(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best sports & outdoors cycling

Posting pictures of the bike would be helpful. If you decide to do this, make sure to post a few high quality shots of your drivetrain which could show us if there's any critical wear.

However, before you post the pictures, it would be helpful to clean the bike. Get a bucket of soapy water, find a sponge or rag that you don't mind sacrificing and get to cleaning your mountain bike. Dry it off, and then post the pictures (that will make any critical deficiencies more obvious).

As others have mentioned, you'll most likely need to remove the chain. Here's a video from one of the best cycling channels on Youtube, Global Cycling Network (GCN), that shows you exactly how to do that. GCN and its sister channel, Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) offer a number of fantastic maintenance videos in addition to a variety of other content. If you're wondering where to get a chain tool, I would just spend a bit of extra money and get a good multi tool like the Crank Brothers multi tool which already comes with one.

Pump up the tires to see if they still hold air. If they do, fantastic. Nothing more needs to be done. If not, you'll need to get new tubes (most likely your mountain bike will need 26 in X 1.9-2.125 in tubes). Here's how to install a new tube.


As a bike commuter, you'll need a number of things to stay safe and make sure your bike stays in your hands. Here are the essentials:

1. Front and rear lights. I use this flashlight for my front light, and a rear light similar to this.
   
   
2. A helmet. From your posting history, you seem to live in Australia. All helmets sold in that country are required to meet the same safety standards so in all likelihood, spending more on a helmet will not make you safer. Buy one in a store and you're set.
   
   
3. A great bike lock. Read this to learn the proper way to lock your bike.
   
   However, staying safe is only the first part. You'll want or need a number of other items to make sure that your commute isn't frustrating. Here are some of the items off of the top of my head.
   
   
4. Bike pump. If you're going to mostly ride near gas stations which have air pumps that can inflate a tube, you probably don't need to carry around a mini pump on your rides. However, everyone should own a floor pump.
   
   
5. Degreaser. The cheap automotive kind is fine as is WD 40. This is used when you need to clean the drivetrain.
   
   
6. Bike lube. Stick with a bike specific one.
   
   
7. Disposable poncho. When I lived in an area where it often rained, I always had a dollar store disposable poncho in my backpack. It's just super handy if there's an unexpected downpour.
   
   
8. Fenders. I personally don't have them, but I live in a relatively dry climate. If you live in a place where it always rains, they're super helpful.
   
   
9. Bottle cage. A cheap plastic one is fine.
   
   
10. Tire levers.
    
    
11. Rear rack. Assuming you don't have a full suspension mountain bike and instead have a hard tail (here's an article if you're unsure), get a rear rack. Do not get one that is only mounted to the seat post like this Ibera, but rather one that connects to the bike frame. If your bike does not have any bolts that can attach, you can use P clamps to secure the rack. This post describes how to do just that.
    
    
12. Some way to transport groceries. While I use a milk crate that I ziptied onto my rear rack with bungee cords on top of the crate (similar to this setup), many others use panniers to transport groceries and other goods. This has the benefit of more storage, better center of gravity, and can be water proof. However, they are usually much more expensive unless you go the DIY route.
    
    
13. Bike bell. Cars won't be able to hear you, but if you ride in areas with lots of pedestrians or other cyclists, it's useful.
    
    
14. Spare tube. Fortunately 26 in tubes are cheap and super easy to find. Any department store with a bike section will carry them.
    
    /r/bikecommuting can be a helpful resource if you have other questions.

I spent some time in google maps and and street view. For your Route Would going down Glenoaks Blvd to Sonora Ave then down Riverside Ave work for you? it ends up being 4.8 miles but with that route it's a bike lane until Riverside Dr and Bob Hope to your destination, so almost the whole trip would be by bike lane https://goo.gl/maps/oNfXYXZt9HS2. If you're comfortable walking you could walk the bike on the sidewalk for the last section of it and cool off. so you aren't riding "in traffic" until you're more comfortable with it.

For a pannier rack without a rack mount you can try something that attaches to your seat post if the load won't be too heavy like this https://www.amazon.com/Blackburn-Interlock-Seatpost-Rack-Black/dp/B00GCB6EEW/ref=sr_1_41?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1550901567&sr=1-41&keywords=seat+post+pannier+rack as long as it has something going down on the sides to keep panniers swinging into your back wheel as you ride. I've never used one like this so I don't have any first had advice on how well it keeps the bags from swinging into the rear wheel

Or you can try something like this https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Streamliner-Road-DLX-Racks/dp/B003UWESMQ the bottom mounting holes go where your rear wheel axles are, the quick release skewer goes through the rack mounting holes and through the wheel. The silver looking tongue in the front goes between the rear brakes and the frame using the bolt for the brake calipers to hold it in place. It'll keep the bags stable, hold more weight than a seat post rack, and sit a little further back so your heels don't hit the panniers. I have this rack on an old road bike I use for my commute to work and I love it

​

Hope you have a great time with your commute and stay safe

The most sustainable, enjoyable fitness is the one you love doing.

For years I was told that cardio was the way to go, the way to stay fit, that thing that will slim you down. And so I did it, for years, and I hated it. And as a result, I was inconsistent. But then I started hanging around xxfitness, and everyone was like, "lift heavy! squatz! bench pressessss!". And so I did -- and I LOVED IT. I've been going consistently, I feel positively challenged, and I am amazed at my progress.

But this is just my example. You need to find something that you love doing. If you love biking, and you own a bike, get yo'self one of these and peddle away inside! Maybe even pop a movie in, and peddle while watching, if that's your thing. Once the chill is gone, then go back outside! I would also suggest /r/bodyweightfitness, if you want strength training without the machines, or pick up a set of dumbbells if it's in your budget.

I think another thing to remember is that staying fit, while it should be fun, also requires a little bit of sacrifice. If being fit and in shape was easy, everyone would be super in shape all the time!

Yes, but good luck with that - this bike doesn't even have eyelets at the dropouts or a drilled brake bridge, much less proper mounting points on the seatstays. Where there's a will, there's a way, but your best bet will probably be something mounted to the seat post (like this), which is only a decent solution.

If you haven't yet bought this bike, I might recommend you choose a different one better-suited to mount a rack, and maybe with multiple gears, which I know are super uncool, but which are also super useful when you need to get a heavy load up a steep hill. If you've already bought it, I'm sure you'll be able to make it work well for you.

I don't do enduro's but I do a lot of remote mountain riding. Generally I try to carry as little as possible, about what you list for rides near the road. If i'm somewhere remote i'll pack like a climber or hiker and bring some light weight variant of "the 10 essentials" so I won't die if I get lost or injured.

Extra clothes take up a lot of space for not much weight. I often like to carry a warm layer like a patagonia nano puff pullover and a wind shell to wear on long descents. I figure these are my "maybe i won't freeze to death if I injure myself and have to spend the night out layer" and their also nice if you decide to take a lunch break on a windy ridge or something.

Your repair kit looks pretty good you could get one of these and maybe some chamois butter.

Maybe a non CO2 (ie reusable) pump like a leyzene alloy drive (high volume hand pump that might be able to set a tubless tire). This lets you both deal with multiple flats and adjust tire pressure for different surfaces.

Maybe a half used roll of athletic tape (ie minimalist first aid kit).

A couple of spare energy bars and tablets for water purification are also nice if you're going somewhere remote.

A sunglass case with swappable lenses for your glasses or a pair of clear/light glasses+ normal sunglasses is also nice for variable light.

A light headlamp like a petzl tika is nice 'just in case.'

That $1000 range is pretty ripe with options, lucky for you. Roads and paved trails definitely leaves you open to a road bike, not just a cyclocross bike. If the roads are really rough, you can move up to a 25mm or 28mm tire if need be, but you have the Bullit for any fun on dirt you could ever want to have.

Your desire for a rack, however, in some ways limits both road and cyclocross options, as it is likely you would like to have eyelets in the frame to mount racks (there are racks that don't require them, e.g. Axiom's Streamliner DLX). Both dedicated road and cyclocross bikes are usually designed for racing, so they often won't have the eyelets. The exceptions I know of are Trek's 1-series bikes, which may be your best road choice, and Specialized's Secteur, which has a more upright "endurance" geometry. I know of no dedicated cyclocross bikes with eyelets. There is a sort of "crossover genre" of... what would you call them... "sports cross" bikes? These are bikes like Specialized's Tricross and Trek's Crossrip. These bikes won't be as aggressive geometry or otherwise as either road or cyclocross bikes but may be suited to what you want.

As for sizing, I have a long ~35" inseam and ride a 58cm. Best thing I can recommend is going to a shop and trying out some bikes.

Here's what I wrote in another thread:

I ride with two Drift Stealth 2s and they're great - you can get them for about $85-100 apiece. They have 3-hour-ish battery life and on a 32 gig card can hold three days of my 20-mile-a-day commutes (they also have dashcam-like rollover so that you never have to worry about full memory, if you prefer that). They do 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps, and while their picture isn't the equivalent of a GoPro, it's plenty good for legal purposes.

I highly recommend a helmet mount (vs. a bar mount) for your front-facing camera. You're much more likely to capture whatever shit's going on that way; a bar mount has a smoother picture but will miss anything happening to the side of your bicycle. One of the nice features of the Stealth 2 is that the camera lens rotates, so if you have to mount on your helmet at a funny angle you can turn the lens to compensate and still have a horizontal video.

For the rear mount, I used the sawed-off center beam of a seatpost-mounted back rack. There are cheaper seatpost-mounted back racks, but this particular model has a flat top, which makes it work well with the adhesive mount. I cut off everything but three-four inches from the beam, slapped the adhesive mount that comes with the Stealth 2 on there, and it's been going great even through weather for several months now.

If you have to choose between front and back for now, I'd definitely recommend investing in the front first.

Here's what they look like in daylight.

Here's what they look like during urban nighttime.

Here's what it looks like in rain.

Edit: It's notable that because the Stealth 2 uses a slide-in-slide-out mounting system, your mount-to-camera connection will loosen slightly over time from the friction of mounting and unmounting, which will cause vibration in the video after a while. I found that you can shim the inside of the mount with a strip of electrical tape, which tightens everything up nicely.

1. My 24th birthday is tomorrow and I'd love a Bell Super 3R Mips Large in Red/Marsala/Black to match my beloved 2016 Giant Trance 2.
   
   
2. I have the Camelbak MULE, but are the Osprey Raptor packs that much better? I like the compartment configuration of the Osprey as well as the ventilation on the back. You guys like your Ospreys or sware by your Camelbaks?
   
   
3. Yet again, my previous L pair of Fox Dirtpaw gloves were a bit snug and the finger threads stitching was coming undone after a season of riding. I opted for the XL on the newest design, fits my fingers much better, and hugs around my wrist comfortably. IMHO, Fox always under sizes their stuff.
   
   
4. Replaced my plastic co2 inflator for this and I hope I don't have to use it anytime soon, but on my last ride that plastic one was the least user-friendly POS ever. I trust this metal one with actual thread screws to be much more reliable.

These are my pedals of choice and are going on my new bike. Great for all kinds of shoes. I don't ride too far, but apparently people have toured the US with them, so long term comfort must be pretty good. :D

I wear street shoes, dress shoes, Rotes, Allbirds, sneakers. As long as the shoe stays on my foot well, this pedal works great.

I have these on my newly renovated backup bike, they are my old pedals. These are OK. I do not like them as much as the Lambda pedals. But they are good for street shoes, and work well. Just not great with soft soled shoes for distances over 2 miles like the Lambdas.

Two sets of whatever clothes you wear whilst riding. Wool socks.

Wet weather gear, at least a waterproof shell for your top.

One set of civilian/camp clothes. I like slip-on shoes like Sanuks, but whatever floats your boat. I hear flip-flops are popular.

Tools. Allen wrenches and small fixed wrenches for anything you might have to adjust immediately (brakes, fenders, racks, derailleurs, etc). A flathead and a #2 phillips screwdriver, or a multitool with those. Tire levers, patch kit, pump/CO2. Tire boot maybe? I've never needed one, but they seem useful. Spoke wrench, replacement spokes or a one of these sweet things, anything else relevant to your setup for on-road fixes.

Tent/shelter, groundcloth, sleeping bag. Sleeping pad?

Fuel bottle, stove, water pot, spoon. Water filter? I like bringing chopsticks, they're small and help flip things while cooking, but pocket rockets are more for boiling than cooking, right? I don't really know.

Camera. Notebook and pencil. E-reader or book maybe. Soap and a toothbrush.

Try to pack less than you need and pick up things on the way. Better to save the weight.

A single speed will be great for getting around Madison and will require a minimum of maintenance. The two big things are keeping your tires inflated and keeping your chain lubricated and clean. If you have a floor pump for your tires great, otherwise there are tons of places that offer free air for bikes (bike shops, etc.). A small drop of this or similar on each chain link once a week followed by a thorough wipe down will keep your drive train happy. Do this more often if you're frequently riding in the rain or dusty/muddy/dirty conditions.

Fenders. You probably want them if you're going to be relying on your bike to commute and don't want to arrive at your destination with a mud stain going up your back. Plus they'll keep your bike cleaner.

If it's within your budget, I recommend getting lights that are USB rechargeable. I have a NiteRider Solas 2 tail light which I think I paid $45 for at my local bike store, but you can get it on Amazon for $34. It's a great light, you never have to worry about buying batteries, and mother earth will love you. I generally just bring mine into work with me and plug them into my computer during the work day so they're always fully charged and at peak brightness.

Other than that, any bike shop will have a paper fold-out map of all the bike lanes and routes around Madison. Google Maps can be useful too, though I still haven't figure out how to get the new version to just show all bike routes without putting in start/end addresses.

I've had the bike for a few weeks now and use it almost entirely for commuting. Here's what I've added since I got the bike:

• GoPro Hero3 Black
  
  
• NiteRider Lumina Micro 350 front and rear
  
  
• Nite Ize HandleBand
  
  
• Tektro CR720 Canti Brakes
  
  
• Ibera PakRak Bicycle Touring Carrier Plus+
  
  
• Avenir Excursion Rack-Top Bag
  
  
• SKS P45 Black Chromoplastic Longboard
  
  
• SRAM Supercork Bicycle Bar Tape (Black)
  
  
• Shimano Brake Cable and Housing Set
  
  
• Shimano Road Shift Cable and Housing Set
  
  The stock brakes weren't doing enough to stop me so I swapped them out for some Tektro CR720s. I dropped the yoke as far as I could to give myself as much leverage as possible. Braking is much better now and more reliable than the original set ever was.
  
  I added a rack and trunk bag that's big enough to hold my food and clothes for the day. The only modification I had to make here was filing away some metal from rack mounting leg. It was colliding with frame near the dropout and not allowing the leg to sit close enough to the braze on.
  
  Some of the original cable housings that came with the bike had some gouges in them so Nashbar sent me a new replacement cable set. I swapped out all the brake/shift cables and replaced the bar tape with some SRAM cork tape. The original cables from Nashbar were also a bit too long and were causing excessive friction.
  
  I added some SKS fenders per the recommendations of users on this sub. They were a little finicky to install but I got them on in the end. This particular frame doesn't have bolt holes in either of the two rear bridges so I had to resort to the classic zip tie approach.
  
  As far as the bike goes, it's been performing flawlessly so far. It weighs close to 30 lbs now so it's not the lightest thing in the world. However, the steel frame and the large tires really help smooth out the road quite a bit. The saddle is still the most uncomfortable part of the bike, but I'm hoping to swap it out sometime in the near future. Shifting is still very smooth and the 4 trim positions on the 105 front derailleur is a great feature.
  
  If you're considering getting a bike from Nashbar, I'd definitely recommend them. Their customer service was fantastic and everything they shipped usually got to me door in 2-3 days (even the bike!).

Looks like a very practical bike, though if that saddle height is right the bike may be a bit large. If your legs are more than a little bent at the bottom of the stroke it's hard on the knees and a lot of extra effort. If you have it low to keep your feet on the ground starting/stopping, try standing in front of the saddle when you're stopped, only sitting down once you're going.

Those flat fenders are definitely better than nothing but not actually good; spray from the wheel gets thrown sideways at you. If you do plan all-weather riding, get some good, long fenders, like SKS Longboards. The front fender needs to be lower than 9 o'clock to keep dirty spray off your feet and chaingear.

A lot of U-locks come with fixtures for attaching them to the frame - tidy and convenient.

Since this is your first bike, any time you wonder about adjusting or fixing something, check out http://sheldonbrown.com. It's a treasure trove for maintenance and repair, starting with chain lubing and fixing flats. It's very satisfying and quite easy to become self-sufficient to a some level, leaving visiting the bike shop for more major work.

First things I'd consider getting, in order:

• lube (I love Boeshield T-9) - lube pays for itself rapidly in reduced wear.
  
• pump
  
• puncture repair kit (but only if you learn & practice how to use it)
  
• multi-tool
  
  Either get a puncture repair kit with tire levers, or a multi-tool including tire levers.
  
  When you understand your bike and can keep it running smoothly, you love it ever more.

I ended up getting this. As cheap as it is, you would think that it is a piece of crap but honestly it has been pretty durable. I have been really rough with it and it is still going pretty good with me and oh how I love how easy it is to maintain it. The only thing you really need to do with it is change the brake pads every so often.

Here is my work bench. At this point, I can build and tear down bikes. I just replace a headset yesterday, and I have all the tools, for example. So, it's probably overkill for most other people. There are a few things I cannot do, and it's because the tools are too exotic, like BB86 press fit bearing remover, threading the threaded fork, etc.

• I started from a Nashbar's deluxe tool kit but I think this one is way better.
  
• A repair stand is really nice to have, and I'd recommend the Feedback sports' stand.
  
• Torque wrench - I bought one from Nashbar.com. Wait until they do 20% or more off day. I also have a 5Nm torque wrench - similar to this one. For handlebar adjustment, this makes life a lot easier. You can get away with just 5Nm one for most cases.
  
• Stanlay locking adjustable wrench. I use this for so many situation, like installing bottom bracket and headset.
  
• Combination and box wrenches - any brand
  
• Ratchet wrenches 8mm - 12mm. Go find cheap ones on ebay. Makes life a lot easier.
  
• Ryobi 18v inflator with SKS presta adapter.
  
• Park tool master linke plier
  
• Progold grease
  
• T9 oil
  
• Wheel stand
  
  I also have Nashbar's crown race installer, remover, headset cup press and remover, and steering tube cutting guide. Head set cup press is rather expensive so unless you are going to service the headset multiple times, it's better to use LBS or bike coop.
  
  
  
  

Do it! You don't need anything fancy. This is my bike, it only cost $180 when I bought it. My hipster friends get crazy expensive bikes but it's not like this one is going to fall apart (IMO welding is welding), plus the tires are thin enough for decent speed but thick enough to actually handle potholes. There's a fixed gear on one side of the back wheel and a free wheel gear on the other, so you can switch it around if you want, but again IMO there's no reason to have a single-speed bike if it's not going to be fixed gear. Plus there's front and back brakes, like I said, for emergencies. So... um yeah I love this bike, haha. It has seriously everything I could want. I'm sure there are tons out there like this, but I needed something cheap that would ship quickly for free, so Amazon it was.

Hey nice bike! If I were you I would add a saddle bag with some tubes, tire levers, and maybe get a small pump, and since you're just commuting the whole "it ain't aero" thing doesn't really fucking matter in my opinion ;) I would recommend this and these and this. Also read up on sites like Sheldon Brown for basics, and also I would recommend the GCN youtube channel for repair and maintenance. Also as far as locks go get a U-lock like this for most security and use this locking method. Have fun and stay safe, and feel free to ask any questions to me or any of the other people on this sub!

five tens are almost unanimously seen as the best shoe for mountain biking since they use soft, grippy rubber, but they can be pretty pricey compared to a pair of vans's skate shoes which still offer pretty decent grip.

make sure you have some nice grippy aftermarket pedals though- that's even more important. most pedals that come on bikes are plastic and offer very little grip, you want something more like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK

or this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/nukeproof-proton-flat-pedals/rp-prod85866

I picked up this bike about a year ago and have had great success with it so far. I took it to a local shop, got a few tweaks done and was ready to roll. Most road bikes you see mentioned run starting about $700 for the cheapest model (new out the box), and if it is something you are just getting in to doing, that is a pretty big investment.

So I dropped $179 on the afrementioned bike, got a little CatEye comp, a water bottle, saddle bag, and off I went. Less than $200 and I've put in some serious milage in the last year and absolutely love it.

Also, I see it like this. If I can do some serious mileage on a low end bike, then when I DO upgrade to something expensive (and even still I am not breaking the $1,000 mark) then it will be all the better when I make that move. Training on a heavy ride, then upgrading to lighter bike will make those really long roadies go much easier.

It's always suggested to get a new helmet. You don't know if it's been involved in a slight crash or had anything happen to it that would compromise its safety.

What kind of lights did you get??

I'd like to think I have some properly good lights and I've only spent ~$70 on them

Here's what I have: 2Watt Cygolite hotshot tail light ~$30 and another Cygolite headlight that can do short 600lm flashes, but has a few modes around 500lm or so, $50, but this is what I ordered last month for a friend who recently got into cycling, same 2W tail light & another headlight that's just a bump below the 550 I linked above for $60

Unless you've got some whopping mountain trail lights, I feel like $130 is a bit high, I'm all for supporting LBSs, but sometimes they get silly.

Anyways, stay safe & nice fucking deal on the bike.

I would recommend this one. I was hesitant in buying it because it sounded too good to be true, 2800 lumens for $30?! But it actually is pretty fucking bright. I have the Light and Motion 700 and I could honestly say that the Amazon light is brighter.

The only downside is that it has an external battery pack has cheap Velcro straps. If you're really interested in it I could post up a test video of it at night.

I've ordered six of these lights in the past. Three immediately went back because they didn't work out of the box. They are very cheaply made and are $20 for a reason.

They are also nowhere near 1000 lumens. That's the theoretical max of the LED, not how many actual lumens it pumps out. Realistically, it's about 600-700 at most. That's still awesome for $20, but it's nowhere near 1000 lumens.

This one: http://www.amazon.com/SecurityIng%C2%AE-Waterproof-Bicycle-Lighting-Flashlight/dp/B00C2MHNJK/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1414784449&sr=1-4&keywords=securitying is a much better made light. I have two of them and they have a better beam pattern and have lasted a lot longer than the single beam ones. It's nowhere near 2800 lumens though. Again, that's a marketing claim based on a theoretical max.

I use the dual beam on my helmet, and the single beam with a wide beam diffuser on the handlebars. It's a great combination. The use the same battery pack, so if one dies, like it did on my last ride, then you can just swap the battery pack to the helmet.

To quote Mr.T - "pain"
I'd do no more than 20 (fairly flat) miles on a first ride. You're probably plenty fit - but bikes are different than running. Increase as you feel comfortable. You might rub your naughty bits with a good cream (nozxema) before hand, for some lubrication - and I assume you have property biking shorts with a chamois? You need that. I like a mirror on my helmet. Eventually you'll need clipless shoes & pedals (which ironically do have clips). And watch out for cars.

I know zero about riding in the snow but will say that in general you can commute on any bike and its best to just start riding. The knobby tires certainly shouldn't hurt in the snow.

Rear racks are a bit tricky for mountain bikes and there are not a whole lot of good options. One option is the style that mounts on the seat post (see link below). In my opinion they are heavy, kind of clunky and I have never seen one that isn't loose and flopping around, however, some folks seem to like them. Depending on what you want to carry you may want to look into a frame bag or a seat bag.

https://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Seatpost-mounted-Commuter-Carrier/dp/B002T5GHNI/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImNiR7dG75QIVBNvACh1Uwww6EAAYASAAEgL2IPD_BwE&hvadid=198228759260&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032294&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6150622066045943072&hvtargid=kwd-324685841740&hydadcr=2429_9914336&keywords=rear+rack+for+mountain+bike&qid=1572151840&sr=8-10

Congrats! Wonderful bike, I have this exact bike. I highly recommend getting these pedals because the stock pedals are hard plastic that are like butter when they get wet. Also if you plan on hitting rock gardens and/dirt jumps, I would highly recommend getting this rear derailleur. I found out the hard way when I hit a jump and my chain slapped, thankfully I did not wipe out. ALSO convert to tubeless! I haven't yet, but I am planning to in the near future.

Most important part, ENJOY THE BIKE AND RIDE RIDE RIDE!!

Assuming it's a 26" junker MTB, and Washington is the state (versus Washington DC)....

I use these tires while there's no snow: Kenda K838s

I'm on my second year of these tires. They do everything I expect them to do, at a cheap enough price. They do great in wet and dry conditions, and work okay with fresh snow.

For fenders, I use these: Planet Bike ATB Fenders

These perform okay, but honestly, I often wish I had purchased the version with the extra mud flaps. They keep most of the crap off me, but during heavy rain those flaps would be great at keeping my shoes clear of the spray from the K838s.

You mentioned that your tubes have given out on you. Since they are cheap, replace these first. When replacing the tubes, run your finger along the inside side walls of the wheel. Do you feel any burrs or anything sticking out? If so, sand it down and get some rim tape. Bikes like these usually come with cheaper tires varying in quality. When the tire is off, check a couple things;

• The tire will be wire bead (you can easily google what this means). Check to see that the wire bead doesn't have any abnormalities (straight, nothing sticking out of the bead).
  
• Check for holes or sign of ware
  
• Check if anything somehow made it inside of the tire.
  
  Remember, if you replace the tire don't go crazy and buy tires that are 80$ each. Go with something like this;
  http://www.amazon.com/Geax-Goma-Enduro-Race-Tire/dp/B00J07F72K
  
  After this, if you're going to be doing any agressive mountain biking, I would highly recommend replacing the pedals with something that has metal pins. Once again, no need to go crazy! Something like this:
  http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU
  
  The two best upgrades in my opinion are:
  
  
• A pair of well fitting baggy cycling shorts. I highly recommend the company endura.
  
• A decent hydration pack that has room for a spare tube, a tire lever, and a general folding bike tool
  
  Do not patch these tubes. The tubes this bike came with are not great. Tubes are so cheap they aren't worth patching unless you're out and run out of tubes. Don't buy a tube from target or walmart, make sure you buy a tube from an actual bike shop as they are a much higher quality.

I considered buying one of those. They look awesome.

I got this since the Outbound lights were out of stock and planned on putting it on my helmet after the Outbound light came in. Instead I'm so happy with this Bright Eyes 1600 lumen that I'll just get a second one. It's plenty bright at highest and coverage was great too with the diffuser lens (included, you just have to pop it in).

The BrightEyes is $150 cheaper which helps. Two sample pics. The pics came out ever so slightly brighter than they were in real life due to a high ISO on my phone. The pics were taken on a 5 year old Nexus 6, so no fancy night shot from newer phones. It's pretty close to what I saw.

These are great suggestions.

I did find a nice rear rack that attaches to the seatpost and a flatbed trailer I really liked.

It's funny, my main reason for going rigid on the forks was to save weight, but here I am adding significant weight.

I think it I will likely try a different, more comfortable saddle, fenders, tires, and I may go with some sort of handlebar set up that gives me a better angle when riding. Long rides on the bike as it is now tend to make my lower back stiff/sore.

Awesome! It only gets bettter too! Check out the app Strava. Use the explore feature online to scope out the trail systems in your area. It is a great tool.

Also I would highly suggest getting some better pedals with your shoes. I highly reccomend the Wellgo Mg-1 pedals for bang for your buck best flats.

I'm currently using my MTB for the same reasons. This week I finally put a couple of new Kenda 838 tires on it, and immediately noticed a huge difference from my worn out knobby tires. The engineering of them is very cool (they are a lot like motorcycle tires, and have an almost bell-shape for gripping better on turns), they're much smoother and quieter, and the improved grip on turns is really noticeable. $17.34 each on Amazon.

Definitely also get some good padded gloves and a decent helmet! And since you're commuting, I'd also suggest a mini tool, tire levers (for removing tire from rim), pump, patch kit, chain lube, and front/rear lights for low-light riding.

Ok...didn't realize I had to add a comment to add text to an image post. Anyway...

Long story short: first time I rode, I slipped and fell and had nasty road rash. The ignition on my scooter was fucked and I was in recovery for about 2 weeks.

Photos of my injuries when they were fresh, click at your own risk:

http://imgur.com/a/tMoHLhf

Here we are weeks after, everything has healed completely except for my shoulder and wrist. I sprained the shit out of it apparently. I bought some gear to keep me protected and this is what I use:

Knee/shin guards:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/leatt-dual-axis-knee-shin-guards

Elbow guards:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-vapor-pro-elbow-guards

Gloves:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-smx-1-air-v2-gloves

Helmet:

https://www.foxracing.com/proframe-matte-helmet/23310.html?dwvar_23310_color=465&dwvar_23310_size=S&cgid=mtb-mens-helmets-proframe#start=4

After doing some errands on the scooter today, two things I've realized: riding for a while really takes a toll on your legs, mostly calves and your hands really cramp up after a while (3+ hours). When I had the accident, I was going 20mph and while I was riding today, I realized why I fell. The speed never went down because with the Emove cruiser, if you hold the throttle for a while, it automatically activates cruise control. I figured out you can just turn it off by pressing the throttle twice but still, better late than never. Also I got a little too confident and went to the second mode instead of just staying on the first. I rode today strictly on the first mode and everything went smoothly. My only complaint is how stupid hot it gets where I live and I was drenched in sweat by the end of the day

Edit: I forgot to mention the smaller things I've attached to the scooter

Bag:

WILD MAN EVA Hard Waterproof Shell Scooter Storage Bag for Scooters Folding Bike (3L) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TL9YN11/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rZoWDb0AHX2M7

Phone holder:

Roam Universal Premium Bike Phone... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWDCSIZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Bike headlight:

Bright Eyes Fully Waterproof 1600 Lumen Rechargeable Mountain, Road Bike Headlight, 6400mAh Battery (Now 5+ Hours on Bright Beam). Comes w/Free Diffuser Lens and Free TAILLIGHT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X90ZYJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_N3oWDb6Q6AS7V

And sunglasses... any will do honestly I just got these since they look cool:

Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018RZNQ3M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

SecurityIng Waterproof 1200 Lumens XM-L U2 LED Bicycle Light

Twenty bucks. Super bright. Multiple brightness settings. It will light up the road ahead of you. Great for dark roads and bike paths. This thing is brighter and smaller than the halogen lighting kit I spent $150 for, 20 years ago! Has a separate battery pack, which I ziptie to my rear rack (you can put it in a water bottle cage also).

https://www.amazon.com/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Lighting-Headlight-Rechargeable/dp/B00C2MHNJK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504365779

Yep, any bike shop will have a selection of headlights for bicycles. They clamp on the handlebars, generally. The cheaper ones are powered with AA batteries and some have a rechargeable battery pack. If you go with the AAs, it'll be worth investing in Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

If you have a basket on the front of your bike, it may obscure the light. Some people will ziptie a short piece of PVC to the front of the basket and then mount the light to that. Minoura also makes a basket clamp but they're hard to find in the US for some reason.

When I ride at night I use two headlights - an AA powered one that flashes, and this thing which uses a rechargeable battery back. It's insanely bright.

I haven't ridden through Logan Heights recently but my recollection is that it's pretty bikeable and downtown is an easy ride from there.

You can clean up the spoke rust with some steel wool or tinfoil. They'll look nicer at least :)

I rub anything that's prone to rusting (like my cheap spokes!) with an oily shop rag after cleaning the bike. Boeshield is a great anti-corrosion product that also happens to be a good bike chain lube. Drip type > aerosol

Congrats on your awesome progress! I'm glad to hear you've drunk this magic elixir called bike addiction. :)

I do casual rides of about 8 miles a few times a week. I'm lucky to live in Florida where I can bike year round, but for the nights/rainy days when I want to pedal a bit but don't want to haul the bike up and down the stairs to my studio apartment, I bought this bike trainer

It's only slightly loud (no complaints from the neighbors, anyway!) and easy to hook up, especially if you've got a quick release latch on the rear tire. The thing is though, it's boooooriinggggg. I have to watch netflix with closed captioning on to stay on it for any length of time, but it is nice to have the option, especially if winter would otherwise keep you down!

I commuted on a 1994 Stumpjumper for the past few years at school. I used cheaper Kenda 1.95 road tires that are still good after I bought them summer 2011. I also put a rear rack that carried either m-wave panniers for grocery shopping, or a trunk for small stuff.

Lights are a big thing. You can get them cheaply, I've been using a planet bike set for a while. The tail light is either solid or flashing and is very bright, but the headlight leaves something to be desired.

Good luck!

I was about to pull the trigger on a Kilo TT for commuting ($400 SingleSpeed), but I waited about a week instead and found a used Torelli Tipo Uno for $200 I bought instead. I too am a 6'5" so the bikes do show up, don't lose hope! I highly recommend using http://www.searchtempest.com/ so you can search your surrounding Craigslist's too (provided you have available transportation to get to nearby cities, the bike I found was 80 miles from me, but well worth the trip!).

Edit: You could maybe go for something along the lines of this CAAD8 and slap an Axiom Streamliner on that bad boy if you're not planning on carrying a TON for your commute.
If you want something more commuter'y here's another option, they do exist! :D

That said, if you do want a BikesDirect bike I have heard a lot of good things about the Motobecane Grand Record

> Any recommendations for lube though?

TriFlow is a good general purpose lube for parts of the bike that should be slidey. It's ok on the chain, but a purpose-made chain lube is better.

As for chain lube, there's a lot of choices. However, there are two basic categories ... wet lube and dry lube. Wet lube will stand up to wet, grimey conditions, but will be more prone to "gunk build up" in dryer conditions. Dry lube is "cleaner", and less stuff will stick to it, but it won't hold up well in the wet.

Decide what's right for your category of riding, and see what the LBS carries and/or recommends. I ride a road bike and personally use Boeshield T-9 for summer conditions. I like ProGold Xtreme for wet-weather / winter riding.

Whichever you choose, get in the habit of at least wiping down the chain and re-applying lube often, and doing a deep clean with degreaser and re-lube a little less regularly.

Well, I use my standard entry level road bike for pretty much everything. It's a 2015 Felt F95 Sora which has been treating me really well. I have around 7,000 Km on it.




For touring, especially for carrying stuff, I wanted something sturdy and cheap so I went with this rack and this easy clip-in bag. The bag is really great as it can easily come off the rack and double as a shoulder carry bag. There's another small saddle bag (Standard) for tools and spares. Additionally, I had 10L cycling backpack (Not in the picture). If you have any other questions, ask away.

Edit: Grammar

Just got back from Europe, we had helmets but mostly kept them for bad road/weather conditions. Not sure there's a really good reason not to wear one, and as someone else said it's not that heavy so definitely worth at least bringing, I think.

As for 'tools', definitely remember to bring some oil & rag to lube your chain. If it's raining or you're going over sand it can dry out your chain pretty quickly. I don't know how long your tour is, but maybe a chain whip/spare spokes? If you don't want to carry thall of that, http://www.amazon.com/FiberFix-Emergency-Spoke-Replacement-Kit/dp/B001GSMQZC is what we carried, which seems like it should be good enough to get you to a shop to have it replaced.

• [Crank Brothers multi tool] (http://www.amazon.com/Crank-Brothers-Bicycle-19-Function-Silver/dp/B0012Q41HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418363910&sr=8-1&keywords=crank+brothers+multi+tool)
  
  
• [Topeak saddlebag] (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Aero-Wedge-Buckle-Medium/dp/B000FIAU8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418364745&sr=8-1&keywords=topeak+saddle+bag)
  
  
• [Cygolite Metro 400 Headlight] (http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-400-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00LXTOT6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418364255&sr=8-1&keywords=cygolite+metro+400)
  
  
• [Cygolite Hotshot Taillight] (http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y)
  
  
• [CatEye Wireless Bike Computer] (http://www.amazon.com/CatEye-Wireless-Bicycle-Computer-CC-VT220W/dp/B004RE783W/ref=sr_1_16?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1418364327&sr=1-16&keywords=cateye)
  
  
• [Finish Line Chain Lube] (http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Line-Bicycle-4-Ounce-Squeeze/dp/B002IDZXRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting)
  
  
• [Genuine Innovations CO2 Inflator] (http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innovations-G2628-Ultraflate-Inflator/dp/B002AGI1QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420015344&sr=8-1&keywords=innovations+co2+inflator)
  
  If you're looking to up your riding game, everything listed above will save you from any trouble you have on the road. Cycling computer is always neat to have too!
  
  Cygolite Metro 400 and the Hotshot are brilliant. The lights definitely pack a strong punch. I'll tell you right now, unless the lighting in your town sucks ass or you go off road riding, the metro 400 is a great light and you don't really need to go much higher than that.
  

So at 6'3" its rather frustrating to keep seeing deals on bikes and then note that they are 55-58cm. I am trying to keep to advice that I have seen all over this subreddit that you should make sure it fits and that you don't buy the $300 bikes like the Giordano or GMC Denali. Why does the 5-8cm really matter? This past week I saw a post (I wish I could find it right now, I was the really nicely composed shot with unperceivable fill flash and ax for a kickstand) where his seat was jacked to the max, he said it does give him a aggressive riding position but that mostly he found it more comfortable. What are your words of wisedom O' Grand /r/bicycling?

The FinisherPix and clothing suggestions have links already.

I think for the personalisation (and for the suggestion from /u/Dirtwizards) you're going to have to find a friendly embroiderer near you. I think location is more important than a specific brand—there are often guilds that you can search through for the artisans.

For saddle bags, your friendly neighbourhood cycle shop will be the best place... probably on par with something you could find on amazon.

Similarly for the cap

And gu gels

My preference for lights depends on the type of conditions I'm riding in. In daylight or early evening, a blinking light is good for making you more visible. At night along dark paths, a solid light is crucial for being able to actually see what's in front of me. In dark conditions, a blinking on/off light will make it harder for other people to track you, which is why a combination is good.
In order to not worry about a huge number of lights, I like the Cygolite Metro which has a steady-flash mode where there is a solid light with a little pulse, so it both gives light and attracts attention without being annoying. I also have a taillight where the light moves back and forth instead of blinking.

+1 to both points above. I got the 550 usb-rechargable cygolite in 2015 and it's been going strong ever since:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXTORC4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

def strong enough to see and be seen in reasonable conditions. Pretty much anything except midnight fog single tracking :)

I just bought these MKS Lambda pedals and I'm very happy with them. They look great, have a ton of surface area, and are very grippy. Also consider the MKS Sylvan which I've used for thousands of miles and are also very good.

I don’t think you need anything special.

I usually ride Kenda K838s until it gets really bad and icy. They are a heavy tire, but super cheap and they feel great. I did a 16 mile ride through snow/ice/slush yesterday and never felt out of control.

I recently got a pair of these, and I am loving them. Nice big platform for tons of foot contact, very grippy, so you shouldn't need clips or straps (and you can DIY add pins for more grip if you want), and their look is somewhere between dorky and awesome, which I appreciate.

In general I think anything with a vibram / danite sole will be workable to commute on. But it sort of depends on your commute, perhaps telling us more about that too would help us give reasonable answers.

I ride a couple miles everyday on Topy'd shoes, Vibram-soled, etc. But my ride is a leisurely 3 or 4 miles with lots of wandering through a park on a rather upright bike. One big upgrade I made that allowed me to ride in a whole variety of shoes with ease are some big fat pedals. I like the MKS Lambda as it has replaceable spikes if you want too. These from VO are very nice too for all sorts of footwear. Obviously if you're on a spirited ride in with SPDs this isn't going to work. But you may consider upgrading pedals first as they can be used with a large range of shoes. And then get some new shoes of course.

Looking to get a rear cargo rack so I can carry two grocery bags on the side. Planning to get baskets like this.

Adopted a bike from someone else, size M, which lists the frame as 54.5cm by 54cm (around 21 inches). Does that mean a rack like this for 26"-29" frames is too big?

Any suggests would be fantastic. Thanks!

totally hear you on not wanting to bolt anything to your road bike, but i commuted 20 miles a day with one of these and some bungee cords for like 3 years. so much better than a backpack.

> And really its been a long time since I've had one of those holy shit I actually reaaaallly enjoy this moments

riding is pretty zen for me as well. haven't had time to do long rides lately and definitely miss it.

It's a great feature (although you don't mount the panniers at an angle, the upper rail is always parallel to the ground, but it does solve the heel clearance issue). I've seen a few other panniers that allow a similar sort of adjustment. For example, these (if you're in Canada). The alternative is to get a rack that has a setback like these axiom's. They let you mount the pannier's further back and away from swinging heels.

Having said that, my wife is really happy with her ortlieb city rollers and the adjustability fixed a problem with her last set.

>Keep in mind that I'm still a poor collage student and can't afford top-of-the-line gear

Wal-Mart, Amazon and sites like Jenson USA are your friend.

Walmart has chain lube pretty cheap. They sell floor pumps for $15. I have one I bought 6 years ago that still works great. I have a $45 Serfas pump too, that's arguably much better but you don't need to spend that much.

Also, someone mentioned a CO2 inflator. Get one that takes unthreaded cartridges like this one on Amazon and buy the CO2 cartridges at Wal-Mart from the sporting goods section. $8 a case, compared to a few dollars a cartridge at bike shops.

Don't skimp on a helmet, but you don't need a crazy expensive one either. I usually look for ones around $40-$60, so with a discount you'll save some money at the bike shop.

I have a gym bag version of a convertible hobo that I love. It's this bag, Calia by Carrie Underwood. I also have grocery basket style panniers for everyday riding that I love because they pop out and I can stick just about everything in them. I may upgrade to some Ortliebs if I start touring or riding in the rain, but for now I love the convenience of just being able to pop the pannier open and throw my bags down.

The rack is an axiom streamliner road rack, it's very narrow so it wouldn't be suitable for carrying anything on top but is fine for mounting the panniers on the side. The front mounts on to the bolt that holds the calipers in place and the rear is set back a couple of inches from the axle with a steel plate to give better heel clearance.

It is strong enough for commuting with a moderate load but If I would go for something with a more sturdy design if I was planning on carrying heavy loads.

Just gonna paste an email I sent a friend with a similar question:

On the bars:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QQX3C4/
With:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B004WLCLQY/
And:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAQOV5E/

The wide angle thing is important for bar lights, otherwise it's too much of a spotlight and when you turn your bars you can't see the trail. With that big battery it's good on high for 3 hours.

My old light just broke and I replaced it with this. I've only used it once, but the specs looked good and it worked well. I don't know if it's good for 3 hours though:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00C2MHNJK/

The battery is claimed to be 6400mah, but it's much smaller than the big 6600 mah battery I linked above. Not sure who's lying on their specs.

All-in, you're at about $70. Not too shabby, 'specially considering it used to be 4 bills for a 2-light setup.

Can always run it on low to keep from blinding folks.

I put Kenda K838s and Odyssey pedals on a 2002 Specialized Rockhopper. It's not as fast as my road bike, but I can ride all over the city (over curbs, grass, etc), it's really comfortable, and a lot of fun!

http://i.imgur.com/XLRm1DO.jpg

Thanks guys!

So I've looked at rollers... look fun but don't think I'm there yet lol The two trainers I'm looking at are the conquer and the [travel trac] (http://www.performancebike.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10052_10551_1111867_-1) (Thanks for suggesting performance bike, u/Xanatos24). Travel trac is more expensive as a base, and I'd have to buy the front tire stand unlike with the conquer. Plus a mat, indoor tires, and maybe a little fan. I've also heard of ways to connect to Zwift without a smart trainer, like with an ANT+?

Is the higher price worth it?

You can't put road bike wheels on your mountain bike, but you can switch the tires out to something more like a road bike tire. These will be slicker, so you'll get a little more efficiency on the road, you can usually find them by searching for "hybrid tires".

I used these before, and they worked well for me.

This is the best one I have seen in terms of construction and flexibility. bonus for cheezy packaging

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO

You need eyelets that would be located on the back of the frame. For the most part, he will be stuck riding with a backpack when riding that bike. It's possible that you could get this Ibera rack that will fit onto the seat post but you will need to raise the seat post and take off the reflector and replace that with a bike light. IMO get him a better commuter that could have a sturdier rack and carry more weight that is mounted to the frame instead of the seat post. A good beginner bike would be a Giant Escape 2 or 3
https://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Seatpost-mounted-Commuter-Carrier/dp/B002T5GHNI/ref=pd_sbs_468_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002T5GHNI&pd_rd_r=CVHQBP7NSBBDP1EN6BS3&pd_rd_w=O9VLc&pd_rd_wg=cWUf5&psc=1&refRID=CVHQBP7NSBBDP1EN6BS3

I go to Davis too! :D

I would highly suggest a road bike if you're comfortable with that. When I switched from a mountain bike to a road bike during freshman year, it made a huge difference. My first road bike was this cheap one for $160 that a lot of people have:

http://amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2

It was a great first bike and it really got me into cycling. It's only available in two sizes though so you'd probably need to be 5' 7" or taller depending on your leg size.

What price range are you looking for?

These guys did the math: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNedIJBZpgM

Basically, it's not more efficient overall, but it will give you more power over short distances like on climbs or sprints.

Doesn't matter for most people unless you want your foot in exactly the same spot each time. I kind of like being able to move my foot around and not being obligated to wear a certain kind of shoe each time I ride.

Also, there are many different kinds of platforms if you go that route. I like these: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

Would probably get these if I did it again, much cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=sr_1_4?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1472943200&sr=1-4&keywords=platform+pedals

...do you have a 34" inseam? Also, that makes the bike insanely huge. If it fits you well, you will like it more than your small hybrid, if it's too large, you will not like it as much.

This would probably be a better option in your area: http://gainesville.craigslist.org/bik/2633832789.html

This cheap bike is well reviewed, and about the same price point: http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Medium-Frame-Yellow/dp/B002GNWPK2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1318016080&sr=1-1

I like and use this light. On its max setting, it's too bright for lit streets or two way bike paths, but it's nice when I get out into my neighborhood with very little lighting. I usually use it on the first or second brightness setting on paths or roads. I've seen it as cheap as $35 or so on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-550-USB-Light/dp/B00LXTORC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485022128&sr=1-1&keywords=cygolite+metro+550

When it comes down to it, the other guy is right. It's really all about the angle of the light, not the lumens.

Hi /r/bicycling! It's summer time and I was wanting to buy a roadbike, and started looking online (Amazon and such), when I came across these two models: GMC Denali and the Takara Kabuto.

I was wondering which one would be a better bike to start off with if I have never owned a road bike before. I noticed that the Takara bike is single-speed while the GMC bike isn't (does it make much of a difference ride-wise?)

Any help would be appreciated.

In southern WI there are just those weeks where it is unsafe. Any time the actual temperature for the day is below 0 I opt to ride in doors and drive to work.

Above 0 having a good pair of winter biking shoes and full equipment makes it completely doable, though you will be slower.

The biggest issue most people face is fogging glasses. I picked up some anti fog construction glasses that work well, though I bought multiple pairs because after 10-15 rides and constantly wiping them the anti-fog is basically gone.

Some people have had luck with Mountain Climbing glasses, but I just can't justify $200-$300 on a pair of glasses that may work.

OP, I don't suggest biking in everything but if it is a nice 20-30 degree day get some gear and enjoy the outdoors.

Indoor trainer I bought - Trainer

Anti fog glasses - Glasses

Bike Shoes - Shoes

Buy a rack made for road bikes without rack mounts. The best cheap one is this: https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Streamliner-Road-DLX-Racks/dp/B003UWESMQ

The best expensive one is the Tubus Fly Classic plus the Tubus QR mount kit. It will cost 3-4 times as much as the Axiom.

I've used this saddle bag for 6 years now. It fits a spare tube, CO2 canister and pump, patch kit, levers, and multitool--that stays on my bike at all times--and can fit my phone, ID, and keys on long rides. I have no complaints about it at all. If you're set on carrying two tubes though, it might be a little small (though I think a single spare plus a patch kit does the job just fine).

This is the CO2 pump I've used for a little over a year now (I used a hand pump before that). It works great. As far as bulk CO2 canisters, I wouldn't really worry about it. They're like $2 or $3 from any bike shop or REI, and how often do you really get a flat? You'll probably only use one, maybe two, in a year.

For summer/mixed road use I have some Michellin XCR Dry 26x2.0's on at the moment - they work well on dry trails and don't have ridiculous rolling resistance on the roads. I had a set of kenda small block 8's last year and they worked pretty well to, similar tyre really.

I used to have a old MTB which was my commuting bike and also my pub bike, the one I didn't mind leaving locked up in town of an evening, but then the inevitable happened and someone nicked it. Anyways, I had some kenda slicks on that - if all you're doing is road and maybe the occasional dry, flat trail then slicks are your best bet.

A couple of months ago I bought my first Carbon fiber bike. It is a BMC Teammachine SLR03 2017. I have two questions, one is the use of a bike trainer (https://www.amazon.ca/Conquer-Indoor-Trainer-Exercise-Orange/dp/B004E1SVOI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1542914069&sr=8-4&keywords=bike+roller). How useful are these, and are they safe to use on a carbon frame?

Another question is storage for winter. I cannot ride anymore this year because of the weather and will be storing the bike in a bed room inside an apartment. Are they any things to take into consideration with storing the bike? Thanks.

I have this exact model.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_saR1tb0AGVQ6Q7X3

I bought it two years and 110 lbs ago. It's seen some shit in those two years hauling me around. The bottom bracket is messed up and has a moderate amount of play in it. It's also rusting because I had it outside at school all last year.

I'm assuming the frame is steel because of the rust. I plan on sanding and repainting eventually and fixing the bracket. It's pretty much out of tread on the tires too, so I have slicks :)

I'm just dealing with it for now, but I'd like a new road bike. I've ridden a 2013 trek 1.2 before and it was such a different world to me haha.

A friend told me that he has had good luck with these Bright Eyes when I asked him what he used. One on the bar and one on the helmet.

I ended up using the duotrap sensor on my Trek, but you could absolutely go this way...

Speed/cadence sensors
https://www.amazon.com/Onlydroid-Wireless-Bluetooth-Speedmeter-MapMyRide/dp/B06XG8VY4X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1523381436&sr=8-6&keywords=speed+and+cadence+sensor

Trainer - use the cyclops mag profile
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094KIVQW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you've got a smart phone or a BT laptop, you're likely all set at that point. If not, you'll probably want to pick up an ANT+ dongle for your laptop (and you may want to go this way anyway)
https://www.amazon.com/adapter-PerfPRO-CycleOps-TrainerRoad-extension/dp/B079217ZGV/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1523381608&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=ant%2B+dongle&psc=1

All told? The list runs out to under $150. If you decide you like Zwift, you can always upgrade later on. But this way you're not spending a ton upfront.

I use this on my handlebars:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X90ZYJ0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

and this on my helmet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IHIMJRS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

The Shenkey is great and you could honestly just get two for helmet/handlebars

I've had this Topeak bag (Topeak Aero Wedge Pack with Buckle (Medium) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIAU8O/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_l2Pbub1P812NV) for a while now and it is pretty good. Stays dry, expands if needed, does not move around too much. Can fit a 29" tube, multitool, cellphone and maybe a snack bar without expanding.

These things will pertain more to riding on trails, but you might want:

• gloves for the trails (not so much for the commuting)
  
  
• pedals (only if you have plastic pedals you might want to upgrade.) I recently did and i feel so much more comfortable with my new, large, grippy, Wellgo MG-1's
  
  
• new shoes if you don't want to mess up your current shoes on the pedals.

I've been using some Wellgo MG-1s on my AM bike. Solid pedal. Even better price. Love it.

Check out Bright Eyes lights on Amazon.

I have this one. Works great.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X90ZYJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_sdzQDbH8M6Q1C

my buddy has this bike, i believe it's a [takara kabuto] (http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Frame/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406220138&sr=8-1&keywords=takara+kabuto). if you're enjoying it, more power to you, especially with that lovely view.

I broke a rear spoke while on tour last summer - I carry two extra spokes, but the cassette on the rear wheel blocked the hole for the broken spoke, and I couldn't manage to thread the spare to fit without removing it (which I did not have the tools for).

Luckily, one of the guys in my group had a FiberFix spoke kit, and it worked like a champ. I was able to fix my wheel and complete my tour using it. Now I keep one in my kit - tiny and weighs practically nothing, but it can really come in handy.

Ok awesome ill keep that in mind thanks. Have any recommendations for a trainer? It gets snowy and cold where I live and won't always be able to ride outside? I was looking at this one. Also riding shorts any suggestions?

I bought my first non-horrible bike today and I have a few questions:

This is the part of the post you will be most interested in

I found a second hand Specialized Vita Elite 2011 today for £250 which I'm hoping was a good deal. The tyres have been replaced with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres which look to be brand new and they've added mudguards and a pannier rack. I think the derailer may have been replaced - it says Shinmara Deore on it now.

Everything looks to be in good condition, but I don't know anything so would it be worth taking it to a separate bike shop for an independent checkup? What are the less obvious signs of trouble I should be looking for?

I saw Specialized issued a recall including this model. Do I need to be worried about this?

How well is the bike going to handle being left outdoors? My landlord doesn't allow bikes to be stored inside so it is going to be in direct sun and rain. I don't really have anywhere else I can chain it.

What issues should I be checking for every time I go out to ride it? Every week/on a regular basis?

Are these any good?

Thanks in advance.

I don't know much about bikes but someone highly recommended this one for the price point. How would this compare to the bikes I can get over there?

Likewise, I found a craigslist type site for Switzerland and the bikes people offered for 150 CHF+ were pretty basic/beat up.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041QF9EQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=11XPBXGZUKPX7&coliid=I13BTJRMQDNY5Q&psc=1

Been rocking mine for a year now, you'll love yours!

Do yourself a favor and grab a pair of Wellgo MG-1 Pedals, they're infinitely more durable and grippy than the plastic ones the bike comes with.

I got this one when it was about 20 bucks cheaper, and it does the job. Came with a front wheel stand..? Chock? Whatever. Kind of a pain to get it dialed to where you want to be, I can see the benefit to ones with a control on a cable, so you can change resistance without getting off the bike, but again, it was super cheap when I bought it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E1SVOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_G7rPybMBRT2BX

That's what I do as well. Then I'd suggest either the Bommixc or Wellgo Mg 1:

https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU

Bonmixc are cheaper, and they're really well made. My only criticism of Bonmixc is that if you wear really thin, flexible soled shoes, then you can feel the metal bar a bit on the ball of your foot. But if you have stiffer soles, or something like a normal athletic/running shoe, it's no issue. Wellgo is also great.

These are popular and work pretty well

That bike looks like it was barely ridden! Great catch. Now just get out there and ride.

The only thing that I can't quite tell re: the bike is what kinda pedals it has. If those are the plastic pedals that came with it then I'd consider changing them out to something with more grip or you'll soon be slapping your in-between-naughty place with metal tubing. I've used these which aren't too expensive...

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Bigfoot-Pedals-16Inch-Axle/dp/B002BVUGA0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1404235658&sr=8-10&keywords=bike+pedal

http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU/ref=pd_sim_sg_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VH4A4CHB2K4V82PCXBN

If she has a bike that she likes to use (or you do) get one of these They're awesome and you can hangout at home on your actual bike, watching TV or something. Or pop in one of these

If you want platform pedals welgo mg-1's are fantastic and affordable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483136257&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wellgo+mg+1&dpPl=1&dpID=41MHClFiruL&ref=plSrch

If you want clipless you'll need pedals and special shoes

I installed MKS Lambda platforms ($38) on a buddies bike for him and he hasn't stopped raving about them. His positives are that they are a substantial platform to stand on, they spin nice, and they are super grippy in wet conditions.

They aren't all that pretty, but not horrible.

You need one of those, it mounts directly on your glasses so you can move it to a spot where it's not blurred out by your peripheral vision.

I have one, and it works great. But I don't have bad vision.. so YMMV

Those all look like good bikes. For commuting you'll want to lock out the suspension and depending on the course you take, I suggest getting some slick tires like these. and keep them at the maximum recommended pressure if your course is all paved.

I ride this Giant Revel and I've put over 11,000 kilometers on it.

We used to recommend Wellgo MG1s around here. I have a set and I love them. Fairly cheap too.

Depends on how long you're riding. I'd avoid clipless for quick jaunts or non serious rides. For serious 1+ hour riding, clipless is great.

These are good value and very light for metal pedals: http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK

I would consider mounting a rear rack using a P-Clamp. I assume you're saying it is difficult to install a rack/panniers because there are no eyelets to attach a rack to on the upper seat stays. However, the P-Clamp solution see here for more details, is an easy DIY fix. If you don't like it, you can remove it without any damage to the bike and do your trade in. P-Clamps are incredibly inexpensive at any hardware store and racks like this are plentiful online for not very much.

If you have any questions, feel free to DM me.

How far do you bike to work?

I just bought a cheap <$200 bike with all bolted on bits (no quick releases), so I can take it anywhere and u-lock it anywhere and not worry about it. If someone does end up wanting it badly enough to take it, I'm not out very much. Been leaving it outside every day for a year and a half, never a problem.

That's just my theory - when you're not worried about your bike, you can really enjoy biking places a lot more. Keep the fancy ones for pleasure rides.

I have a feeling it would be easier to peruse the streets and garage sales until someone throws theirs out.

You are going to need to make a stand that will hold the bike and not tip. On top of that, your rear wheel needs something draining the energy (it is is peddling down hill otherwise).

I think I would go with an A frame that has a metal rod where the wheels attach. the rear wheel needs some resistance; I think modifying the wheel to act as a fan would work.

It would be much simpler to watch the curbs or buy what outobounz linked http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0094KIVQW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1462259827&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=indoor+cycle+trainer&dpPl=1&dpID=417sPpqt%2BkL&ref=plSrch

This seems like a simpler solution to me than bringing extra tools. Haven't used one but I carry it and I've heard lots of good things.

https://www.amazon.ca/FiberFix-Emergency-Spoke-Replacement-Kit/dp/B001GSMQZC

Any rack should do, you will just have it sit higher. You can also get adjustable height tack like this one.

​

Edit: this one has a better adjustment for top connection.

WellGo MG1

Just over your price limit, but it's worth it for magnesium (light) and removable/replaceable pins (they grip way better than molded ones, and you can replace them when they wear down). Fits any Hold Fast-style straps.

Someone else suggested these MG-1 pedals to me when I was looking, they are pretty darn good for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503847005&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mg-1+pedals&dpPl=1&dpID=41MHClFiruL&ref=plSrch

http://www.reddit.com/r/ukbike/comments/1gje99/had_to_upgrade_my_helmet_mirror/camv10l

I use a "Take a Look" helmet mirror (well I put it on my shades), it's perfect.

No shaking around like my old one did, wider so I can see much more of what's going on behind me with ease. I can't ride comfortably without them, I hate not knowing what's developing behind me constantly.

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO

I have this one. Btw, the guy who runs the production of the lights is a super cool guy and backs his product.

Yes it is!

It is from a company called Bright Eyes and I purchased the 1600 Lumens version.

This plus this. After every ride I wipe the chain down with a dry microfiber rags. Nothing on the outside of the chain needs to be there. Twice a week (about 12 hours of riding) I apply some of the T-9, let it sit, and wipe clean. Also wipe off the jockey wheels. In my opinion, the key to a clean drive train is lubing after rides and letting it dry (after wiping excess off), not right before you go out.

^I ^love ^a ^silent ^ride.

So I use my road bike as my means of transportation, I recently bought new tires and forgot to buy new tubes, the bike is a 74 schwinn le tour and the tires are 27 1/4. I was wondering what size tubing to use, also if I was looking to buy chain lubricant do you think this is ok? Thanks for any suggestions/help!

Thanks! I was looking at this one: https://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Trainer-Portable-Exercise-Magnetic/dp/B0094KIVQW/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1484579504&sr=1-2&keywords=bike+trainer.

Any thoughts on that?

They do mention noise, but a lot of people also discuss not using slicks. They seem to think resistance is OK, but it's tough to know what kind of experience they have.

I'm using the same light, I paid around $65 for mine a year ago. I don't see the 500 on Amazon anymore, but I do see the 550 for only $46.54. That's a really good deal.

I carry a spare "spoke" which is this repair kit w/ a kevlar string to apply tension where there's a missing spoke. It's better than doing a temporary truing job (which can risk other spokes breaking) and it''ll work on most wheels instead of only having your own spoke size/type (good for when a stranger/friend breaks theirs).

Another "you never know when you'll need it" thing is a universal derailluer hanger. Which is funny because I'm kind of a prepared guy and thought it will be one of those things I'll never ever use but have peace of mind. The very next day that it came in the mail, I ended up using it on a stranger's bike.

Edit: this is it

I recently got these. Love them.

Rack

Panniers

I bike everywhere even during the summer months. One way to keep sweating to a minimum is to plan routes through quiet/shaded neighborhood streets, ride at a bit of a slower pace, get to know the topography to avoid hills, avoid wearing backpacks (get a rear rack on your bike and attach panniers to carry things), and avoid riding during the hottest part of the day if possible (3-5 PM).

There are commuter showers at Mellow Johnny's downtown. Outside of downtown, you can maybe look if there's a gym nearby your workplace (if they don't provide one) if you think you need to shower before work. That or you can bring a change of clothes and some wet wipes and clean yourself off a bit at your workplace's restroom.

Before heading out for a bike ride, take a cool shower. Getting rid of the germs on your skin lessens bad smells.

Another tip I recommend is to use the bus system. You can bring your bikes on all city buses via the rack on the front. For long commutes it helps to bus/train part of the way then bike the rest of the way.

For grocery shopping, you can actually do that on a bicycle pretty easily! I can't recommend these enough, I use them to grocery shop and they are very sturdy and can carry 2 big bags of food:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4ZKZK0/ref=asc_df_B00B4ZKZK03094547?smid=AOX84OWDPPJFO&tag=pgmp-1370-97-20&linkCode=df0&creative=395109&creativeASIN=B00B4ZKZK0

Get an indoor training stand for a bicycle. You can use said bike outside like normal and use the training stand inside to ride while you watch TV. It's light and easy to move. Example

I bought this trainer for $60 on amazon. Been using it for a year with zero problems on both my road and mountain bikes. I had tested my friends smart trainer at first and realized I did not like the feeling so I bought this on a whim just until I figured out what I really wanted...now I don't really plan to upgrade at this point. Works fine for zwift.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Trainer-Portable-Exercise-Magnetic/dp/B0094KIVQW/ref=pd_day0_hl_468_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0094KIVQW&pd_rd_r=9569397f-eb42-11e8-b188-2fb63616cf11&pd_rd_w=3Na8Q&pd_rd_wg=qIBkN&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=PTJXYMW6DEVKH65G1TCY&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=PTJXYMW6DEVKH65G1TCY

It is a Topeak bag.

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Aero-Wedge-Buckle-Medium/dp/B000FIAU8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311554159&sr=8-1

Really great bag. Had it for a few years now.

Just get some baskets and a rack on your bike if you don't have one (most bike shops can do this for you). I have these baskets for grocery shopping and they're effing awesome: http://www.amazon.com/Bushwhacker-Omaha-Bicycle-Grocery-Pannier/dp/B00B4ZKZK0

They fold up when not in use and you can keep a reusable bag or two in it

here's a list of stuff i have and use frequently that i feel others would probably appreciate: airzound air horn, one of these two mounts, multi-tool, CO2 tire inflator, there's no such thing as too many patch kits, bikeglow safety light, PDW danger zone tail light, lezyne micro floor pump, louis garneau super prestige cold weather gloves

I would recommend a bag like this for medium to long rides. It's enough room for a tube, multi tool, wallet, phone, snack etc. They make different sizes too if you want something smaller or larger.

Assuming you can get the cassette off, you'll be ready for anything. If you really want to be ready for anything, throw one of these in your bag. Or, alternatively, you can carry one of these to get your cassette off in a pinch, and back on.

Get a helmet mirror, I like this one a lot. It lets you keep an eye on what's going on behind you, instead of just looking once when you need to change lanes or whatever. Much safer.

Ahh, that looks like a nice one. I've got two that I switch between.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C2MHNJK/ref=sxts3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474239773&sr=3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-550-USB-Light/dp/B00LXTORC4

I need to start taking both with, just in case something happens to one of them.

I use one of these when I'm ambulatory. It doesn't hold much, but it gets the job done if I can't reach the spot with our compressor.

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innovations-G2628-Ultraflate-Inflator/dp/B002AGI1QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425922426&sr=8-1&keywords=co2+duster

Otherwise, it might save you some money to get a HPA tank, regulator and air nozzle.

I wrap my tube in an old sock. It helps protect it a little and also gives me something to use as a rag.

I also carry an emergency spoke

RE: the mirror question. I've tried them all. This is the best IMHO:

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO

I bought these and love them:

Wellgo MG-1 Magnesium Pedal

I have a set of Fix It Sticks that include a chain tool and tire levers, a Leatherman Skeletool, patch kit, spare tube, pump, zip ties, duct tape, chain link and compact pliers, a tiny tube of chain lube, latex gloves and a hand cleaner packet.

As far as spokes go, I carry a Kevlar spoke repair kit https://www.amazon.com/FiberFix-Emergency-Spoke-Replacement-Kit/dp/B001GSMQZC




If I'm really out in the boonies, I take my hiking survival essentials and I always have a small first aid kit. I have a headlight mount on my helmet and stash the light in my tool bag.




And wear shoes you can walk in!

I fitted the Pacer with an Axiom Streamliner Rack.
The rack sticks a few inches out of the rear axle to compensate for the short chainstay. It didn't solve heel strike and bike shimmy but it was a bit ambitious to expect the pacer to carry a load anyway.

+1, that one is great. I use the compact version. Nonmobile link:
http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO

I had those tires on my old bike, a $300 hybrid. They worked great.

Wedge pack for the bike!! Thanks for the contest Ben!!

12" pin to pin and you're set. Just throw on some chain lube. That stuff is good all around the house as well.

You can get this bike for $159 with free shipping. The only catch is you have to assemble it yourself. I bought one of these GMC bikes (though not this exact model) from Amazon 6 years ago and am still riding it a couple days a week. It probably took me 2 hours to put the bike together, and required tons of internet searches so that I could adjust the brakes properly. However, it isn't rocket science. If you can put together an IKEA cabinet, you can assemble a bike.

I went a similar route and have had plenty of success. I picked up these two:

Helmet - https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00C2MHNJK/
Helmet mount - https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004QOVA00
bars - https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BJCDH3K

Here's a video with me just using the helmet light. My friend was using my bar light on medium power:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sL3s3XkONQ

I think we were out there for 3 hours and I made it through just fine. I would drop the power to its lowest setting for any sustained climbs and then power up when things went downhill.

Mentioned in another comment. Had the following lights.

Well, here is what I was riding with re lights. Tail light was destroyed/thrown from bike. The headlights had been removed by me at time of photos as I didn't want them getting lost/damaged further. Vis 360 was mounted to helmet.
http://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/vis-360
http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-550-USB-Light/dp/B00LXTORC4
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-Super-Flash/dp/B003RZ94MU

The small light under seat is a Planet Bike Spok, which frankly I forgot was even there. Hah. So yes, that too.

If he needs a mirror, the Take-a-look is excellent.

I also bike. Usually outside. I've been sitting on the idea of adding an indoor bike stand to the home set-up, but haven't yet heard of anyone who actually likes and uses this kind of equipment.

I'm a big fan of these for quality, durability, value, and long life.
https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-550-USB-Light/dp/B00LXTORC4/ref=pd_sim_468_5/147-5119010-3659138?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00LXTORC4&pd_rd_r=M1K45SX1A5CTXRGT9YY2&pd_rd_w=L4lhZ&pd_rd_wg=n9s3O&psc=1&refRID=M1K45SX1A5CTXRGT9YY2

https://www.amazon.com/Bushwhacker-Omaha-Bicycle-Grocery-Accessories/dp/B00B4ZKZK0

I have those, works for two huge, heavy bags quite well.

I can help, I was just in the same situation and got this $20 light from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SecurityIng-Waterproof-Lighting-Headlight-Rechargeable/dp/B00C2MHNJK

It's got a long enough battery life for evening rides (I tested 3hrs on full brightness under ideal conditions)
It's bright enough alone, but I'm probably gonna get a second to mount on the bars for redundancy's sake. It appears pretty sturdy but quality is still a gamble given how cheap it is. I'm not too worried, I'm a diy person and don't mind fixing things that go wrong, just all as long as I'm prepared with a backup in case something goes wrong on a ride.

Could you explain this more?

As I see it, you want lights that can be charged by USB while they're lit. But you don't want to buy a USB battery charger just for the lights, and you don't want to charge lights at night as well? But by using a battery pack to power stuff, you'd have to recharge the battery pack at night anyway.

EDIT: and a lot of lights, like the Cygolite, charge via usb, so they could be recharged by a USB battery pack

I've got a trainer and I'm trying to build endurance so I can bike to work this spring. Work is 10 miles away.

I'm targeting a cadence of 90ish, and 20 miles in one sitting. I'm trying to add a few minutes to each training session.

My question, what is the approximate ratio of training miles to road miles? Is 20 training miles enough to be able to get to work and back?

Also, right now my training plan is "keep peddling until exhausted". What are some better training tactics?

Emergency replacement spoke. Good addition to the panniers for multi-day tourers.

You can also loosen the brakes a bit so that they don't rub, and tweak the spoke tension on the remaining spokes to keep the wheel roughly true. That's usually enough to get you home.

Get a set of MKS Lambda pedals They're comfortable with anything. I've done 200 km in a pair of Crocs with these pedals.

I'm not a podiatrist, but it seems like what you need is a really big pedal so that you're not using the ball of your foot all the time.

If you haven't the tools to get at the pawls, not to mention putting things back together... your local bike shop should be able to take care of it with some Lubriplate Mag-1 (expensive grease), ParkTool Grease (great stuff), Phil Wood Grease (amazing stuff) or perhaps some Boshield T-9 lube (light lube).

It’s a cheap plastic target crate. Pretty flimsy.

I’m actually looking at getting this instead

Bushwhacker Omaha - Bicycle Grocery Pannier Cycling Rack Basket Bike Rear Bag Rear Accessories - Sold as Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4ZKZK0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SaHQDb50MCTFA

Clipless pedals allow for better sprinting. Beyond that it's personal preference - with opinions falling on either side.

I mostly do commuting/utility/touring, so I use MTB flats.

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Eyes-WATERPROOF-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00X90ZYJ0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506545184&sr=8-3&keywords=bright+eyes+bike+light

Get two, one for bars and one for helmet. Spot on the helmet, diffuser on the bars. You'll want a better mount for your helmet light, which depends on your helmet, some manufacturers (Smith) make camera/light mounts.

I got a cheap mag trainer from amazon last November. It worked fine for the winter. Lost like 50lbs. This year I found a cheap fluid trainer on craigslistp; gave the old one to my GF. I'd recommend getting a spare rear wheel for the trainer so you can quickly swap it out for weekends/surprisingly nice fall days. Get specific trainer tires too, reduces the noise and the trainer has a tendency to eat regular road tires.

But otherwise I parked my bike in front of my TV last winter and road for an hour or two each day. Not nearly as fun as in the wild, but Netflix/Video Games/TV helped. Dropped 50ish lbs and proceeded to put in +2000 miles this summer.

I think I will stick with the Lezyne Strip for my rear.
I'm considering these for the front though:

https://www.amazon.com/Dash-Pro-450-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B013FIYLTE/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479055162&sr=1-7&keywords=cygolite

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-550-USB-Light/dp/B00LXTORC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479055162&sr=1-1&keywords=cygolite

Not sure the Lezyne 400xl Micro Drive will light up the streets enough and a lot of people are recommending Cygolite so must be good brand.

FYI this light is amazing, light and small for the money, I wouldn't rate it over 2k lumens but, thats plenty

SecurityIng® 4 Modes Waterproof 2800 Lumens Cree XM-L U2 LED Bicycl... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C2MHNJK/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_zstktb0TH90M6

Get a bike and throw some panniers on the back. Biking to AS is very easy.

Biking will make most of midtown, downtown, and the surround areas much more accessible.

I just recently purchased this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B4ZKZK0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

I am going to just put my backpack in the basket as I really like my current swiss gear backpack.

I have this one. But I want one that throws light in a condensed beam like the one in the photo!

Ok so need a little help deciding between these two tires. I may make this its own post if no one sees it.

http://www.amazon.com/Panaracer-Pasela-Tire-1-75-Wire/dp/B000650ZXG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347749035&sr=8-3&keywords=panaracer+pasela+26

http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-Blackwall-26-Inch-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DX1DWG/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347742956&sr=1-1&keywords=kenda+838

Having gone through at least five different mirror styles, I highly recommend the eyeglass/helmet mounted Take a Look by Bike Peddler. I've had one mounted to my visor for nearly ten years now. Made in the USA!

https://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO?th=1&psc=1

It's a spoke replacement:

https://www.amazon.com/FiberFix-Emergency-Spoke-Replacement-Kit/dp/B001GSMQZC

Listed at: https://www.reddit.com/r/BicycleGear/wiki/spareparts --- you may find the balance of that wiki of interest --- in particular, I didn't see a bike tool set, or at least a multi-tool. I'd also suggest a patch kit, esp. if not taking the second spare

Echoing what u/draconishex said. We mount our road bikes on a trainer in the basement during winter. There's a ton on Amazon, and I'm sure you could find them on the UK site too.

I've always preferred the Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror:
http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO

The compact version is very unobtrusive when attached to eyewear but you would need the original version and a helmet adapter kit for use attached to a helmet.

I did the same thing with my mountain bike. Look for Kenda Slicks in the size that was on there. They're good for all weather.

http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-Blackwall-26-Inch-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DX1DWG/

I heard these are good http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU

My headlamp is Cygolite Metro 500. Bright as can be, USB rechargeable, all weather. I'll have to check my tail light next time I ride.

Does it have eyelets though?

edit: if it doesn't, you could try something like this