unpleasant to ride more than 30-40 miles, but GAWD, when you'd put the hammer down on a bell lap it had giddy-up. The steel bike was a lot more stable and compliant and I could spend all day riding it out in the foothills. It wasn't as relaxed as a touring bike, but it was lots of fun. The time trial bike was un-fun and really made you want to ride faster so you could not ride it anymore.
 05/08/2015 03:22:09 PM · #88
I raced for a couple of years in college. The team made fun of my bike which was a Centurion (ridiculously ugly pattern on it as well).
But I wasn't about to spend my book (beer) money on a bike or my studying (beer drinking) time on practicing riding. I did pretty well considering my teammates all had ultra-fancy European bikes.

For the record the captain of my team, Dave, now owns Sufferfest. So you can imagine riding with them wasn't always a joy LOL

Originally posted by Spork99:

When I used to road race in college, I used 3 bikes.
05/08/2015 10:44:41 PM · #89
When I started, I had a crappy Nishiki with a down tube I bent in a crash. The bend had the effect of making the head tube angle very steep, it was even twitchier than my later Cannondale was. I built some light weight racing wheels and used them on that bike. The running joke was that the wheels on my bike were worth more than the rest of the bike. The funny bike came from one of our team sponsors.

Originally posted by tate:
I raced for a couple of years in college. The team made fun of my bike which was a Centurion (ridiculously ugly pattern on it as well).
But I wasn't about to spend my book (beer) money on a bike or my studying (beer drinking) time on practicing riding. I did pretty well considering my teammates all had ultra-fancy European bikes.

For the record the captain of my team, Dave, now owns Sufferfest. So you can imagine riding with them wasn't always a joy LOL

Originally posted by Spork99:

When I used to road race in college, I used 3 bikes.
05/12/2015 09:35:23 AM · #90
I blame this thread for inspiring me to buy a bike! Now I'm just waiting for better weather so I can try the thing properly...
 05/12/2015 10:31:27 AM · #91
Originally posted by wejna:
I blame this thread for inspiring me to buy a bike! Now I'm just waiting for better weather so I can try the thing properly...

Yay!!!
 05/12/2015 02:14:19 PM · #92
Thursday is Bike to Work day here in LA. The LA Metro is sponsoring pit stops at metro stations. You get breakfast and occasional swag. We're in the throes of a four year drought. There's an 80% chance of rain on Thursday. Wheeeeee!
 05/12/2015 02:14:37 PM · #93
Another bike question:

So I bought my comfort bike last May. Simply because the last time I had a bike (a hybrid), it really hurt my wrists, shoulders and neck to ride any prolonged distance. I brought it in to my bike shop to see if they could put handlebar extenders on it to make it better. They told me that it was a guy's bike, and the frame was too long for me. Since I needed a new bike then, I didn't even look at the road bikes or fitness bikes (i guess that's what they call hybrids now?), I just got the comfort bike.

It is better on the neck and shoulders.

However, I'm out growing it. You really can't ride this hard and long. There's a limit to how much you can push it. Even when I'm pushing hard, I'm only averaging about 12 miles an hour on a 10-15 mile ride. And hills are nasty.

So I'm thinking fitness or road bike. I tried a road bike for 10 miles, and it wasn't as bad on the neck/shoulders as I thought, but it was really hard on the wrists and my left elbow was quite sore. It wasn't fitted quite right, so that's one thing.

Do you have any thoughts on this? I'd like to go harder/faster/longer, but have bad neck and shoulders. Have you had success with anything and can give any input?

Thanks!

(Did my first half century on the comfort bike. Some massively good road bikers went by my husband and I and told us we were hardcore for taking our bikes on a half century (his was a mountain bike). :D
 05/12/2015 02:28:17 PM · #94
Originally posted by vawendy:
Another bike question:

So I bought my comfort bike last May.

What does that look like?
 05/12/2015 02:48:47 PM · #95
I'm feeling like buying a bike now also, we have country roads and lots of dirt trails, would a hybrid bike be best? Ha I used to be an ace on a BMX but that was twenty five years ago.
Thanks for this inspiring thread.
 05/12/2015 04:19:49 PM · #96
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by vawendy:
Another bike question:

So I bought my comfort bike last May.

What does that look like?


trek shift 2 comfort bike

Message edited by author 2015-05-12 16:20:15.
 05/12/2015 04:32:35 PM · #97
Originally posted by vawendy:
I'd like to go harder/faster/longer, but have bad neck and shoulders.

Have you considered one of those weird-looking recumbent bikes? Pedaling is like doing a leg-press so there should be no strain on the neck and shoulders other than to steer.
 05/12/2015 04:40:52 PM · #98
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by vawendy:
I'd like to go harder/faster/longer, but have bad neck and shoulders.

Have you considered one of those weird-looking recumbent bikes? Pedaling is like doing a leg-press so there should be no strain on the neck and shoulders other than to steer.


Naw -- The thing is I want to go faster to be able to ride with groups, etc. They ride 14-16 mph and say that really you need a road bike to keep up with them. Some say the fitness will work. But either way, the comfort bike can't begin to, because you get a lot more power when you're leaning over. Recumbent would be even slower.
 05/12/2015 04:49:49 PM · #99
According to this Wikipedia article a recumbent model holds the world speed record for a bicycle. I imagine they're available in a variety of styles for different uses, just like other bikes and cars ...
 05/12/2015 07:10:35 PM · #100
Originally posted by wejna:
I blame this thread for inspiring me to buy a bike! Now I'm just waiting for better weather so I can try the thing properly...

Our evil plan is working.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 07/31/2025 02:06:19 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 07/31/2025 02:06:19 PM EDT.