Bicycle Guys! (3 Viewers)

[Sand]

I know ninja worked in a shop, but waiting to live a chain until it squeaks is too late.

Also white lightening is one of the worst lubes out there...use rock n roll gold

How about stuff made by finish line?

I prefer wet lube, and finish line seems as good as any other. We sell rock and roll gold, park, and finish line, and on my bikes I'm totally agnostic between the 3.

Use the finish line dry lube. Dry does a lot better job keeping grime out.

 

[dgreen]

Anyone take their dogs on bike rides? I started taking my puppy on rides and I've just been holding the leash in one hand as she runs along next to me. Then one day I saw a woman with bike accessory designed for running your dog. Brilliant! I assume these things work better than holding a leash? My puppy does alright, but...she's still a puppy (9 months) and occasionally tries to bolt after something. Do these designed leashes help with sudden change of direction by the dog?

I've got a few people in my local club who ride with their dogs, and I'm trying to do so with mine. The others are all border collies (or similar mixes) who run very close to their owner - no leash or anything. Adding a leash to this mix on mountain bike trails would be dangerous to the dog and to the rider, and to other riders.

If the dog will bolt, I would recommend something that wouldn't attach to the handlebars - as you could easy get flipped.

Yeah, I'm trying to do this with a hound mix. May not be the best idea. I just do this around my neighborhood. Looking online, the designed bike leashes don't attach to the handle bars.

 

[NutterButter]

I clean and lube regularly.

 

[Sammy3469]

Ive got a chirp when shifting that is also steady when pedaling in a handful of gears. My chain broke last week and thought the new one might take care of it, but it didn't. Thoughts? Google search results use gearhead-speak I am unfamiliar with.

Clean and lube the pulleys/sprockets in the rear dérailleur...if it sounds like a bird, that's the first thing to try.I prefer a wet lube since it also cleans the chain when you are applying. Anything besides white lightening is fine, that one just saps power for some reason.

And yeah you can wait to lube, but frequent lubing increases the life of the chain and cassette. The more expensive you go, the more that may matter to you.

 

[NutterButter]

Good cheap tool to have to tell you when to replace your chain

 

[Tick]

I rode in Duluth a couple of weeks ago... very nice mountain bike trails there. I was there for work and decided to rent a car and take my bike rather than flying in. I rode 5 of their 8 trails before rain hit, and 4 of the 5 were great trails (other one was fine). I saw that Duluth got designated a Gold Level Ride Center this summer, and I see why... I'm not sure it's better than Copper Harbor, MI (Silver Level), but both are excellent.

I'm planning a trip next summer to hit Duluth, Cuyuna Lake, MSP, and maybe a place up in NW Wisconsin - four Ride Centers in one big road trip.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I want to buy a bike to ride around with my 7 year old. I drive a car to work and don't see myself on a lot of trails. I just want something that's well built and will last a while. I almost bought this yesterday when it was on sale for $360. Is it decent? Also, I can get 40% of MSRP on Diamondback through my work but the selection through the site is limited. Is Diamandback a decent brand?

 

[tom22406]

Found an older bike at a yard sale a few weeks back and am loving it.

Bridgestone MB-3 that was barely even used,looks like this

http://bikes.aberrance.com/mb-3/20111217MB-3/images/20111217MB-3FirstImp-186.jpg

Rides a little stiff but otherwise no problems with it at all.

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Found an older bike at a yard sale a few weeks back and am loving it.

Bridgestone MB-3 that was barely even used,looks like this

http://bikes.aberrance.com/mb-3/20111217MB-3/images/20111217MB-3FirstImp-186.jpg

Rides a little stiff but otherwise no problems with it at all.

There goes your prostate.

 

[tom22406]

Found an older bike at a yard sale a few weeks back and am loving it.

Bridgestone MB-3 that was barely even used,looks like this

http://bikes.aberrance.com/mb-3/20111217MB-3/images/20111217MB-3FirstImp-186.jpg

Rides a little stiff but otherwise no problems with it at all.

There goes your prostate.

A new seat is something I will be looking at for sure.Any ideas?

 

[matttyl]

I want to buy a bike to ride around with my 7 year old. I drive a car to work and don't see myself on a lot of trails. I just want something that's well built and will last a while. I almost bought this yesterday when it was on sale for $360. Is it decent? Also, I can get 40% of MSRP on Diamondback through my work but the selection through the site is limited. Is Diamandback a decent brand?

I don't know much about Diamondback, but that is an aluminum frame, which is what you should be looking for. You can (somewhat) easily replace the parts of a bike, but you don't want to have to replace the frame (or fork). You should be fine with that.

 

[Eephus]

I want to buy a bike to ride around with my 7 year old. I drive a car to work and don't see myself on a lot of trails. I just want something that's well built and will last a while. I almost bought this yesterday when it was on sale for $360. Is it decent? Also, I can get 40% of MSRP on Diamondback through my work but the selection through the site is limited. Is Diamandback a decent brand?

I don't know much about Diamondback, but that is an aluminum frame, which is what you should be looking for. You can (somewhat) easily replace the parts of a bike, but you don't want to have to replace the frame (or fork). You should be fine with that.

If you're going to be riding exclusively on roads, you don't need a suspension fork. You can lock it out of course, but you can't get rid of the weight.

Diamondback has their Haanjo line that are hybrids but with a standard front fork. This might be a good option for you since you have the discount.

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Found an older bike at a yard sale a few weeks back and am loving it.

Bridgestone MB-3 that was barely even used,looks like this

http://bikes.aberrance.com/mb-3/20111217MB-3/images/20111217MB-3FirstImp-186.jpg

Rides a little stiff but otherwise no problems with it at all.

There goes your prostate.

A new seat is something I will be looking at for sure.Any ideas?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/391418-the-best-bicycle-seat-for-the-prostate/

I angled the nose of mine down, which seemed to help take pressure off of the prostate.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I think I've narrowed it down to 3 bikes. I just want a bike to ride around with my son and get a little exercise and I think all of these will work for that. Anyone see a reason to stay away from one of these?

Diamondback Trace - Costs $500 + tax locally but can get for $360 shipped online

Diamondback Trace Sport - Costs $550+ locally but can get for $390 shipped

Diamondback Haanjo Metro - Costs $550+ locally but can get for $420 shipped

 

[Tick]

If you're ordering online, compare the Diamondbacks against the bikes here: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/hybrid_bikes.htm

Compare that Haanjo to this one: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/swift-flatbar-hybrid-pro.htm- some comparison points:

Price: $400 vs. $420

Number of gears: 3x8 vs. 1x9 (I would actually prefer the 1x9 in this case)

Rear Derailleur: Deore vs. Acera (2 steps up - http://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bicycles/797814-shimano-s-parts-hierarchy.htmlis a guide)

It's probably better to but one from a local store where you can test drive it, but I got my mountain bike from Bikesdirect and have been very happy with it - it's gotten heavy trail use and has held up well.

When my son was 8, I was getting him a new bike, and he test drove a bunch of Giants, Specialized, and Treks. He saw a cool looking Diamondback and immediately loved it and wanted to buy it. I made him test drive it. He took it for one lap around the bike shop parking lot, and when he came back, he said it was a piece of junk compared to the other brands. That's about my only recent experience with a Diamondback.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Thanks Tick. I had actually just found bikeforums and that thread. I'll keep reading.

 

[matttyl]

Any other serious mountain bikers out there?

 

[Mookie]

Any other serious mountain bikers out there?

I live in mountains, have been mountain bike riding for 20+ years, and ride in the hills a few times a week in summer/fall. I don't race or take it too seriously. Not sure that qualifies as "serious" or not.

 

[NutterButter]

Any other serious mountain bikers out there?

Gonna be pulling the trigger on my first fatbike soon to get my winter riding on. I hope this works out b/c 3 months on the spin bike is the suck.

 

[matttyl]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

 

[NutterButter]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

 

[Mookie]

Bought a LaPierre Zesty TR329 this summer. Still getting used to the geometry of the 29er, and the LaPierre feels a bit like I'm riding a big wheel. I'm questioning if I should should sell it and go back to my old Gary Fisher Sugar, but will give it another season.

 

[matttyl]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

Nope, piecing together stuff for the tranny for now - mostly shimano XT. Might end up doing the same thing I did to my hardtail and make it a 1x10.

 

[matttyl]

Bought a LaPierre Zesty TR329 this summer. Still getting used to the geometry of the 29er, and the LaPierre feels a bit like I'm riding a big wheel. I'm questioning if I should should sell it and go back to my old Gary Fisher Sugar, but will give it another season.

My wife and I are both on 29ers, seems to be the thing to ride nowadays.

 

[Tick]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

Nope, piecing together stuff for the tranny for now - mostly shimano XT. Might end up doing the same thing I did to my hardtail and make it a 1x10.

I'm considering 1x10 as well. I haven't looked for awhile, but would love to find a 1x10 with 0.75 to 2.75 gear ratios. That should cover anything I do. I just can't give up the climbing gear because I'm a wuss. I could drop the top end down to 2.5 but would like a little flexibility since I ride to town the kids on the sidewalk a couple of times per summer.

 

[Tick]

Bought a LaPierre Zesty TR329 this summer. Still getting used to the geometry of the 29er, and the LaPierre feels a bit like I'm riding a big wheel. I'm questioning if I should should sell it and go back to my old Gary Fisher Sugar, but will give it another season.

We have one trail with very tight corners in the woods, and the 29er is a little bit of a liability there. On all other trails, I prefer the 29er. I feel like I'm headed over the handlebars now when I swap with a buddy and ride his 26.

There are 27.5s now - a buddy had a 27.5 loaner while his bike was being worked on and thought it might be ideal, since he's always thought his 29er was a bit too large (I think he's just one frame size too large).

 

[the moops]

Not a mountain bikes anymore, although I wish I was. But I have a 1x10 setup on Fairdale Weekender road bike. Swapped out a few things, but I love the semi simplicity of the single chain ring up front. Big fan. The wide range covers just about 99% of the gearing I need.

http://fairdalebikes.com/bikes/view-bikes-archive/2015-bikes/2015-weekender-drop/

 

[NutterButter]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

Nope, piecing together stuff for the tranny for now - mostly shimano XT. Might end up doing the same thing I did to my hardtail and make it a 1x10.

Gotcha. That x01 drivetrain looks awesome but crazy expensive.

 

[matttyl]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

Nope, piecing together stuff for the tranny for now - mostly shimano XT. Might end up doing the same thing I did to my hardtail and make it a 1x10.

I'm considering 1x10 as well. I haven't looked for awhile, but would love to find a 1x10 with 0.75 to 2.75 gear ratios. That should cover anything I do. I just can't give up the climbing gear because I'm a wuss. I could drop the top end down to 2.5 but would like a little flexibility since I ride to town the kids on the sidewalk a couple of times per summer.

On my hardtail (Trek Stache from last year, not the new 29er+ stache) I'm running a 1x 30t race face crank with a 11-36 cassette - so I've got .83 to 2.73 which I've found to be just right for me and means I can run a standard cassette.

 

[matttyl]

I just took the plunge on a "serious" mountain bike. Ended up spending more on it than I spent on my first car (that's how you know you've got the sickness).

Pivot mach 429 29er carbon. Just sounds sexy.....

That's a beauty. Did it come with the sram x01 drive train?

Nope, piecing together stuff for the tranny for now - mostly shimano XT. Might end up doing the same thing I did to my hardtail and make it a 1x10.

Once you go to sram's 1x11 drivetrain you won't go back.

Also put a Pike on the front.

Which is why I don't want to try it - cause then I'll have to upgrade my other bike - and then the wife will want the upgrade on hers. What we don't know can't hurt us, right?

The Pivot has a Fox 32 up front...for now.

 

[Apple Jack]

Has anybody ever ridden the Florida Keys Trail? I'm thinking about doing it over the holidays.

 

[matttyl]

Picked up my Trek Stache 29er hardtail yesterday (now with thru axle in the rear!) - and picking up my Pivot mach 429 full suspension today. Ready to go enjoy this wonderful Spring we're having here in mid December! Get out there and ride!

 

[Tick]

Yeah, got out with my son last Friday. It's tough in the north to get a ride in before dark after the time change, though.

 

[matttyl]

Yeah, got out with my son last Friday. It's tough in the north to get a ride in before dark after the time change, though.

Get lights, but don't go cheap on them. I saw a recent article of someone who had a very cheap Chinese made rechargeable light that "blew up" while charging and caused thousands of dollars in damage and nearly burned his apartment down.

I'm not sure of the brand I purchased off the top of my head, but they were close to $100 each. A fully charged light will go for like 10 hours on low, about 6 on medium and maybe 4 on high. I keep one strapped to my bars and another on my helmet.

 

[Sand]

Yeah, got out with my son last Friday. It's tough in the north to get a ride in before dark after the time change, though.

Get lights, but don't go cheap on them. I saw a recent article of someone who had a very cheap Chinese made rechargeable light that "blew up" while charging and caused thousands of dollars in damage and nearly burned his apartment down.

I'm not sure of the brand I purchased off the top of my head, but they were close to $100 each. A fully charged light will go for like 10 hours on low, about 6 on medium and maybe 4 on high. I keep one strapped to my bars and another on my helmet.

For MTB I'd recommend one handlebar mounted one (I have had this for a couple years and it works great - remember most of this stuff is made in China, just gotta find the good stuff) and a helmet mounted one. That way you have backup and you get visibility where you want to be as well as right out front. For road one light is sufficient.

The new square light is also excellent.

 

[NutterButter]

Anyone use something like this for your winter training?

 

[Brony]

Anything I should be mindful of when buying a bike off Craigslist? Looking to get a decent road bike... Eyeing used Specialized Allez. 

 

[Sammy3469]

Anything I should be mindful of when buying a bike off Craigslist? Looking to get a decent road bike... Eyeing used Specialized Allez. 

If it's aluminum, just make sure the frame is solid and there don't appear to be any signs of a crash...if it's carbon and you don't know what you are doing...stay away.

 

[the moops]

Only times I liked having an aluminum or carbon framed bike was when I was training for races. I am steel bike guy for the foreseeable future.

 

[Tick]

On my hardtail (Trek Stache from last year, not the new 29er+ stache) I'm running a 1x 30t race face crank with a 11-36 cassette - so I've got .83 to 2.73 which I've found to be just right for me and means I can run a standard cassette.

I'm looking into this again... it looks like on a 29er with 2.1 tires, 30t front, 11-42t rear, I get .78-2.99 on the calculator here.  I'm trying to figure out how this thing would fit in - working my way through this video.

 

[Sand]

Anything I should be mindful of when buying a bike off Craigslist? Looking to get a decent road bike... Eyeing used Specialized Allez. 

A close inspection of the frame.  Making sure it's your size.  

 

[matttyl]

I'm looking into this again... it looks like on a 29er with 2.1 tires, 30t front, 11-42t rear, I get .78-2.99 on the calculator here.  I'm trying to figure out how this thing would fit in - working my way through this video.

That seems pretty damn expensive for a 42t cog!  I say start with what comes on the bike stock and see if it fits your needs before adjusting the rear.  A 30t front gives you a huge range with a standard cassette.  What bike are you looking at?

 

[matttyl]

Anything I should be mindful of when buying a bike off Craigslist? Looking to get a decent road bike... Eyeing used Specialized Allez. 

Depending on your height, I may have one for you.  It's a 2004 model I believe, it's a bit on the small size for me (I'll have to look up the size when I get home, but should be perfect for anyone in the 5'7"-5"-10" range) - firetruck red.  Pretty sweet wheels on it as well.

 

[Brony]

Depending on your height, I may have one for you.  It's a 2004 model I believe, it's a bit on the small size for me (I'll have to look up the size when I get home, but should be perfect for anyone in the 5'7"-5"-10" range) - firetruck red.  Pretty sweet wheels on it as well.

FFA Swap Meet!   Right height for me, but where do you live?

 

[LAUNCH]

https://youtu.be/ba1OLoPIBfY

SKUNKLOCK

 

[Niles Standish]

Does anyone know what size of bike I should get.  I am about 6' with 32-33 inseam.

 

[Sand]

Does anyone know what size of bike I should get.  I am about 6' with 32-33 inseam.

Hard to say - MTB or road?  If road, go here to the Fit System and put in some measurements.  The top tube measurement really predominates and will put you in the right spot.  Manufacturers differ greatly - on a typical road bike you'd be a 58cm or so, but that can vary from 55-60 depending on who makes it.  The top tube measurement, though, dials you in pretty well on anything.

 

[matttyl]

Does anyone know what size of bike I should get.  I am about 6' with 32-33 inseam.

Really depends on the type of bike, and the company making the bike.  In general, you're about my size and should be a "large" or around a 58cm.  Try out a few first. 

 

[Niles Standish]

Thanks, I am looking at Road Bike.  But probably just something to commute to and from work with (only ~4 miles each way so don't need something great).  I am looking at one online that is 20" does that sound around my size?

 

[matttyl]

Thanks, I am looking at Road Bike.  But probably just something to commute to and from work with (only ~4 miles each way so don't need something great).  I am looking at one online that is 20" does that sound around my size?

link?

20" bike sounds like a kids bike.  It converts to just under 51cm, which is a bit small I'd think.  Maybe the next size up?