9 months getting into cycling and what I've learned...
06-13-12, 11:04 AM
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9 months getting into cycling and what I've learned...
- Bike shop bike really are that much better than dept store bikes
- Start at least one level about "Tourney" derailleurs. Not horrible but going forward I'll always at least get one or two levels higher.
- Tune ups help!
- Don't use puncture resistant inner tubes at least from Avenir or Sunlit.
- If you don't have the puncture resistant tires, use puncture resistant liner.
- Use bar ends on long trips
Any other advice for someone who's still a novice but learning?
06-13-12, 11:37 AM
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Learn to fix the easy stuff yourself. Drink a lot of water. Cars will always be bigger, faster and more aggressive, so act accordingly. Bring your cell phone.
06-13-12, 02:03 PM
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- Bike shop bike really are that much better than dept store bikes
Yes - Start at least one level about "Tourney" derailleurs. Not horrible but going forward I'll always at least get one or two levels higher.
Don't know what these are, but if they are lowest quality you definitely want better if you can afford to do so. Same with shifters. - Tune ups help!
Yes, but DIY - Don't use puncture resistant inner tubes at least from Avenir or Sunlit.
- If you don't have the puncture resistant tires, use puncture resistant liner.
Just watch where you're going unless you're riding in a thorn and glass-riddled area - Use bar ends on long trips
Are you touring in Mongolia? How long is a long trip?
06-13-12, 02:07 PM
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- Bike shop bike really are that much better than dept store bikes
Yes - Start at least one level about "Tourney" derailleurs. Not horrible but going forward I'll always at least get one or two levels higher.
Don't know what these are, but if they are lowest quality you definitely want better if you can afford to do so. Same with shifters. - Tune ups help!
Yes, but DIY - Don't use puncture resistant inner tubes at least from Avenir or Sunlit.
- If you don't have the puncture resistant tires, use puncture resistant liner.
Just watch where you're going unless you're riding in a thorn and glass-riddled area - Use bar ends on long trips
Are you touring in Mongolia? How long is a long trip?
06-13-12, 02:10 PM
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Bend your elbows.
06-13-12, 02:13 PM
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After 3 or 4 months of riding, you will probably hear the Siren call of a new bike. You will decide that while your trusty old steed was OK for a beginner cyclist, now that you have hundreds of miles under you, it is too heavy/slow/ Fred for your current skill level. If you scratch the itch to "upgrade", the cycle will repeat itself until you run out of room in your garage/apartment/storage shed.
06-13-12, 02:27 PM
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-Someone else is always faster
-The bike isn't what makes you fast
-It is spelled B-R-A-K-E-S
-Everything seems to require a special tool that you don't have yet.
-As far as addictions go, this is a pretty good one to have.
-The bike isn't what makes you fast
-It is spelled B-R-A-K-E-S
-Everything seems to require a special tool that you don't have yet.
-As far as addictions go, this is a pretty good one to have.
06-13-12, 02:35 PM
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True. Cycling can be ridiculously cheap, or somewhat expensive, depending on your need for the latest and greatest gear. But even if you go the expensive route, cycling is still not as expensive as, say, home theater, high end audio, luxury watches, boats, sports cars, motorcycles, or even golf. No need for country club dues, and even if you need to rely on your LBS, the most expensive bike mechanic is nothing compared to, say, what you would pay to maintain/repair an exotic sports car or boat.
06-13-12, 05:02 PM
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After 3 or 4 months of riding, you will probably hear the Siren call of a new bike. You will decide that while your trusty old steed was OK for a beginner cyclist, now that you have hundreds of miles under you, it is too heavy/slow/ Fred for your current skill level. If you scratch the itch to "upgrade", the cycle will repeat itself until you run out of room in your garage/apartment/storage shed.
06-13-12, 05:35 PM
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Discover drop bars.
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06-13-12, 05:46 PM
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06-13-12, 06:34 PM
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I restarted after many years about 9 months ago (initially just to ride around the neighborhood with my wife). Everyone (including several bike shops) said 'don't get drop bars. older guys buy them and discover they're too uncomfortable and hard on the back.' So I started on a bike with straight bars. My hands and wrists were killing me. Within three weeks I bought another bike with drop bars. Felt so much better. If I hadn't done that, I'm not sure I'd have kept riding. As it is, I upgraded again and I'm enjoying more than I ever thought I would.
06-13-12, 09:12 PM
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You gonna eat that?
Originally Posted by bragi 
06-13-12, 11:11 PM
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True. Cycling can be ridiculously cheap, or somewhat expensive, depending on your need for the latest and greatest gear. But even if you go the expensive route, cycling is still not as expensive as, say, home theater, high end audio, luxury watches, boats, sports cars, motorcycles, or even golf. No need for country club dues, and even if you need to rely on your LBS, the most expensive bike mechanic is nothing compared to, say, what you would pay to maintain/repair an exotic sports car or boat.
06-14-12, 04:37 AM
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https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Adv..._8th_Dimension
Learn to eat PIE
Learn the term Tombay
The N +1 Rule https://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6272...boomer-version
Ride safe
- Hey, hey, hey — don't be mean. We don't have to be mean. 'Cause, remember: no matter where you go... there you are.
- There are times when verbal ingenuity is not enough.
- Nobody is nobody. Everyone has something to offer.
Learn to eat PIE
Learn the term Tombay
The N +1 Rule https://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6272...boomer-version
Ride safe
