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General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

89826

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Oisin, check peterwhitecycles.com. Amazing high-quality stuff.
 

Mr Herbert

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anyone recomend a good light for my bike? would prefer not to have an external battery but want it as bright as i can get it.

also, any good websites for buying gear?
 

acidboy

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^ I've been happy with cateye and this should be satisfactory.
 

einfallsloserName123

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As you just mentioned Cateye lights, I have this one: http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/158 (I don't know, why the page is only available in german, maybe the lamp was only sold here and I can't really recommend the lamp, as the batteries don't last long) Maybe somebody can tell me, where I can find a cheap battery charger for it and if I can use every rechargeable batteries? Thanks!
 

rdawson808

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Originally Posted by Mr Herbert
anyone recomend a good light for my bike? would prefer not to have an external battery but want it as bright as i can get it.

also, any good websites for buying gear?



I have purchased two lights from Deal Extreme. Both are flashlights rated at way more lumens than "bike" lights. Pick up a couple of the appropriate rechargeable batteries and the charger. Oh yeah, buy one or two of the little mounts.

Unfortunately I just checked my gmail account and it looks like I've deleted the emails so I don't have links anymore--and frankly I'm too tired to go searching for the exact model. But they're awesome. DNW recommended them and I'm glad for it.

b
 

otc

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Originally Posted by rdawson808
I have purchased two lights from Deal Extreme. Both are flashlights rated at way more lumens than "bike" lights. Pick up a couple of the appropriate rechargeable batteries and the charger. Oh yeah, buy one or two of the little mounts.

Unfortunately I just checked my gmail account and it looks like I've deleted the emails so I don't have links anymore--and frankly I'm too tired to go searching for the exact model. But they're awesome. DNW recommended them and I'm glad for it.

b


Deal extreme has some good light deals.

I have a set of these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-led-3...2-cr2032-44096 and they are quite nice. Only downside is that they come in packs of 2-red and 2-white...I just bought one of each and have a set for both bikes
smile.gif


These or these are super great lights. I can't tell what the difference is so I linked to both...but they are really nice and compare favorably to lights that are multiples of the price. The shop that I race for sold them with some extra custom waterproofing for a fair amount more than the DX price and they sold quite well.
 

BoomDiggs

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When I go for a ride of any significance, say 20 miles or more, my traps get crazy sore. It gets to bad that I can't turn my head without a shooting/burning pain.

What am I doing wrong? I tried really hard last night to focus on my posture and not let my shoulders hunch, but that didn't seem to help. If it has any impact, I ride a hybid.

On another note, thanks for the advice on the pedals a few pages back. I bought a set of eggbeaters and shoes, I just need to install them this weekend.
 

LawrenceMD

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^sounds like a fit issue. it could be a whole myriad of things. I remember my hybrid coming with a very wide handlebar 60cm. That could be it, or the toptube or toptube+stem could be too short and you're very upright and with a wide handlebar. This would cause you to bend too much at the elbows to accommodate the wide stance of your hands on the grips - and eventual trapezius issues.

what I ended up doing was cutting my handlebar down about 4cm on each end of the flat bar. I run a 40cm road handlebar on my road bike(bike shoulder measurement is 40cm). It made it more "city traffic maneuverable" and getting a longer stem to distribute my weight to the front a bit more.

what did the LBS say when you tried the bike according to fit? its actually pretty easy to change the fit these days with different stem lengths, and even cutting the handlebars down to be narrower.
 

Decades

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Bike fit for sure. Unfortunately one thing leads to another, to another, to another wrt fit issues. Sounds like too much weight on your hands to me. The remedy? Like I said too many other issues could occur with only one adjustment. My recommendation would be see an experience fitter and ALSO work on your core. Your core muscles should be supporting your upper body. With a proper bike fit you should be able to pedal up hill, bent as if in the drops with no hands and your core should be able to hold your upper body.

I've had similar issues with my right trap, however is was due to multiple collarbone breaks causing my right should to slouch. Rowing machine over winter helped strengthen the muscle and "pull" my shoulder back. It was not as substantial as your problem sounds, but weaker traps could possibly be a piece of this puzzle.

Food for thought is all.

EDIT: Oops just read the hybrid part. Still my advice stands, have someone experienced take a look and set you up, and work on your core.
 

BoomDiggs

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Originally Posted by LawrenceMD
what did the LBS say when you tried the bike according to fit?

I don't know what an LBS is. My bike options were limited because I am big (6'8" 260lbs) so I went with a Cannondale Jumbo. I am going to a shop different from the one I purchased the bike from this week to get some work done, so I will talk to them about changing up the handlebars somehow.
 

BoomDiggs

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Originally Posted by Decades
ALSO work on your core.

This was my initial assumption. I find that I slouch in the seat as I go on long rides so over the last couple rides I have tried to focus on keeping my core tight. When doing so my abs haven't felt fatigued, though, so I am worried that I might not be doing something correctly.

Thanks for the tips, fellas. This thread has been good to me.
 

Decades

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You shouldn't really have to work at it too much when riding. Proper position and balance on the bike should just engage your core. As mentioned the remedy could be anything from handlebar adjustment to saddle height and setback to god knows what else. Definitely have the guys at the shop watch you ride on a stationary trainer or even better on the road. Hope you get it worked out. I think more people enjoy riding if they had a proper pain-free and efficient position.

LBS=local bike shop. Cheers.
 

venessian

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@ BoomDiggs:

As Lawrence and Decades have already written, your issue is most likely the result of an improper position on the bike, rather than a fitness problem. Very likely it is the result of improper stem/bar position and possibly saddle alignment.

The suggestion to visit a good fitter is the best one, as they can watch you on the bike and propose adjustments (saddle position, stem and bar position). Why not go back to the shop where you originally purchased the bike?

In order to understand bike fit issues better, read these articles first. You can also, if possible, have someone photograph you on the bike, from the side while riding, so that you can then see if something is really obvious.

How to Fit a Bicycle, by Peter White

Bike Fit, by Jim Langley

You might also want to check out this fit calculator, in order to understand and note your own body measurements and general bike dimensions. Bear in mind, however, that these "fit calculators" cannot be precise, and cannot take into account specific body issues. They are only a general starting point and should not be regarded as absolute rules. The only absolute rules are those that you dial in yourself, over time, based on good suggestions annd experience.

Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator

Finally, here's a pretty decent basic video, which at least gives you a visual idea of primary fit elements.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later. I AGREE

TIP: to embed Youtube clips, put only the encoded part of the Youtube URL, e.g. eBGIQ7ZuuiU between the tags.

I hope you find resolution soon; being uncomfortable on the bike is really a terrible feeling, and can even cause damage. Good luck!
 

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