TomCat_Ford

I just finished building this bike up recently. It's a Giant RS930. I am not sure what its exact age is, but it's likely around 25 years old. I bought the bike (for the frame) to replace my 1991 Trek 1400, which has a cracked frame. I used the 105 group off from my Trek (brake levers down to the hubs). The only parts that are original to the frame are the seat post bolt, the fork, the headset, and the bottom bracket. I will install a cartridge bottom bracket down the road.

This is my first lugged steel bike, and I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces. Based on its condition, I don't think it has seen many miles throughout its life; I'll be changing that!

NumbersGuy

Not everyone is you or wants to do things the way that you deem appropriate. Sometimes people need to carry more than just what is needed to repair a flat on the road. And even if they don't need all the space all the time, there's nothing wrong with having it available. That's why we all have our own bikes, so we can do with them as we see fit.

Oh and I like the way the red bar tape looks. Nothing wrong with having a few bits of color on your bike.

cyclebycle13

Thanks for the lecture. The bar tape looks like crap! If it's posted, it's open for comments...

SpeshulEd 

One could say this is not the hot-r-not thread and we shouldn't judge bikes here, but I'm just going to sit back and see how this plays out.

Also, I'm curious what one puts in a saddle bag that big?

Waxbytes

One puts whatever one wants to in a saddlebag of those dimensions.

Jimbosays

Seat Bag: Two tubes, small patch kit, three CO2 canisters, fix-it sticks, multi-tool, couple of Skratch hydration mix packets and one or two Clif Bars (depending on the ride.)

Top tube bag: Smart phone, extra battery, cash, keys.

Top of bars: Oontz Angle Bluetooth speaker (without which I probably wouldn't do near as many longer solo excursions.)

Bar tape: A little splash color never hurt anyone . . . And also makes the bike much easier to identify in the short-term if someone decides to ride off on it when my back is turned.

Hope this eases everyone's consternation over my personalized bike adornments!

cyclebycle13

FYI, if someone makes off w/ your bike and phone/wallet are in bag, what do you do?

shallow_

In most cases when one leaves the bike it would be to use either/or both the phone and wallet or ??

I have only a small bag under seat for a multi tool and wallet. phone is in back or side pocket depending on available option on jersey Im wearing.


Regading criticism: If I like someones photo Ill commend them on it, but if someone has something that is not to my liking I just wont say anything.

This does NOT mean that everything I ommit commenting on I hate, but it includes everything from 'thats cool, but I wouldnt personally' to 'thats just aweful IMO'.

I am on several other forums, and there are unfortunately ppl who absolutely have to comment on everything they dont like.

Disclaimer: I havent followed this forum long enough to say that any users here, or the particular user who commented on the red tape and bags has a habit of doing this.

The main point is that any newcomer to the forum reading stuff like that will look at their own stuff and think 'maybe its not good enough' and thus refrain from posting... and thats not what we want is it ?

(I am on the receiving end of MANY less than positive comments on my movie purchases on a bluray forum so I know what talking about)

SpeshulEd 

Hey, I'm not harshing anyone's mellow on what size saddle bag they have, I've just seen an abundance of large saddle bags as of late. I get that some people like to be prepared. I was that somebody when I first started riding. I've simplified my bag and went much smaller.

I used to carry two tubes but only once have I actually needed two tubes. These days I carry one tube and a patch kit. This essentially gives me 3 tubes out on the road, one spare and the two in my tires. Worst case scenario, I have to wait 5 minutes for the glue to dry. The patch kit takes up far less room than a second tube.

I used to carry 3 co2 canisters but I can get by with two of the larger ones. One will fill a tire with some co2 to spare, so as long as I don't unscrew it from the nozzle, the co2 should stay put until I get home. So two should get me home even if I do have 3 flats...unless I goof up, which I never have because I practiced at home and know what I'm doing.

So in my arundal dual bag, I carry 1 tube, 2 tire levers, 2 co2 canisters and chuck, patch kit, multi tool.
Back pocket holds my iphone in a black leather pouch case along with $20, my ID, and credit card - no need to carry a wallet.
1 Podium big chill bottle with water for shorter 30mile or less rides, 2 podium big chill bottles (one water, one with skratch labs in it) for rides longer than 30 miles or on super hot days.

This has worked out fairly well for me. I've had to call for help twice in the past year. Once when my chain jumped off the jockey wheel, wrapping my RD around my cassette. The second when I gashed the sidewall of my tire and shredded the thing.

orguasch

I hang 2 inner tube under my saddle, inside my pocket bike bag, a touch of talcum powder, patch glue, 2 bike lever, 2 co2 canister and dispenser 2 pcs. of tooth pick and a small swiss knife. and a small double air pump, you might asked why a talcum powder, ( when i have remove the punctured inner tube, I place some talcum powder inside the tire and some in the new inner tube. these way, when, I assemble the inner tube the tire to the wheel, It will be easy to work my way in, Now if have run out of the extra inner tube, I have to fix the inner tube with a hole out of no where, you can't possibly find the hole so I pump air and place the inner tube near my cheek and you can feel the air running out, once I find the hole I place the ""toothpick"" on the hole and start patching the hole, make sense

shallow_

Im NEVER riding without basic tools again. Used to have the essential allenkeys with me for seat adjustments the first few weeks, but for some reason took em out. Then the other day when I was going for my first 100k ride, my front derailleur fastening bolt had come undone for it to slide down enough to touch the big ring on crank, leaving my to ride back home on one gir 36 front 19 rear... 19 miles

Ofcourse all bikeshops had closed at this time. just my luck..

cyclebycle13

Here...have a go at it. It's changed a bit since this pic, the handlebars are now schmolke TLO, otherwise it's the same (still just under 12 lbs):

spdntrxi

^ nice and light... well done.

orguasch

i forgot to mention I also have an mm allen key in my bike bag

CourtJester

Just your standard Fuji here

flyingdutch

My recently purchased 2009 Scott Addict r4

SpeshulEd 

My crank bolt came loose on my spiderrings causing the chanring to wobble back and forth. Luckily I was only 5 miles from home. I tightened it with tire levers as best I could and gimped home.

I've also done the spin to win ride of shame when my di2 battery died going up a steep hill.

Other than the chain on the small chainring, hot! I think you need to throw this one in the hot-r-not threads.

kevgoldb

Buying a Cannondale Synapse 105 Disc on Wednesday. Couldn't be more excited. Still thinking of what to do with the '04 Trek 1200 Tiagra....

Greg C.

Here's my 1974 Motobecane Mirage that I bought new. Nothing to brag about LOL other than that I've kept it all these years. It was just overhauled and is in good riding condition at this time.

SevenTwentyNine

Hello guys, I guess it's only right to make my first post a picture of what I'm currently riding.
Happy to be here.
Trek Madone 2.1 / Full 105 Groupset / Bontrager Aura 5 Carbon-Aluminum Wheelset





In case 3rd party hosted images die at some point....
Photo #1

Photo #2

EddNog

Have you tried running those wheels tubeless with TLR tires yet?

-Ed

SevenTwentyNine

You know that's a good question. Unfortunately I have not.
See I initially wanted to run them with tubeless when the new wheels first came in but everyone in the group rides I've been on seem to dislike their tubeless.
Well maybe dislike is a strong word / kinda harsh but they've all been at most under the "meh" category. It's like they've got tubeless but it's not thaaaaat special or worth the additional upfront cost. So their attitude coupled with the fact some tubular are twice as much as clinchers I figured I'd just stick with clinchers for now but I'm still really curious about experiencing them for myself so I'm almost certain one day I'll switch over even if it's just out of curiosity. When that day comes I can tell you what I think.
Have you gone tubeless and if you what are your opinions about them.

SevenTwentyNine

Is that a freaking g.u.n holster above the fork?!?!?

CourtJester

That's exactly what it is.

I had 5 wolves keep pace with me about 200 yards out in a field several years ago. They never did come to the road, but it scared me enough that I started carrying then. I don't have to worry too much about animals where I live now, but it came in handy a few months ago when two Hispanic gentalmen stopped on the side of the road and one of them made a request for my bike with a steel pipe for back up.
I've never fired it while riding, but I very seldom ever ride without it.

shallow_

Well spotted. That might be the most awesome bike accessory I have ever seen