^ I'm also sure it's fine. The only thing I might worry about is the rear derailleur possibly getting bent. IIRC, 2 of my bikes came with everything loosened, and shifted into the slackest gear, to prevent shipping trauma. They also had enough foam and paper padding to kill a small tree.

Holes happen sometimes in shipping-those boxes are pretty big, and I'm sure they annoy the UPS/Fedex dudes.

8/5/2011 9:42:54 AM

yea, what cracked me up was how light the damn box was. i haven't ever had a road bike before so it's a nice change from how heavy my previous bikes have been

i will be sure to report back if there are any issues

8/5/2011 9:46:43 AM

New bike acquired. Lllooooovvvveeeeeee it

Can't wait to take it out on my first ride

8/6/2011 10:51:03 AM

saw some pretty cool acrobatics on the group ride this morning....homeboy tried to take the inside line, got bumped, went off the road, three cartwheels, upside down in a creek

that is all

8/6/2011 4:05:30 PM

Ow

8/6/2011 4:20:50 PM

I would be the one laughing over his misfortune, so long as he wasn't hurt. Whoopsie!

8/6/2011 4:56:49 PM

78-miles over three (10,000+ ft) passes complete. No incidents, no flats. Overall great ride, and feeling good after. Took about 5-1/2 hours, max speed 44.6mph. Started at 6:30am with temps in the mid-40's, ended around noon with temps in the upper 70's.

[Edited on August 6, 2011 at 10:31 PM. Reason : .]

8/6/2011 10:14:26 PM

i can't figure out how to install my new cleats (well the pieces screwed onto my shoes) for my pedals

8/7/2011 9:42:24 PM

Which one of you guys was cycling down the center of Lake Wheeler Road by himself today? Must have been 30 cars in a line behind you for miles, patiently waiting their turn to pass. Can someone tell me why that isn't considered rude? Is your recreational exercise rhythm really so important that you can't pull on the grass from time to time?

PS Where do you buy shifter cables around here? Are there standard lengths are do I just need to make some custom cables to replace this one that's busted? I finally picked up an aluminum bike. Can't wait to ride it on the sidewalks and generally stay out of other people's way like a good citizen. I even dismount and walk it across busy intersections instead of just running the red light.

8/7/2011 11:22:34 PM

Oh goodie another asshole.

And obviously it was one of the dozen or so people in this thread that post regularly that was holding the line of cars

8/8/2011 7:16:09 AM

You'll no doubt defend him.

So how about that shifter cable? Who sells them locally? This is a really good bike. It came from Walmart.

8/8/2011 7:23:35 AM

What kind of cleats do you have? I have SPD cleats, nothing fancy, installed them doing something like this:

http://drivemybike.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/understanding-clipless-pedals-installing-cleats-on-shoes/

8/8/2011 8:26:30 AM

Thanks

So I did install them correctly, I'm just used to speedplays on my other bike so I'm not placing them in the pedal correctly. Do you slide in then push down?

8/8/2011 8:35:11 AM

At the risk of feeding the trolls, it's quite simple:

http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/ from the NCDOT Driver's handbook: "Because bicycles are
vehicles, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other drivers.........Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane,but are entitled to use the full lane."

Do all traffic laws make sense just because the government mandates it? Of course not, but I happen to be in favor of this one.

If the bikers are riding on the right hand side allowing motorists to pass, they are being courteous. If he/she wanted to, she could take up the entire lane and you couldn't do squat about it.

If you are so bent out of shape about the law, you should write your state rep or just cowboy up and sit in your car and wait your turn.

8/8/2011 11:37:29 AM

^That's all fine, doesn't bother me.... but back to smc's post. Usually the biker that clogs up traffic will also pass everyone on the right at lights, so the formula becomes:

1) Get stuck behind biker
2) Wait for opening
3) Pass
4) Catch a red light
5) Biker eventually catches back up and passes on the right
6) Light turns green
7) Goto 1

Here's a driver's rule for passing on the right. http://law.onecle.com/north-carolina/20-motor-vehicles/20-150.1.html

So I only have problems with bikers that want to be protected by the law but not adhere to it.

[Edited on August 8, 2011 at 12:18 PM. Reason : -]

8/8/2011 12:07:29 PM

Oh, sorry, my bad, smc, didn't you know? My homies and I actually tagged your car with a GPS, so we could be sure to cycle by you, really slowly, whenever you're around. I actually rode down from Durham to personally bother you, and had to answer a text from my mom on Lake Wheeler, she had surgery recently and I wanted to make sure she wasn't having any complications. It was a great 50+ mile workout, I can send you the route if you want

8/8/2011 12:14:04 PM

so happy there are trails around here that i get to ride on

only about two miles of my commute are on roads (out of 13 miles total)

saw a biker who got hit today. they had the right of way in the cross walk for the trail (which is really popular around here) and a guy was making a legit right turn, but didn't pay attention to the crosswalk. bike vs van, van won (which i know all too well from personal experience)

8/8/2011 12:43:46 PM

^^^I can only speak for myself. I do not overtake slowed cars in traffic on the right handside, left or center. I treat myself as just another vehicle.

That being said I was responding to his:

Quote :

".......can't pull on the grass from time to time ....ride it on the sidewalks and generally stay out of other people's way like a good citizen"

comment.

8/8/2011 1:57:27 PM

^ Agreed, you are supposed to be just another vehicle and not pass cars on the right. It infuriates me when cyclists do that because it looks bad on all of us.

8/8/2011 3:50:17 PM

yea i won't pass. it's dangerous enough riding in DC without doing that shit.

i love the fuckers on the their motorcycles that do that too... so obnoxious

8/8/2011 4:11:32 PM

Yeah, in all seriousness, I've got several friends from big cities, and they always pass on the right and go right to the line. I'm always like ", where are you going?" That's a perfect recipe to get doored, or better yet get the right hook.

Better to just chillax in the back patiently, I want to know what all the crazy drivers are doing in the intersection before I put myself out there. (The general exception, being the bike lanes, better get out of my lane, bitches.)

I'm already having way more fun than the person in the car, and am most likely not late, because I allowed for the slower pace that bike commuting entails.

8/8/2011 4:20:19 PM

i had a friend up in here in the bike lanes, totally where she should be. dumbass in a car screeches across the bike lane to grab a bike lane, my friend couldn't stop in time and slammed into the back of the car. smashed her head through the back windshield of the car

luckily she's mostly okay, but scary :-/

8/8/2011 4:26:48 PM

Yeah I don't pay much attention to bike lanes, they'll get you killed. It's nice to have the pavement, but when it comes to intersections I dismount and walk across or wait my turn like a car.

8/8/2011 5:53:35 PM

First of all the rules of the road VARY based upon where you're at.

Denver/Colorado has some confusing laws, so PLEASE KNOW the difference between your state and your (local) municipality laws.

For example, in Colorado you are allowed to bike on sidewalks. In Denver specifically you are NOT allowed on any sidewalk, UNLESS you are within 1/2 block of where you are going to park your bicycle. We have bike lanes and bike paths. We are also allowed on the roads, but again, not sidewalks. To benefit drivers, they did incorporate an interesting law allowing a car to pass a cyclist and cross the yellow line (even if it's a solid yellow) to allow a minimum of 3-feet clearance between the vehicle and the cyclist.

In MOST cases, yes, cyclists, you should know better, you CANNOT pass on the right. If you feel like you are entitled to the full lane, then you should abide by it and get in line behind the vehicle in front of you at a stop light. You are not entitled to move to the front because you are on a bike.

If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's a hypocrite on a bike. They try to hold drivers to one standard, yet don't follow the rules of the road themselves. Particularly running stop signs.

For crosswalks (& turns in general) I ALWAYS make eye-contact with the driver to let them know I'm there and to make sure they see me before passing them or crossing in front of them.

[Edited on August 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM. Reason : .]

8/8/2011 7:48:20 PM

Seems like the 1/2 block rule would be difficult to enforce - but officer, I'm parking right... here <locks bike to a clown statue>

8/8/2011 8:02:09 PM

All they'd have to do is follow you one block. Also another good reason to know the law, so you can avoid those pesky 'riding' on the sidewalk tickets. It's an exception that I know few are aware of, but recently passed.

8/8/2011 8:05:16 PM

Riding on the sidewalk is the safest place to be, assuming you're going slow like you should be. If you pretend you're on a boardtrack racer you'll catch the trunk end of a car.

8/8/2011 8:23:30 PM

Quote :

"assuming you're going slow like you should be"

fuck that noise

8/9/2011 1:51:41 AM

low temp on sunday's ride: 96
high temp on sunday's ride: 103




[Edited on August 9, 2011 at 9:10 AM. Reason : ]

8/9/2011 9:09:39 AM

^Yeah, no mas of that.

I've moved my long rides and runs to either the trainer indoors or are being done at night after the sun goes down. I did my long run last night with my running buddy, and we were rocking full Petzl headlamps with my dog wearing a red blinkie light.

Best reaction from some dude in a minivan: "Oh my god! What are those?!!" Then he whistled at us .

8/9/2011 9:35:09 AM

What's a good ROT for resting? I'm trying to build up some endurance and wanted to know. I'm worried that jumping back on without adequate rest would likely set me back as opposed to helping. The goal is to lower my heart rate on climbs.

My legs still have a slight 'burning' sensation from yesterday - I figured after a ride like that it's probably best to take a whole day off?

8/9/2011 4:39:35 PM

Either one or two days of rest after a long ride or a short recovery ride, like 30-40 minutes tops.

Better hydration and nutrition will shorten your recovery time.

[Edited on August 9, 2011 at 5:03 PM. Reason : .]

8/9/2011 5:00:31 PM

If you've been out in the heat, don't forget electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) Whenever I'm missing one or all of those, my muscles start involuntarily twitching and it's really annoying.

I don't like the pre-packaged Gatorade (it's too sweet), or things like Gu gels, so I use a low-cal powder called Ultima from Whole Foods, and then if I need calories (usually >90 min on the bike) I take some in with crackers or a Luna Bar.

8/9/2011 6:43:27 PM

Ok, thanks for the info.

8/9/2011 6:55:58 PM

checking into this thread because I've been cycling more as of late

18 miles today through Cary and 20 on Saturday in N.Raleigh

8/9/2011 9:49:00 PM

I use Cytomax in my water bottles, you can get the packets and/or containers at REI or most cycling shops
http://www.cytosport.com/products/cytomax/ctomax-powders

It's proven and I can tell you after 78-miles, it just plain works. Little to no stiffness and/or soreness due to lack of nutrients after the race. I felt great and could have probably biked another 50+ the day after with little consequence, even though I wasn't in shape.

I also use Gu and that stuff works wonders right before a big climb, the formula is just right and gives me enough glucose to work another 45-minutes past my threshold. (I use probaby 1 every 1:30 or every 30 miles or so depending on the ride)

[Edited on August 9, 2011 at 11:54 PM. Reason : .]

8/9/2011 11:45:37 PM

holy shit. i realized i was trying to install my new clips upside down (yes, i'm a moron) finally figured out the right way and tried them out in my living room in my apartment and totally almost turtled in my living room.

yay me

8/11/2011 8:39:35 PM

I just put my new carbon rims on my new road bike. Check it:

8/11/2011 9:58:00 PM

fancy

8/11/2011 11:01:51 PM

^^nice, which ones?

8/11/2011 11:55:42 PM

im heading to raleigh this weekend and will have the skinny bike with me. anyone up for a 25-40 mile ride on sat afternoon or early sunday morning?

its been about 5 years since ive done any riding there and have no idea what the current road routes are like

between my workout schedule dictating a fairly easy ride and as ill likely be tying one on sat night, im not looking for a hammer fest or a pissing contest. avg speed somewhere between 18-20mph.

8/12/2011 9:21:54 AM

I'm going to start looking for a new bike in the next couple months. My mom got a Trek last year and has been a big fan. Good components off the shelf and well built bikes. Anyone else have good luck with Trek?

8/12/2011 9:32:30 AM

Trek is top of the line, but components are components, you'll find a model by almost any brand of bike with the same components as a specific Trek you're looking at. So it's just a matter of finding the frame that fits the best, then determining your budget as that will most likely set your component range.


[Edited on August 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM. Reason : .]

8/12/2011 9:46:04 AM

^ what he said. IMO, components are gonna be by far the most important part to consider when buying a new bike.

^^ The only other thing to pay attention to is fit. Each bike company will have different geometry for their frames and so your best bet is to buy the bike that feels most comfortable for your body type and pay less attention to a particular brand.

8/12/2011 10:09:52 AM

got my new bike out today finally

unfortunately got stuck in a rain storm half way through, but it's good to know it handles just fine even in the rain

damn thing is sooooooo much faster than my other bike.... i had convinced myself for the longest time that a road bike wouldn't make me that much faster - boy was i wrong

8/13/2011 1:53:18 PM

I've been running and biking around Boulder this past week, and we hiked Rocky Mtn. National Park yesterday at around 10,000 ft. elevation. Talk about being out of breath for the first couple of days. I ran 4-5 miles, easy, around the South Boulder area on the flat and some low hills, and thought my lungs were going to burst out of my chest .

8/14/2011 3:53:20 PM

Biked 40+ up near Breckenridge/Copper Mtn. today, it's about 9,000ft. Are you just here visiting?

8/14/2011 6:56:47 PM

^ Yep, just visiting my sister in law and her husband with my bf. I've got SIL's backup bike (an old Schwinn), so I haven't attempted any long rides. I've been seeing people riding by the house all the time on the way to the nearby canyon, and I saw them training in the Flatirons, this whole week. I'm in South Boulder. Just makes me go , should have packed my road bike or rented one, but I forgot to bring my kit.

The town itself is cool, minus the large amount of traveler kids and homeless people begging for money downtown. Looks like a totally awesome area to train, except I hear housing is pretty expensive.

8/15/2011 4:21:41 PM

Anyone following the ProCyclingChallenge out in Colorado?
http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

This is turning into an epic race, they were suffering at the last climb and they were only at 9,000ft.

Today: 130 miles & 24,221 feet in elevation, stage 2: Cottonwood and Independence Pass has finally arrived.

8/24/2011 11:08:46 AM

What's everyone's favorite chamyes? While we're at it, do you use chamyes cream? If so, what flavor?

8/25/2011 12:29:03 AM