General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[patrick_b]

My old Polar cyclometer finally dying matched up with the launch of the Elemnt Bolt V2 so after watching a few reviews I was sold.

I’m surprised how much I like it. I figured having my phone in my Jersey pocket was fine but it’s so nice looking down and having immediate access to all that info.

It automatically synced all my routes and the turn by turn map is surprisingly easy to see. I was worried about that.

? for another solid @Piobaire recommendation!!

 

[sugarbutch]

The Bolt temps should be taken with a grain of salt:

"The ELEMNT Bolt measures temperature during your workout, but occasionally may display temperatures that differ from the true temperature of your surroundings. For example, this may occur when the device is placed in direct sunlight, is being charged via an external battery or subject to sudden changes in temperature."

 

[patrick_b]

The Bolt temps should be taken with a grain of salt:

"The ELEMNT Bolt measures temperature during your workout, but occasionally may display temperatures that differ from the true temperature of your surroundings. For example, this may occur when the device is placed in direct sunlight, is being charged via an external battery or subject to sudden changes in temperature."

Makes sense. It was 90+ which is just plain uncomfortable unless you are an alien/crazy person like @smittycl who enjoys such temps.

 

[otc]

They aren't cheap (and they are 28mph class 3 bikes which limits where you can use them), but I kinda like the look of these new diamondback e bikes. Either the Union or the Current look like they'd make great commuters in the @UnFacconable (or longer) use case.

Ebike - Shop Bikes | Diamondback Bikes

www.diamondback.com

This cheesy intro video shows one being ridden up a pretty steep grade with no hands...


New-gen Bosch drive system, nicely integrated but removable battery, and good shimano parts (deore or GRX). Supposedly they land somewhere in the 40-50lb range, but I haven't been able to see exact weights by size anywhere.

The union 2 seems pretty sweet with fenders, rack, and, integrated lighting, but I think I might be more drawn to the smaller tires and long-term comfort of drop bars on the Current even if it means sorting out racks/fenders/lights separately.

That said...the price....That's WELL above the "never lock up out of sight in the city" territory for me. My office has a bike room, but sometimes you want to stop at a store or a restaurant or something after work. Maybe I'd eventually just get comfortable with it--heavy lock and let the bike get dirty/beat up looking (or apply "ugly" urban camo)--but I'd be hard pressed to let a $4k bike out of my sight for very long in a big city.

edit: and it looks like they are available the same way I got my Sync'r at a straight 20% discount (although only a few sizes in stock). I'd rather see that go back up to 30%, but it does start to make the price more reasonable.

 

[smittycl]

Makes sense. It was 90+ which is just plain uncomfortable unless you are an alien/crazy person like @smittycl who enjoys such temps.

I took my 16 year old nephew on a 25-miler Saturday and the kid slept for 13 hours that night. Kids today...such pantywaists... It was only 90 with about equal humidity I think.

 

[sugarbutch]

They aren't cheap (and they are 28mph class 3 bikes which limits where you can use them), but I kinda like the look of these new diamondback e bikes. Either the Union or the Current look like they'd make great commuters in the @UnFacconable (or longer) use case.

Ebike - Shop Bikes | Diamondback Bikes

www.diamondback.com

This cheesy intro video shows one being ridden up a pretty steep grade with no hands...


New-gen Bosch drive system, nicely integrated but removable battery, and good shimano parts (deore or GRX). Supposedly they land somewhere in the 40-50lb range, but I haven't been able to see exact weights by size anywhere.

The union 2 seems pretty sweet with fenders, rack, and, integrated lighting, but I think I might be more drawn to the smaller tires and long-term comfort of drop bars on the Current even if it means sorting out racks/fenders/lights separately.

That said...the price....That's WELL above the "never lock up out of sight in the city" territory for me. My office has a bike room, but sometimes you want to stop at a store or a restaurant or something after work. Maybe I'd eventually just get comfortable with it--heavy lock and let the bike get dirty/beat up looking (or apply "ugly" urban camo)--but I'd be hard pressed to let a $4k bike out of my sight for very long in a big city.

edit: and it looks like they are available the same way I got my Sync'r at a straight 20% discount (although only a few sizes in stock). I'd rather see that go back up to 30%, but it does start to make the price more reasonable.

I never ride my bike anywhere I’d need to lock it up, which meant basically no errands/stops during my commute. The risk of theft is just too high IMO

 

[otc]

I mean--isn't that just part of the calculus of choosing a commuter bike?

My commuter/town bike is built on a decent old panasonic frame and everything is in good working order, but it doesn't look like much, nothing is quick release, and it gets locked with a good mini-U when it is not at home or in the office. I wouldn't be heartbroken if it vanished, but so far...its been good for 11 years or so and its sure been convenient to have a bike I could ride to various stores or events. Even where bike theft is common, its not *that* common (especially when you're well-locked and the bike doesn't look special). But like I said...a 3-4k bike will probably never be in that territory for me. Even when I see people outside the city leaving MTBs of that price laying around, I feel uncomfortable.

On the other hand, my grocery-bike has been locked to a No Parking outside for about a decade and its still there. Did lose a saddle once, and some asshole stole the 3' piece of rope knotted to the basket for use as a tie-down...but it seems there are better theft targets than a rusty old schwinn varsity (even if that varsity has custom alloy wheels with a rare bendix automatic hub, alloy bars, and a sweet front basket).

 

[Fueco]

I never ride my bike anywhere I’d need to lock it up, which meant basically no errands/stops during my commute. The risk of theft is just too high IMO

i do miss having a lower end bike to run errands with. Before we moved out of the Bay Area, I sold my Bianchi San Jose (converted to fixie). I still kick myself for that.

 

[sugarbutch]

I mean--isn't that just part of the calculus of choosing a commuter bike?

My commuter/town bike is built on a decent old panasonic frame and everything is in good working order, but it doesn't look like much, nothing is quick release, and it gets locked with a good mini-U when it is not at home or in the office. I wouldn't be heartbroken if it vanished, but so far...its been good for 11 years or so and its sure been convenient to have a bike I could ride to various stores or events. Even where bike theft is common, its not *that* common (especially when you're well-locked and the bike doesn't look special). But like I said...a 3-4k bike will probably never be in that territory for me. Even when I see people outside the city leaving MTBs of that price laying around, I feel uncomfortable.

On the other hand, my grocery-bike has been locked to a No Parking outside for about a decade and its still there. Did lose a saddle once, and some asshole stole the 3' piece of rope knotted to the basket for use as a tie-down...but it seems there are better theft targets than a rusty old schwinn varsity (even if that varsity has custom alloy wheels with a rare bendix automatic hub, alloy bars, and a sweet front basket).

I had a Public which I would sometimes lock up. That was fine until I started riding recreationally on a proper road bike, and then riding the Public felt like dragging an anchor around. Ultimately I chose to have a more enjoyable commute and give up some flexibility for stops.

 

[patrick_b]

I had a Public which I would sometimes lock up. That was fine until I started riding recreationally on a proper road bike, and then riding the Public felt like dragging an anchor around. Ultimately I chose to have a more enjoyable commute and give up some flexibility for stops.

I did the same thing when I bought my dream MTB in my 20's, a Litespeed HT. I took a bunch of old parts and built up a single speed city bike with a steel rockhopper frame. I had dreams of living out my bike messenger fantasies with bullhorn bars and fat slick tires. I ended up rarely riding it. I just loved the Litespeed so much. I put the 1.5" slicks on it a few times and would hammer around the city but just never locked it up. I eventually picked up a used steel Lemond Zurich as my first road bike around 2001.

Now it's been another 20 years, two Roubaix's and I fear my MTB days are behind me.

 

[otc]

Integrated storage for tools/masks is so 2020...Scott's now stuffing the rear shock into the Integrated Storage compartment:

The clean lines (and bottle cage space) of a hardtail, with the cushion of a full suspension bike.

 

[Fueco]

A bike a friend put together five years ago. $40k…

 

[flipstah]

What do you all use for chain lube? There’s dry and wet, ceramic, Crisco, KY…

the choices are endless

 

[patrick_b]

What do you all use for chain lube? There’s dry and wet, ceramic, Crisco, KY…

the choices are endless

I started using dry wax lubes when White Lightning came out. I've always been a squeaky clean drivetrain guy. I used it until just a few years ago when I switched to Muc Off Bio Dry Lube or Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube.

Amazon.com : Muc Off Dry Lube (50-ml) : Automotive

Amazon.com : Muc Off Dry Lube (50-ml) : Automotive

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com : Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Not sure which I like more but I think I'd give the edge to the Squirt stuff as it lasts a bit longer. Works best on a clean chain and you really need to let these wax lubes sit overnight before riding. Once my drivetrain gets loud on a ride, I apply a drop to each link, top and bottom after the ride, then run the pedals backwards a few dozen times. Let it sit overnight and wipe off any excess. There typically isn't much after 24 hours as it dries.

Note, it's not great if you ride off road in mud or on road in the wet. If I get stuck in the rain, I'll always lube after the ride (TWSS).

 

[flipstah]

I started using dry wax lubes when White Lightning came out. I've always been a squeaky clean drivetrain guy. I used it until just a few years ago when I switched to Muc Off Bio Dry Lube or Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube.

Amazon.com : Muc Off Dry Lube (50-ml) : Automotive

Amazon.com : Muc Off Dry Lube (50-ml) : Automotive

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com : Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube 4oz : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Not sure which I like more but I think I'd give the edge to the Squirt stuff as it lasts a bit longer. Works best on a clean chain and you really need to let these wax lubes sit overnight before riding. Once my drivetrain gets loud on a ride, I apply a drop to each link, top and bottom after the ride, then run the pedals backwards a few dozen times. Let it sit overnight and wipe off any excess. There typically isn't much after 24 hours as it dries.

Note, it's not great if you ride off road in mud or on road in the wet. If I get stuck in the rain, I'll always lube after the ride (TWSS).

sweet thanks! I’ve just been using a toothbrush and dish soap to tackle grease on the freewheel, chain, cranks and needed lube