Mountain_Luvin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 If I could make one suggestion that no-one else has mentioned... it'd be to buy some BEEFY wheels. I ride a road bike and I've already beat the crap out of my wheels. They're so far from true it's not even funny. crossbike tires will help. a lot. You can just buy a set and leave the cyclocross tires on them and leave your rolff vector pro $4,000,000 rims with your regualr road tires on them. That is what I have been doing... not the cheapest way to go, but neither is replacing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 i mean who has got the stones? that shit is cra cra. but i respect it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain_Luvin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Are you talking about riding a fixed single speed? I was thinking about it.... just to get me stronger, but I thought better of it when I look at all the hills I hit up commuting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Continental Town and Country 2.125's - but they won't fit on a road bike. I'd recommend getting an old POS bike. It's not the bike you ride, it's the rider. A thrift store Shwinn will get you to where you need to go just about as fast as a carbon fiber race wheeled superbike. And less chance of it getting jacked when it's locked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain_Luvin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 A thrift store Shwinn will get you to where you need to go just about as fast as a carbon fiber race wheeled superbike. Not where I live. I have numerous straightaways that are 5 miles long easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Are you talking about riding a fixed single speed? I was thinking about it.... just to get me stronger, but I thought better of it when I look at all the hills I hit up commuting. fixed singlespeed. no brakes. all legs. either you got the power or you dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain_Luvin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Are you talking about riding a fixed single speed? I was thinking about it.... just to get me stronger, but I thought better of it when I look at all the hills I hit up commuting. fixed singlespeed. no brakes. all legs. either you got the power or you dont. I DON'T! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Are you talking about riding a fixed single speed? I was thinking about it.... just to get me stronger, but I thought better of it when I look at all the hills I hit up commuting. fixed singlespeed. no brakes. all legs. either you got the power or you dont. I DON'T! hills are one thing. i just dont have the balls to ride in traffic with that set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Few points - I never tried, but don't like the idea of fixed gear in traffic. Scares the sh%t outta me in fact! That's why I suggested a BMX freewhell rig. Tires - I used to ride the skinniest $20 Continental tires I could get, like 18mm. These did me fine up and down curbs, and the occasional flight of stairs. Pumped up to 100PSI they were zippy. Just replace them often. None of these fat ass 2.whatever "hybrid tires." Oh yeah, slicks work in the rain at that size too. More rubber on the road. My bike was a cheap ass TREK road bike. I put straight bars on it, and MTB levers. Then I had a wheel built for the BMX freewheel, and clippless pedals. That was one of my favourite bikes ever. It later raod from here to Halifax (with gears again). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I don't understnad the Idea of using really bad tires or wheels for commuting. How is it different than normal riding? I commute ten miles each way on an ultegra-equipped road bike, with nice wheels, and I don't think they've been abused anymore than normal non-commute riding. (I am a fairweather commuter, if it's pouring, i'm driving) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hmm, I never thought of the Contis as bad tires, just the opposite in fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothrop Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 After how many miles do you usually replace your tires on a road bike? I'm pretty clueless about bike maintenance... which books would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 My tires usually last a year or so of heavy commuting, this time of year about 120 mi/wk. I have good luck with armadillos, they have a strip of kevlar on the inside of the tire to help reduce flats, though they are a mother to get back on a thin rim. One of the things I would suggest is regularly checking your tires for glass shards. Those little buggers will work their way in and you can save yourself the hassel of a flat by picking them out once a week. No book suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assmonkey Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 This is the book I use (road version is out there too, but I don't do that "road" style): http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1884737994/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-1597446-8835365#reader-link It's comprehensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 why is it that flats occur in groups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkernews Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 flats probably occur in groups cuz you've got some tiny glass or other shit buried in your tire. check for it... if it's wedged in there it'll keep popping your tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arlen Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 flashing lights help drivers know you're there, but solid lights/stationary reflectors help them know where you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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