Bicycle thread

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Mercury264

While I have your attention....so I bought the Specialized mtn bike the guy was selling in FM. Guy gave me a manual but it was pretty much useless, where would I get more information on the forks and rear shock - i.e. what to do with it and how.

well, what brand/model rear shock and fork?

in general, the setup is pretty much like a motorcycle. with your full weight on the bike, the suspension should be preloaded about 25-30% of its full range travel, and there should be just enough damping to keep it from pogoing. once I have the preload set correctly (I had to replace the spring in my forks with a much stiffer one, and I put about 220PSI in my rear Fox Float R air shock to offset my 225lb bulk), then I start with the damping on the minimal (none) setting, and increase it until it just damps out the bounce.

assuming you have an air shock in the rear, do realize, you need a special HP pump for those, don't go thinking you can get 200PSI or so out of a normal bike pump or tire inflator.

[Gummee!]

I've heard good things about 531 tubes...

Them and 753. There's a 753 La Vie Claire Look that I have lust for.

M

[dolomoto]

I rode 63 miles on a group ride ("Ride for the Cure"). I've only been on a few group rides and assumed this would be like the other....all riders start at the same time but ride their own pace to the finish.

I was surprised when the ride organizer announced that we would all ride together at "no faster than 15mph" and if we get ahead of the police escort then we are "on our own with no support".

It wasn't too bad really til the last leg when the whole group (22 riders) pulled over and waited..in the sun...on the shoulder of a busy road while one of the ride organizers fixed a flat. The support vehicle that stopped was out of water.

We rode the last 15 miles at around 12-13mph "because of all the hills". This was around Darien, GA on the way into Brunswick.

I had a good time and it was for a great cause...but am not sure if I'd do it again knowing it was so structured.

I think riding to the ability of the slowest rider is dangerous...whether on a bicycle or motorcycle.

Are group rides such as this one typical? As in, all the riders must stay together or "get no support"?

It was the easiest 63 miles I've ever ridden.

[thencamebronson]

What is the consensus on slime tubes for road bikes? My experience has been less that satisfactory. Last summer I bought two and put them on my bike, or tried to put them on. Both blew out at 85 PSI (the max pressure for the cross tires I was running. I must have forgotten that because I orderd two more last week after two flats caused by small wires I picked up.

Last night I put on the front, pumped it up to 120 and walked away. About ten minutes later, POW. Is it me, or is it the tubes.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by thencamebronson

What is the consensus on slime tubes for road bikes? My experience has been less that satisfactory. Last summer I bought two and put them on my bike, or tried to put them on. Both blew out at 85 PSI (the max pressure for the cross tires I was running. I must have forgotten that because I orderd two more last week after two flats caused by small wires I picked up.

Last night I put on the front, pumped it up to 120 and walked away. About ten minutes later, POW. Is it me, or is it the tubes.

Dunno. Prolly a little of both.

IMO you're better off with the kevlar liners (not Mr Tuffys Too farging heavy and a PITA)

One of the ways to get a sealant inside yer tire is Tufo sealant. You'll hafta have valves you can take the cores out of... Put the Tufo goop in there and you *should* be . Vittoria Pit Stop is supposed to be good stuff too, but I haven't used it. Wanted to, just haven't. Oh, with both of these, you use regular tubes.

M

[ImaPoser]

It's sunny and beautiful outside. But, 42 degrees.
I have no idea how to dress for riding when it's not hotter than hell outside. Let me guess, about 200 pages ago, this was discussed thoroughly? Anybody wanna help a poser out?

[Gummee!]

base
light insulating layer
SS jersey
vest
thick-ish arm warmers

shorts
tights or knee warmers or leg warmers
toe booties or shoe covers

DO NOT wear cotton.

M

[Bimble]

Yup, you got it, Gummee. Layering is where it's at.

Cover your ears, too. There are several brands of hats made for fitting under a helmet that work great. A neck gaiter is nice, too.

[Askel]

Busted by the Man!

OK, so we weren't actually cyclocross racing *in* the cemetary, just at the park next door, but it must have been close enough.

Apparently once the mayor started getting phone calls at home, they sent in the police.

We had permission and everything, so they just took all our beer (Hey, those were our trophies!) and left.

It was about 37 degrees out, so nobody really missed the beer much anyway. We just want to know where the cops are going to be partying tonight.

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

base
light insulating layer
SS jersey
vest
thick-ish arm warmers

shorts
tights or knee warmers or leg warmers
toe booties or shoe covers

DO NOT wear cotton.

M

Ok. I've got plenty of underarmor cold weather base layer stuff, so that's a start. It's supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow, so I can probably get by with a ride in my typical stuff with just an underarmor shirt and tights over my normal gear. I need to find a way to make riding in to the 40's doable. I'll guess I'll go look at arm and leg warmers, a vest, shoe covers and gloves tomorrow. I just happen to be working down the street from the performance bike shop.

[dolomoto]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

Ok. I've got plenty of underarmor cold weather base layer stuff, so that's a start. It's supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow, so I can probably get by with a ride in my typical stuff with just an underarmor shirt and tights over my normal gear. I need to find a way to make riding in to the 40's doable. I'll guess I'll go look at arm and leg warmers, a vest, shoe covers and gloves tomorrow. I just happen to be working down the street from the performance bike shop.

I ride down to about 45 degrees with biking shorts, shoes, helmet, and short sleeve biking jersey. Once it gets below 40, I sometimes add a long sleeve biking jersey (over the ss jersey), I don't cover the legs til it gets to about 25 or so.

You should be cold the first 10 minutes (or so) of your ride (otherwise, you overdressed).

Cold tolerance is something that can be acquired.

YMMV.

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by dolomoto

I ride down to about 45 degrees with biking shorts, shoes, helmet, and short sleeve biking jersey. Once it gets below 40, I sometimes add a long sleeve biking jersey (over the ss jersey), I don't cover the legs til it gets to about 25 or so.

You should be cold the first 10 minutes (or so) of your ride (otherwise, you overdressed).

Cold tolerance is something that can be acquired.

YMMV.

It got up to the low 50's here today. To cut the grass, then take the boy fishing, I wore long johns under jeans, medium thickness wool socks in insulated boots, an underarmor long sleeve base layer, t shirt, long sleeve tshirt, then a hoodie sweatshirt(yes, four layers). That was with plenty of sunshine.

I am one cold blooded mofo. It can get up to 80 and I'll still be wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by dolomoto

I ride down to about 45 degrees with biking shorts, shoes, helmet, and short sleeve biking jersey. Once it gets below 40, I sometimes add a long sleeve biking jersey (over the ss jersey), I don't cover the legs til it gets to about 25 or so.

Cover them knees! Old rule of thumb: if its below 60, put something over yer knees. I fudge that a bit and go mid-50s, but the thought's the same.

You should be cold the first 10 minutes (or so) of your ride (otherwise, you overdressed).

I'm sure this is true. If yer warm at first, yer gonna be too farging hot here REAL soon.

Oh, and always ride into the headwind on the first part of yer ride, that way you have the tailwind (in theory!) on the way home. Do it the other way and yer gonna be bucking a headwind when yer all sweaty an shit. Not nearly as much fun. DAMHIK

M

[RogueClimber]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Oh, and always ride into the headwind on the first part of yer ride, that way you have the tailwind (in theory!) on the way home. Do it the other way and yer gonna be bucking a headwind when yer all sweaty an shit. Not nearly as much fun. DAMHIK

M

There is never a tailwind...

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by RogueClimber

There is never a tailwind...

Sure there is!

Yer just going the wrong way!



M