[Scythian Empire]

For me personally I "build up a connection with the road" by climbing up a 5,000 foot mountain ad then bombing down it at 35mph. Can't really do that on a fixie. Leaning into a sweeping turn at 30+ mph is pretty fucking awesome. Nice track bike tho :) Where are you? If you live by a velodrome you should take that thing out the the track. it's a lot of fun.

I still manage to 'bomb down hills' on my fixie and it's still a lot of fun. But I admit there's no sense of achievement if you haven't climbed that fucker before hand.

I'm in England living in Kent, but I'm moving to London in the next year or so, which is why I've decided to get used to riding a fixie. No velodrome nearby at the moment, but I'm definitely going to try it out next time I'm up in London with my bike.

[whatsinaname]

So, if I get one from bikesdirect.com, how easy/difficult is it for a complete newbie to put it together?

[subrock]

just got this back from the shop today. its a fresh build with fresh powdercoat. can wait to get out and bomb on it. still waiting on a neon green selle turbo saddle and some matching keirin grips.

hate away but I'm in heaven :D

[Treo360]

just got this back from the shop today. its a fresh build with fresh powdercoat. can wait to get out and bomb on it. still waiting on a neon green selle turbo saddle and some matching keirin grips. hate away but I'm in heaven :D

Nice. Not going Flip flop, or even a front brake?

[OxtheMidget]

So, if I get one from bikesdirect.com, how easy/difficult is it for a complete newbie to put it together?

Very easy. The bike comes almost all set up, all you gotta do is put in the front tire, the handle bars, and adjust the brakes iirc. Even if you have any doubts there's nothing a couple of youtube videos can't explain (I didn't know how to adjust the brakes at first).

[subrock]

I've got a Nishiki 6 speed in the shed so I'm just riding this one fully fixed. more of a once in a while weekend bike really.

[Critical Jeff]

just got this back from the shop today. its a fresh build with fresh powdercoat. can wait to get out and bomb on it. still waiting on a neon green selle turbo saddle and some matching keirin grips. hate away but I'm in heaven :D

Get a brake. I have one on my track bike.

[subrock]

Get a brake. I have one on my track bike.

I'll see how I do without. Id rather not run a brake on these rims though.

[Dice]

I think tomorrow I'm going to order a Selle Royal Respiro Soft Athletic.

[Stinkles]

I'll see how I do without. Id rather not run a brake on these rims though.

Put a disc brake on it.

[robox]

i want a nerded out bike like this
[IMG]http://i39.************/20k3kte.jpg[/IMG]

but damn those disc wheels are expensive... more expensive than car wheels

[practice02]

just got this back from the shop today. its a fresh build with fresh powdercoat. can wait to get out and bomb on it. still waiting on a neon green selle turbo saddle and some matching keirin grips. hate away but I'm in heaven :D

Sux you couldn't have gotten a real track bike frame.

[subrock]

Sux you couldn't have gotten a real track bike frame.

Why does it suck?

[practice02]

Why does it suck?

This is a protip. the way dropouts are setup on a conversion bike well they are made for tensioner every couple weeks check the back wheels' nuts so they dont' get loose. the chain pulls the back wheel towards you. the dropout on a track bike are full horizontal with the opening pointing behind you. Ive seen people eat shit right in the middle of downtown traffic cus their back wheel came loose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropout_(bicycle_part)

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Yeah my fixed gear bike has something similar to this:



It also has a nail on the inner side that's only there to hold the bolt outward, to keep the chain tight.

It's no big deal though, that is a sweet bike for what it is. I could never ride one without a brake though, so that whole scene is lost on me.

[Dice]

So the dumb shop on eBay didn't have the saddle I ordered in stock. Now I can't find it in stock anywhere, so I'm considering a Brooks Flyer.

[Auron_Kale]

Just trying to limit my options so I thought I'd ask here.

I currently have a mountain bike with road tires on them because I live in a rather flat area but am looking to get a road bike. I definitely want to spend less than $700, but I'm not sure if a fixie would be more appropriate for me.

The bike would mostly be used for commuting to the BART station (which is about 2 miles from my house) as well as just riding along the surrounding area.

[esquire]

seriously. Bike riding is awesome. I have four bikes. :lol My new road bike My (now) rain/commuter/beater bike. Was my main ride for close to three years. My time trial bike-it now has white bar tape on it. Bars are nekkid in this pic. and last but not least, my track bike. Which I only ride on the track. Notice no weird colors or chopped bars. But I have love for all people who bike. That's one less person who will run me over in their car. BTW I live in Los Angeles and yes it can be scary on the roads but you learn to deal with it. Bikes are rad.

Awesome bikes!

This is a protip. the way dropouts are setup on a conversion bike well they are made for tensioner every couple weeks check the back wheels' nuts so they dont' get loose. the chain pulls the back wheel towards you. the dropout on a track bike are full horizontal with the opening pointing behind you. Ive seen people eat shit right in the middle of downtown traffic cus their back wheel came loose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropout_(bicycle_part)

He's right, horizontal drops are the way to go with a fixed gear. You can certainly ride fixed on a conversion frame but just be extra careful because you are also riding without brakes.

Just trying to limit my options so I thought I'd ask here. I currently have a mountain bike with road tires on them because I live in a rather flat area but am looking to get a road bike. I definitely want to spend less than $700, but I'm not sure if a fixie would be more appropriate for me. The bike would mostly be used for commuting to the BART station (which is about 2 miles from my house) as well as just riding along the surrounding area.

You're in the bay area? Whereabouts exactly? Also how much do you want to spend on a bike? Give me an exact figure. I might be able to hook you up.

[Auron_Kale]

You're in the bay area? Whereabouts exactly? Also how much do you want to spend on a bike? Give me an exact figure. I might be able to hook you up.

Live out in the East Bay (Dublin to be exact). Price ceiling I'd be comfortable with would be $700, but absolute max would be $800, so anything less than either would be great as this would technically be my first non-mountain bike.

[esquire]

Live out in the East Bay (Dublin to be exact). Price ceiling I'd be comfortable with would be $700, but absolute max would be $800, so anything less than either would be great as this would technically be my first non-mountain bike.

I'm in SF but I suppose that's not too far, is it? Do you ever come into the city on your regular commute?

I'm about to get to work on a road bike I intend to sell. Super light, durable steel vintage frame and stylish. It's a cute bike, but I'll need about two weeks to put it together. A buddy of mine who builds bikes for a living might be able to hook you up with something a lot sooner. He's a good guy. Let me talk to him about it to see if he's up for it and I'll hit you up with a PM with contact info tomorrow, Friday at the latest. Your price ceiling is fairly generous and I can definitely get you something nice probably a bit below that range to save you some money. Interested?

[Auron_Kale]

I'm in SF but I suppose that's not too far, is it? Do you ever come into the city on your regular commute? I'm about to get to work on a road bike I intend to sell. Super light, durable steel vintage frame and stylish. It's a cute bike, but I'll need about two weeks to put it together. A buddy of mine who builds bikes for a living might be able to hook you up with something a lot sooner. He's a good guy. Let me talk to him about it to see if he's up for it and I'll hit you up with a PM with contact info tomorrow, Friday at the latest. Your price ceiling is fairly generous and I can definitely get you something nice probably a bit below that range to save you some money. Interested?

I actually work in the city, so I'm in SF every day. And I'm totally interested. Thank you for your generosity and help! I totally appreciate it. :D

[esquire]

I actually work in the city, so I'm in SF every day. And I'm totally interested. Thank you for your generosity and help! I totally appreciate it. :D

No problem! I'll make a note of it and get back to you ASAP. Always happy to help a fellow NeoGAF member!

[sasimirobot]

I am planning a month long bike trip through China next year but I don't know much about bikes. The bike I want has to have these points:

1. Can be bought in China (they have decent bike shops, but it would have to be a relatively common brand/model)

2. Less than 1,000$US

3. Super low maintenance ( I will be in the middle of nowhere for most of the trip), and also tips for repairs/maintenance. Somebody mentioned Kevlar tires, and a bike was posted with a
belt instead of chain drive...

4. Light, sturdy, and able to tackle hills

5. I am 6'2"+ if that makes a difference

[Gallbaro]

just got this back from the shop today. its a fresh build with fresh powdercoat. can wait to get out and bomb on it. still waiting on a neon green selle turbo saddle and some matching keirin grips. hate away but I'm in heaven :D

You need a front brake, the rear wheel is relatively useless for braking because when you are braking your weight and momentum are on the front wheel, meaning that is the wheel which needs the brake.

I am planning a month long bike trip through China next year but I don't know much about bikes. The bike I want has to have these points: 1. Can be bought in China (they have decent bike shops, but it would have to be a relatively common brand/model) 2. Less than 1,000$US 3. Super low maintenance ( I will be in the middle of nowhere for most of the trip), and also tips for repairs/maintenance. Somebody mentioned Kevlar tires, and a bike was posted with a belt instead of chain drive... 4. Light, sturdy, and able to tackle hills 5. I am 6'2"+ if that makes a difference

Just go to China and buy one. They will mark it up when they see a tourist but it will steel be a good deal if you know what to look for in a quality bike.

[slidewinder]

You need a front brake, the rear wheel is relatively useless for braking because when you are braking your weight and momentum are on the front wheel, meaning that is the wheel which needs the brake.

Seriously. Please? I live right on one of my town's major E-W bike routes, and things are really getting ridiculous. And you guys aren't just endangering yourselves, you know?

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I own and ride:

Santa Cruz Blur LT

Pivot Mach 5 - Won it in a raffle.

Yeti 303

[practice02]

Seriously. Please? I live right on one of my town's major E-W bike routes, and things are really getting ridiculous. And you guys aren't just endangering yourselves, you know?

All of you people are dealing with people who don't know to put the right length of chain on. which give them terrible tension from what I can see old pink and green has the tension perfect.

[Auron_Kale]

No problem! I'll make a note of it and get back to you ASAP. Always happy to help a fellow NeoGAF member!

Awesome and thanks again!

[Dice]

About the District... I don't know if this applies to it as well, but I heard some unfavorable things about the Soho (another belt drive bike from Trek)

http://bicycling.about.com/od/bikeeq.../Trek_Soho.htm

See the User Review from "OldCommuter" there.

[Escape Goat]

why are bikes so freaking expensive :(

[titiklabingapat]

My imported Dutch bike :D

[Auron_Kale]

Nice. Did it come with a rack to support your bag or did you buy it yourself?

There's a shop in San Francisco that specializes in selling Dutch bikes, and it's kinda cool to see.

[Calantus]

Someone told me that biking is the best way to lower your resting heart rate, is this true? i've been looking to get into biking anyway but this just adds to my reasons to get one

[Escape Goat]

Someone told me that biking is the best way to lower your resting heart rate, is this true? i've been looking to get into biking anyway but this just adds to my reasons to get one

any kind of aerobic exercise is going to do that. stronger your heart is, the less work it has to do to pump blood. leg muscles are your largest muscle group so i can see biking being a good way to improve cardio systems.

[practice02]

Someone told me that biking is the best way to lower your resting heart rate, is this true? i've been looking to get into biking anyway but this just adds to my reasons to get one

Excersize in general will do that

[Calantus]

Excersize in general will do that

The most efficient, though. Their reasoning was that since it doesn't use as much muscles and you don't get as tired as you do while running, you can do it longer and the longer you do exercise the better it is for the heart.

Sounds right but i'm far from an expert.

[practice02]

The most efficient, though. Their reasoning was that since it doesn't use as much muscles and you don't get as tired as you do while running, you can do it longer and the longer you do exercise the better it is for the heart. Sounds right but i'm far from an expert.

I'm going to tell how that's wrong using this example swimming is the best cardio and all around workout because it excersizes the most muscles. Now I will explain it like this. the more muscles you move the more oxygen you need, the more oxygen you need, the faster your heart pumps the stronger it gets it's just like any muscle. The more it's used the stronger it gets. So to answer your question biking is lower mid level start jogging.

[Mudkips]

I'm going to tell how that's wrong using this example swimming is the best cardio and all around workout because it excersizes the most muscles. Now I will explain it like this. the more muscles you move the more oxygen you need, the more oxygen you need, the faster your heart pumps the stronger it gets it's just like any muscle. The more it's used the stronger it gets. So to answer your question biking is lower mid level start jogging.

Posting in a bike thread to affirm this simple truth: Swimming am best cardio.

[Calantus]

Posting in a bike thread to affirm this simple truth: Swimming am best cardio.

I wish i had access to a pool, so i could swim daily, but it's not possible. Maybe i'll bike to the YMCA :lol

[practice02]

Posting in a bike thread to affirm this simple truth: Swimming am best cardio.

not that the mudkip is wrong but of course a mudkip would agree with my statement.

[subrock]

I'm aware of the folly of the brakeless fixedgear, but its also the reason I have multiple bikes. the "seedless watermelon" is for when I'm feeling classy. I'm picking up a cervelo one this weekend for when I feel like doing some serious work.

[practice02]

I'm aware of the folly of the brakeless fixedgear, but its also the reason I have multiple bikes. the "seedless watermelon" is for when I'm feeling classy. I'm picking up a cervelo one this weekend for when I feel like doing some serious work.

yes i support this

[titiklabingapat]

Nice. Did it come with a rack to support your bag or did you buy it yourself? There's a shop in San Francisco that specializes in selling Dutch bikes, and it's kinda cool to see.

The rack came with it(like most dutch utility bikes). The bag is just a recycled leather messenger bag I strapped on using leather straps.

[Auron_Kale]

The rack came with it(like most dutch utility bikes). The bag is just a recycled leather messenger bag I strapped on using leather straps.

That's really cool and the bag looks really good with the bike.

No problem! I'll make a note of it and get back to you ASAP. Always happy to help a fellow NeoGAF member!

Just talked to your buddy and he's already found the frame for my bike. Hopefully I'll get to see it sometime next week. Decided to go with a more old-school road bike with the shifters on the frame. Also, I was wondering if you could post a pic of that bike he built for you so that I have an idea of how it'll look? Thanks!

[sasimirobot]

Just go to China and buy one. They will mark it up when they see a tourist but it will steel be a good deal if you know what to look for in a quality bike.

uh...the point is that I don't really know what to look for. The last time I bought a bike in China it was like 100 pounds. I was just thinking that somebody here might have experience with long distance biking and might have some ideas.

[esquire]

Just talked to your buddy and he's already found the frame for my bike. Hopefully I'll get to see it sometime next week. Decided to go with a more old-school road bike with the shifters on the frame. Also, I was wondering if you could post a pic of that bike he built for you so that I have an idea of how it'll look? Thanks!

So glad to hear that!

I'll take some pics of the frame tomorrow when I get home.

[Donos]

[IMG]http://i40.************/2s8jx2o.jpg[/IMG]

I love my bike but it's now 3 years old and falling apart. It is rather expansive to upgrade it with new quality parts but i try. I don't have the money to fork out 1000€ for a new one again. The area here has some really nice trails and i now got a GPS in my phone so i can explore the woods more.

[red shoe paul]

For the Summer, I'm picking up a bike on Craigslist. A road bike that I've wanted for awhile to get to places faster than Skateboarding and to take trips with friends miles away.

[Dice]

Okay well I have been reconsidering what I'll need and I am looking for some advice.

I need a bike:
-$800
-Okay for distance, but more focused for urban (takes small bumps well)
-Can have fenders
-Winter-capable, at least decently (32c tires, then?)

I feel like drop handles would be awesome but maybe bad for my urban setting and winter riding (never used a bike with them before)

[red shoe paul]

Just picked up a red Univega Nuovo Sport for $85 a couple weeks ago and I absolutely LOVE IT! Cruising around Boston weaving in and out of traffic feels amazing.