Bicycling to work, anybody do it ?

[FordFasteRR]

I started this week...
I work in 2 seperate buildings on different days of the week..

The closer one is 5.4 miles away, the other is 7.5 miles..

So far so good.. .My only drawback is the bike... i have a wallymart huffy special POS and I plan to get something better like a fixed gear road bike.

Anyway... Anybody else ride their bike to work ?


Update: I am riding on an old 1982(?) Schwinn World Sport Fixed Gear Conversion.

just a few more shots:

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010001.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010002.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010003.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010004.jpg



here is a pic of the scruffy...

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/2005_Huffy_SS_Conversion/luggage_cage/p1010001.jpg

[CTele02]

Good job Saving Gas/Money and getting an Exercise!!! Now if you can only convince me and the other 99.99% of Americans we and our economy would be in great shape!

[FordFasteRR]

check out the bikes on this website... if you scroll down a bit, there is a clickable list on the left, updated daily of people who ride fixed gear bikes...

:)

I want one SO BAD ! I'm undecided as to which brand to select, but most likely my selection will be based on availability and price, not choice...


lol

linky: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

ENJOY !

[VTElantra]

Kind of hard for me to Bike to work. For 1 its like 15 miles, and second there is snow everywhere. I do Bike some, I think my bike is all messed up right now.

[Vampyrate]

i bike, but its bmx... so im too busy thinking of lines to make to do a trick rather than get to my destination

[Estopatitiana]

being in college i am an avid biker on my pos walmart rocket

[ba_feitl]

I plan on trying this come spring .. the snow and slush makes it too hard. I am currently riding a FS Haro V1 with disc brakes... I love it. Throw my backpack on and I'm good to go. They have showers and stuff at work so when it's hot and I get all sweaty I should be okay.

I have to admit to being a bike noob outside of the mtn arena... What's the deal with a fixed gear bike ? Wouldn't they be difficult to get up to speed or to achieve any decent forward speed ? I am just thinking single gear coaster bikes so i could be wya off ..

Brad

[VTElantra]

YOu should rock a single gear bike with no brakes, like bike messengers.

[Vampyrate]

YOu should rock a single gear bike with no brakes, like bike messengers.
i do, i dont like brake lines, they get in teh way, and save on the need for a gyro system... if i want to stop, a foot on the back tire is good enough for me

[Kokit]

I think abuot it! But now it's cold, windy at Moscow! But summer will come to Moscow too! But we have so hard traffic in Moscow I think to buy BMW C1! What do you think/Best idea for Moscow!

[Vampyrate]

go for it!

this is what im trying to save up for this summer:http://www.danscomp.com/products/SM/101276.jpg

S&M DIRTBIKE-- $599.99
#101276

4130 chromoly frame, S&M Pitch Fork, S&M Slam Bars, S&M Redneck stem, FSA Pig unsealed headset, 48H wheels with sealed 14mm axles, rear cassette hub with 13T cog, chrome Alex Supra J rims,175mm Poverty POW 3-pc cranks, 36T chainwheel, alloy platform pedals, Dia-Tech Hombre U-brake, padded jumping seat, street tires. 20.25, 20.75" Toptube. (33 lbs)

Please understand that these bikes are custom built for YOU, and are NOT a stock item. Therefore all returns (except in case of warranty or error on our part) will be subject to a labor and/or restocking fee. If you have any questions on the conditions of a possible custom bike return, please call for details.

This is from www.danscomp.com

[SWortham]

I believe BikerPA is a biker. I have a pretty cheap mountain bike as well. But a road bike will make the ride much easier and/or faster. :)

[Doohickie]

I've done it, but not for a long time.

[mtlelantra]

I used to bike almost every day when I lived in Vancouver. What sucked was that it was uphill 5 miles, although it made going home easy. I'd usually use my cross bike, but when it was dry, I rode my XC and then ride trails home through Pacific Spirit Park.
Now in Montreal, not so much, even though I could probably get to work faster... the drivers here that scare the bejeezuz outta me and I feel safer surrounded by metal. I go off-island on some weekends for metric centuries still...

But good for you, Ford! You know what you should do- build your own!! I built up both my road and XC bikes... got the frames from ebay, components mainly from mailorder (excelsports.com has tons of single speed stuff... get yourself a flip-flop hub, put a 23t on one side, 13t on the other, 34t or 36t chainring and you can handle all sorts of conditions), built my own wheels etc etc... I got exactly what I wanted for ~1/2 of what it would have costed to buy a bike and swap out components at the bike store. It helps that I have a bike mechanic's certificate, but you seem like a handy sort of guy, plenty of tools. Plus you don't have to deal with cables and crap with a SS.
Good luck!

[FordFasteRR]

...........

.. What's the deal with a fixed gear bike ? Wouldn't they be difficult to get up to speed or to achieve any decent forward speed ? I am just thinking single gear coaster bikes so i could be wya off ..

Brad

Fixed gear bikes are used in velodrome racing and time trials... they are some of the lightest and fastest bikes made...

also,

with a fixged gear bike, you can stop in many different ways, most famous is the skid method.

you lean forward over the handle bars and then un-load the weight of the back wheel and then you just hold the pedals and the rear tire locks up and skids..

a fixed gear bike does not have a freewheel cog on the back, if the wheel is spinning, so is the crank and there is no other way. lol

Also, the foot pegs are clipped so your foot stays in it no matter what. =)

I want one so bad. ok.. turbo kit is for sale again. lol discount price.. first $2000 paypal takes it shipping included.

[Keyan]

A GRAND OFF? Jesus christ.

Don't tempt me to jump on this, I'm so poor :(:(:(

[FordFasteRR]

A GRAND OFF? Jesus christ.

Don't tempt me to jump on this, I'm so poor :(:(:(


Yes, I will sell it for $ 2000 including every shing component that I've got for it in my possession.

=)


Whoever paypals me the $$ first will take it.

lol

[bikerPA]

man, fixies are bad as hell - I can't pull off that mojo, more power to ya. I've got half decent road & mountain bikes that don't get ridden as often as they should; my old-skool Schwinn cruiser gets more play than either of the >$1000 bikes. :D If you want a cheap new fixed gear road bike, go out (to a bike shop, I mean, not eBay or something) and buy yourself either a Specialized Langster or a Bianchi Pista or somethin' - they max out at like six hundred bucks and for what you get they're a bargain. You could piece one together with dope parts, but that gets way way pricey... if you get fully into it, you'll probably want to do that down the road, once you've learned more about what you'll want in the end. Both the Specialized and the Bianchi come with flip-flop hubs, so you can screw a freewheel on there and mount a brake & lever if you want to ease into the whole fixie thing.

The wholesaler I work for just started picking up track frames; we've got a shipment of Soma Rush (http://www.somafab.com/rush.html) framesets coming in late January. We're psyched. I'd try to hook you up, but that would be the sort of thing they fire me for. :(

Regardless of whether you get a road bike, fixie, singlespeed, whatever, it'll be way easier than your huffy. :) I'd take a singlespeed 18-pound road machine over a 24-speed 35-pound turdpile any day.

If you want, I can check around at work on Monday for good shops in & around Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know anyone down there well enough to work you a deal, but I can at least look at sales history and figure out who the serious players are.

[05xd]

I would love to ride a bike to work but,my workplace is 22 miles one way.Theres no way im goin to do that.Oh and by the way,I have a POS wallie-mart bmx bike.It's like 4 yrs old and crap

[FordFasteRR]

.........

If you want, I can check around at work on Monday for good shops in & around Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know anyone down there well enough to work you a deal, but I can at least look at sales history and figure out who the serious players are.


awesome !

Get me the 411 on this !! =)

Thanks.

[Phiber]

A fixie? Why not build your own?

I bike to work in the warmer months; it's about 15 miles one way. I usually take my mountain bike though sometimes I'll break out my CX bike and hoof it.

Check out www.bikeforums.com Their user base is HUGE and the knowledge on that site seems to be pretty good. :)

[FordFasteRR]

Thanks Phiber, I am already on BF and I have learned alot from there + other websites..

I went to a thrift store and picked up an old used 12 speed Schwinn World Sport.

I did the magic on it and here is what I've got.. I'm still free-wheeling the stock cog but I have to work my way to the fixie thing ... not in any major rush + the holidays have my funds on tap.

So, I paid $37.99 for the bike, and I spend $ 40 on new tires/innertubes and bar tape.

I re-packed all of the bearings that I could get to ( I could not get the crank off for the life of me ! but I managed to unscrew the inner retainer thing and spray a bunch of gear lube into the BB ..)

Pics:


http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-18-05_1907.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-18-05_1904.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-18-05_1834.jpg


How do you like the bullhorns ? That was my first time using bar-tape !!

Anyhow, It rides great, very straight and super light weight... the crank ratio is very steep but I like it like that...

[bikerPA]

I'm psyched. :D Did you slice the bars to make those bullhorns? Good stuff. Man, a bike with only one cable sure does look good an' clean, dunnit?

You've gotta have a crank puller to get the cranks off. Might be more trouble than it's worth, unless the BB feels crunchy.
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_CCP-2N_2005727_66644.jpg

[mtlelantra]

It's a good start! Eventually you'll want to go clipless... once you do you'll never go back. You must have a pretty flat route... you're running 52/13? Just take care of your knees!

[robs02elantra]

I used to road race in Australia...loved every second of it. I did a few triathlons here in Canada as well.

Before I moved back to Canada the last time, I gave my bike to my coach (he had some money issues and had to sell his bike, so I gave him mine because I couldn't bring it with me this time).

Long story short, I am saving up for a new bike. Somewhere in the 2-3 thousand range. I really miss the clipless peddles. They hurt to get used to, falling off and not being able to get your feet out, but eventually you double your leg "horsepower" when you realize that you can use the wasted energy that you use resting on the way up when you pull with the top leg/foot as well.

Good luck with all that Ford, you're going to have a blast with it!

[FordFasteRR]

I'm psyched. :D Did you slice the bars to make those bullhorns? Good stuff. Man, a bike with only one cable sure does look good an' clean, dunnit?

You've gotta have a crank puller to get the cranks off. Might be more trouble than it's worth, unless the BB feels crunchy.
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_CCP-2N_2005727_66644.jpg


Thanks for the info !

So far, those pedals I have on there are clipless but the stupid screws fell out and I had to remove the strap things...

I have to find some suitable replacement screws and then I can re-install the clips...

I definately like riding clipless, its much better for comfort and mostly control of the bike...

I am waiting on my LBS to get back to me about finding a rear wheel with a fixed hub on it so I can swap over to full Fixed Gear. Also, i think that since I have a shimano rear hub, I might be able to simply modify it into a fixed gear by installing some shims and removing the extra cogs... I'm gonna look into this and see if i can do it for FREE !!

This guy did it on his bike with a shimano rear sprocket thingie just like the one I have: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/dec/dcarver_heckabad.htm

and yes, I just removed the stock road bar and used my hacksaw to chop them short, then I flipped them and re-installed them ... then I put the front brake lever on the left side and wrapped it up with the bar tape =)

=)

[mtlelantra]

So far, those pedals I have on there are clipless but the stupid screws fell out and I had to remove the strap things...
I have to find some suitable replacement screws and then I can re-install the clips...

I am waiting on my LBS to get back to me about finding a rear wheel with a fixed hub on it so I can swap over to full Fixed Gear. Also, i think that since I have a shimano rear hub, I might be able to simply modify it into a fixed gear by installing some shims and removing the extra cogs... I'm gonna look into this and see if i can do it for FREE !!
=)

No, it looks like you have clipped pedals (metal bracket with straps). it's okay but you'll like actual clipless (that has the thing on the bottom of your bike shoes and no metal bracket with straps for the pedals) much more once you get used to them. You'll have to get cycling shoes too, but you'll like those more than sneakers too.
As for the rear wheel, you need to check if the cogset is a freewheel, or a freehub. With a freewheel, the whole freewheel unscrews from the hub as a unit, versus the freehub where the individual sprockets can be removed and the "ratcheting" part is part of the hub itself. It's easy to add spacers to get a single sprocket for the freehub system. You can get a spacer set for $10 usually.
You can still take apart a freewheel cassette, but it's harder to find spacers that fit to get it down to a single sprocket. You can buy single sprocket freewheels, but the chain alignment on a 6 speed rear hub will be really funky...
If you're going to go fixed with no freewheel, you'll need a special rear hub that gives you the correct chain alignment and also has room for a lockring for the sprocket.

[2GTS]

I'd take a singlespeed 18-pound road machine over a 24-speed 35-pound turdpile any day.

Who says you have to have a 35lb ride to have a multi-geared bike. My Schwinn Homegrown weighs in at about 23.5lbs.

My next rig is going to be a tank though. I'm looking to pick up a hardtail freeride bike to really start thrashing. I'm looking at a Specialized P3 pretty hard right now.

[DAILLESTWUN]

I saw the new..(well not new but w/e) bike on Saturday... lookin good Steve...

[KeWLKaT]

hmmm i think im going to start biking to work and such with my old crappy hybrid bike that i made last year in order to save up on some of the gas $.

[FordFasteRR]

Ok, I broke down and ordered a track wheel, I'm told its a mavic (spelling?) with a good track hub on it (not sure of the brand) and a 15 tooth cog.

It is also custom made for the 27.x inch size that my bike uses.

now I have to hunt down a super deal on a new front wheel to match it ! LOL

sheesh.

It's just money.... let it burn ! I spent more on 1 wheel & cog than I did on the entire bike and the refurbishment parts!

lol







hmmm i think im going to start biking to work and such with my old crappy hybrid bike that i made last year in order to save up on some of the gas $.



awesome news ! how about a pic of your bike ?

[KeWLKaT]

LOL its in the back shed right now (winter with 40+ cm of snow)

when i take it out for the summer i promise i will take a pic for you :)

[bikerPA]

Who says you have to have a 35lb ride to have a multi-geared bike. My Schwinn Homegrown weighs in at about 23.5lbs.
You misunderstand - by "turdpile," I was referring to your typical wal-mart bikes. Homegrowns are awesome; my roomie has a singlespeed homegrown that he's built up to like 20 lbs or something sick like that. It's a blast. :D Way mo' fun than my old 35lb 1998 last-year-made-in-the-US FSR unless you're taking loading docks or higher.

mtlelantra speaks the truth - good post, yo. This schwinn is definitely a freewheel bike; freehubs were a mechanic's dream at that point in bicycle development, they didn't take off until the late 80s to early 90s. You might be able to just spin a BMX freewheel on to that hub, but I haven't tried doing that in a few years. Also, I concur - go clipless ASAP. Once you get the cleats properly adjusted you'll wonder how you ever got along before you were locked into the pedals.

If that track hub laced to 27" Mavic rim is something you'll want to match, you'll more than likely have to go custom and get a wheel built around whatever matching hub you can come up with. I'd recommend sticking with what you've got up front for now - it looks reasonably decent. Also, track hubs generally have different spacing in the rear than freewheel hubs do (120mm vs. 130mm) so the frame will likely bend. It's steel, it can handle it, but it might throw your chainline off, and that's not really something you want when you're torquing on a fixie. Just an FYI.

Check this site out (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed.html) for more info than one can handle on fixed gear rides. It's very well organized, and Sheldon Brown is flippin' brilliant when it comes to this stuff, even if he's a wackjob who you'd probably cross the street to avoid if you ever saw him.

I'm totally pumped to see a bunch of car guys geeking out over bikes. :D

[mtlelantra]

Ahhh... glad you hit Sheldon's website, bikerPA! Forgot about that one... He's got a lot of good singlespeed info and the wildest assortment of NOS parts...

[BobMs_wht2k2]

I ride my bike to work in the summer. I love 750cc's of honda power! As for the bicycle, I'm just not up for riding on ice when it's 9 degrees outside and it's 28 miles one way. Call me a wuss. I can take it.

[bikerPA]

wuss!
http://www.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/74858_UMfSbXmNEbuF9esPqJkPAUwtu.jpg

:D

[FordFasteRR]

BTW: BikerPA, this wheel they got me is being custom made for me... they said it will be ready tomorrow in the early afternoon.


this is a bike ! WOOT !

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/raleigh-rush-hour.jpg

[mtlelantra]

Yeah, Mavic makes nice rims. That's what I have on both my CX and XC. I'll try to grab some pix of them tomorrow when the car's out of the garage and I can take them off the rack.

[Nerraux]

If I worked within 10 miles of home, and they had a shower at the joint, I'd bike every day. But I work 45 miles away, so commuting just leaves me wishing I could be bunny hopping down a trail. Color me jealous.

Never understood single speed. Never want to. If it can't take my weight hopping off a curb at 30 MPH, it's useless to me. I'd rather get road tires for my mountain bike than buy new rims every month for a road bike.

[FordFasteRR]

If I worked within 10 miles of home, and they had a shower at the joint, I'd bike every day. But I work 45 miles away, so commuting just leaves me wishing I could be bunny hopping down a trail. Color me jealous.

Never understood single speed. Never want to. If it can't take my weight hopping off a curb at 30 MPH, it's useless to me. I'd rather get road tires for my mountain bike than buy new rims every month for a road bike.

if the rims are of good quality, you can jump any curb you want without bending them... + going faster yields less loads on the wheels when you hit the road after the curb !

=)

I have been riding these 2 bikes single speed for 2 weeks so far, I can't wait to try it Fixed Gear.

WOOT !

[mtlelantra]

my rides:

The CX is a Kinesis frame, Race face cranks (awesome), STI levers, carbon cross fork, mini-V brakes, (my) hand built Mavic Reflex w/ double butted spokes on LX mtb hubs, SPD clipless pedals, Louis Garneau Viper D1 saddle.

The XC is a Derby frame, Race Face DH cranks (love Race Face), (my) hand built Mavic X517 w/ double butted spokes, cheapy Rock Shox Jett fork, full LX components, Easton stem, SPD clipless pedals, Louis Garneau Viper D2 saddle.

[KeWLKaT]

damn.

mtlelantra, this summer. would you mind hooking my bike up with some nice gear like that?

let me know.

[mtlelantra]

You gotta get the parts yourself... I don't have direct access to cheap parts, unfortunately. I've always gotten stuff off ebay, mail order or NOS at bike stores... but if I have the time, I don't mind helping with the assembly!

[KeWLKaT]

good enough

thing is i have no knowledge when it comes to bikes and i dont feel like spending excessive time online either.

just a nice bicycle that rides strait

ill let you know if i still feel like carrying the plan out this spring

[robs02elantra]

I like the road bike, mtlelantra. I will have to find some pictures of me in my last triathlon in Canada. I think I've got them on a cd somewhere.

[bikerPA]

As long as we're posting shots of bikes... here's the one I sold two years ago. Really dumb of me to sell it, I miss it. (The white decal on the downtube: "If you ask me where the motor is, I'll punch you in your face") You can see my current mountain bike on top of my old '95 Sonata in the background. :D The second is my current road bike.
http://home.comcast.net/~randomadam/fsr.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~randomadam/veloce.jpg

[2GTS]

Very nice, I've always loved Bianchi bikes.

[FordFasteRR]

all done !!

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-21-05_1907.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-21-05_1908.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/12-21-05_1909.jpg

[bikerPA]

mmm... t3h hawt.

Quick question, though - you said it was a Mavic? Dude, that's a Sun rim, and Mavic doesn't make track hubs unless it's part of a complete ($250+) wheel... hope you knew that going in and didn't get taken. :\

Looks great, though. That's one of the few quality rims available for a 27" wheel. How's the fixed life treatin' ya? :D

[FordFasteRR]

i was told it would be Mavic but they lied.. lol

it is a sun rim with a suzue flip flop standard hub...

=)

I'm gonna ride it to work tomorrow and tell you how it goes...

btw, I got a big nasty flat front tire today on the way to work... had to call my g/f to pick me up and tow me home ...

I got a big huge nasty gash in it so I had to buy a new tire AND innertube..

=)

[bikerPA]

hahaha

it's awesome that you can type that with smileys. Most commuters I know would be cursing. :P Specialized makes a tire called the Armadillo, available in 27x1-1/4; it's like thirty bucks each at a bike shop, but they're worthwhile, you should pick a couple up the next time you need rubber. Messengers and loaded tourers love 'em, they're near bulletproof. Continental also makes a good one - used to be called the Gatorskin, the name might have changed - it's a bit lighter, not quite as bombproof, but rides really well, also available in 27x1-1/4.

let us know how the fixed gear commutin' goes. Good luck!

[FordFasteRR]

Whew!

Made it here in one piece !

I rode to work with the fixed gear setup for the first time... Interesting ride to say the least !

I squished myself between a bus that was slowing down to stop in front of a railroad track (they do that down here in FL) and he got real close to the edge and I had to get almost on top of the side walk edge... sure enough, my pedal gets jammed onto the side walk and certainly sent sparks flying as it ground off 2 of the teeth on the bottom of the pedal !

Lucky for me I didn't end up underneath the bus ! I just kept on fiddling to get my foot back in the strap !! Its hard enough to get my foot in the strap on the freewheel, but much damn trickier on a fixed gear !

so thats that. =)

[ba_feitl]

Man I think a first day flat tire and a second day near miss bus accident might make me think twice about biking to work ...

Brad

[FordFasteRR]

Updated pics from today:


http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010001.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010002.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010003.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/Final_pics/p1010004.jpg

[bikerPA]

Find some spacers and ditch the small ring. :D

[ba_feitl]

That looking good ... it looks so clean with only a frame and wheels, no shifters, cables, brakes (except the front).

And speaking of clean ... that's one clean floor ... it even shines a reflection !

Brad

[FordFasteRR]

Thanks alot for the nice comments.

=)

So far I am still testing out the whole fixed gear thing... If I like it, i'll keep it otherwise I'll just order a regular freewheel cog and thread it onto the other side of the hub and flip the wheel around..

=)

Thats the nice thing about buying a flip-flop hub, I can switch the thing around whenever I want !

woot !

........
http://home.comcast.net/~randomadam/veloce.jpg


Holy crap I like Bianchi's !!!

[Dust]

I biked to work till I got a car here.90 degrees and 90% humidity in a suit was too much.

[FordFasteRR]

update: (reposted from bfn)

Ok, I rode to work today ( day off on Wed due to family visiting), and it felt quite different. I was winded a little earlier in the ride than usual. I think its because I'm just not used to the higher rpms all the time. I made it to work in 20 minutes as usual, so I did not lose any speed however I did not stop as much as usual either, so I think I may have actually gone a little slower. My legs feel different as well, they don't feel as " pumped " as they did with the 52x15 gears... They feel a little more tired than usual... Anyway, Hopefully I'll get used to it soon... =)

So, in regards to this topic, the response has improved. I can blast out of a full stop much quicker than before, and the bike seems to reach my cruising speed much sooner than before. =)

ok, here are the updated pics:

http://www.nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/40x14_update/MVC-001F.JPG

http://www.nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/40x14_update/MVC-002F.JPG

http://www.nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/40x14_update/MVC-003F.JPG

http://www.nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Schwinn/40x14_update/MVC-004F.JPG

[bikerPA]

whassat, 39x16?

[FordFasteRR]

40x14

=)

[mtlelantra]

That's a pretty good fixed ratio to work with...
Oh yeah, make sure you have the chain tension right, especially since you don't have adjustable stops on the dropouts. You want it snug, but not too snug or you risk excessive wear on the cog.

[2GTS]

I bought a new bike yesterday. Can't wait till it gets here.

http://www.nitrousworld.com/pictures/P3.jpg

[FordFasteRR]

I bought a new bike yesterday. Can't wait till it gets here.

http://www.nitrousworld.com/pictures/P3.jpg


what did you buy ? link-pics-price ?

what kind of riding did you plan to do with it.

[mtlelantra]

what did you buy ? link-pics-price ?

what kind of riding did you plan to do with it.
It's the urban assault bike... jumps off 4 ft concrete walls and also used to scare boarders away from parkbenches! :)

[FordFasteRR]

holy smokes !

that ride is hot for sunting and riding x.

nice !!!!!!!

[Phiber]

It's the urban assault bike... jumps off 4 ft concrete walls and also used to scare boarders away from parkbenches! :)

Be sure to post pics when you crack that frame from doing 4 ft. drops. Non-warrentable cracking, might I add.

CX Specs: Soul Cycles Monk Aluminum Frame, FSA K-Wing Aero bars and , FSA K-Force Seat Post, FSA Carbon Stem w/aluminum steerer, Carbon spacers, WTB Seat, Crank Brothers Candy C's (pedals), Sun Cycl-O-Cross Rims, Shimano Ultegra Shifters, Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur, Shimano XT front derailleur, Truvativ Cranks, SRAM Chain, Shimano Ultegra Brakes, Winwood fork, SRAM PG-970 Rear Cassette

[2GTS]

Be sure to post pics when you crack that frame from doing 4 ft. drops. Non-warrentable cracking, might I add.

CX Specs: Soul Cycles Monk Aluminum Frame, FSA K-Wing Aero bars and , FSA K-Force Seat Post, FSA Carbon Stem w/aluminum steerer, Carbon spacers, WTB Seat, Crank Brothers Candy C's (pedals), Sun Cycl-O-Cross Rims, Shimano Ultegra Shifters, Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur, Shimano XT front derailleur, Truvativ Cranks, SRAM Chain, Shimano Ultegra Brakes, Winwood fork, SRAM PG-970 Rear Cassette
Yeah cause the Specialized P frames crack all the time :rolleyes:
The P3 is considered one of the best freeride/dj/urban hardtail frames. I've read many reviews and I could not find anyone metioning a busted frame. 4ft drops? That's just for warm up.

Here you go 33 reviews and I don't remember seeing a negative one in the bunch. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Freeride_Hardtail/product_123457.shtml

Ok I take it back it looks like there was one guy that posted a review that craked a 2 year old frame, no real surprise there, and another who ovalized the headtube riding skateparks 24/7.

For $900 I'd be still be happy if I need a new frame in 2 years.

[Vampyrate]

i'll stick with my bmx... i just have to find a way to cram it into the back seat when im moving to and from college when i get my S&M in (once i order it that is) and its about 1100 for the setup i want (stupid custom builds)

[bikerPA]

P.series is good if you aren't at all worried about weight - they don't break, but they're TANK. there're a bunch of good 4130 cromo frames out there that don't weigh quite as much and also don't break, but they're not as mass-produced and so are more expensive. I remember when Specialized came out with the first p.3, we were all "wtf?" but it worked out pretty well for 'em... I've always been tempted - put a gyro on the front, run dual 203mm disc brakes... aww yeah.

Looks like a fun ride. Do yourself a favor and don't use anything nicer than a deore rear derailleur, it'll just get shredded anyway. :D

[2GTS]

It's coming with a 105 rear derailleur which I'll swap for a short cage xtr once the 105 dies. I'm not concerned about thrashing the xtr because it's a short cage that I won't use for anything else and it's been at the bottom of my gear bag for 2-3 years. No real loss if it gets killed.

[FordFasteRR]

So I gave in and bought one of these mass-produced things from ebay.. paid $ 350 shipped NIB... . I assembled it and rode it around the block, and here are my impressions. (mind you, my only reference to the FG world is a a bit over 1 month of riding on a FG converted 1986 schwinn world sport)...

FYI: This is a fixed gear bike, specifically made for racing in the velodrome.. hence no brakes and no coasting or freewheeling.

1. The response is very quick.
2. The fit for me is even better than the schwinn, even though the stand-over is identical on both.
3. I can get it up to speed just as fast if not even faster than the schwinn .. even with the much taller gearing.
4. Its noticably lighter....
5. It rolls smoother...
6. I like the drop bars much better than the bullhorns..... Now I have to get a set for the schwinn.
7. the seat is very comfy.
8. the tires hold 110 psi easily... much better than 80 psi on the other bike !
9. I had to loosen the fork shaft nut, it was tooo tight from the factory..
10. The tires are cheep, but I already ordered a set of TUFO Clincher Tubular tires from ebay... they were $ 30 each...

Anyway... I like it alot, and I'm gonna break her in @ the velodrome after work tomorrow.. I hope it doesn't rain !!!!!!

here are some pics:

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010001.JPG

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010003.JPG

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010004.JPG

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010009.JPG

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010011.JPG

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Mercier_kilo_tt/P1010012.JPG

[bikerPA]

Oh hell yeah. Good call. :D The ease of acceleration is probably due to the weight and geometry differences - moving less mass, in a more efficient manner, makes a big difference. Fit is because this is probably longer: back in '86 people wanted the highest top tube possible; nowadays, frame sizing is done more in the top tube, where it matters - you can always raise or lower the saddle, but reach is a pretty fixed thing.

You are gonna LOVE those Tufo tubular clinchers. You can run 'em up to 180+ psi if you want, and they're probably supple enough that high pressures like that won't beat you up too bad. My roommate runs 'em on his road bike.

Congrats, it's a nice-lookin' ride!

[ba_feitl]

That looks awesome .. nice pic and I wouldn't think 350 is too bad for that either

Brad

[FordFasteRR]

Here are a few from yesterday...

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1637.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1638.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1639.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1640.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1641.jpg

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicycle_pics/Piccolo_Park_2006/01-19-06_1642.jpg

[robs02elantra]

Well, I've done it. I convinced my wife to let me spend a lot of money on myself.

No, I'm not going to mod the car at the moment. In fact, I'm taking a while off doing anything to the car, to buy a bike. It's a toss up between these two

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7364/ctri5hi.jpg
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/6977/1500silverblueteam5zo.jpg

I'm going out tomorrow afternoon to re-test ride them both and see which one I decide on. Both are in the 1490-1500 price range and I'm stumped. I like the triple chainring on the front of the trek, but I really want to get back into Triathlon again so a Tri bike would be sweet. I just hear that tri bikes aren't as good at downhill corners and that's the only place that I'm unsure of my balance at the moment anyway.

So, I'm going to sleep on it and get something tomorrow afternoon. I'm already posting on a local club forum and trying to get involved enough to start going on some rides. And there's a 250km charity ride in September that I'm hopefully going to enter in. Good times. I'm also going to use this to commute from now on so my wife can have the car.

[mtlelantra]

$1500 CDN or US?? If US, you could probably start getting into some carbon framed bikes... Do you have an Argon 18 dealer in your area?? They're from Quebec, and my friend at work rides one and it's pretty sweet...
www.argon18bike.com
Braun's is apparently a dealer- have places in Kitchener and Guelph.

[robs02elantra]

CDN dollars. I got the yellow bike yesterday, got the pedals and shoes today...went out for a 10k warm up and realized I've got more work to put into this if I'm going to get back in the race shape I used to be in! haha...

It's been 4 years off the bike, so I am pretty much back where I started.