I've known of the S-A fixed gear hubs for 40 years. (Sheldon Brown used to come to our shop to hang with the mechanic. They both had those hubs though I never saw one.) But what I hear (and heard then) is that they are OK for relatively gentle riding but not aggressive stuff. I'd probably kill one and probably miles from home. Better that I leave them in the hands of others.

Ben

I combat this by not bolting myself to the saddle, so that I can not only stand up, but move independently of the bicycle. It's a pretty good setup.

But does he also have a BELL and CABLE LOCK like I have on my bike????

Oh, stop it!

I did decide to buy locks for my Thule bike rack once I got my "moderately expensive" bike, but I hate to think of needing to have a bike lock WITH the bike when I'm on a trek (no pun intended!) somewhere. I will say, however, that even with my old(er) relatively cheap bike, I would try and park it where it was visible to the checkout counter of any place I stopped along the way...

I remember the days when there were no seat bags. Hardcore road riders strapped a spare tubular (nobody used clinchers back then) under the saddle with a toe clip strap, and carried a full length Silca. Some extra cautious riders carried a 2nd spare tubular in their jersey pocket.

Exactly, you've just awakened old memories, I think the sewups I had were Criterium Setas and still have the Silca pumps. Oh and a banana in the back pocket. Think the year was the early 1970's.

Those Clement Criterium Setas were the best! Yes, I'm talking late '60s-early '70s.

Nope. Peter Sagan is the one with the bell

https://cyclingtips.com/2012/07/chas...blown-to-bits/

Mine is a 1970's era MICKEY MOUSE bell in pristine condition 2" Mickey Mouse Butterfly Net Bicycle Bike Bell Walt Disney Productions Vtg | eBay

Thank you... I have recently gotten back into cycling after gastric bypass surgery and a 25 year haitus. One thing I noticed when starting my research into which type of bike to get, accessories, etc... that there seemed to be a lot of "unwritten" rules regarding cycling. There seems to be a level of snobbery that some seem to operate at that is not necessary. I am golfer as well (9 - 12) hdcp and I encourage people to play regardless of their skill level, just get out and play and keep up with the group in front of you.

Back to cycling. I recently rode in an organized ride and the course I chose was 53 miles. I completed it (personal best for me) and when I was coasting back to my vehicle I went by the "I just completed my first century ride banner" that you could have your picture taken in front of and I noticed the person standing in front of banner: crossbar road bike, big bag on a rack over the rear tire, yoga pants, t-shirt and tennis shoes, flat pedals, no clips. point, she went out on her bike, rode it, probably had fun and completed a century ride.

I seem to fall into your ideology, just go out and ride....

A fine choice. You apparently take your humor as seriously as you do your safety.

You can find the "unwritten" rules written down, but my suggestion is: don't bother. Just go ride, and do it safely. Nobody else really even cares. Really.

Some would argue that cycling has become this decade's golf: a social activity for the upper middle class to go out and blow their disposable income on equipment that only helps their ability so much

No, no, no ... if you are enjoying yourself you aren't serious enough. This isn't about enjoying yourself or enriching your life. Read the unwritten rules.

As can non-"Pros", anytime, anywhere; end of story.

Was your post that new thing called "sarcasm" or were you serious in saying "it's always felt better to carry myspare tube, patch kit, tyre lever, mini pump, allen keys, €20, phone & keys in my jersey pockets"?
Really?!? All that in a jersey pocket is more efficient than a bike bag? Amazing...

I just completed my first century three weekends ago, and I did it on my hybrid with flat "rat trap" pedals & Greenfield stabilizer kickstand while wearing regular tennis shoes, polyester workout shirt & shorts. I did get pictures at the start/finish line but unfortunately they didn't have a "I just completed my first century ride" banner. That really would have been nice.

But I just went out to do a nice bike ride, and if possible ride the whole 102 miles. Yes, most everyone else had spandex jerseys and high dollar bikes, some were going to do a very serious ride and try to complete the whole thing in 4 hours. I was just out there to have fun and see how far I could go.

Whenever pros show up to the local Saturday ride in the winter, they've got saddlebags and pumps.

That's obviously a MTB version, where's the svelte roadie version? Maybe i should visit the Army Surplus Store for a vintage edition.

[MENTION=392125]79pmooney[/MENTION]
Credits for cool head in this thread.

other than the mini pump I regularly carry those in the jersey. The bike does feel marginally better without a bag on the back when sprinting and standing.

Here is the roadie version

My friends and I did many centuries on heavy MTBs with racks, bags, etc. The Rules don't apply to those!

Back in the day, I did ten days of centuries on a fully loaded touring bike ... 80 or so pounds of gear on a 30+-pound bike.

I did not have a saddle bag or a purse.

Now that "those days" are over ... the Rules don't apply to me either. I am too old and fat to be a "cyclist;" I am just a guy on a bicycle nowadays. i still don't carry a purse ... but I have a saddle bag on every bike sometimes carry a fanny pack. Once you step onto that slippery slope ....