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Old 09-11-2012, 10:54 AM   #701
fundmark19
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I have no idea what should be looking for though that is the issue. Apparently I am very out of the loop on what makes a good bike now a days. Since I am trying to sell my old norco 4hun and I doubt I could give it away at this point
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Old 09-11-2012, 11:10 AM   #702
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Well then the best advice I can give is to go to a couple bike shops, tell them exactly what you want to do with the bike and get some advice from them.

You may end up buying something new (and going over budget, but don't worry, everyone does), or you can get enough info to figure out what to look for in a used bike.
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Old 09-11-2012, 12:50 PM   #703
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I have no idea what should be looking for though that is the issue. Apparently I am very out of the loop on what makes a good bike now a days. Since I am trying to sell my old norco 4hun and I doubt I could give it away at this point
Kijiji and Pink bike are good places for used roadbikes. My youngest son just bought a used full carbon Trek in pristine shape for $ 700.00 off Pink Bike

1st think to do is determine your frame size. I'm 6'1" and ride a 56 cm. My oldest son is 5'10" and has a 54 cm., but could fit the 52 cm. his brother bought.

Stick to the bigger manufacturers ( such as Trek, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale) Even their lower end bikes have good frames, it's the components that are cheaper. Most bikes will have Shimano components (shifters, derailleurs, brakes), most commonly the following (in order of lower quality to higher) : Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace)

Even the lower end stuff is pretty decent, and will definitely be a huge upgrade to what you're used to. Besides, you can always upgrade the components in the future. There is a pretty good market for that out there (see Pink Bike).

If you run across something and you're not sure, I'd be more than happy to give my humble opinion.

Last edited by #22; 09-11-2012 at 01:07 PM.
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Old 09-15-2012, 07:45 PM   #704
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Well I bought my bike. I ended up spending a fair amount more than I had originally planned but my wife talked me into it. She told me to spend the money now and be happy in a couple years and shes right. Anyways, I ended up getting a Kona Jake the Snake.

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?co...jake_the_snake

Just got it today. Bought from Bowcycle and was helped by Doug who did an excellent job. Took it out for 12km today and learnt a few things.

1. Im happy I didnt buy cheap shorts.
2. I want some gloves
3. Downhill + high gear = speeds im not ready for yet

Anyways, if any cp'rs see someone out there riding my bike with a blue backpack feel free to say hi.

I shall now try to add a picture.

I failed.

Thanks to those who sent me their advice.
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Old 09-15-2012, 09:57 PM   #705
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I left my bike sitting in my apartment for 6 weeks while I was back in Canada. When I came back the rear brake had suddenly developed a lot of drag. So much so that it wouldn't make more than a couple of free revolutions.

It's a hydraulic disk brake and I've been able to resolve the problem to the point of being functional by adjusting a screw on the fluid housing by the break lever, but I can still hear the drag and the wheel is still not revolving freely.

The bike was just sitting there for 6 weeks, so I'm somewhat mystified as to what could have caused this.

Anyone have any ideas?
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Old 09-16-2012, 09:30 AM   #706
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Originally Posted by StormShadow View Post
Well I bought my bike. I ended up spending a fair amount more than I had originally planned but my wife talked me into it. She told me to spend the money now and be happy in a couple years and shes right. Anyways, I ended up getting a Kona Jake the Snake.

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?co...jake_the_snake

Just got it today. Bought from Bowcycle and was helped by Doug who did an excellent job. Took it out for 12km today and learnt a few things.

1. Im happy I didnt buy cheap shorts.
2. I want some gloves
3. Downhill + high gear = speeds im not ready for yet

Anyways, if any cp'rs see someone out there riding my bike with a blue backpack feel free to say hi.

I shall now try to add a picture.

I failed.

Thanks to those who sent me their advice.
You have an awesome wife. I got a lecture when I went over budget for my bike. Congrats on the purchase and have fun!
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Old 09-16-2012, 05:23 PM   #707
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^ looks like a decent enough rig, I doubt you will regret going over budget.

Comfy shorts are also money well spent.
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Old 09-16-2012, 07:49 PM   #708
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For those parking their bikes downtown, what locks do you use and how many are usually recommended?
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Old 09-16-2012, 08:39 PM   #709
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I use a Kryptonite Evolution Mini (with optional insurance) plus a kryptoflex-style cable for the wheels.

You can also buy special bolts for both your seat clamp and your wheels, which means a special key (rather than an allen key) is required to take off the seat or wheels, protecting them from thievery too.



I also mark my bikes with something distinctive. Lots of people use stickers, but I've tended towards tape, spray paint, and permanent marker - stuff that makes the bike look less attractive and makes it more identifiable for me. The other advantage to tape is that it protects the bike from scuffs and dings.

The other major consideration is where you park your bike. If I was a thief, I'd probably go for bikes parked in low traffic areas that would allow me time to work on the lock. You're better off in high traffic areas with lots of other bikes, as thieves (unless they're targeting your bike specifically) won't know which of the many cyclists coming and going might be the owner of the bike they're trying to steal.
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Old 09-16-2012, 09:47 PM   #710
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For those parking their bikes downtown, what locks do you use and how many are usually recommended?
I only park mine in a parkade. Even a piece of crap will be stolen downtown.
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Old 09-16-2012, 09:56 PM   #711
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Do any of you guys have an issue with your hands going numb/falling asleep while riding? I always have this issue and I don't know if it's because I'm doing something wrong?
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Old 09-16-2012, 10:55 PM   #712
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Do any of you guys have an issue with your hands going numb/falling asleep while riding? I always have this issue and I don't know if it's because I'm doing something wrong?
Sounds like a classic saddle height and setback issue, which is causing you to lean too heavily into the handle bars. It's likely your seat post is too high, saddle too far forward, pointed down, or any combination of the above. Locking your arms for too long of a duration can also cause soreness. I recommend you bring your bike into a cycling shop and get properly fitted, where an experienced person can make the necessary adjustments, as road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrids each have different geometry, and thus a different "fit".

Last edited by Rudee; 09-16-2012 at 11:12 PM.
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:23 PM   #713
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I thought I'd post up my build. Took my 12 year old Schwinn and turned it into a single speed commuter, I was getting tired of having to kick my front derailer in the winter to get it to shift and having my chain come off from the rear tensioner gumming up with rust sludge. The only parts that got kept are the frame, rear brakes, rear wheel, and saddle (which was new, and no making fun, you piss blood for a week from a mountain bike crash and you'll get something cushy for every day riding too).

1. What the bike looked like new (not my pic):


2. What the bike looked like after a quick hacked trial single speed conversion:


3. Tada!


-Stripped the frame to bare metal and painted
-converted from a threaded headset to threadless
-Put it back to a rigid fork
-converted to front mechanical disc brake
-converted to single speed
-new headset, bars, brake levers, bottom bracket, crank, rear cog, spacers, front wheel, fork, disc brakes, and brake cables.

Brakes and threadless headset:



Ps I know it's ugly, I was going for that
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Old 09-20-2012, 11:39 PM   #714
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Maybe it's just the seat height, but those frame dimensions look so odd - kind of like a Long Haul Trucker looks. Very distinctive final product -the blue chain and pedals are a great touch.

What did you use to get rid of the old paint?

What did the conversion end up costing, if you don't mind me asking? It looks a damn sight cooler than the regular old Schwinn.
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Old 09-21-2012, 08:15 AM   #715
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where do you get a blue chain? this bike like gangnam style.
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Old 09-21-2012, 08:43 AM   #716
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I have been looking at buying a new hybrid for some time and finally found a 2012 Brodie Circuit out here in London. This bike was niiiice, really enjoyed it for the week that I had it.

On Monday while I parked at a rack on university campus that is very open, had about 60 other bikes in it, when I came out of my lab at 230pm in the afternoon it was gone. Someone had popped a u-lock and get a cable in the middle of a busy school in the middle of the day. Since I had not applied any insurance from the lock companies, it is a straight loss. Campus police told me they have 1-10 thefts a day on campus.

Just ridiculous, combined with the end of my last schoolyear and the start of this one, I have experience jsut under $3000 in thefts in this nasty city.
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Old 09-21-2012, 08:44 AM   #717
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Which reminds me, next purchase will need to be with a new lock and will remember to submit the insurance/garuntee paperwork asap
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Old 09-21-2012, 09:21 AM   #718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flylock shox View Post
Maybe it's just the seat height, but those frame dimensions look so odd - kind of like a Long Haul Trucker looks. Very distinctive final product -the blue chain and pedals are a great touch.

What did you use to get rid of the old paint?

What did the conversion end up costing, if you don't mind me asking? It looks a damn sight cooler than the regular old Schwinn.
The dimensions look brutal because this is all you could get for a bike when you are a 6'7" kid in the late 90s, it is a very awkward looking bike by nature. This is why I was the perfect candidate for a 29er, finally some wheels that catch up to the massive frame size I need:



This bike is about 6" longer and significantly taller too.

I used aircraft paint remover, the spray on foaming kind, to remove the paint. One can wasn't enough though, so just 80 grit sandpaper for the rest and the nooks and crannies.

I'd say all in with paint and parts it was ~$500. Obviously done more as a fun project rather than to save over buying a new bike. Everything on there is pretty much the sale bin of Chain Reaction too, its amazing how much components are when you buy them with a built bike
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Old 09-21-2012, 09:23 AM   #719
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where do you get a blue chain? this bike like gangnam style.
Chain Reaction Cycles. Great store, cheap shipping to Canada too.
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Old 09-21-2012, 10:15 AM   #720
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I noticed a couple of guys were looking for indoor trainers. I have one of the standard/generic rear wheel mag models like in the following image which I have no need for any more as we have a stationary. In true, pay it forward style, I'll give it to whoever wants it, I just ask you make a donation to some charity or give something away to someone else.

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