"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
03/30/2019 at 14:27 • Filed to: None
7
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"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
03/30/2019 at 14:27 • Filed to: None | 7
| 18 |
Picked this up today. Pretty excited, as it’s my first modern bike. I haven’t ridden in years but my new job and commute puts me in the area of a really nice long bike trail. It’s a 2014 Giant Defy 3, got it used from someone one Craigslist who had upgraded to a more expensive bike. Well maintained and in fairly good condition. The most shocking thing about it is how light it is. I can pick it up with one finger. I’m used to bike that weigh significantly more. Can’t wait to get riding. I will be purchasing tires with rain grooves though because “racing slicks” just seems like a really bad idea on anything other than completely smooth, dry surfaces.
Out, but with a W - has found the answer
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 14:44 |
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N ice bike , congrats !
G rooves have very little use on bike tires, they’re too narrow for aquaplaning. Composition (rubber mix) will have a way bigger impact on wet grip.
Schwalbe ’s Durano is a nice, long lasting tire with decent puncture protection. If you get regular flats, there’s also Continental’s Gatorskin. Try and get the widest possible tire in there for increased comfort. 25 mm should fit on most modern racing bikes, though you might be able to squeeze a 28 (or even 30) in there.
farscythe - makin da cawfee!
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 14:49 |
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check the rear mech
the giants ive had in the past kept eating the rear mech... the lower part gets wobbly and gets caught in the spokes....
(this could just be me being cursed with giants... but thats my experience)
good looking bike :)
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Maxima Speed
> farscythe - makin da cawfee!
03/30/2019 at 15:10 |
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Will do. I will prob take it to the shop to have it tuned up.
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farscythe - makin da cawfee!
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 15:16 |
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heres to hoping its just me being cursed :)
oh also... i wouldnt worrie about the slicks... they are plenty grippy even in the wet... unless you get wider tires i doubt getting grooves will make much of a difference
slicks will spray every drop of wet they encounter on to your back tho
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 15:20 |
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Nice ride! There are not to man aluminum bikes of decent quality out there any more, everything is carbon.
If the tires are not worn they will be fine even on wet roads, rain groves do nothing it’s all about rubber compound. Like others said larger tires are becoming more popular, I would looks for a 26-28 mm tire maybe a continental 4-season or a mid level ($ 35-50/tire from specialized or Michelin).
You should also get a bottle cage, pump, mini tool, tire levers and spare tube. I used to get lots of flats commuting.
jminer
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 15:23 |
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Congrats! I just picked up a bike myself this spring. I too am surprised with how light modern bikes are compared to what I used to ride.
facw
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 15:35 |
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“Rain grooves” don’t really do anything on a bike. Unlike a car which has tires that present a big flat contact surface that you need to push water away from in order to prevent hydroplaning, the bike has a round contact area with a tremendous amount of pressure on. On top of that the initial contact area is more like the front of a boat, pushing water to the sides. It’s really hard, if not impossible to hydroplane a bike. Obviously you have less traction in the rain, but little bits of sipping aren’t going to help with that.
If you are planning to ride of dirt, gravel, or sand, then yeah you can look into other tires, but if you are riding on asphalt/concrete smooth tires are what you want, regardless of how wet it is.
Sovande
> jminer
03/30/2019 at 15:40 |
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You can still get heavy bikes!
I bet this thing weighs 35 pounds.
dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 15:54 |
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Unrelated, but I’ve been meaning to ask how you like your Solara? How does it drive? Any problem areas? Things you really like?
TheRealBicycleBuck
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 16:04 |
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Nice ride, but it wouldn’t have been my first choice as a commuter. I prefer something with bigger tires, fenders, and a more relaxed riding position.
Don’t worry about changing tires for wet pavement. There’s not enough surface area on a skinny road tire to hydroplane. Don’t believe me, check in with the experts . You’ll have to scroll down to find the section on traction and hydroplaning.
Enjoy your new ride!
Chariotoflove
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 16:23 |
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Sweet. Looks like you’re running Shimano Sora on there. That should be reliable if not fancy. This is a nice enough bike that I would get a U-lock if you park it outside. Even better if you can bring it inside with you at your destination.
Don’t worry about grooves on your tires. Grooves are to channel water so your rubber stays in contact with road, but the contact area on street slicks is so narrow that it functions as a single tread with all your weight on it anyway.
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jminer
> Sovande
03/30/2019 at 17:06 |
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That looks fantastic! With the big basket up front and that blue frame.
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Maxima Speed
> Chariotoflove
03/30/2019 at 18:58 |
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I will definitely get a locking cable to fasten it to the car rack. It’s more of an afterword/weekend toy than a commuter. My new job is over 100 mile round trip so biking is a no go
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Maxima Speed
> TheRealBicycleBuck
03/30/2019 at 18:59 |
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I will definitely enjoy it. It’s not a commuter thankfully, just an after work and weekend toy. Should help keep me in shape. I’m in IT to there is a lot of inactivity. Have to counter that somehow.
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Maxima Speed
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
03/30/2019 at 19:03 |
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Solara has been rock solid. Still have it and it’s still running great. Bit of a rattle from either the catalytic converter or he muffler but still running strong. It’s in need of lower A arm bushings and some rear struts. Cosmetically the front bumper is a bit loose on one side because of hitting a raccoon and a possum and sliding off the road over winter (not all at once ). I’m definitely hooked on the Camry’s I’ve never had a car this reliable before.
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Sovande
> jminer
03/30/2019 at 19:04 |
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Thanks! Marin Nicasio RC. It’s super comfortable and handles weight well.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 19:16 |
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Ah. I thought you were planning to use the trail for commuting!
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Maxima Speed
03/30/2019 at 21:41 |
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I’ve noticed they’re fairly affordable and I know Toyota reliability so it’s a tempting future car, guess we’ll see