Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.lasteagle83
02-09-07, 09:17 PM
Finally picked up my new F5 Cannondale this morning, and after adjusting the seatpost to what I thought was a proper fit, I took off on my first ride in 25 years.
Obviously, Murphy was my copilot.
1. Toe clip straps wouldn't fit my big feet (12.5 EEE). They're gone.
2. Remaining plastic toe clips are too small to stick my foot and shoe under. They'll be gone tomorrow.
3. Whilst having a foot-based argument with said toe clips and straps, and having the pedals flop over and drag the pavement, one of the OEM pedal reflectors busted off. They were going to come off anyway (as soon as I saw them, I knew I'd EVENTUALLY bust them off), I just hated to do it involuntarily, and so soon.
4. I managed to pick the hilliest section of my neighborhood for my test ride. Big mistake. I had to stop three times to catch my breath. 1/2 mile. God help me. Small children were asking me if my bike was broken. I was asking them to borrow their training wheels.
5. A properly adjusted seat height is critical for greatest efficiency in pedaling. It's there now. It wasn't on the test ride, so my lower legs were killing me.
6. I forgot the longest, steepest, curving downhill section of my neighborhood was on same said test ride - until I got there. 330 lbs flying down a curved hill on the first ride in 25 years will certainly entice you to renew and recite any and all religious vows or prayers you may once have made. Hail Mary, full of grace, hope these dadgum brakes are safe.
7. Remembered at the last second need to have the pedal UP on the low side of the bike when leaning to make a turn. Yep, there goes another reflector. At least now it matches the other pedal.
8. Dogs hate fat men on bikes. Especially when they're short 2 pedal reflectors. Pepper spray is sold at Home Depot, but not at Petsmart. Bring it on next time, Fido.
Hope it's warm enough tomorrow for another ride!!! :)
Obviously, Murphy was my copilot.
1. Toe clip straps wouldn't fit my big feet (12.5 EEE). They're gone.
2. Remaining plastic toe clips are too small to stick my foot and shoe under. They'll be gone tomorrow.
3. Whilst having a foot-based argument with said toe clips and straps, and having the pedals flop over and drag the pavement, one of the OEM pedal reflectors busted off. They were going to come off anyway (as soon as I saw them, I knew I'd EVENTUALLY bust them off), I just hated to do it involuntarily, and so soon.
4. I managed to pick the hilliest section of my neighborhood for my test ride. Big mistake. I had to stop three times to catch my breath. 1/2 mile. God help me. Small children were asking me if my bike was broken. I was asking them to borrow their training wheels.
5. A properly adjusted seat height is critical for greatest efficiency in pedaling. It's there now. It wasn't on the test ride, so my lower legs were killing me.
6. I forgot the longest, steepest, curving downhill section of my neighborhood was on same said test ride - until I got there. 330 lbs flying down a curved hill on the first ride in 25 years will certainly entice you to renew and recite any and all religious vows or prayers you may once have made. Hail Mary, full of grace, hope these dadgum brakes are safe.
7. Remembered at the last second need to have the pedal UP on the low side of the bike when leaning to make a turn. Yep, there goes another reflector. At least now it matches the other pedal.
8. Dogs hate fat men on bikes. Especially when they're short 2 pedal reflectors. Pepper spray is sold at Home Depot, but not at Petsmart. Bring it on next time, Fido.
Hope it's warm enough tomorrow for another ride!!! :)