Getting my bike on Saturday!
10-23-07, 07:19 AM
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Getting my bike on Saturday!
Finally, after lurking here and occasionally posting since June, and putting a bike on layaway in mid September, I'm going to be picking up my '07 Specialized Hardrock (satin fire distressed - red) on Saturday. I got active in my employee wellness program in Sept 06, have lost about 35 pounds, and managed to earn a $250 gift card from Scheels. I put the bike on layaway during a model year close out sale, so the cost of the bike is $300. However, since it's been on layaway for almost two months, I've payed for almost half of it already. So on Saturday I'll have about $100 left over to spend on other bike related stuff. I figure a helmet and water bottle/cage will run me another $50, so I'm left with $50 and not sure what to spend it on. My birthday is also this weekend, and I've been asking for cold-weather riding gear so I don't think I'll need any of that stuff. I'll probably get a headlight and blinky rear light for riding in town. Maybe I should get some gloves.
If you had $50 to spend on some basic bike related stuff what would you get?
If you had $50 to spend on some basic bike related stuff what would you get?
10-23-07, 09:06 AM
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10-23-07, 10:26 AM
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When you say to get a multi-tool, is that a bike specific tool? I've already got a nice Gerber multi-tool. . . And yeah, I forgot about the saddle bag to carry my cell phone, some band-aids, other basic first aid stuff. I need to get reading up on my bike maintanence, as I'm quite mechanically inclined but haven't ever worked on a bike before.
I'm REALLY excited especially since there is a nice hardpack/limestone trail about 300' from my house. The trail runs from our town to the west about 8 miles, through a couple other small towns. It's an old railroad right-of-way. It's called the Comet Trail and I think there's some info/maps on the Iowa DNR website if anyone is interested. And if I get bored of the trail, there are infinite miles of gravel roads in all directions. Plus there is a 70 acre lake with a nice trail just a couple miles south of town. And there is a "minimum maintanence" road about a mile south of the lake. I don't think I'll run out of "off-road" anytime soon. Unfortunately it's getting cold - today's high is 50F - so I don't know how long I'll be able to ride until I get some of my cold weather gear put together. I'm SO FREAKIN' EXCITED TO GET MY BIKE!
I'm REALLY excited especially since there is a nice hardpack/limestone trail about 300' from my house. The trail runs from our town to the west about 8 miles, through a couple other small towns. It's an old railroad right-of-way. It's called the Comet Trail and I think there's some info/maps on the Iowa DNR website if anyone is interested. And if I get bored of the trail, there are infinite miles of gravel roads in all directions. Plus there is a 70 acre lake with a nice trail just a couple miles south of town. And there is a "minimum maintanence" road about a mile south of the lake. I don't think I'll run out of "off-road" anytime soon. Unfortunately it's getting cold - today's high is 50F - so I don't know how long I'll be able to ride until I get some of my cold weather gear put together. I'm SO FREAKIN' EXCITED TO GET MY BIKE!
10-23-07, 10:31 AM
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But I can tell you from experience, don't get the $7 multi-tool. It's worth $25-30 for one that will work. The cheap ones strip easy and aren't very strong and break apart with the slightest tension.
I have an alien II.
10-23-07, 01:56 PM
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Think about a helmet mounted mirror too! After you get used to it, they're great. I rode around the block today without my helmet today (which I NEVER do) and can't believe how much I missed being able to see behind me.
Have fun with your new bike.
Have fun with your new bike.
10-29-07, 05:32 AM
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Sorry, I should have been a little more descriptive. "King" is right, spring for the better tools, around $20 and up. The alien is very good, I have a preference for the Crank Brothers tool with chain breaker.
10-29-07, 06:37 AM
#9
Destroyer of Wheels
No...a multi-tool is just a tool with a lot of different sized allen wrenches, screw drivers, etc...
But I can tell you from experience, don't get the $7 multi-tool. It's worth $25-30 for one that will work. The cheap ones strip easy and aren't very strong and break apart with the slightest tension.
I have an alien II.
But I can tell you from experience, don't get the $7 multi-tool. It's worth $25-30 for one that will work. The cheap ones strip easy and aren't very strong and break apart with the slightest tension.
I have an alien II.
Here's an example, the break apart ones are a little easier to work with but buy a separate chain tool even if it comes with it - the ones in the multitool are a PITA to use.
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