Starting to commute
#26
Hello Karina,
I really like your bike. What would you estimate the cost to put that together? Are the tires you have good commuter tires? They look pretty sturdy, but not mountain tires? I also like the rear cargo rack and fenders
Did you purchase it used?
I really like your bike. What would you estimate the cost to put that together? Are the tires you have good commuter tires? They look pretty sturdy, but not mountain tires? I also like the rear cargo rack and fenders
Did you purchase it used?
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#27
Happy banana slug
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Hi Steph. I got the Princess in 2019 for $75; it looked like someone had ridden her hard and put her away wet in the garage, 25 years before. Everything was original, including the lubricants. I put too much money into her, partly because I took her straight to my local bike mechanic (I have a bad habit of flailing and saying "make it go!" rather than doing anything myself) and partly fumbling my way into the right fit for me; I think that's the third handlebar she's had. I'll admit it, it was over $800, but as I say to others, it's a better bike than I can buy new for the price. You can probably do better if you're willing to do some work yourself (and don't need new wheels).
The tires are Maxxis DTHs, which were originally for dirt jumpers, but they've become very popular with old mtb. enthusiasts. They have enough tread to handle some light dirt, but they're not knobby so they work really well on pavement.
The rack means she can carry all my stuff, and the fenders do a wonderful job of keeping my backside, feet, and drive train clean when going through puddles or mud.
The best thing, IMO, is the 26" wheels. I'm 5'4" and they make the bike feel proportional to me. I've ridden bikes with standard size wheels, and I always felt like a chihuahua on stilts. The smaller wheels also mean the mfr. didn't have to get weird with the geometry to get wheels in the small size frame.
The tires are Maxxis DTHs, which were originally for dirt jumpers, but they've become very popular with old mtb. enthusiasts. They have enough tread to handle some light dirt, but they're not knobby so they work really well on pavement.
The rack means she can carry all my stuff, and the fenders do a wonderful job of keeping my backside, feet, and drive train clean when going through puddles or mud.
The best thing, IMO, is the 26" wheels. I'm 5'4" and they make the bike feel proportional to me. I've ridden bikes with standard size wheels, and I always felt like a chihuahua on stilts. The smaller wheels also mean the mfr. didn't have to get weird with the geometry to get wheels in the small size frame.
#28
Newbie
Dance w/t one that bring yah.
Get some 1.50 or 1.75 26" Schwalbe Marathons. Get the Plus model for the rear. Also, muguards, too. Planet Bike 65mm are perfect. I rode a Specialized Hardrock for years. Keep it maintained and it'll be ridden by your gr grandchildren.
Last edited by Kiwisaver; 04-27-24 at 08:53 PM. Reason: Misspelling
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#29
StillNewbieButInGrey
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I have not met anyone who feels safer on a drop bar bike than on an upright bar bike. I prefer drop bars for most riding, but I do feel a bit safer on an upright bike. There may be a few people who prefer drop bars. I tolerate drop bars because I like to pedal hard, and it's more rewarding to do when I'm leaning forward. I don't lean forward like young racers do; I'm too old for that, but I'm leaning more than you will on a flat or swept-back bar. Find what you like. There are many styles and a reason for each style to exist. I still haven't found a favorite and am still experimenting.
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#30
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Fair enough. But with any kind of bars, I recommend practicing that move. Look backwards and keep a straight line. I can never be perfect at it, so I practice it frequently. Speaking of practice, I also practice falling off the bike at least once a year. It pays off.
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#31
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You need to practice? I'm trying to imagine the scenario. Maybe a bean bag chair?
#32
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Well, I do fall, and I believe many others do, too. So I want the fall to injure me as little as possible. I do a "stage fall" which actors learn: ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder. And when I do fall, I get up, and then I realize that it went pretty much according to my rehearsals, and it doesn't hurt much.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#33
StillNewbieButInGrey
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Well, I do fall, and I believe many others do, too. So I want the fall to injure me as little as possible. I do a "stage fall" which actors learn: ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder. And when I do fall, I get up, and then I realize that it went pretty much according to my rehearsals, and it doesn't hurt much.
#34
aka Tom Reingold
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I also practice driving a car with ABS: I find a snowy spot where I can afford for the car to slip in any direction. I slam on the brakes. The pedal vibrates, and I fight my reflex to let off the pedal, and I keep my foot down. I didn't get a chance to do it this past winter because the climate changed, and we barely had snow.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#35
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Well, I do fall, and I believe many others do, too. So I want the fall to injure me as little as possible. I do a "stage fall" which actors learn: ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder. And when I do fall, I get up, and then I realize that it went pretty much according to my rehearsals, and it doesn't hurt much.
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#36
aka Tom Reingold
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I googled that and got weird results.
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#38
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#39
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Just here to say welcome from a fellow female commuter! (there's only a few of us on this board I think)
I combine riding the train with my biking for now since there's no easy path to my workplace...until the powers that be finish the trail network that's in planning.
I combine riding the train with my biking for now since there's no easy path to my workplace...until the powers that be finish the trail network that's in planning.
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#40
Disco Infiltrator
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Practicing falling? Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Are you trying to drive off customers?
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
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#41
Full Member
I am 69 years old. My bike is 50 years old.
I need new spd shoes and the tires need air.
Last year, I had three surgeries, thatś both hips and a pacemaker.
I expect to get back on the bike after a two-year layoff.
For a time, my average daily commute was 28 miles/day. 4500 miles in 10 months (in my 50ś)
For a 12 mile roundtrip commute, any bike will do.
Find a local bike shop (LBS) that makes you feel welcome and takes your questions seriously.
Explain what you plan to do with the bike and go from there.
fat biker
I need new spd shoes and the tires need air.
Last year, I had three surgeries, thatś both hips and a pacemaker.
I expect to get back on the bike after a two-year layoff.
For a time, my average daily commute was 28 miles/day. 4500 miles in 10 months (in my 50ś)
For a 12 mile roundtrip commute, any bike will do.
Find a local bike shop (LBS) that makes you feel welcome and takes your questions seriously.
Explain what you plan to do with the bike and go from there.
fat biker
#42
Senior Member
I have not met anyone who feels safer on a drop bar bike than on an upright bar bike. I prefer drop bars for most riding, but I do feel a bit safer on an upright bike. There may be a few people who prefer drop bars. I tolerate drop bars because I like to pedal hard, and it's more rewarding to do when I'm leaning forward. I don't lean forward like young racers do; I'm too old for that, but I'm leaning more than you will on a flat or swept-back bar. Find what you like. There are many styles and a reason for each style to exist. I still haven't found a favorite and am still experimenting.
I acquired a used trek 7000 hybrid and I like riding that as well, with one caveat: because the handlbars are wider, I actually noticed that I have to concentrate on keeping them straight whild using hand signals... I guess in using drops the bar is shorter, leverage is different, and I got used to that.
#43
aka Tom Reingold
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I don't think using a mirror is cheating in any way. I think it's a good idea. I've convinced at least two people to use mirrors, and they now use them regularly.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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#45
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If your HR has front suspension, which some years did, then I'd be looking for something lighter. Otherwise IMO it's a fabulous commuter platform. Fender and rack mounts, unlimited tire options, rugged, not super attractive to bike thrives. I commuted on one for years and it was solid. I even did a century on it, super comfortably.
Having said that, a hardcore bike commuter needs two bikes. Sometimes one is down for maintenance, and it would be a crying shame to drive a car for lack of a bike.
So do both
Disc brakes are awful nice for all weather commuting. If the second bike is different, it gives you some variety.
Having said that, a hardcore bike commuter needs two bikes. Sometimes one is down for maintenance, and it would be a crying shame to drive a car for lack of a bike.
So do both
Disc brakes are awful nice for all weather commuting. If the second bike is different, it gives you some variety.
#46
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If you like the bike you currently have, ride it. Learning to maintain a bike will be a valuable money saving skillset as you aren't spending on labor costs. I would ride the HR and learn to regularly maintain it (essentially like you would with a car).
Investing in Mr Tuffy tire liners will save you so many flats, especially if you ride near major roads or construction sites where there would be fine metal shavings on the ground.
Investing in Mr Tuffy tire liners will save you so many flats, especially if you ride near major roads or construction sites where there would be fine metal shavings on the ground.
#48
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Hi Everyone,
I'm going to start biking to work on a more regular basis now and I think I need to invest in a new bike. I currently have a Specialized "Hard Rock" that has gotten the job done and I'm very attached to.
It's probably about 25 years old. The main work I had done on it was new gears and brake pads, tires, etc.
My commute is about 6 miles each way with some hills. I'm not a serious biker, but would like to get more serious about my commute. I'm not looking for a flashy biike, but would like something solid and not too heavy.
The reason I'm looking for a new bike now is that my rear tire went flat. I brought it in to the shop and we're probably looking at about $100-$120 for a new tire and some brakes and a new chain.
Only about a year ago I had to replace the rear inner tube. The bike shop said that I probably should get a commuter tire on the rear if I decided to repair the bike.
So, my question is, what would all of you do?
One other question I have is the style of bike. I'm 52 years old and am thinking of getting a bike that is more upright. What do you think of that type of model?
Thanks in advance for any advice you might have...
I'm going to start biking to work on a more regular basis now and I think I need to invest in a new bike. I currently have a Specialized "Hard Rock" that has gotten the job done and I'm very attached to.
It's probably about 25 years old. The main work I had done on it was new gears and brake pads, tires, etc.
My commute is about 6 miles each way with some hills. I'm not a serious biker, but would like to get more serious about my commute. I'm not looking for a flashy biike, but would like something solid and not too heavy.
The reason I'm looking for a new bike now is that my rear tire went flat. I brought it in to the shop and we're probably looking at about $100-$120 for a new tire and some brakes and a new chain.
Only about a year ago I had to replace the rear inner tube. The bike shop said that I probably should get a commuter tire on the rear if I decided to repair the bike.
So, my question is, what would all of you do?
One other question I have is the style of bike. I'm 52 years old and am thinking of getting a bike that is more upright. What do you think of that type of model?
Thanks in advance for any advice you might have...
I'm 60, my bike is 32, and my commute was 8 miles each way. I find upright to be quite safe because I can easily see what's going on around me.
Old mountain bikes make great commuters; they can take anything you can throw at them and carry all your stuff, and since they're not the new hotness they're less attractive to professional thieves. The Princess is sporting Velo-Orange's Tourist Bar, which is about perfect for me; there's enough sweep to put your wrists in a neutral position and it's wide enough that my knees go inside the bar, not into it.
I recommend learning to do your own basic maintenance; on YouTube RJ the Bike Guy and Park Tools cover pretty much everything. If you have a bike co-op nearby they can teach you. And remember; however much you put into your bike it's still cheaper than a car.
You can also hang out on Bike Forums and learn a ton, especially in the Classic & Vintage (C&V) forum. Ask the dumb questions, admire others' bikes, and when you reach 10 posts, show us your bike!
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.
Old mountain bikes make great commuters; they can take anything you can throw at them and carry all your stuff, and since they're not the new hotness they're less attractive to professional thieves. The Princess is sporting Velo-Orange's Tourist Bar, which is about perfect for me; there's enough sweep to put your wrists in a neutral position and it's wide enough that my knees go inside the bar, not into it.
I recommend learning to do your own basic maintenance; on YouTube RJ the Bike Guy and Park Tools cover pretty much everything. If you have a bike co-op nearby they can teach you. And remember; however much you put into your bike it's still cheaper than a car.
You can also hang out on Bike Forums and learn a ton, especially in the Classic & Vintage (C&V) forum. Ask the dumb questions, admire others' bikes, and when you reach 10 posts, show us your bike!
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.
#49
Happy banana slug
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Looks like Steph's never come back. I hope she's riding.
#50
Digging Bikes Again!
Been reading this thread with some interest. I never really gave commuting by bike a ton of thought. I hate traffic with a passion, which is why I commute by motorcycle. We can lane split in CA, which cuts my freeway time by more than half. But as I've been riding more, I've explored routes that avoid street traffic. I knew that there were two river trails that led toward my office from home, but did not connect, requiring a lengthy street ride to go from one trail to the other. Through experimentation, I found a route to connect the two trails largely through a residential area, making it a lot more appealing. I've been playing around with the ride on weekends on my different bikes to see how long it would take so I can figure out how early I need to leave and am ready to give it a shot on a regular weekday. Among my newer Trek FX3, Electra Ticino 8-speed and my old '94 Trek 930 mountain bike, oddly enough the 930 is the bike I've found most appealing for the ride.
Here's how she looks after being lowered down from the garage rafters for the first time in about ten years, cleaned up and lubed. Since then, I've replaced the old, dry knobbies with Michelin Protek tires, replaced the old brake pads and she flies. I don't think I'll change much, if anything. The old bar-ends give some different hand positions, and I don't plan to ride in bad weather, so no need for fenders.
Here's how she looks after being lowered down from the garage rafters for the first time in about ten years, cleaned up and lubed. Since then, I've replaced the old, dry knobbies with Michelin Protek tires, replaced the old brake pads and she flies. I don't think I'll change much, if anything. The old bar-ends give some different hand positions, and I don't plan to ride in bad weather, so no need for fenders.
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