-_RebelRidin'_-

Well, yesterday I decided to take a spin on my bike, a quick 5 mile run. I powered up hills, and flew back down em (road) and then I was riding around a path in the woods, were I found some really cool areas that have potential (natural trails in the woods just screaming to be cleaned up and worked with a bit) and a section of random stairs.

Felt great to get out and fly down the roads (hit 30 mph (50 KPH)on one section, but had to slow down... speed limit is only 25 KPH (approx 15 mph) so I got to heat up the rotor, and really test the brakes on a long, fast downhill decent. made sure everything is tuned in ok.

I discovered that urban riding (the stairs and such) are really fun.
Around here, the grassy hill sides and stuff are actually covered with X shaped bricks, (so grass can still grow, but the hill isnt going to erode away i guess) so it makes for some fun wall ridin' type stuff and insane drops. they also have an area that has 100+ steps going down the hill, I want to hit those up.

Towards the end of my quick little ride, my R.D started to skip around, so I guess the cables and etc. finally settled in, so I'll do some re-adjusting.

(I definately need more gears now, My cruising speed is between 19-21 on the road, and with my current set up its to much spinning and effort to get over 21)

Guess I'm just posting this to express my joy and excitement to actually get out and ride, unlike the other post that was just getting the bike and up/down the street.

Also wanted to share my new-found enjoyment of the urban riding scene, think I may have to look deeper into that.... any ideas/comments? lol

Ill have to get my camera out (found it in a box lol) and take some pictures of the areas I'm talking about, Maybe Y'all can give some ideas of what to do with it.

lofnsjoke

not more gears, just a bigger chainring. a 36 or 40 tooth ring would do it.

or buy a road bike for the road

ca7erham

Doing urban stuff is always fun. Found some new spots around here for some fun.

Zan

19mph on the road is pretty good for a mountain bike... why not just get a proper racing road bike if you're that fast?

dminor 

Glad you had fun. It is exhilarating to get out again after a long time away.

kenhill3

Good for you!

Yes, start posting photos. Very interested in the German riding options.

muzik

deffinatly like 2 see some photos!

-_RebelRidin'_-

Went out again today for a 8 miles, 34 minute jaunt.
Maintained another cruising speed of 19-21 MPH.

I actually had the opertunity to PASS, and not be passed, the cars. (except for the jerk who cut in front of me, I almost ate his back bumper, my rotors where burning hot today lol)

I dont have the money for a road bike, and I'm still a mountain biker, (LOL) I just hadn't found the trails yet =(
I'm talking with this one kid whos an avid biker, Im going to go ride with him, when I do, I'll bring my camera.

Is 19-21 mph, really considered "fast" on the road with a mountain bike with knobbys?
Im running like 55 PSI also, with lockout to help with the hills.


Went to some brick slopes also, did like a 3 foot drop to flat, decided it was to much for my bike and didn't go back LOL.

Zan

i don't average 19mph on my road bike.

if you had a proper road bike, you could do some racing for sure.

edit:

assuming you can maintain that speed for longer than half an hour.

sscyco

8 miles in 34 min is less the 15 mph average

craigcraigcraig

around here 20 mph on a road bike is like cruising speed, not fast by any means but not a walk either. on my fixed gear i ride about 22-24 mph over 15-20 miles, just as reference.

-_RebelRidin'_-

Yes if you do it that way,
Notice I said my average cruise speed is 19-21, on level ground I should add..

The area I ride is a flat area, that connects two giant, long hills, So I power up both of them, that's were it brings my overall average down.
But I'm getting some insane work out and training.
I try to stay in my 7-8 cogs, even on the hills.


After I get back up to where I was when I was racing XC, I should be able to maintain that speed forever (lol)

For me, my biking season has just started.
I'm thinking of switching to my old connection trails, because they are a harder rubber, and I'm not worried about wearing those down, like my current ones.
Going to see if that has any impacts at all.

also, I'll work on those pictures, just need to get to a trail
=)

-_RebelRidin'_-

Oh, and quick question...
My rear V brakes squeal horrrrrrrriiiiibbbbllllyyyyyyyy bad....
what can I do to fix that? if anything..
its a horrific sound.

dminor 

Pad alignment, oftentimes. Pads should be set up with a slight amount of 'toe-in' - - meaning the front (trailing) edges should contact the rim first ever so slightly.

-_RebelRidin'_-

I actually, (believe it or not) had them set up like that, unless they shifted somehow.
Ill be sure to double check before tomorrows ride.

Second thought I'll just re-adjust them and see if that works.
Thanks for the answer, I'll see if that is the problem.

Zan

try cleaning them with some alcohol. maybe your rims are just dirty.

-_RebelRidin'_-

iight, I'll have to go out and get some, lol.

Now my disks squelch as well, I'm going to check the pads and do everything that Chel. was told to do when he had his squelching.

ANother concern, I have discovered an extreme amount of flex in my front end.

When ever Im comming down off the hill, into a traffic circle, or another tight turn, My Rotor begins to rub, not just a touch or nick, but a good solid rub until I pull out of the turn.

I double checked the pad alignment and the trueness of the rotor, it all seems to be perfect.
I even pulled over today and re-did the Quick release and all that.
Is this just something thats expected with lower end components? (I got the suns/deore hubs combo rims)

Got out again to ride, making it a daily thing after school..... Find it releases the stress and makes me feel better at night. Got caught up in one of those wonder full Germany Showers...... Rain drops feel like lead at 20 MPH lol.

I also re-checked my tire pressure, to learn that they were only in the 40's. I cranked them up to 55. I'm definatley going to have to change to the crap tires, because I can already see signs of wear on the Mythos