Posts
182
Joined
5/5/2019
Location
Moncks Corner, SC
US
Hoks
7/2/2021 10:40am
7/2/2021 10:40am
Edited Date/Time
8/5/2021 7:31pm
Moved for Florida, finally feel like I live in a safe area to cycle on the roads. Bought a used bike off Facebook marketplace for $100 to test my feet in it. I was an avid runner before I tore my ACL and now I’m looking for something to get a great workout in and give my knees a rest compared to running.
I have no idea what I should be looking for when it comes to good cycling clothing, pedals/shoes, or other random shit I just don’t know about.
I’m enjoying it so far, should I keep pumping money into this cheap bike or look for something nicer?
I have no idea what I should be looking for when it comes to good cycling clothing, pedals/shoes, or other random shit I just don’t know about.
I’m enjoying it so far, should I keep pumping money into this cheap bike or look for something nicer?
https://youtu.be/_Skz1tVOXvQ
As for road cycling I have no good input.
Then bump up to c group. Flat pedals still fine to see if you’re gonna get full blown addicted.
I hate running. I push myself in the pace line for b groups. I can go about 35-40 in those. I get dropped pretty quick In A At the 25 mile mark. C I can ride comfortably, but b at 18-20mph I get a helluva workout. A is just insane Theyre 20-22 the entire time. If I don’t have a pace line to drag me along I’m dropped well before mile 26 in A.
Pro tip: if you don’t buy super nice shit you’ll never know what you’re missing.
Reynolds frame / carbon fork 9sp
Lakeland area
The Shop
I have no idea what any of that means lol
(i gots no ideers either Hoks)
Bontrager Lights
If I don’t sell this baby it’ll probably be my bad weather riding days bike. Although breaks my heart to do that. This bike is clean.
There is a definite threshold with bicycle parts and gear. Cheap stuff is cheap and doesn’t last. Middle of the road typically lasts the longest, is heavier, and function often close to the expensive stuff. The most expensive stuff is the typically the best performing and lightest, but durability suffers. Plenty of great performing mid priced stuff that will last a long time.
As a moto guy you might enjoy mountain or mixed surface riding. I find myself doing a lot more mixed surface riding with fat tires on my drop bar bike.
Also, try to avoid dumping money in a $100 bike. Tune it, ride it, and save your $$$ for a nicer ride.
Incase you didn't know. Performance bikes come in different sizes to fit inseam leg length and upper torso. Fit IS the most important. If you are not comfortable, you won't do it no matter how much or less you spend.
One hurdle people knew to any form of long distance cycling have trouble adapting to a proper saddle. Most people believe the wider and more padding the better. Not so. Your legs are the pistons and crank shaft, the less friction the better, thats why a big ass seat doesn't work. A cycling seat supports your pelvic "sit bones", gives relief to your ass balls connector and supports your "package" to be frank.
Get a standard pair of cycling shorts, you can wear them under loose fitting shorts as well.
Find a local bike shop with good reviews. I'll go ahead and warn you, Mountain and Road cyclist are geeks. They get all lost in the weeds with tech / specs. I worked at my local bike shop for 12 years.
The bike Gorgie posted is a perfect example of performance vs cost.
-Carbon fork (good flex to soak up bumps)
-Aluminum frame (Light and inexpensive)
-Standard components (nothing fancy, they work fine)
A 56cm is a tad small normally for someone that is 6,1 but can be made to work for sure.
Good luck.
Markee has great advise. Start with some good cycling shorts and make sure your bike fit is correct. Join a local group and find a good shop nearby. I upgraded bikes every year buying used and finally found a great bike last spring that I will probably keep for a long time. Deals right now are kind of hard to find so I'd just take your time and make sure it's something you're going to enjoy before jumping in to deep. All you need right now is a good pair of shorts and time to make sure it's something you want to do more of.
Find a used name brand bike in your size. Likely a 58cm.
Pit Row
Trek wanted to make sure I knew what the hell i was looking for, explained different components and the pros/cons of buying top, mid, and lower line stuff. Put me on a bike and gave me a helmet and told me to take it around the block a few times to see how it felt. It was a Trek Domane AL 2. I went ahead and put a $100 retainer on it so they don’t sell it while I think it over. All in it’s about $1400 which is more than what I’d like to spend… but the other option is dump money into this bike I already have and hope it holds up, or buy a 8-9 year old used bike for around $400.
Does anyone have anything bad to say about Trek? There are so many brands of bikes out there.
I have seen several used but in very good condition Domane AL 2's go for well under a grand locally.
My 2019 Trek Checkpoint SL5 has almost 12k miles on the frame and I have had hardly any issues with it so far. Although I have upgraded most of the group set over the last two years. I hope to get at least another year out of my Checkpoint before upgrading to a similar model.
We've had her a new Trek Sport Carbon 4 on order for well over a year. It's finally supposed to be in this weekend. I'll be surprised, we've heard that more than once. If you can find one in stock you like snatch it up.
5 weeks after injury, infected wound.
Got some basic clipless shoes and pedals, an oh shit kit, and I’m good.
When you do go clips I reccomend going speedplays! If you start clocking miles you are going to wish you had clips.
I came from SC where I never even entertained the idea because I was so terrified of traffic. At least here where I’m at there is 2-3 feet of paved shoulder on 90% of the roads.
Post a reply to: New to cycling, no idea what I’m doing