Cycling - a chat about all things bike.

DapperButch · 07-17-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diavolo

I started with a hybrid, a Specialized Sirruis. I paid around $500 out the door during my local bike shops annual sale. It seemed like a lot at the time but not so much any more.

My first bike was a Cannondale from my local shop, too. Mountain bike, rigid. This was right before front shocks became standard on mountain bikes (and obviously before full suspension).

I too paid $500!

imperfect_cupcake · 07-18-2011, 12:13 AM

argh!!! As I was gearing up around a corner, at high speed, middle of busy intersection, right turn (same as left turn in other countries who drive on the regular side of the road...) I geared ip too quickly on my POS bike and it gear changed right off the end of my gears and into the crux of my wheel hub, seizing the wheel. I managed to actually stay on the bike, not get hit and get over to side of road, very quickly. I tried to get the chain out but it was rammed right in there. after getting more and more frustrated, more and more late for work, close to missing my last bus (there's only 3 buses in the morning to the outskirts of the neighbouring village to oxford, where the business park is), yanking away, swearing under my breath and getting really irritated with various people passing my by on the side walk watching me, hands and wrists now covered in chain grease... when it occurs to me to undo the quick-release wheel. duh. oh.

fixed chain. had nothing to wipe hands with (stupid. I should always carry something as there's always a chance of the chain coming off, it's the most common thing that happens on a bike). covered self, face, handlebars in chain grease cycling to bus station. Then had to show up at work covered in chain grease. executive office. nice.

Dominique · 07-18-2011, 06:36 PM

Brillant info about the chain and the quick release....I had to go look at my *cargo* bike to see if I had a quick release on the back wheel. (it does, I never noticed that before)
I just may have up my skill level to two things in the way of bicycle repair. I know how to put the chain back on, and now (hope it never happens) I feel certain I could un jamm the chain from in between the sprockets.

I carry a smam-wow in my top case, but from the sounds of it, you needed go jo. How did you get the grease out from underneath your nails? sorry to hear your ride was not so wonderful.

07-19-2011, 04:18 AM

My first bike was a little Raleigh with stabilisers. I remember vividly riding upto my Pops the first time I rode without the stabilizers (training wheels).

I've never not had a bike since I was 5/6yrs old, so had far too many to even remember or list here.

As an adult I've owned Giant and Spesh mountain bikes/hybrids, Moultons, a lovely KHS (sans suspension) mountainbike (a true temper lightweight steel frame)....many of my bikes have been second-hand. Buying second-hand bikes means that one can often afford a better bike than buying brand-new. There's no way I could afford a new version of Lady H.

I'm really missing my bike. I'm in the middle of nowhere at Madame Cholet's burrow. I have an inner tube ready for fixing M.C's hybrid (women's frame) but haven't had time as rehearsals and spending time with M.C have taken over the week thus far.

I have both the quick release levers for my wheels tied to the frame with multiple zip ties. I don't want to come back to my bike to find some scroat has nicked my wheels....I've not been able to afford locking skewers yet. Of course the ties wouldn't stop any determined thief but they are a deterrent. If I need to use the QR mechanism then my trusty Swiss Army knife would cut them to allow access.

DapperButch · 07-19-2011, 06:17 AM

For some reason I can't remember my first bike, but I remember the bike I got somewhere between the ages of 6-8. I don't know where my parents got it from, but I remember it was a used bike and that my Dad painted it aqua. I thought it was so cool to be able to paint your bike.

The bike that was oh so important to me I received around age 10 or so. It was a Schwinn 10 speed. I loved that thing. I got it for Christmas and I remember there was snow on the ground that year. I remember riding it in the backyard that morning over the light snow. I suppose my parents figured if I fell due to snow, it was better to happen on the grass, than the hard road.

I was actually over my mother's last weekend and took a look at that bike hanging next to all the other old family bikes from the ceiling in the garage. I saw my parents bikes hanging up there too and I was reminded as to how they would take me and my sister on those bikes when we were small. My mother's bike had a built on rack on the back and my older sister would sit on that and make sure her feet didn't touch the back wheel. I sat on the top tube of my Dad's bike, side saddle like. Sounds kind of crazy when thinking about it, now.

Good topic, Incubus. Thanks for triggering my memories.

Dominique · 07-19-2011, 05:05 PM

I have both the quick release levers for my wheels tied to the frame with multiple zip ties. I don't want to come back to my bike to find some scroat has nicked my wheels....I've not been able to afford locking skewers yet. Of course the ties wouldn't stop any determined thief but they are a deterrent. If I need to use the QR mechanism then my trusty Swiss Army knife would cut them to allow access.[/QUOTE]

Me, the person who used to remove my uncomfortable wedge seat, (was that a trend or something for a while?) I never noticed the quick release
on the wheel and have since looked at my Specialized Rock hopper, it has one too. No one ever stole my wheel.....NOOOO......all attention was on the missing seat. I'm going to run the cable lock trough the wheels now.

pajama · 07-20-2011, 10:27 PM

I'm getting this

I have a cruiser, but all my friends are getting into long-distance riding. I would never be able to afford (or want to pay in one lump sum) this kind of money for a bike. But my ex and her girlfriend are upgrading theirs and they offered to sell me this one on payments. They haven't even had it two months. They are just really into it and have the money to spend on even better ones.

I'm so excited. I tried it out tonight and rode 5 miles! I know that sounds ridiculously puny to some of y'all but it was incredible. I was able to climb hills with no problem, and the shifting on this level bike is amazing! I'm a gal that always just made due with Wal-Mart bikes so this is unbelievable.

I may have been bit.

I get my new bike this weekend. I have to work. But maybe it'll be cool enough still in the mornings to get in a ride after work and before bed.

Okay, sorry for the de-rail but I'm really excited. *giggle*

A

Dominique · 07-21-2011, 04:12 AM

That's not a derail, its all things bike. Congrats....and welcome to the world of bicycles.

And Trek none the less. Nice Bike. Either read up on, or have someone explain to you the benefits of those toe clamps.

07-18-2011, 06:36 PM	#3
Dominique Member How Do You Identify?: Female/Lesbian/half the athlete I used to be Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Dates Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So proud to be a Pittsburgher Posts: 1,484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,645 Thanked 3,730 Times in 1,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Brillant info about the chain and the quick release....I had to go look at my cargo bike to see if I had a quick release on the back wheel. (it does, I never noticed that before) I just may have up my skill level to two things in the way of bicycle repair. I know how to put the chain back on, and now (hope it never happens) I feel certain I could un jamm the chain from in between the sprockets. I carry a smam-wow in my top case, but from the sounds of it, you needed go jo. How did you get the grease out from underneath your nails? sorry to hear your ride was not so wonderful. __________________ As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be??

07-19-2011, 06:17 AM	#5
DapperButch Roadster Guy How Do You Identify?: FTM, Stone Butch Preferred Pronoun?: He Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,745 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 26,545 Thanked 26,810 Times in 5,772 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	My first bike For some reason I can't remember my first bike, but I remember the bike I got somewhere between the ages of 6-8. I don't know where my parents got it from, but I remember it was a used bike and that my Dad painted it aqua. I thought it was so cool to be able to paint your bike. The bike that was oh so important to me I received around age 10 or so. It was a Schwinn 10 speed. I loved that thing. I got it for Christmas and I remember there was snow on the ground that year. I remember riding it in the backyard that morning over the light snow. I suppose my parents figured if I fell due to snow, it was better to happen on the grass, than the hard road. I was actually over my mother's last weekend and took a look at that bike hanging next to all the other old family bikes from the ceiling in the garage. I saw my parents bikes hanging up there too and I was reminded as to how they would take me and my sister on those bikes when we were small. My mother's bike had a built on rack on the back and my older sister would sit on that and make sure her feet didn't touch the back wheel. I sat on the top tube of my Dad's bike, side saddle like. Sounds kind of crazy when thinking about it, now. Good topic, Incubus. Thanks for triggering my memories. __________________ -Dapper Are you educated or indoctrinated?

07-19-2011, 05:05 PM	#6
Dominique Member How Do You Identify?: Female/Lesbian/half the athlete I used to be Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Dates Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So proud to be a Pittsburgher Posts: 1,484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,645 Thanked 3,730 Times in 1,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I have both the quick release levers for my wheels tied to the frame with multiple zip ties. I don't want to come back to my bike to find some scroat has nicked my wheels....I've not been able to afford locking skewers yet. Of course the ties wouldn't stop any determined thief but they are a deterrent. If I need to use the QR mechanism then my trusty Swiss Army knife would cut them to allow access.[/QUOTE] Me, the person who used to remove my uncomfortable wedge seat, (was that a trend or something for a while?) I never noticed the quick release on the wheel and have since looked at my Specialized Rock hopper, it has one too. No one ever stole my wheel.....NOOOO......all attention was on the missing seat. I'm going to run the cable lock trough the wheels now. __________________ As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be??

07-20-2011, 10:27 PM	#7
pajama Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Klingon Preferred Pronoun?: She Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Just South of Nashvegas Baby Posts: 3,115 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,546 Thanked 7,476 Times in 1,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I'm getting a bike!!!!! I'm getting this I have a cruiser, but all my friends are getting into long-distance riding. I would never be able to afford (or want to pay in one lump sum) this kind of money for a bike. But my ex and her girlfriend are upgrading theirs and they offered to sell me this one on payments. They haven't even had it two months. They are just really into it and have the money to spend on even better ones. I'm so excited. I tried it out tonight and rode 5 miles! I know that sounds ridiculously puny to some of y'all but it was incredible. I was able to climb hills with no problem, and the shifting on this level bike is amazing! I'm a gal that always just made due with Wal-Mart bikes so this is unbelievable. I may have been bit. I get my new bike this weekend. I have to work. But maybe it'll be cool enough still in the mornings to get in a ride after work and before bed. Okay, sorry for the de-rail but I'm really excited. giggle A

07-21-2011, 04:12 AM	#8
Dominique Member How Do You Identify?: Female/Lesbian/half the athlete I used to be Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Dates Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So proud to be a Pittsburgher Posts: 1,484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,645 Thanked 3,730 Times in 1,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	That's not a derail, its all things bike. Congrats....and welcome to the world of bicycles. And Trek none the less. Nice Bike. Either read up on, or have someone explain to you the benefits of those toe clamps. __________________ As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be??

07-18-2011, 12:13 AM	#2
imperfect_cupcake Senior Member How Do You Identify?: feminine dolly dyke Preferred Pronoun?: Your Grace Relationship Status: I put my own care first Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In a gauze of mystery Posts: 1,776 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,426 Thanked 9,712 Times in 1,611 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	argh!!! As I was gearing up around a corner, at high speed, middle of busy intersection, right turn (same as left turn in other countries who drive on the regular side of the road...) I geared ip too quickly on my POS bike and it gear changed right off the end of my gears and into the crux of my wheel hub, seizing the wheel. I managed to actually stay on the bike, not get hit and get over to side of road, very quickly. I tried to get the chain out but it was rammed right in there. after getting more and more frustrated, more and more late for work, close to missing my last bus (there's only 3 buses in the morning to the outskirts of the neighbouring village to oxford, where the business park is), yanking away, swearing under my breath and getting really irritated with various people passing my by on the side walk watching me, hands and wrists now covered in chain grease... when it occurs to me to undo the quick-release wheel. duh. oh. fixed chain. had nothing to wipe hands with (stupid. I should always carry something as there's always a chance of the chain coming off, it's the most common thing that happens on a bike). covered self, face, handlebars in chain grease cycling to bus station. Then had to show up at work covered in chain grease. executive office. nice.

07-19-2011, 04:18 AM	#4
Daktari Guest Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: n/a My Photo Gallery	My first bike was a little Raleigh with stabilisers. I remember vividly riding upto my Pops the first time I rode without the stabilizers (training wheels). I've never not had a bike since I was 5/6yrs old, so had far too many to even remember or list here. As an adult I've owned Giant and Spesh mountain bikes/hybrids, Moultons, a lovely KHS (sans suspension) mountainbike (a true temper lightweight steel frame)....many of my bikes have been second-hand. Buying second-hand bikes means that one can often afford a better bike than buying brand-new. There's no way I could afford a new version of Lady H. I'm really missing my bike. I'm in the middle of nowhere at Madame Cholet's burrow. I have an inner tube ready for fixing M.C's hybrid (women's frame) but haven't had time as rehearsals and spending time with M.C have taken over the week thus far. I have both the quick release levers for my wheels tied to the frame with multiple zip ties. I don't want to come back to my bike to find some scroat has nicked my wheels....I've not been able to afford locking skewers yet. Of course the ties wouldn't stop any determined thief but they are a deterrent. If I need to use the QR mechanism then my trusty Swiss Army knife would cut them to allow access.