Cycling Thread 2

[chedder]

Originally Posted by CaptainReboot

So I'm a complete newbie with it comes to cycling. I'm looking for something to just ride along the bike paths with, most likely with my kids. Not looking to go to the mountains or anything like that although I would like the option to go on light trails that are not paved. So far it sounds like a hybrid bike might be my best option. Any suggestions as to where to go look and brands? Budget is around $1000.

Thanks!

Got my daughter a trek marlin 6 - 29 inch wheel mountain bike this spring. Should be around $1000. You said not a mtb but this one's pretty basic and rolls nice on pathways. Would give you options for rougher terrain in the future.

Not sure about inventory these days but was tough to find in spring. Got it at Ridleys in Okotoks.

[CarlLester]

Not much of a cyclist and less of a bike mechanic but looking for some potential guidance on my kid's bike.

Was a new bike and one tire seemed to continually lose air after a few days. couldn't find anything noticeable but it did this repeatedly.

I changed the tube and pumped it up and seemed to be holding air just fine for days. She took the bike out camping and she brought it back with a flat tire again. She says she didnt ride over anything.

Any thoughts on what I should check next? Appreciate the assistance.

[CaptainReboot]

Originally Posted by chedder

Got my daughter a trek marlin 6 - 29 inch wheel mountain bike this spring. Should be around $1000. You said not a mtb but this one's pretty basic and rolls nice on pathways. Would give you options for rougher terrain in the future.

Not sure about inventory these days but was tough to find in spring. Got it at Ridleys in Okotoks.

Thanks. I've heard some good things about Ridley's. Do they have a pretty good selection? I went to the Bike Shop North yesterday and didn't see a lot. A lot of bikes there had layaway tags attached to them.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

Not much of a cyclist and less of a bike mechanic but looking for some potential guidance on my kid's bike.

Was a new bike and one tire seemed to continually lose air after a few days. couldn't find anything noticeable but it did this repeatedly.

I changed the tube and pumped it up and seemed to be holding air just fine for days. She took the bike out camping and she brought it back with a flat tire again. She says she didnt ride over anything.

Any thoughts on what I should check next? Appreciate the assistance.

A couple of potential culprits:


1. Something punctured the tire and is still embedded in it, basically poking a hole in any new tube you install.


2. The rim tape is old or pulling away from the rim, effectively causing the tube to get caught resulting in a pinch flat.



I'd try scanning the tire for thorns/glass/wire etc. and, if there's nothing there, have a look at or simply replace the rim tape.



If that doesn't solve the problem, then I'm not sure what it could be, other than a coincidence.

[Fuzz]

Pull the tube out, keeping track of it's orientation and location using the valve stem for reference. Same with the tire. Pump it up, and then move your face around it so you can hear/ feel a leak on your cheeks (more sensitive skin than your hands). When you find the puncture, reference back to the rim and tire location and look for anything sharp.

[GGG]

I had a bike like that and the culprit was the rim tape around the valve stem hole in the rim was misshapen so in cut the tube right by the valve stem.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by CaptainReboot

Thanks. I've heard some good things about Ridley's. Do they have a pretty good selection? I went to the Bike Shop North yesterday and didn't see a lot. A lot of bikes there had layaway tags attached to them.

Great store. The problem everywhere this year is inventory. When I bought in April it was one of two bikes available and they said nothing more until June. I went in June for a part and the store was empty.
I'd give them a shout to see if they have anything.

[KTrain]

I'm bringing my bike in to the shop have this problem sorted but maybe someone here has some ideas well.

My rear tire occasionally becomes off-center when I put too much power into the pedals. The wheel is true. Like the entire wheel comes out of the dropouts and rubs the chainstay (opposite side of the chain) (is that still the chainstay?). It doesn't matter if I tighten the quick release like crazy or leave it a little loser. The bike is a steel frame so I'm not sure if the quick release skewer is the wrong size or the wheel hub is the wrong size. Everything looks fine and I've taken the rear wheel off other bikes hundreds of times. I'm at a loss.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I'm bringing my bike in to the shop have this problem sorted but maybe someone here has some ideas well.

My rear tire occasionally becomes off-center when I put too much power into the pedals. The wheel is true. Like the entire wheel comes out of the dropouts and rubs the chainstay (opposite side of the chain) (is that still the chainstay?). It doesn't matter if I tighten the quick release like crazy or leave it a little loser. The bike is a steel frame so I'm not sure if the quick release skewer is the wrong size or the wheel hub is the wrong size. Everything looks fine and I've taken the rear wheel off other bikes hundreds of times. I'm at a loss.

I had this happen with my steel frame bike as well. Bike shop dude didn't have a clue. I wondered if it had something to do with how the quick release grips the drop-out. Lo-and-behold, the quick release lost its knurling (the part that grips the drop-out) and so it wasn't biting into the drop-out. I replaced the QR skewer with a Paul Components. All is well.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Pull the tube out, keeping track of it's orientation and location using the valve stem for reference. Same with the tire. Pump it up, and then move your face around it so you can hear/ feel a leak on your cheeks (more sensitive skin than your hands). When you find the puncture, reference back to the rim and tire location and look for anything sharp.

If that doesn't work, pressure up the tube again and submerge in water (bathtub or other smaller tub) slowly inspecting the tube looking for bubbles. Sometimes the tube valve/stem is the culprit - whether it's the valve is pooched or the stem where it meets the tube is fubared. Once you find the slow leak... dry off the tube, patch it (if possible), and find the corresponding area on the inside of the tire and rim. Use bare fingers and slowly feel over the various surfaces going in both directions. Or just do what any sensible person does and just buy a whole new bike. N+1 is the name of the game.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I'm bringing my bike in to the shop have this problem sorted but maybe someone here has some ideas well.

My rear tire occasionally becomes off-center when I put too much power into the pedals. The wheel is true. Like the entire wheel comes out of the dropouts and rubs the chainstay (opposite side of the chain) (is that still the chainstay?). It doesn't matter if I tighten the quick release like crazy or leave it a little loser. The bike is a steel frame so I'm not sure if the quick release skewer is the wrong size or the wheel hub is the wrong size. Everything looks fine and I've taken the rear wheel off other bikes hundreds of times. I'm at a loss.

I have a couple lightweight ti Squewers and they just don't hold as well as the more robust ones, you have a few bikes, swap out a squewer and see if it still happens.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

I have a couple lightweight ti Squewers and they just don't hold as well as the more robust ones, you have a few bikes, swap out a squewer and see if it still happens.

Yup. That did the trick. Swap the rear out with a Mavic skewer from my main bike and the problem was solved. Thanks for the troubleshooting tip.

Now I need to track down a new one.

[Northendzone]

huge shout out to the bike shop south as they were able to get my mtn bike fixed today as thankfully the north store had the right bolt kit. i should note that the repair cost was very fair.

before i picked up my rig, i made a stop at the LBS (local beer shop) to make a donation to the next staff function. everyone likes lucky lager and keystone right?

today i was thinking of calling skookum in revelstoke to see what the situation was respect to renting a bike - although that really pained me as i always want to ride my own machine.

right now the weather forecast for Revy looks a little questionable, but it is the mountains and things change quickly

[flamesfan1297]

I just upgraded my bike today, I bought a GT Aggressor, took it for a 25km ride this afternoon and can already tell it's going to be a huge upgrade from my Schwinn mountain bike

[Northendzone]

^ new bike day is always a good day.

Had to shake my head at my bike as it took it out for a post repair spin last night and I heard a really sweet “ting” and I noted I broke a spoke. So it was back to the bike shop today again to get the wheel fixed. I suppose this was karma as I ordered a second bolt kit to keep in my big bag of riding gear that I take with me on every ride.

I went for another spin after work and my bike seems fine and I do not need to make a return trip tomorrow.

The boys at the bike shop mentioned they had been in contact with rocky to file a warranty claim. The bolt repair was $100 s installed ( the bolt kit itself retailed for $100) so I am not that fussed; however, if it gets warranties, I will likely just spend the $100 at the bike shop again….

[Hack&Lube]

I'm thinking ahead to winter as the first time in my life I will try to stay or get into better bike shape during the cold.

I live in a condo and don't have much room for a bike trainer. There are spin bikes in the gym however. Is there a way to connect those bikes to Zwift or something fun rather than staring at a wall for an hour?

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I'm thinking ahead to winter as the first time in my life I will try to stay or get into better bike shape during the cold.

I live in a condo and don't have much room for a bike trainer. There are spin bikes in the gym however. Is there a way to connect those bikes to Zwift or something fun rather than staring at a wall for an hour?

You could get a speed/cadence sensor to attach to a spin bike. Those would then connect through bluetooth to your phone/tablet and Zwift. I'm not sure how accurate the speed and distance would be though as they take wheel size into consideration and a spin bike likely isn't standard. You would typically stick or zip tie it to crank arm and hub but that wouldn't work if you're on and off different bikes. A heavier elastic would work.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by KTrain

You could get a speed/cadence sensor to attach to a spin bike. Those would then connect through bluetooth to your phone/tablet and Zwift. I'm not sure how accurate the speed and distance would be though as they take wheel size into consideration and a spin bike likely isn't standard. You would typically stick or zip tie it to crank arm and hub but that wouldn't work if you're on and off different bikes. A heavier elastic would work.

The Garmin sensors have an integrated rubber band that would be easy to attach/detach.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

The Garmin sensors have an integrated rubber band that would be easy to attach/detach.

I have a Wahoo one and it only came with zips and a sticker. That was a few years ago so they might include a rubber band now but check first.

[Kybosh]

I want to get a power meter on both my left and right crank or pedal to measure my left versus right disparity (I had major knee surgery on my left knee 2-3 years ago and I'm trying to even things out). Does anyone have any recommendations? I think my left leg is around 80% the power that my right is.