http://www.bikeforums.net/ bike and bicycle discussion forums. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:30:01 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/rss.png http://www.bikeforums.net/ http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604466-16-inch-wheel-with-hub-motor-Practical&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:07:54 GMT I have a short wheel base recumbent bike (not a trike) with a 16" front wheel and a 26" rear wheel.

Is it practical to put a hub motor on the 16" wheel? Several companies offer this but will a motor in a 16" wheel give me as much speed as putting the same motor in the 26" wheel? Will the motor be able to speed up enough in the smaller wheel to compensate for its smaller diameter?

I am looking at 36 volt 300 to 500 watt motors.

I would like to put the motor out of the way in the front wheel so I wouldn't have to monkey with the bikes 21 gear speeds. ]]> Electric Bikes folkdancer http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604466-16-inch-wheel-with-hub-motor-Practical http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604465-De-Tinting-Ski-Mask&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:03:32 GMT I recently bought a ski-mask from Wal*Mart for commuting in cold weather. However, about half of my commuting (so far) is at night, and I find that the sunglasses like tint on this ski mask makes it particularly difficult to see in darker areas. Is there a way that I can remove this tint without... I recently bought a ski-mask from Wal*Mart for commuting in cold weather. However, about half of my commuting (so far) is at night, and I find that the sunglasses like tint on this ski mask makes it particularly difficult to see in darker areas. Is there a way that I can remove this tint without ruining the ski mask? Has anybody done this before? ]]> Commuting Sir Lunch-a-lot http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604465-De-Tinting-Ski-Mask http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604464-Hello-from-Spokane-Washington&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:40:42 GMT I've come across this forum a few times and have found some great information here. I keep meaning to sign up...

I live in Spokane, Washington. If you've heard of Seattle, we are nowhere near it, and nothing like it. Our summers are hotter and drier, and we get a fair amount of snow in the winter, which seriously limits riding from about now until mid-March most years.

I used to ride a lot up until I was about 20. In high school I had some routes I liked to ride, and on one of them I would occasionally run into a team out on a (training?) ride together. At the time I didn't think anything of the fact that I could keep up with them. I just thought it was cool riding with guys who could maintain MY pace, since none of the guys in my neighborhood could. I never deliberately tried to get in shape or get faster, I just rode a lot because I liked to ride. It never occurred to me to get involved in racing or any organized rides, if there even were any (rides) here back then.

My senior year in high school, one of the teachers put together a 500 mile ride over spring break that I and 24 other students participated in. To date it is still one of the funnest things I've ever done. On that ride, one other rider and I, who kept ending up at the front of the pack together, hooked up and figured out drafting- seriously, I had never done or heard of it. We just kind of figured it out on our own. Each day we would arrive at our destination 1 to 2 hours before the next group behind us. Here again, I never thought I was, or tried to be, anybody special, my body just worked well for bicycling.

That was a few decades ago. Over the years I bought a couple cheap mountain bikes, but didn't put many miles on. About 3 years ago I decided it was time to start getting some exercise. In my late 20's and early 30's I used to do some running to help keep in shape for motocross riding. I didn't have fond memories of running. A bike seemed like a much better idea.

Being considerably overweight, the riding position of a conventional road bike wasn't very comfortable for me, so I bought a 'hybrid' Giant Cypress DX. The extra weight of this bike was incidental compared to the extra weight on the rider, and the extra low climbing gears were great on the hills. After one season on this bike, I was ready for a road bike.

I picked up a Raleigh Grand Prix at a local bike shop in the neighborhood where I grew up, two days before they went out of business after several decades here. It was a bargain at over 50% off, but it was sad to see the shop go. I got my first bike there when I was 6, and several others after that.

I put 1000 miles on last year (2008) doing mostly 20 to 50 mile rides. I hoped to do many more this year, but had a knee injury this summer (non-bike related) and subsequent surgery, which was a major setback. I was back on the bike three weeks after the surgery, with the good leg clipped in and the repaired one just kind of going along for the ride. I rode in a local, 21 mile, fairly hilly, organized ride called "Spokefest" five weeks after the surgery. I had ridden that ride the year before, and it was really fun, so no way was I going to miss it this year. I know there are guys on here that ride that far one-way to work every day, but it was quite an accomplishment for me at the time, all things considered.

My aspirations for the future include using bicycling (along with diet) as my primary tool for some much needed weight loss. My goal is to do my first century by next fall, and then the STP (Seattle to Portland) at some point after that. I picked up a used trainer for this winter, but I need to modify it to fit my quick-release axle before the snow flies.

Anyway, sorry about the rather lengthy introduction. It looks like I got a little carried away here.

Thanks for making this forum available! ]]> Introductions Shedding100 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604464-Hello-from-Spokane-Washington http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604463-Build-Upgraded-Bike&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:29:29 GMT Hey, well earlier I had made a topic about whether or not I should purchase an Bianchi Brava 2004 model with 105 group set for $300. But after talking to a friend at work, he suggested buying an average used road bike and just upgrade it and restore it. So now I am wondering which would be the best... Hey, well earlier I had made a topic about whether or not I should purchase an Bianchi Brava 2004 model with 105 group set for $300. But after talking to a friend at work, he suggested buying an average used road bike and just upgrade it and restore it. So now I am wondering which would be the best route? Spending $300 or putting X''amount of money into a bike, restore it and repaint it? I wouldn't mind spending the $300 but if I could save some money, especially since the holidays are coming up, it would be allot nicer.

Thanks in advance ]]> Road Cycling pwarsknightsp http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604463-Build-Upgraded-Bike http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604462-Chumash-trail-Extreme-DH-on-ONE-wheel&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:25:15 GMT First time riding at Chumash trail in Simi Valley. Pretty technical and steep. Managed a few good drops, seen at the end of the video.

Also some funny hiker/biker comments-one guy uses an "NC-17" adjective in his excitement, lol! Then some bails-after the creds. Would really appreciate your comments!

(Shot with my Canon HV30 so it's excellent quality!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3p2dF23PBc ]]> Mountain Biking UniGeezer http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604462-Chumash-trail-Extreme-DH-on-ONE-wheel http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604460-Use-it-or-loose-it&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:13:33 GMT My wife and I have been pretty regular on our tandem (3-4 times/week) with a few centuries and 100K's thrown in. Working at home does have its advantages. This past week I needed to travel and spent four days eating, sleeping and working; went for an easy 15 mile ride the day back and it felt like I hadn't been on a bike in 3 months, sore during and afterwards. When you're over 60 the "regular" in "regular exercise" has extra meaning. ]]> Fifty Plus (50+) rdtompki http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604460-Use-it-or-loose-it http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604459-Floor-Pump&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:57:28 GMT My old floor pump just crapped out and I never liked it much anyway, so I am looking for a new one. My tires range from 700c Balloons to 20' high pressure. So I want something that can fill the balloons reasonably fast but still handle the high pressure tires. Suggestions? ]]> Bicycle Mechanics akohekohe http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604459-Floor-Pump http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604458-Eighthinch-cogs-and-cranks-vs-Iro&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:53:43 GMT I've lived off the search function for months and months, but finally have a question that doesn't seem to have been asked before.

I'm building up an Iro Mark V and wanted to know how Eighthinch 3/32" drivetrain products compare with Iro stuff. The prices are pretty close, but Wheel&Sprocket offers free shipping off eBay. Plus those Eighthinch cogs look pretty good.

Worth a try? Or just stick with Iro?

If you do find a thread I've missed--have mercy. I've tried. And had hundreds of questions answered without ever posting.

Thanks! ]]> thom74 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604458-Eighthinch-cogs-and-cranks-vs-Iro http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604457-hood-angles&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:52:51 GMT ok so pretty much every Catalog picture and many many pictures of pro riders always show the hoods set so they are parallel to the ground.

doesn't this hurt your guy's wrists on long rides? seeing as how the wrist has to rotate forward and sustain pressure instead of being inline with the forearm?

am i missing something. maybe i should try it one more time, when i put my hoods like that at first it felt VERY weird ]]> Road Cycling WR3K http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604457-hood-angles http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604456-let-s-talk-about-bashguards&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:50:33 GMT just bought a clear e. thirteen supercharger for my ss.
looks badass.
haven't ridden on it, cause the trails are muddy.....but anyway....

the major pitfall is that i can't use t9 boesheild (my favorite chain lube) cause apparently it breaks down the polycarbonate.
i've read this is about the strongest bashguard you can buy, but i don't wanna use something that i can only use wax lube with.
now i'm even worried that the polylube that i used to grease the chainring bolts is gonna compromise the integrity of it.
my buddy ordered a salsa tooth fairy that looks badass too and is aluminum, so he can use whatever lube he wants.

what do you use?
why?
happy with it? ]]> Mountain Biking thehappyrobot http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604456-let-s-talk-about-bashguards http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604455-Mavic-OP-creak-any-hope&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:44:09 GMT Would do a search but...well, we know how that goes at the moment.

I've been riding on a Mavic open pro/Ultegra wheelset since early January, and I've loved them so far. They were a huge upgrade from the stock Bontrager Selects (is there a flexier wheel?).

About month ago I noticed a creaking/clicking sound from the rear wheel when I roll over the seam. I tried deflating the tire and reseating the bead but that didn't help.

Apparently this is a known issue. I've tried to live with it but its getting pretty bad, riding through town is kind of embarrassing.

Has Anybody had experience with this problem and fixed it for good? ]]> Road Cycling shatdow http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604455-Mavic-OP-creak-any-hope http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604454-road-bike-tire-worn-out&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:42:03 GMT How do you know the tire you have is worn out and is no good anymore? I had a flat tire but i tried to fix it. Everything came along fine but the tire gets out of the frame from one particular side. I do not know if its worn out or if i am not putting it in right. I need your insight. Thanks How do you know the tire you have is worn out and is no good anymore? I had a flat tire but i tried to fix it. Everything came along fine but the tire gets out of the frame from one particular side. I do not know if its worn out or if i am not putting it in right. I need your insight. Thanks ]]> Bicycle Mechanics inexplicable718 http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604454-road-bike-tire-worn-out http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604453-Yellow-Japanese-Police-Bike&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:41:23 GMT Has anybody ever seen one of these? I'm not even sure what company makes it, although it does say "University Bicycles" on the badge.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/1473920684.html ]]> BuckyYuen http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604453-Yellow-Japanese-Police-Bike http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604452-Cannot-decide-between-58cm-or-61cm&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:31:19 GMT So, I've been reading a lot and researching this on many different websites, but all it does is confuse me. I'm hoping an expert on here can help me out.

I'm 6'3", with long legs, a short torso, and long arms.

My inseam (not pant length) is 36".

These are the specs for the Motobecane Track from BD that I'm looking at:

For the 58cm the TT length is 57cm, standover is 32.5 inches
For the 61cm the TT length is 59cm, standover is 33.6 inches

I'm not going to be racing, just riding in the city, and I like riding with more of an upright position.

I'm leaning towards the 61cm, but I don't want it to be too big! Please help! ]]> hmarks http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604452-Cannot-decide-between-58cm-or-61cm http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604451-Expalin-what-the-heck-cyclocross-is-to-me-PLEASE&goto=newpost Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:29:09 GMT I never heard of it before I started reading these forums and, frankly, I just don't get it. Today, I actually SAW cyclocross in action and I get it even less! Why are these guys NOT using mountain bikes since it is an off-road course? Is a cross bike nothing more than a road bike with kind of knobbie tires or a mountain bike with big wheels and dropped bars? What advantage come from having dropped bars in an off-road setting? Why would a sport get developed wheer you would have to carry the bike instead of ride it? Why, again, aren't these races run on MTBs? ]]> General Cycling Discussion mr,grumpy http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?604451-Expalin-what-the-heck-cyclocross-is-to-me-PLEASE