New member - lots to learn
 

I'm a very young 65 (my Z06 Vette still does 0 - 60 in under 4 seconds). I've been out of biking for a long time - wanted to start again and had sticker shock at the brick & morter dealers. Tried to do a lot of homework on components, brands, models, etc without a pro looking over my shoulder. Wound up ordering a Moto Immoral Spirit (guess that's Immortal). Had a near fatal heart attack in '90 - ended up with no heart muscle damage & 5 bypasses - I'm in great health by the grace of God. I am sick of my treadmill routine - feel like the last dog in a sled dog team - the scenery never changes!

Anyway I spend my days in my home office - I'm an Independent Insurance Agent writing for around a dozen companies so that keeps me out of the pool hall and in groceries and an occasional fill up on the Vette (ouch).

Looking forward to reading good advice from members who unlike me really know what they're doing.

Thanks,
Glen L Pankratz
AKA bojangles5169

Hello Glen, you were very fortunate in not suffering any heart damage with the heart attack. Cycling will keep you on that good road, too. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here, and some really good stories to read.

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions :) !

East Hill
Forum Moderator

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/pinkstar.jpg

Welcome to the forums. I'm over here in Garland.

The best exercise I ever found was hiking uphill, when we lived in Colorado. I don't like jogging, and have no interest in treadmills. Bicycling is sort of a substitute for hiking uphill. It's cooler than walking around here, and uses some muscles in simlar ways. I'm enjoying it. :)

You drive a vette and have trouble with bicycle prices? Something's not right here. :rolleyes:
Get over it and buy a bike. Go to the shop of your choice and tell the owner/manager how often you'll be riding, how many miles, your budget, and get a bike. You won't be sorry.
BTW: I'm right behind you. I'm 63.

Well Ron you caught me - I'm a tightwad! Ended up ordering a Moto Immortal Spirit. I'm just too tight to pay brick & mortar prices. Sure did like the looks of one of the upper end Bianchi bikes though. You should talk to the salesman who sold me the Vette - He's probably still taking meds to settle his nerves. OK - so now give me your opinion on the "Immoral Spirit".

Hello Glen. My grandpa also suffered a heart attack a year ago. He broke his hip and had 2 replacement hips. He has a very bad back. He is also now getting back into biking. If you have any good tips to help him have a more enjoyable ride or know any good things to by him for his bike please send me a pm. Cya around

Tightwad? Most tightwads I know won't pay $400 for a decent hybrid. :rolleyes:
You paid $1600 for the Motobecane but won't go into a bike shop and get full service, including a bike fit on a $1000-$1500 bike? I don't get it.
Anyway, Motobecane is a great bike. Good choice. One of the guys in the shop I work at has a Motobecane in his stable.
I hope you got the right size and it fits.
Of course you know when you get a bike via mail order/online it comes in a box and must be assembled. So pick a shop you think you'll be dealing with for clothing, accessories, etc and have them assemble it. Then post some pictures. :beer:

Welcome. I'm also new and an oldie, though not up to your years yet...59. I'm surprised that, with as many bike shops as are in the DFW area you couldn't find a deal on a bike you liked. But, that does take an investment of time and, these days, gas money. If you haven't put the bike together yet, a bit of expert advice may help. While not new, my 1996 mountain bike is a different animal in the component department than my 1983 road bike. The road bike is easy for me to work on, but, while the mountain bike components are much the same on modern road bikes, they're a bit daunting for this old goat.

Enjoy your new beast, that's what its about.

I got the Big'un
 

I thought if I do most of my own work on the Vette and am an over the hill hot rodder, putting a bike together would be a breeze - the instructions were generic and sucked but really didn't need 'em. Funny thing, I thought the cranks got scratched to thunder in shipping - I was not in the best light - took it out into the sunlight and realized it was only the carbon construction. UPS didn't put a single scratch on it. Now I just need to get over this stomach bug so I can try it out - staying close to the porcelain throne for now. Think I'll get a Schrader adapter - bought a relatively expensive 2 way pump and it won't lock down on those little whatchyoumaycallems! Oh - I lucked out - the standover's just right - it fits.

What pump do you have? If it has a 2-sided head or 2 holes then it will fit.
First unscrew the top of the presta valve.
http://www.matthewsbikes.com/techcor.../presta005.jpg

Then press the pump head (small hole) onto the valve.
Then lift the lever on the pump head to lock it onto the valve.
Start pumping. When you get to the pressure indicated on the side of the tire (probably 100-120 psi) flip the lever back to the non-locking position and remove the head. Screw down the top of the presta valve and replace the cap on the valve.
Wasn't that easy? ;)

I've got a Blackburn 160 lb pump - you just said the magic words though "lift the lever up to lock" - HEY, give me a break - I'm an old f@%#. The old pumps I was used to would lock on the lever down stroke - not up. Thanks a bunch - such a simple thing.

Comfy seat for boney butt?
 

Y'all have been great!!!! My new bike rides like a million. The first time out I didn't want to get off so rode for a couple of hours and my back side looked (and felt) like some of those monkeys you see at the zoo!!! My seat is the one that came on the Moto (Skye) with center cut out and some decent padding for the "bones" in back but was wondering if anybody had any experience with the same style seat but MUCH more comfort - maybe a good gel seat? Some of the prices are sky high so hate to drop a bundle and wind up with basically what I have now. (There's that tight wad thing again) Any suggestions on brand or source - don't mind paying serious bucks if it works.
Thanks again for all the great advice.
bojangles5169@verizon.net

Wish I did but just feeling my way along myself. My only advice would be to pass on what my cardiologist told me about exercise - "it's absolutely essential but listen to your body - it will tell you when you're about to over do it - don't". Hey - if you're young at heart 'ya ain't old!
bojangles5169

Welcome to the forums. Live in Plano, office in Lake Dallas. Know a bit about wrenching on bikes. PM if you ever need any help, we can probably hook up pretty easily.