Cyclists of Oppo

"Nom De Plume" (unlistedusername) 06/11/2020 at 08:25 • Filed to: None

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How is everyone’s new and old bike purchases treating them thus far during the pandemic bike madness event currently underway ?

The daily celebration posts seem to have died down. Can only figure this means mistakes are being made. Mistakes are good and I’d like to hear about them. Within the last few weeks I’ve tipped over trying to track stand, crashed every bike I own (and a few I don’t), and reached my far point away from home with empty bottles only to be met by capped off water fountains cause ‘Rona.

At first I thought this was a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Now I’m starting to wonder how many mtb riders are out there play acting getting rad. Without any struggle I can see people easily losing an hour or two throwing down the gnar with a video playing on the big screen promoted from their living room to the garage.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:37

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Going pretty well here with the Ridley Noah RS I think. Been sort of busy, so not too much time for riding, but what I have done has been pretty good. I got a little weight obsessed buying accessories, because it felt like such a shame to add weight to such a light bike, but such is life.

Pretty much everything that needed to be done has been done, though I’m still waiting on the tires I ordered (supposed to be delivered as soon as today, but they appear not to have shipped yet). Had previously ordered a different replacement for the rear tire, but what I was sent was not what I ordered, so that’s going back.

Generally quite happy with it. It’s not such a revelation that I’m here saying “oh man, I should have done this years ago”, but it’s definitely an improvement.

functionoverfashion > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:40

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So, that Manual Machine - that’s like, you just try to balance on it? Like, wouldn’t it be better to go outside and do that in the real world, in motion? Or is it just another way to get better at something, practicing it with a lot of variables eliminated?

On our end, we did our first proper mountain bike ride as a whole family last weekend; our kids are 5 and 7, and while my wife is athletic, she’s not a big bike rider, I bought her first MTB last year. We rode about 3 miles up a woods road, mostly uphill, to a beautiful cascade. I went with my son the rest of the way up to a little ski area, then down the ski trails, my wife went down the woods road with our daughter. It was pretty amazing, watching her on a single-speed 16" wheel going up that road. The boy at least has gears and 20" wheels. I fell over twice because I was trying out new pedals and shoes, and couldn’t unclip my feet as easily as I was used to. Both times were at a stop and mostly just funny , but still. The kids killed it and my wife loved it, too. Her backside was sore, though from all the saddle time - she rides a peloton but only for like 30 minutes at a time.

But it’s finally happened, the whole family will go mountain biking with me! 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:43

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I have thought about building a manual trainer many times. Maybe some winter I’ll actually get around to it. I’m not very good at manuals and lots of people clsim they really do help. 

Sovande > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:43

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I don’t have a new/used bike but I am eyeing a electric motor for my existing bike. Or maybe a complete ebike. My knee is so screwed up that riding a regular bike kills me after about 10-12 miles. 

Gone > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:43

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R oadie/tri guy here. Just working on getting my watts up to “back-in-the-day” levels. Longggggg way to go for this old man . I’m just grinding on my trainer , too many groups out for me to be comfortable. I lead a ridiculously boring existe nce lol . Doing track stands again is going to take some practice...

Need to build a gravel or cross bike w/40C s . T rails here, but nothing needing a suspension.

Maxima Speed > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 08:55

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Im gonna order tires today for my bike so i can start riding.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 08:56

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I was having pain in my right knee after relatively short rides. My feet were killing me too. I thought I just needed to get back in shape and get used to my cycling shoes again. I switched back to platforms with clips and straps to help with my feet and all the sudden, my knee pain went away. I figure that I didn’t have enough float in the pedal and the angle was off just enough to make my knee hurt.

TheRealBicycleBuck > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/11/2020 at 08:56

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What is a “manual” trainer?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:00

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Going well here. I don’t really ride the roads much any more, so I figured out how to use my trainer with Zwift and have been riding at least a couple of times a week. Gamifying the trainer makes riding on it tolerable.

Nom De Plume > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 09:02

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It’s a lot like the picture and ad I posted.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 09:02

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Doing a manual on BMX, or MTB is doing a wheeling without pedaling. Either standing still or moving, but usually moving. So your just using your body weight, not pedaling to get the front wheel up, and then you can “pump” with your body weight to propel the bike forawd as well.

That thing the guy above is on, is a manual trainer. It helps you get down the basics of balancing your body weight with a lot less risk. Most people also put a strap on the front tire to stop you from “looping out” and hitting your head. 

facw > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 09:03

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Was zwifting this spring, but May has been pretty nice so I’ve been all outdoors. Zwift is definitely better than nothing though (especially now that I have a real controll able trainer, instead of my super low resistance fluid smart trainer).

Nom De Plume > Maxima Speed 06/11/2020 at 09:04

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LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

No seriously, where? With vacations and every other event cancelled everyone has resorted to cycling.  Tires are going to be tough to find.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:05

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I bought some spokes. I broke the tool I had to take off my freewheel and I bought a new tool to take off my freewheel. I broke the new tool to take off my freewheel. I brought my wheel to a local bike mechanic and he couldn’t get it off. Sooo... I’m just riding around with one less spoke. Keeping an eye out for a 26" wheelset for cantilever brakes and maybe with a 7 speed cassette.

Nom De Plume > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 09:06

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I’m guessing a hub motor is what you are looking at.

Won’t be too long an e-bikes will be infiltrating the used market at reasonably low prices.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > functionoverfashion 06/11/2020 at 09:09

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I think clip ins are highly over rated for MTB. My brother in law and I went on a ride 5 years ago and he fell off in the same rock garden 3 Times. After that he switched to flat pedals, with a skate shoe and never looked back. A few companies make MTB specific shoes now too. Im considering getting so, Etnies  Mariana Mid Cranks. I were the regular ones every day. And love them, the MTB version just has a midtop, and a harder soul. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:09

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The Journeyman continues to treat me well on daily rides. I’m not pushing distance yet, but I’m enjoying riding almost every day. I’ve added a few more little things to the bike and reached the point I’m pretty happy with the setup.

Your seat post recommendation was on point, btw. Higher and further forward still rocks. My legs fell so much better pedaling now, and I climb most hills a gear higher than a few weeks ago.

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 09:10

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I think that frame is going to need a number of longer rides before you appreciate the difference.

Curious what you mean by weight obsessed accessories given your history of recumbent cycling. 

Nom De Plume > functionoverfashion 06/11/2020 at 09:17

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I think it basically locks your rear tire in place. If you are really ingenious/lazy you rig the rear brake so it’s locked without having to hold the lever. Looks to me a lot like a recliner with pretensions of sporting dominance.

Good on you getting the kids and mom out on bike together.  Descending ski runs at the ripe age of 7 must have been an experience for your son.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:23

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Quite possibly. The longest single ride I’ve been on was only around 25 miles, though that ride is getting easier (first time through, my back, feet, and hands were all quite sore).

With the weight, yeah, I don’t think anything about putting weight on the trike, because it’s always heavy, but it just feels wrong to put heavy components on the Ridley. Some places where I spent extra for lighter parts:

Shimano Ultegra PD-ES600 Pedals. These were pricey, but the others I were looking at were twice as heavy. Decided to stick with SPD as I really like having recessed cleat touring shoes that I can actually walk on a bit, plus it’s more convenient to have SPD on everything. Maybe I should have gone SPD-SL (I do have a pair of shoes that will take SL cleats), but ¯\_()_/¯.

Topeak Micro Rocket carbon pump. Did I pay twice as much to get the version that was 10g lighter? Yes I did. In my defense, it still wasn’t that expensive and looks better in black than in brushed aluminum. I don’t actually look forward to ever using it, but flats are pretty rare. Maybe I should have gone with C02, but this keeps my saddle bag light.

Carbon fiber water bottle cages. They do seem really light! Kind of irrelevant compared to the weight of a water bottle though, to say nothing of the weight of the rider.

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:24

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My newest bike I purchased earlier this spring before all the shutdowns started happening. I got a Canyon Neuron, and it’s pretty awesome. My first ‘real’ mountain bike. I’ve only been able to take it to the local singletrack a couple times so far, as it’s hard to get away from the house with a baby around. It sure is a blast though!

With that said, I have put over 250 miles on my other bikes since the beginning of April while working from home . The vast majority of those on my old Giant hybrid - now dubbed the ‘dad bike’, pulling a trailing with my son in it. We have an amazing paved rails-to-trails system here, and there is an access point .4 miles from my house so I’m on it as often as I can.

I’ve only gotten to take the road bike out a couple times lately, but after pulling the trailer around with the hybrid, my roadie feels like a rocket!

I’m looking forward to getting the kid a balance bike once he’s walking. It’ll probably make a good C hristmas present, if not sooner.

Chinny Raccoon > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:24

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Not as much time out as I’d hoped on  the new one. A few Saturday commutes has been about it. Just a lack of time.

Nom De Plume > Gone 06/11/2020 at 09:26

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Eh, trainer miles. With the entire pro contingent of riders idled it has been interesting seeing how badly some aggro cubicle monkey can crush an entire group of top tier riders in an e-race.

40c?  What you need if your only focus is watts would be the most tractor like fatbike currently on sale.  Go try riding a 6" tire with 4psi on smooth pavement and consider what offroad or Winter riding would be like.

Nom De Plume > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/11/2020 at 09:28

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You’re such a dork. The guy locked his brake shut and wedged the back tire in there so tight the bike keeps that action pose when he hops off.

Nothing like the real thing.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:30

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Plenty of tires available. When I was looking prices were inflated (which is how I ended up buying tires from a store that is possibly in Spain?) but I could have had them easily on Amazon if had been willing to pay a premium. And actually even there, it seems like higher end tires weren’t marked up much, if at all.

Nom De Plume > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/11/2020 at 09:31

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the MTB version just has a midtop, and a harder soul.

5.10 and a lot of the other brands are very hit and miss. Watch out for China made footwear even if it looks a lot like something you know to be good.

I’m just going to leave the bolded text to speak for itself.

Sovande > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 09:32

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Mine is related to meniscus repair I had this winter. The anterior side went great and has no more pain but the interior fix (which was sutured together because of the large tear size) did not work. Then I lost my job and insurance and then I developed bursitis. It's been a complete shit show for the past two months. Now that I'm back working I am going to have it fixed again. I'm afraid to strap my feet in as "pulling" up in my leg and stretching the knee vertically hurts like you read about in books. 

Sovande > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:34

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I’m looking at a mid drive conversion, actually. I have a Shimano Nexus IGH on my bike and I want to keep using it.

I can do the conversion for about $1200, all in. Buying a bike would add another grand or so to that. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:35

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Slowly getting backing into it after weeks of home schooling and household chores and the usual lockdown restrictions. Spent an hour or so breathing underwater in a lovely winter fog this morning....coffee afterwards was most appreciated. 

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 09:36

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Those are all pretty solid additions. I’d put a rear light on and go ride.

Carbon bottle cages are a long term improvement.  As the miles add up and you never have to dick around bending them into shape etc. no matter how poorly you force a bottle in they go quietly unappreciated.

Nom De Plume > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 09:40

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Think I’d rather play Zwift when there’s 98% humidity, clouds of mosquitoes and other bugs, and temps hovering around 100 F or above.  Lot less traffic to worry about in your basement as well.

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 09:42

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Lots of you pay a premium now and I ship at some point in the future when they are readily available and I can buy them myself.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:46

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For lights, I didn’t really bother going light, as I’d rather be bright at night . I’ve got an extra rubber mount for my Portland Design Works Danger Zone taillight:

Nice light. The mount doesn’t actually fit the aero seatpost and is too big to mount on the seat stay, but the tube the seatstays merge into is a good diameter, and I think visibility over the wheel looks ok.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

For a front light, I’ve got a Cygolite Metro Pro 1100, though I got a new mount, since I didn’t want to deal with switching. Actually I bought a Metro 850, since I felt better about paying $45 than $16 just for the mount, always nice to have a spare.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Haven’t installed either yet though as I haven’t been riding at night (or even much off bike paths).

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 09:46

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I put an electric motor on my wife’s old 26" bike so she can join me on rides more than a few miles . I went with Hilltopper brand because of the ease of installation. The kit that I got (looks to be no longer available) is a 36V system, 20mph and 25 mile range with a throttle. Install was a breeze. Swap out the front wheel, pull off a grip to slide the throttle on, route the wiring harness (throttle to controller - controller to wheel), and strap the battery pack/controller bag onto a seat post mounted rear rack. Super simple, and I like that I could revert it back to original in about 5 minutes. She hasn’t ridden as much as I hoped, but she does enjoy it. It’s nice knowing that we can go about as far as I would want and she’ll always have enough juice to make it back home. Her bike is waaaay too small for me, but I’ve rode it around on the road in front of our house a couple times. It’s really fun and I could see myself getting spoiled if I had one on my bike. Lol.

It appears that the closest thing they offer now is the Sprinter kit. It looks like they’ve changed the battery pack & controller to look like a water bottle & cage, which is pretty cool. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:48

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I should say stiffer not harder.

The rubber is still soft an grippy, but it’s stiffer than it’s skateboarding counter part 

Nom De Plume > Schaef_Camaero Z/28 06/11/2020 at 09:49

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I certainly appreciate the paved trail system where I live as an easy way to just ride without braking to a stop at least once every block. It is certainly very popular with every new dad I know desperate to get some miles in.

Balance bike years are fun, but the real good times start when you can bolt them onto the back of your bike again and go tearing around. Or ride down the local ski runs like one guy who commented above.

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 06/11/2020 at 09:51

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A mech who couldn’t get a freewheel off? I’m guessing it was pretty gross and rusted on there.

Good luck finding a replacement wheel.

Nom De Plume > Chinny Raccoon 06/11/2020 at 09:54

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That KTM was an unexpected addition to Oppo. It seems like a really fun bike for the roads you have at hand.

Maybe with an AssSaver or some plastic fenders if there is enough clearance to get them far enough off the tires they don’t clog up every time you touch something damp.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:54

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Definitely important to pay attention to the delivery dates Amazon promises. I bought some cable ends that were quite cheap, only to see that they aren’t expected until August (presumably coming from China, possibly delivered by a guy crossing the Pacific on a raft, based on the timetable), but I figure it’s unlikely the cables I need ended are unlikely to unbraid in a couple months, and if they do, it’s not a huge deal to replace them.

MonkeePuzzle > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:59

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my new old bike is still going strong. we (me and 2 kids) have still be out and about nearly everyday!

Maxima Speed > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 09:59

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The bike shop down the street from work should be able to get them if i cant get them on amazon. I’ll check today.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:04

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I need to post some updates but things have been pretty crazy over here and I haven’t been on Oppo much. I’ve mainly been riding my 130mm squisher for the last few weeks after finally getting replacement pistons for the faulty Sram brake levers installed and my new carbon fiber handlebar in. It’s been good though I did have one ugly fall about two weeks ago that I’m still healing from - low speed, was just exhausted after 10 miles or so, dropped the bike around a tight corner and landed in the branches of a downed tree. I also need new tires - my Maxxis Rekons are getting a worn down and a bit slippery but haven’t caused a fall yet. I’m thinking Minions but dang they are pricey . Anyway I’ve developed a 15 mile 1500 ft climb Sunday loop and have been getting out probably 2 other trail rides a week - sometimes longer sometimes shorter.

My wife has been falling a lot on her new Stumpjumper. Currently she isn’t very happy with it. She thinks it is too big of a frame and she has trouble bailing out of it. It’s a small and it was fit at a bike shop. I think it is her technique and she needs to get used to tilting the bike more rather than trying to get on and off of it with it fully upright. I moved her seat back as far as I could on the post to see if that helps after she rode on Monday. Then somehow we lost just one of her glov es and she hasn’t been back on it yet.

I’m like 90% of the way through mods to my daughter’s bike but I need to buy one more tool to get the rest of the way and we are on a parts purchase pause now (maybe I can sneak it in with replacement gloves...) But it is ridable and she’s been out on it having fun. No falls. Lots of complaining about uphill. Still learning technique and gaining strength.

My rebuilt 1993-ish Trek has actually been getting out a lot. It’s nice to just hop onto a bike without checking shock pressure, seat post pressure, if the Eagle drivetrain is going to actually shift right today blah blah blah. I’ve been attempting some crazy things on it and getting funny looks from people on their full-suspension 12-speed bikes while I slowly putter by on a rigid singlespeed with 2.0" tires.

I’ve finished putting an old 26" Raleigh back together as well but I haven’t actually ridden it further than around the block..

My 7 year old boy has been fooling around more on his old 16" bike.

TL;DR - Bikes all work again and family is riding.  I’ve been doing well building strength back up had one fall.  Teaching my 11 year old daughter and she is slowly getting there.  Wife is falling a lot on her new bike and blaming the bike.

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:06

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No skiing around here unfortunately. Lately I have been putting him in his  carrying pouch backpack style, and we ride the MTB around the family property - gravel driveway, woods, fields. He seems to enjoy it.

Gone > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:09

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I’m not sure if I should be offended or not lol. I don’t have a smart trainer sadly . I’m 15-20 years out from my Cat days, and about 5 from my 5k mi/yr riding days. Never could enjoy just tooling around, just want my speed back. Miss riding centuries as well. Just trying to re-live my youth over here! ;)

Would be super into mountain biking if there was more than a 100ft elevation differential within 100 miles of here. Hot, humid, flat, and windy is all I got! Realistically, 32C-36C  is perfect to bomb around the flat dirt paths out here.

Nom De Plume > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 06/11/2020 at 10:12

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Good to hear on all accounts. Keep working towards getting weight off your butt onto your hands and then getting it balanced when that equation swings the other direction.

Don’t be afraid to nerd out a bit on where exactly your hands want to be in relation to the frame. You can pick up a pile of cheap stems to play around with height and distance then carry a hex wrench and pull over as much as needed to adjust bar and levers.

Bar shape and width is pretty important too. If your wrists hit while standing to sprint in the drops or they are just unusable they might be worth swapping out.

Lost my jpg/pdf stem chart in a folder somewhere but something like this online calculator might help.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:14

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I’m guessing the last mech cross threaded it. 

Nom De Plume > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/11/2020 at 10:14

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What bike do you normally ride in Winter?

I’m expectant of something rather off the beaten path based on your fairly voluminous knowledge of trendy cycling parts and stupid shit people cobble together.  

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 06/11/2020 at 10:15

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Nothing a good bench vise and too much force won’t remove though.  :P

Nom De Plume > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 10:17

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All terrain mobility scooters are a thing.  Heal up and make best use of that corporate insurance for every penny you can take them for.

Nom De Plume > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/11/2020 at 10:18

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I was laughing at the insertion of soul not debating the differences in sole durometer.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:19

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Oh is it spelt sole?

Damn homonyms 

Nom De Plume > Gone 06/11/2020 at 10:23

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I live in the third flattest state. Anything mtb beyond a cheap hardtail is wasted on the local terrain. Fatbikes are really popular and most of them are designed here.

My point was trainer grunt doesn’t equate to real world speed very well. The even larger and more meaningful point arising out of so much pro involvement was undeniable proof how much harder trainer riding is on your body in multiple ways. Most of them not beneficial in the least.

TheRealBicycleBuck > CalzoneGolem 06/11/2020 at 10:24

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If you decide to get another tool, put the tool in a vice, put the wheel on the tool, then use the rim to turn the wheel. The extra leverage should break the freewheel loose.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:26

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I do live in south Louisiana, so that describes our conditions 9 months out of the year. :)

Grindintosecond > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:27

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Back on it. I seem to go in waves where something takes the power from me right when things are going well and im off for a month or two. Anyway,If things go well, I will order up a Giant Revolt gravel bike and make that my swiss army bike, and get rid of the rest of wheels and bikes i have now. It’s a road bike with gravel space and thats it. Nothing else for week long touring, randonneuring, none of that. But it could! And it’s totally able to hang with the dedicated roadies when on roadie tires. So two sets of wheels please and I’m set forever because gravel and side roads are where its at now for me. i feel safer on them and theres more to see.

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:27

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Good call on the rear light.  Mine is finally starting to get a bit long in the tooth. Surprising how long it has lasted compared to the rest I’ve owned. Thinking of going for a USB rechargeable when it finally gives up.  It is really well designed and made.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:29

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I’ve destroyed 2 tools already trying this. I tried an impact. I tried a 5' pipe. It’s on there pretty solid.

CalzoneGolem > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 10:29

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I tried that. It just tears up the tool. 

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:32

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I’ll just leave this here.

6cyl > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:32

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I picked up this Cannondale e-bike a couple months ago and I absolutely love it. Mostly use it for commuting and occasional weekend adventures. 

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:34

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The PDW light is AAA which is fine with me since they last a decent amount of time (for night riding I usually use the slow pulse setting). I just pop in new rechargables from time to time. The front light is a micro USB rechargable, that really needs to be charged after ever night ride unless its in low the whole time. It’s got enough juice for a three hour ride, but not a lot more. But it’s quite bright. Sometimes too bright, I usually put my hand over it if someone is coming the other way on the path (and sometimes get complaints if I forget). Give me  good ability to ride within the range of my headlights without slowing down though, and no driver not under the influence is going to miss you on the road.

Nom De Plume > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/11/2020 at 10:37

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That sounds like you have things well in hand. Hard to say you were out on a mtb if you didn’t crash or are ginger from pushing too hard and falling off. I especially appreciate desire to get away from overly complicated bikes you spend more time working on than riding.

I get a lot of looks riding a Trek road bike with CX tires on the local mtb trails. Especially going through the flatbrim posedown next to as many status symbols and accessories as possible competition in the parking lot. Gotta curate that patina of dirt on your truck and bike which never see the inside of a trail.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:41

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I honestly get way more sweaty Zwifting than being outside. Don’t know if that means I’m working harder (guess I should put on my heart rate monitor for outdoor rides) or if it’s just the lack of a breeze. I did seriously consider getting a KICKR headwind when it was on sale for $200:

Sounds like it really only scales with work though, whereas I think it would be more interesting (if less cooling) to have it scale with virtual speed. Also I have a tough time spending $200 on a fan...

Nom De Plume > Grindintosecond 06/11/2020 at 10:41

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You can do better than a “years late to the party me-too” Giant bike. Put some effort into finding something worth owning. Just don’t buy some overhyped and overpriced pig metal steel frame with 200 braze-ons for lifestyle fetishists who don’t understand it shouldn’t weigh 35 lbs unladen. Or struggle to keep from deflecting under the amount of pressure required to move it forwards.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 10:42

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Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

My mom had a meniscus tear that folded over and dislocated her knee. She had the same surgery to repair the tear, but hers was successful. It seems that knee problems run in my family and I had my own issues when I was running track in high school and for exercise in college . After a recent flare-up, my orthopedist gave me a link to a study on knee surgery. They found that surgery is no more effective than a sham s urgery. https://ebm.bmj.com/content/19/4/141.short

He encouraged me to do physical therapy instead of surgery so the knee could heal on its own. It worked for me, but I’ve never had a major tear. I also get some relief with glucosamine and chondroitin.

TheRealBicycleBuck > CalzoneGolem 06/11/2020 at 10:43

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Dang. 

Nom De Plume > MonkeePuzzle 06/11/2020 at 10:43

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I seem to remember an old post of your’s about the  bike.

MonkeePuzzle > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:44

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yeah thats the one! bikes can be so unexpectedly fun!

functionoverfashion > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/11/2020 at 10:44

1

Eh, I kind of agree. But I got used to them and can usually unclip no problem, like, in the last 5 years I think it’s happened twice where I fell over because of them - I just have brand new pedals and clips at the same time, and I need to adjust a little.

Funny, though, I just got pedals that have clips but also act like flats, and have little grippy spikes so when I do ride in regular shoes, like, around the yard with the kids, it’s fine. My “riding around the yard with kids” usually involves trying silly stunts, climbing over boulders and other obstacles I’ve built, so it’s not just putzing around.

That said, in colder weather I ran flat pedals so I could wear warmer shoes, and it was fine, just not great. I still prefer the clips. Which, by the way, “clipless” is the dumbest term I don’t care how it evolved, it should be the other way around lol

TheRealBicycleBuck > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:45

1

I bought one of these and set it on my desk. $15.

TheRealBicycleBuck > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:46

0

Which trainer did you buy? I’m thinking about upgrading my old wired RealAxiom.

Nom De Plume > functionoverfashion 06/11/2020 at 10:49

0

The old “clip” pedals were a bent piece of metal with a leather strap. Sort of like the comical idea of bolting roller skates to your street shoes. They are both fairly well lost to the past.

Nom De Plume > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 10:51

1

Well aware.  I’m sure you’d have a similar reaction to the idea of riding through a ground blizzard in -20 F with 40 mph winds out of the North.

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:53

1

There is no such things as too many industrial fans on a trainer.  Push-Push-Push is the minimum acceptable arrangement.

Sovande > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 10:54

2

Shit. I still owe $2200 for the last surgery. I just got billed two weeks ago. Don't get old. 

facw > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 10:54

0

I bought a CycleOps Hammer for $600. Old model, but from what I read it sounds like it’s not really significantly different from the H2/H3/Saris H Series, except for firmware, and you can update that (I had an issue updating the firmware, but Saris support was responsive and got me the right answer right away (need to give the app GPS permissions or it can’t use BLE, which is a stupid android quirk I had forgotten about) .

I like it a good deal. Plenty of resistance (for me at least). Resistance transitions aren’t as smooth as they could be, but they aren’t super jarring either. They advertise it as being quiet enough to ride in a library which is a lie but one I was expecting, so I’m not too put off by it. It’s quiet enough to ride in my apartment anyway.

Honestly though, I just looked at all the cheaper controllables on Amazon and set up camelcamelcamel alerts for what felt like good prices and bought the first one that got cheap enough. Seems to have worked out though.

Sovande > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 10:55

1

I’ll have to look into it. The benefits of the repair vs just trimming the cartilage has to do with the likelihood of developing arthritis. I’ll likely be headed down that road. My father has two fake knees, so I’m pretty confident of my future.

Nom De Plume > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:57

0

Lights being too bright and then having the worst possible dispersion patterns is a big problem. Especially with the direct from Asia cheapcheap options.

Good lights are expensive.  Unless you ride a lot and do so for many many years they are not worth it.

Sovande > Schaef_Camaero Z/28 06/11/2020 at 10:57

0

The one I am looking at is a 1000 watt Bafang middrive. More things to install , but it uses all the original drive train. 

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 06/11/2020 at 10:58

1

Impressive.

Shop guys hate this type of repair.  To be clear I was joking about them being insufficient at their job for giving up on it.

TheRealBicycleBuck > facw 06/11/2020 at 10:59

0

I have to be able to easily set up and take down the trainer since I’m using it in my office space and there isn’t another place that I can use. To me, it doesn’t look like it’s easy to set up and take down that style trainer. How is it for you? Do you keep yours set up all the time?

Nom De Plume > 6cyl 06/11/2020 at 11:00

0

Looks well equipped for just the type of outing you pictured.  Right down to the monster cassette.

Grindintosecond > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 11:01

1

Its carbon. It’s 21 pounds delivered. Its a performer. It’s not steel. It’s superior to the niner rlt9 carbon. What are you saying? If I wanted a mammoth steel heavybike, I’d order up a Soma fogcutter frame and build it and even then it wouldn’t be over 25 pounds. I built a Soma smoothie steel frame and it’s a great century bike at 21 pounds ....

The Revolt geometry is not super agressive cross nor is it super slack week long campervan. It’s a century gravel tested in races.

Glad you have an opinion but it sounds like your judging others decisions. You can do better.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Sovande 06/11/2020 at 11:01

0

I’ve hear people say that getting new knees or hips was the best decision they ever made and they wish they hadn’t waited so long to do it. What was your dad’s experience? Would he say the same?

Nom De Plume > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/11/2020 at 11:04

1

facw > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 11:05

0

I keep mine set up all the time (though I don’t always keep the bike on it.) I don’t think it would be bad to put away between uses though. The main thing is just that you need to take the rear wheel on and off, which I find a bit of a pain, though someone with more dexterity and/or a cleaner chain might consider it nothing . The legs on the trainer fold in and out, and the front wheel stand/stabilizer locks into the bottom as well. There’s a carry handle to make it easier to move. It is heavy though, the flywheel itself weighs 20lbs.

facw > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 11:10

1

These I think have a decent beam pattern. Their mounts aren’t great though, so sometimes the aim will shift, which is not ideal. In general though I like them, I’ve bought 4 over the past decade for various reasons, for $109 (200 lumen), $90 (600 lumen), $69 (1100 lumen), and $45 (850 lumen). The older ones I don’t think are any better, though they did look a little less “commuter”. The 200 is dead due to battery swelling, but the others all still work.

TheRealBicycleBuck > facw 06/11/2020 at 11:11

0

The weight doesn’t give me pause, taking the wheel on and off all the time does. Did you have to spend a lot of time tweaking the cassette position on the trainer to match your wheel? I have two bikes that I like to use on the trainer, but they have different cassettes. If that has to be adjusted every time, then I’m either stuck using one bike or setup will take longer.

facw > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/11/2020 at 11:17

1

Did you have to spend a lot of time tweaking the cassette position on the trainer to match your wheel 

Zero adjustment needed, it just worked. You’d need to have the same number of rear sprockets , the same spacing (or at least close) on the cassette, and the same axle width, but the position should be standardized so if the two bikes have the same setup there, it shouldn’t need to be adjusted. If not, then you are probably going to need to find some roller based setup.

TheRealBicycleBuck > facw 06/11/2020 at 11:21

1

I suppose I’ll just stick with my current setup. I don’t like having to deal with the wires, but I’m not sure it’s worth $600 to go wireless.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Grindintosecond 06/11/2020 at 11:28

0

I’m fascinated by this new age of “gravel” bikes. I have a hard time finding any fault with your plan. These bikes have great parts, light weight and a much better fit for someone not racing criteriums on a weekly basis. I wish I would have waited a year or two more and I would not have bought my BMC road bike, I probably would have bought a carbon framed gravel bike and done exactly what your are doing with the Giant. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/11/2020 at 11:29

1

FWIW I have warranted ALL of my SRAM guide brake levers within the first year of use. The replacements have worked great and have not had any issues since.

Nom De Plume > Grindintosecond 06/11/2020 at 11:30

0

I can do better.

Can you do better by looking outside one of the largest bike companies is what was being asked.

arl > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 11:37

0

I bought an old steel road bike frame I plan to fix up and put some modern components on it. Most of my intermittent riding has been indoors on a trainer.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Nom De Plume 06/11/2020 at 11:42

1

Per usual I’m neglecting my road bike and ridding my Epic and Stumpy the most. We have such a great trail system that I find ridding my road bike more than once a week tedious. I t’s going to the sun road ridding season now so I will at least take it out for that.

I’m happy to have divested a lot of my old bike parts from the 1990's. None of those parts are currently relevant to my line up. My wife has a new to her Trek Madone and BMC speed fox, and both my kids have stump jumpers made in the last few years.

One of my struggles is to split my time from working on the Z, ridding bikes and acknowledging that I have a full time job and a family at the same time. I’m not a Type A person with unlimited energy. I love all of those things but sometimes the car has to sit for a week or two until I feel compelled to spend a good day wrenching on it. I currently have about a 30 hr back log of work on the car with parts sitting in the trunk and more on the way. I’d pay someone else to do it but that’s not why I bought the car and it’s value is too high to have someone I don’t know wrenching on it. 

Here is the current line up: