Any bicycle enthusiasts?

[JoshT]

Does enthusiastically running them over count?

Don't get mad me I only did it once and it was my own bicyle. While I did run it over with enthusiasm, it was completely by mistake. I was young. Don't remember age, but less than 10 I'm sure, and my bicycle still had training wheels. I got my first (only) go-kart for either christmas or birthday. Went riding it one time and forgot that I left my bicycle between the house and a tree in the back yard, there wasn't a lot of extra space between the two. Bicycle lost a training wheel, and go-kart went airborne. Go cart landed upside down. It was one of the older ones without a full rollcage, but it did have a "rollbar" that stuck up well higher than my head at that time. Somehow when it landed upside down I was still sitting in the seat holding onto the steering wheel. There was no seat belt, so I can only assume that was probably one of my first experiences with the pucker factor, though it was many (many) years later before I first heard that term.


As for bicycles. I'm a Walmart bike conneseur. Every 5-10 years I'll get the idea that I want to ride. I buy a new Walmart bike, use it a few times, then leave it out to rust up. Never fails.

The most I've ever stuck to riding one was getting around the flight line at work. Long commute from parking lot to assigned work area, and keeping a bike on the flightline made the commute easier. Then it started disappearing for days at a time. Final straw there was when I got to work one day and the wheel was literally folded into an L shape sitting in the bike rack.

Bought another walmart bike to use away from work and it was right backto the usual use it a few times then let the weather get it. No point spending a bunch of money on a bike that is going to get ruined.

Last purchase was the Mongoose Stat 29er from Walmart. Usual story with it. I did keep it stored inside for a long while when I wasn't using it. Eventually it got in the way and went outside. I'm actually thinking about rebuilding that one into an e-bike to take on camping trips and using around the park. Frame is still fine, just need the chain and cables lubed replaced and probably new tires & tubes. Even when it was new I wanted to upgrade the shifters and derailleurs, so that'll probably be done with budget used upgrades if the conversion ever happens.

Sorry, none of that helps with your tube popping issue.

I do support the conversion from Presta to Schrader. Never owned a bike with Presta, but learned about them in tech school. Was never impressed. The typical schrader is simpler, better supported, and more than strong enough for any pressures that a bicycle tire is going to see. Maybe there is some plus to Presta in MTB due to less exposed rubber on the valve stem? I don't ride in those conditions, don't personally see it. There are a whole lot of schraders with an exposed rubber stem in rough use betweeen the offroad automotive crowds and the dirtbiking community, and never heard it is being an overly commonly issue there either.

 

[sgtsandman]

Mine was $150

It is just a 820 so nothing super high end even when it was new. It shifts nice, the brakes are nice it has a lot of metal in it (brake levers etc). A box store bike everything is flexible plastic that just feels cheap.

It is also like the actual right size for me, back when I was a kid it was "oh, you are pretty tall you better get a 26" and that was about all anybody knew. My Trek is still a 26" but with the 22.5" frame my long legs can actually do their thing and put power down. I was surprised after not riding for 20 years I could basically jump on it and go.

It is also kind of unique in that is a 820 Aluminum, they only made them for a year or two. So compared to my previous bikes the thing weighs nothing which also makes it both nice to ride and throw in the back of the truck.

Trek is a really good name though. My Diamonback is aluminum and is sooo much lighter than the touring bike.

The touring bike is steel for a reason, I get it. But that aluminum is so much nicer. And you don't have to worry about hidden cracks like you do with carbon fiber.

 

[sgtsandman]

Does enthusiastically running them over count?

Don't get mad me I only did it once and it was my own bicyle. While I did run it over with enthusiasm, it was completely by mistake. I was young. Don't remember age, but less than 10 I'm sure, and my bicycle still had training wheels. I got my first (only) go-kart for either christmas or birthday. Went riding it one time and forgot that I left my bicycle between the house and a tree in the back yard, there wasn't a lot of extra space between the two. Bicycle lost a training wheel, and go-kart went airborne. Go cart landed upside down. It was one of the older ones without a full rollcage, but it did have a "rollbar" that stuck up well higher than my head at that time. Somehow when it landed upside down I was still sitting in the seat holding onto the steering wheel. There was no seat belt, so I can only assume that was probably one of my first experiences with the pucker factor, though it was many (many) years later before I first heard that term.


As for bicycles. I'm a Walmart bike conneseur. Every 5-10 years I'll get the idea that I want to ride. I buy a new Walmart bike, use it a few times, then leave it out to rust up. Never fails.

The most I've ever stuck to riding one was getting around the flight line at work. Long commute from parking lot to assigned work area, and keeping a bike on the flightline made the commute easier. Then it started disappearing for days at a time. Final straw there was when I got to work one day and the wheel was literally folded into an L shape sitting in the bike rack.

Bought another walmart bike to use away from work and it was right backto the usual use it a few times then let the weather get it. No point spending a bunch of money on a bike that is going to get ruined.

Last purchase was the Mongoose Stat 29er from Walmart. Usual story with it. I did keep it stored inside for a long while when I wasn't using it. Eventually it got in the way and went outside. I'm actually thinking about rebuilding that one into an e-bike to take on camping trips and using around the park. Frame is still fine, just need the chain and cables lubed replaced and probably new tires & tubes. Even when it was new I wanted to upgrade the shifters and derailleurs, so that'll probably be done with budget used upgrades if the conversion ever happens.

Sorry, none of that helps with your tube popping issue.

I do support the conversion from Presta to Schrader. Never owned a bike with Presta, but learned about them in tech school. Was never impressed. The typical schrader is simpler, better supported, and more than strong enough for any pressures that a bicycle tire is going to see. Maybe there is some plus to Presta in MTB due to less exposed rubber on the valve stem? I don't ride in those conditions, don't personally see it. There are a whole lot of schraders with an exposed rubber stem in rough use betweeen the offroad automotive crowds and the dirtbiking community, and never heard it is being an overly commonly issue there either.

There is an advantage to the presta, but I forget what it is. Apparently, whatever it is, is important enough to the biking world that most higher than big box store bikes have them.

As far as the riding, it is something you have to ease into, or you will be so miserable that you will stop doing it, which may be your issue.

At the peak of my riding, of which I have slacking due to work, weather, and rushing to get things done at home due to a time limit to meet, is 17 miles four times a week. Like I said, you just don't jump into that, you have to build up to it.

I also like to mountain bike at the local state park because it has so many trails. Again, because of the above stated reasons, I haven't done any of that either. You want to see how fit you are cardio wise? Ride a mountain bike on dirt and mud trails. That will get the old ticker pumping hard and fast.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Trek is a really good name though. My Diamonback is aluminum and is sooo much lighter than the touring bike.

The touring bike is steel for a reason, I get it. But that aluminum is so much nicer. And you don't have to worry about hidden cracks like you do with carbon fiber.

Yeah, I have a really hard time getting into the carbon camp.

The 820 was the entry level mountain bike for years so it didn't get as nice of stuff as the higher end ones. I haven't ridden any newer ones so mine may be a complete pile by comparison but I mine enough to not care. They may be better as a mountain bike or whatever but for a "dad bike" cruising campgrounds and bike trails what I have works great.

I need to get little guy off training wheels, the extra drag is a killer on gravel bike trails.

 

[superj]

The presta valve doesnt slide around while riding or get cut.

 

[superj]

I am trying to get back on, too. I used to do 40 miles after work and 50-70 on saturdays but once i had some ankle work done, i was off for so long that its just hard to get back on. And its so flat and boring here in corpus, that doesnt help either. I just ride my recumbent and have a mountain bike for riding to work

 

[sgtsandman]

I am trying to get back on, too. I used to do 40 miles after work and 50-70 on saturdays but once i had some abkle work done, i was off for so long that its just hard to get back on. And its so flat and boring here in corpus, that doesnt help either. I just ride my recumbent and have a mountain bike for riding to work

One thing about the terrain here, it isn't flat and very little of it is straight.

The narrow roads keep you alert as well since people get pissed that you are riding on them. They don't get, understand, or care that the shoulder, if there even is one, is full of gravel, glass, and other debris. The best you can do is ride the line, stay steady ,not weaving, so you are predictable, keep and eye on the rear view mirror, that you should have, on the handle bar, and wear bright clothing so you are visible. People will still blow their horn and try to hit you with their mirror.

I ride as many back roads, with little traffic as possible, but that is not always possible and riding the bike trails will not get me to work an back. At 5 am, it isn't so much of a problem. It's the commute home, when everyone is coming home from work all in a hurry and road raging, that is the problem.

They don't care or get that a bicycle is classified as a vehicle per state law and I suspect Federal law. As long as the bike rider isn't being a jerk, is following the rules of the road, and is making an obvious effort to not be blocking traffic, I don't see what the problem is.

Now the primadonas who hog the lane, blow through traffic lights and stop signs, and don't signal what they are doing, I totally understand why those people get people mad.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yeah, I have a really hard time getting into the carbon camp.

The 820 was the entry level mountain bike for years so it didn't get as nice of stuff as the higher end ones. I haven't ridden any newer ones so mine may be a complete pile by comparison but I mine enough to not care. They may be better as a mountain bike or whatever but for a "dad bike" cruising campgrounds and bike trails what I have works great.

I need to get little guy off training wheels, the extra drag is a killer on gravel bike trails.

Your entry level bike is still way better than a Walmart one. And for the price you got it for, it just can't be beat.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My bike was $300 from Academy Sports:

Ozone 500 Men's Gira Paseo 18-Speed 700c Hybrid Bike | Academy https://share.google/ZBf1kjcNHAwz86UbL

To me, that's a lot of money, but I don't race or ride really long distances. So an expensive bike is wasted on me.

I actually have two of them I bought one for my ex-girlfriend to ride because her bike was locked in a storage unit during her divorce. And yes, they're both men's bikes, so I have a spare. I know someday if I ever start dating again at some point the woman's going to ask me why I have two identical bicycles.

I saw a picture of me holding my granddaughter back in April and I look fat. When I got back to Texas I weighed 218 lbs. About 2-months ago I started going to the gym again and I'm down to 202 lbs. Riding my bike will help me use my calories so I'm not storing them as fat.

We don't have any nice bike trails around here like they have in DFW, so I bought a carrier for the Ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My bike was $300 from Academy Sports:

Ozone 500 Men's Gira Paseo 18-Speed 700c Hybrid Bike | Academy https://share.google/ZBf1kjcNHAwz86UbL

To me, that's a lot of money, but I don't race or ride really long distances. So an expensive bike is wasted on me.

I actually have two of them I bought one for my ex-girlfriend to ride because her bike was locked in a storage unit during her divorce. And yes, they're both men's bikes, so I have a spare. I know someday if I ever start dating again at some point the woman's going to ask me why I have two identical bicycles.

I saw a picture of me holding my granddaughter back in April and I look fat. When I got back to Texas I weighed 218 lbs. About 2-months ago I started going to the gym again and I'm down to 202 lbs. Riding my bike will help me use my calories so I'm not storing them as fat.

We don't have any nice bike trails around here like they have in DFW, so I bought a carrier for the Ranger.

It seems like lady's bikes are kinda dying out. My wife has an ancient Roadmaster or something like that, I have been keeping an eye out for something nicer that is used like mine and the pickings are very slim. Quite a few brands hardly even show anything on their websites anymore.

 

[fastpakr]

I ride a few days a week, usually 20-30 miles. Mostly road, but the road bike usually stays in the garage and I take the gravel bike instead. It's slightly more comfortable and only a little slower.

If memory serves, presta valves became common because of the narrower stem fitting better on thin road wheels. On bigger wheels there's probably no real advantage to them.

 

[JoshT]

It seems like lady's bikes are kinda dying out. My wife has an ancient Roadmaster or something like that, I have been keeping an eye out for something nicer that is used like mine and the pickings are very slim. Quite a few brands hardly even show anything on their websites anymore.

IIRC the main difference for a "ladies" bike was the low upper bar for wearing dresses. These days women are just as likely to wear pants or shorts as men, especially for riding. A woman that was into cross country or MTB likely isn't going to care about or want the low top bar.

If you are looking for something with that feature they do still make them, they just call them step-through bikes now. Marketed to either sex (or should I say all genders?). Easier for someone with disabilities or limited movement to get on and ride. A couple of weeks ago when we still thought there was a chance of dad was coming home in good health, I was looking to purchase one of these for him. He would ride, it would have been healthy for him, helped rebuild some strength and mobility. Problem with a standard bike was getting over that top bar.

Admittedly I was looking at a torque assist e-bike for him, but they make that style in standard bikes too.

Of course, not knowing much about bikes, there may be a lot more differences to a "ladies" bike.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IIRC the main difference for a "ladies" bike was the low upper bar for wearing dresses. These days women are just as likely to wear pants or shorts as men, especially for riding. A woman that was into cross country or MTB likely isn't going to care about or want the low top bar.

If you are looking for something with that feature they do still make them, they just call them step-through bikes now. Marketed to either sex (or should I say all genders?). Easier for someone with disabilities or limited movement to get on and ride. A couple of weeks ago when we still thought there was a chance of dad was coming home in good health, I was looking to purchase one of these for him. He would ride, it would have been healthy for him, helped rebuild some strength and mobility. Problem with a standard bike was getting over that top bar.

Admittedly I was looking at a torque assist e-bike for him, but they make that style in standard bikes too.

Of course, not knowing much about bikes, there may be a lot more differences to a "ladies" bike.

Thats pretty much the difference.

Now like Trek just goes by size, once the frame goes so small they put a curve in the top tube. There is no like actual mens/womens.

 

[sgtsandman]

My bike was $300 from Academy Sports:

Ozone 500 Men's Gira Paseo 18-Speed 700c Hybrid Bike | Academy https://share.google/ZBf1kjcNHAwz86UbL

To me, that's a lot of money, but I don't race or ride really long distances. So an expensive bike is wasted on me.

I actually have two of them I bought one for my ex-girlfriend to ride because her bike was locked in a storage unit during her divorce. And yes, they're both men's bikes, so I have a spare. I know someday if I ever start dating again at some point the woman's going to ask me why I have two identical bicycles.

I saw a picture of me holding my granddaughter back in April and I look fat. When I got back to Texas I weighed 218 lbs. About 2-months ago I started going to the gym again and I'm down to 202 lbs. Riding my bike will help me use my calories so I'm not storing them as fat.

We don't have any nice bike trails around here like they have in DFW, so I bought a carrier for the Ranger.

One advantage a bike has over running is that, as long as the bike is setup right and you are using the proper cadence (the speed you are spinning the pedals), is that is way easier on your knees. The disadvantage, is that you have to go farther to burn the same amount of calories.

As far as the level of bike you have, it doesn't matter as long as it meets your needs and you USE it.

 

[superj]

yup. as long as you use it, it doesn't matter what kind of type of bike you have. a friend has 3 or 4 high end bikes, cervelo and stuff like that but they just sit in the garage. they are doing him no good and were just a waste of money.

i was reading, back many many years ago, that serious riders in florida and cali were getting box store frames and putting high end parts on them so bike thiefs would not steal them. they said the frames were well built and once you swap the components, you had a very decent training bike that you didn't have to worry about losing 15k if someone stole it since no one steals huffys, or whatever the box brands are now.

it sounded like a good plan to keep your bike off the radar