Bicycle thread

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by VelvtRide

I got one as a gift - a TT bike.

Yup, I looked back through the thread and saw the pics. Very nice bike.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by VelvtRide

I got one as a gift - a TT bike. I want those pedals because 1. I'm not worried about weight(my other bike is 30lbs heavier than this one!), 2. I want to be able to use the pedals without clip in shoes for rides to the post office and what not and 3. i want a larger platform for pedaling.

Thanks for the links!

the SPD-on-one-side and platform-on-the-other pedals are a pain. you're having to flip them around all the time. standard double sided SPD pedals snap in and out quite easily once you get used to them.

when you're wearing the cleats, you don't need any platform, as the shoes are quite stiff to distribute the load on your foot.

as far as shoes to wear, check out the Shimano brand touring SPD shoes, they look like street shoes but have the cleat screws... also Keens makes some that are almost sandals, but have the cleat mounting ...

http://www.rei.com/product/811226/sh...e-shoes-womens


these are the Keens SPD compatible sandals...
http://www.rei.com/product/812177/ke...sandals-womens

[VelvtRide]

Originally Posted by pierce

the SPD-on-one-side and platform-on-the-other pedals are a pain. you're having to flip them around all the time. standard double sided SPD pedals snap in and out quite easily once you get used to them.

when you're wearing the cleats, you don't need any platform, as the shoes are quite stiff to distribute the load on your foot.

as far as shoes to wear, check out the Shimano brand touring SPD shoes, they look like street shoes but have the cleat screws... also Keens makes some that are almost sandals, but have the cleat mounting ...

Thanks for the info - I did get the shoes already: Link



Brand new at REI used gear sale for $14.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by pierce

also Keens makes some that are almost sandals, but have the cleat mounting ...

I've seen a couple of brands of those. What exactly is the point/advantage of wearing sandals on a mountain bike? Nice cool, comfy, airy feet? In my brain, I'm thinking I want something to protect the sides of my feet from rocks, branches, etc. Thoughts?

BTW: I'm in total product shock right now. I was last into mountain bikes in 1993 and probably haven't been in a shop since 1994-95. The advancement in bicycles and accessories have gone to in the past 18 years is amazing...much more than the motorcycle world.

And the prices: my last helmet was a really fugly styrofoam thing that you couldn't tell back from front and it cost $30ish dollars in 1993. Anything nice looking was over $100. An hour ago, I bought a nice looking, nice fitting, well vented Specialized helmet for $40. Wow.

[Askel]

Got ~30 miles in on the Pugs on thursday with a buddy of mine.

When it all seemed like a good idea:


I had nothing to do with beer cans in the snow by my bike, honest.


And then we found the limits of fat tires. ~4 inches of lake effect on top of existing snow with only a couple recent snowmobile passes is pretty much impassable. Although I'm sure it was funny watching us try.


Good to find that the upper limit of a pugs is pretty much where the backcountry skiing gets good...

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Donkey Hotey

I've seen a couple of brands of those. What exactly is the point/advantage of wearing sandals on a mountain bike? Nice cool, comfy, airy feet? In my brain, I'm thinking I want something to protect the sides of my feet from rocks, branches, etc. Thoughts?

Keens have a big toe shield... I've not tried their cycling sandals, but I have a pair of the regular Keens 'Newport' (thats their classic original style) that I wear all summer long both around town and for casual hikes.



they offer pretty good foot protection for everything short of hard core brush crashing. your ankles are exposed, but they are on any lowtop shoe. as long as your foot is traveling forward, stuff isn't very likely to poke in from the sides.

[k7]

Originally Posted by Askel

Got ~30 miles in on the Pugs on thursday with a buddy of mine.

.......

Good to find that the upper limit of a pugs is pretty much where the backcountry skiing gets good...

That's excellent! I feel like such a wimp for my 20-mile quick ride around the neighborhood in 72F weather.

[mud]

From a tourists point of view.

Sandals ROCK! They are insanely versatile. Everything from nothing on with them to two layers of wool socks. Rain or sun I LOVE mine!!!

Mountainbiking....... not so much. We have sharp rocks up north.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by pierce

the SPD-on-one-side and platform-on-the-other pedals are a pain. you're having to flip them around all the time. standard double sided SPD pedals snap in and out quite easily once you get used to them.

Agreed. My GF rides those Shimano SPD/platform things, on one of her bikes, and is always messing about trying to flip them and get clicked in. She goes with it, though. I'm not riding her bike, nor did I choose the pedals, so I don't say anything.

Originally Posted by pierce

when you're wearing the cleats, you don't need any platform, as the shoes are quite stiff to distribute the load on your foot..

Agreed. Unless you're racing, a more casual cycling shoe is plenty adequate.

Originally Posted by pierce

as far as shoes to wear, check out the Shimano brand touring SPD shoes, they look like street shoes but have the cleat screws... also Keens makes some that are almost sandals, but have the cleat mounting ...

I picked up a pair of Specialized Tahoe at 50% off. They are the only shoe I wear (road and MTB) and have never had any foot discomfort. I enjoy getting off the bike and being able to walk around like a normal person. I will say that I can feel them "wrap around" CB Eggbeaters and that they feel much better on the CB Candys. As far as wearing dedicated road or MTB shoes, never again. There's just too much compromise and inconvenience.

[fullmonte]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Amazing how riding in the mtns works... Gotta pay to play.

I 'grew up' mtn biking around VA Tech. Same situation: Up, up, up, up... to get down! down!

...and that was on a 30# Rockhopper! (started out rigid at 27# but that Manitou 2 was SO worth it!)

M

Yes indeedy on the pay to play part. Not sure if it was the wind on Friday, or the creek crossings on Monday that brought on this nasty bronchitis... hack, cough, etc. Did you ride Pandapas Pond or Brush Mountain when you were at Tech? One of these days I'm gonna get up there.

[k7]

http://vimeo.com/34120002

Mostly in French with English subtitles - worth a watch though.

[Grainbelt]

I want one of these, for about 1 tenth of the asking price. It is simply beautiful.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

I want one of these, for about 1 tenth of the asking price. It is simply beautiful.

it would give you a place to put this sticker!

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by VelvtRide

Thanks for the info - I did get the shoes already: Link



Brand new at REI used gear sale for $14.

While those'd be great for JRA, for longer rides you'll want A. road pedals and B. road/tri shoes. Coupla reasons, but the biggest is stiffness. That little bitty cleat under there leads to hot spots after a while. Especially in shoes designed to be 'walk-able.'

Today's ride:
Mid 50s in the NoVA/DC area. Had to go for a ride!

2:45 Rode to meet a buddy halfway between us, then back towards his place before turning back north and home.

What'd you do?



M

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by fullmonte

Did you ride Pandapas Pond or Brush Mountain when you were at Tech? One of these days I'm gonna get up there.

Yeah. Lots to both.

I preferred Price's Mtn tho. Less people. Better trail network. Now I hear its illegal to ride it.

M