- 388
- Edinburgh
- daft_biker
The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,902 comments
- 272,580 views
- 49
- Michigan
- Yrkshrpudding
My newest question:
How do you carry around the spare inner tube that you are recommended to have with you?
I bought a nice little wedge bag for under the saddle and all my emergency tools and puncture repair kit fit just beautifully. The ruddy great box with the inner tube ... not so much.
I could shove it in a pocket in my shorts, but I suspect it'll drive me crazy before the first half mile and I'll end up heaving it into the forest in frustration
How do you carry around the spare inner tube that you are recommended to have with you?
I bought a nice little wedge bag for under the saddle and all my emergency tools and puncture repair kit fit just beautifully. The ruddy great box with the inner tube ... not so much.
I could shove it in a pocket in my shorts, but I suspect it'll drive me crazy before the first half mile and I'll end up heaving it into the forest in frustration
Yep, taking it out of the box would be a good start 
Last night I rode light so stuffed a tube, pump and multi-toll in an old water bottle and shoved it in the second bottle cage. Usually I put everything in my Camelbak though so I can take more spares, food, coat if required and the pointless first aid kit that will either be useless in a bad accident or not necessary for small injuries when you just need to MTFU.
Another KOM last night \o/ This time is was part of a time trial in the woods the bike club always arse about in so I can be extra proud as everyone was giving it the beans
Last night I rode light so stuffed a tube, pump and multi-toll in an old water bottle and shoved it in the second bottle cage. Usually I put everything in my Camelbak though so I can take more spares, food, coat if required and the pointless first aid kit that will either be useless in a bad accident or not necessary for small injuries when you just need to MTFU.Another KOM last night \o/ This time is was part of a time trial in the woods the bike club always arse about in so I can be extra proud as everyone was giving it the beans
- 49
- Michigan
- Yrkshrpudding
Yep, taking it out of the box would be a good start
Was trying to avoid the backpack/camelbak. I do like the "shove it in a water bottle idea"
- 388
- Edinburgh
- daft_biker
- 30,059
- Thailand
Not sure where they put the pump though
Most good pumps should come with an attachment to fit onto the cross bar or somewhere.
I've always carried a bag, even if it's almost empty, sometimes just phone, keys, bike tool and some cable ties. Never bothered with a first aid kit; the way I see it if I get hurt it's not going to be the sort of thing I can patch up myself!
You could put your tube in the water bottle cage. I don't bother with that. I soon realised after buying my bike that the pressures in the tyre are almost impossible with a hand pump and I ride to work which means road side repairs would make me late. I just keep taxi fair in my jersey pocket and as I've done many times now (
) un-clip the wheels and throw it in the back of a taxi to repair another time.
- 10,838
- Belgium
- bramturismo
I never take any spare parts with me, only my phone and a bike tool to adjust various parts of the bike. Nothing has happened yet, but like with all cyclists something is bound to happen.
My philosophy with first aid kits: If the injury is so minor that you don't need a first aid kit, you weren't going fast enough! If a first aid kit isn't going to fix it, you've had a damn good ride!
Aaaaanyway, today's ride:
Ride time 2:51:04
Distance: 75,87 km
Average speed: 26,61 km/h
2545 calories
Dat calorie burn... Also some vicious side winds today. I'm baffled as to how I haven't crashed yet...
My philosophy with first aid kits: If the injury is so minor that you don't need a first aid kit, you weren't going fast enough! If a first aid kit isn't going to fix it, you've had a damn good ride!
Aaaaanyway, today's ride:
Ride time 2:51:04
Distance: 75,87 km
Average speed: 26,61 km/h
2545 calories
Dat calorie burn... Also some vicious side winds today. I'm baffled as to how I haven't crashed yet...
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
Just duct tape everything to the frame.
Anyway, bad news everyone. I dun goofed and made the mistake of believing the colour of a product picture is the same as in person, which it most certainly never is. So, instead of my grips matching the main turquoise blue of my frame, they instead match the anodised dials of my forks and DHX Air.
Anyway, bad news everyone. I dun goofed and made the mistake of believing the colour of a product picture is the same as in person, which it most certainly never is. So, instead of my grips matching the main turquoise blue of my frame, they instead match the anodised dials of my forks and DHX Air.
- 388
- Edinburgh
- daft_biker
A few snaps from Glentress today....
Matty pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Greg pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Even got a shot of me riding for a change
Me pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Matty pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Greg pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Even got a shot of me riding for a change
Me pie run by Andrew Robertson, on Flickr
Pako
Staff Emeritus
- 16,455
- NW Montana
- GTP-Pako
- GTP Pako
Good lord my butt is sore. I just got my bike yesterday and put over 30 miles on it so far. Are all stock seats made of reenforced concrete filled composite material? Is it cool to put on a little better seat for some cushion and comfort?
Got a Specialized Hardtail Carve Expert 29ER btw. Love the bike, decent components. Should be a good bike for quite some time.
Got a Specialized Hardtail Carve Expert 29ER btw. Love the bike, decent components. Should be a good bike for quite some time.
- 3,606
- Connecticut
- SPhilli
- SPhilli911
One of my many passions. I love biking, but unfortunately the area I live in doesn't have many good trails.
On days off I typically drive up north to VT or NH to ride. Like so:
My bike mover
On days off I typically drive up north to VT or NH to ride. Like so:
My bike mover
- 30,059
- Thailand
From what I've experienced, yeah. I bought some padded riding shorts and still feel like I've fallen out of a 10th story window straight onto my rump.
There are plenty of good, comfortable gel seats available on the market. Eases the pain to have one.
*******
Bike clean day for me today.
Since it's stormed about every day for the last 3 weeks my bike has only had a little attention.
Pako
Staff Emeritus
- 16,455
- NW Montana
- GTP-Pako
- GTP Pako
I bought some padded riding shorts and still feel like I've fallen out of a 10th story window straight onto my rump.
There are plenty of good, comfortable gel seats available on the market. Eases the pain to have one.
*******
Bike clean day for me today.
Since it's stormed about every day for the last 3 weeks my bike has only had a little attention.
I hear ya. Yeah, I got a pair of padded shorts to. They help but still..... Next major purchase will be a more forgiving saddle.
I found that with road bikes, I tend to lean further forward (with padded shorts) and it doesn't actually hurt as much on my arse in comparison to the sit up and beg position (or it feels like that!) with other, more leisurely bikes.
Although I will say, once you start using it for a few weeks, you'll eventually just get used to the soreness and it'll just be a part of the ride...
Although I will say, once you start using it for a few weeks, you'll eventually just get used to the soreness and it'll just be a part of the ride...
Anyway, bad news everyone. I dun goofed and made the mistake of believing the colour of a product picture is the same as in person, which it most certainly never is. So, instead of my grips matching the main turquoise blue of my frame, they instead match the anodised dials of my forks and DHX Air.
Doh, I'm guessing they weren't cheap so are they going back? Is the SSC light blue colour a better match?
A few snaps from Glentress today....
Even got a shot of me riding for a change
Good shots and you clearly have more gnar than your mates as you're hucking with an XC lid
👍I nearly spat my coffee out at the first sentence!
Nice bike 👍
Stock saddles can be a bit lacking but it's the shape and width that matters rather than excess padding. A decent pair of padded shorts will help but your arse will get used to it the more you ride and if you pedal harder you support more of your weight with you legs which eases the load on the more sensitive areas. Looking on the Specialized website you've got a 143mm width saddle which is the same as mine although I've got the Specialized Avatar Gel saddle. Use the below chart if you want to measure your sit bone distance yourself to work out if you need a different width saddle although you can go into a Specialized dealers and get them to do it. Easiest way is to sit in your usual riding position on a plastic bag filled with sand/flour and measure the distance between the two dips.
For the love of god don't get the huge monstrosity that Shem linked
(Sorry Shem 
)Loosen calliper bolts, pull and hold brake lever, tighten calliper bolts.
Nice bike mover 👍 There's very little fun riding near me although I'm finding more as I explore, when I move in a couple of months there will be more again.
Did anyone watch the Downhill World Cup from Italy yesterday? Good to hear Rob Warner on form with his comment about Danny Hart's balls being so big he needs to race with a hammock
Aaron Gwin is a bit quick isn't he! 
I'm dying to get out on my bike but I'm having a break due to a dodgy ankle so it will hopefully heal by the time I get back from my hols in a few weeks plus the missus would murder me if I fell off and knackered myself when we're flying on Saturday. Hopefully I won't have lost too much form with the time off, I may have to do some swimming while I'm away if I can prise myself away from the all inclusive bar
- 388
- Edinburgh
- daft_biker
This is the Specialized Expedition saddle. Certainly more comfortable looking than anything I've ever used.
I've got something similar on my bike....a big fat squishy seat off a touring bike. It's a good bit heavier than a lightweight seat you might find on a racing bike but my bike is just for enjoying so I'd rather be comfortable all day than a nanosecond faster on the climbs.
- 49
- Michigan
- Yrkshrpudding
On my drive in to work today I spot this huge pothole approaching that was not there on Friday. I did the obvious thing and leant back in my seat and pulled on the steering wheel to get the front wheels up. Didn't work.
Apparently I've been riding my bike a lot lately!
Apparently I've been riding my bike a lot lately!
Pako
Staff Emeritus
- 16,455
- NW Montana
- GTP-Pako
- GTP Pako
I nearly spat my coffee out at the first sentence!
Nice bike 👍
Stock saddles can be a bit lacking but it's the shape and width that matters rather than excess padding. A decent pair of padded shorts will help but your arse will get used to it the more you ride and if you pedal harder you support more of your weight with you legs which eases the load on the more sensitive areas. Looking on the Specialized website you've got a 143mm width saddle which is the same as mine although I've got the Specialized Avatar Gel saddle. Use the below chart if you want to measure your sit bone distance yourself to work out if you need a different width saddle although you can go into a Specialized dealers and get them to do it. Easiest way is to sit in your usual riding position on a plastic bag filled with sand/flour and measure the distance between the two dips.
For the love of god don't get the huge monstrosity that Shem linked
I'm glad I wasn't the cause of a caffeine spray! Thanks for the info! I did get a decent pair of padded shorts. Interesting story, I got a pair of Cannondale Shorts that had the padded liner inside. The shorts themselves were defective with a broken snap. I took them back today and got a new pair and they let me keep the liners from the original pair. I could care less about the shorts, but having an extra pair of liners is nice!
I'll look over the chart you linked to. I need to do something or just toughen up.
Right on. Good call on the shock!
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boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
Nah, I'm just going to deal with it for a while.
Another solution would be to have the frame powdercoated black, but that's kinda silly just to do over some grips. I'll wait until it starts looking a little beat up first.For saddles those big fat womens ones are good for all of 10mins until you start chafing like crazy. You're best off following the chart Neal posted and going for something with a slight amount padding on.
Pako
Staff Emeritus
- 16,455
- NW Montana
- GTP-Pako
- GTP Pako
Thanks for the Saddle advise. It seams that all of Specialized Mtn Bike series seats are of a thinner design, but the gel padded one does look to be the most appealing. The stock one has absolutely no give.....
In the evenings, this is the trail I take my family on, complete with pulling the toddler in the wagon behind my bike. I have yet to really ride it without an extra 100lbs attached to the back... I just consider it extreme training. LOL
This is a picture from tonight.... The kids were freaking when the thunder clouds started to cover the sky with lightning. I thought it was pretty cool!
Oh and... we only went 6 miles tonight, but the seat was much more tolerable. I think I will ride it out for a bit and see if things toughen up before I go out and get another saddle.
In the evenings, this is the trail I take my family on, complete with pulling the toddler in the wagon behind my bike. I have yet to really ride it without an extra 100lbs attached to the back... I just consider it extreme training. LOL
This is a picture from tonight.... The kids were freaking when the thunder clouds started to cover the sky with lightning. I thought it was pretty cool!
Oh and... we only went 6 miles tonight, but the seat was much more tolerable. I think I will ride it out for a bit and see if things toughen up before I go out and get another saddle.
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