General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[bicycleradical]

How about chafing issues?

(not trying to joak, I am dealing with some underarm abrasions from pearl izumis)

I wear a base layer underneath my bibs and jersey to prevent chafing and other abrasions.

 

[Piobaire]

Sounds like your Pearl might be too tight under the arms. Maybe try some Noxzema or whatever butt butter you use for your chamois there?

 

[smittycl]

It’s funny. There is a clear progression to road cycling kit (and even xc MTB). Most go through it to some degree.

You start with synthetic activewear, then to bike shorts and eventually land on bibs and jerseys. It starts out being about comfort and then a switch goes off in the brain and you start to think kit looks cool while you live out your Eddy Merckx, Lance Armstrong or Peter Sagan fantasies (depending on your age).

If you are lucky you find a like minded group like this one or a local group ride to talk about the merits of Italian chamois’ and electronic shifting.

IMO it’s better than golf.

Yeah, I end up getting everything recommended here that I first pushed back on as unnecessary. Now I'm about to buy a Wahoo Bolt! Not sure about the bibs, though... (here I go again)

Argh! You guys love finding creative ways for me spend money...

 

[patrick_b]

How about chafing issues?

(not trying to joak, I am dealing with some underarm abrasions from pearl izumis)

I wore Pearl Izumi gear almost exclusively as it was pretty good and available at the LBS or REI. I can't comment on underarm chafing but can say that when I finally ponied up for more expensive Rapha bibs, I found it significantly more comfortable overall. All the little things that previously bothered me on the saddle stopped being an issue.

I wear a base layer underneath my bibs and jersey to prevent chafing and other abrasions.

Sounds like your Pearl might be too tight under the arms. Maybe try some Noxzema or whatever butt butter you use for your chamois there?

Two excellent recs. Sleeveless or short sleeve base layer would likely help tremendously and if not chamois buttr would do it. I use Body Glide, it's like a deodorant stick. Works the same as chamois buttr but you don't get it on your hands during application. I only need when I have a saddle sore or ingrown hair/pimple but it works wonderfully.

Incidentally, we live near the beach and when my son was little, he'd end up with horrible chafing with the sand. We started using Body Glide before beach days and by the end of the summer all our non-cycling friends added a stick to their beach bags.

 

[patrick_b]

Yeah, I end up getting everything recommended here that I first pushed back on as unnecessary. Now I'm about to buy a Wahoo Bolt! Not sure about the bibs, though... (here I go again)

Argh! You guys love finding creative ways for me spend money...

@smittycl by next spring:

 

[bicycleradical]

@smittycl by next spring:

View attachment 1643081

If @smittycl gets a time trial bike, we can't be friends anymore.

 

[smittycl]

If @smittycl gets a time trial bike, we can't be friends anymore.

I now have a Dual Sport and a killer Domane. No more bikes for me until I age up into an eBike!

 

[bicycleradical]

I now have a Dual Sport and a killer Domane. No more bikes for me until I age up into an eBike!

You need a mountain bike.

 

[Thrift Vader]

You need a mountain bike.

Preach!

You need a Hardtail MTB or a full gravel bike.

Mrs V has a gravel bike that you'd have to pry out of her hands. The Cadex Carbon X Kevlar In purple. More bike than she will ever need and she knows it.
Speaking of, I got a brake upgrade for it sitting here. along with Marzocchi's and a Titec stem. But i'm starting to rethink shocks for her bike. so those rare parts will be up for grabs. Just new brakes and new bearings in the frame. such a good bike.

 

[Piobaire]

No e-bikes. Evah!

 

[bicycleradical]

Preach!

You need a Hardtail MTB or a full gravel bike.

A beast like this bike is capable of quite a bit:

 

[Thrift Vader]

A beast like this bike is capable of quite a bit:

View attachment 1643165

Looks like serious kit.

 

[bicycleradical]

Looks like serious kit.

It's wonderful. I'm way overbiked for the trails I ride most often however when I make it to the mountains and rocks, it's absolutely sublime.

 

[sugarbutch]

My nipples are right on the inside edge of the straps. I don’t experience any chafing issues, with or without a base layer. I almost never have crotch or seat chafing, either, but on the rare occasions I’ve needed something, I used Body Glide. It is easy to apply and effective.

 

[flipstah]

While I save up for Rapha, what are some good MTB 26 tire candidates?

Ive only found Panaracer to have stock. I wanted Race Kings but no dice

Also working on my partner’s bike this weekend!

this is how we got it:

Cleaned up some rusted fenders with Coke and foil: