General Cycling Discussion - First ride.....ever!

Well about a month (maybe a little less) ago I came on here and asked for opinions on a first bike. I was told that the Trek 1000 I was looking at would be a good first bike. So I got one. My girlfriend and I took our bikes out today (rain, wind, 55 degrees) and I'm hooked for life. I can't believe I have been missing out on something so great for so long!


Just wanted to share :p


Justin

Welcome to the madness. What's this week's upgrade?

55/Rad

Your partner's into cycling too! You are the lucky one!

Your partner's into cycling too! You are the lucky one!
No he ain't. All cycling should come with a health warning. "Cycling can seriously damage your wallet" with two bikes to maintain, repair, upgrade and eventually move on to something better, this is going to be expensive. I suppose the alternative is sitting around, getting overweight, drinking too much, health problems, big medical bills, and then moaning about evreything possible that will cut your benefit as you will have to give up work.
In the 15 years since I took up cycling, I have had to give up drinking, gambling, smoking, and all those other enjoyable vices that take money away from the one thing that I enjoy. Mind you, I am fitter, stronger, happier, older(Unfortiunately), and skint.

Congrats on the first ride. Image that ride in really nice weather!!! Even though I am new at this, I know that it only gets better..

So far my experience is that even though biking isn't cheap, it is a lot cheaper than what my husband puts into golf clubs and playing golf....

Yeah I can't wait for the weather to get warmer. As far as upgrades, I'm not sure yet. I know I need to get shoes and some new shorts and a front rim (mine wobbles a bit) and a tune up. But the tune up is coming first (bought the bike used) and should be done on Monday.

Its crazy how expensive this hobby is. Its like a really healthy version of crack. You can't help but buy buy buy. I need to invest in stocks for this ;)

I know I need to get shoes and some new shorts and a front rim (mine wobbles a bit) and a tune up. But the tune up is coming first (bought the bike used) and should be done on Monday.

What I would do in order of most important things first:

1) Get the front wheel trued. It should cost about $10 - $15 at the LBS. If your front wheel isn't true, you might have a problem with your brakes. An alternative is to get an spoke wrench and do it yourself. There is a very good piece on Ken Kifer's page that explaines how to do it. Here's the link:

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/spokes.htm

2) Get the shorts. They make a world of difference. You'll be able to go faster and further. I suggest buying your first pair at the LBS or a well-stocked sporting goods store. That way you can try them on. After that, you might check out ebay. (they're cheaper there)

3) As far as the shoes/cleats go, take your time. I'm assuming that the 1000 comes with toe clips. These should do you just fine for a while. Wait until the LBS has a sale on the shoes. I bought mine (Shimano M-070 a discontinued model) for $30 at Sport Chalet. Check out Nashbar or Performance for pedals.

Cycling can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Just be Intelligent about where you spend your hard-earned dollars.

Cycling can be expensive? Who knew? :p Oh how true it is. When I got back into mountain biking last October, I figured "okay, I'll get a bike, a pair shorts and some shoes and I'll be set..."

Okay, stop laughing.

Here are just a few of my other investments over the past 6 months:

helmet, gloves, shorts, knee warmers, jerseys, cycling (wicking) jacket, shoes, new pedals, cyclocomputer (with HRM), mini pump, saddle wedge, lights (front and rear), hitch rack for transport, cleaning/maintenance supplies...

It's a bit frightening, but I'm guessing most here can identify. Now, for the best part - I'm now considering a ROAD BIKE in order to do some charity rides this summer! Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Somebody stop me... :D

It only gets expensive when you've got n+1 bikes. Think about it; you can replace the entire drive train of a bicycle for what it costs for a couple of tires for your car...

In the 15 years since I took up cycling, I have had to give up drinking, gambling, smoking, and all those other enjoyable vices that take money away from the one thing that I enjoy. Mind you, I am fitter, stronger, happier, older(Unfortiunately), and skint.

Something tells me that drinking, gambling and smoking would have left you even more skint than you are now.

It's not so expensive with slight mechanical aptitude, regular old street clothes, used, and or pieced together bikes, and platform pedals. (and friends at a bike shop - this could involve a donation of a case of beer?!?!)

Glad to hear you're happy, it makes me happy hearing stories like this. Only some of the above is true for me, by the way...

I'll look at those links and see what I can find. My bike has little peddles with what look like step in bindings (snowboarding term) I'm assuming this is for shoes to clip into. I am going to have the bike checked out on Monday to see what the shop says need done.

I'm not really sure about much on this bike to be honest. I noticed that a few things were changed out (derailer (ultegra on there now), saddle, peddles, tires, rims) so I want them to go over it and tell me what else would be good. Are shops notorious for saying a bunch of things you "need"? Or will they give me good advice? I will post my entire bikes setup one of these days and let you guys/gals rip it all apart.

Anyone know of any events here in columbus?

Yea, our first ride of the year was a chilly one ;) We planned on going out all day, soon as we actually step out the door, it started to rain. I suppose that is Ohio for ya.. We rode anyway :D We both have new (used) bikes.. mine is a Trek 1500, also with a few upgrades. Last we rode from Columbus to Cleveland on Specialized Mt. bikes, so having road bikes this year will make a life's difference..we plan to go all the way to Ashtabula this July. We couldn't be happier with the decision to get road bikes! They are a drain on the pocket tho, slowly but surely. ;) It's all worth it...

Thanks for all your input for us guys...

All cycling should come with a health warning. "Cycling can seriously damage your wallet"

When someone asks me how much my bike costs and says " Man I can buy a bike from Walmart for a $100 !" I say, How much is it to buy quality; Golf clubs, bass/sailing/speed boat, hotrod car,scuba gear, shotgun or woodworking tools.
Add up the cost of accessories for any pastime and I think cycling is cheap.

went out on a ride today. sunday, 3/21. 7am to9am. 30 degrees, 12-15 mph westernly winds and lake effect snow flurries. it was good to get reaquainted with my bike, some of my newly paved route, my newly found early season endurance and power.

my point is that even after all these years, the first few rides of each year is new and exciting.

my point is that even after all these years, the first few rides of each year is new and exciting.[/QUOTE]

Good point. Looking forward to many more to come then ;)

When someone asks me how much my bike costs and says " Man I can buy a bike from Walmart for a $100 !" I say, How much is it to buy quality; Golf clubs, bass/sailing/speed boat, hotrod car,scuba gear, shotgun or woodworking tools.
Add up the cost of accessories for any pastime and I think cycling is cheap.
I only have one vice, once the household bills are paid, and that is cycling. 3 bikes, 2 x Mountain and 1 x mountain tandem, The solos are well sorted, came with suitable parts bolted to them and the only cost for them is maintenace. Not a fantastic amount in any ones terms, about £200 per year between the two. The Tandem though is a different matter. Bought for an arm and a leg 2 years ago, spent around £900 on upgrades last year, and this year has so far cost in excess of £1000. Luckily I can afford it but the Holiday in the Bahamas is on hold again for another year.
Honestly, barring breakages, maintenance does not cost a great deal. I am lucky in that I do all my own maintenance, but that is part of my enjoyment on cycling. It does not matter whether you have the latest ultra lightweight very expensive, best in the world bike when you start off, or a department store special. The enjoyment is the same whatever your bike. The only difference comes about when distance or hills come into the equation. And I will still bet that the fit rider on a wallmart special, will beat the poser that paid out all that money, but can't use it

And I will still bet that the fit rider on a wallmart special, will beat the poser that paid out all that money, but can't use it


I'm a horrible rider. I can only ride 1 or 2 times a week and I don't care anything about going fast. 15 mph average is a GOOD day for me. I put mountainbike gearing on my 25 pound Motobecane Mirage roadbike ( cheap bike). At the Hilly Hundred
bike ride I see all kinds of riders. You pass some but get passed alot at my speed.
Still I have seen people stopped halfway up a steep hill on their $2500 bikes, with racing gearing and team jerseys, muscles locked-up and gasping for air. Then theres people wearing jeans riding Walmart bikes that blow by you like your sitting still. Some ride for pride, some ride for fun :D

I'm a horrible rider. I can only ride 1 or 2 times a week and I don't care anything about going fast. 15 mph average is a GOOD day for me. I put mountainbike gearing on my 25 pound Motobecane Mirage roadbike ( cheap bike). At the Hilly Hundred
bike ride I see all kinds of riders. You pass some but get passed alot at my speed.
Still I have seen people stopped halfway up a steep hill on their $2500 bikes, with racing gearing and team jerseys, muscles locked-up and gasping for air. Then theres people wearing jeans riding Walmart bikes that blow by you like your sitting still. Some ride for pride, some ride for fun :D
If you are refering to the Horrbily Hilly Hundred in Mt. Horeb, I just finished that ride yesterday and it was brutal! I was one of those guys with an expensive bike walking up the last 3.5 mile (910 foot) climb. That is truely the most difficult ride in the Midwest!

Well about a month (maybe a little less) ago I came on here and asked for opinions on a first bike. I was told that the Trek 1000 I was looking at would be a good first bike. So I got one. My girlfriend and I took our bikes out today (rain, wind, 55 degrees) and I'm hooked for life. I can't believe I have been missing out on something so great for so long!
Just wanted to share :p
Justin

I see someone's a simpsons comic book guy fan, heh.
Enjoy the feeling, my girlfriend and I started with fairly low end bikes and in the past year upgraded through like 4 bikes. This hobby's gonna cost ya... next thing you know you'll want a carbon road bike.

I see someone's a simpsons comic book guy fan, heh.
Enjoy the feeling, my girlfriend and I started with fairly low end bikes and in the past year upgraded through like 4 bikes. This hobby's gonna cost ya... next thing you know you'll want a carbon road bike.

Oh how true it is! Since I wrote this post about a month or so ago I've changed out the cranks, the pedals, and gotten tune-ups on both bikes :P The funny thing is I see the money just go right by, but don't really care. The fact of being poor just diminishes as soon as I'm out on it. Honestly, I can't wait to get a new bike. But I want this one to last me a few crashes ;)

While at the LSB I was looking it a carbon bike. Don't think I'm ready for the 2500 dollar investment yet :P Give me a couple more weeks *cackle*

Justin

Oh how true it is! Since I wrote this post about a month or so ago I've changed out the cranks, the pedals, and gotten tune-ups on both bikes :P The funny thing is I see the money just go right by, but don't really care. The fact of being poor just diminishes as soon as I'm out on it. Honestly, I can't wait to get a new bike. But I want this one to last me a few crashes ;)

While at the LSB I was looking it a carbon bike. Don't think I'm ready for the 2500 dollar investment yet :P Give me a couple more weeks *cackle*

Justin

Heh I hate to be a downer, but how much do you estimate you spent on upgrading your bikes? At times, it might be cheaper just to save up your money in a jar for every upgrade then throw in a little more at the end and go for the carbon or titanium bike.

"Cycling can seriously damage your wallet"

If only someone warned me.

For me the quest to be a successful weight weenie has cost ...well more than I'm willing to admit. ;)

....Its crazy how expensive this hobby is. Its like a really healthy version of crack. You can't help but buy buy buy. I need to invest in stocks for this ;)

Relax...the big buy is over, the rest is all savings i.e.:

18 holes of golf = $15+ for the green fees + $2-5$ in balls + $20 for the cart ( don't try to play with out one)

Bass Fishing = $30,000 truck to pull your $30,000 boat + $100/month to store the boat cause its to big to park at the house.

Pick a hobbie....and I dare you to find a cheaper one. :)

For me the quest to be a successful weight weenie has cost ...well more than I'm willing to admit. ;)
For me the issue isn't strictly cost, but cost vs. benefit. I find it hard to spend tons of money to shave a few grams off my bike while I'm carrying around at least 25 pounds of extra weight on my body ;)

If I reach the point where my shadow disappears when I turn sideways I'll start worrying about shaving grams off the bicycle components...

For me the issue isn't strictly cost, but cost vs. benefit. I find it hard to spend tons of money to shave a few grams off my bike while I'm carrying around at least 25 pounds of extra weight on my body ;)

If I reach the point where my shadow disappears when I turn sideways I'll start worrying about shaving grams off the bicycle components...
LOL. I hear that. I lost 12 pounds since December. I lost 5 pounds yesterday alone on a particularly tough ride.
I generally don't buy to shave off grams until a part "needs" to be replaced. When the "need" arrises the part is always replaced with a lighter and better component.

GOOD FOR YOU!
now get ready to work for the bike.. You will drool over a shiny new cassette like it was a naked supermodel.. Every time you get some spare change you would wonder what it could buy, a new stem? Can wait for Christmas to get new wheels?

I was caught by surprise when I got my member statement from Performance Bike, and I realized how much money I was spending.. :D

But it is worth every penny.. it is fun, cool, and good for you too..

SinGate, congratulations on your HHH ride. I was registered but couldn't get off work. I drove the route about a month ago and ONLY rode the last 3 miles two times. There is no way I could ride that last 3 miles after 100 miles. I won't tell you how many times I had to stop to catch my breath. (I have asthma and am overweight.)

This hobby's gonna cost ya... next thing you know you'll want a carbon road bike.

My wife says that I can pick up a carbon road bike, when I find one that's a good steal at a garage sale. This is a big consession, because she previously forbade me from bringing any more "junk" home from these sales.

My wife says that I can pick up a carbon road bike, when I find one that's a good steal at a garage sale. This is a big consession, because she previously forbade me from bringing any more "junk" home from these sales.

Hrm. I have another consession... what garage sales are you patroning, that offer Carbon Road Bikes?! heh.. I am in the wrong part of town apparently. :D I don't think I would forbade Pl8er (my beau) from bringing home "that" piece of junk though ;)