Cycling Thread 2

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

I asked the same question in a facebook group and the one that was suggested to me was this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11477524034...3tp9WTgy-GEVDg


Thanks for the information about the steerer tube. I just want to be certain that I'm ordering a fork that will work. If I could figure out how to post pictures on here, I'd post a picture of my bicycle along with a close up of the existing shock and the "26x2.10 30 TPI CASING 40-65PSI" on it.

The existing fork is a Rock Shox Dart 2, which have garbage reviews online. I'm having trouble getting the lockout feature to work....the bike just bobs up and down when I want to turn the fork off with the little "lockout" dial.

Not that this helps any but my previous commuter originally had the Dart which I replaced for a rigid within a year or so. And the rigid was better! On my current Cannondale commuter bike I actually installed a rigid 29’er fork.

The info you posted above was the tire size width and type. Nothing to do with the fork except it confirms you have a 26” tire and hence fork. You want to make sure your steerer diameter choice is correct AND also the length so it has enough to enter your frame and come above your headset far enough for your stem to be installed properly.

You can also consider changing your fork to a more readily available 27.5 or 29” fork provided you are just riding casual paths and not a hucker. Note this would bring your front end up to a more relaxed position too. Yes you could use the same wheel you have but ideally you would match your wheel. Yes my commuter is a mullet (29” in front, 26” in rear) and I’ve ridden this for over 10 years.

[Ryan Coke]

Did my first outdoor ride using the Garmin Varia today, and I like it. I see how it will quickly be hard to imagine not having it, it just gives that next level of situational awareness.

I have a mirror, and I usually am trying to check it frequently so I am rarely surprised by a vehicle. But with the varia it was chirping before I could even see a vehicle in the mirror at times. At one point I thought it was an error message due to a group of cyclists behind me, but there was actually a vehicle well back and behind them that I couldn’t see.

[Ironhorse]

Time for some bike porn. Looking forward to riding this beasty again this summer, didn't get much of a chance last year. Argon18 117-Tri, FastForward 50mm carbon wheels with DT-Swiss 240 hubs.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Time for some bike porn. Looking forward to riding this beasty again this summer, didn't get much of a chance last year. Argon18 117-Tri, FastForward 50mm carbon wheels with DT-Swiss 240 hubs.

lots of room for a downtube motor... hope the "boys" are comfortable in that position (it never worked for me). Sure looks fast as ######. Would be cool to see and hear you rip past!! What size chainring is that?

[Ironhorse]

It has an FSA 50/34 on it, with an 11/28 on the back. I don't often run out of gears, and when racing I ride at about 80% in order to leave enough gas in the tank for the run afterwards. Once you get up over 32kph+, those wheels start making a pretty neat wind humming sound.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

It has an FSA 50/34 on it, with an 11/28 on the back. I don't often run out of gears, and when racing I ride at about 80% in order to leave enough gas in the tank for the run afterwards. Once you get up over 32kph+, those wheels start making a pretty neat wind humming sound.

You you can climb just about any hill without too many problems with that gear combo. I find in Calgary area and with the big tailwinds winds I'd "gear out" when I had my 50/34... went to a 52/36 and it was exactly what I needed so have run that ever since.

It's cool when there's a road race and you can hear the tire humming noise before you see the peloton approach. Mind you when there's a crash they also make a lot of noise too.
I'm just impressed that some folks can find that TT position comfortable.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

You you can climb just about any hill without too many problems with that gear combo. I find in Calgary area and with the big tailwinds winds I'd "gear out" when I had my 50/34... went to a 52/36 and it was exactly what I needed so have run that ever since.

It's cool when there's a road race and you can hear the tire humming noise before you see the peloton approach. Mind you when there's a crash they also make a lot of noise too.
I'm just impressed that some folks can find that TT position comfortable.

I think you'll find the typical drop from seat to bars to be much less on a TT bike than your road bike.
My TT bars are almost even with my seat where as my road bikes have a 5 inch drop

[Northendzone]

i am more of a mtn biker, but, wow, ironhorse, that is a sexy looking machine

[Northendzone]

thanks to ktrain, i also purchasd a varia. however, i have not yet ridden my gravel bike since i hocked it up.

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Did my first outdoor ride using the Garmin Varia today, and I like it. I see how it will quickly be hard to imagine not having it, it just gives that next level of situational awareness.

I have a mirror, and I usually am trying to check it frequently so I am rarely surprised by a vehicle. But with the varia it was chirping before I could even see a vehicle in the mirror at times. At one point I thought it was an error message due to a group of cyclists behind me, but there was actually a vehicle well back and behind them that I couldn’t see.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

I think you'll find the typical drop from seat to bars to be much less on a TT bike than your road bike.
My TT bars are almost even with my seat where as my road bikes have a 5 inch drop

Are you one of those "statistically normal height" people then? Must be nice. As a much-taller-than-average person I ride a 62cm road frame, have about 1.5" of spacers under my bars, and yet still have about a 3-4" drop between seat to bars. Ditto for my XL MTB... hence going to a dropper seatpost (and being able to get level w/ my bars) was an incredible game changer.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Are you one of those "statistically normal height" people then? Must be nice. As a much-taller-than-average person I ride a 62cm road frame, have about 1.5" of spacers under my bars, and yet still have about a 3-4" drop between seat to bars. Ditto for my XL MTB... hence going to a dropper seatpost (and being able to get level w/ my bars) was an incredible game changer.

6'0, 175lbs, the world was made exactly to my specifications!!!
When I saw your frame I figured you were on the tall side, downside of being average size is my sizes sell out fast

[Flabbibulin]

Not the windiest I have experienced, but that was some tough riding today. Went from about 15k average into the wind to over 50k when I turned around.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Not the windiest I have experienced, but that was some tough riding today. Went from about 15k average into the wind to over 50k when I turned around.

This is when I truly appreciate a Creo (e-road bike). I had one at my house for a little bit. 30km into the wind, and 50km back in these same conditions. The hill climbing wasn't where it shined, imo. It was the headwind.

[ken0042]

Has anybody heard of Leon Cycle before?
https://leoncycle.ca/ncm-prague-electric-mountain-bike

I'm looking for an eBike without breaking the bank. This one seems to fit what I would need. My concerns are obviously buying online with no real return policy; and also they appear to be based out of Seattle, so likely duty added to the shipping.

The eBike would be used primarily for commuting, I have about 30 km each way. I currently do that on my road bike, but usually not both ways on the same day. Wind is my biggest factor.

[afc wimbledon]

I have this sitting in me mates kids closet in Seattle, owned it for a year and havn't been able to ride it!!

[RichieRich]

dang typical April...er... early May weather... had some sunshine, some warmth, some heinous winds, some shifty winds, etc... was watching some big ugly clouds in the far NW around midday... seemed to be heading directly east. Suddenly they swerved and headed SE so it was a quick turn south then back into NW Calgary. Still got pelted with snain, pellets, winds, etc... At times was concerned the road would turn to slick ice as it quickly tapped below zero. Made it ok but ended the ride with a very wet @r$e and lots of dark slimy crap on the bike/wheelset which could only be a mix of the exhaust and oils. gross. Just glad to have learned to never trust spring weather in YYC and tis better to have a little too much clothing than not enough. Still nice to get out at least!!

[Ironhorse]

^Reading that retroactively made my 1:50 Zwift ride a whole lot more fun.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

^Reading that retroactively made my 1:50 Zwift ride a whole lot more fun.

Rule #5: HTFU
... per the velominati
https://www.velominati.com/
(apparently I have work to do too as indoor was enticing, although I know for a fact I would not have lasted even close to 1 hour, never mind your stellar 1:50. unless that minutes. in which case... HTFU.)

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

dang typical April...er... early May weather... had some sunshine, some warmth, some heinous winds, some shifty winds, etc... was watching some big ugly clouds in the far NW around midday... seemed to be heading directly east. Suddenly they swerved and headed SE so it was a quick turn south then back into NW Calgary. Still got pelted with snain, pellets, winds, etc... At times was concerned the road would turn to slick ice as it quickly tapped below zero. Made it ok but ended the ride with a very wet @r$e and lots of dark slimy crap on the bike/wheelset which could only be a mix of the exhaust and oils. gross. Just glad to have learned to never trust spring weather in YYC and tis better to have a little too much clothing than not enough. Still nice to get out at least!!

I managed to escape the rain yesterday but only got in a quick 20+km ride. That north wind was bitter.

We've had a pretty great spring season so far though. I've already got 2000+km outside compared to 1000+ last year. Even though I think Velominati is BS, I have tried to HTFU this year to get out for colder rides. I still won't ride if it's already raining. I just hate constantly cleaning my bike.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I managed to escape the rain yesterday but only got in a quick 20+km ride. That north wind was bitter.

We've had a pretty great spring season so far though. I've already got 2000+km outside compared to 1000+ last year. Even though I think Velominati is BS, I have tried to HTFU this year to get out for colder rides. I still won't ride if it's already raining. I just hate constantly cleaning my bike.