[mr00jimbo]

As a way to get some exercise, I bought a fitness bike from Trek last summer. I hadn't ridden a bike in about 20 years, but I still knew how thankfully. I've really come to enjoy it, and I'm in the 'burbs but stick to the less traveled lanes, or bike paths/lanes, and out of the way of cars.

Now I am searching to compliment my fitness/hybrid bike with some kind of road bike with drop bars. No spandex outfits - yet :alone:

All and all a lot of fun and some great exercise.

Any other riders out there?

[donk.]

Spandex no, ride yes

If anyone rides downhill at whistler, always looking for more reasons to go up

[cafe22]

I think there used to be a bicycle thread and there's quite a few road and mountain bike riders. Maybe most of us now are too busy changing diapers and driving their kids to events on days off :(

I've shifted from road cycling to more casual weekend rides. Currently I have a Cinelli Della Strada and Brompton A-line.

[bcrdukes]

Pics of Cinelli, cafe22! I also have a Cinelli della Strada. :fuckyea:

I have too many bikes, but there is never enough because n + 1. In my stable:

Cannondale SuperSix Evo w/SRAM Red Groupset (Force crankset)
Cannondale CAAD10 with Campagnolo [Edit] Potenza groupset
Fuji Ballad with some kind of Shimano groupset (welfare 8-speed or something)
Cinelli della Strada with a Shimano groupset of some kind (I forget)

I don't ride as actively as I used to in Vancouver since moving to Toronto because it is dangerous AF and I got doored once, sending me to the hospital. I do some casual rides here and there. Pick up whatever fits, stay safe, and enjoy!

[cafe22]

That's a tasteful collection!

https://i.imgur.com/7wKK4Rt.jpg

Never really liked the groupset (Shimano Claris) that was offered with this bike in Canada, but never got around swapping it... Only added a few JDM and UK randonneur parts to the bike.

[bcrdukes]

Thanks!

Yes, I think I have the same groupset. Like yourself, I've been meaning to swap out the groupset but never got around to figure out what works. Did you ever figure that part out? I'm sure you have a much more impressive espresso machine collection. :D

[hud 91gt]

90’s Ti Road bike built up with new campi group set (someone on revscene actually built it). I’ve basically completely gotten out of road riding.

Commencal Meta A/M for the trails

1980’s Araya Roadbike for locking up at breweries. Use to race this in highschool lol.

Riding was my life in my teens, fell out of it in my 20’s and back into it in my 30’s.

[tiger_handheld]

Please don't become one of the "typical Vancouver cyclist"

- a motorist, who appreciates cycling.

[twitchyzero]

not for the purists but ebikes are game changers! im casually commuting on a cafe cruiser (gazelle with bosch middrive)

[mr00jimbo]

Please don't become one of the "typical Vancouver cyclist"

- a motorist, who appreciates cycling.

I stop at every light, even in the middle of nowhere, where the bike lane continues through the intersection. I loathe cyclists who don't follow those simple rules.

I also live in PoCo, and ride outside of peak hours.

[mr00jimbo]

not for the purists but ebikes are game changers! im casually commuting on a cafe cruiser (gazelle with bosch middrive)

I've thought about getting an e-Bike. I go back and forth. On one hand, you can cover way more ground with less fatigue. And they're apparently very fun.

On the other hand, I like the idea of a lightweight, all mechanical device that doesn't need to be plugged in or charged or whatever. And it's me doing the work, even if that work is a dreaded hill.

[Badhobz]

i love my ebike. i just think cycling is too dangerous in vancouver to truly enjoy it. I actually feel safer on my motorcycle because 1) you can get away from the idiots 2) it can stop way faster and im wearing proper protective gear 3) its significantly less fatiguing.

[bcrdukes]

lol didn't you get into a motorcycle accident and called the ambulance who hauled you away weak? lol

[Badhobz]

WEAK!!!!!!!! (but it would have been even more weak if i didnt wear any gear, i.e. bicycle vs car)

Honestly at the speeds i can do on the e-bike, its kinda scary. 35-40km/h on a bicycle feels insane to me without any protective gear (that plastic bucket you call a helmet doesnt do jack shit)

[twitchyzero]

yeah i'm between a small and medium and kinda wished i went for the small frame for slightly better agility and footprint in the garage but downhill at those speeds im glad i went for the more 'stable' bike

cant imagine downhill in a class 3 it'll be like 55kph

And they're apparently very fun.

On the other hand, I like the idea of a lightweight, all mechanical device that doesn't need to be plugged in or charged or whatever.

it's fun in a comical way

i charge weekly

[TOS'd]

https://www.revscene.net/forums/598760-i-like-ride-my-bicycle.html

[unit]

im no longer a roadie (not that i was ever that hardcore), so now i just have 3 bikes
kona rove nrb dl - 650b gravel bike... this spring i will get a 650b 'road' wheelset for it as well
salsa timberjack - bikepacking bike and occasionally treat it like a normal HT mtb. took it on the baja divide just before the pandemic.
brompton

honestly i love my brompton, its the most fun bike i own! i just get a kick out of it.

[punkwax]

https://youtu.be/LOvj5iiCmO8

[Acura604]

always do the seawall with my Trek Roscoe

frasershore park isn't bad either

https://i.imgur.com/eA85jZ3.jpg

[trollface]

I crashed my ebike doing 55 in the snow.

[68style]

^ Cocaine's a hell of a drug

[mr00jimbo]

Been eying up carbon frames. I'm scared of hitting a big pothole or it falling over or in some freak way breaking. I know they're strong, but apparently hit the wrong way they can break pretty easily and you have to take a ton of extra precaution.

[bcrdukes]

One of my bigger accidents was on my carbon frame. Hit the lip of a curb and summersaulted 360 with the bike still clipped to my pedals and hit a massive concrete pot.

I was pretty banged up. Rear derailleur was toast. Ego bruised. Frame was ok. It'd have to be a very serious accident for the frame to break, but that's not to say it won't happen. Other components like a wheel or fork are likely to break before the frame itself.

The carbon frame I was riding on was a Guru Flite made of Toray T700 carbon (or some blend of that) which at the time, was considered "entry level" carbon aka welfare within the bike community. Take it with a grain of salt though. Your results may vary. :D

[unit]

ive never had a crash on my carbon bike when i owned it, but last year my girlfriend was riding with us and she crashed just riding along at night after hitting a curb. the girl behind her didnt stop in time and went down behind her, but not that hard. her seat tube basically broke in half. this was on a newer giant road bike.

so i'd say there is some randomness when it comes to frame durability.

thankfully giant sold her a new frame for $1000. apparently in the states they do it for free if you crash, and many other brands also have very good frame replacement programs.

[hud 91gt]

Carbon technology has gotten so much better these days. I have images in my head from the 90’s of broken handle bars and seat posts. I think you need to still be reasonable with parts. If they have taken a hit, they will loose their structural integrity. Don’t smash into poles when loading unloading, careful locking them up etc. A name brand bike “shouldn’t” fail for no reason like they use too. Somehow the mountain bikes stay together pretty wel, and they get bumped around. Road bikes are just paper thin.

[68style]

Those curbs... just jump out at you when you least expect

I think I'll stick to cruiser bikes reading these stories lol

[bcrdukes]

Just don't do what I did.

Crash a few blocks from Richmond Hospital and directly ride my bike all the way home to East Van lol

[AstulzerRZD]

Been eying up carbon frames. I'm scared of hitting a big pothole or it falling over or in some freak way breaking. I know they're strong, but apparently hit the wrong way they can break pretty easily and you have to take a ton of extra precaution.

I've crashed carbon - it can take a LOT to break them.

My bike flipping at 30kmh and sending itself about 5 meters down concrete/metal bridge (think lions gate bike path) had a wee scratch on it; ultrasonic scan came back clean.

If you want to be super cautious, Giant USA offers 2 year crash warranty.

[Badhobz]

the girl behind her didnt stop in time and went down behind her


ResidentSleeper:ifyouknow::sweetjesus:

[Great68]

It's crazy what you can get for gear on entry level bikes these days.

I bought a Kona Fire Mountain back in the ~2000/01, it was a pretty cheap & basic hardtail, chromoly frame, V-brakes, crappy elastomer RST shocks, ~$600-700 at the time (Steveston cycles). I sold it to my buddy before I moved to the island.

Then ~2010 I bought another Fire Mountain, this time aluminum frame, full hydraulic shocks, hydraulic disc brakes, better derailleurs, better tires for about $800. I know it's a pretty entry-level bike as far as mountain bikes are concerned, but 10 years you get 10 times the value for like only $100 more

[unit]

bike tech trickles down really well.
i think 8, 9, and 10 speed shimano road groupsets have been unchanged in a very long time now because they're so good already for their price points. meanwhile the higher end groupsets have all gone electronic and their price keeps soaring

[mikemhg]

My hybrid is riding on 700C 35MM tires.

I feel like I'd be more efficient on a skinnier tires here as I ride on the road 99% of the time.

Anyone have any suggestions on some tires I can put onto my current rims, or would I also need to purchase a new rim as well?

Thinking of moving to 28 or 30mm tires.

[AstulzerRZD]

My hybrid is riding on 700C 35MM tires.

I feel like I'd be more efficient on a skinnier tires here as I ride on the road 99% of the time.

Anyone have any suggestions on some tires I can put onto my current rims, or would I also need to purchase a new rim as well?

Thinking of moving to 28 or 30mm tires.

Conti GP5000 is the Pilot Super Sport/4S of bicycle tires.
Great puncture resistance, top 5 in rolling resistance, great longevity.
You'll reduce drag by 20W+ in power from switching to these.... only a couple watt diff between width. I would grab the widest one they offer.

Can also consider Panaracer Gravelking SS if you ride gravle, but the soft compound gets cut up easily & punctures will increase later in their lifetime.

[hud 91gt]

Skinnier tire will help, but try bumping up the pressure. With a totally rigid tire, technically only one point touches the ground. At the pressures road bike tires are at (100+ psi), really a skinnier tire is better due to aerodynamics that really come in 30-+km/h. It’s the contact patch that matters, and higher pressure is the biggest factor.

Not sure if your tire is designed for 30psi or higher, but try the higher end of its range before going down a size. Also something with less aggressive tread would help if you end up trying something new.

[bcrdukes]

I like the Conti GP5000s as well. Nice, softer compound and generally comfortable in comparison to the Michelin tires I had been running for a long time. The Michelin tires I ran were good for road feel and feedback, but was very fatiguing. And ditto to tire pressure. I usually run between 100 - 120psi, but often thought to myself, can I run lower at around 90? Never did that. :p

[AstulzerRZD]

I like the Conti GP5000s as well. Nice, softer compound and generally comfortable in comparison to the Michelin tires I had been running for a long time. The Michelin tires I ran were good for road feel and feedback, but was very fatiguing. And ditto to tire pressure. I usually run between 100 - 120psi, but often thought to myself, can I run lower at around 90? Never did that. :p

I generally run mine at 85 to improve bike handling & traction.
I’d lose tops a couple watts of rolling resistance

[mikemhg]

This is great advice.

Usually I'd just fill my tires before each ride up to around 55-60 PSI (max for my tires).

I'd have to do this after every ride or two, as they'd lose some pressure.

Looks like I'll throw on some Conti's this spring then, I assume they can be ridden on some gravel as well?

[hud 91gt]

The contis are pretty race focused tire. The gravelkings will be more suited to commuting. Saying that, there are likely better tires out there than listed for commuting too, also a lot cheaper. You don’t need a high end tire. Something a little heavier, thicker more puncture resistant will be available. A road oriented tire, with some sort of tread. Your not going to notice an improvement on a high end road tire unless your really pushing it.

[unit]

gp5000s are basically the same tire that pros use in races.
they are fast and smooth but i wouldnt agree that they never puncture, i've had plenty on the gp4000s and some on the gp5000s too. if you want something that is supple then that's usually the tradeoff.

[dachinesedude]

isn't optimal tire psi dependent on the rider's weight?

someone weighing 150lb does not need to be running over 100 PSI, it would be super bumpy

[mikemhg]

So if I'm doing some light gravel trails here and there the Conti's wouldn't be a good option then?

So GravelKing or Conti Grand Prix 4-Seasons perhaps?

[unit]

i think 35mm is actually a nice width if you're doing road and gravel. if you go too skinny then gravel kinda sucks. higher pressures + worse traction are not too fun on gravel, especially if it's loose.

[urrh]

my main concern of carbon frames is their longevity. i agree it takes a lot to break in one instance, but i feel cracks developing over time is a genuine concern.

[JDMDreams]

How do you guys transport your bikes? Seems like a b to get a roof rack, or tow hitch rack. Unless you buy a wagon and fold everything down to store it inside. You can't really go shopping or stop anywhere without worrying getting your bike stolen.

[hud 91gt]

Locking a bike anywhere is a big no no if it’s worth anything of value. When I do it, I lock it to my hitch, and will back right up to a tree, or a wall to make it almost impossible to take, either way I don’t leave it long.

[hud 91gt]

So if I'm doing some light gravel trails here and there the Conti's wouldn't be a good option then?

So GravelKing or Conti Grand Prix 4-Seasons perhaps?

My biggest concern with the racier tires is the puncture resistance if you hit that gravel trail. I’ve certainly done it, and been fine but if you’re commuting you want it to be reliable. The 4 season tire you listed would be fine.

[hud 91gt]

isn't optimal tire psi dependent on the rider's weight?

someone weighing 150lb does not need to be running over 100 PSI, it would be super bumpy

A lighter ride can get away with lower pressure. In the grand scheme of things higher pressure = more risk of punctures, less risk of pinch flats and less comfortable and possibly less rolling resistance.

[mr00jimbo]

I've crashed carbon - it can take a LOT to break them.

My bike flipping at 30kmh and sending itself about 5 meters down concrete/metal bridge (think lions gate bike path) had a wee scratch on it; ultrasonic scan came back clean.

If you want to be super cautious, Giant USA offers 2 year crash warranty.

I tried to look into whether it is available in Canada, but couldn't find info.

Carbon breaking is funny. Some people can send it on their mountain bikes or get into an accident and the bike's fine. Others can drop it and it can crack.

Giant and Trek have some models that are incompatible with indoor trainers for example, as the sideways pressure on the frame can crack it. Or over torquing bolts (got to use a good torque wrench). I picked up some carbon frames and they felt wonderful, light and seemed strong, but at this point I am worried I am going to take a bad hit and get denied warranty or have to replace the frame.

But in weight, general strength, and ride quality, it trumps aluminum left, right and center. I just know unless I was rich as hell, I can't enjoy something I don't trust the ability to use without worry.

[bcrdukes]

Not geared towards you as a personal attack, but you would likely die and succumb to your injuries or live with life long injuries in a bad hit as opposed to worrying about a carbon frame cracking and being denied warranty.

[mr00jimbo]

Not geared towards you as a personal attack, but you would likely die and succumb to your injuries or live with life long injuries in a bad hit as opposed to worrying about a carbon frame cracking and being denied warranty.

Oh I wholeheartedly agree. My bigger concern is the freak carbon break accidents - over tightening by mistake, falling at the wrong angle, or being mounted slightly wrong on a bike stand or a bike rack or something. There are many, many people who have zero issues with carbon, and it rides beautifully.

And there are others who have catastrophic or sudden breaks and are adamant nothing out of the ordinary happened. I think freak accidents happen.

I may get a new carbon frame in the future. For now, I picked up this beauty in alloy, full Shimano 105.

https://i.imgur.com/B0OflR5.jpg

[bcrdukes]

That fork is gonna crack :troll:

[unit]

Oh I wholeheartedly agree. My bigger concern is the freak carbon break accidents - over tightening by mistake, falling at the wrong angle, or being mounted slightly wrong on a bike stand or a bike rack or something. There are many, many people who have zero issues with carbon, and it rides beautifully.

And there are others who have catastrophic or sudden breaks and are adamant nothing out of the ordinary happened. I think freak accidents happen.

I may get a new carbon frame in the future. For now, I picked up this beauty in alloy, full Shimano 105.

https://i.imgur.com/B0OflR5.jpg

non drive side, cranks not at 3 and 9, no biggie smalls, reflectors, dork disc
i'll give it a 'nice'.

[TOS'd]

^ stem not slammed, valve stems not lined up

FeelsBadMan

[68style]

I'll bite... what's a dork disc

[mr00jimbo]

Little plastic thing behind the cassette. It never hurt anything on my bike so I leave them on lol. The reflectors are hideous though, I'm gonna probably take them out