True 'Newbie' to Cycling
10-07-11, 11:19 PM
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True 'Newbie' to Cycling
Hi all,
Been interested in cycling for some time but never actually initiated it until recently. Hoping to obtain my first bike soon and gain more wisdom and insights about this hobby over time.
Been interested in cycling for some time but never actually initiated it until recently. Hoping to obtain my first bike soon and gain more wisdom and insights about this hobby over time.
10-08-11, 12:01 PM
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Welcome! What kind of biking are you looking to get into?
10-10-11, 07:37 AM
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Thanks for the welcome everyone!
Well, and perhaps my vision of this might be wrong, but I am looking into a SS/FG (likely flipflop so I can transition if necessary). The reasons being that I would like to learn as much as I can about bike mechanics, anatomy, and physics theories. The SS/FG seemed like a very simplistic model to learn from and slowly expand toward fixed gears (probably cylcocross or mountain bikes).
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
Well, and perhaps my vision of this might be wrong, but I am looking into a SS/FG (likely flipflop so I can transition if necessary). The reasons being that I would like to learn as much as I can about bike mechanics, anatomy, and physics theories. The SS/FG seemed like a very simplistic model to learn from and slowly expand toward fixed gears (probably cylcocross or mountain bikes).
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
10-10-11, 09:47 AM
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Welcome to Bike Forums.
Hobby??? It's more like an addiction. 
I've seen cyclists in north FL (flat) and south GA (flat) riding over a highway overpass and are using all the gears they have to get up and over. You may want to rethink the gear thing.
A cyclocross bike would be great for road riding and off-road riding.
Originally Posted by jlieu
Hi all,
Been interested in cycling for some time but never actually initiated it until recently. Hoping to obtain my first bike soon and gain more wisdom and insights about this hobby over time.
Been interested in cycling for some time but never actually initiated it until recently. Hoping to obtain my first bike soon and gain more wisdom and insights about this hobby over time.
Originally Posted by jlieu
Well, and perhaps my vision of this might be wrong, but I am looking into a SS/FG (likely flipflop so I can transition if necessary). The reasons being that I would like to learn as much as I can about bike mechanics, anatomy, and physics theories. The SS/FG seemed like a very simplistic model to learn from and slowly expand toward fixed gears (probably cylcocross or mountain bikes).
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
A cyclocross bike would be great for road riding and off-road riding.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
10-10-11, 09:50 AM
#7
Hogosha Sekai
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Originally Posted by jlieu
Thanks for the welcome everyone!
Well, and perhaps my vision of this might be wrong, but I am looking into a SS/FG (likely flipflop so I can transition if necessary). The reasons being that I would like to learn as much as I can about bike mechanics, anatomy, and physics theories. The SS/FG seemed like a very simplistic model to learn from and slowly expand toward fixed gears (probably cylcocross or mountain bikes).
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
Well, and perhaps my vision of this might be wrong, but I am looking into a SS/FG (likely flipflop so I can transition if necessary). The reasons being that I would like to learn as much as I can about bike mechanics, anatomy, and physics theories. The SS/FG seemed like a very simplistic model to learn from and slowly expand toward fixed gears (probably cylcocross or mountain bikes).
The other reason being that Mississippi is relatively flat. We don't have mountains, nor do I think what few we do have even qualify as 'hills'. Therefore, the SS/FG seem to have made sense from a commuter/utilitarianism standpoint along with the reduction in maintenance. I just want to ride...Lol.
I have not really rode in awhile. I occasionally jump on my brother-in-law's bike around, but it is pretty difficult given that his bike frame is made for his 6' self versus my 5' 7" frame. As for the cylcocross/mountain bikes interest, we do have a crapload of trails and forests around here and it looked mighty appealing to take a dive into. Nearly everywhere I go (driving, biking, kayaking, etc.)....that is all there is in Mississippi except for the set locations where 'most' people live at.
just on account of you want to understand bike mechanics, a lot of it has to do with drive trains and derailers.. SS/fixed are simple in comparison and won't give you the range to dial in, but that's just an internet opinion 
10-10-11, 01:05 PM
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Welcome to the forum!
I live in Ohio in a town that does not have a lot of hills but on my ride to work I could not go without gears, it has some serious hills.
When I started working on bikes I converted a Schwinn Varsity to a single speed. I enjoyed the process but it limited me to riding that bike just in town...
One point to consider is head wind or tail wind... If you are riding a strong head wind it helps to have a lower gear to switch to... And if you have a strong tail wind you might be able to switch to a higher gear to go faster... Just my 2 cents...
Either way, "Just ride" and see for yourself.
I live in Ohio in a town that does not have a lot of hills but on my ride to work I could not go without gears, it has some serious hills.
When I started working on bikes I converted a Schwinn Varsity to a single speed. I enjoyed the process but it limited me to riding that bike just in town...
One point to consider is head wind or tail wind... If you are riding a strong head wind it helps to have a lower gear to switch to... And if you have a strong tail wind you might be able to switch to a higher gear to go faster... Just my 2 cents...
Either way, "Just ride" and see for yourself.
