Cycling Thread

[GomerPile]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I created a CP club on Strava this AM - not sure what the interest is but might be worth it.

https://www.strava.com/clubs/189060

I joined earlier today. I am currently living in the Netherlands, but heading back to YYC at some point in the fall. I will definitely lose the elevation challenges, I currently live at -4m altitude. Always looking for a bit of motivation to go an extra km or two. Really like this idea, I haven't previously used Strava.

[tete]

Really dumb newbie cyclist question, but I bought a bike mid-summer last year and right at the end of my biking season (September), the chain came loose and fell off twice on my commute home from work. I managed to get it back on, finished my ride home, and then ended up parking the bike for the winter. (I'm a warm weather cyclist) Now that I'm ready to get back out, I'm wondering if this continues, is it something I can fix on my own, or should I take it back to the bike place where I bought it for them to take a look at?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by tete

Really dumb newbie cyclist question, but I bought a bike mid-summer last year and right at the end of my biking season (September), the chain came loose and fell off twice on my commute home from work. I managed to get it back on, finished my ride home, and then ended up parking the bike for the winter. (I'm a warm weather cyclist) Now that I'm ready to get back out, I'm wondering if this continues, is it something I can fix on my own, or should I take it back to the bike place where I bought it for them to take a look at?

Chains are super easy, but it depends on the bike.

Is it a regular derailleur, an internal hub or a single speed.

You may have to move the wheel in the dropouts, or remove a few links, but neither of those is difficult.

Edit: I just realized it could also just need a quick adjustment of the limit screws on your derailleur...duh.
Again, not a complicated thing to do.

[Fuzz]

Most places have a year of free service. It's a minor adjustment, but you may as well have them go over the bike. If you want to learn to DIY(and you should!) It's an easy fix, google "adjust front derailleur" on youtube.

[tete]

Thanks, it's a regular deraillur. Maybe I'll take it in and learn a bit while they work on it.

[squiggs96]

I started to learn how to do some basic maintenance on my bikes. I already knew how to do some easy stuff, like change a tire, clean the bike, clean and oil the chain (without taking things off), etc. I bought some tools and a book, and watched a bunch of YouTube videos. My goal was to replace two chains and remove and clean two rear cassettes. Everything took so much longer than I saw on the videos, and it wasn't done as well. The good news was that it got a little easier the second time. I feel confident that it will go smoothly the next time I do it.

The funny part is that after I "fixed" both bikes, I took them into the bike shops for repairs. I don't know how to fix disc brakes, so I'm getting one bike done there. The other bike had a gear cable snap, coincidentally when I was working on the chain, so that needed repairs. I get why people just take these things in and pick them up later.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I started to learn how to do some basic maintenance on my bikes. I already knew how to do some easy stuff, like change a tire, clean the bike, clean and oil the chain (without taking things off), etc. I bought some tools and a book, and watched a bunch of YouTube videos. My goal was to replace two chains and remove and clean two rear cassettes. Everything took so much longer than I saw on the videos, and it wasn't done as well. The good news was that it got a little easier the second time. I feel confident that it will go smoothly the next time I do it.

The funny part is that after I "fixed" both bikes, I took them into the bike shops for repairs. I don't know how to fix disc brakes, so I'm getting one bike done there. The other bike had a gear cable snap, coincidentally when I was working on the chain, so that needed repairs. I get why people just take these things in and pick them up later.

I used to be really afraid of working on anything on my bike, but I did like you and watched some youtube videos and worked on some small things.

I actually wound up taking the bike maintenance course at UofC and it was a great course. Once you've done most of the basic tune up stuff, you'd be surprised how simple it is.

The Pros are obviously a lot quicker, and probably do a better job, but learning how to do all of that stuff is fun, cheap, and you can do damn near as good of a job as the pros.

[flamesfan1297]

Just did my first ride of the season, did 20kms. My goal is too ride 1300kms this year and be able too ride 75kms at a time. I have was able to do 45kms per ride last year.

[Northendzone]

I was just looking at my wife's bike and noticed it is equipped with ultegra components, now I am trying to figure out if she would notice if I swapped parts with it and my commuter.

[cracher]

NEZ: Fuzz is on the money with the measurements. I thought I could hang bikes alternating nose up-ass up to save space. But the big thing is that when you are taking the bikes down, your grip is awkward. The instant the bike is off the hook, it's hitting the ground whether it's snagged on its neighbor or not.

Shantz: you forgot to mention one major con of doing your own work. It's having to buy a new stankin tool every time a new standard is released (anyone want a threaded BB tool real cheap, btw?). I initially thought I could get away with a $120 Jenson house brand starter set... then came the bearing pullers for pivots, bleed kits for DOT, mineral oil for shimano and magura, 4 different weights of suspension oils/associated seals and slick honey type stuff, the claw thing to set your headset cup.... I personally am at a point where I'd rather take it in than buy the CEO of park tool another benzo.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Ugh, Just Ridin' Along... PING! KeeeerTHUNK!

This is the second time this has happened. Frehub broke on this crappy Wheeltech hub. Warrantied the first time. I think I need to get a better brand, usually Rocky Mountain is pretty good about specing decent parts, but these..ugh.

Made for an interesting ride down form Nose Hill though. I could keep riding as long as I was peddling. No coasting though, or the chain would snarl up. Counter intuitive to be peddling downhill while hard on the brakes, some mental gymnastics on that one!

I had that happen to me on EKG out in Moab. Burned up a set of pads just getting out of there and made for a really brutal day.

[Fuzz]

It's in the shop, hopefully getting replaced with something more solid. Crappy design making the metal that thin. What bike/hub did it happen on?

[Bluestu]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I created a CP club on Strava this AM - not sure what the interest is but might be worth it.

https://www.strava.com/clubs/189060

I just joined this afternoon, hopefully I will gain some motivation to get out and train.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

It's in the shop, hopefully getting replaced with something more solid. Crappy design making the metal that thin. What bike/hub did it happen on?

I was on a Trek Rumblefish with some generic OEM Shimano hub. I actually had a few problems with that hub developing play as well, but luckily bent my wheels so many times I had an excuse to throw some Havens on.. that I got cheap because they were notorious for hub problems

Easton sent out a hub upgrade kit that I installed before I ever rode the bike and I haven't had a problem... yet.

[andywtong]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I used to be really afraid of working on anything on my bike, but I did like you and watched some youtube videos and worked on some small things.

I actually wound up taking the bike maintenance course at UofC and it was a great course. Once you've done most of the basic tune up stuff, you'd be surprised how simple it is.

The Pros are obviously a lot quicker, and probably do a better job, but learning how to do all of that stuff is fun, cheap, and you can do damn near as good of a job as the pros.

Another good thing about learning how to do it yourself is that you can stay on top of the maintenance. I work on so many bikes with loose headsets and hubs needing adjustments!

[andywtong]

Originally Posted by cracher

Shantz: you forgot to mention one major con of doing your own work. It's having to buy a new stankin tool every time a new standard is released (anyone want a threaded BB tool real cheap, btw?). I initially thought I could get away with a $120 Jenson house brand starter set... then came the bearing pullers for pivots, bleed kits for DOT, mineral oil for shimano and magura, 4 different weights of suspension oils/associated seals and slick honey type stuff, the claw thing to set your headset cup.... I personally am at a point where I'd rather take it in than buy the CEO of park tool another benzo.

Buying tools is the best part

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by cracher

I'd rather take it in than buy the CEO of park tool another benzo.

Yeah, he should know what it feels like to ride the 14th St. BRT!

[cracher]

^HA. was obviously trolling for a response with "benzo", your reference is easily more funny than anhything I was expecting.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I created a CP club on Strava this AM - not sure what the interest is but might be worth it.

https://www.strava.com/clubs/189060

I joined yesterday as well, Really hoping to get 2-3 commute to work days per week plus another 3 nights/week on the trainer (Small kids, so hard to get out for any long rides in the evenings)

Looking forward to some friendly competition!!

[Northendzone]

i'll join this club as well - I just need to understand exactly how strava works.

today marked the first day of biking to work - I was a little disorganized this morning and forgot my water bottle, I was most thirsty when I got to the office.

for some reason it felt like the office moved from where it was last year and I suspect that the hill I ride on the way home will seem steeper and longer tonight.....