Back at it ? Maybe just a fad
07-02-15, 12:38 AM
#1
Weak and small
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Location: MKE, WI
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Back at it ? Maybe just a fad
Hi. I'm Spicy. Thanks for having me at your community (as if you had a choice!).
I have decided to start biking to work due to age, senility (I'm 31), health, and carrying 170 lbs on my 5-8 frame. The wife is excited. My office mates, maybe not so much. They don't want to smell me, but I'm going to do it anyway. When I was younger... 15 years ago, a MTB was my only method of transportation. I probably did 1000-2000 miles on it in 2 years until I got my car. Then I dropped it like a hot stone. I looked into refurbing it, but the cost was too high. Needed a new suspension fork or solid fork, all new cables, and tires. LBS said something like $400. Steered me toward trading in for a used flatbar Cirrus.
Until yesterday. I picked up a SS flat bar road bike on the cheap ($80). It's an all steel, Origin-8 Cutler. Shimano brakes and some Kenda 23c super slicks.
I still need to get my headlight, tail light, and helmet from amazon (they're on the way), figure out how to strap the kryptonite lock to it, and maybe look into wider tires. Hopefully I can make the 6 miles in 25 minutes (10 more than driving). As a bonus, I found a combo wrench hiding out in the garage tool box (literally a cardboard box full to the brim with tools), so I should be able to pack it with me when I go places. I'll exit with a few questions.
1) Should I look into a QR skewer for the front wheel?
2) where do I look for the 1" velcro strapping and slip ring for attaching the u-lock?
3) how badly bruised will my ass be in the first week?
4) Did I go massively wrong getting a SS? I thought the price was right and lower maint requirements were the main selling points.
5) I will need to replace my briefcase with a messenger bag to hold my 15" beast of a work laptop. Would rather keep the existing bag, but am not sure on how well it would convert to bike duty. Ideas?
Thanks!
I have decided to start biking to work due to age, senility (I'm 31), health, and carrying 170 lbs on my 5-8 frame. The wife is excited. My office mates, maybe not so much. They don't want to smell me, but I'm going to do it anyway. When I was younger... 15 years ago, a MTB was my only method of transportation. I probably did 1000-2000 miles on it in 2 years until I got my car. Then I dropped it like a hot stone. I looked into refurbing it, but the cost was too high. Needed a new suspension fork or solid fork, all new cables, and tires. LBS said something like $400. Steered me toward trading in for a used flatbar Cirrus.
Until yesterday. I picked up a SS flat bar road bike on the cheap ($80). It's an all steel, Origin-8 Cutler. Shimano brakes and some Kenda 23c super slicks.
I still need to get my headlight, tail light, and helmet from amazon (they're on the way), figure out how to strap the kryptonite lock to it, and maybe look into wider tires. Hopefully I can make the 6 miles in 25 minutes (10 more than driving). As a bonus, I found a combo wrench hiding out in the garage tool box (literally a cardboard box full to the brim with tools), so I should be able to pack it with me when I go places. I'll exit with a few questions.
1) Should I look into a QR skewer for the front wheel?
2) where do I look for the 1" velcro strapping and slip ring for attaching the u-lock?
3) how badly bruised will my ass be in the first week?
4) Did I go massively wrong getting a SS? I thought the price was right and lower maint requirements were the main selling points.
5) I will need to replace my briefcase with a messenger bag to hold my 15" beast of a work laptop. Would rather keep the existing bag, but am not sure on how well it would convert to bike duty. Ideas?
Thanks!
07-02-15, 04:47 AM
#2
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07-02-15, 05:34 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Porter, Texas
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Bikes: Trek Domane 5.2, Ridley Xfire, Giant Propel, KHS AeroComp
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welcome to the forum...yep ask your questions in the commuter section of the forum...
I do not carry anything that does not fit in my jersey pocket or under seat bag.
I do not carry anything that does not fit in my jersey pocket or under seat bag.
