Bicycle thread

[YakSpout]

The first 17mi of my 44mi ride yesterday in time lapse.

Then the already half-full 16GB card filled up and it quit recording.

[Askel]

Well, it's not the worst idea I've ever had, but it could use some refinements.

[Cat0020]

Looks like a good start, you need a compartment that can hold you cycling shoees, helmet, gloves, change of clothes, etc.. Pelican box works great:



Removing the rear wheel of the bicycle also help weight distribution.

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

You're the man! I'd have been creamed crap on toast 30 seconds into that.

After four beers on an empty stomach, there wasn't a trail out there I would have been afraid to try.

...although now I'm pricing MTBs. I blame you!

You'll thank me for it. I haven't ridden my street bike once since I started mountain biking. Mountain biking through forest trails is soooo much more fun and challenging than riding for hours on a strip of asphalt in the broiling sun.

[Mr Head]

Got out for a short pedal before I get back to weekend chores. Not real pretty, but I managed to not fall over or make much of a mess.
Caught a big motor on the way back that towed me and another guy for a good bit. Missed that when they turned off.



It will be a while before I'm taking any turns at the front.

[Oznerol]

We're spending the long weekend in Lake Tahoe. Rode the Flume trail today -- muddy slushy fireroad climb, followed by several miles of level but exposed singletrack with amazing views, followed by 3 miles of blazing doubletrack descent. Overall a nice ride; Fun factor wasn't huge, but the scenery made up for it.

[Aurelius]

I wanted to spend some time learning to climb steep hills yesterday. What better place to learn than the trails at Chuck Lennon park?

[Chisenhallw]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

You'll thank me for it. I haven't ridden my street bike once since I started mountain biking. Mountain biking through forest trails is soooo much more fun and challenging than riding for hours on a strip of asphalt in the broiling sun.

Bah! I grew up in the land of plastic seat sweat. Heat doesn't bother me much. Plus I love descending. I love it enough to grind through the rest of it.

However, I'm still pondering the idea of putting a simple MTB together. Despite being in the middle of the city, there's a pretty good trail not too far from me. Nashbar has a very simple 26" hardtail with disc brakes for about fo' hunnert that might be in my price range. What'd be your recommendation?

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

Bah! I grew up in the land of plastic seat sweat. Heat doesn't bother me much. Plus I love descending. I love it enough to grind through the rest of it.

However, I'm still pondering the idea of putting a simple MTB together. Despite being in the middle of the city, there's a pretty good trail not too far from me. Nashbar has a very simple 26" hardtail with disc brakes for about fo' hunnert that might be in my price range. What'd be your recommendation?

If you can put a HT with disk brakes together for a measly $400, I say go for it! I ride with this guy who has a clapped out old HT with cable actuated rim brakes and skinny tires, which looks like something built in the 1970's. It's a piece of garbage that I'd be afraid to ride. Yet he's managed one of the fastest lap times at our favorite local trail on it.

[brewer90]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

Bah! I grew up in the land of plastic seat sweat. Heat doesn't bother me much. Plus I love descending. I love it enough to grind through the rest of it.

However, I'm still pondering the idea of putting a simple MTB together. Despite being in the middle of the city, there's a pretty good trail not too far from me. Nashbar has a very simple 26" hardtail with disc brakes for about fo' hunnert that might be in my price range. What'd be your recommendation?

Spend the extra $100 and get a 29er.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._trail_xii.htm

[Mr Head]

Got out for another ride. Hotter than Sunday and windy again.

That left me sore. I used up two bottles of nuun, and four of water. Only ate two Chomps.
Had to stop about a mile from home in some shade for a few minutes.
When I got home I pulled the junk out of my pockets kicked off my shoes and socks re-loaded a bottle with ice and water and hit the pool. That started to get me cooled down. Two bottles of water and two big glasses of water later I am feeling not too bad.
The good news is my back doesn't hurt. Bad news is the damned toilet tank leaks.

Tale of the tape:

[Chisenhallw]

Originally Posted by brewer90

Spend the extra $100 and get a 29er.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._trail_xii.htm

Many wise people have said that it's important to learn to pick a line and negotiate obstacles with a 26er first. Then go to 29.

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

Many wise people have said that it's important to learn to pick a line and negotiate obstacles with a 26er first. Then go to 29.

I've got one of each. I've read all the alleged advantages of the 29er's over 26er's, but I've been unable to prove any of them in practice. I've seen no noticeable advantage in climbing or stability or better traction over my 26er. My suspicion is that they're simply too small to be measured in anything but 'laboratory conditions'. What is instantly apparent however, is that my 26er is quicker through the turns, accelerates and stops faster than the 29er, and just feels a lot more lively and fun to ride aggressively. And the differences in these respects are by no means subtle.

[k7]

Link

Did a nice 41 mile ride today. I leave the Garmin trip timer running all the time - look at the speeds after the rest stop...it's where the speed flat-lines for 15 minutes or so. From that point on, we were basically at 25 mph or faster. Everyone was dropped out of 15 or so in this group except for three diamond-frame riders, me and my buddy David, also on a recumbent. Well, David was dropped in the last mile.

Even more remarkable were the ages of the riders.... the other three were in their last 50's to mid-60's. David is a few years younger than me.

Our moving average was a bit under 20. Given that it was an urban ride with a ton of lights, we did pretty good!

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by k7

Link

Did a nice 41 mile ride today. I leave the Garmin trip timer running all the time - look at the speeds after the rest stop...it's where the speed flat-lines for 15 minutes or so. From that point on, we were basically at 25 mph or faster. Everyone was dropped out of 15 or so in this group except for three diamond-frame riders, me and my buddy David, also on a recumbent. Well, David was dropped in the last mile.

Even more remarkable were the ages of the riders.... the other three were in their last 50's to mid-60's. David is a few years younger than me.

Our moving average was a bit under 20. Given that it was an urban ride with a ton of lights, we did pretty good!

That's another reason I'm giving up road riding. I don't think it's at all fair that riders much older than me are able to ride faster. At least on the mtb trails, I'm the oldest one out there, and in the rare instances where someone does pass me on the trail, I can always use the excuse that he's half my age.