Cycling Thread

[Fuzz]

The pads are more than halfway off the rim braking surface. This one is setup correctly:

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by habernac

Maybe they'll pave it again as well, it's pretty bad in some spots.

That would be nice. There is a bump just after the downhill under the zoo bridge and if you don't know it's there, it could come as an unpleasant surprise.

That pathway from Laycock to the driving range is bad and needs work, too. I'd be happy if they just filled the cracks. It's bad enough (to me) that I don't take that pathway anymore.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium

That would be nice. There is a bump just after the downhill under the zoo bridge and if you don't know it's there, it could come as an unpleasant surprise.

That pathway from Laycock to the driving range is bad and needs work, too. I'd be happy if they just filled the cracks. It's bad enough (to me) that I don't take that pathway anymore.

Yeah, it sucks pretty bad. I'm so sick of motorists that I put up with it.

[Coys1882]

whats the gravel situation right now fellas? Has sweeping occurred on the designated bike roads?

[Fuzz]

They just did 10th street NW a few days ago. It's not perfect but much better than before. Can't comment on anything else.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

whats the gravel situation right now fellas? Has sweeping occurred on the designated bike roads?

I came down 10th St NW this morning and it had been swept recently. Any of the other roads I took need sweeping/cleaning.

[habernac]

Ctr Street N southbound has been done (poorly). There were still puddles and mud patches, but I think they were still working on it.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium

The story of my life: I can't sell my bikes because they are too big for most people. I might have to just part it out...sell the frame on ebay.

Yeah I currently ride a 60. Stupid flamingo legs.

[habernac]

I'm the opposite. Everyone's bike is too tall for me. Stupid 29" legs.

[Table 5]

Any general suggestions on a nicer steel-frame road bike to look at? There's a new bike shop that opened up in Bridgeland (Bike and Brew) so I went over there to see what they had and gave a steel Masi CXGR a spin. It reminded me how nice of a ride steel is, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't make sense to go down that route instead of trying to squeeze my budget (under 2K) into a Carbon bike.

Any brands, or shops, to look at?

[Northendzone]

My go to shop is cyclepath south - I typically deal with Callum.

Planning on spending some time tonight getting my commuter dialled in as I hope to mount up tomorrow and ride in for the first time this season.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Any general suggestions on a nicer steel-frame road bike to look at? There's a new bike shop that opened up in Bridgeland (Bike and Brew) so I went over there to see what they had and gave a steel Masi CXGR a spin. It reminded me how nice of a ride steel is, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't make sense to go down that route instead of trying to squeeze my budget (under 2K) into a Carbon bike.

Any brands, or shops, to look at?

I can't recommend anything else but those Masi's look gorgeous.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Any general suggestions on a nicer steel-frame road bike to look at? There's a new bike shop that opened up in Bridgeland (Bike and Brew) so I went over there to see what they had and gave a steel Masi CXGR a spin. It reminded me how nice of a ride steel is, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't make sense to go down that route instead of trying to squeeze my budget (under 2K) into a Carbon bike.

Any brands, or shops, to look at?

All of my bikes are steel and I love them.

All City's bike lineup is steel and should be in your price range. I don't know if anyone carries them in Calgary anymore, though.

Bianchi, Colnago and Cinelli (to name just three) still make steel bikes, but they are well over your budget.

I bought my steel Viner from these guys:

http://www.gvhbikes.com/inventory.html

That was many, many years ago and so their inventory has diminished.

There are many options here:

https://www.steel-vintage.com/

I add that link just to provide a research option. Lots of quality brands but pricey.

There are many bike fabricators that build steel frames, but they will be expensive.

So, check the want ads for a used bike. Alternatively, find a frame and build it up.

Look on ebay for frames using Columbus or Reynolds tubing in your search. There should be many options, depending on your size.

Cafe Roubaix in Cochrane is probably your best bet if you want to go through a shop. He has more flexibility with ordering as he isn't tied to the Big Brands.

[worth]

Surly makes steel frame bikes. Check out a pacer or crosscheck. You can find them in a few bike shops around town. They will come in at your budget of 2k.

I'm thinking about building up a Cinelli Gazzetta this summer. Steel frame, single speed.

[bossy22]

Chris Dekerf is amazing. http://www.dekerf.com/

My favorite bike I've ever owned was a dekerf solitaire. I never should have sold it. Next year I turn 50. I've started hinting at a new dekerf.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Yeah I currently ride a 60. Stupid flamingo legs.

Originally Posted by habernac

I'm the opposite. Everyone's bike is too tall for me. Stupid 29" legs.

Is it just me or are you guys confused? Leg length is not the determinant of frame size on a road bike, because you should adjust saddle height to accommodate and ensure your legs are getting appropriate extension on each stroke. Back length is what matters for frame size. If you've got flamingo legs and a short back, you're still going to be stretching more than necessary on a 60, similarly, if you've got short legs and a long back you're going to be squeezed on a short framed road bike.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I hate to give advice on the fixies...it's kind of like telling someone the best place to go buy drugs...

This is a Canadian company, I don't know much about them, but I was giving some serious thought to their fat bikes earlier this year.
Also, they all have flip flop hubs, so you don't need to ride it as a fixie.

They've got a sale on now, some good looking bikes for $400.

https://moosebicycle.com/

The thing to watch out for with any of these really low cost fixies is that the bottom bracket and pedals may not be up to the job. If you are going to ride hard at all, those components are going to be put under a lot of strain and, if they're not really good quality, they will wear out or break fairly quickly. Fixies are a tonne of fun, and really good exercise, but if you want to feel free to ride hard make sure that you get a bike with a very solid bottom bracket and pedals at the very least.

[Northendzone]

first commute in of the season......I did not have time to make a scouting ride nor did I consult the pathway map, so I was caught a little off guard when I saw the pathway was closed along quarry park, detour was easy to find in dark.....I installed bar ends on my commuter and I was sure nice to have an alternate hand position.....I remembered my pants, but I forgot my water bootle - I was sure thirsty when I got in......strava says I rode 17.4 km in 47 minutes - it felt more like 1 hr 47 minutes....at one point my head was hanging low and my togue was dragging on the ground and I looked up and noted I was getting way too close to a parked motorcycle.......it was the first commute with the new serfas headlight I bought last fall, light worked quite well.......the uphills I had to deal with seemed to be more of a challenge than last year - I am thinking that the ground somehow shifted.....I bought a new pair of padded shorts two weeks ago, I may have bought them with one too many X's in the size - time will tell

here is hoping that it does not rain today for the ride home.......

[Table 5]

Thanks for all the thoughts guys...looks like I have some more reading to do. It is kind of funny how steel bikes went from being the everyman material to being somewhat of a boutique item now.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Thanks for all the thoughts guys...looks like I have some more reading to do. It is kind of funny how steel bikes went from being the everyman material to being somewhat of a boutique item now.

For what it's worth today was the fourth day in a row commuting on my Fastroad Comax and I'm loving it. I've adjusted to the changes riding it compared to my hybrid and it is nice and comfortable. I'm looking forward to getting some longer rides in than just my standard sub 15km commute ones.