SF - General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn)

**kronik** · April 30th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Not specifically for BMX but any type of bikes. Not to mention, I figure people could ask for recommendations for bikes and such in one thread. This is also my selfish way of asking a few questions and posting pictures of my recent purchases..

Pedal recommendation for a newb? Shoe recommendation for a newb? I was looking at Sidi Ergo 2's because I found them at around half off with some Speedplay Zeros and then I thought to myself, I do not need to take the StyleForum approach to cycling and could probably get away with something nice but cheaper. It seems there are advocates for each pedal system so hearing some feedback from you guys would be great.

Why would anyone spend money on Campy Super Record 11 vs. your Shimano Ultegra? It shaves off some weight and is Italian which.. at the end of the day, I doubt the 2 pounds are really what makes anyone into a world-class cyclist but I digress. I've wondered this because I've seen in a number of cases people say you wouldn't upgrade until your current parts are one with the fishes and even then, I don't see why me going with SRAM Red (cool as it looks) would ever be a good idea.

I can ask these questions here without getting lambasted by the BF'ers. Porn to come later.

**Philosoph** · April 30th, 2009, 10:58 AM

Are you looking to buy a (road) bike, or do you already have one and are just looking for pedal recs?

I agree that you do not need the ultra-high end stuff unless you're at least semi-seriously competing. BFers are a little crazy.... bt I guess we are here too. I've never tried Speedplays. I have Shimano SPDs and they work well enough for me.

My own question: Can anybody give me some good recommendations on where to ride in the DC area? I moved here from Texas and was spoiled by nice open country roads. Stoplights really piss me off.

**kronik** · April 30th, 2009, 10:59 AM

Already have a road bike.

DC area riding that I've done is W&OD Trail / GW Parkway + Mount Vernon. A shortage of lights on both (far more on W&OD but it depends on where on the trail you are). Capital Crescent/Rock Creek Parkway are also popular but I've never done either of them myself.

In one thread over there, I said the way they treat people about department store bikes is identical to how we treat people about Stacy Adams/Kenneth Cole. All enthusiast forums have their things that they're asinine about.

Want: Orbea Orca Frame

**Philosoph** · April 30th, 2009, 11:08 AM

Thanks. I've done Mt. Vernon and a bit of Rock Creek Parkway. Both were pretty fun.

I've wondered if a mountain bike would actually be more useful in the area.

**kronik** · April 30th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philosoph

Thanks. I've done Mt. Vernon and a bit of Rock Creek Parkway. Both were pretty fun.

I've wondered if a mountain bike would actually be more useful in the area.

If you want to do C&O, yes.

**Connemara** · April 30th, 2009, 11:50 AM

I bet you think you're smart because you used "desiderata."

**dopey** · April 30th, 2009, 02:25 PM

What is a good Bike Forum to look at while I anxiously wait for my bike to arrive?

**kronik** · April 30th, 2009, 03:49 PM

I'm registered at BikeForums.net and the RoadBikeReviews forum.

**rjmaiorano** · April 30th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Is there really a 2 lb difference in top end campy and ultegra? I doubt it.

Anyway, I've never ridden speedplays but the one knock I hear of them is the size, as in there is not a whole lot of space to really mash down on, especially if you have massive feet. The fix for this is to get a very very stiff shoe, likely with a carbon plate, but then it is not as comfortable. Weigh what's important to you, but ride the clip before you buy it.

**zippyh** · April 30th, 2009, 04:59 PM

Road pedals?
SPD-SL. If my wife can use them, anyone can use them.
Plus you can sort of walk in them without killing yourself.

**kronik** · April 30th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Strongly doubt it (that there's a 2 pound difference); exaggeration for effect. I'm leaning more and more toward the SPD-SLs. Pedals on eBay are 100 bucks, 160 at LBS.

**Philosoph** · April 30th, 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopey

What is a good Bike Forum to look at while I anxiously wait for my bike to arrive?

bikeforums.net is like Styleforum for bikes. They even have their own version of vox.

**Biscotti** · April 30th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Here is a pic of my old bike, the frame was made to my specifications by a small manufacturer in Poland:

Here is a video:

http://tv.isg.si/site/filebrowser/BenRuckerFilms (download short trials film)

Sadly I sold that bike and now only ride road; I have a vintage Eddy Mercx frame from the 80's that I built up.

Ciao! Time for bed...

**bbaquiran** · May 1st, 2009, 03:59 AM

^ cool trials bike and video. what brakes are those?

**jaydc7** · May 1st, 2009, 04:17 AM

my bike when I first built it this fall:

April 30th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#1
kronik Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,875	General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Not specifically for BMX but any type of bikes. Not to mention, I figure people could ask for recommendations for bikes and such in one thread. This is also my selfish way of asking a few questions and posting pictures of my recent purchases.. Pedal recommendation for a newb? Shoe recommendation for a newb? I was looking at Sidi Ergo 2's because I found them at around half off with some Speedplay Zeros and then I thought to myself, I do not need to take the StyleForum approach to cycling and could probably get away with something nice but cheaper. It seems there are advocates for each pedal system so hearing some feedback from you guys would be great. Why would anyone spend money on Campy Super Record 11 vs. your Shimano Ultegra? It shaves off some weight and is Italian which.. at the end of the day, I doubt the 2 pounds are really what makes anyone into a world-class cyclist but I digress. I've wondered this because I've seen in a number of cases people say you wouldn't upgrade until your current parts are one with the fishes and even then, I don't see why me going with SRAM Red (cool as it looks) would ever be a good idea. I can ask these questions here without getting lambasted by the BF'ers. Porn to come later.
	www.blissfulcouture.com It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. - MLK

April 30th, 2009, 10:58 AM	#2
Philosoph Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The corners of my mind Posts: 1,130	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Are you looking to buy a (road) bike, or do you already have one and are just looking for pedal recs? I agree that you do not need the ultra-high end stuff unless you're at least semi-seriously competing. BFers are a little crazy.... bt I guess we are here too. I've never tried Speedplays. I have Shimano SPDs and they work well enough for me. My own question: Can anybody give me some good recommendations on where to ride in the DC area? I moved here from Texas and was spoiled by nice open country roads. Stoplights really piss me off.

April 30th, 2009, 10:59 AM	#3
kronik Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,875	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Already have a road bike. DC area riding that I've done is W&OD Trail / GW Parkway + Mount Vernon. A shortage of lights on both (far more on W&OD but it depends on where on the trail you are). Capital Crescent/Rock Creek Parkway are also popular but I've never done either of them myself. In one thread over there, I said the way they treat people about department store bikes is identical to how we treat people about Stacy Adams/Kenneth Cole. All enthusiast forums have their things that they're asinine about. Want: Orbea Orca Frame
	www.blissfulcouture.com It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. - MLK

April 30th, 2009, 11:08 AM	#4
Philosoph Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The corners of my mind Posts: 1,130	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Thanks. I've done Mt. Vernon and a bit of Rock Creek Parkway. Both were pretty fun. I've wondered if a mountain bike would actually be more useful in the area.

April 30th, 2009, 11:50 AM	#6
Connemara Proud Mary Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York Posts: 31,024	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) I bet you think you're smart because you used "desiderata."

April 30th, 2009, 02:25 PM	#7
dopey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,983	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) What is a good Bike Forum to look at while I anxiously wait for my bike to arrive?
dopey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,983	Shmooga will crush you in battle! Challenge My Brute Scratch Your Donkey

April 30th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#8
kronik Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,875	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) I'm registered at BikeForums.net and the RoadBikeReviews forum.
	www.blissfulcouture.com It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. - MLK

April 30th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#9
rjmaiorano Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SD/DC Posts: 1,841	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Is there really a 2 lb difference in top end campy and ultegra? I doubt it. Anyway, I've never ridden speedplays but the one knock I hear of them is the size, as in there is not a whole lot of space to really mash down on, especially if you have massive feet. The fix for this is to get a very very stiff shoe, likely with a carbon plate, but then it is not as comfortable. Weigh what's important to you, but ride the clip before you buy it.

April 30th, 2009, 04:59 PM	#10
zippyh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Posts: 1,496	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Road pedals? SPD-SL. If my wife can use them, anyone can use them. Plus you can sort of walk in them without killing yourself.

April 30th, 2009, 05:24 PM	#11
kronik Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,875	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Strongly doubt it (that there's a 2 pound difference); exaggeration for effect. I'm leaning more and more toward the SPD-SLs. Pedals on eBay are 100 bucks, 160 at LBS.
	www.blissfulcouture.com It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. - MLK

April 30th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#13
Biscotti Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,184	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) Here is a pic of my old bike, the frame was made to my specifications by a small manufacturer in Poland: Here is a video: http://tv.isg.si/site/filebrowser/BenRuckerFilms (download short trials film) Sadly I sold that bike and now only ride road; I have a vintage Eddy Mercx frame from the 80's that I built up. Ciao! Time for bed...

May 1st, 2009, 04:17 AM	#15
jaydc7 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: DC/NY Posts: 954	Re: General Bike Thread (Desiderata, questions, porn) my bike when I first built it this fall:

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