The bicycle thread

[8tg]

Took the quadangle out instead for some bike crimes

 

[YellowJersey]

Got a question. I'm in the market for a new bike as my current Giant TCX-1 seems to be on its last legs. I've got a good 12 years out of it, so I think I've got my money's worth.

First up, a Devinci Hatchet with the Tiagra component set for $2,200 CAD https://www.devinci.com/en/bikes/road-gravel/hatchet-tiagra20s-goldland/

The other option is a Giant Revolt 0 with a mix of various component sets for $2,600 CAD https://www.thebikeshop.com/product/giant-revolt-0-398094-1.htm

 My question is, are the higher tier components of the Giant worth the added $400? Any thoughts?

[8tg]

I could mostly breathe, followed by I wanted chips:

And decided to take the long way to the chips 

and then today I didn’t get as much in because the clouds dispersed and I don’t own sunscreen

so I cut it off a short bit after noon so as to not turn bright red 

also got new brake pads installed on the quadangle 

[seanondemand]

On 7/14/2023 at 12:23 AM, YellowJersey said:

Got a question. I'm in the market for a new bike as my current Giant TCX-1 seems to be on its last legs. I've got a good 12 years out of it, so I think I've got my money's worth.

First up, a Devinci Hatchet with the Tiagra component set for $2,200 CAD https://www.devinci.com/en/bikes/road-gravel/hatchet-tiagra20s-goldland/

The other option is a Giant Revolt 0 with a mix of various component sets for $2,600 CAD https://www.thebikeshop.com/product/giant-revolt-0-398094-1.htm

 My question is, are the higher tier components of the Giant worth the added $400? Any thoughts?

I’d say so. 11 speed, and you get hydraulic brakes. That would be enough for me. 

[YellowJersey]

101km today in 4 hours 20 minutes. Not bad for my first ride in just over two weeks.


Total this year: 2,392km

Edit (July 22). Did 50km today. I would have done more, but the heat was nearly unbearable. I went through 3L of water during that time. I also had a hard time getting into a groove.

Total this year: 2,432km

Edit (July 23) 101km today. Much better day today!

 Total this year: 2,533km

[8tg]

These have been happening, just not for as long since it’s been hot and humid 

 

[8tg]

Same deal, it’s cooler but still super humid, so the second the sun came out I started slowly dying

i also forgot to bring water so I just went back home

 

did get a little bit of this in today though, just a little:

I like that place, I don’t like that it’s at the top of a hill, and I don’t like that it was mostly mud today so I couldn’t go fast, but it is a nice place to even just cruise around 

[dimforest]

Oh man, I wish I would've seen this topic sooner! I just got into cycling last Fall. I bought a Trek FX2. I know, it's not a fancy road bike... but I knew next to nothing about bikes at the time and was just looking for my gateway bike into the hobby. Since then, in less than a year, I have over 3000 miles in Strava and it's become part of my daily (or every other day, depending) schedule. I didn't have a bunch of weight to lose (I'm fairly active, military, etc) but I did shave off some pounds and I just overall feel generally amazing. 

 

I'm looking to get my first road bike soon. Right now the shortlist is Canyon Ultimate, Canyon Endurace, or Trek Emonda. I can get the Trek via a local bike shop, which gives a bit more peace of mind with repairs if I can't handle it. I really like the Canyon's though.

[YellowJersey]

Back on the bike after a month of not biking very much. Did about 102km (+- 2km). I'm not sure exactly as my bike computer broke off the handlebars... again.

Total this year: 2,635km

18 August: 113km today. Was shooting for 130, but smoke from wildfires started rolling in, so I had to cut it short.

Total this year: 2,748km

23 August: 130km today in 5 hours 31 minutes

Total this year: 2,878km

25 August: 106km today.

 Total this year: 2,987km

[YellowJersey]

130km today! Took my new bike out for her maiden voyage. I wasn't planning on buying a new bike until the new year, but I found a deal I couldn't pass up. Got myself a Cannondale Synapse 105 (aluminum) for $1,975 (regular price: $2,635 IIRC). My Giant TCX-1 is showing her age after 13 years. I have to say, I am impressed with the Synapse; it's a really nice bike. I figure I must be an Ork because obviously red makes it go faster. It's got mechanical disc brakes, so I'm going to add a set of cross-top brake levers. I'll finish out the season on my 28mm Gatorskins and in the new year I'll switch to 32mm Gatorskin Hardshells.

Total this year so far: 3,117km

Update: August 29  Did 110km today. Going to have to get my bike fitted as I'm having some knee pain; same thing happened when I bought my previous bike.

 Total this year so far: 3,227km

Update: September 1. Did 127km today.

 Total this year so far: 3,354km

Update: September 9 101km today in 4 hours 28 minutes

 Total this year so far: 3,455km

 

Update: September 16 121km today in 5 hours 14 minutes

Total this year so far: 3,576km

 Update: September 23 134km today in just under 6 hours

 Total this year so far: 3,710km

[8tg]

Reviving bike thread

i got rid of my smartphone so I bought a Kodak point and shoot 

no more strava for mileage but I don’t care about mileage as much

 

went through the harder trails in imagination glen, they were pretty good though the far end of one of them got really unfun with just constant switchbacks uphill which is not fun on a 29” bike because I can’t turn that fast

still getting a hang on this camera to get better pictures, usually if it has something to focus on it does alright 

that first bit is just a constant line of jumps 

and then later it turns into a lot of these wooden banks 

 

And then this I just me playing with the video capture, on a mostly flat section 

 

[YellowJersey]

7 hours ago, 8tg said:

Reviving bike thread

i got rid of my smartphone so I bought a Kodak point and shoot 

no more strava for mileage but I don’t care about mileage as much

 

went through the harder trails in imagination glen, they were pretty good though the far end of one of them got really unfun with just constant switchbacks uphill which is not fun on a 29” bike because I can’t turn that fast

still getting a hang on this camera to get better pictures, usually if it has something to focus on it does alright 

that first bit is just a constant line of jumps 

and then later it turns into a lot of these wooden banks 

 

And then this I just me playing with the video capture, on a mostly flat section 

 

You could get a basic bike computer if you wanted to know speed, ride time, and such. They're pretty cheap. This one's $33 CAD, just as an example https://www.thebikeshop.com/product/cateye-velo-7-bike-computer-174784-1.htm 

[YellowJersey]

127km today in 5 hours 34 minutes. Felt good to get out. Every ride could be the last of the season.

 

Total this year: 3,837km

114km today in 5 hours.

 Total this year: 3,951km

[8tg]

1x9 conversion from the 2x8, hopefully no more chainstick eating my frame

 

part of the nearby trails I haven’t done before, When this is dryer I want to take this at much higher speed 

[LogicalDrm]

Coming back to report. Summer season is over this weekend (or rather yesterday officially). Changed to winter tires. What this means is shorter rides per day, and maybe fewer days per week. Last winter, from the purchase of the bike, was about 30km/week.

 

Some stats. We have "competition" for companies to encourage cycling. Thats has timeframe from May to September. During that timeframe, 1275km, 66 days worth, average 19km per day or 76km per week. Whole summer season, meaning the time between tire changes, 1638km total, 85 days, 68km average per week, but same 19km per day.

 

No snow or ice yet, but temps are constantly under 5C, which doesn't encourage to have longer trips. I will be moving to another region soon though and that will change things a lot. Both from taking away ability to combine commute trains to cycling parts and changing the distance I would have to work and other activities. So in future, if I decide I don't have energy to cycle to work, I can't cycle back. But as the optimal distance would be some 5km less than at the moment overall, it might just be everyday I go to office, I cycle.

 

Bit of off-topic to this thread, debating whether I should pick e-scooter etc. I can carry with me on bus for those days that I would choose not to cycle. Alternative is foldable e-cycle. More expensive for sure, so in that sense with scooter getting less use total, that might just be the way regardless.

[YellowJersey]

Season's over. The snow is falling and winter has set in. 3,952km was my total for this year. I was kinda hoping to crack 4,000km, but I guess it was not to be. Still, it was a good season. As the crow flies, I did the equivalent of from UBC in Vancouver to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, crossing 6 provinces.

 

 

19 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

Bit of off-topic to this thread, debating whether I should pick e-scooter etc. I can carry with me on bus for those days that I would choose not to cycle. Alternative is foldable e-cycle. More expensive for sure, so in that sense with scooter getting less use total, that might just be the way regardless.

I've been thinking about getting a little e-scooter to get too and from the train instead of walking.

[wONKEyeYEs]

Does everybody stop riding in the Winter?

Looks like we need the 2024 edition started.

Well, gotta get goin'.

Wind chill of -14C so it will be a double socks ride today.

 

[8tg]

9 hours ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

Does everybody stop riding in the Winter?

Looks like we need the 2024 edition started.

Well, gotta get goin'.

Wind chill of -14C so it will be a double socks ride today.

 

I’m still going, I just don’t have the smartphone anymore so I don’t really post or keep track with strava or anything 

so I’ll add to the bike thread as an update

 

i built a whole ass bike:

it’s a 2001 castellano fango, aka an ibis ripley without the branding, a compliant frame “softtail” of sorts, the chainstays are flexible 

it has a cheap Chinese air fork with fox stickers, a hope evo crankset and bb because it’s orange, micro shift adventX 10 speed setup, cane creek headset, Shimano mt200 brakes and some Funn accessories 

 

the Cannondale got a fox 32 to replace the suntour, fifty fifty short stem and spank oozy bars

I swap onza porcupines and kenda happy medium pro tires as desired for whatever I’m doing with it

it’s about to be a commute oriented bike but not a normal commute, a illegal ride along the train tracks and derelict closed roads through an industrial hellscape commute, so it fits the bill perfectly with the happy mediums being fine for the part that’s greenway, and for the part that’s rough gravel and dirt

i also ordered some magicshine lights to ride home at night

but in winter I’m still going, I’ve been out in the snow, the rain and the mud, and any decently warm day I do extended rides in the local mountain bike park where I misjudge moisture often and slip a lot

 

[8tg]

Testing out the bike route to work. 

It'll be about 6 miles each way, nothing crazy, only one stretch is by unprotected road, about a mile of it, no shoulder. The rest is sidewalks, train tracks and a greenway

[YellowJersey]

On 2/17/2024 at 11:13 AM, wONKEyeYEs said:

Does everybody stop riding in the Winter?

Looks like we need the 2024 edition started.

Well, gotta get goin'.

Wind chill of -14C so it will be a double socks ride today.

 

I stop usually sometime in September or October. I'm just not having fun if I'm too cold, so I usually hang up my bicycle gloves for the year once it gets below 10-15C consistently. Not to mention the days get so short that you barely have any daylight. I'll start up again probably in May. I actually just took my bike in to get cleaned and tuned up; also getting some cross top brake levers installed as well as a new stem. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a 120mm stem at a 35 degree angle?

[8tg]

High res bike photos from the new work commute

This is legally a road and that is legally a railroad crossing 

[wONKEyeYEs]

I now have three bikes.

That's one more than I really need,

as the young ones say "don't judge me". 

 

Got my first two wheeler at 7yrs.

Rode road bikes from teens to late 20s.

Did a bit of distance riding to other cities.

I would get out for a few hours ride each way and spend the whole time riding the oxygen depletion line.

As a result, I assume, I have been informed by medical professionals that I have a large heart and long lungs.

And my resting heart rate is 45bpm in the summer and 50bpm in the winter.

Thank you aerobic exercise.

 

Then one day I had a flat on my 110psi road bike and borrowed a neighbours mountain bike.

It was heaven! I didn't have to worry about bumps or sewer grates or even curbs.

Subsequently discovered trail riding and I haven't looked back.

 

Recently, I had a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo since 2000.

It was stolen four times.

Finally had to let it go as it had been abused the last two times it was stolen.

Although the first time it was stolen I got it back with better wheels.

 

So I bought a used Velo Sport in great condition for my leave at a store locked up bike.

 

For fun riding and never leaving locked up a Giant Talon 1.

I bought it three seasons ago after a bad ten years of doing nothing physical for reasons.

I'm now 30lbs lighter and healthier.

 

Then, recently, a friend had to stop riding due to medical issues.

He sold me his Kona Mahuna for a very good price. Thanks B.

 

Bike riding has brought me so many benefits I am thankful for.

I would suggest to anyone to find an aerobic exercise you enjoy and indulge in it regularly for the rest of your life. 

Oh, and stop eating processed sugars, and foods. It makes a big difference.

 

Be kind to yourself and your body, you deserve it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Why_Me]

[YellowJersey]

6 hours ago, Why_Me said:

And motorists park in the bike lane and pedestrians walk/jog in the bike line. We're all shit.

 My hypothesis is that cyclists get a disproportionate amount of shit because most people are motorists (at least in my corner of this god forsaken shit show) and most people are pedestrians. So people look at the group they are a part of and the shit they pull doesn't piss them off as much or stay with them. Cyclists, being the out-group, get more hate as a result since most people aren't cyclists. 

[adarw]

14 hours ago, Why_Me said:

Welcome to north america:*(