Cycling Thread 2

[KTrain]

Price for eBikes is all over the place too so setting a budget might narrow your search as well. You might not want a cruiser style if your plan is to take it camping. They tend to be on the heavier side.

Costco has a variety of models. https://www.costco.ca/electric-bikes-scooters.html

In my opinion this one looks the best but is also getting great reviews:
https://www.costco.ca/RXF-Pluto-R-El...100455527.html

[habernac]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Just generally we as cyclists need to be more aware, courteous and responsible. The past few days have been beautiful for riding, so there’s a lot of people out and about, which is great, but please.. slow down!

I have had a few near misses and I’ve been near pedestrians on the pathway who have had near misses and it’s due to some serious tour de commute riders going way too fast and not notifying anyone.

I generally ride 19-24km/h on the path (My eBike shows my speed) but in high traffic and blind corners, I take it easy.

Last Monday I was going around the bend on the wood bridge on the south end of the CP rail tracks and found another cyclists in my path. I slammed on the brakes, but the wood was wet so I bailed and he rode over my leg.

Fort Calgary was crawling with people and there were cyclists whipping by all over the place. It was really pissing me off.

Originally Posted by Bigtime

For every walker/jogger we complain about in the bike lanes in Eau Claire now I still see plenty of cyclists using the pedestrian path. Like I said, just slow down and enjoy that section of pathway, or as has been pointed out go to the north side pathway on the Bow and you can crank it up a bit more (at least until the Peace bridge area which is usually busy).

You definitely need to use your head when cranking up the speed. There's a time and place. Busy downtown areas and blind corners require common sense.

[Kybosh]

It was a truly beautiful ride into downtown this morning.

[CorbeauNoir]

This is going to be out in left field so I'm not really expecting feedback, but just on the off-chance somebody here happens to have done this:

I'm planning a second trip to Japan in the fall but I can't for the life of me decide which of two itineraries I've roughed out I want to go with. One of them would be centered around a (probably) two-leg ride along the Shimanami Kaido. It's frequently described as the best cycling route in the country but I'm curious if anyone here has had experience riding it and can say whether it really lives up to its status.

(You didn't ask, but the alternative itinerary would be centered around hiking some of the ancient pilgrimage trails south of Osaka)

[stone hands]

Has anyone here made their own bike stand? I want to get one to make cleaning/lubricating not such a pain in the ass but dont want to pay a hundred bucks. I was thinking of just using some kind of wide base i can put sandbags or something heavy on, some PVC pipe for the stand itself and some kind of clamp. Thoughts/suggestions?

[DionTheDman]

Picked up this second hand Chariot last year and want to inflate the tires. The problem is that the stem is angled in such a way that I can't attach it to the pump. Does it need an adapter or something? Thx!

Spoiler!

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

Picked up this second hand Chariot last year and want to inflate the tires. The problem is that the stem is angled in such a way that I can't attach it to the pump. Does it need an adapter or something? Thx!

Spolier those photos please.

Why don't you just deflate the tire and reseat it. It's just not properly aligned.

[Tacopuck]

Looks like the tube is misaligned with the rim. I'd deflate it and adjust the tube so it comes out straight

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by stone hands

Has anyone here made their own bike stand? I want to get one to make cleaning/lubricating not such a pain in the ass but dont want to pay a hundred bucks. I was thinking of just using some kind of wide base i can put sandbags or something heavy on, some PVC pipe for the stand itself and some kind of clamp. Thoughts/suggestions?

I went far to much of my life without one. They really are worth it. PVC would probably flex to much. A proper clamp will still cost you $150, and I'm not sure how you do that cheaply. I'd just put this on your birthday wish list, or treat yourself:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5013-3...nic-Work-Stand

It's the one I got, and it is so nice to be able to set it up in 10 seconds, do a quick adjustment and be done with it. I probable use mine 30 times a year between 6 bikes.

They have this one to, but it doesn't fold as nicely:

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5007-8...nal-Work-Stand

[Fuzz]

Alternatively, if you have a wall, you could frame up a 2x6 straight out from the wall with a brace below as a flat platform, and maybe use one of those bar clamps that you squeeze like this:





Or build a full stand out of wood.

[Northendzone]

have not made one myself. have seen models that are secured to a workbench or the wall in a garage or basement and made with metal piping.

I question if PVC piping would work well due to it being flexible and could you securely connect a clamp to it. and then what happenes when you are wrenching on your rig.

looked at MEC and their cheapest model is $149. EBay has some stands for $50 and up.

would think there are lots of plans out there on the net or pinterest on building one

Originally Posted by stone hands

Has anyone here made their own bike stand? I want to get one to make cleaning/lubricating not such a pain in the ass but dont want to pay a hundred bucks. I was thinking of just using some kind of wide base i can put sandbags or something heavy on, some PVC pipe for the stand itself and some kind of clamp. Thoughts/suggestions?

[stone hands]

thanks for the insight, i'll probably look at getting a proper one instead. I dont have a workbench or anything in my garage, was just looking for a free standing thing i could move around pretty easily so i can bring it outside and rinse it off and stuff

[habernac]

I was told today that I was a "road hazard" for riding my bicycle on the street. Same driver runs the next red light to do an illegal u-turn. I'm the road hazard. Yeah, ok.

[Kybosh]

Drivers doing illegal u-turns (typically turning right then going all the way left) are such a huge hazard for cyclists and other drivers.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by habernac

I was told today that I was a "road hazard" for riding my bicycle on the street. Same driver runs the next red light to do an illegal u-turn. I'm the road hazard. Yeah, ok.

Some woman SUV this morning just blew straight through a 4 way stop. I gave a WTF wave as she went by, she saw me, I hope she realized what she had done. I don't know how you approach a 4 way intersection, and not realize that maybe, just maybe you have to do something. There are very uncontrolled intersections in the city.

[KTrain]

Just got back from a ride. If you’re heading South you’re in for a treat. Going North be prepared for pain.

[Bigtime]

This makes me happy, riding south as usual but going down to Volvo to pick up my vehicle.

[Fuzz]

I am prepared for le pain.

[Glassplat]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Just got back from a ride. If you’re heading South you’re in for a treat. Going North be prepared for pain.

Did 56km earlier...first 13+km of climbing North and NE with the wind in my face....east over Nose Hill Park....Wind in my face...southbound Nose Creek Pathway “Indy 500”...westbound Bow River pathway to Bowness Park....Wind in my face....
Never ceases to amaze me how an almost circular route results in a head wind 90% of the time......welcome to Calgary🤯🤯

[pope04]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I have had a few near misses and I’ve been near pedestrians on the pathway who have had near misses and it’s due to some serious tour de commute riders going way too fast and not notifying anyone.

Yep. I was riding home last week by the old overpass at Lindsay Park with the blind corner. As I rounded the corner, a goose was trundling along the path. I slowed down, only to hear a scream behind me......a lady roadie was taking that corner way too fast and almost smoked me from behind.

That's one stretch of pathway that I treat with utmost care. I've seen a couple really bad crashes there over the years.