Bicycles!

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by "A"

Let's just say that I ride and abuse my bicycles more than most people. I trust titanium frames over all others from personal experience.

A) no you don't. Typically if someone claims that they do X or Y more than the normal consumer, they really don't. Maybe you ride 8,000 miles a year and that's cool! but every bike gets beat on, dropped, run over curbs, wheelied, jumped, crashed, etc.
B) Anecdotal evidence does not count as data. I understand your hesitancy because of bad past experiences and that's shared by many (older) riders; but it's misplaced. No offense, your newest carbon bike (the Kestrel 500 you posted) that you're using as a baseline is how old? 1998?? That's ancient. Carbon design and manufacturing has improved so much since then.

Originally Posted by "A"

I'm not saying that titanium do not have a fatigue life.
I'm not saying that titanium frames never fail.

Well... this is awkward. Because you actually did... you know... say exactly that.

Originally Posted by "A"

With the benefit of never rusting, no need for paint, no worries of fatigue failure (as aluminum or carbon).

Originally Posted by "A"

I love these. They're so 90's. Do you have a picture of your complete bicycle collection?? You seem to have some neat stuff.


Hey, after some re-reading, sorry if I'm coming off a little combative here. That's not my intent, I promise!

[Jono]

Just an observation. I've noticed that like every pro motorcyclist also rides bicycles. That is all.

So I was down at Barber Motorsports Park this past weekend to watch the MotoAmerica races with Special Guest Nicky Hayden who rode a vintage Honda race bike from the Museum. Anyways, when we first got down there we were waiting for the tram to take us to the other side of the track and as was waiting I saw two bicyclists coming towards us. As one passed by me I was like "That looks like Nicky Hayden" and then soon as he passed I turned and saw on the back of his jersey the numbers 69. I was like damn, "That was Nicky."

Also as I was walking the pits there were fancy road bikes at like every teams trailer. I don't know where I'm going with this. Guess I'm just happy to see the two go hand in hand.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by "A"

Let's just say that I ride and abuse my bicycles more than most people.

lets see your strava

["A"]

I have no smartphone. No need in life to keep track of every mile I ride on device that distract millions from paying attention to what they are doing.

[choneofakind]

All the pros do ride!!!! They're all little guys and it keeps them lean and on two wheels. Also more fun than running.

[allanoue]

Biking is a lot easier on the knees than running. I felt like running gave me a better all round workout then bikes. I stopped running and just bike and swim now because I like being able to walk.

[choneofakind]

You have to ease into running. I took a year off from running and went bicycle only. When I got back into running, I really had to limit myself to keep my joints happy. Going from no impact to impact hurts.

[allanoue]

I started running regularly in 1973. Rugby injury in 1983 spelled the doom of my running habit, but took til 2008 to catch up with me.

[choneofakind]

Bummer. I hate sports injuries. I fought with a knee problem two seasons ago. Took a brace and some doctor visits to clear it up, but now it's stronger than ever


Anyone ever heard of these guys? They're kinda neat.
http://www.metrofiets.com/

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Bummer. I hate sports injuries. I fought with a knee problem two seasons ago. Took a brace and some doctor visits to clear it up, but now it's stronger than ever


Anyone ever heard of these guys? They're kinda neat.
http://www.metrofiets.com/

Be careful, once injured it is more easaly re injured, more so when body parts starts to deteriorate anyway as you get older.

Having said that, I did not stop playing rugby for 7 years, when work got in the way. I would not trade one season of rugby for a healthy knee.

[SLOWn60]

Sorry Al! Large thumbs!
Rugby was a great game to play! I was 2nd row because I run like a brick but push like a tractor!

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Sorry Al! Large thumbs!
Rugby was a great game to play! I was 2nd row because I run like a brick but push like a tractor!

I had guessed you were a fellow prop.
I was always loosehead.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Be careful, once injured it is more easily re injured, more so when body parts starts to deteriorate anyway as you get older.

I know. That's what I was told when my shoulder got dislocated in a bicycle accident as well. It's been cracking and popping ever since doctor told me that is normal, but I need to be extra careful about future accidents because it can dislocate more easily now.


I got a proper bike fit done too. That really helped my knee out in addition to the brace I wore for a month or two and the doctor visits to make sure it wasn't damaged.

[VaFish]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Biking is a lot easier on the knees than running. I felt like running gave me a better all round workout then bikes. I stopped running and just bike and swim now because I like being able to walk.

I should go pull my bicycle out of the shed. My knees and hips have been killing me after running.

[CaliGrrl]

My knees didn't like me running much. Better shoes helped, but still wasn't enough.

[sharky nrk]

Football (soccer) injury on my right knee sidelines me from running from time to time, I have rebuilt enough strength in it over the years to be able to have a decent mileage base (20-30 mi a week or so) but it is completely intolerant of the kind of loading that rapid changes of direction and acceleration that the game requires.

I like cycling more than I like running but I feel I get a better workout on a 5 mile run than I do on a 15 mile bike ride. Both take about 35-40 minutes these days.

["A"]

Tough day in the office.. seems like Contador even lost a shoe:

[choneofakind]

and some skin!

[alex.s]

[Panda]

Wanted to make a couple upgrades to my Trek hybrid.

Carbon fiber seatpost
Carborn fiber handlebars and stem
Carbon fiber fork

I'm getting them primarily to reduce vibration and found some inexpensive options at www.nashbar.com. Is it worth it to make these upgrades?

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Panda

Wanted to make a couple upgrades to my Trek hybrid.

Carbon fiber seatpost
Carborn fiber handlebars and stem
Carbon fiber fork

I'm getting them primarily to reduce vibration and found some inexpensive options at www.nashbar.com. Is it worth it to make these upgrades?

the seatpost isn't going to be noticeable since carbon doesn't really compress... unless you get one of those weird curvy ones. it bends though. the fork will be noticeable. you'll only notice the bars flex when you try to sprint.

["A"]

In my experience, least expensive way to get more comfort is lower tire pressure and/or wider tires.

Better cycling shorts/gloves or saddle would be next.

Carbon seatpost/stem/handlebar/fork may look nice, but comfort wise.. not as cost effective.

[choneofakind]

^^^ the man's on point. Tire pressures are the best bang for the buck. Often does wonders and is completely free.

That said, I'm rocking an FSA SL-K carbon post on my MTB. Makes a definite springing motion. More comfortable or not is subjective; I bought it for the length so I had proper insertion depth (mind out of the gutter, please).

Also, no offense to Nashbar, buuuuuuuuuuuut it's Nashbar. Who knows what you're actually getting.

[Apex]

FINALLY!!!!

I worked in a 38-mile ride on Sunday. My computer read 101*F, and I burned around 2500 calories.

My legs felt like jello at the end of the ride. Not riding over 20-miles in half a year or so, it really shocked me. I was just happy I could still pull off that mileage. It was difficult, and I was pretty much bonking the last 10, but that was my fault for not fueling properly before the ride. I just slowed down and kept a nice steady pace for the final miles.

I'll limit myself to 20 or so miles from now on, since I don't get the ride like I used to.

[CaliGrrl]

Good for you for getting out! My bicycle is sadly ignored at the moment. Having too much fun on the Ninja.... bad me.

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by CaliGrrl

Good for you for getting out! My bicycle is sadly ignored at the moment. Having too much fun on the Ninja.... bad me.

That's how I got the profile I have now! That and a sedentary job at a desk! I stopped pedalling in 2005 but kept up the bakery & pub stops!
Old farts aren't so much wise as they are experienced! Learn from their mistakes!

[CaliGrrl]

Well, my little ninjette has a noise that I don't like, so I need to figure out what's loose and fix it. Might be my inspiration to put some more miles on the bicycle now! Our suburb is small enough a girl can get around on a bike with no trouble and I have a saddlebag to hold stuff. I've even done light grocery shopping on it!

[choneofakind]

I haven't touched my roadie in two full weeks. Been riding the local MTB trails instead.

I was in Indianapolis for a day, so I brought the bike and rode Brown County State Park. That's IMBA Epic number 2 for me. Score. Very flowy and fun.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by CaliGrrl

Well, my little ninjette has a noise that I don't like, so I need to figure out what's loose and fix it. Might be my inspiration to put some more miles on the bicycle now! Our suburb is small enough a girl can get around on a bike with no trouble and I have a saddlebag to hold stuff. I've even done light grocery shopping on it!

What is it doing?

[CaliGrrl]

There's a little rattle, when warming up for the first time of the day, and comes back at 9000rpm on the freeway. It's high-pitched, and it's a rattle.

Husband and I listened to the engine last night, and we're planning to change the oil (hasn't been done in probably a year-ish or so, and it looks a tiny bit low and not entirely fresh), and see if that helps. See if that helps. Hoping to catch it when she's making the noise, so we can hear from *where*.

[choneofakind]

I hate vehicle noises.

I've been chasing creaks on my MTB. Removing, cleaning, greasing, and torquing everything I can find, to no success. New BB from Wheels Manufacturing in the mail to replace my crummy SRAM GXP unit, as well as fancy new Enduro MAX pivot bearings. Gotta nip this thing in the bud. I should really do the wheel bearings while I'm at it, they're on their way out.

[CaliGrrl]

Gah, I haven't had my MTB out recently enough to remember what creaks.... bad me.

Hope you can find your noise soon! It's aggravating when you can't track it down.

[Apex]

My roadie is creaking, and it is where the stem meets the bars. I've just been a bit lazy to fix it. lol

["A"]

Looks like a bad day for TT: STORY

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by Apex

My roadie is creaking, and it is where the stem meets the bars. I've just been a bit lazy to fix it. lol

I had some kinda creak there as well, lubed and tightened and it went away. Now I have some other damn noise I can't find and it makes me want to punch kittens

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

I had some kinda creak there as well, lubed and tightened and it went away. Now I have some other damn noise I can't find and it makes me want to punch kittens

if its a carbon bike i'd bet its a creaking BB. every god damn bb creaks.

[choneofakind]

Easy test is to pedal against force (front brake or hill) both on and off the saddle.

off the saddle: check pedals, chain ring bolts, skewers, BB
on the saddle: saddle clamp bolt, seat tube clamp, saddle clamp/angle device (also check the items for the off saddle test)

[CaliGrrl]

[QUOTE="A";1119064]Looks like a bad day for TT: [url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-french-cyclist-tour-de-france-crash-20160716-story.html]STORY[/url]

[/QUOTE]

[COLOR="Purple"]Ouch!

Good timing on the photo, though! [/COLOR]

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by alex.s

if its a carbon bike i'd bet its a creaking BB. every god damn bb creaks.

Al with carbon bits.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Easy test is to pedal against force (front brake or hill) both on and off the saddle.

off the saddle: check pedals, chain ring bolts, skewers, BB
on the saddle: saddle clamp bolt, seat tube clamp, saddle clamp/angle device (also check the items for the off saddle test)

I didn't quite follow lol - I can't seem to replicate the noise when I am trying to hear/find it.