Big Bike Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Pulled my big bike out to prep for this weekends lift served. Apparently the bottom bracket didn't like last weekends constant mud and then wash, seized completely on the non-drive side.

Disassembled, a soaking in mineral spirits and then repacked with grease it moves enough. Hopefully this is the last weekend I'll be on this bike ;)
 
How do you guys go about cleaning your chains? I've got a KMC chain with removable missing link so it it best to remove the chain and drop it in something or just clean it another way on the bike?
 
Most of the time i just use an old cloth to wipe it.
Take it off occasionally if it has a magic link and drop it into an old plasic bottle with some degreaser. Shake it about a bit, then wash and dry. Refit and relube it. Dont do this after every ride tho, maybe once a month or something, depending on how much you use your bike. (And dont take your chain off if you dont have a magic link)
 
I haven't ridden a bike since I was young.. apart from one time at Center Parcs..
But I need to start riding to uni a few times a week as my girlfriend taxiing me costs quite a bit of petrol.

I've borrowed/stolen my dads old bike which is from my childhood so its mainly for testing if I would really use a bike, gave it a bash and really enjoyed it.

The route is just under 2 miles and is mostly cycle paths and roads..

What should I consider while looking for a bike? I'm rather tall, 6'3 so not sure if that will affect the choices?

Theres a Halfords on my journey and a Cycle King down the road, is it good to check out these shops or use the internet?

Any suggestions?
Thanks
David
 
Got a budget?

In terms of size you'll tend to find you won't have any problems, every bike i've looked at so far caters for pretty much every 'reasonable' height with no difference in price.

I'm new to this whole cycling lark too, so someone with much more knowledge than me will be along shortly i'm sure :)
 
I don't really have a lot of knowledge on bikes and am still looking at many different models. I have seen these two which I really like though but not sure which is the better of the two:

Cannondale Quick 4 2011

Specialized Sirrus Elite 2011

Any suggestions on which is the better bike?
Or any other suggestions on a bike to go for?
It will be used to get to work between South London and Old Street, so around 3-4 miles each way, although I may take an alternative route if it helps to avoid the dangerous roads of the London Bridge area.
 
Streeteh said:
Got a budget?

In terms of size you'll tend to find you won't have any problems, every bike i've looked at so far caters for pretty much every 'reasonable' height with no difference in price.

I'm new to this whole cycling lark too, so someone with much more knowledge than me will be along shortly i'm sure :)
Click to expand...

I was hoping on spending under £200, however upon looking in Halfords it seems bikes are more expensive than I thought..
 
Can anyone advise on 661 knee pad sizes, their guide seems to suggest I'm large/XL but I have a feeling that their sizing might be a bit generous
 
Furbs said:
Can anyone advise on 661 knee pad sizes, their guide seems to suggest I'm large/XL but I have a feeling that their sizing might be a bit generous
Click to expand...

I've got them in a large and on their size guide I was borderline large/XL. I didn't think my legs were that big but the large ones fit me fine. I bought both pairs though and just kept the pair that fitted the best! :)

I went out to Llandegla today, was planning on going to Penmachno again but I got up late and it was raining a bit so I didn't bother. I think the rain kept most people away from Llandegla too, there were only a few other cars in the carpark when I got there, not like most weekends I've been! I only saw one other guy out on the trail too.

Managed to set a new personal best time of 1hr 34mins too on the black run which I thought was pretty good considering it was chucking it down for most of it!
 
Last edited:
Faded said:
I don't really have a lot of knowledge on bikes and am still looking at many different models. I have seen these two which I really like though but not sure which is the better of the two:

Cannondale Quick 4 2011

Specialized Sirrus Elite 2011

Any suggestions on which is the better bike?
Or any other suggestions on a bike to go for?
It will be used to get to work between South London and Old Street, so around 3-4 miles each way, although I may take an alternative route if it helps to avoid the dangerous roads of the London Bridge area.
Click to expand...

I'd pick the Specialized for that if I had to pick. The cannondales has such a short reach and a high front end. Obviously the specialized is geared towards comfort aswell but it's more like a flat bar road bike with it's 28c tyres vs the 38c on the cannondale.

I have a good customer who runs a Gt tachyon which is similar to those and you can pick up a tachyon 3.0 for your budget. He has put R500 wheels with 28c gatorskin tyres on it to make it a but more nippy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom