Education We Like to Ride Bicycles

[Mathmarauder]

Here's an actual question pertaining to bikes. I bought a really nice Trek in about 7th grade(now almost 21) then they sized me up and gave me a size 18 bike. I have grown considerably does anyone have a chart for height to bike size?

[Jamie]

Some 18" frames will be ok for people under 6'.

Originally Posted by Major

How much are a decent pair of road wheels, and how easy is it to whack a pair on and off?

They are mountain bike wheels with 1.6" continental sport contanct mountain bike road tyres.

[Ramble]

Originally Posted by Major

How much are a decent pair of road wheels, and how easy is it to whack a pair on and off?

Some Michelin Pro 2's will set you back £20 each for the tyre itself, you need some inner tubes too.
Also depends what rims you have, provided they're 650c to 700c they'll fit.

[Toka]

Originally Posted by gar

& likewise
Am I the only roadie here?

nopers

All though Im possibly the only roadie with such awesome saddle sore

[dragontail]

Originally Posted by Jamie

My bike in road mode... slicks are the best.

One of my mates replaced the tyres on his Scott MTB with a either a pair of thinner semi-hybrid or cyclocross ones (I'm not sure which), sorta like you did. Can I ask how does it compare to a complete hybrid bike with hybrid tyres?

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by dragontail

One of my mates replaced the tyres on his Scott MTB with a either a pair of thinner semi-hybrid or cyclocross ones (I'm not sure which), sorta like you did. Can I ask how does it compare to a complete hybrid bike with hybrid tyres?

I've never ridden a hybrid, but a good mountain bike will have a much shorter frame than one designed for lengthy rides on smooth surfaces. The riding position on my bike isn't good for going fast, it is far too upright and the handle bars are quite wide.

Despite that, I only do short journeys to and from work so it's not much of an issue.

Are these bikes any good?

Marin Novato

Scott Sportster P1 and P2

[Ramble]

Cost £10 second hand, new brakes and levers, some (pretty fat) road slicks and lights + computer. That's all that's new. I ride it 21 miles everyday, and although it can be hard up hill sometimes - being steel framed it's not a brilliant roadbike - it's barely given me any touble.
Odd handlebars because they're upside down, makes me reach more when riding - that's the best attempt at dropbars I can do.

Considering you ride 21 miles a day, surely you should invest in a more expensive bike.

[RTT]

Originally Posted by Major

Are these bikes any good?

Marin Novato

Scott Sportster P1 and P2

Yeah, they're fine, the Scotts especially.

[Malvolio]

@Ramble: the only thing you're doing with those "drop-bars" is destroying your wrists. Handlebars are designed with a sweep-back for a reason, so that your wrists can sit at a comfortable angle. Plus it doesn't help that your brake levers are perfectly horizontal; which again is one of the worst things you could do to your wrists.

Originally Posted by RTT

Yeah, they're fine, the Scotts especially.

Could you suggest one of the best bikes around the £700 mark? (hardtail), I don't really have any idea of bikes around that price. I did suggest the GT Avalanche Expert or Zaskar.

For my brother btw.

[Ramble]

Originally Posted by Major

Considering you ride 21 miles a day, surely you should invest in a more expensive bike.

No, I can't afford it.

Originally Posted by Malfoleo

@Ramble: the only thing you're doing with those "drop-bars" is destroying your wrists. Handlebars are designed with a sweep-back for a reason, so that your wrists can sit at a comfortable angle. Plus it doesn't help that your brake levers are perfectly horizontal; which again is one of the worst things you could do to your wrists.

Quite, however I find these a lot more comfortable than my previous configuration.

[Tomm]

Looking at that picture, the bars actually look to be at a fairly healthy angle - slightly swept back and slightly tilted up. I'd imagine they are terrible the 'right' way up. To be fair, it's a pretty basic bike and you're never going to get a great riding position. If it works for, stick with it I reckon.

But if you're just doing road miles, get some slick tyres. You'll thank me later. If there's a Decathlon near you, you can get some cheap tyres for a fiver which is all you really need.

[will.]

Can anyone suggest a decent pair of freeride shoes with SPD's?

I just went into my bike shop today after one of my Cannondale shoes decided to literally tear themselves in half and everything in there seemed to be made of plastic! I just want something that isn't too horrible to actually walk in. I also unclip for the really steep bits (I have a pair of those half'n'half pedals with platform and clip) so I need a shoe that actually has enough support to use as if it was a normal pedal.

[RTT]

Originally Posted by will.

I also unclip for the really steep bits

You big girl

Shimano MP66s are pretty popular I'd get those if i was after a non racing style shoe.

I think I might buy a Commençal Meta 5.5.1

[Clocked]

my bike tried to eat me today

Was trying to hop over a small wall (a foot and a half maybe) when I clipped it with the back wheel and lost my footing on the pedal, It swung round and hit my shin a clinker leaving a couple o nice wee holes...



needless to say bystanders were laughing, as was I... I also have a pic of my chin burst open from goin over the handlebars last year but I'll save that for another time...

[Jipa]

What's always as pleasant.. Though it MAY hurt even more when all the spikes of the pedal sink into your calf. Those spikes are real nice as long as they stay under the shoe, but they just don't get along with bodyparts

[Clocked]

lol thats what did the holey-ness on the shin... the culprit is below...

[will.]

Originally Posted by RTT

You big girl

Tis nothing to do with fear! I need my feet free to pull phat stylin!

Or whatever...