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Midpack · 12-11-2010, 07:44 AM

Looks very nice. I bought a nice road bike a few years ago as I'd always preferred that style. However, I wish I had bought a mountain bike, commuter or something more upright now. But I'd take such a hit on selling the road bike, that I just stick with it.

Enjoy the new ride!

TromboneAl · 12-11-2010, 08:17 AM

Here's some good advice on saddles:

Every spring, bike shops sell scads of saddles to cyclists who come in because their old saddle has become uncomfortable since they stopped cycling in the fall. They went out for a ride or two, and found it much less comfortable than they remembered from the previous year. They've heard about the latest buzzword in saddle gimmicks, and they want one of those!
They buy the new saddle, put it on the bike, go for a few more rides, and find they're much more comfortable. They tell all their friends about their wonderful new saddle, and how they need one too...

But was it really the new, high-tech saddle...or was it just that the rider had become unaccustomed to cycling over the winter layoff? In many cases, working your way up over the course of a few short rides of gradually increasing length is all that is necessary, if you have a decent-quality saddle, properly adjusted. If you have previously been comfortable on your present saddle, don't be in a hurry to change.

flyfishnevada · 12-11-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Here's some good advice on saddles:

I just need a wider saddle to fit my wider behind.

vicente solano · 12-11-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling. If you are 50 or over, join the 50+ group at bikeforums.net with T-Al and me.

Can I join? EErrrr I´ve got a pedal-assisted bike....

dm · 12-11-2010, 01:14 PM

I went to the local bike shop today and got a helmet. Sadly they are going out of buisness, but everything was half off. After reading the above article I figure it would be better to put in some seat time before changing out the seat. But I do like the looks of those Brooks saddles. The problem is the weather is lousy, so it may be awhile.

Sam · 12-11-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Here's some good advice on saddles:

Every spring, bike shops sell scads of saddles to cyclists who come in because their old saddle has become uncomfortable since they stopped cycling in the fall. They went out for a ride or two, and found it much less comfortable than they remembered from the previous year. They've heard about the latest buzzword in saddle gimmicks, and they want one of those!
They buy the new saddle, put it on the bike, go for a few more rides, and find they're much more comfortable. They tell all their friends about their wonderful new saddle, and how they need one too...

Direct conclusion: Spring is the best time to buy a slightly used saddle.

Not so direct: Fall is the best time to buy a slighty used bicycle? It's true for motorcycles.

Sam · 12-11-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicente solano

I´ve got a pedal-assisted bike....

Which one? Is it a TRUE pedal assisted bike (a la Sanyo Eneloop) or just a bike with a electric motor?

mb · 12-11-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toofrugalformycat

Men tend to have trouble with their "man-parts" if you skip this step. If you have any doubt (or any pain), a good bike shop will help you with this.

I understand that this can affect the ladies too! The consequences just aren't as obvious. Different parts but the same artery that supplies the blood flow.

mb · 12-11-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack

Looks very nice. I bought a nice road bike a few years ago as I'd always preferred that style. However, I wish I had bought a mountain bike, commuter or something more upright now. But I'd take such a hit on selling the road bike, that I just stick with it.

Enjoy the new ride!

So what's the problem? Just go buy a mountain bike or a hybrid or whatever. It's ok to have more than one.

mb · 12-11-2010, 06:19 PM

I haven't kept up the the bike industry lately but in the past Klein was a well respected brand. I think that you made a good choice. In general you're much better off buying a quality used bike than a cheap department store bike.

vicente solano · 12-12-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Which one? Is it a TRUE pedal assisted bike (a la Sanyo Eneloop) or just a bike with a electric motor?

Sam: it´s a BH E-motion with Panasonic battery and motor. No throttle. You´ve got to pedal! But it´s an incredible help on all sorts of hills.

Sam · 12-12-2010, 04:08 AM

That's a true pedal assisted bike. Nice! What is the longest distance you have covered between charges?

vicente solano · 12-12-2010, 04:15 AM

Tt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

That's a true pedal assisted bike. Nice! What is the longest distance you have covered between charges?

It depends... Anyway, no less than 50 km.

toofrugalformycat · 12-13-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb

So what's the problem? Just go buy a mountain bike or a hybrid or whatever. It's ok to have more than one.

This was explained to me by a friend at a bike swap. The number of bicycles you need is n+1, where n is the number of bicycles you have.

ItDontMeanAThing · 12-13-2010, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedd

Isn't that a Klein hanging on the wall in the background on the old Seinfeld series?

YES.

Get thee to a source of information on how high the seat should be for your leg length. Many people who don't know any better select a height that is too low, which can cause knee problems.

I rode for about 5 years, during and after I was racing an off road motorcycle. Best advice for a new off pavement rider: Don't untill you can shift, brake and steer without thinking about it. Then start on the mole hils before you go to the mountains.

dm · 12-13-2010, 06:17 AM

The kid at the bike shop gave me some basic's on setting the seat height, and of coarse I have read several articles also. Now I just need some warmer weather, I am not going out in the snow. I also don't plan on hitting the rough trails till I get much more comfortable with this. I'll start off ridding on the side streets in my very small town and probably checking out the nature trail at the local park.

The bike is very light, my wife's electra weighs much more. And it seams to be well built, it shifts very smoothly and the shift levers and brakes work well. The bike cost over $2,000 new in 2001 so it should be of decent quality. The previous owner just didn't ride it, it still has the original tires and the whiskers are still there.

My wife loves to ride her bike and has a friend that joins her. Also we get tons of bike riders out here on their road bikes. We actually had some locals wanting to try an ban them somehow. There complaint was with the large groups of 20 or more blocking the road. I plan to ride mine in the morning after all the other folks go to work, and before my afternoon tee times. And we will take the bikes on trips with the camper.

At least that's the plan.