Bicyclist rant

I had to give up riding upright bikes in 2001 due to degenerative disc pain and subsequent fusion surgery. I eventually transitioned to recumbents. Although riding recumbents greatly satisfied my zest for cycling, nothing has ever quite replaced the feeling of hauling ass on a sub-20 lb diamond-frame racing bike. I mean, it's impossible to pretend I'm riding a stage of the Tour or Giro on a recumbent. I still have a steel LeMond Zurich and a titanium Sampson gathering dust in my storage building. These days I'm riding a "stand-up" bike called a Cyclete and loving it!
 
ETres said:
nothing has ever quite replaced the feeling of hauling ass on a sub-20 lb diamond-frame racing bike.
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I've never ridden one and they're not quite that light, but I'd imagine a low racer recumbent probably also gives one a pretty good feeling as well. They're the prettiest bikes made IMHO.

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skier said:
I've never ridden one and they're not quite that light, but I'd imagine a low racer recumbent probably also gives one a pretty good feeling as well. They're the prettiest bikes made IMHO.

View attachment 87553
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They fly on flats and down hill, or so I've seen. Up hill, not so much. Everything has tradeoffs.
 
My bicycle, attached to its stationary attachment that just arrived from Amazon today. I’ll probably put more miles on like this than I ever did on pavement.

E22B1F2C-2B1E-4428-B093-A49ECAD164D6.jpeg
 
skier said:
I've never ridden one and they're not quite that light, but I'd imagine a low racer recumbent probably also gives one a pretty good feeling as well. They're the prettiest bikes made IMHO.

View attachment 87553
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To each his own, but a recumbent screams Sheldon Cooper to me. Now my Fuji Transonic on the other hand, or my vintage Vitus with Suntour Superbe components and sew-up tires..
 
skier said:
I've never ridden one and they're not quite that light, but I'd imagine a low racer recumbent probably also gives one a pretty good feeling as well. They're the prettiest bikes made IMHO.

View attachment 87553
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The most interesting (and expensive) thing about recumbents is the very wide variety of designs. Since I got into 'bents, I've spent way too much money buying different ones because I had the overwhelming urge to experience different models and designs (very similar to the way pilots are with airplanes). My real splurge was in 2006 when I ordered a custom-made carbon fiber CarBent, at the time hand-made one at a time by a guy in Utah to fit a rider's exact inseam. It was outfitted with the latest SRAM 9-speed carbon road components and a lightweight wheel set. This recumbent weighed LESS THAN 20 lbs! Riding this bike hard for 4-5 years was the closest I felt to being back on my upright titanium Sampson, and I had the weekly mileage and average speeds to match.

Recumbents can be cool. I think all bicycles are cool for that matter!
 
I would be scared to ride a recumbent on the roads here because of the visibility factor. An upright cyclist wearing hi-vis clothing stands out a whole lot better.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Love that classic steel frame.
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It’s steel? I suppose that makes sense. I never bothered to think about what it’s made out of.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
It’s steel? I suppose that makes sense. I never bothered to think about what it’s made out of.
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Whaaaaaa? That is a very un-Ted sounding statement!

I like steel. It has a nice ride to it. Like carbon, steel frames are designed to flex where it counts for shock absorption. You can't do that with aluminum frames. They ride harsh because they can't be designed to flex. We're talking roadies here, MTB's with suspensions soften the ride.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Whaaaaaa? That is a very un-Ted sounding statement!
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It’s a bicycle. Doesn’t have an engine or burn fuel so my concerns are more “Do I like it?” :)
 
Sac Arrow said:
...steel frames are designed to flex where it counts for shock absorption. You can't do that with aluminum frames. They ride harsh because they can't be designed to flex.
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That’s simply not true.

Aluminum frames have long used ingenious methods to be rigid where rigidity is required and flexible where that’s what’s called for. In fact, aluminum lends itself to such.

As just one example, take a look at the myriad ways Cannondale used varying tube diameters, bends and shapes to that end on my road bike...

50099302312_2edecddb35_z.jpg


Take a look at the chain stays, for instance. Oval-shaped to be rigid in the horizontal plane for efficient pedal-to-wheel torque transfer while simultaneously flexible vertically.

Yes, you can achieve similar with steel and carbon fiber, but aluminum is no slouch in that department.
 
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FastEddieB said:
That’s simply not true.

Aluminum frames have long used ingenious methods to be rigid where rigidity is required and flexible where that’s what’s called for. In fact, aluminum lends itself to such.

As just one example, take a look at the myriad ways Cannondale used varying tube diameters, bends and shapes to that end on my road bike...

50099302312_2edecddb35_z.jpg


Take a look at the chain stays, for instance. Oval-shaped to be rigid in the horizontal plane for efficient pedal-to-wheel torque transfer while simultaneously flexible vertically.

Yes, you can achieve similar with steel and carbon fiber, but aluminum is no slouch in that department.
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My first true road bike was a Cannondale, circa 1994. This was the era of the big fat down-tube and straight seat and chain stays. I later owned steel, titanium, and carbon framed-bikes, all of which were less harsh than the Cannondale. Although I can no longer ride upright framed bikes, I've been curious about the comfort and ride quality of more modern aluminum frames (like your Cannondale).
 
I've always been of the conviction is that almost all of the shock absorption done by a bicycle is performed by the tires. I have three bikes, a 1984 Trek with a steel frame, a 2004 Cannondale with an aluminum frame, and a 2014 Giant that is all carbon, and I wouldn't say one of them is particularly softer riding than the other two.
 
As someone that has had to trash two aluminum frames due to stress cracking, I'll never buy another aluminum frame bike again.
 
FastEddieB said:
That would certainly sour one.

Can I ask what brand?
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Trek Road bike, and Raleigh mountain bike. The Raleigh split at the steering tube, and the Trek cracked there and at the rear frame members.
 
I had a Mavic aluminum wheel crack, mechanic caught it before it became a problem.
 
PaulS said:
I had a Mavic aluminum wheel crack, mechanic caught it before it became a problem.
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Me too, but it was the Mavic mountain bike rim on my Raleigh. I don't think it was ever a problem, but that particular rim had stainless eyelets mounting standard spokes. There were some cracks at the eyelet bosses. The Krysrium Elites on my Tarmac are rock solid. Awesome rim for the price.
 
Morgan3820 said:
I have never seen three abreast, but then We have too many rednecks and good ol' boys for that to be tolerated. They don't care. They would have made a path through. If they ever owned a bicycle it was as a trainer for the dirt bike. We do have several charity bicycle rides a year but that is for the damn Yankees and they get a police escort.
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I have seen three abreast several times. Most recently was about a week ago when I encountered a group of three deliberately hogging the road. This was out in the country on a State Highway. The road was curvy and had a
double yellow line. Not really a problem because traffic was light - but still an annoyance. I, of course, passed them when it was safe to do so. No horns, dirty looks or gestures (can't be bothered). Where I live State Law says
that bike riders are to keep to the right except to change lanes or turn left - and to ride single file. It doesn't seem to be enforced much (if at all). Two abreast I see all the time.

Dave
 
ah... a good old bicycle bashing thread... Tired of picking on Cirrus drivers?
 
cessna182b said:
I have seen three abreast several times. Most recently was about a week ago when I encountered a group of three deliberately hogging the road. This was out in the country on a State Highway. The road was curvy and had a
double yellow line. Not really a problem because traffic was light - but still an annoyance. I, of course, passed them when it was safe to do so. No horns, dirty looks or gestures (can't be bothered). Where I live State Law says
that bike riders are to keep to the right except to change lanes or turn left - and to ride single file. It doesn't seem to be enforced much (if at all). Two abreast I see all the time.

Dave
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Actually bicycles are allowed to take the lane when they feel it is unsafe for a car to pass them. This is the law in most areas including, I believe, Santa Barbara which is in your sig. A curvy road can be a very unsafe place to pass a bicycle.

That said, good for you not being a jerk even though you were annoyed.
 
UngaWunga said:
ah... a good old bicycle bashing thread... Tired of picking on Cirrus drivers?
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Just imagine how much we could bash a Cirrus driver who also rode a bicycle!
 
Just curious...has anyone canceled a ride due to “high ozone”?

We have such an alert here near Knoxville and I’m planning to ride regardless.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Knoxville area in effect from 7 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EDT Wednesday. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Ozone means ground level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with a respiratory disease such as Asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. For additional information visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation site at http://www.tennessee.gov/environment.
 
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FastEddieB said:
Just curious...has anyone canceled a ride due to “high ozone”?

We have such an alert here near Knoxville and I’m planning to ride regardless.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Knoxville area in effect from 7 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EDT Wednesday. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Ozone means ground level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with a respiratory disease such as Asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. For additional information visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation site at http://www.tennessee.gov/environment.
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I dial it back for warnings like that, shorter slower ride.
 
FastEddieB said:
Just curious...has anyone canceled a ride due to “high ozone”?

We have such an alert here near Knoxville and I’m planning to ride regardless.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Knoxville area in effect from 7 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EDT Wednesday. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Ozone means ground level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with a respiratory disease such as Asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. For additional information visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation site at http://www.tennessee.gov/environment.
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Not for an orange alert. For a red, or especially a purple alert, yes.
 
FastEddieB said:
Just curious...has anyone canceled a ride due to “high ozone”?

We have such an alert here near Knoxville and I’m planning to ride regardless.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Knoxville area in effect from 7 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EDT Wednesday. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Ozone means ground level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with a respiratory disease such as Asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. For additional information visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation site at http://www.tennessee.gov/environment.
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Did you end up getting a ride in today? Curious if you noticed any difference with high ozone. That’s something I’ve never checked or considered when going for a ride.
 
Somedudeintn said:
Did you end up getting a ride in today? Curious if you noticed any difference with high ozone. That’s something I’ve never checked or considered when going for a ride.
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I did.

I’m increasing my distance gradually by 2 miles per ride and did 10 miles today, still recuperating from my meniscus repair. Did not notice any impairment I could attribute to ozone, though my average speed is still down.

Thanks for asking!
 
Sac Arrow said:
Trek Road bike, and Raleigh mountain bike. The Raleigh split at the steering tube, and the Trek cracked there and at the rear frame members.
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That would certainly tend to sour one on aluminum-framed bikes.

Still, steel and carbon fiber frames are not immune to cracking. I wonder how each frame material fares statistically in that department. I may try googling for some data.

Regardless, thanks for posting your experience. I try to periodically give my road bike - an aluminum-framed Cannondale Synapse with a carbon fiber front fork - a good cleaning and lubing, which is a good time to inspect all the welds. Due to your post, I think I’ll start doing this inspection on a more regular basis.

As an aside, I had noticed a tiny clunk on rough surfaces, possibly from the steering head. Sure enough, on inspection there was a tiny bit of play. I had never adjusted it, and pleased to say the typed of steering stem I have, pictured below, is trivially easy to adjust.

15095680061_35f87cc93a_z.jpg
 
Both my and my wife’s beater hand me down bikes both broke beyond economic repair.


I decided to buy two electric folding bikes. 17 mile range 16mph without pedaling. Will make it easy to ride up the hill y to town or port on the car or airplane. I think we’ll use them a lot and possibly get two more for the kids if they work out.

Jetson Bolt Pro. $300 at Costco online.

They keep putting the page up and taking it down as they run out of stock


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
MIFlyer said:
Both my and my wife’s beater hand me down bikes both broke beyond economic repair.


I decided to buy two electric folding bikes. 17 mile range 16mph without pedaling. Will make it easy to ride up the hill y to town or port on the car or airplane. I think we’ll use them a lot and possibly get two more for the kids if they work out.

Jetson Bolt Pro. $300 at Costco online.

They keep putting the page up and taking it down as they run out of stock


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Adding... these have pedals, range quoted is the range without you doing anything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
FastEddieB said:
That would certainly tend to sour one on aluminum-framed bikes.

Still, steel and carbon fiber frames are not immune to cracking. I wonder how each frame material fares statistically in that department. I may try googling for some data.

Regardless, thanks for posting your experience. I try to periodically give my road bike - an aluminum-framed Cannondale Synapse with a carbon fiber front fork - a good cleaning and lubing, which is a good time to inspect all the welds. Due to your post, I think I’ll start doing this inspection on a more regular basis.

As an aside, I had noticed a tiny clunk on rough surfaces, possibly from the steering head. Sure enough, on inspection there was a tiny bit of play. I had never adjusted it, and pleased to say the typed of steering stem I have, pictured below, is trivially easy to adjust.

15095680061_35f87cc93a_z.jpg
Click to expand...

Good catch, nothing worse than death wobble on a bicycle. Never happened to me, but I saw it happen to someone, fortunately he wasn't going too fast and got it back under control.
 
FastEddieB said:
That would certainly tend to sour one on aluminum-framed bikes.

Still, steel and carbon fiber frames are not immune to cracking. I wonder how each frame material fares statistically in that department. I may try googling for some data.

Regardless, thanks for posting your experience. I try to periodically give my road bike - an aluminum-framed Cannondale Synapse with a carbon fiber front fork - a good cleaning and lubing, which is a good time to inspect all the welds. Due to your post, I think I’ll start doing this inspection on a more regular basis.

As an aside, I had noticed a tiny clunk on rough surfaces, possibly from the steering head. Sure enough, on inspection there was a tiny bit of play. I had never adjusted it, and pleased to say the typed of steering stem I have, pictured below, is trivially easy to adjust.
Click to expand...

Some of the modern high end aluminum bikes use 6XXX and 7XXX grade aluminum, which are precipitation hardened alloys, and have a higher fatigue resistance than soft alloys used on older and cheaper bikes. Still, any grade of aluminum had a repetitive fatigue limit well below the elastic limit. Most grades of steel can be flexed pretty close to the yield point without fatigue, at least those used in structural tubing. Carbon can be flexed until it breaks.

FYI 2XXX alloy is used in aircraft, and is also a precipitation hardened alloy. It's the strongest out there but it can't be welded. 6XXX can be welded, but requires post heat treatment. 7XXX can supposedly be welded, but it loses strength and fatigue resistance. In any case, welded joints are bulked up to compensate, adding back weight.

Steel and titanium are lifetime frame materials and can be made light. A lifetime aluminum frame won't be light. Carbon frames are lifetime until you damage them, although the verdict on that won't be out until some of the carbon frames have gone a lifetime. I have 27,000 miles on my carbon Tarmac. I don't know exactly how many miles I put on the Raleigh but it was probably on the order of 3,000 - 4,000 miles.
 
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