Thank you FordFasteRR

[KeWLKaT]

Well, FF, you've done it again.

With all those threads about bikes and whatnot, you FINALLY convinced me to get into it.

This morning I ghetto-fixed up my bike. I had a couple of things laying around, so this is what I made.

I started off with a Pathfinder (kind of light) frame.
I slapped on a gas strut powered fork from an old MB.
I used a MB rim/tire in the front
and a road bike rim/tire in the back
For the ''tranny'', I had bought shimano gears last year for my bike that I totalled (lol) while doing some downhilling this past summer, so I put those on.
I then assembled the rest, which is brakes, cables, cut chain, synch gears, etc.

Then I came up with something that looks like a bike. One of the best features on it is the front MB tire and back city tire. The reason why I did this is because on my course to work, I have a lot of curb jumping and trailing on rock to do, but also around 60% of city. Somewhat of a perfect balance.

Anyhow, today was my first official commute with this hybrid bike to work, and I have to say that I am pleased. It took me 40 minutes to get there, and 34 minutes to get back.

I will be doing this everyday from now on, I am in love with it!! Now I just have to buy those gel pads for my arse, lol.


THANK YOU FORDFASTERR

[evan938]

:worthless

[KeWLKaT]

Yeah Yeah I could see that one coming from miles LOL

I will get a pic of my very ugly (burgundy frame, black forks, and mismatched wheels) bike soon, lol.

I really have to paint it at some point in the summer.... Hmmm... black bike to go with the black car :)

[BlackElantraGT]

I can't wait to see pics of this bike.

How hard is it to work on a bike? Such as putting on the chain, putting new brakes on, etc.? The local shops around me wanna charge over $30 for a bike tune up... seems expensive when I don't think they're putting on any new parts, besides new brake pads I think.

It's making me consider just getting a bike from Costco. I saw a beach cruiser today at Sam's for $83, but I've never been a big beach cruiser fan, especially now because that's the "in" thing to get with the white "wannabe surfer" or my term for them, the "Blink 182 Boys"

[Vampyrate]

shimano is one of the best and most respected companies in the biking world
unless you use a bmx, then shimano is everywhere.

i think they may even make complete bikes, but they are mostly known for their gearing and brakes.

[KeWLKaT]

Hehe pics will be up.

As far as working on a bike, I work on my car so much that I just found it to be TOO easy of a task. I literally built it up with all seperate pieces (even had to mount the tires), and it took me less than an hour with everything adjusted.

Very easy to work on a bike.

[Vampyrate]

Yeah Yeah I could see that one coming from miles LOL

I will get a pic of my very ugly (burgundy frame, black forks, and mismatched wheels) bike soon, lol.

I really have to paint it at some point in the summer.... Hmmm... black bike to go with the black car :)
mismatched bikes (aka frakenbikes) are very common. different forks and rims depending on usage of the bike. i had a lower spoke count on the front than on the back (usually 70something in the rear and 30something on the front) for when i was into dirt jumping.

tires on a bike are the easiest thing in the world. do you have tubeless or tubed wheels? tubed are retardedly easy to work on, but some shy away depending on what they use the bike for.

[KeWLKaT]

tubed for both, though the MB one was a bizznatch to get on, I had to use the tool I made to change the tires on my 290cc dirtbike, lol.

[Vampyrate]

haha, one thing i can tell you when you change the tires, the rear is a real PITA to set just right so the chain isnt too tight or too loose when remounting the wheel.

all i can say is that KYB chains are the best that ive ever used and wont use less on any bike.

[BlackElantraGT]

are the kyb chains expensive?

[KeWLKaT]

^^^ thats why I use shimano gears, those things are as stiff as a morning woody!

[Vampyrate]

blackelantra, it depends on the size chain you need.
for motorcycles, kyb can be rather cheap, but for your kid's first bike, it seems like over kill. but for the novice biker/bmx or even advanced to professional, they are right in the middle and quality exceeds price.

i once had a chain from KYB that i used on 4 bikes over 3 years and after rusting (common for chains) still worked without a squeak. i used it until it fell apart after a crash riding on some trails.

[03SilverBullet]

Well, FF, you've done it again.

With all those threads about bikes and whatnot, you FINALLY convinced me to get into it.

This morning I ghetto-fixed up my bike. I had a couple of things laying around, so this is what I made.

I started off with a Pathfinder (kind of light) frame.
I slapped on a gas strut powered fork from an old MB.
I used a MB rim/tire in the front
and a road bike rim/tire in the back
For the ''tranny'', I had bought shimano gears last year for my bike that I totalled (lol) while doing some downhilling this past summer, so I put those on.
I then assembled the rest, which is brakes, cables, cut chain, synch gears, etc.

Then I came up with something that looks like a bike. One of the best features on it is the front MB tire and back city tire. The reason why I did this is because on my course to work, I have a lot of curb jumping and trailing on rock to do, but also around 60% of city. Somewhat of a perfect balance.

Anyhow, today was my first official commute with this hybrid bike to work, and I have to say that I am pleased. It took me 40 minutes to get there, and 34 minutes to get back.

I will be doing this everyday from now on, I am in love with it!! Now I just have to buy those gel pads for my arse, lol.


THANK YOU FORDFASTERR
Dont forget your helmet, kneepads, elbowpads and a cup (if you need it) :D

[KeWLKaT]

LOL! A cup!

Though I have a crappy helmet I am looking at buying a full face one like FF, today I was scared ****less from the passing cars that seem to do it on purpose to almost hit you with their mirrors and rev their engines when they pass by you (and I'm talking NO TRAFFIC).

[Vampyrate]

some drivers will honk at you as they pass (its the law in some states, i know it is in VA) and it scares me ****less whenever they did that...

and yes, a cup...
when i used to bmx seriously, i bent the seat post in half coming down off of a ramp with my... ummmmm yeah. needless to say, there was about 15mins of rolling on the ground and cursing loudly in a crowded skate park with parents around.

[KeWLKaT]

some drivers will honk at you as they pass (its the law in some states, i know it is in VA) and it scares me ****less whenever they did that...

You serious? Damn! good to know, didnt happen on my way today, but if it ever does, ill know why :P

[Vampyrate]

you can be waiting for it all day while riding and the one second that you put your guard down... blam! you and your bike jump 8ft in the air (thats a few meters for you non-americans out there hehe)

btw, whats the difference between a british foot and an american foot? i know there is a difference, but i never got it.

[Gregster]

you can be waiting for it all day while riding and the one second that you put your guard down... blam! you and your bike jump 8ft in the air (thats a few meters for you non-americans out there hehe)

btw, whats the difference between a british foot and an american foot? i know there is a difference, but i never got it.


Ummm one has set foot on the lunar soil and the other hasnt? ;) :D
:abovelol: jk jk jk

Gregster

[scud]

some drivers will honk at you as they pass (its the law in some states, i know it is in VA) and it scares me ****less whenever they did that...
Are you sure that's the law in VA? I've never ever either seen that happen save for my friends trying to screw with me, or heard of it being a law. Seems kind of like a stupid law if it's true because it would just make the biker prone to freaking out and falling off their bike.

[FordFasteRR]

You're welcome !

Lets see those pics =)

____________________

One thing about bikes or any other hobby for that matter is that once you get into it, you'll want to upgrade the bike...

if you are spending 60% of your time riding on the road, you will get tired of that suspension fork real quick... the reason I say this is because my first attempt at commuting was with a whale-mart bike with front suspension and it was a real drag. The bike was 2 inefficient for me and I could not travel at high speeds...

Eventually I switched to an old style road bike and converted it to fixed gear, I liked that alot and it really helped me to build up my strength and stamina (just imagine riding everywhere without the ability to coast), but last month I bought a regular 24 speed road bike with low-end shimano components on it and I am very satisfied. I am actually much faster on this multi-geared road bike than I was on the fixed gear even though this thing weighs more than DOUBLE !!

Anyway, congrats on your new choice to commute on bicycle. Within 3-6 months you will be in superior shape compared to the average male city-slicker. You will have more energy, more cardiovascular endurance, a lower resting and standing heart rate, and you will shed lots of body fat and look better too !!!

=)

Watch out for cagers and cabbies !!!

[hyunelan2]

I hate those quiet cars that sneek up on you and suddently you're like "ahhh, there's a car next to me."

I rode my first significant distance trip on my Specialized Sequoia on Saturday - 30 miles in 1:59 with hellish wind from miles 10-30. I have Shimano Sora brake/shifters and front derailer, with Shimano Tiagra rear derailer- love the setup. I need to slightly tweak the front derailer a little, as it doesn't always like to go from ring 1 to 2 as easily as 2 to 3, but it's not bad at all.

The cycling thing really seems to be picking up lately. Not just here, but some other forums I visit there seem to be a lot of people starting it, or going back to it. I really enjoy it and am hooked on it just as big as I ever was with the Elantra.

[KeWLKaT]

Well ford I don't know if I'd be able to part with the suspension, I mean, I do too much curb jumping to cross intersections, and I am afraid that I might bust a rim one of these days, I have done that too many times while downhilling with my previous bikes (RIP now, but are resurrected with this one, lol).

As far as losing fat, I'm already at 9%, I think I'm ok, haha. Though stamina and cardio is something I am trying to work on, but everytime I go to the gym with the intention of doing hardcore cardio, I get tired after 15 minutes and go strait to the weights...

This way (with the bike), if I don't complete my exercise (course), I'll be screwed and late for work, so it gives me motivation, LOL!

And yes, you are right, I am already thinking about modding the bike, ha!

[FordFasteRR]

KK, why do you need to jump curbs ?

Do you ride on the sidewalk ?

[KeWLKaT]

KK, why do you need to jump curbs ?

Do you ride on the sidewalk ?

I ride on the street, though I pass 3 overpasses where there are highway entries on the right, so I need to jump the curb to get on/off of it, I don't know why, I am afraid of overpasses, they just look more hostile to me, lol. It must be the fact that people already start speeding up with anticipation before getting on the highway...

Also, I do some sidewalking on a part where the road is fully gravel, I rather do that then get thrown into massive slippage because of the rocks on the road...

That's about it. Oh, and I have some parts where it's grass (shortcut), so suspension/fatter tire in the front helps for a bit more traction and control.