Any bicycle fans? It's bike season!

[monkeydelmagico]

You already know what size frame you ride and buy that size. If you need to swap out the stem, handle bars, or seat to make it fit/more comfortable they are cheap and easy to do. Lots of people end up doing that with LBS bikes too. I know I ride a medium/17.5"/56cm and unless the bike just has funky geometry a medium is pretty much a medium. Being new to it though a LBS is a good way to go unless you have some knowledgeable friends around that can help you out.

It's not hard to figure out what you frame size is. Don't trust the local bike shop, do your own due diligence. My GF is petite. We went in looking for a hybrid. Local bike shop only had a small mountain bike in stock so that is what they tried to sell her. We politely thanked them for their time and ordered the correct size (XXS) hybrid ourselves. Saved about $200.- too.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I second monkeydelmagic sentiments. If a shop doesn't take measurements in order to determine your reach, standover height, etc., then they're not doing a proper fit. The "5 second fit" is what a lot of shops will try, which basically consists of adjusting your seatpost for you so that you have a slight bend in your knee at full extension. That's about 2% of a proper bike fit.

Go here: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp?INT_ID=IB12809#results

It will take you about 5 - 10 minutes to take the measurements it wants, but you'll get a great fit and you can go into a shop knowing a lot more about what you need. Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking "well, when I bought my Trek mountain bike I was a size 17, so when I need a mountain bike I'll just go for a size 17". That sizing means next to nothing and is almost arbitrary. You need to dig into the geometry specs of the bike you're looking at, and this will be a LOT easier if you use the tool I linked above.

You might be a 17 in one brand and a 19 in another. When I bought my last MTB, I actually had to dismiss a couple brands because I was in between their sizes after inspecting their geometries. So I didn't even consider them. I'd rather get a PERFECT fit than compromise even a little just so I can get a specific brand.

That's how important a proper fit is.

 

[PricklyPete]

This thread is killing me... Bike is at shop on warranty service...has been gone for two weeks now and trail running just isn't cutting it at this point.

 

[preslove]

You know nothing about me.

But please, continue to overcompensate for your feelings of inadequacy by lashing out at e-people. Being a grown man with a paper-route....I mean..."bike commuting"....can make family and social gatherings very awkward.

Something tells me that I have as much experience as you or more with bicycle+motor vehicle accidents, and the resulting loss of life. Save your persecution complex for someone who cares.

Says the asshole who has done nothing but troll this thread. Getting yelled at is the only thing you deserve.

Or, what this guy said:

Says the TROLL who decided to shit all over the thread by lashing out against all cyclists and painting them all with one huge, ignorant, messy brush stroke.

Seriously, fuck off.

Srsly OCGUY, just go away, you fucking piece of shit.

 

[preslove]

It's not hard to figure out what you frame size is. Don't trust the local bike shop, do your own due diligence. My GF is petite. We went in looking for a hybrid. Local bike shop only had a small mountain bike in stock so that is what they tried to sell her. We politely thanked them for their time and ordered the correct size (XXS) hybrid ourselves. Saved about $200.- too.

Where'd you end up getting it?

 

[OCGuy]

Srsly OCGUY, just go away, you fucking piece of shit.

Damn dawg didn't know you were a gangster like that. I guess I better go before you and yo biker crew (BikeJunkie) gang up on me like some shitty motor-free version of Sons of Anarchy.

I bet you even have the baseball card in the spokes and shit.....

 

[JulesMaximus]

Damn dawg didn't know you were a gangster like that. I guess I better go before you and yo biker crew (BikeJunkie) gang up on me like some shitty motor-free version of Sons of Anarchy.

I bet you even have the baseball card in the spokes and shit.....

I'm still trying to figure out why you're here at all... :whiste:

Clearly you have nothing at all to add to this thread so please just go away.

 

[preslove]

Damn dawg didn't know you were a gangster like that. I guess I better go before you and yo biker crew (BikeJunkie) gang up on me like some shitty motor-free version of Sons of Anarchy.

I bet you even have the baseball card in the spokes and shit.....

This is how you choose to spend your time? You are truly pathetic.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Did my 1st 20 miles of the season.

Felt great! A little sore,... but, it's great to be back on the bike.

I can't stand the wind though, it was super windy yesterday in NYC.

 

[PricklyPete]

Finally got my bike back... Going to try and get some rides in this week before I head to Moab next week.

 

[GasX]

I was thinking more of a hybrid personally. I used to have a road bike but much prefer a wider tire ... but not the size of a mountain bike. I live in FL so we have few hills and want the ability to ride (at least temporarily) in gravel as required.

What brands/models do you recommend?

Get a cyclocross bike - it's like a road bike with knobby tires...

 

[_Rick_]

Get a cyclocross bike - it's like a road bike with knobby tires...

and hopefully some disk brakes. Those really make a difference in the weather/mud.

I wish I could ride some more, but my knee is complaining when I use a certain muscle group....and after a ride, I basically have two days of bothersome knee pain, which can't be good in the long run

Poor bike is just sitting there, staring at me

 

[BikeJunkie]

Finally got my bike back... Going to try and get some rides in this week before I head to Moab next week.

Lucky bastard!!! Have fun

 

[PricklyPete]

Lucky bastard!!! Have fun

Muchas gracias. Will probably hit up Fruita on the way back for Fat Tire Festival. Should be an awesome week!

 

[spacejamz]

Here is mine:

carbon fiber frame from from bikes direct and moved all of the componets from a 2004 windsor falkirk. full ultrega....I bought it from cycle spectrum which was a bike direct storefront.

components are listed here (cant believe this page is still even out there)...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/falkirk.htm

 

[who?]

http://www.bicycling.co.za/blogs/knock-out-knee-pain/

 

[JM Aggie08]

This is how you choose to spend your time? You are truly pathetic.

I've truly enjoyed this exchange. Please keep going!

 

[ISAslot]

Have ~15k on her since 06.

 

[lord_emperor]

I have owned this for a little over 12 years, although I didn't ride it for the past 8 years I just got back into it and it still works great after a little work.

Not surprisingly I was way out of shape but after just 2 months - some on a stationary bike because it's damn cold out - I'm riding 14Km each way to work and taking a recreational ride on the weekends. I still have all my muscle memory after all this time.

^ (Surprisingly accurate Google image)

 

[BikeJunkie]

Muchas gracias. Will probably hit up Fruita on the way back for Fat Tire Festival. Should be an awesome week!

I was being nice before. Now I hate you.

 

[Dirigible]

Lol

I'm jealous too. Group of friends are going to moab and fruita next week, stopping at gooseberry mesa on the way. But I can't join them because my sister in law is getting married. Stupid weddings.

 

[ViviTheMage]

just got a 2013 trek fuel ex 9 ... can't wait for the trails to dry up

 

[natto fire]

*Pours one out for my favorite bike*:

I think this is the season I finally get another, but maybe just a hybrid now that I wont be riding anywhere that needs a mountain bike.

 

[Ns1]

ISO:

52cm single speed in SoCal area. I needs a new commuter.

 

[redgtxdi]

I just took my first long ride of 2014 around the city on my Cannondale. It feels great. I thought winter storage would affect the bike, but I didn't notice any difference. I'm still going to do a tune up and calibration before the next ride. I'll probably ride the Ocean Parkway bike lane next time.

This is my bike:

Arcadio....YOU'VE GOT MY BIKE!!!

Actually, you've got a VERSION of my bike. (Well, bikes.....I've got 2 of the same bike....Don't ask!)