Bicycle Guys! (3 Viewers)

[The Longtime Lurker]

SRAM Eagle 70 transmission

Is this wireless or mechanical

It is one of the new mechanical ones!

Here is a photo: https://i.imgur.com/3xP7ozw.jpeg

Very cool. I have the mtb wireless version and they are indestructible and shifting under load is pretty nice. Looks like it has an A and B position for setup? If you have shifting that doesn't feel quite as good as advertised take a look at that. The default for my bike was wrong in the sram app and switching to the other position was a massive improvement in functionality. I'm not sure if that's a common issue, applies to gravel, or is relevant with the mechanical versions, but figured it might be worth a mention just incase.

 

[Dickies]

I didn't realize they had a mechanical version of the transmission

 

[Jaysus]

I didn't realize they had a mechanical version of the transmission

I'm pretty sure they just dropped it this summer.

 

[Sand]

SRAM Eagle 70 transmission

Is this wireless or mechanical

It is one of the new mechanical ones!

Here is a photo: https://i.imgur.com/3xP7ozw.jpeg

Love the copper color.

 

[Tick]

I had a weird day - rode my MTB on a 31-mile bike path loop that I didn't really intend to ride, I was just scouting to see what it's like and felt fine so I did the whole loop. Then I went bonkers and almost bought a gravel bike and almost signed up for the One Day Rice Across Michigan... but 150 miles is 10-13 hours and I'm not capable of doing that in 2 weeks. Still, I think I'll get the gravel bike and start riding with the local group that rides gravel once per week, around 25 miles. The goal is to ride the Holland 100 next year, then see if that just makes me miserable. If so, I'll give up on the idea of the ODRAM.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

I had a weird day - rode my MTB on a 31-mile bike path loop that I didn't really intend to ride, I was just scouting to see what it's like and felt fine so I did the whole loop. Then I went bonkers and almost bought a gravel bike and almost signed up for the One Day Rice Across Michigan... but 150 miles is 10-13 hours and I'm not capable of doing that in 2 weeks. Still, I think I'll get the gravel bike and start riding with the local group that rides gravel once per week, around 25 miles. The goal is to ride the Holland 100 next year, then see if that just makes me miserable. If so, I'll give up on the idea of the ODRAM.

O2S is in two weeks. Aside from the wildfire smoke it's a nice cool place to ride near the lake. C'mon up and get your yooper on. I'm not sure if you've done it before, but it's a gravel bikers idea of a mountain bike race.

Thinking about using my fat bike as it's my lightest bike. Suspension of any kind isn't needed. I just need to get some less aggressive tires. My only hang up on that is if i want to get 2 new tires at probably $100 a pop for a single race. My current tires are for snow and i don't want to tear them up.

I usually take this race moderately serious as a warm up for the Marji Gesick, but I'm officially out on that, so thinking a casual ride with my wife at her pace might be the move this year.

 

[Fat Nick]

The wife and I just got Trek Dual Sport 3 bikes this week. My first new bike in 30+ years...We got them so we can ride as a family on our upcoming vacation (Hilton Head) and after.

I had a quick question regarding locks. I wanted to get the general consensus on bike security. I'm not planning to ride in a major city or dangerous area...we're riding with an 11 and 8 year-old here. Vacation rides to dinner, coffee, etc...and maybe some gravel trail rides back home that end in small towns where we might get a drink or something. Getting a big U-Lock or one of those big chains seems like overkill.

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

The wife and I just got Trek Dual Sport 3 bikes this week. My first new bike in 30+ years...We got them so we can ride as a family on our upcoming vacation (Hilton Head) and after.

I had a quick question regarding locks. I wanted to get the general consensus on bike security. I'm not planning to ride in a major city or dangerous area...we're riding with an 11 and 8 year-old here. Vacation rides to dinner, coffee, etc...and maybe some gravel trail rides back home that end in small towns where we might get a drink or something. Getting a big U-Lock or one of those big chains seems like overkill.

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

I use the chain style combination locks. They store pretty nice in a pack or bike bag. You might be able to get two bikes per lock. Somebody else might have something better, but these work for us.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

Trail club got out today and we built one hell of an awesome trail. It's an update on an old trail named "stoned hinge". Sustainability of this trail was becoming suspect. 5 berms all rock armored and everything bench cut into a super steep bluff. Steep downs, fast turns, rock gardens, punchy climbs with some awesome natural features.

I'm smoked, literally and figuratively with this wildlfire smoke weather and a day bench cutting and moving giant rocks. Hard work as we try and have all our trails hand built, no heavy equipment. We think it's worth it to keep that raw natural feel. It also separates us from the surrounding networks a little bit. Not sure when I'll get out and ride it, but i can't wait.

 

[Tick]

The wife and I just got Trek Dual Sport 3 bikes this week. My first new bike in 30+ years...We got them so we can ride as a family on our upcoming vacation (Hilton Head) and after.

I had a quick question regarding locks. I wanted to get the general consensus on bike security. I'm not planning to ride in a major city or dangerous area...we're riding with an 11 and 8 year-old here. Vacation rides to dinner, coffee, etc...and maybe some gravel trail rides back home that end in small towns where we might get a drink or something. Getting a big U-Lock or one of those big chains seems like overkill.

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

I got my daughter a bike and it was stolen in the first week from her apartment rack - they cut the cable. I rode to town yesterday with a friend, both riding my bikes, and I took a U with a chain (the one Wirecutter recommends - Kryptonite something, very orange). It fit into a hip pack, and I was able to lock both bikes up with that combo. Sucks to have to carry that so far, but I didn't really want to lose my bikes.

Also, I have my Ozark Trail gravel bike now. Some reactions after a 20-mile ride, mostly on bike paths but a few spots on grass and gravel:

• I replaced the seat without trying it - everyone hates the stock saddle and I had a fairly unused one on an old MTB I swapped out.
• I put in Crank Bros half-n-half clip pedals - I figured I wouldn't be starting on a root climb or anything like MTB where I hate flat/clip combos. It seemed to work well.
• Front wheel needed to be trued, I've done that now.
• Front brake was scraping a bit, I've sorted that now.
• I'll need a little time getting used to drop bars - it's just second nature on my MTB to shift down and drop the post every time I stop. On this one I would start pedaling and realize I had never shifted down before the stop - I'm just scrambling around trying to remember how to brake.
• I found myself naturally grabbing the lowest side of the C shape on the drop bars when I needed some quick power. I guess that's just what felt natural.
• We'll see about the bike. I see the brakes have one fixed side and one side that pinches, which stinks, but they had to knock out cost somewhere. This was mainly to see how I like the form factor without breaking the bank, so it's serving that purpose.
• It seemed to work well to just get out of the saddle for every bump since it doesn't have suspension.
• I'm eager to get back out there and ride it again after making the adjustments and take it on a local 30 mile loop at higher speed to see how it feels and how I feel after riding it.
• I need to put a second water bottle cage on there. Somehow I have none hanging around the garage.

 

[matttyl]

SRAM Eagle 70 transmission

Is this wireless or mechanical

It is one of the new mechanical ones!

Here is a photo: https://i.imgur.com/3xP7ozw.jpeg

Love the copper color.

My wife’s first gravel bike was a very similar color, maybe a bit more “brand new penny”, but really close. She named it “Penny Lane” after the Beatles song, which went well with my Salsa which I named “Sargent Peppers.”

 

[beer 30]

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

This Masterlock is what I have. It's not particularly heavy but I don't think you're going to find anything that will lock 4 bikes. If they want your bike, they will get it but these type locks at least require them to bring some tools.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

This Masterlock is what I have. It's not particularly heavy but I don't think you're going to find anything that will lock 4 bikes. If they want your bike, they will get it but these type locks at least require them to bring some tools.

These are what i have

 

[Fat Nick]

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

This Masterlock is what I have. It's not particularly heavy but I don't think you're going to find anything that will lock 4 bikes. If they want your bike, they will get it but these type locks at least require them to bring some tools.

These are what i have

Yeah...this seems to generally be where I'm headed. I'm firmly in the "if they want your bike, they will get it but they'll at least need tools" camp. I just want to avoid the opportunistic guy who uses my stolen bike as his means to get away quickly too.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

What are people using/recommending for a light weight bike lock? Size/weight is important. I'm either going to need something that can lock 4 bikes, or I'll need 4 separate locks. I totally get that a good thief with a lock cutter can get my bike...I'm trying to avoid the opportunistic thief who sees a nice bike and wants to just jump on it and ride away. Thoughts?

This Masterlock is what I have. It's not particularly heavy but I don't think you're going to find anything that will lock 4 bikes. If they want your bike, they will get it but these type locks at least require them to bring some tools.

These are what i have

Yeah...this seems to generally be where I'm headed. I'm firmly in the "if they want your bike, they will get it but they'll at least need tools" camp. I just want to avoid the opportunistic guy who uses my stolen bike as his means to get away quickly too.

If you're locking up a bike at an apartment or dorm situation outside for extended periods of time maybe it's not optimal, but for getting drinks, eating dinner, checking out shops, ect for a few hours here and there i wouldn't think there's much need beyond that. I'm with you, if they break through that lock outside a restaurant while I'm eating they REALLY wanted it.

 

[Tick]

I rode the Walmart gravel bike for the second time, this time in a gravel group ride. I had made a mistake when swapping saddles and had to stop to sort that out, but the bike did fine. I, on the other hand, am weaker than I thought. They ride about 12 miles at 15 mph, then ride back (slightly different route) at whatever speed they want, staying in clumps at similar paces. It was right after the start back that I had to fix the saddle, thankfully one guy came back to make sure I knew the route back. I was only able to go 15 mph back as well. I need to build up some endurance, this is a great way to do it. I plan to ride every Wednesday if possible.

Gravel can be pretty mean if you can't find a flat line - gets all ridgy and bumps the crap out of you.

 

[Sand]

I rode the Walmart gravel bike for the second time, this time in a gravel group ride. I had made a mistake when swapping saddles and had to stop to sort that out, but the bike did fine. I, on the other hand, am weaker than I thought. They ride about 12 miles at 15 mph, then ride back (slightly different route) at whatever speed they want, staying in clumps at similar paces. It was right after the start back that I had to fix the saddle, thankfully one guy came back to make sure I knew the route back. I was only able to go 15 mph back as well. I need to build up some endurance, this is a great way to do it. I plan to ride every Wednesday if possible.

Gravel can be pretty mean if you can't find a flat line - gets all ridgy and bumps the crap out of you.

Redshift stems are very popular for gravel bikes and they work very well to take some of the edge of the chatter. Love mine.

That said, not the cheapest addition in the world.

 

[matttyl]

I rode the Walmart gravel bike for the second time, this time in a gravel group ride. I had made a mistake when swapping saddles and had to stop to sort that out, but the bike did fine. I, on the other hand, am weaker than I thought. They ride about 12 miles at 15 mph, then ride back (slightly different route) at whatever speed they want, staying in clumps at similar paces. It was right after the start back that I had to fix the saddle, thankfully one guy came back to make sure I knew the route back. I was only able to go 15 mph back as well. I need to build up some endurance, this is a great way to do it. I plan to ride every Wednesday if possible.

Gravel can be pretty mean if you can't find a flat line - gets all ridgy and bumps the crap out of you.

Redshift stems are very popular for gravel bikes and they work very well to take some of the edge of the chatter. Love mine.

That said, not the cheapest addition in the world.

The stem would cost as much as that bike!

 

[Jaysus]

I rode the Walmart gravel bike for the second time, this time in a gravel group ride. I had made a mistake when swapping saddles and had to stop to sort that out, but the bike did fine. I, on the other hand, am weaker than I thought. They ride about 12 miles at 15 mph, then ride back (slightly different route) at whatever speed they want, staying in clumps at similar paces. It was right after the start back that I had to fix the saddle, thankfully one guy came back to make sure I knew the route back. I was only able to go 15 mph back as well. I need to build up some endurance, this is a great way to do it. I plan to ride every Wednesday if possible.

Gravel can be pretty mean if you can't find a flat line - gets all ridgy and bumps the crap out of you.

Redshift stems are very popular for gravel bikes and they work very well to take some of the edge of the chatter. Love mine.

That combined with supple tires set up tubeless and running low PSI is a winning combo

 

[Tick]

I rode the Walmart gravel bike for the second time, this time in a gravel group ride. I had made a mistake when swapping saddles and had to stop to sort that out, but the bike did fine. I, on the other hand, am weaker than I thought. They ride about 12 miles at 15 mph, then ride back (slightly different route) at whatever speed they want, staying in clumps at similar paces. It was right after the start back that I had to fix the saddle, thankfully one guy came back to make sure I knew the route back. I was only able to go 15 mph back as well. I need to build up some endurance, this is a great way to do it. I plan to ride every Wednesday if possible.

Gravel can be pretty mean if you can't find a flat line - gets all ridgy and bumps the crap out of you.

Redshift stems are very popular for gravel bikes and they work very well to take some of the edge of the chatter. Love mine.

That combined with supple tires set up tubeless and running low PSI is a winning combo

Yeah, I was set up for asphalt bike paths at 40 psi.