Cycling Thread

[pylon]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

My cyclocross has cantilevers, and I looked into discs but, unfortunately, pretty much any current cyclocross bike (mine included)doesn't have the necessary apertures for discs.

BUT

The ban on disc brakes has now been lifted for cyclocross racing, so next year there should be a broad release of new cyclocross bikes with discs installed.

As much as I love my Masi, I may have to do some upgrading next year. Disc brakes just can't be beat. And a cyclocross bike with disc brakes? That's about the ultimate do-it-all urban assassin.

I have heard there are issues though with carbon forks, and disk brakes though. Something along the lines of cracking/weakening issues due to the lack flex. One of the guys at Ridleys was trying to explain it to me when I asked about it.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by habernac

no, Shaq's is a 30. Hulk's "only" 6 and a half feet tall.

And Hulk, that would be really weird if you swapped your shifters and brakes. Not sure it would work.

Crud. I guess I'll just try move both sets of controls a little bit towards the centre of the bars and work on getting used to it

In other news, 29" wheels look hilarious in a standard bike rack. They aren't even close to fitting under the top bar, just about a 1/4 of the wheel is wedged in there.

[JohnnyB]

That's definitely a fun looking bike. I would love to give 29 inch wheels a try. Won't be upgrading again any time soon though. I picked up a trek Fuel ex8 this summer and I love it. Really fun bike to ride. Just wish I could get it to the right places more often.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by pylon

I have heard there are issues though with carbon forks, and disk brakes though. Something along the lines of cracking/weakening issues due to the lack flex. One of the guys at Ridleys was trying to explain it to me when I asked about it.

I could see that: too much braking force applied to a more brittle fork.

Won't worry me though. My current cyclocross is cromoly, and I expect most that come out with discs will be aluminum. Either way, (steel or aluminum) they should be able to handle disc brakes.

I would have to think that a lot of bike companies are waking up to the fact that cyclocross bikes are increasingly becoming a choice made by commuters, so carbon may be less of a factor since the bike won't ever see any competition anyway.

[JohnnyB]

I had drinks at a kind of cool new cyclist pub here in Shanghai last week. It has frames on the walls for decoration and everyone just wheels their bikes in from the front through to the back patio. Lots of hipsterish folk on fixies at it who seemed to be in big hipster groups together and lots of Europeans. You can even get tuneups done there.

Does Calgary or Vancouver have any place like that? Seems like it would be a good opportunity.

http:// www.thatsmags.com/shanghai/a.../bikes-friends

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I had drinks at a kind of cool new cyclist pub here in Shanghai last week. It has frames on the walls for decoration and everyone just wheels their bikes in from the front through to the back patio. Lots of hipsterish folk on fixies at it who seemed to be in big hipster groups together and lots of Europeans. You can even get tuneups done there.

Does Calgary or Vancouver have any place like that? Seems like it would be a good opportunity.

http:// www.thatsmags.com/shanghai/article/detail/844/bikes-friends

I love my bike, and I put thousands of kilometers on it every year. I ride every day, rain, shine, or snow, but that bar sounds like it's full of people I'd love to punch in the face.

[RatherDashing]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

My cyclocross has cantilevers, and I looked into discs but, unfortunately, pretty much any current cyclocross bike (mine included)doesn't have the necessary apertures for discs.

BUT

The ban on disc brakes has now been lifted for cyclocross racing, so next year there should be a broad release of new cyclocross bikes with discs installed.

As much as I love my Masi, I may have to do some upgrading next year. Disc brakes just can't be beat. And a cyclocross bike with disc brakes? That's about the ultimate do-it-all urban assassin.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went into Bow Cycle last weekend and ended up buying a 2011 Kona Jake. They actually had a 2012 Norco CCX that had disc brakes, but I couldn't quite justify the increase in cost.

The cantilever brakes are definitely a bit weak, but so far it hasn't been an issue and I'm super happy with the bike. Thanks again for the advice everyone!

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I love my bike, and I put thousands of kilometers on it every year. I ride every day, rain, shine, or snow, but that bar sounds like it's full of people I'd love to punch in the face.

Yeah, I felt a bit like that too when I was there but a bike themed bar wouldn't have to be that way. I think it would be cool to have a bar where you can go and keep your bike inside so it's safe, hang out to have a few beers with friends and then ride home. I would think that could do pretty well for people that would like to take their bikes out but don't want to leave them locked up outside for long.

Also, there was a girl there that night that had shoe laces that lit up. They were bright blue and could flash.

[OffsideSpecialist]

This might be a dumb question, but I am challenged at building/fixing things.

I blew a tire tube on my bike a couple weeks ago. Is it something that someone who is the worst person on the planet for fixing things should be able to fix? Or should I get the shop to do it?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

This might be a dumb question, but I am challenged at building/fixing things.

I blew a tire tube on my bike a couple weeks ago. Is it something that someone who is the worst person on the planet for fixing things should be able to fix? Or should I get the shop to do it?

dude, if I can do it, you can too. Get some tire levers, a new tube and take care of it.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

This might be a dumb question, but I am challenged at building/fixing things.

I blew a tire tube on my bike a couple weeks ago. Is it something that someone who is the worst person on the planet for fixing things should be able to fix? Or should I get the shop to do it?

Practice man - change your tube and then do it again. And then again. Keep doing it until you know you can do it on the side of the road in under 10mins.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went into Bow Cycle last weekend and ended up buying a 2011 Kona Jake. They actually had a 2012 Norco CCX that had disc brakes, but I couldn't quite justify the increase in cost.

The cantilever brakes are definitely a bit weak, but so far it hasn't been an issue and I'm super happy with the bike. Thanks again for the advice everyone!

Good pick. I think you'll find yourself appreciating the versatility more and more as time goes by. I was amazed the first time I took my cyclocross on a trail: it was better than being on the road. As for the disc brakes, they're worthwhile, but you'll adapt your riding to your bike's capabilities anyway. If you find you're being limited, you can always adapt.

It's funny. Pylon mentioned in another thread that buying a new car is the closest you can get as an adult to getting a really cool toy as a kid. I don't care one way or the other about cars, but I definitely relate when it comes to bikes. I think I could own about half a dozen if I had the means.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Good pick. I think you'll find yourself appreciating the versatility more and more as time goes by. I was amazed the first time I took my cyclocross on a trail: it was better than being on the road. As for the disc brakes, they're worthwhile, but you'll adapt your riding to your bike's capabilities anyway. If you find you're being limited, you can always adapt.

It's funny. Pylon mentioned in another thread that buying a new car is the closest you can get as an adult to getting a really cool toy as a kid. I don't care one way or the other about cars, but I definitely relate when it comes to bikes. I think I could own about half a dozen if I had the means.

I actually think new bikes, give me a bigger woody than cars. There is something romantic about bikes.... like it is an extension of you, you complete the machine. I seriously avoid the LBS at any cost, because there is a 1 in 4 chance I buy a new bike if I go in. You guys seriously need to stop talking about cyclocross bikes. I am starting to get an itch.....

[pylon]

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

This might be a dumb question, but I am challenged at building/fixing things.

I blew a tire tube on my bike a couple weeks ago. Is it something that someone who is the worst person on the planet for fixing things should be able to fix? Or should I get the shop to do it?

Good basic tutorial, doesn't get much easier than this:

http://www.ehow.com/video_6214229_re...ycle-tube.html

Tire changing pro tips.....

- Always work from the valve stem out.
- Inflate your tube a little before levering the tire onto the rim (other words you will pinch or tear it.)
- If you have strong thumbs, roll/knead the tire back onto the rim intend of using levers, it reduces the chance of a pinched tube.
- As you work around the rim when you are reseating the tire, periodically check the valve stem in centred. If it is off centre, you have to start again, as it greatly increases the chance of a pick flat.
-DO NOT fully tighten the stem nut, until the tire is fully inflated.

It is really easy after a couple tries. I found a neat trick is to put about 20 or 30 pounds in the tube before you reseat the tire on the "off" side reduces the need for levers, and makes it go on super easy.

My method, if you can follow what I am saying here, as it is tough without a visual: Take the tire half off on one side. Put the stem through the hole in the rim. Stuff the lightly inflated tube in the tire. Then inflate it to 30 or so psi. Roll the tire over the edge of the rim. Deflate the tube to make sure the tire is seated, then Pump it up to max psi.

The guy at my LBS says this is the wrong way, but it is how I have done it for years, as I always wreck tubes with the levers, and the added psi, seems to stretch the tire enough to not need them.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by pylon

I actually think new bikes, give me a bigger woody than cars. There is something romantic about bikes.... like it is an extension of you, you complete the machine. I seriously avoid the LBS at any cost, because there is a 1 in 4 chance I buy a new bike if I go in. You guys seriously need to stop talking about cyclocross bikes. I am starting to get an itch.....

Agreed - only few things are better than flying down the road on your bike with a freshly shaved pair of legs. Exhilarating.

No - this is not a green text post!!

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Good pick. I think you'll find yourself appreciating the versatility more and more as time goes by. I was amazed the first time I took my cyclocross on a trail: it was better than being on the road. As for the disc brakes, they're worthwhile, but you'll adapt your riding to your bike's capabilities anyway. If you find you're being limited, you can always adapt.

It's funny. Pylon mentioned in another thread that buying a new car is the closest you can get as an adult to getting a really cool toy as a kid. I don't care one way or the other about cars, but I definitely relate when it comes to bikes. I think I could own about half a dozen if I had the means.

We have 9 bikes between my wife and me. She loves bikes too. I coulld easily get a couple more The amount of bikes you need is n+1 (where n equals the number of bikes you currently have)

[RatherDashing]

Question for the commuters:

On my ride home from work, I go westbound on 10th ave, and turn south (left hand turn across traffic) onto 8th street. The problem is that during heavy traffic, 10th avenue gets really backed up, which means a long wait at the lights, and then forcing cars behind me to wait while I turn, causing more backup.

Is it a legitimate move to just go straight through the intersection, and join the southbound traffic on 8th who is waiting at the lights? ie-Can I treat this intersection as if it has a bike box for making a left hand turn?

[Bill Bumface]

^ I would. Some spots just screw you and others over by acting like a car. Legally you probably have to wait in line though, or flip to pedestrian mode briefly.

QUESTION:

I've got a roof rack on the way for my car. Now I need a bike carrier. Am I going to run into problems because I'm riding a 23" 29er? It's probably a good 6" longer than my old 23" 26er. Any recommendations?

[TimSJ]

Going to buy my wife a bike for xmas, she has been fit at our LBS so i know i need a 50cm frame for her.

They have a Cannondale Synapse 6 there with Tiagra components. It is last years model with a $1399 retail that they have on clearance at $799.

Decent deal or what else should i be looking for out of them.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Going to buy my wife a bike for xmas, she has been fit at our LBS so i know i need a 50cm frame for her.

They have a Cannondale Synapse 6 there with Tiagra components. It is last years model with a $1399 retail that they have on clearance at $799.

Decent deal or what else should i be looking for out of them.

Most bike shops will give a discount on gear (helmet, shoes, clothing, accessories) when you buy a bike. I'd ask about that and see what their guidelines are.