Cycling - a chat about all things bike.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I just got the bike of my dreams as an early birthday present! 2009 Electra Rat Fink.

That is freakin' AWESOME dude! Welcome to the club!!!!

Fabballus new steed there atomiczombie

[SF_Boi]

The weekends here, I'm heading out to the valley to do some flat riding. I need some heat and sun!

I'm also looking for a new saddle for the Merckx. I'm thinking of a brown leather Brooks.

Whatever you're doing, have a great time, stay safe and hit the hills for me!

SF_Boi

Originally Posted by SF_Boi

The weekends here, I'm heading out to the valley to do some flat riding. I need some heat and sun!

I'm also looking for a new saddle for the Merckx. I'm thinking of a brown leather Brooks.

Whatever you're doing, have a great time, stay safe and hit the hills for me!

SF_Boi

I like the classic lines of the Brooks...which model? B17? I'd love a Colt. Enjoy your ride SFBoi. I haven't ridden properly in over a week, I need to blast my legs out this weekend if the rain stops.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by SF_Boi

The weekends here, I'm heading out to the valley to do some flat riding. I need some heat and sun!

I'm also looking for a new saddle for the Merckx. I'm thinking of a brown leather Brooks.

Whatever you're doing, have a great time, stay safe and hit the hills for me!

SF_Boi

Ouch. I MUCH prefer a cut out in my saddles!

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Ouch. I MUCH prefer a cut out in my saddles!

You can get a cut out Brooks nowadays Dapper. The brown and honey coloured Brooks' allegedly 'break in' quicker according to the guys on the CTC (Cycle Touring Club of Britain) forum.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/s...rooks-b17.html

I've had problems with cut-outs. Errrm bits of me fall through them in a most disturbing and numbing way when doing proper mileage.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I just got the bike of my dreams as an early birthday present! 2009 Electra Rat Fink.

I love these rims/ wheels with color. My s/o's new bicycle has colored *rims*....Now, I look at that long chain and how low that sits to the ground, do you ride it like a recumbant bike? It's like nothing I have ever seen! Making me like it even more. Have you been out on it yet Drew?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Incubus

You can get a cut out Brooks nowadays Dapper. The brown and honey coloured Brooks' allegedly 'break in' quicker according to the guys on the CTC (Cycle Touring Club of Britain) forum.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/s...rooks-b17.html

I've had problems with cut-outs. Errrm bits of me fall through them in a most disturbing and numbing way when doing proper mileage.

You know, I had absolutely no idea. Shows what I know!

I have always viewed the Brooks saddles to be gorgeous, though. And they say when they are broken in, there is nothing more comfortable.

In terms of the cut outs...bear in mind that I mountain bike, so I am sitting up straighter. I can see how I may have a different opinion if I was road biking. Interesting.

Good to connect with you, Incubus. Hope you are well, my friend!

Originally Posted by DapperButch

You know, I had absolutely no idea. Shows what I know!

I have always viewed the Brooks saddles to be gorgeous, though. And they say when they are broken in, there is nothing more comfortable.

In terms of the cut outs...bear in mind that I mountain bike, so I am sitting up straighter. I can see how I may have a different opinion if I was road biking. Interesting.

Good to connect with you, Incubus. Hope you are well, my friend!

Good to connect over bikes again too Dapper. I hope to be well soon. I hope all is well in your world.

Yanno there's a big mythology about Brooks saddles but when it really comes down to it, they're not for everyone. Some folks never get along with them no matter how 'superior' they're cracked up to be. I'd still like to try one though but can't decide which model to go for. I've been offered a womens B17 at less than half price which is tempting but worried the nose would just be too short.

I'm probably in a similar riding position on my tourer to you Dapper. I don't use drops and keep relatively upright so as not to stress my neck...it may be the cut-out saddle I rode for quite a while just didn't suit me and my physiology.

Wotcha fellow pedalers.

I've barely done any mileage apart from essential transport trips for almost a month I really need to get my ass in gear and put some miles in before the weather turns wintery.

In between appointments on Tuesday I noted that my tyres needed some air. The rear tyre wouldn't inflate and finally deflated totally upon disconnecting the track pump. I couldn't work out why it wouldn't pump up. There was only one thing for it, I had to attempt a rear wheel removal to investigate the issue further. Plenty of curses later, the wheel was finally disengaged from the drop-outs and derailleur.
Whilst unscrewing the locking nut (or whatever it is) that screws over the valve, the valve pulled out of the tube. What a good job I'd bought a spare recently. I struggled a little getting the tyre to seat properly around the new tubes valve but took my time and made sure I did the job properly so as to avoid potential pinch punctures. It was then time to tackle replacing the wheel and faff with getting the chain back on. I ended up oily and rather chuffed with myself at having finished the job successfully.

It's not very long ago that I would have paid someone to do the job.

Go Me!

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

I love these rims/ wheels with color. My s/o's new bicycle has colored *rims*....Now, I look at that long chain and how low that sits to the ground, do you ride it like a recumbant bike? It's like nothing I have ever seen! Making me like it even more. Have you been out on it yet Drew?

Yes ma'am I have been riding it quite a bit actually. You sit on it like you would a chopper motorcycle, if that helps. It's got ape hanger handlebars that are about shoulder-height. The crank is forward, so you can sit low to the ground but still it doesn't feel cramped to pedal. It's got a shimano nexus 3-speed rear hub, and the gearing is just fine for me. I mostly stay in second. 1st gear is only for hill climbing (and theres not hills around here), and 3rd is if I really want to go fast. It's an absolute blast to ride and I love it.

Woot! Finally, after a month of being a seriously hacked-off hermit and hiding under the duvet, I've managed to get off my arse and on my bike to do a couple of rides of 10 or above miles.

We're having a lovely Indian Summer here this week, it's sunny, warm and folks are smiling. I had decided that yesterday would be my first ride back after my errrrm 'sabbatical' and arranged to meet one of last years classmates, Marc, at the top of his road (a 3mile ride for me to get there) and we'd tootle off along the seafront (NCR 62) until we wanted to turn back. We had a tail wind. We turned back at Fleetwood golf course into a vaguely evil headwind. T'was quite a tough journey back and by the time I hit town for coffee with The Fag Father I was a breathless, sweaty mess. T'was a good ride!

I aim to get another 10+ in tomorrow too as I go for surgery on Saturday. Nothing too big, only an overnighter, but will have me off my bike for a fortnight; for transport trips as well as leisure.

I wanted to share this with you. I wish I'd made it longer as the evening light was lovely.

Turn the volume off if you wanna watch it - all you can here is wind.



Coming back the sunset was wonderful, sadly my pictures don't reflect how fab it was.

[SF_Boi]

I just got back from Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake area, what a fantastic time! The weather was great, the trails were out of this world, good food and good beer! My legs feel like lead, my back is killing me, I have a crazy tan lines, but I have a big smile on my face. Hope everyone is doing well.

[SF_Boi]

Well, I picked up the S17B saddle....OMG! What a beauty! On my first day, I went out on a 27 mile ride, I was sliding a bit but it was doable. The next day I went on a 42 mile ride, I could feel the saddle softening and loosening up and the sliding stopped. I'm very happy with this little investment. I can't wait for the coming weekend.

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by SF_Boi

Well, I picked up the S17B saddle....OMG! What a beauty! On my first day, I went out on a 27 mile ride, I was sliding a bit but it was doable. The next day I went on a 42 mile ride, I could feel the saddle softening and loosening up and the sliding stopped. I'm very happy with this little investment. I can't wait for the coming weekend.

Wish I could afford a Brooks saddle for my Rat Fink. If I could, I would get a B67. Damn, they are pricey!

[lettertodaddy]

I bought a Brooks B67 S Aged saddle for my Batavus Fryslan (dutch bike) and while I love it, it is squeaky as all get out! It starts to squeak for no apparent reason, and just like that the squeaking will go away for awhile.

The Aged saddles have been pre-treated, so there's next to no break-in period. My saddle was comfortable from the first day.

I don't know if I'll get one for my road bike. I need to spend a little more time with it to see if that's what I need.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by SF_Boi

Well, I picked up the S17B saddle....OMG! What a beauty! On my first day, I went out on a 27 mile ride, I was sliding a bit but it was doable. The next day I went on a 42 mile ride, I could feel the saddle softening and loosening up and the sliding stopped. I'm very happy with this little investment. I can't wait for the coming weekend.

Is this the B17 S Select?

[SF_Boi]

Yes, I transposed the letters again, sorry. I just got back from a ride about an hour ago. What a wonderful saddle.

I was also looking for a "throw down" bike for the more inclement weather times. I saw a MASI with Shimano parts, Mavic wheels, not top of the line parts, but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for another bike so that I don't trash the Merckx.

It's been beautiful in the Bay Area, I'm trying to do as many miles as I can before the weather changes.

Take care everyone and happy trails.

[DapperButch]

I haven't bought a saddle in a long time, but every time I got a new bike, I would put a Terry saddle on it.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles

I used to wear their shorts exclusively, as well. (the t-short, specifically. With real chamois. ahhhhh....memories).

[Diavolo]

I saw several Brooks saddles on the AIDS/Lifecycle last year. I've been thinking about it, good to see you've had good results.

I lost my mind and signed up for the ride again. I kind of lagged through September but it's time to take my training up a notch or two.

Around here the best place to train is Mt. Diablo. Ride that once a week and the ride is going to be fine. I've just got to juggle my schedule a little with the shortening days. And be careful on the downhills when it's raining.