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Demandred

Demandred

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  • #1
    Links!

    Repair and maintenance info:
    Park Tool - repair how-to guides
    Sheldon Brown - guides and technical info
    Bicycle Tutor - Videos!

    GPS/Route info:
    Garmin Connect - tracking past rides with a gps.
    Garmin MotionBased - Garmin's deprecated tracking site.

    SportTracks - desktop activity tracker.
    Ascent - Mac OS X desktop activity tracker.

    Bike Route Toaster - create bike routes.
    Gmap Pedometer - another route creation site.
    Map My Ride - route creation and workout tracking.

    Forums:
    MTBR - mountain bike forums.
    Ride Monkey - Downhill mountain bike centric forum.
    Road Bike Review - road bike forums.
    Bike Forums - Bike forums, road bike centric.

    Basic riding guides:
    Group Cycling Etiquette and Paceline Techniques
    Beginner Mountain Biking Tips
    9 Must Bring Items for Every Road Ride
    14 Must Have Items for Every Mountain Bike Ride
    Top 9 Ways To Make That Old Bike Feel New Again
    You Look Mah-velous: Cycling Style Etiquette
     
    Demandred

    Demandred

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  • #2
    I got me a new (old) bicycle today!

    DSC_0102.jpg


    It's a ten or eleven year old Trek 520. It has a steel frame and I guess it's a touring bike. I took the rear rack off and swapped the 38s for 23s. Though, I like the idea of doing a multi day self supported bike ride. Sounds fun.

    I know nothing about road bikes but it seems really comfortable, is in excellent condition, shifts smoothly and was cheap. Can't wait to give it a workout tomorrow morning.

    Oh and here are some other bike pics while I'm at it. Sort of as a continuation to this thread.

    DSC_0109.jpg


    My Superlight.

    DSC_0107.jpg


    Dinotte 600L light & battery, Garmin Edge 305 gps.

    500.png


    Haven't ridden in the last week and a half because of my wisdom teeth extraction. Yuck.

    2207907112_c959ef53ce_o.jpg
     
    A

    APSBiker

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  • #5
    Originally posted by Demandred:
    Next up is a steel, rigid, single speed 29er in a few months. -- :) --
    Click to expand...


    Hey, I have one of those! (2007 Kona Explosif frame, 34-18 gears)

    I wrecked my FS rig (fell off my roof rack on the highway), so I sold that frame and have been on the 29er since - I would be hard-pressed to go back to anything different.

    Nice bikes so far!

    Edit: oh yeah, and I'm really eyeing the new Garmin Edge 705 for my Leadville training rides. The 305 is a nice price right now, though...I see you've gotten a ton of use out of yours, any downsides?
     
    Demandred

    Demandred

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  • #10
    The color scheme could be better but I still think it's dead sexy. Not a scratch on it either.

    Originally posted by Fictionfree:
    Nice workstand - I like Ultimate's stuff - I have one of their cheaper rides.

    The Trek 520 is a classic - not cutting edge, but just good, solid engineering. It's a sweet bike to have in the stable - very versatile and it will last you forever.
    Click to expand...

    Think I snagged the workstand for $79 from either Jenson USA or Performance. Seems good to me.

    That's what I'm looking for, a solid bike that's going to last. Seems real comfortable too.

    Originally posted by APSBiker:
    Edit: oh yeah, and I'm really eyeing the new Garmin Edge 705 for my Leadville training rides. The 305 is a nice price right now, though...I see you've gotten a ton of use out of yours, any downsides?
    Click to expand...

    Zero issues with it. I got my Edge 305 from Geoman. Great service. Thinking maybe a Colorado 400t once they come down in price. Would be awesome for some of the forest service road riding I do up in Chattahoochee-Oconee NF.

    Here is my MotionBased page:
    http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/user/jmilliron

    Originally posted by ToolBoy:
    Throw some panniers on there and go camping for the weekend.
    Click to expand...

    Got one for the back! I'm ready to go this spring.
     
    T

    tabish

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  • #11
    Originally posted by Fictionfree:
    my 2000 Klein Quantum
    Click to expand...
    My co-worker has the same bike (or at least the same frame). He's got something like 30,000 miles on it...

    I'm thinking of upgrading from my hybrid (a Trek 7.5 FX) to a proper road bike, but I've had trouble finding a frame that fits me. I'm pretty short, which isn't so bad, but my legs are especially short. 50cm frames seem to fit my body ok as I sit on the bike, but I can never stand over them comfortably. Anybody have experience with road bikes for short people?
     
    D

    DanielK

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  • #12
    I just finished building my around-town bike last week:

    -- View image here: http://lh4.google.com/danklockenkemper/R6pz2cscYxI/AAAAAAAAAUI/NuKTI2qTYfU/s800/bike%20finished%20003.jpg --

    It was originally a Sears, Roebuck & Co. 3-speed. The major modifications I made were switching to an 8-speed hub and changing to 26" mountain bike-size wheels. The goal was for it to be fast, comfortable, and fun to ride; I've only ridden about 10 miles on it since the weather's been crappy, but all my goals for it seem to have been met. -- :) --

    I took photos at every step, and uploaded them here. There were a few challenges in modernizing it; another Arsian (pondo) machined one of the brake mounts from a CAD drawing for me, and it turned out very nicely. I definitely learned a lot from the experience.
     
    F

    Fictionfree

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  • #13
    Originally posted by tabish:
    Originally posted by Fictionfree:
    my 2000 Klein Quantum
    Click to expand...
    My co-worker has the same bike (or at least the same frame). He's got something like 30,000 miles on it...

    I'm thinking of upgrading from my hybrid (a Trek 7.5 FX) to a proper road bike, but I've had trouble finding a frame that fits me. I'm pretty short, which isn't so bad, but my legs are especially short. 50cm frames seem to fit my body ok as I sit on the bike, but I can never stand over them comfortably. Anybody have experience with road bikes for short people?
    Click to expand...

    My ex-girlfriend was exactly 5 feet tall - she picked up a 44 cm Trek WSD - not sure which model, but it was pretty inexpensive. Nice bike, though. It fit her really well.

    I have no idea if you are female or not, but you might want to try the WSD designs - they may fit you better, as the geometry is a little different - lower stand over, shorter reach to the bars, etc.
     
    Demandred

    Demandred

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  • #16
    T

    tabish

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  • #21
    Originally posted by Fictionfree:
    I have no idea if you are female or not, but you might want to try the WSD designs - they may fit you better, as the geometry is a little different - lower stand over, shorter reach to the bars, etc.
    Click to expand...
    I'm a guy, but I have tried the Trek WSD bikes. I test rode a 43cm WSD (either a Pilot or a Madone, I don't remember which), but it had the opposite problem... I could stand over it just fine, but I was pretty hunched sitting on the bike.
     
    C

    Crazy Diamond

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  • #24
    Originally posted by Demandred:
    Originally posted by DanielK:
    Nope, you can't stop pedaling on a fixed gear. Single-speeds let you coast, since they have a freewheel mechanism.
    Click to expand...
    Crazy! I'd love to try one.
    Click to expand...

    I have one, and must say that it's an interesting experience. You never really realize how much you coast until you get on a fixed gear. A moments hesitation when pedaling could have you thrown right off the bike.

    Going down hills is worse than going up too, especially if you are one of those folks that refuses to use brakes (I run front and rear brakes still).
     
    E

    EricP

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  • #25
    I rode BMX/freestyle bikes on a K2 tour for two summers back in my teens, was some of the best times of my life (and most injured!). I worked at a bike shop for 2 years prior to that. I always wanted to get into mountain biking but due to tribus there are no hills within 6 hours of me. I'm probably going to buy a dirt bike (motorcycle) this summer though and go launch myself around a few tracks, does that count?
     
    F

    Fictionfree

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  • #27
    Originally posted by tabish:
    it had the opposite problem... I could stand over it just fine, but I was pretty hunched sitting on the bike.
    Click to expand...

    I was afraid that might be the issue. Thinking about it more, I think WSD is for long legs and short reach - you likely need just the opposite.

    Have you considered going totally custom? Not custom as in paint job, but be measured and have the bike built specifically for you, tube by tube.

    Some custom builders:

    Ben Serotta
    http://www.serotta.com/

    Tom Kellogg
    http://www.spectrum-cycles.com/

    Richard Moon
    http://www.cwo.com/~lunarlab/

    Gunnar Cycles
    http://www.gunnarbikes.com/custom.php

    There are others that are escaping me right now . . .

    Edit:

    One more - Habanero Cycles can do custom work:
    http://www.habcycles.com/custom.html

    Originally posted by TheJeffers:
    Fictionfree, that Klein is hawt.
    Click to expand...

    Thanks! When I first got it, I couldn't stop staring at it! The paint changes as the light changes and moves - pretty neat.
     
    SuperDave

    SuperDave

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  • #29
    OK, late to the party but I had a question to ask, and it'll keep the topic bumped. Anyways, I'm not as serious as some of you but I roll with this:

    IMG_0987a.JPG


    It's a nice compromise between speed and durability, and I've got a few thousand trouble-free miles on it. I'm feeling the need to deny my advancing age, and plan on a few centuries this summer. At the same time, I commute to work on this bike, and I need confidence in my bike's ability to negotiate sidewalk bumps, curbs and dirty surfaces. The current wheels (700x28's on Ritchey Aero's) perform admirably, but I feel like I might be giving something up on longer rides.

    So, my questions are threefold: One, will switching to 23's from the 28's it has now show a noticeable difference in rolling resistance? Two, a fair amount of my riding is urban rather than open road - will the 23's be strong enough to put up with irregular surfaces? And, three, will 23's fit my current wheels, or are they too narrow?
     
    G

    goodvibes

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  • #33
    Here's what I ride (well, with all the components in place):
    look-kx-light.jpg


    I also have a '97 Norco Java (frame) that is now a 1x9, and has a bunch of updated components (everything but the shifters, brake handles, and deraileur), but I don't have a picture of it handy.

    I also built my own wheels for the Norco, and they have been indestructible. I'm a big dude (220#), and they haven't needed a truing since I built them five years ago.
     
    H

    Hawkear

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  • #34
    So, my questions are threefold: One, will switching to 23's from the 28's it has now show a noticeable difference in rolling resistance? Two, a fair amount of my riding is urban rather than open road - will the 23's be strong enough to put up with irregular surfaces? And, three, will 23's fit my current wheels, or are they too narrow?
    Click to expand...
    23s can hang tough (if you keep them inflated), but 28s will be much more comfy. You could compromise and go for 25s. The 23s will feel faster, and I'm sure the rolling resistance change is measurable, but it's probably not worth it.
     
    blath

    blath

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  • #37
    Nice Demandred. -- :) -- And nice to everyone else too. -- :) --

    So we are showing our rides eh? -- :D -- SWEEEEET.

    My free-fall joy in the horizontal...
    -- View image here: http://blath.com/images/marin-pm-blath-01june2004.jpg --

    My single speed for as a dear friend of mine likes to call it 'old school cool'. (Thank you zuvembi) -- View image here: http://blath.com/images/blathbike2-dawes.JPG --

    Ride happy and safe guys! -- :) --
     
    C

    caustic meatloaf

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  • #39
    -- View image here: http://home.comcast.net/~caustic/buje.jpg --
    My precious -- :) --

    Cannondale Synapse 2006, 105 derailleurs, Tiagra headset, Dura-Ace chain. Bontrager front post, Custom-made(i.e. I dremeled 'em) fenders. I literally rolled over 2000 miles today. Bought in March of '07, actually started riding it to work in April of '07.


    If I keep my current pace (this last month has been rough), I think I can break 3000 miles this year, bringing my total to over 5000.
     
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