Help me choose a bike

Ed, have you seen There's Something About Mary? Lee Evans' character Tucker had *exactly* your voice. It was spooky, doubly so as he doesn't exactly look anything like you.

Um, er, bikes. I had my first couple of proper rides on my new bike. My handlebars are a bit low (which I'll adjust next time), but otherwise it feels pretty great to ride. There is a bit of chain-rub (I'm sure this is the technical term) when I use the big cog by the pedals (again, sorry about the jargon here) - is there any tweak or anything I can change to stop this happening?

big cog by pedals = chainring. Take it to the shop and ask them to sort it out.

... though be aware that if it has a 9-speed sprocket cluster, it's actually a 15-speed bike for practical purposes - use the smallest 5 sprockedts w/the large chainring, the middle 5 w/the middle, and the large 5 w/the small chainring, otherwise the chainline usually gets a bit, er, diagonal. This is the case generally I find, and one more reason why I think pushing more than 7 sprockets on the cluster was an incredibly stupid move.

Ed, good luck in your search. If I see anything around I'll shout. Watch out that you don't buy something with components that are too shagged though, else that could be a more expensive way of doing it than just buying something all built-up from new.

I live in Denver. The mtb riding is pretty good. Most of the front range parks start out with 500-2000 ft of climbing immediately from the trailhead. I actually like it because that means yr circuit ends with good descent (which I ride cautiously).

Hunter, Colorado looks like an awesome place to ride off-road or otherwise. Am now quite the boiling vessel of envy, damn you!

What I want is for someone to produce a good, reliable 7-speed cluster groupset, ie not keep stacking sprockets on the cluster because obviously more=better WHEN IT ISN'T. argh.

Pash, I totally concur! Running a 9-speed cassette at the minute and the shifting always goes to hell when it gets muddy. Actually, I was quite tempted by the hub-geared bike that Thorn are doing as a winter mountain bike. 853 tubing, Hope disc brakes, Rohloff hub. Not sure about having all that weight in the back wheel though, I've heard that it makes for a weird old ride.

NickB, that's one hell of a bike, I always used to lust after Roocky mountains when I was into that sort of thing

Shucks Porkpie! It's a great frame for me, not the most sophisticated design, but it's nice and simple and it just works! Had it 2 years or so and the suspension is still as tight as ever. Rides beautifully and climbs like a monkey with its tail on fire. Only gripe is that the paint is the thinnest, flakiest paint I've ever seen and keeps dropping off in big chunks. And with every chunk my heart just groans. Anyhow - GET A BIKE, GET A BIKE, GET A BIKE! ;o)

I've sold a couple of Birdy Grays and fitted a Rohloff hub to an old jack taylor touring tandem, and I have nothing but praise for the thing. It's an awesome piece.

The Rohloff hub is an engineering marvel. 14 sequential gears.

Point well made Nick, I figure on updating a few components. I'm expecting deraileurs and bottom bracket to be a possible early replacements. We shall see though, it's an funny way of buying a bike on the installment plan.

ilx cyclebikers in london/oxford/sarf-east - does anyone want to ride from london to oxford, poss combined with a walk/punt/fap afterwards? have just mentioned it over on the walking thread The rolling London walking thread

I might be up for cycling to Oxford, yeah. I'll check out the other thread.

I'd love to get one of those Rohloffs on my BMX, but they're about 5 times what my bike cost!

I have just won this on eBay.

http://212.77.169.40/itempictures/2745407876619_1.jpg

Hooray

I have just won this on eBay.

http://212.77.169.40/itempictures/2745407876619_1.jpg

Hooray, hope it's not too shagged.

Damned poxy fule and damned girlfriend leaving herself logged into ilx on my computer account.

OK, now help me choose a bike lock.

On Gaurd Beast I'm told is the lock to get, but oh so heavy.

Hey, way to go! How much did it cost you?

200 quid, plus 30 to get it form germany, which was less than some people wanted to ship from the UK. It's a bit of a gamble sight unseen, but there was nothing else on eBay at a vaguely attainable price. I'm expecting I'm going to have to put new tyres onand i won't be two worried it I have to replace the BB straight off, I'll have to clean and grease it at the very least.

I must now eniquire of colette to see if her folks can do me a deal on some crankbrothers pedals. Even at retail, it's dollars for pounds though.

ed, drop me an email at this gmail account and let me know what sort of thing you're looking for, i'll send it to my dad, and he'll give you a price. we're going back next wednesday, back 9 may, so it's pretty good timing for me to bring back bike bits, really.

Just did. I also google bike shops in kalamazoo. I'm wondering if i found the store website.

a e bike...

I was right.

ok, i'm back, and my suitcase is full of bike goodies-- i've got stuff for ed, mark c and sgs... now we just have to figure out how to get them to you! anybody free tomorrow night? i'll probably be at a pub in town in the evening, could bring stuff there?

I'm out of town tomorrow. But around thursday onwards.

I'm around tomorrow night, but may be in no fit state to go to the pub. I'd also suggest in a few days? Or maybe in a week or so, when Sgs is back too?

(Thank you so much, Colette!)

Ed, did the beast from Belgium turn up alright in the end? How is it? Reports please!

no problem!

ed, have a drinks thing and then another drinks thing (one at my gym!) on thursday, but if you could meet me early (before 7), i could bring stuff. or friday sometime? otherwise next week is looking pretty empty, i think...

Beast from belgium (via germany) has not turned up. I rang the vendor (a big company that provides a service of selling things on eBay, they have a rating of over 11000) that they had a shipping backlog. I'll accept that till friday but then I shall have to get eBay on their arse.

damned eBay bike should arrive today or tomorrow. Definately negative marks for the seller.

What Lock should I get?

I'm thinking one of the Onguard Mastiffs but which one? Is chain the best way to go?

Still not turned up??? Wow, that is slow! So much for German efficiency.

Dunno much about those locks you mentioned. I'd say spend as much as you can afford really, obviously more money should get you a higher grade of lock. But maybe there's something to be said for using a couple of half-decent ones - I do this and I reckon it'll take longer to get through those than one expensive one. But do note, I'm a bit cranky and paranoid when it comes to bikes.

Kryptonite locks are normally pretty decent, but they did have a crisis last year when it was claimed that their U-locks could be easily opened using the non-business end of a biro to rotate the chamber (oops). They did a big product recall though and they should be alright now. Strong chains are good, cos you can wind them round the frame so you're not leaving easily attacked saggy slack bits.

The most important thing though is where you're leaving it. Leave a nice bike in the wrong place and whatever lock you have, it'll be history in a few days.

That said, it's pretty much a fact that road bikes somehow aren't as attractive to yer average oik as even the shittest mountain bike.

I'll be storing overnight indoors. It's mainly for day locking. Even so I expect to pay in the 40s.

My lock was £35, and although I gave the guy in the shop ample opportunity to encourage me to buy a more expensive one, he didn't, and was happy to recommend this one. I think the make is Squire.

Squire is good! Abus too.

How's that record attempt coming along anyhow Mark?

Hey Nick - I haven't ridden my bike as much as I'd have liked to due to being out of the country/hungover/rained on on the last few weekends. This weekend I have my best friend's wedding plus resulting hangover, so I doubt I'll do it then, either. But soon! I am also trying to buy cycling shoes (the ones that clip to the pedals) on eBay, but they're all a bit dear. Any suggestions on cycling shoes, recommendations, warnings, size and price tips etc.?

Go to a shop and buy the shoes. The saving issn't going to be worth the hassle.

Probably not the best time, but I could do a really good deal on a Birdy folder at the moment if anyone's interested.

Yeah, get shoes in a shop cos for one thing you _must_ try them on.

I'd say to at least try the shoes on in a shop first ;o)

i just bought a pair of cannondale cycling shoes . . . they're mtb shoes, which is nice b/c you can comfortably walk on them when you're off the bike. I also got mine on sale for $50, which seems to be a pretty good deal.

Never had any Cannondale anything, but they always look nice. Would say that most of the Shimano shoes are good value and they do the whole range of styles too. They're quite wide and spacey unlike something like Sidi's, which are awesome, but also usually long and narrow for skinny Italian feet.

Buy them in a shop (or try some on somewhere).

For me, there is Sidi, and then everything else. They're expensive, but bombproof. And for someone with low-volume feet like me, k comfortable. I think that they make a wide version still. I've had the same pair of Dominators for--9 years?? Very heavy use back in the day.

I also liked my old Gaerne road shoes.

do sidi shoes have the cleat stick out or is it recessed?

The mtb shoes, like the Dominators, are recessed. But they're definitely riding boots, stiff-soled (but not rigid). They look race-dorky.

I have SPD (is that right?) pedals - will all cycling shoes go with them? Will good shoes be comfortable, or will suffering be a part of the cycling experience? And they seem to cost like £60 upwards, whereas on ebay they go for round £20-£30 it seems...

All mtb shoes are compatible, road shoes might vary or use adaptor plates.

They should be comfortable. How you plan to use them and how street you need to look just makes a difference in what you select, that's all.

What do you do on a bike? Ride for longer than 45 minutes continuously? Commuting? Do you have to walk around, esp. in shops/offices?

Sport road riding 1 hr plus/trip--v. stiff road shoes.
Sport road less than 1 hr--stiff rd shoes/mtn shoes
Sport mtn biking--stiff mtn shoes
Long touring w/ limited off bike activity--stiff soled mtn shoes
Commuting/errands longer than 30 mins--flexy soled mtn shoes
Outdoor time involving bike but side hikes--flexy soled mtn shoes with good sole rubber, boot/trainer like.
Everything else--platform pedals w/ flipflops or trainers.

Mark, if you are off to Italy any time soon, things will be cheaper there, especially Sidi. Decathlon stores are worth a look in, especially if you are in France and their own brand stuff is pretty good quality.

Hunter's right about Sidi Dominators, had a pair for about five years, still going strong. One of the few mtb race-type shoes that don't have any mesh in them, so your feet stay nice and toasty when it's a bit wet out.

Anyhow, like Hunter says, it depends on how much walking about you want to do in them, and how much you mind looking like a race geek (Personally I don't mind at all, but God, don't take me as a yardstick!). Specialized do a couple of pairs that blend in just fine down the pub, maybe have a look on Wiggle just to see what's available. Those Shimano M038 touring-type jobs are probably a good all rounder.

One little thing you'll need to watch out for is that the tread on some mtb shoes can be a bit too chunky to allow you to clip in properly, depending on the design of the pedal.

You'll have to buy the cleats themselves seperately (they normally come with the pedals, not the shoes) so check what ones the makers of the pedals recommend. Even Shimano do two or three different SPD cleats, that don't all work so well across their entire range of pedals (I speak from painful experience, having clipped out with both feet once when riding down a staircase, finishing the last ten steps or so resting entirely on my knackers that had got snagged on the back of the saddle. Not recommended!).

So what time is this wretched perambulator supposed to turn up, anyhow? As in, if I want to leave the house to take advantage of gorgeous day, when can I escape?

No idea, no idea even if it's today, you could always ask Doey (sp.????) or Liam to intercept DHL and take it in the pub.

They should be at work in about an hour...what does the tracking number tell you?

bugger all

Yes, cleats came with the pedals. Checking the specs of the bike I bought, it appears the pedals are "Wellgo Clipless road". I guess I should just take the cleats with me when I buy some shoes?

I expect to use the bike for 45 min+ decent-weather pleasure rides, rather than commuting etc. I tend to go at a fair lick, and use it very much as my primary source of exercise. The advice I've had so far has been to get stiff road shoes.