Foo - Confessions of some mtbikers.

Ok. So I got my roadie today. Me and Siu got together and we went into Oakland. We were both excited to finally get MY roadie. :D As we walked out we passed this awesome hot pink flowery tree, we both look at eachother with the exact same idea. I run in front of it.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Jonpinkflowers.jpg

Anyways we get to the shop, and I drop down the enormous wad of cash on the bike. We were going to pick up some half halfs but they didn't have any in stock. We both actually got annoyed with the shop worker who instead of giving his advice basically sounded like he thought he was right and I was wrong. He wanted me to get a pair of ginormous kona platforms. Forget that.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Jonsmile.jpg

21.3something pounds. This is one of the rare times I actually gave a seriousish smile. Enjoy.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Siucheckingoutbike.jpg

Siu staring at the giant. Amazed by the flow of the carbon. :eek:

So we went to the bike shop and got some pedals, we both noticed these awesome red and black, and black and red cages so I got 2 different ones.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6854/giantmootsrz8.jpg

When we got started riding, I swear we must have stopped at least 5 times for different clicky noises. Siu don't like no clicky noises. Eventually she figured out what was clicking on her bike, I tried to get a picture of her and she almost killed me. But it's so much fun to mess with her and her OCDness. :lol:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Siuroadie.jpg
Siu on the moots, and let me say. I got to touch the moots. It was niiiiiiiice. I really have a thing for the head badge, it seriously looks like it has a silver finish, and it's so damn cool. The giant's headbadge is ghey, the moots is really cool.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Siumtbikerskills.jpg

Siu absorbing shocks with her knees over a small bridge.

Anyways, towards the end we decided that I needed to do something with my bike. So.... we flipped it!!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Flippinit.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Giant.jpg

Wut that set you back? Looks fun :)

Which bike? They are both new.

So now you are dressing up for your adventures with Siu? ;) ;) Nice ride.

Have fun with that bike. I've got the same one, 05 model that is black and have over 2500 miles on it with no problems.
21.3 lbs? Mine weighed in at 18.7lbs.

If your pictures are in order, it was already flipped. You now need to un-flip it.

You flipped the stem... up?

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5957/1487kolodp2.jpg

:p

If your pictures are in order, it was already flipped. You now need to un-flip it.
Exactly. :D

Wut that set you back? Looks fun :)
Mine was a little over 1400.

How are you guys liking drop bars? Riding the hoods is the awesome.

Also, which was faster? Titanium or carbon fiber?

Jon left out a couple of the good pics.


I thought this was nice. The bike finally going home after waiting three months for Jon to come get it.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/JonWalkingbike.jpg


So he tries it out for the very first time. (Look at that face!)

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jononbike.jpg


So once he gets a little used to it, he tries a "Higher Ground"

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jongoofing.jpg


But then his mtb roots kick in.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jonwheelie.jpg

Mine was a little over 1400.
Okay fine then. Mine was a little over 5300.



How are you guys liking drop bars? Riding the hoods is the awesome.

Also, which was faster? Titanium or carbon fiber?
Carbon. For now. I was chicken and was taking it easy trying to get to know my bike.

I hate the drop bars. Me and Siu both naturally put our hands on the bars like we would mtbiking. :p both hands on the straight part of the bars. We kept trying to hit the brakes, but there we're none!

Oh, and carbon is def. faster. Definitely.

It was a usual 93 degrees today and Jon decides to cool off.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jonwater.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Joninwater.jpg

When he gets up he's yelling and spitting and stinks to high heaven. He runs over to me and I tell him to get away, because "You're getting my bike wet!!"

We go over to where we can kind of chill and dry out Jon before the drive home. He wanted to take a pic of us but when he got next to me, I could smell him something awful.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jonandsiu2.jpg

Found out by asking others later on that that "creek" was sewer drainage.

heh. The drop bars will take some getting used to. You will likely be resting your hands in ways that are uncalloused, so there might be some pain at first. Thankfully, there are about seventy-five different ways to hold the bars. :)

Interruptor brake levers are a possibility, if you really want brakes on the flats. I'm pretty sure they can be installed without needing to redo the bartape or brake lines.

Also, I'm curious as to how well those low-spoke-count wheels are going to hold up to wheelies and bunnyhops. ;)

Found out by asking others later on that that "creek" was sewer drainage.:lol:

I love that last picture, too.

:roflmao:

I had this feeling it was sewer drainage, I mean... the water was being supplied by a sewer pipe. But Siu says "It looks clear, go ahead".

When I fell down face first, it smelled like major ass. Like major butt.

Then I tried to come near Siu and she freaked. :D

Also when we flipped the stem, I had taken my shorts off. I was walking around in boxers. Siu said she didn't mind, so why not? Then a class of kids came into the building we were leaned up against, and we were standin' there "flippin" the stem in the undies.

:lol: Jon. Admit it. The water WAS clear. Then when you stepped in it, I told you it was all murky. But hell if you were gonna get that stinky water on MY bike. :mad:

Tell them about the ditch. :D

And the tires. :rolleyes:

Idiot bike shop employees. You would think if you buy a 1400 dollar bike they could pump the tires up before you get the bike. I could swear the guy wheeled my bike over and pumped up the tires, but he didn't. I checked the pressure and they were.... 35 psi. Wtf?

Oh, and I was looking and Siu, mesmerized by her beauty and I wasn't watching where I was going. I went right into a rocky steep ditch. I was screaming. "MY BALLS, my balls!!!". I seriously think I bruised something down there. I don't know how I didn't endo, because I almost lost control of the bike. While Siu, sits there laughing at me. :mad:

You'll certainly find the large divots in the pavement, that's for sure. I done that. Came real close to getting bucked off.

Is this on the new bike, X?

And I wasn't laughing at you Jon. I was thinking "and to think this day went without a blunder"........

Yep, on the new bike. Must've been paying more attention to the cars all around me than the entirely ****ty road surface, and hey, there's a new bump!

All Jon can hear was me saying "Ooffff", "ah!", "DANGit", "ouch", or the classic (and this one is being yelled) "NO SHOCKS!!!! NO SHOCKS!!":cry:

Im surprised my back held out. Heeey. That must mean my nephew did a great job on the fitting, huh??:D

You'll quickly start categorizing things thusly: "Run over." or "Don't run over!"

The second category fills faster than the first. ;)

Siu kept going over bumps and I could see her face turn to this pissed look. She wasn't liking the lack of shocks over these bumps. :p

For me my complaints were... well the bumps as X said seriously almost jetted me off my bike while I was trying to get some speed. Of course it probably had something to do with the lack of air pressure in the tires. I like the fact that the bike can gain speed, and feel so great on the road, but it only feels great on almost perfectly smooth road. As far as the geometry goes, or the feel of the bike, I really need some time to get used to this. I really can't stand being hunched over so much. It instills a lack of confidence, and I'm almost terrified of falling in that position. But of course I'm used to the mtb with 3 inches of stack so.... :D I also, don't particularly like the pressure on my joints and hands when I lean all that weight into the handlebars, I find myself not ever using the drop bars and mostly taking a "mtb" grip with the handlebars. I really don't see myself ever using clipless, I mean if this whack bike feel wasn't enough, do I want to be cuffed into clipless pedals? I feel somewhat comfy with the platforms, but I know, they look wayyy off. :lol: Plus they add like 3000 grams to the bike.

Looks like another laugh-fest with Jon. He's got the leaf-angel down, so I guess he's moved on to another challenge: sewage-angels. Yuck.

See? Those bikes aren't roadies. They are UMBs. It pops wheelies. It goes down ditches. Didn't you see the downhill mtb pedals on his bike? And to think it was ME that was getting laughed at for my plat/clipless.:rolleyes:

This has been one of the most hilarious threads I've ever gone through. Photographic evidence of the weirdness people encounter when they come over to the roadie side.

And you shouldn't be putting weight on your hands when you're on the hoods, your weight should be on your saddle. You'll get flexible one day and it'll all become clear.

Holler if you're in Oakland again, I'll ride around with you for the good laughs.

Looks like Siu's bike is a few sizes too small.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Joninwater.jpg

Found out by asking others later on that that "creek" was sewer drainage.

Jon, you don't have to do that - those little round plastic things on the frame are for drinking! :)

Awesome thread, I love it! :beer: It's great to see those big smiles that people have when they get new bikes! It looks like a fun ride, and not so fun crosstraining.


Looks like Siu's bike is a few sizes too small.
I think that's an illusion. She's intentionally more upright and less stretched out due to back issues.


So once he gets a little used to it, he tries a "Higher Ground"
I think you're giving me far too much credit by naming that pose after me. I thought it was a cool avatar picture, but I can't actually ride like that - yet! :o 3MTA3 has said that he can ride like that though.

congrats pheard!!!!!!!! the bike looks awesome!

Nice ride report, and great pics! Jon, be careful with the MTB manuvers on that bike. Carbon tends to just snap under high stress. ;)

Heh. Looked like Landis in that pic with the wheelie.

Would love to see you start wearing a helmet, Jon. Especially in light of yesterday's news....

Siu, you look great on that bike! By the time I get out there, you'll be clipless! And used to ridin' on the hoods. :)
Next thing you need to consider is some red shoe-strings. :D :p

That bike is teh ghey.

yay bike!
Is that a triple I see?

Awesome report Siu and Jon! And congrats on your bikes- they're gawwwwwwgeous! Take it from an MTB guy- you'll get used to the drops real quick. Just remember to put your weight on your butt and use your core for support. Your arms and hands are just there for guidance- don't bear weight on them and you'll be fine.

All the best guys- many happy and safe (what VV said, Jon- helmet time!) miles ahead on those beauties!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Siumtbikerskills.jpg
Nice technique Siu. Keep your knees bent and let your arms and legs take the pounding.

So he tries it out for the very first time. (Look at that face!)

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/Jononbike.jpg
Interesting mounting technique.

jyo, he's gotta be careful not to catch those baggy shorts on the saddle! :eek: And he's not yet used to ridin' on the hoods, so therefore the, um, unusual hand positions. :rolleyes: :p

See? Those bikes aren't roadies. They are UMBs. It pops wheelies. It goes down ditches. Didn't you see the downhill mtb pedals on his bike? And to think it was ME that was getting laughed at for my plat/clipless.:rolleyes:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/478802442_09e9414d26.jpg
mmm...fugly.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z269/PinkyJonJon/Siucheckingoutbike.jpg

Siu staring at the giant. Amazed by the flow of the carbon. :eek:

Coolest shoe laces ever! Nice bikes. Congrats you crazy kids:D

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b23/konarider24/Joninwater.jpg

:lol:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/631824908_43a5e1f978_o.jpg

LOL ... Pheard is good Photoshop meat.

Oh, and I was looking and Siu, mesmerized by her beauty and I wasn't watching where I was going. I went right into a rocky steep ditch. I was screaming. "MY BALLS, my balls!!!". I seriously think I bruised something down there. I don't know how I didn't endo, because I almost lost control of the bike. While Siu, sits there laughing at me. :mad:
While I can understand the reason for your distraction, Grasshopper, you must learn to be one with your surroundings. You must learn to be like the wind: always moving forward, looking everywhere yet looking nowhere. Embrace the zen of the ride.

As Confucius might say: Man who cannot tell road bike from mountain bike ends up with $1400 piece of plastic sculpture with tacos for wheels. :p

jyo, he's gotta be careful not to catch those baggy shorts on the saddle! :eek:
Been there, done that. :o

Looks like Siu's bike is a few sizes too small.

Given that it was custom designed, fitted and made for her, I'm thinking you're incorrect on this one! :D

See? Those bikes aren't roadies. They are UMBs. It pops wheelies...

UMMM, roadies pop monos too:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/robbie1.jpg

and so do track riders.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/stefbrn55/stray%20pics/bayleyandmcewen.jpg

I like the fact that the bike can gain speed, and feel so great on the road, but it only feels great on almost perfectly smooth road. As far as the geometry goes, or the feel of the bike, I really need some time to get used to this. I really can't stand being hunched over so much. It instills a lack of confidence, and I'm almost terrified of falling in that position.

As a recently converted mountain biker, I can say that you'll get used to the position. It takes a few rides to get comfortable with it. Then, just wait until the first time you go back to the mountain bike. I went over the bars twice that day because I was using more of a road positioning than mountain.

As far as the acceleration... just imagine what it will be like with more than 35 PSI in thems tires.