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[04 Jul 2009|09:41am]
referaiming
Would I get noticeably better performance if I bought one of those tools to remove the bottom bracket and cleaned all the sand and junk out of there? I don't know offhand what type of bottom bracket I have but it's a $350 Schwinn Sierra hybrid/comfort bike, so probably a cheap one.
4 comments|post comment

Good but affordable Bike Computer [03 Jul 2009|02:52pm]

zen_girl
Hi there,

I need a good but affordable bike computer.  Something that will tell me speed,distance and whatnot...cadence would be good too but not required.  I figure it will be easier to log my rides for exercise with one.  

So far I've looked at the CatEye,Planet Bike and Filzer ones but they all have me confused as there are so many different model


TIA
Fiona
4 comments|post comment

Trikes? [03 Jul 2009|02:31am]

alikkon
I'm wondering what kind of interest this community has in three-wheeled pedal powered cycles. I'm pretty proud of the work my brother's been doing (both using his three wheeler for his advertising business as well as building custom tadpole style three wheelers he intends to start selling)
1 comment|post comment

Anyone in California? [02 Jul 2009|02:44pm]

dragonf1re
[ mood | hopeful ]

Heyyy,
Name's Steph, I'm 24, and I've always been super interested in getting into dirtbiking/motocross but haven't had the opportunity (for various reasons).
I was wondering if anyone has tips on how to get into it or (*crosses fingers*) if anyone's in California who would be willing to show me the basics.
It's been suggested that I rent a motorbike, but... I don't want to do that without being with someone who knows what they're doing.

I'm really, really hoping someone's near me who could take me dirtbiking or some such.


x-posted.

10 comments|post comment

Want! [01 Jul 2009|03:43pm]

pancom
It's bamboo!


http://www.bamboosero.com/
5 comments|post comment

Finally! I have something to share [01 Jul 2009|07:18am]

zen_girl
I finally got my bike last night. If you recall I was deciding between a Giant Cypress or a Specialized Globe City 7. Well here is what I ended up getting



Mah Baby )



Since it was a on clearance I got a pretty sweet deal on it compared to one of the newer globe models. Its in my favorite colour which was even a better bonus too.

We're picking up my husbands bike (specialized Crosstrail Sport) on the 10th) and we'll be biking hopefully up until it starts snowing.


7 comments|post comment

Nice Little Video [29 Jun 2009|11:40am]

_theargument_
I thought this was an enjoyable video, especially for all you in NYC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv-ISen-UTQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhome.php&feature=player_embedded
1 comment|post comment

90s Trek Hybrid vs. 80s Peugeot Mixte? [26 Jun 2009|02:48pm]

oenone_borealis
[ mood | curious ]
[ music | "St. Stephen's Cross" -Vienna Teng ]

Hi, everyone. I'm a novice cyclist. Last year I picked up a Multitrack 720 and have been generally satisfied with it. It seems like an okay bike for me if a little tall, but it frequently throws its chain and I prefer drop bars. Earlier this month, at another garage sale, I absolutely fell in love with a 1982 Peugeot mixte (a PH19), which needed some work. Which do you think would be better for commuting around?

3 comments|post comment

I could just do it myself. [25 Jun 2009|11:20pm]

i_am_a_mountain
So, does anyone know of/how to make DIY chain degreaser. I don't feel like shelling out money to buy it, so I figure there should be SOMETHING out there. Or really, DIY bike repair anything. That'll be tight.
9 comments|post comment

Question for Dahon fans [25 Jun 2009|09:26am]

indefatigable42
Is there a lot of difference in construction between the Espresso and the Jack?

They market the Jack as a badass urban mountain-esque bike for bashing over rough pavement, and the Espresso as a yuppie girly bike for going to the market cafe. But the frame itself looks pretty much the same, they're both made with the same quality of components, and the Jack just has fatter tires (and fewer speeds).

I think my ultimate question is, is the Espresso as 'tough' as the Jack? My city has absolutely rotten pavement and I commute through rough trail/parkland sometimes, but if I can get 21 speeds I'd like to because I have to deal with some hills.
2 comments|post comment

[24 Jun 2009|09:36pm]

ambient1
I'm curious: What makes some rear hubs so loud and others near silent? I've taken them apart to lube and service, and they all seem to work the same way... So why the heck does my Mavic go *clack clack clack*, while my Shimano hub makes almost no sound when I coast?
11 comments|post comment

Breakfast of champions [23 Jun 2009|10:17am]

wererat
[ mood | chipper ]

sorry, another random post, but what you eat before/during/after a ride? Carb load? High protien? Sugar rush? My moms a chef and is worried and is putting me on this menu that was designed for 3 day eventers (horse riders) thats supposed to balance the glycemic level and all.

Anyone else eat special or is it all wheaties and nutragrain?

ps, disturbing, jelly belly makes sport beans.....

9 comments|post comment

Least you paid for a bike [22 Jun 2009|10:08pm]

wererat
[ mood | nerdy ]
[ music | she blinded me with science! ]

ok, so I have one bike and I found it, so free! whats the cheapest bike you got and how many miles do you think you put on it? Ive put a few hundred on this hunk of plastic!

bike

9 comments|post comment

Locks [21 Jun 2009|11:27pm]

_theargument_
OK, so I am moving to Washington, DC at the end of July and I'm planning on using my bike a lot more. I am from south Texas and am pretty ignorant when it comes to bike products seeing as almost nobody uses their bike for much in San Antonio.

Therefore, I am seeking advice on which U lock to buy. I'm debating between either the Kryptonite Evolution or the Evolution Mini or either the New York STD or the famous Fahgettaboutit Mini. I know that using multiple locks is the way to go but I am looking to avoid chains if I can for practical purposes (though I know from my research that either of the U locks have some weight to them). Basically, which would be the most practical considering weight, cost, and effectiveness?

Any advice/tips on these locks and locking know-how would be most appreciated. Thanks!
3 comments|post comment

Brag! [20 Jun 2009|03:12pm]

wearyfaces
Post pics of your nice bicycles!

Do you prefer your seat all the way down or up a bit?
20 comments|post comment

Becoming a Bike Mechanic [19 Jun 2009|07:03pm]

zen_girl
Hi there,

I live in Alberta and though I'm trying to get into school now to become a Librarian if that falls through then Plan B is to become a bike mechanic at a LBS.

Does anyone know if you need formal training for this or if bike shops usually take you in a apprentice style training program.   I'd love to know if anyone has done/is doing this especially in Canada and even more especially in Alberta:)



TIA
Fiona
4 comments|post comment

[16 Jun 2009|06:05pm]

neongreenleaf
I just discovered http://dykesonbikecycles.blogspot.com/ and I though "Duh! What a great idea! Join a bike group." What other ones are there in NYC that open to new people?
post comment

Bike advice [11 Jun 2009|07:25pm]

margotheangel
Hi there.

I live in Seattle. I bought a Raleigh Venture 3.0 in the spring of 2007 (I think it's close enough to the 4.0 for comparison's sake) for about $275, and I've been riding it ever since. I go on 20-70 mile rides most weekends during the summer, and I'm considering moving up to a better/more expensive bike that's more suited to road riding.

I went to a store this evening, and the salesman recommended the Specialized Vita, which was for sale for about $550 there. Is this a good bike for me to move up to? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for your help!
8 comments|post comment

transporting bikes in a Toyota Prius [08 Jun 2009|12:35am]

loopybunny
After months of talk, I've finally taken the plunge and purchased a new car. My old car is a Honda Civic coupe. I've never had a bike rack for it, which made it really hard to transport my bike and impossible if I wanted to transport two. I couldn't get a trunk mounted rack for it and I didn't want to invest in a roof rack. On a recent trip I learned that you can fit 2 Trek mountain bikes into the back of a Toyota Yaris 2 door hatchback if you remove the front and back wheels first. This is what I had to resort to if I wanted to go out of town with my friend to ride. Total mess and since my bike is new, I'm totally not comfortable dismantling it and piling it into the back of a tiny car on top of another bike.

My new car is a 2010 Toyota Prius (it hasn't been delivered yet, they're hard to find in red). I still don't want to invest in a roof rack because seriously, the car itself was enough of an investment. Besides, I don't think I have the upper body strength to lift my bike to put it on top of my car. The Prius has a rear spoiler, so I don't think I can go with a trunk mounted rack. And apparently Toyota doesn't recommend using a hitch mounted rack. However, the car is huge inside with the rear seats down. I like the idea of transporting the bike inside the car because I feel it's less likely to be stolen or damaged that way. Is there any way to transport my bike upright, but inside the back of the car?

I've been researching racks and such for a while and I guess what I might be looking for is like a "bed mounted" bike rack for a truck. But I haven't seen anything yet that says if they can be used inside a car.

I've also checked out a Prius specific forum and couldn't find anything mentioning transporting the bike upright and inside the car.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer!
13 comments|post comment

Installing a banana seat [05 Jun 2009|07:08am]

cordelia_sue
My family gets around by bike. I used to have a tagalong/trail-a-bike or a Burley trailer for pulling my six year old along, but neither of those will attach to my new-to-me older model Nishiki, and they have other issues that make them a less than ideal choice for me. My partner still uses them, but for the time being, I can only get around with the youngest kid if my partner is with us.

This summer I'd love to install a banana seat and retrofit some pegs for footrests, then pop my kid on the back of my bike. He's extremely tight when it comes to balance and the like, and we'd be riding slowly on sidewalks anyway since my eight year old would be riding behind us, so I'm not really concerned about safety or anything.

My question is, can you install a banana seat on any old bike, or is a certain frame geometry necessary? I'd have to order the seat online, so it's not like I can just hold it up to my bike and get a feel for how it would fix on there.

For reference, here's my bike:



Thanks for any input you can give me!
7 comments|post comment

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