Cycling Thread

[Baron von Kriterium]

I buy my parts from Dan at Cafe Roubaix in Cochrane. I get him to install them, too.

My CX and MTB bikes are SS so not much servicing is required that I can't handle myself.

The road bike is equipped with Campagnolo, so the only wrenches I trust with Campy are at Eurotech and Campione. However, now that Dan is up and running in Cochrane at Cafe Roubaix, I will take the road bike to him, too. But, it's Campy, so it doesn't need much work.

[macker]

LBS = Look before shopping online

[Hack&Lube]

Chain Reaction has a free shipping to Canada sale that ends tomorrow afternoon.

Is this a common thing or rare? (IE: Should I buy an unreasonable amount of stuff in one go right now).

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Chain Reaction has a free shipping to Canada sale that ends tomorrow afternoon.

Is this a common thing or rare? (IE: Should I buy an unreasonable amount of stuff in one go right now).

If the free shipping is through UPS, it isn't a good deal. They will try to gouge you with exorbitant brokerage fees. If they insist on UPS, get them to inform UPS that you'll clear the package through customs yourself.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Shipping on Chain Reaction is almost always free on orders over $100.

[Northendzone]

jensen usa advertises that they ship to canada with no extra fees......thier shipping is a little faster than CRC.

sometimes your LBS is not much more - for example I recently bought knee and elbow pads and a camelback locally for a little more than it would have cost me to bring it in.

[pylon]

FML.

My cycling days may be over. The last 2 weeks I have been waking up with agonizing knee pain. Had a doctors appt this morning, and the doctor believes I might have rheumatoid arthritis in my knees. This is not good. I have seen what it has done to my fathers hands. I cannot imagine what it will do to my legs if true.

I don't like thinking of the idea of being crippled so young.

[Northendzone]

Pylon - hopefully there is something that your Dr can do to help you manage the pain.

I have issues with an ankle I broke many years ago - I recently had a cortisone injection int the ankle for the pain - it has helped somewhat......I'd be very frustrated if I was told I could never ride again.......

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

I'm looking for an SPD shoe recommendation. I've never worn clipless before but I am training to do a 200k ride in a couple of months and I'm being told the difference will be massive.

I doubt I'll do a ride of this magnitude again (I'm not really much of a rider to begin with) so I'm looking for something that will be decent for this long ride, and be versatile for commuting/walking in the future.

Are you doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer?

[Timbo]

Thinking on getting a Cyclocross bike. Bombing about the hood streets and alleys. I have a novice/mid level MNT bike but I find it to cumbersome for the streets.

I am leaning towards a Kona Jake the Snake or a Cannondale CAADX Disc 5

My price point is $1500-1800 not including pedals

Thoughts...? Alternatives? I'm sure I will be happy with either of them, right?

This would be my most expensive bike purchase.

So what say you CP, should I get to Bow Cycle ASAP?

[corporatejay]

I bought a Kona Jake CX this year and I love it and I know the bow cycle guys love Kona bikes so I think you'll be really happy with the Jake the Snake.

[TSXCman]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Are you doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer?

Sounds like it. This is what I'm getting ready for as well in august.

Undecided over just a hybrid or a road/cyclecross at this point. Want to ride the city too

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Thinking on getting a Cyclocross bike. Bombing about the hood streets and alleys. I have a novice/mid level MNT bike but I find it to cumbersome for the streets.

I am leaning towards a Kona Jake the Snake or a Cannondale CAADX Disc 5

My price point is $1500-1800 not including pedals

Thoughts...? Alternatives? I'm sure I will be happy with either of them, right?

This would be my most expensive bike purchase.

So what say you CP, should I get to Bow Cycle ASAP?

the Jake is awesome, I've had one as my commuter bike for years, but I would love to try one with disc brakes on it.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Thinking on getting a Cyclocross bike. Bombing about the hood streets and alleys. I have a novice/mid level MNT bike but I find it to cumbersome for the streets.

I am leaning towards a Kona Jake the Snake or a Cannondale CAADX Disc 5

My price point is $1500-1800 not including pedals

Thoughts...? Alternatives? I'm sure I will be happy with either of them, right?

This would be my most expensive bike purchase.

So what say you CP, should I get to Bow Cycle ASAP?

I ride the Cannondale, I love it. it's fast, reliable and sturdy enough for what I do with it.

strongly recommend

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

Sounds like it. This is what I'm getting ready for as well in august.

Undecided over just a hybrid or a road/cyclecross at this point. Want to ride the city too

Me too. The 200KM distance is a bit intimating for somebody who has never biked more than 40KM.

I'm using a road bike with mountain bike shoes and SPD cleats right now. Should I think about going to road shoes/cleats/pedals? I've been trying to bike after work each day but weather like today always ruins things.

[habernac]

I've had mountain pedals on my road bike for years, it's not a big deal. Plus, you don't have to buy another pair of shoes.

For the #### weather days, get a bike with fenders and go anyway.

[zarrell]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Thinking on getting a Cyclocross bike. Bombing about the hood streets and alleys. I have a novice/mid level MNT bike but I find it to cumbersome for the streets.

I am leaning towards a Kona Jake the Snake or a Cannondale CAADX Disc 5

My price point is $1500-1800 not including pedals

Thoughts...? Alternatives? I'm sure I will be happy with either of them, right?

This would be my most expensive bike purchase.

So what say you CP, should I get to Bow Cycle ASAP?

I have been looking for a similar bike and originally thought I would like a road style hybrid or cyclocross. However I like to do the pathways around town, the occasional dirt path and secondary roads outside of town (some which may or may not have gravel). I have since narrowed my search to the Cannondale Quick cx and the Specialized Crosstrail. These bikes have front suspension (you can lock it out when needed), hydraulic brakes and better tires for questionable terrain. Lighter than a mountain bike, which is what I've been using exclusively for all my biking and can basically do it all fairly well. I would consider a bike like this if you are not pounding the highways 3-4 days a week or heading to the mountains and doing nothing but single track.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I've been trying to bike after work each day but weather like today always ruins things.

hard to get motivated on days like today, but in my mind i figure the first five minutes is the worst becasue you start out dry - but after that first five you are as wet as you are gonna get.......that being said, i have never ridden to work in the pouring rain (becasue it is hard to get motived to ride to work in the rain and possibly have wet clothes to deal with all day), but i have ridden home a lot in the rain.....

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I've been trying to bike after work each day but weather like today always ruins things.

It's a bit of a downer yes - but you can easily conquer this wet weather with some additions to your gear. For the wet / slushy conditions:

- Fenders are a must, IMHO. Keeps you far less wet and gritty.
- Helmet cover - a must for wet days
- Rainproof (not resistant if your ride is long) pants and jacket. Doesn't have to be cycling specific. Golf or other stuff works just fine - cycling fashion is for poser road weenies .
- Ankle Strap - for the baggy pants
- Good gloves are the bane of every cyclist's existence. Budget $50 for these.

So about $115 assuming you have waterproof jacket and pants you can swipe from somewhere. Once you have this you will have the basics down and a decent basis to add / improve to get to year round cycling.

[Northendzone]

If you don't have rainproof jacket and pants, don't be surprised if that does not set you back as much as $300........rain repellant stuff is a little cheaper......