The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,899 comments
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ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
Have you tried getting lights? Modern LEDs mean there's no chance of a car not seeing you because you weren't bright enough.phillkillv2
You can get some really good second hand road bikes from middle aged men that ride them once and never again. Just look for usual signs of wear on chain sets and brakes and you'll quickly spot a bike that's only ever been ridden once, in the dry at 15kph, for an hour.mp10Whats everybody's view on buying a second hand road bike? It's mainly because i don't have enough funds at the moment. Also i don't know much about them too
Thanks đź‘Ť
- 5,494
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
@mp10.
This.
Ebay as an example is full of them here. Everything from top end to lower end stuff.
TBH I don't think I will ever buy a new bike, let the other guy take the hit on the new purchase price.
If you find something and you're not sure what it's worth or is any good post it up here and some of us may be able to help.
This.
Ebay as an example is full of them here. Everything from top end to lower end stuff.
TBH I don't think I will ever buy a new bike, let the other guy take the hit on the new purchase price.
If you find something and you're not sure what it's worth or is any good post it up here and some of us may be able to help.
- 6,001
- Finland
There's a very good chance they don't see no matter what. I witnessed this myself two weeks ago, in bright daylight, wearing a very bright green shirt and a red/white helmet.
The car (a Mercedes Benz, by far the most common choice for complete :censored:head middle aged men over here) was coming from here and I was coming from here - on that cycle path on the left, that is. Right hand traffic.
As you can see, a) there's the "give way" sign for the cars, b) it has an extra sign warning about cyclists and c) you don't run over people on the zebra crossing in the first place. I saw the car stopped in front of the zebra crossing so OK, I'm clear to go. He got moving again when I was approximately at the lightpost, I had no chance to stop despite braking as hard as I could which led into me crashing right into the right hand front door followed by going down onto the tarmac. I was lying on the ground trying to get mysef detached from the bike (clipless pedals) when the (yes, middle aged) man had managed to drive onto the nearby bus stop and stumbled to ask what happened, I snapped completely and shouted back that you :censored:ing idiot, you just drove right in front of me from behind the give way sign, that's what happened. I then asked what the hell he was thinking and was completely thunderstruck when he said "well I looked to the right, then I looked to the left and then I moved because nobody ever comes from the right".
My left elbow was bleeding enough to drip, my right lower thigh had a glorious bump from hitting the top tube and the left grip of the bike was nothing less than in shreds. I went to patch myself up from his medicine cabinet and he paid for new grips to replace the totalled one so no big losses, only scars will remain. I bet he remembers to look to the right more carefully from now on.
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ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
- 4,156
- United States
Whats everybody's view on buying a second hand road bike? It's mainly because i don't have enough funds at the moment. Also i don't know much about them too
Thanks đź‘Ť
Do yourself a favor and get a used one. Some new bikes are just too expensive right now. Go around on Craigslist and eBAY and you might get an air head that doesn't know what they're selling.
- 1,691
- Coventry
- mika_98
Thanks, looks like it's the way to go. Whats the name for a road bike with normal handlebars? not curved. I've got a friend who has a Raleigh Road Bike, so might give that a test run.
- 4,156
- United States
- 34,949
- Indian Falls, NY
- slashfan7964
I fall into this as well too
I no longer have a headlight installed on my bike (was removed years ago) and it is technically illegal to bike at night without headlights and taillights in my states. Cops don't generally care, but I try to make it back home before it gets really dark. I leave about 7:45-8pm, and by 8:30pm its pitch black and I've just gotten home a few minutes before. Most of where I ride is dead end, beck country roads where noone even drives anyways.
- 4,156
- United States
Sucks man. I had to walk a flat home. I just replaced the tube. Along with that, I got new tires for a better tide and turning.
- 473
- Santa Carla, CA
- LanDelta9
Have never walked a flat, but been there when someone else has... although i did have to walk my bike home after the back tire slid out of position. Was beyond the point of a simple tire rub and was a fully wedged against the frame. That sucked alot since i couldn't walk it, had to literally carry the back end...
- 34,949
- Indian Falls, NY
- slashfan7964
That sucks dude. That's why I carry my cell phone with me and not ride long distances on a low tread tire (though I tend to anyways). My back tire is starting to get dangerously low and I can't afford new tires right now. I really need an entire new bike but some part of me wants to restore the ones I have. Need more tools though.
You're lucky when it locked up you didn't go flying.
- 473
- Santa Carla, CA
- LanDelta9
Slashfan
Thankfully it happened while riding through the grass so when it did, the bike kinda slid to a stop. I was only 2 1/2 blocks away from home so it wasn't a long walk. I really just need a whole new back tire since it's so warped now.
AOS-
Premium
- 28,801
- 'Sauga, ON
Hi guys.
I've sat on it for some time and I think I'm ready to commit to buying a new bike in the future.
The roads are good enough for the most part, but I generally opt not to bike on the road anyway since I don't want to hold up traffic. My current bike is a dinky Big Box store "mountain" bike, and it's pretty sluggish riding on sidewalks.
I imagine a road bike will be a dream to ride on, but I feel it may not be the most sturdiest choice since I'll occasionally ride the bike offroad, jump off curbs as well as riding up on, so I feel a bike that can take a small beating is preferred.
Mind you, I don't have a clue how much abuse something high-end like carbon fiber can take.
I asked a buddy and he suggested a Hybrid Road. What do you guys think?
Anyone got websites you can recommend where I can find a list of brands and reviews to browse on my free time?
I've sat on it for some time and I think I'm ready to commit to buying a new bike in the future.
The roads are good enough for the most part, but I generally opt not to bike on the road anyway since I don't want to hold up traffic. My current bike is a dinky Big Box store "mountain" bike, and it's pretty sluggish riding on sidewalks.
I imagine a road bike will be a dream to ride on, but I feel it may not be the most sturdiest choice since I'll occasionally ride the bike offroad, jump off curbs as well as riding up on, so I feel a bike that can take a small beating is preferred.
Mind you, I don't have a clue how much abuse something high-end like carbon fiber can take.
I asked a buddy and he suggested a Hybrid Road. What do you guys think?
Anyone got websites you can recommend where I can find a list of brands and reviews to browse on my free time?
- 4,156
- United States
You should get a mountain bike or trail bike. I know your friend reccomended a hybrid but they still have thinner tires than mountain/trail bikes, so if you intend on jumping curbs on a hybrid you'll probable get bent rims. It also depends on how you intend and where you're riding with a road bike. You can get places fast usually with a roadbike due to the weight.
Road bikes are surprisingly stable which you probably feel as if you'll fall off when riding on. I recommend going to a bike shop to test ride but not buy. Depending on your budget you can snag a bike from a store or online shop but personally I recommend Craigslist due to the fact that your able to spot deals without having to research for days. And youll probably get cheaper price.
Just look around your area and definitely try out some bikes.
Edit: Also depending where you ride you should be fine with drivers. I don't know much about Canadian roads but do they have the dedicated bike lanes?
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AOS-
Premium
- 28,801
- 'Sauga, ON
^ Funny thing about suspensions. Although I did mention jumps, other than deliberately treating the edge where the sidewalk ramp slopes back up into a curb as a ramp to jump from, I don't believe there was anything else I really do that needs a front suspension. Then again, I'm not knowledgeable to the sport so please feel free to correct me there.
But I actually do like the thinner tires. I've had an old hybrid before this current one and I think I might like something like that again (but with a lighter frame). Do you know of hybrid wheels that are specially made stronger?
As per the note on road bikes, so if I crossing a road (not at an intersection) and I needed to get back onto the sidewalk, I'd go slow and pop the front over the curb and slowly ride up. Will that small impact on the back wheels do damage on road bike wheel frames?
Lastly, not every road in Canada has a dedicated bike lane. Well, not in the GTA at least.
Thanks for the responses.
But I actually do like the thinner tires. I've had an old hybrid before this current one and I think I might like something like that again (but with a lighter frame). Do you know of hybrid wheels that are specially made stronger?
As per the note on road bikes, so if I crossing a road (not at an intersection) and I needed to get back onto the sidewalk, I'd go slow and pop the front over the curb and slowly ride up. Will that small impact on the back wheels do damage on road bike wheel frames?
Lastly, not every road in Canada has a dedicated bike lane. Well, not in the GTA at least.
Thanks for the responses.
ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
Re: Wheel strength.
It will vary bicycle to bicycle. I hop kerbs on my road bike but that's because it's a cheap road bike and "lightweight" wasn't really a consideration.
Hybrids also vary, some are very much road bikes with a slightly comfier frame geometry and flat bars, others resemble a mountain bike without the front shocks. Apart from a "lightweight" hybrid I'd expect them all to handle minor urban abuse quite well, certainly dropping and climbing kerbs. Just don't go down the local skate park on them.
It will vary bicycle to bicycle. I hop kerbs on my road bike but that's because it's a cheap road bike and "lightweight" wasn't really a consideration.
Hybrids also vary, some are very much road bikes with a slightly comfier frame geometry and flat bars, others resemble a mountain bike without the front shocks. Apart from a "lightweight" hybrid I'd expect them all to handle minor urban abuse quite well, certainly dropping and climbing kerbs. Just don't go down the local skate park on them.
AOS-
Premium
- 28,801
- 'Sauga, ON
Sounds like hybrid is probably the best route then. I just wanted to get away from "super tough impact-resistant" frames and thick-treaded tires again, but I may have to change my biking habits should I lean more towards road on the spectrum of hybrids. Thanks again for the input.
- 4,156
- United States
I guess hybrid will be hybrid will be a good choice for you. I myself was looking at a hybrid. I just want something faster.
Edit: lol I was tired, sorry about that weird sentence.
Edit: lol I was tired, sorry about that weird sentence.
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- 5,494
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
Yay, spring is here finally. 
Really enjoying not having to get rugged up in long gear to go riding. Today was beautiful, 19 degrees celsius and a gentle breeze around 8kmh. So nice I turned off my speedo for a while and literally just cruised around some of the streets around the bay taking in some of the sights.
Only down side to this time of the year is that it's nesting time for the pesky magpies. Had a bit of fun dodging them. One persistent bugger bounced of my helmet four times in around 500 meters.
Really enjoying not having to get rugged up in long gear to go riding. Today was beautiful, 19 degrees celsius and a gentle breeze around 8kmh. So nice I turned off my speedo for a while and literally just cruised around some of the streets around the bay taking in some of the sights.
Only down side to this time of the year is that it's nesting time for the pesky magpies. Had a bit of fun dodging them. One persistent bugger bounced of my helmet four times in around 500 meters.
AOS-
Premium
- 28,801
- 'Sauga, ON
I have some questions regarding part specifications:
1) Not all frames fit wheels with the same hub sizes? Are hubs made in standard sizes?
2) If I wanted to get new wheels for my current mountain bike, is it possible to fit skinnier hybrid wheels on it?
3) I've been looking at a few bike models and they have a huge list of parts used to build it. How can I know which parts are considered good?
4) How can I know if a certain part will fit on a frame? I've noticed there are all sorts of different brakes (i.e. shape and form, not just the mechanism itself), bikes with the support to store something behind the seat, hubcaps, handlebars, shifters and derailleurs. Bike aren't standardized in that regard for the most part, is that correct?
1) Not all frames fit wheels with the same hub sizes? Are hubs made in standard sizes?
2) If I wanted to get new wheels for my current mountain bike, is it possible to fit skinnier hybrid wheels on it?
3) I've been looking at a few bike models and they have a huge list of parts used to build it. How can I know which parts are considered good?
4) How can I know if a certain part will fit on a frame? I've noticed there are all sorts of different brakes (i.e. shape and form, not just the mechanism itself), bikes with the support to store something behind the seat, hubcaps, handlebars, shifters and derailleurs. Bike aren't standardized in that regard for the most part, is that correct?
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- 4,498
- Limburg,Belgium
- (GTP_) dustdriver
With fall beginning I'm thinking of buying a high power front light.
Current favorite is this one:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/magicshine-mj-872-2013-mtbr-lights-shootout
One of the best bangs for the buck looking around online.
Just have to get my friends convinced to do the same. I want to keep mtbing during the week on forest trails.
I will try to strap my current light, which is actually a flashlight on a bar mount, to my helmet. It has a very good throw, but the beam isn't as wide as the Magicshine light.
Current favorite is this one:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/magicshine-mj-872-2013-mtbr-lights-shootout
One of the best bangs for the buck looking around online.
Just have to get my friends convinced to do the same. I want to keep mtbing during the week on forest trails.
I will try to strap my current light, which is actually a flashlight on a bar mount, to my helmet. It has a very good throw, but the beam isn't as wide as the Magicshine light.
