Getting (re)started
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Getting (re)started
Hi. Am 57 & started bike commuting about years ago & try to get in 50-100 mi. per week. Two years ago, I trained w/ Team-in-Training & did a century at Tahoe with them. This year, some assorted locals are getting together to do the Markleeville Challenge (Death Ride) in July. It would be far beyond what I have ridden before, but I am going to start training as soon as my shoulder, which I injured recently, heals.
I live in Santa Clara. There are mountains to the East and West, the weather is usually OK, and there are interested riders of all levels to ride with.
I ride a Trek 7900 hybrid, which seems to go with my age and size- 215 lb. Recently got some great wheels built by Shaw's cycles. Them puppies is sturdy.
P.S. My wreck was caused by ignoring worn out cogs when replacing the chain.
I live in Santa Clara. There are mountains to the East and West, the weather is usually OK, and there are interested riders of all levels to ride with.
I ride a Trek 7900 hybrid, which seems to go with my age and size- 215 lb. Recently got some great wheels built by Shaw's cycles. Them puppies is sturdy.
P.S. My wreck was caused by ignoring worn out cogs when replacing the chain.
#2
HomeBrew Master!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: West Central Illinois
Posts: 2,208
Bikes: Aegis Aro Svelte, Surly LHT, Cannondal R3000 tandem, Santana Triplet.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Welcome to Bikeforums Grizz! You'll like it here!
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Hi!! Welcome.
I am curious as to why you have relegated yourself to a hybrid?? I am 62 years old, weigh about 225 lbs and have ridden a Lemond Buenos Aires road bike (GREAT BIKE) for 3 years and 6,600 miles without a bit of wheel trouble, using stock Mavic 32 spoke wheels. I think someone has you convinced that you need special wheels for your weight. You don't. (When I first got the bike I had the wheel spokes properly tensioned by the LBS)
P.S. I also have a Specialized Mtn Bike with 6,600 miles also with never replaced stock Hard Rock 36 spoke wheels (althoug I seem to have just a little bit if a bearing sound from the front wheel, my LBS says NOT TO WORRY!!) He pulled the bearings and inspected them and says they have a couple of thousand more miles in them.
Anyway, if you are going to do serious road riding, dump the hybrid. Get a road bike.
I am curious as to why you have relegated yourself to a hybrid?? I am 62 years old, weigh about 225 lbs and have ridden a Lemond Buenos Aires road bike (GREAT BIKE) for 3 years and 6,600 miles without a bit of wheel trouble, using stock Mavic 32 spoke wheels. I think someone has you convinced that you need special wheels for your weight. You don't. (When I first got the bike I had the wheel spokes properly tensioned by the LBS)
P.S. I also have a Specialized Mtn Bike with 6,600 miles also with never replaced stock Hard Rock 36 spoke wheels (althoug I seem to have just a little bit if a bearing sound from the front wheel, my LBS says NOT TO WORRY!!) He pulled the bearings and inspected them and says they have a couple of thousand more miles in them.
Anyway, if you are going to do serious road riding, dump the hybrid. Get a road bike.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 02-18-02 at 07:28 PM.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, let's see. Denvr. I more or less selected the hybrid (by the way, that was 5 years ago) because I wanted something general purpose that would be good, for example, riding loaded during commutes that start at 5:30am in an urban area. The carbon tubes make it seem pretty sporty, at least to me.
I had many broken spokes and nipples pulled out of wheels. Many of the spokes broke at the bend at the hub. My new Phil hubs seem to address that.
I ended up w/a 36-spoke rear w/drive side tied and soldered, but 32 still seems good for the front.
I am considering a road frame for future rides, but my wallet says wait until next season. I tend to hammer when I ride, so I don't plan to stint on critical components. I am riding for 1)safety, 2)fun, 3)exercise, 4)our dear environment. I seem to go fast enough, and perhaps I get more #3 and just as much #2 on a hybrid in the same distance. Truth be told, I am kind of competitive & I love it when I can hang w/ some roadies.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe there should be a forum for "Clydesdales"?
I had many broken spokes and nipples pulled out of wheels. Many of the spokes broke at the bend at the hub. My new Phil hubs seem to address that.
I ended up w/a 36-spoke rear w/drive side tied and soldered, but 32 still seems good for the front.
I am considering a road frame for future rides, but my wallet says wait until next season. I tend to hammer when I ride, so I don't plan to stint on critical components. I am riding for 1)safety, 2)fun, 3)exercise, 4)our dear environment. I seem to go fast enough, and perhaps I get more #3 and just as much #2 on a hybrid in the same distance. Truth be told, I am kind of competitive & I love it when I can hang w/ some roadies.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe there should be a forum for "Clydesdales"?
#5
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
>>I am considering a road frame for future rides, but my wallet says wait until next season. I tend to hammer when I ride, so I don't plan to stint on critical components. I am riding for 1)safety, 2)fun, 3)exercise, 4)our dear environment. I seem to go fast enough, and perhaps I get more #3 and just as much #2 on a hybrid in the same distance. Truth be told, I am kind of competitive & I love it when I can hang w/ some roadies.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe there should be a forum for "Clydesdales"?
I felt the same way when I had only my mtn bike. But, after I got my roadie, WHAT A CHANGE. It truly was a different riding experience.
Sorry about all your wheel trouble. I pound pretty good myself. Guess I have been pretty lucky - also have had a great LBS, who took good care of me.
Have fun.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe there should be a forum for "Clydesdales"?
I felt the same way when I had only my mtn bike. But, after I got my roadie, WHAT A CHANGE. It truly was a different riding experience.
Sorry about all your wheel trouble. I pound pretty good myself. Guess I have been pretty lucky - also have had a great LBS, who took good care of me.
Have fun.
#6
Donating member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Faversham, Kent, UK
Posts: 1,852
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Welcome to the forums.
There are a fair few of us the right side of 200lb
Richard
There are a fair few of us the right side of 200lb
Richard
__________________
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)