General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[otc]

Anyone have an informed POV on Specialized Epic/Epic Evo vs Cannondale Scalpel/Scalpel SE? I am reading and watching a few comparos but I thought I’d also cast my net here.

i might be able to source one or the other

My informed POV is that I've never ridden either, but I've always wanted a Lefty fork if only for the lulz.

 

[bicycleradical]

I was definitely thinking of brifters for a while and 700c cold setting is easy. **** disc brakes haha

I have discs on my mtb and they're great however I prefer rim brakes on my road bike. They work fine for me. If that makes me a curmudgeon, then so be it.

 

[Fueco]

I would never buy a Specialized bike after what they did to Volagi, but they do make good stuff (minor hypocrisy that I use their shoes and helmets).

 

[Texasmade]

this thread definitely motivated me to push my body and go for it! Thanks fam

When Covid first started and all the gyms closed I was linked “I should get a bike to exercise!”

Unfortunately the whole rest of the world thought the same thing so here I am like 16 months later still without a bike.

 

[smittycl]

When Covid first started and all the gyms closed I was linked “I should get a bike to exercise!”

Unfortunately the whole rest of the world thought the same thing so here I am like 16 months later still without a bike.

There is still a seriously long waiting list for most bikes it seems.

 

[flipstah]

For people who bought bibs: what can you fit in the pockets? Does it have pockets? I don’t want to carry my handlebar bag anymore

Right now I carry:
Keys
Airpods
Iphone
Wallet

 

[Fueco]

For people who bought bibs: what can you fit in the pockets? Does it have pockets? I don’t want to carry my handlebar bag anymore

Right now I carry:
Keys
Airpods
Iphone
Wallet

The pockets are in the jersey.

You can easily carry all that along with a couple of energy bars, a patch kit, spare tube, and mini pump.

 

[Fueco]

I have discs on my mtb and they're great however I prefer rim brakes on my road bike. They work fine for me. If that makes me a curmudgeon, then so be it.

Same here, but my next road and cx bikes will be disc.

 

[razl]

When Covid first started and all the gyms closed I was linked “I should get a bike to exercise!”

Unfortunately the whole rest of the world thought the same thing so here I am like 16 months later still without a bike.

I feel for you. I already had a bike, but just decided to upgrade a few months ago and was floored when told the original model I wanted was, oh, 14 months away, as I stood there ready to buy. I got totally lucky when I came around to another model that they just happened to have one of on the showroom floor.

If it helps at all, I'm not generally lucky - that was likely my once-a-decade event.

 

[patrick_b]

When Covid first started and all the gyms closed I was linked “I should get a bike to exercise!”

Unfortunately the whole rest of the world thought the same thing so here I am like 16 months later still without a bike.

Stock is getting better but you have to be willing to check the manufacturer's sites regularly and be ready to drive a bit when one pops up. I was told I'd have to wait 6 months and pay in advance but wasn't willing to do that so I checked stores within a couple of hours and found one relatively quickly. Had to drive 2 hours but it was worth it.

Edit: I just checked Specialized and Trek websites for high-ish end Ultegra spec'd bikes in my size 56. There's an Emonda available 42 miles away and an Aethos 100 mi from me.

 

[Texasmade]

I feel for you. I already had a bike, but just decided to upgrade a few months ago and was floored when told the original model I wanted was, oh, 14 months away, as I stood there ready to buy. I got totally lucky when I came around to another model that they just happened to have one of on the showroom floor.

If it helps at all, I'm not generally lucky - that was likely my once-a-decade event.

At this point I've given up on getting a bike for now.

Stock is getting better but you have to be willing to check the manufacturer's sites regularly and be ready to drive a bit when one pops up. I was told I'd have to wait 6 months and pay in advance but wasn't willing to do that so I checked stores within a couple of hours and found one relatively quickly. Had to drive 2 hours but it was worth it.

Unfortunately, a bike won't fit in my Mini Cooper or Porsche.

 

[otc]

Kinda thinking about picking up this (the disc version) as a platform to build my new townie on:

BRILLIANT L TRAIN

The L-Train is a nimble, speedy belt drive bicycle with a larger gear range to tackle leisure rides and daily commutes with ease.

www.prioritybicycles.com

Kinda more than I want to pay for a generic parts-bin bike, but it ticks the boxes for what I've been pondering:
- Belt Drive
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Front and rear rack attachment points
- Room for decent size tires AND fenders. Hell--it looks like I could do a 650b/27.5 swap and put big-ol-tires on it if I wanted to.

I mean, its generic chinese cromo but it has disc mounts and a split to get the belt in--two things I can't get if I start from a vintage frameset (without resorting to welding and cutting).
The Nexus 7 isn't the best internal gear hub in the world, but the hub and shifter alone cost $200+ and buying standalone belt drive parts seems expensive AF--could be $300+ just to get sprocket/cog/belt for a DIY setup.

 

[patrick_b]

At this point I've given up on getting a bike for now.



Unfortunately, a bike won't fit in my Mini Cooper or Porsche.

Sea Sucker suction cup rack.

 

[razl]

Whoa.

Sea Sucker suction cup rack.

View attachment 1644629

View attachment 1644621

 

[Fueco]

At this point I've given up on getting a bike for now.



Unfortunately, a bike won't fit in my Mini Cooper or Porsche.

Here’s how I rolled 15 years ago…