steph746

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?

Korina

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.

Kiwisaver

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.

Strawbunyan

I have weird neck problems and for some reason personally find it easier to look behind me on the drop bars. Looking down and back puts less strain and twist on the part of my neck that doesnt work. When i try to look behind me on my flat bar bike i end up turning my shoulders too much and the bike goes with them causing me too shorten the amount of glancing time as well as having to recover from having accidently ridden into the center of the road. 😆😆

noglider 

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.

curbtender

You need to practice? I'm trying to imagine the scenario. Maybe a bean bag chair?

noglider 

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.

Strawbunyan

that is smart to practice. We spent the 1st week of DT in the LEO academy just learning how to fall. People think its weird but ive never hit my head duting a fall because of it.

noglider 

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.

curbtender

Isn't there a word for that? I think they call it tomballay..

noglider 

I googled that and got weird results.

prj71

I think the word I would choose is "weirdo"