Bicycle thread!!

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by cat0020, Apr 20, 2017.

  1. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    Any pics of the new bike?
     
  2. James Bond

    James Bond Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    1,313
    Likes Received:
    155
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Dixie
    Map
    No. They're better pictured on Trek.com
     
  3. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    Which one did you get?
     
  4. James Bond

    James Bond Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    1,313
    Likes Received:
    155
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Dixie
    Map
    Domane
     
  5. JNorton

    JNorton New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2019
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    North Carolina
  6. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    I don't think above qualifies as solely human powered effort.

    Human powered vehicle speed record is at Battle Mountain every year:
     
  7. JNorton

    JNorton New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2019
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    North Carolina
    I'm sure it isn't thought of as solely human powered, nor is that the claim. "Fastest in a slipstream," or some such. But to be #1 in the world at pretty much any athletic endeavor is hard, and something I find interesting. Thought some of the contributors here might, as well.
     
    Diving Pete likes this.
  8. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    Seems to me, a vehicular speed record should be required to be obtained on its own power source.
    Having another vehicle to draft behind would mean the record is obtained with two vehicles.. not just one; not legit.
     
    James Bond likes this.
  9. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    Rode my old Canondale Super V at my local trail, need to bike more.
     
    James Bond and cat0020 like this.
  10. RC46-SP2

    RC46-SP2 New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Have been riding to work for the last year or so, after I came back into the workforce as a contractor.

    Not far - between 6-8kms each way, and mostly off roadways, as we are lucky enough to have a good, planned bike path network that is mostly well away from roads.

    I started out with a cheap hybrid I bought for $250. Took it a bike shop to get a service, and they told me "It needs a new cassette and chain etc. ~$320. Don't think so, I thought, and went and bought a road bike (Of all things, Malvern Star Oppy A4. $450 bucks for what is an entry-level thing. Hadn't touched a road bike of any description for years, and couldn't believe how light they've become.

    Thing is, it has reasonable tyres on it, plus "puncture savers", and I've had 5 or so punctures in the last week. That, on top of one of the hottest weeks in Canberra for decades (3 days in the low 40s (~100-101F for you guys), and a fairly violent storm on the Monday (including hail) that I also rode home in...

    The punctures have just about done it for me. Can you guys recommend tyres/puncture savers, special incantations etc. that I might get hold of, so I can at least ride the thing to and from work in the heat, without changing tubes once (and sometimes twice) a day?

    (Tyres are what I believe are pretty standard 700x25 on Mavic Akium Race wheels)

    Or do I just get an MTB with big chunky tyres on it?
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    Next time you get a puncture, if you get a new inner tube, Cut the valve stem off the spent tube, split it in two the length of the tube, and slip the half spent tube inside the tire before inserting the new inner tube. This adds a little more protection for the good tube.

    This works for a mountain bike but maybe the roadie tires are too thin to accommodate the extra rubber.

    BTW. You can get road inspired tires that fit the rims of the mountain bikes that offers considerable less resistance due to its far less aggressive tread. Works well as far as I am concerned.
     
    RC46-SP2 likes this.
  12. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2008
    Messages:
    2,245
    Likes Received:
    270
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Platte City, MO
    Map
    What are the punctures the result of? Thorns? Glass shards? Other stuff? Just a thought about thorns
    if that is part of the problem. Make sure, 100% sure, you get all the thorn out, sometimes there's just
    enough of the tip left to puncture a new tube after a while of riding. There are puncture resistant tubes
    out there, and you might try some of those.

    Some guys have a habit of rubbing the tire with a gloved hand after going through a section of possible
    puncture causing stuff. Got to be careful because it is easy to get your hand jammed if you're not familiar
    with the technique.
     
  13. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    Use talc powder inside the tire (prevent pinch flats) and I've found the best puncture prevention to be paper money (the amount in currency doesn't make a difference).
    Line paper money between tire and tube.. lightweight, durable and likely cost less than rubber tire liner.
     
  14. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    Ahhhm. I am sure to line my tire with loonies may prevent a puncture but it will ride like shit. Smallest paper currency here is a five dollar bill. Great idea. You will also have money at all times in the case of an emergency as well. A little difficult to get at , but I don't see you getting pick pocketed.
     
  15. RC46-SP2

    RC46-SP2 New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Cheers mate.

    I actually looked at doing this some time back (on the other bike). On asking the bike shop for advice on it (good idea or not) they reckoned that "it will definitely move around in the tyre = not good" Perhaps they were just trying to sell the store-bought tyre liner to me.

    Perhaps I should re-do both ends of the bike with new tubes + re-purposed old tube (as an "Inner liner"), + existing tyre liner (an "outer liner")....?
     
  16. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    I seriously doubt that the spent inner tube is going to move about inside that tire after it has been inflated to normal tire pressure that is at least 60psi. I think you are right. He is trying to sell you product off his shelf at a seriously inflated price I suspect.

    This idea was given to me when I took a wheel into my favourite shop, where I have been dealing with since 1989, with the same owner. He put my spent tube inside between the new tube and tire. I have absolute confidence in this guy. I have bought three higher end bikes from him for myself. (Twice to replace the previous ones that were stole) And I don't remember how many bikes for my daughter and son as they grew from children into adulthood.

    BUT!. Make sure you clear off anything that might linger on that old tube that could puncture the new tube. But I do see where you may be in a situation of disadvantage with poorer quality products. You use tyres and we use tires over here. A far better quality product
     
    RC46-SP2 likes this.
  17. RC46-SP2

    RC46-SP2 New Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2018
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    LOL. Might get you to ship me some tires. Put an end to punctures once and for all! ;)
     
  18. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    58
    Location:
    Between Phila. PA & Brooklyn, NY.
    Map
    Repeat flats on a single ride may indicate that you have something stuck on the tire itself,
    putting new tubes without detecting or removing the thorn or metal shard from the tire will just puncture the new tube.
    Feel the inside of your tire fingertip from bead to bead, all around the tire to check for items stuck on the tire before replacing the tube.
    Add talc powder to the inside of tire and all around the new tube, not only make it smell nicer, but also makes tire installation easier and prevent future pinch flat.
    Paper money are far more durable than most people think, they don't affect ride quality nearly as much as one would think and much lighter in weight than rubber tire liners. Takes some practice to install paper money as liner, but it serves well for preventing punctures.
     
  19. James Bond

    James Bond Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    1,313
    Likes Received:
    155
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Dixie
    Map
    I have over 30,000 measured miles on bicycles (not that much for a serious bicycler) and have had to deal with only one flat on the side of the road. I have to wonder about all this "flat" talk because I know I'm not that lucky. Quality tires and not riding in "junk" sure does help. Bike lanes are one of the most junk filled places to ride a bicycle because most cities don't understand that they need a street sweeper going over the lanes regularly. It is a federal law that streets be kept clean because all of the stuff on pavement ends up in waterways eventually. Debris in street sweeper hoppers is classified as hazardous waste because it is hazardous. Cities get proud of themselves for providing bike lanes but are clueless about the importance of keeping them junk free. I won't ride in a bike lane (or in a city) due to the danger factor. I ride where traffic and people aren't, as in county roads away from everything. Same as a VFR...mine is recreational only. I have cages for transportation. Got the disc brakes on my bicycle bled yesterday and wow, does it stop quick now! It won't power away from traffic though....
     
  20. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    I don't know about where you may live, and I know they aren't on our Prairie Provinces, but out here on Canada's Best Coast, blackberry brambles produce extremely sharp and hard thorns. Blackberry brambles produce really nice fruit in the wild but they are imported to here, and are a very invasive species. They make a great barrier for rural properties as I defy someone to struggle through them and not come out cut and shred all to hell. They grow out across shoulders of roads, where they get chewed up by cars and trucks, leaving the thorns behind that easily puncture bicycle tires. Nasty shit.

    I have only had a couple few flats in my many years and miles of riding including commuting on bicycle year round prior to first retirement. It was bramble thorns each time.

    We don't have such regulations for keeping bicycle lanes clear here. It is a city affair. Hell, I am lucky if I get a street sweeper down my street once a year. But we do have a rally good system of bicycle lanes which in areas where there are curbs, the bike lane is about 4 or 5 feet away from the curb parking lane. There is little debris in the actual bike lanes. Debris usually makes its way right to the curb. Ironically, the messiest bike lanes are those which are not attached to a roadway here. They never get cleaned period.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page