Do you, as a 50+'r, have a bike you can just jump on and ride, and do you?
#51
Senior Member
I have 2 bikes I can just jump on and ride w/no special clothes (other than a helmet). I live about a mile from a little shopping center w/a grocery store; I'll ride up there to fetch something, go the Starbucks next door to the grocery, etc.
My daughter's horse also is at a barn about a mile or so from our house; I'll frequently just jump on a bike to watch her ride or do some chore for the horse (there are always chores w/a horse).
My daughter's horse also is at a barn about a mile or so from our house; I'll frequently just jump on a bike to watch her ride or do some chore for the horse (there are always chores w/a horse).
#52
Pedal pusher...
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,766
Bikes: I've got a bunch...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Since I no longer drive I keep the Marin hybrid just outside my front door, with panniers already mounted and a basket nearby if I need more carry space. It has BMX pedals and flat bars w/ends.
__________________
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,960
Bikes: Trek Domane 4.5, Trek 1500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
no. I have my main road bike (Trek 1500) and my backup/rainy day road bike (Trek 1000). Both of those have Shimano M520 pedals. I have platform pedals on an old Diamondback mtb. If I get a carbon road bike in the next 2-3 years, the 1000 will become a commuter/all around bike.
I would hope that I would always wear a helmet. The only exception might be if I am just taking a test ride around the block.
I would hope that I would always wear a helmet. The only exception might be if I am just taking a test ride around the block.
#54
Legs; OK! Lungs; not!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Posts: 2,096
Bikes: ''09 Motobecane Immortal Pro (Yellow), '02 Diamondback Hybrid, '09 Lamborghini Viaggio, ''11 Cervelo P2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
4 Posts
I have my son's Trek 4100 (26") which I've adapted, and my son-in-laws Mongoose Paver (700c) I just "inherited".
The Trek has Nashbar Rodeo pedals so I can wear my bike sandels or just my usual sandels. It has lights and a water bottle holder. It also has MTB tires, so it's not so conducive to road, but great on the paths and levees.
The paver has platforms and a rear pannier, and commuter tires. No lights yet, but I have several snap on should I ever need them. I've got a few spare rear lights I'll have to install one on the seat post.
I always hear a helmet unless I'm just doing a road test on the cul de sac.
The Paver is the bike of choice for most little errands.
The Trek has Nashbar Rodeo pedals so I can wear my bike sandels or just my usual sandels. It has lights and a water bottle holder. It also has MTB tires, so it's not so conducive to road, but great on the paths and levees.
The paver has platforms and a rear pannier, and commuter tires. No lights yet, but I have several snap on should I ever need them. I've got a few spare rear lights I'll have to install one on the seat post.
I always hear a helmet unless I'm just doing a road test on the cul de sac.
The Paver is the bike of choice for most little errands.
#55
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Yep. Though if it's over 10-12 miles I admit I like to kit up.
fixed gear bike by ccorlew, on Flickr
fixed gear bike by ccorlew, on Flickr
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Hampton Roads VA
Posts: 1,787
Bikes: '07 Trek 520, '09 Gary Fisher Triton, '04 Trek 8000, '85 Trek 500, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 510, '88 Trek 660, '92 Trek 930, Trek Multitrack 700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My Trek 520. It is equiped with clipless/platform pedals so I can wear anything from work boots to my SPD sandals. I'll ride to lunch, various stores ( I get a kick out of riding to the auto parts store to pick up parts ), meetings for work, visits to friends etc... I generaly won't " kit up " for rides under 20 miles or so.
__________________
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
#57
The Professor
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Posts: 899
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
My Surly Big Dummy serves this purpose.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,119
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1576 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
602 Posts
As a 50+'r, do you have a bike for which you don't have to "get ready" to ride. I mean, slip on a pants leg clamp or wear regular shorts, put on the helmet and gloves, no special bike clothes or shoes, and just take off with about 2 minutes preparation - to do errands, cruise the neighborhood or whatever - and do you do that?
what bike?
what do you do when you ride like that?
what bike?
what do you do when you ride like that?
OTOH, one knows what you mean ... still no!
I have two bicycles; one is a light hardtail mtb, the other a Spec Sirrus. I am 'ready to ride' either (which one depends on mood and reason for riding) with about two-three minutes prep. Both have Shimano XT spds; I intensely dislike riding with flat pedals, and equally dislike waddling about off the bike like a pregnant duck in 'road' shoes/cleats. I use good spd-touring shoes, which look just fine on/off the bike, with shorts or longs, and are easy to walk in.
So, rides under 30 minutes: whatever I'm wearing, grab helmet/gloves, put on shoes, pinch tires, go. One-two minutes max. Rides over 30 minutes: change into cycling shorts/jersey, grab helmet/gloves, put on shoes, pinch tires, go. Two-three minutes max. Can't for the life of me see where '15 minutes' comes into play, but each to his/her own.
Obviously, colder weather requires a little more prep, and I suppose if one is aiming for the perfect 'look' of a "real" cyclist, then perhaps one's preparations need to be a little more extensive.
#59
aka Phil Jungels
Yep, it's an 08 Specialized Crosstrail - a great do it all bike......
#60
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mountains of Southern New Mexico
Posts: 38
Bikes: 08 Orbea Orca
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've got a Trek Pilot with Shimano 520 pedals along with a rack and panniers. The only problem being is I just don't get on it often enough.
#61
Senior Member
This thread reminds me of the bikes I used to make to ride to work. I lived in a small city and worked at the Municipal Bldg. in the Engineer's office. It was only a 1.5 mile ride. 'Old-fashioned' pedals, a 3-speed hub with coaster brake plus a front caliper brake, 'upright' bar. Velcro pants strap, helmet and gone. I used to ride home for lunch too, so that was 6 miles a day. I had (still have) a Trek 420 Touring for my club rides, etc., plus 'mountain' bikes.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
This is my "shopping bike".
It's a Stumpjumper I bought back when suspension forks were new and exotic. I think the salesman sold me a frame that is one size too small. I jacked up the seatpost and rode it for years. A couple of years ago I bought a Rockhopper frame that's the right size and built it up (with one of those exotic suspension forks!) The Stumpy became the shopping bike. I bought a new Nitto stem that jacked up the bars so they're almost even with the saddle. I hooked up the Bob trailer (which, after one tour, I decided is not my favorite rig for touring.) I also put the plastic rack trunk on it. It has a lock on it - nice for locking things up outside of shopping centers.
This past winter my wife's minivan was in the shop for a couple of weeks and she needed my truck to take to work. I used the shopping bike to get around, visit my dad across town, and go to the store to buy food for dinner.
When I was in college I rode to school in jeans, with a velcro strap around my right pantleg. I have a velcro strap I use with the shopping bike, which I ride in jeans. It's like old times!
It's a Stumpjumper I bought back when suspension forks were new and exotic. I think the salesman sold me a frame that is one size too small. I jacked up the seatpost and rode it for years. A couple of years ago I bought a Rockhopper frame that's the right size and built it up (with one of those exotic suspension forks!) The Stumpy became the shopping bike. I bought a new Nitto stem that jacked up the bars so they're almost even with the saddle. I hooked up the Bob trailer (which, after one tour, I decided is not my favorite rig for touring.) I also put the plastic rack trunk on it. It has a lock on it - nice for locking things up outside of shopping centers.
This past winter my wife's minivan was in the shop for a couple of weeks and she needed my truck to take to work. I used the shopping bike to get around, visit my dad across town, and go to the store to buy food for dinner.
When I was in college I rode to school in jeans, with a velcro strap around my right pantleg. I have a velcro strap I use with the shopping bike, which I ride in jeans. It's like old times!
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 799
Bikes: Pacific Reach, Strida
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
All my bikes are that kind! Most of my riding is utilitarian. I often just wear a helmet, high-vis jacket, gloves, and regular clothing. If I were riding trails on the mountain bike, or if weather/road conditions were bad, I'd add more protective gear. I don't even own a bike jersey, shorts, or specialized shoes.
#64
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,776
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 3,394 Times
in
1,928 Posts
Sure. Errands, commuting, downtown, whatever:
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
puma1552
Hybrid Bicycles
73
05-21-17 04:06 PM