WebFootFreak

Well... I pulled my old mountain bike out to see how I would do on a ride. I went 5.4 miles (paced off odometer in van) in 27:25. I started my stopwatch and left it in the house. I know I managed to average over 10mph, but how to get it exactly escapes me.

I did have several thoughts during and after my ride and I'd like to share those thoughts with everyone.

1) my saddle is too low, probably need a setback stem as well.
2) I need a water bottle... badly
3) upgrading to non-knobby tires is a good idea
4) I think my saddle used to be a proctologist in a previous life... 'nuff said
5) need to find electronics. I want to keep up with speed, time and actual distance.

6) this one is a question: what would be a good headlamp? I generally only have time to exercise in the early morning before I get the kids up.

jsigone

how much do you want to spend on a light and how long do you expect to ride (burn time)

this is more light then you'll ever need but flip it on high for the downhill parts and it's CHEAP. Get a larger battery if you want to run it for more then 90min on High, it will last about 3hrs on low w/ the stock battery.
https://www.amazon.com/3800lm-Outdoor...eywords=3x+xml

2 wheeler

Your butt will need to toughen up for things to get better. It's the same with everyone, but the more a person weighs, the more important it is. Until the toughening process takes place, NO saddle will feel very good. Most new riders think they need to get a different saddle right away, not realizing that their bodies need to get used to the seat contact.

Some saddles are just crummy, but that is best determined after the butt break-in period.

WebFootFreak

2 wheeler: well there was one more issue. I didn't say anything because I had to think of a PG-13 way to say it...

I started getting "pins and needles" (like when your foot falls asleep) in a rather unusual area. Um, my wife would be most displeased if I were to injure this area. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and what I need to do, please let me know

jsigone

if ur getting numb, try adjusting the angle some before outright ditching the saddle. Everyone has diff sit bones, so what works for one might not work for you. But at least changing angles is free, also I hope u have some type of padded shorts on.

Mr Sinister

Wear padded shorts and adjust the seat angle. I was always told to have the seat level, but this might not be right for you so try to find an angle that works for you. I would check the seat first and see if the nose is pointed up if it is bring it to a more level position. Also when you get padded shorts (I know I have to do this) pull your self up in the front of the shorts so nothing can get caught on the seat.

Podagrower

I went with one of the Cygolite OSP headlight, (I think the 750?) I really like the small size and profile. Lots of options for strobe and light level. The Sigma wired bike computers are a pretty good value, but nothing beats a free cycling app with your phone. Google's Mytracks lets you track a lot of info, and you can make a spreadsheet out of it as well.

TrojanHorse

I have the real magicshine as well as one of the fakes (here - https://www.amazon.com/Lumen-Bicycle-...door+Headlight) and they're both plenty bright. That one jsigone posted looks really interesting!

I generally like to have two lights at night and if it's near dusk or dawn one of them is in blinky mode.

digibud

I also think it's important to have a headlamp. In the event that you need to get something from your pannier or do a simple repair, having a headlamp makes it super easy as does lighting up the side with a glance. I also use a magicshine which was a real breakthrough in terms of pricing.

10 Wheels

I have two of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Lumen-Bicycle-...-2147483553-20

Great Light for the $$



Computer:

https://dx.com/p/sunding-electronic-b...edometer-24075


Get some bike shorts.

jsigone

the 3x XML is stupid bright for under $50. Great flood and decent throw at high roadie speeds. I mostly use mine for MTB where the flood is needed for twisty singletracks. I also got a 10000ma battery pack for another $30 so I can just burn full blast lumens for 3 hours w/o switching modes

I've even used it for camping in the middle of the desert. Made it easier to pitch the tent and start fire + dinner

Yashica ML 28mm/F2.8 @ 15s around 10pm befor the moon came up

Camping at Anza Borrego park by jsigone, on Flickr

TrojanHorse

I don't see an espresso bar in your cockpit 10 Wheels...

Do you put the battery packs in that bar bag?

10 Wheels

Yep...

awfulwaffle 

Your air horn makes me really happy for some reason.

RubeRad

You've gotten some good recommendations for headlamp already, don't forget you want a red blinkie for the rear as well. You do NOT want to be invisible to cars.

As for electronics, you can buy a sufficient cyclocomputer by Bell from Walmart or Target for about $10. It will track current speed, average speed, max speed, and time, for the current trip (since the last time you reset), as well as maintaining a long-term odometer.

WebFootFreak

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

I've just started using Runtastic on my phone since it will keep up with most of what I want. I'm also going to throw the cheapie Bell electonics so I can not only see current speed, but also keep a running tab on how far I've gone on just the bike. I think I'm also going to start with a single light and flasher combo, then get a second one down the road after I replace my tires and tubes. I think after all that I'll start hoarding all the cash I can and hopefully around the beginning of the year, I'll be in the 250 range and should have about $400-$500 to drop on a hybrid. What I've been looking around at in Memphis (online), I can get a decent entry-level for around $400, and hopefully I'll find a winter special or two to stretch my cash for any needed upgrades...

Wooden Tiger

Off the topic, but how do you like your FJ? I have a '12 Rubicon Unlimited and LOVE it! Real fun vehicles to take off the beaten path!

jsigone

The fj is real nice. last yr i traded in my evoX for an 08' I picked up with all the trimmings for only $19k. Hard to find a Rubi in that price range here in socal. Was on a mission to trim budget for a new baby and still have a fun toy when I wanted to play. The evo was excellent for Mt runs and auto x days, this fj is excellent for the new dirt adventures be it rock crawling or flying down twisty washes at 50+. I have king coilovers, 33s, intake and header in the fj so far. Next I'd like to get a more usable roof rack, the OEM is nice for carrying load only the rear half.

Wooden Tiger

Too funny! Seems we both wound up with the same types of vehicles, but direct competitors.

I had a 2005 STi until it was destroyed in April 2012. We got hit at 55-60 mph from behind, then smashed into another vehicle in front of us. We were stopped. The cop who arrived on the scene told both, my wife and I, that we should have been dead. That kinda left an impression. What can I say, gotta love Subaru safety!

I'd always owned sports/muscle cars, so I figured I'd try something different with the replacement vehicle. I'd always liked Jeeps, but I always overlooked them for performance-related vehicles. I still have my Camaro, so I still have something fairly fast, but I miss the all-around performance of the STi.

Right now my Rubicon is stock, but I've been looking into doing a 2.5"-3.5" lift, 35" wheels/tires, and offroad bumpers. There aren't any places I can offroad around here, which is a shame. Honestly, I could have saved myself a lot of money by getting a Sport, but I have no regrets.

As for handling, I can honestly say my Jeep is the worst handling vehicle I've ever owned. The handling is nothing short of clumsy, disconnected, and it feels downright unstable. It seriously sucks to drive. Despite being such a crappy handling vehicle, I love it, it's just a fun vehicle.

Does the FJ have a solid axle front suspension or is it an independent front suspension?

jsigone

That would be the biggest diff between a fj and jeep. Solid front axle and slower suspension for speed. Fj has independent front like a truck or our old cars. Limited flex from CV boots but I can rip dirt washes at fairly good clip with ass sidewayz but controlled. Yes I miss the crap out of my evo but not the car payments when I have to pay for day care now. I still have a Lexus is250 for that low to ground feeling plus that is a pretty sweet ride too.

TrojanHorse

Can you stuff a bike in the back of those Subaru hot hatches? I'd go get a WRX like, um, now if I could. I can stick my bike in the back of my wife's prius but that's about as fun to drive as a skateboard on the freeway and obviously any big SUV can get 'er done. I'm not really a fan of trunk racks unless i need to tote lots of bikes. For just one, I prefer them to be tucked inside.

tunavic

FJ's are fun i sold mine last year with 188K (2007 model purchased in May 2006) and got really good $$ for it.

@ jsigone, 2014 is the last year for the FJ.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Wooden Tiger

I was almost certain the FJ had a solid axle front suspension; I guess I was wrong! I really like that TRD Tacoma Baja. I love the look of the beadlock-style wheels and just think it's a pretty sporty looking ride. When I bought my Rubicon, I was set on either an F-150 FX4 or the Rubicon, but giving consideration to the H3, FJ, and Tacoma Baja. I wound up with the Rubicon because I just thought the entire package was very appealing; offroad ability, "convertible" top, and the overall Jeep "experience." While it sounds corny, every trip just feels like an adventure, whether it's to the grocery store or from location to location for work; it just makes routine trips "fun."

Not sure if you can stuff a bike into the trunk of a WRX hatchback, but there's no problem stuffing one into the back of my wife's Forester, which is built upon an Impreza platform.

Wow, some cool FJs! I guess my biggest concern with taking an FJ through the rocks would be that I'd damage the independent suspension.

I don't see a whole lot of modded FJs. When I see one, usually it's just a roof rack and wheels, not even a lift or anything. It's a shame.

How is the FJ to see out of? It looks like there'd be a lot of blind spots.

tunavic

The FJ was really popular when it first appeared on the scene in 06 but the downturn in the economy and the poor gas mileage started to really affect sales a few years later and they never recovered.

Modded FJs are a pretty common sight in SoCal. The silver one above was not modded in any way and went on several trail runs. Toyota used to have a "Trails Team" that put on events throughout the country.

Blind spots? Driving an FJ is like being inside of a military tank and peeking out through a vent .

goldfinch

The saddle too low may be contributing to your comfort on the saddle issue. As others suggested, experiment with tilt. Be sure it is level first and at the right height. If that doesn't help, then try tilt, both a bit down at the nose and a bit up.

Nashbar often has good deals on tires, slicks for mountain bikes. Like this tire: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_175439_-1___
Sometimes they have that tire or a similar tire for 10 bucks a tire.

As others have mentioned, the Magicshine type lights are popular and cheap versions can be had for less than 25 bucks . However, quality can be variable. One person gets a great light. Another light quits. You do need a tail lamp. The Radbot is good for the price. https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Desig.../dp/B0030BS30K as is the Planet Blinkie Superflash https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Su...ef=pd_sim_sg_5.