The Road Bike Thread

13002014:jpastor said:
I live in Concord, albeit until I move to Oregon for work for the summer June 6th.

if you happen to swing through keene or nashua from now until then message me and we should ride
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I'll make it happen.
 
Hey guys,

I've got a frame I'm trying to build out. Not my first time doing a custom build, BUT....it's the first time I have to put in a new bottom bracket. I have no clue what size was in there before. Anyone know how to properly measure what size I need to get?
 
Anybody have any tips to fix my hand from going numb time to time when riding? I'm guessing it's from vibration on the road and perhaps posture?
 
13008864:ElGato said:
Bike twins. Be sure to buy some bike grease and grease every thread on the bike, including ones already installed. It's also worth opening the bottom bracket and making sure it's greased to fuck in there too. I've heard stories of the bottom bracket bearings not being greased on BD bikes although both of my bikes from there have been.
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My girlfriends dad is a bike pro, so he's gonna help me assemble everything and has all the tools and lube needed. Thanks for the heads up!
 
I'm getting some Panaracer ruffy tuffy tires today and I can't wait to try them out. Been wanting to try these for a while now. Lately I've found that my road bike is great for almost everything on and off the road. My Mt. Bike doesn't get a lot of action anymore.
 
Got a crazy deal in picking this guy up. Yeah, it's a Fuji, so whatever.. but it's still light as hell.

Fuji_Team_Pro.jpg
 
12986301:MACAQUE said:
I have flat pedals on her right now because I didn't feel like walking around in bike shoes after riding to class, but I'm looking for a solid shoe/pedal combo. Any advice? My dad has some old Shimano XT pedals that were on his XC bike that he'll let me use. Should I buy shoes for those or would something else work better?
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Definitely worth shedding out for some decent pedals and some hard soled road shoes. You've spent all that money on a decent bike just to lose a lot of your power to a poor shoe/pedal combo - not worth it at all. I've got the shimano 105 pedal - super smooth and not too expensive, match that with whatever show fits you best and you're good to go.
 
13016233:captainslack said:
Definitely worth shedding out for some decent pedals and some hard soled road shoes. You've spent all that money on a decent bike just to lose a lot of your power to a poor shoe/pedal combo - not worth it at all. I've got the shimano 105 pedal - super smooth and not too expensive, match that with whatever show fits you best and you're good to go.
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This. I'd recommend going with a pedal/shoe combo that you might be more likely to see on a mountain bike if you aren't planning on racing or riding super hard; you'll be able to walk around much more easily if you do so. Note that you'll probably lose a little bit of stiffness should you do this.
 
Threads.

No road bike for me yet, hopefully I will be building one up for next summer. I've been wanting one for a long damn time. Looking for a carbon frame with disc brake capability so I can ride year round here in WA. I haven't seen too many frames that I like yet, so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.

Since I don't have a road bike yet, I am getting all of my non-off road (mountain bike) miles in on my spin bike. Anyone else use spin bikes or trainers for workouts? I'd be interested to see or hear of any specific workout plans or routines that may be working.
 
I just ordered new drop bars, tape, and bought the paint. This weekend the frame and fork get a facelift with matte black and then on goes the new BB and crankset.

I still need to get some pedals and better wheels, but I should be back in the saddle within a week. Stoked.
 
13016674:division.bell said:
Threads.

No road bike for me yet, hopefully I will be building one up for next summer. I've been wanting one for a long damn time. Looking for a carbon frame with disc brake capability so I can ride year round here in WA. I haven't seen too many frames that I like yet, so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.

Since I don't have a road bike yet, I am getting all of my non-off road (mountain bike) miles in on my spin bike. Anyone else use spin bikes or trainers for workouts? I'd be interested to see or hear of any specific workout plans or routines that may be working.
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You might be better off with a cross bike if you're looking for disc brake capability as opposed to a true road bike.
 
13016895:*CUMMINGS* said:
You might be better off with a cross bike if you're looking for disc brake capability as opposed to a true road bike.
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This. Especially living up in WA, having year round road bike is gonna take some work. You're better off having a sessional one if you want disc brakes, or going with a cross bike to really get the year round features.
 
13016895:*CUMMINGS* said:
You might be better off with a cross bike if you're looking for disc brake capability as opposed to a true road bike.
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I am definitely realizing this. The only bike I have found that satisfies my criteria so far is the Ibis Hakkalugi Disc; which is a cross bike.

13016937:immas said:
This. Especially living up in WA, having year round road bike is gonna take some work. You're better off having a sessional one if you want disc brakes, or going with a cross bike to really get the year round features.
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Since it will be an all weather bike here in Washington, disc brakes will be mandatory, and steel is most definitely out. And I am avoiding aluminum in favor of carbon to cut down on the harsh vibrations from our terrible roads. If I was going to have more than one bike for road riding, it would be a different story entirely.

Since my two-wheeled focus is mountain biking, I plan on just having one road/cross bike for my road riding and I obviously have very specific needs. Not to mention that I'd have to build up a second one for my wife...

I've been a bike whore for a long, long fucking time, it makes life difficult sometimes as it's not always easy to find what I am looking for with such specific needs or tastes. Hence the reason I end up building bikes part by part after painfully narrowing down the frame choices to one instead of buying completes.
 
13018036:division.bell said:
Damn, I had never heard of Volagi before. Definitely relevant to my interests; thanks.

You have any time on one of these?
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Ya the shop i was working for sells them. It was started by 2 guys who left specialized. They are really nice rides, super smooth and stop on a dime with the disk setup.
 
13018208:Balto said:
Ya the shop i was working for sells them. It was started by 2 guys who left specialized. They are really nice rides, super smooth and stop on a dime with the disk setup.
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How does the ride compare to your Cervelo?

Looks like there are a few dealers around the sound plus Vim in Wenatchee. I'll have to stop by and check them out.
 
vim was the shop I was at, it's honestly better then any shop on the west side by a long shot, i've been to every one over here and their selections are dismal. Tom Barrows does a better bike fit then anyone outside of southern California on this coast and the whole process is fun and interesting with the use of lasers and computer software.

As far as how it rides it's just as smooth as my R3, though a little bit heavier and slower on accelerating which is to be expected.
 
13018251:Balto said:
vim was the shop I was at, it's honestly better then any shop on the west side by a long shot, i've been to every one over here and their selections are dismal. Tom Barrows does a better bike fit then anyone outside of southern California on this coast and the whole process is fun and interesting with the use of lasers and computer software.

As far as how it rides it's just as smooth as my R3, though a little bit heavier and slower on accelerating which is to be expected.
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Word. Thanks for the insight.

I haven't been to very many of the shops in the area as they typically don't carry what I'm after. Sounds like it may just be better to hit up Vim when I head that way this summer to ride some trails.
 
Buying a bike was the best purchase I've made recently... it's been a month and it still makes me feel like a little kid every time I ride!
 
13019137:DingoSean said:
like 10 or so miles. My typical elevation gain is ridiculous though.
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What do you average in terms of elevation? I wish I had more hills around here; nothing over like 500 feet per lap.
 
13019141:*CUMMINGS* said:
What do you average in terms of elevation? I wish I had more hills around here; nothing over like 500 feet per lap.
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I'd probably guess around 1500-2000+ per ride. maybe more.

My usual route goes from 6000ft down to 5400 ft (with hills the whole way between) and then up to the summit at 7300 and back down the same way I came.

A route I used to do a bunch was down 1000 feet, back up another 1300ft, then reverse.
 
13018628:louie.mirags said:
Buying a bike was the best purchase I've made recently... it's been a month and it still makes me feel like a little kid every time I ride!
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About 17-19 miles around here... ~30 miles when I ride in flat nyc
 
13019152:DingoSean said:
I'd probably guess around 1500-2000+ per ride. maybe more.

My usual route goes from 6000ft down to 5400 ft (with hills the whole way between) and then up to the summit at 7300 and back down the same way I came.

A route I used to do a bunch was down 1000 feet, back up another 1300ft, then reverse.
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Fuck, that sounds fun. Do you know average grade?
 
13019319:*CUMMINGS* said:
Fuck, that sounds fun. Do you know average grade?
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It's probably something around 6% for the most part on Donner Pass...

[IMG[http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000oTZGkt_cjec/fit=1000x750/Road-to-Rainbow-Bridge.jpg[/IMG]

Here's a vague picture of the area where the road is^

Starts up there around 7300ish, weaves down to the left side of that lake (Donner lake), travels around the left side of that lake, in through town, and then to get to my house, you continue on into those hills in the distance - prior to where they become actual mountains.

the second route I was talking about has about a mile or so of 10% which is sketch as fuck. I tend to bypass that and go around on a longer loop which gives about a 4%ish grade, but goes around way longer (albeit through beautiful forest area).
 
13019344:DingoSean said:
It's probably something around 6% for the most part on Donner Pass...

[IMG[http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000oTZGkt_cjec/fit=1000x750/Road-to-Rainbow-Bridge.jpg[/IMG]

Here's a vague picture of the area where the road is^

Starts up there around 7300ish, weaves down to the left side of that lake (Donner lake), travels around the left side of that lake, in through town, and then to get to my house, you continue on into those hills in the distance - prior to where they become actual mountains.

the second route I was talking about has about a mile or so of 10% which is sketch as fuck. I tend to bypass that and go around on a longer loop which gives about a 4%ish grade, but goes around way longer (albeit through beautiful forest area).
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I need to fucking spend some time in your area. That's not too steep but having it sustained is awesome.
 
You're not cycling if you're not climbing. Typical after work ride is 26 miles and 2,200ft of climb. Pretty tame but it's the best I've got that's accessible. Last Sunday was 4,500 ft climb over 36 miles, for any salt lakers go ride Royal street up in PC or empire pass. Lots of fun
 
13019448:*CUMMINGS* said:
I need to fucking spend some time in your area. That's not too steep but having it sustained is awesome.
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I take a 42 mile loop every now and then that has about 1500-2000 ft elevation gain in total. Truckee-Tahoe City- Kings Beach- Truckee.

Takes you up about a 1-3% mostly sustained grade for 13 miles, then level along the lake highway, then up a sustained stretch up to the summit and a long downhill to finish at home. Only issue with it is having to ride with traffic on roads that are not bike-friendly at all for much of the time.
 
13019879:DingoSean said:
I take a 42 mile loop every now and then that has about 1500-2000 ft elevation gain in total. Truckee-Tahoe City- Kings Beach- Truckee.

Takes you up about a 1-3% mostly sustained grade for 13 miles, then level along the lake highway, then up a sustained stretch up to the summit and a long downhill to finish at home. Only issue with it is having to ride with traffic on roads that are not bike-friendly at all for much of the time.
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Yeah, shitty drivers are the standard in Maine and NH. If you end up near Portland this summer, let me know and we should ride.
 
13019887:*CUMMINGS* said:
Yeah, shitty drivers are the standard in Maine and NH. If you end up near Portland this summer, let me know and we should ride.
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Portland Maine or Portland Oregon.

The latter is a possibility. The former is a yeah, no way to get my bike out there.
 
13019896:DingoSean said:
Portland Maine or Portland Oregon.

The latter is a possibility. The former is a yeah, no way to get my bike out there.
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Oregon. I'm working in Gresham, and have Saturdays free.
 
It's probably unlikely that I'll end up there this summer anyway. If I'm going that far, it won't be to go to Portland, it will be to go to national parks.
 
13019132:immas said:
I try and do at least 20 when I go out.
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13019228:louie.mirags said:
About 17-19 miles around here... ~30 miles when I ride in flat nyc
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Word.

Ive been getting into biking more now that i finally have enough free time. I've been sticking with a 20 route with about 1000 ft of climb (1000 up/1000 down)... the only down side of longer rides has been finding enough time to make it happen
 
I love that road cycling is becoming more popular with younger people. My dad has been doing it since the early 80s and I have been all my life and now over the past few years, I have people my age to ride with.

any Ann Arbor Mi riders here?
 
Do any of you guys use a computer? I've been looking at picking up one but they all have such mixed reviews. Wired seems more reliable but any good wireless ones? I also don't want to break the bank.
 
13021020:JAHpow said:
Do any of you guys use a computer? I've been looking at picking up one but they all have such mixed reviews. Wired seems more reliable but any good wireless ones? I also don't want to break the bank.
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For road get a wired since it won't snag on anything like a mtn bike. Cateye is a good brand.
 
13020635:DingoSean said:
It's probably unlikely that I'll end up there this summer anyway. If I'm going that far, it won't be to go to Portland, it will be to go to national parks.
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I'm working right next to one as an MTB instructor haha
 
just rode to the top of my local ski area (mt Spokane) with my dad, most elevation gain I have ever ridden, some snow, and a killer descent! anyone spending their Friday riding?
 
13021232:CoreyH said:
just rode to the top of my local ski area (mt Spokane) with my dad, most elevation gain I have ever ridden, some snow, and a killer descent! anyone spending their Friday riding?
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I rode 40 miles earlier. Not very much elevation gain around here though.
 
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