32

What type of trainers do yall like to use? Is there a preference that yall like as far as the type of resistance being applied (wind, magnetic or fluid). I'm looking into these at the moment

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/2783962534.html Trek Magneto bike trainer - $90

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/2781160643.html Minoura inner ring bike trainer - $55

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/2792118533.html Cycleops wind trainer - $90

[Edited on January 11, 2012 at 8:40 PM. Reason : d]

1/11/2012 8:39:33 PM

Helping my dad clear out his garage. Would be willing to work with you on prices if you want something.

message_topic.aspx?topic=622659

1/12/2012 9:55:38 AM

At the risk of annoying cycling vets in this thread, I have a question that has likely already been answered:

What would be a good, cheap bike to get as an entry into road-cycling / triathlons? Emphasis on cheap, I'm just attempting to break into the competitive cycling world for the first time.

Also, would cycling machines be recommended at all? Pros/Cons?

1/12/2012 10:13:11 AM

IMO your best bet is to buy used if cost is a major factor. You just aren't going to get the same value buying new from a local bike shop. There is no one-sized-fits-all answer to your question, but there are deals to be had on CL or ebay. Figure out your size, then keep an eye out for road bikes. When you see one, post it up here and there are a handful of people here that can tell you whether it's a good deal.


Stationary bikes aren't worth it because to get a decent one, you are gonna have to spend $$$. You can just as easily get a trainer and a road bike, then you have something that you can also take outside.

1/12/2012 10:42:52 AM

^ About stationary bikes, I've never ridden one that gave me the feel of an actual road bike, even the newer
ones they have in spin classes with adjustable settings feel like exercise bikes. I do spin classes because they're
a good off season interval training session, and make me work harder than I would otherwise. Still, I hate.

1/12/2012 1:50:45 PM

couple things for sale:

SRAM Force crankset
Brand new
53/39
170mm
$275

SRAM Rival front derailleur
34.9 clamp
$35

holla at: mtns2sea@gmail.com if interested

1/26/2012 12:38:13 PM

oh man, we did a 35mi ride last Sunday, and the average temp for the whole ride was like 37F. Thank god for good cold-weather gear, though a balaclava would've been nice. When we originally planned the ride it was supposed to be in the 60s

I'm thinking about hitting up Crabtree since I have the day off and the weather isn't too horrible. I'd rather go to Harris Lake, but it doesn't look the the trails are open there. Time to dust off the ol' mtn bike.

1/26/2012 12:53:12 PM

And it looks like rain is back in the forecast for Friday night. Rain has kept all the trails closed quite a bit over the last several weeks.

I got out yesterday and I'll get out again today while things are still open.

1/26/2012 1:15:18 PM

No mountain biking, then. I guess I'll be trying out the commute to UNC from my house on the Surly this weekend instead- I have clinicals there 2x/week and if it takes me 45 minutes, should be faster to bike than to drive + wait for shuttle.

1/26/2012 4:32:41 PM

Crabtree's changed a bit since the last time I was there. It didn't help that I've never seen it with the woods completely barren. It's less of a tangle of loops and flows a little better now.

My commute to work is 10 minutes, 8 if I sprint. Once the office moves downtown it might get up to 15 minutes, and I'll probably be sprinting through the ghetto.

1/26/2012 5:44:26 PM

Yeah, they've certainly made efforts to make the trails more accessible to everyone. I don't know if it is me getting better or the trail builders making efforts to sanitize any area of the trails that people find difficult, but there's no loop out there that's geared to really push people.

It would be nice if each loop had it's own character. Currently they all feel about the same.

Also sad to see the clear cutting they did off Old Reedy Creek Road. I hope the tree cutting ends where they've already cleared. It would be a true loss if they were to clear out other areas. Last I heard it was for a parking lot. So they are taking away places where trails could be... to ease a non existent parking problem?

[Edited on January 26, 2012 at 8:20 PM. Reason : -]

1/26/2012 8:19:43 PM

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/17305704/article-Bridge-bidding-delayed-again-

This is not surprising to those of us who bike in the Southpoint area.

1/27/2012 8:11:48 AM

Quote :

"City officials decided to conduct a new round of bidding – their third – after just two contractors expressed willingness Wednesday to take on the project."

I guess the economy is really booming in the construction industry. Sure they mentioned some challenges but if these were desperate times you'd think companies would be more willing to take up the challenge to make money where they could.

I only discovered the ATT about 6 months ago and did a google search on when the two sections would be joined up. There wasn't much info to be found back then, all I could find was a project timeline that said the bridge over 40 was to be completed in 2005. I guess that project has been on the back burner for a long time.

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 8:48 AM. Reason : -]

1/27/2012 8:44:52 AM

I've been waiting for them to put a bridge in over 40 for the past 4 years. It would make
biking to Raleigh a cinch, as well as getting down to Apex.

Getting down there right now involves taking ATT to Southpoint, wandering through the backroads of the Honda dealership, jumping on 751 to Massey Chapel, and picking up bumpy singletrack to
the Chatham county line. Argh.

1/27/2012 10:30:40 AM

There's singletrack north of Massey Chapel that continues up to the corner of Renaissance Pkwy and Haven Hollow Way. I don't know that I'd consider anything south of Massey Chapel as singletrack. Maybe they've widened it since you've been? It's definitely bumpy from a pure commuting standpoint though.

I just use the trail for exercise, so the change-up is more than welcome after all that pavement in the Chatham Co. section.


[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 10:42 AM. Reason : -]

1/27/2012 10:40:30 AM

Hmmm...last time I was on the singletrack btwn Renaissance and Massey Chapel, it was unpassable because it had flooded. Usually you were able to portage your bike over the mess and continue. I gave up on that route when I got trapped in the swamp part about a year ago.

Last time I biked down there was this past fall and took the route I described. 1:15 -1:30, from my house to New Hope Church Rd. crossing.

I also ride horses on the Chatham Co. section, it's pretty baller down there.

1/27/2012 12:31:07 PM

Used the Capitol Bike Share in DC this week while there for a transportation conference. They have installed a lot of nice infrastructure in DC recently. Really nice riding around the Mall area, and the cycle track installed in the middle of Pennsylvania Ave was a really pleasant ride. The 15th St cycle track was nice as well.

1/27/2012 1:55:34 PM

Went on a post-hangover "20 mile recovery" ride that turned into a 45 mile "you practiced drafting, right?" speedfest. At least for me. The boys lied. I didn't pull for very long, needless to say.

Got to witness some neurotic Chapel Hill woman flipping out in a coffee shop because her soy decaf somethingorother was made too slowly. First world problems.

1/29/2012 9:48:11 PM

To echo my other post here, what would be said about this:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_1_fx/#

To use for basic riding workouts, and to eventually bridge into some introductory races?


I'll take the hit in performance if it saves me some $$$ - I'm not training for an Iron Man or anything. I'm simply trying to segway into the competitive field.

2/9/2012 5:14:02 PM

I know I sound like a broken record here, but I would again recommend http://www.bikesdirect.com. If price is a major factor for you, you will simply not find the same value in the name brand bikes that you can find in those. Components and parts are better for the same price, or if you are stuck on that setup, you can probably save 40-50%.

Also, I think you would regret getting a hybrid/commuter type bike. From your post and what you are trying to do with it, it sounds like a entry level road bike would be better for you. For example:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington3_IX.htm

If you need help sizing, you can email them for help. That particular model has better components (higher end derailer, shifters, and a carbon fork) for less money than what you would spend on the trek. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, it's pretty easy to follow instructions and put the wheels on and connect the handlebars, but if not I think most shops will put it together for you for around $50 and I know there are some mechanics advertising on CL that would probably do it for cheaper.

[Edited on February 9, 2012 at 6:15 PM. Reason : d]

2/9/2012 6:07:37 PM

My ankles swelled up something stupid last Friday night from alternating lots of exercise (running, cycling) and
sitting/standing around for school and work. I tried on my first pair of compression socks and promptly bought
4 pairs. Omg amazing at helping circulation, reducing muscle soreness, helping support my muscles.

I even bought the kind from the medical supply store that is medical-grade and helps prevent DVT, PTE,

And they just feel good on my feet.

I have reached a new level of dorkitude.

2/9/2012 6:27:02 PM

^^ Instead of buying something like that, I'd personally much prefer someone find their size and get a used road bike on craigslist for cheap. You can find some incredibly clean Trek 1000s for ~400-550 and a really nice cannondale for ~500-600. Both of these bikes will be much nicer to ride, they'll last you longer and have higher resale value.

[Edited on February 9, 2012 at 8:03 PM. Reason : ]

2/9/2012 8:03:21 PM

I'll give you that a name brand bike will have a higher resale value, and there is definitely value in that. In my mind the downside outweighs that value though. The problem with scanning craigslist is that if you don't know what you are looking for, it can be a nightmare sorting through all the shit to find the handful of decent deals. Besides that, someone who isn't familiar with bikes is gonna have a hard time knowing the real value and it's pretty easy to get ripped off.

If you know what you are looking for, then I would absolutely agree with you. I have a dura-ace equipped Felt cyclocross bike that I got a great deal on through craigslist.

I 100% disagree that a name brand bike of a comparable model to a bikesdirect bike will be a better ride. The components are identical (or usually better on a BD bike for the cost). The frames are often times built in the same damn Chinese factory as the big names, and having ridden several bikes direct and comparable brand name bikes, I can say that there is very little difference in the ride.

2/9/2012 9:52:29 PM

so my oversized 56cm bike has been gone for about 5 months

now I got the itch again to ride

Something will be purchased likely tomorrow-- 4 bikes I'm riding in the next few days-- but 2 I'm riding tomorrow that I realllllly like so far


thought I'd go mountain but work has a road club now

2/11/2012 8:00:05 PM

what happened to the nice weather?

I can't stand using this fluid trainer cause it's too damn loud. I'm surprised my neighbor hasn't complained. I've tried watching Netflix on my tablet with headphones, but I can still barely hear anything with the volume all the way up.

2/11/2012 8:09:51 PM

joc ^^^, good point on the components. When it comes to buying new, I fully support ignoring brand names because the components all came from the same place so its just the frames that differ, and the difference isnt really worth all the markup associated with it.

Craigslist definitely has great deals but you do need to know what youre after and its probably the worst site to 'check things out' at. Id definitely go to a bike store and see what you like best and then decide whether youll be happy with what you would be buying new or if youd prefer something else (preferable narrowed down to a few models) off CL.

2/11/2012 10:58:44 PM

ok after some research, instead of 3 bikes i want to try out 6 different ones that I see at local shops


this is more difficult than buying a car

2/12/2012 10:35:15 AM

One of my friends is out doing a 600k today with RUSA


fuck
that
shit

2/12/2012 11:32:39 AM

^ That's a long way to go for a burrito. Now if the zombies were chasing me, or a tsunami was upon us, I might bike that far.

2/12/2012 1:19:55 PM

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52903

for

http://thebicyclechain.com/product/11specialized-tarmac-elite-apex-75089-1.htm

yeah its in my garage now

about blew off the bike on my test ride and after getting fit on it. Holy crap its windy outside. Leave it to ME to buy a bike on the coldest and most windy day so far

I can tell this is going to go much better than my old bike too. I don't fill like I'm going to tip over on my tippy toes while stopped on this one. I tested it with my own pedals and shoes. Got fitted on the trainer, and I'm happy.

2/12/2012 4:03:40 PM

Nice looking back man. congrats!

2/12/2012 4:38:32 PM

finally going to ride for real tomorrow at lunch time

Got everything on it, computer, cages, saddle bag, pedals

2/14/2012 6:40:39 PM

For those of you that bike Umstead/Falls Lake (which has been closed for 90% of time this winter anyway):

NC report suggests closing state parks in winter
http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10727118/

2/14/2012 7:01:20 PM

2/14/2012 8:41:46 PM

^^ While I don't like the idea of closing parks, Dec to Feb wouldn't be too bad overall. It doesn't sound like that would affect the County parks that I ride at, like Crabtree and Harris.

2/14/2012 10:20:04 PM

I've seen a lot of people at Umstead this winter (it has been warm though)... but it's not like it matters. How would they close Umstead? Some people like riding Umstead but I kind of view it as the consolation prize for when Crabtree/Harris are closed.

Falls Lake isn't that big of a deal, they have bike trails but I think they've been closed for all but a small handful of days this winter anyway.

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 7:26 AM. Reason : -]

2/15/2012 7:24:47 AM

That woman quoted made cyclists seem like a bunch of ignorant dumbasses. I wish they would have quoted
someone from one of the local advocacy organizations.

2/15/2012 6:44:19 PM

You guys ignored my garage picture. I wish

2/16/2012 6:40:33 PM

Two reasons
1) Not a car dork
2) No Y chromosome .

Nice bike. I still think they look funny when they have the same basic componentry as a normal bicycle, and have
all the high-falutin' technology (carbon, deep V rims, etc.).

2/17/2012 10:45:31 AM

I would have said something if that were your bike parked in your driveway. Other than that, it's just some ridiculously expensive bike I will never have.

2/17/2012 10:46:36 AM

My friends want to do a 100k on Sunday.... Let's see, low of 32 and it won't get above 50, and a 70% chance of rain. Then there's tomorrow which will be sunny and 62. Call me a pansy ass, but I think I'd rather ride on Saturday. I need to dust the cobwebs off the motorcycle, too, with all this unseasonable weather.

2/17/2012 11:34:18 AM

Anybody watch the Durham Crit today? I saw the men's Cat 4-5 and Cat 3 race.

I thought the entire Cat 4-5 race was ridiculous- you can't honestly tell me many of those guys are beginners to any type of bike racing. The true beginners got dropped in <10 laps and I thought I was watching at least a Cat 3 in progress. To quote a popular term, "sandbaggers", and it kind of sucks the fun out of watching what I thought was a newbie race.

It's that kind of crap that makes me hesitate to sign up as a newbie for road racing. No use in paying an entry fee, putting on my kit, and getting dropped in a few laps because women who should be in the higher categories are racing well below their skill level.

Not sure of the current USA cycling rules for movement between disciplines, but surely that should be more clearly elucidated or resolved?

2/26/2012 8:03:53 PM

forgot about this, actually wanted to go. I'm recovering from wisdom teeth removal, otherwise I'd have ridden today.

Can't wait for my kit to come in- finally having a proper bib shorts. NO more buying cheap cycling clothes.

Question-anyone buy stuff on Bonktown? My question is, can I fill a cart to save shipping costs? Throughout the day I see maybe 2 things I like, but then paying shipping on multiple items would start negating savings. Advice on the site>??

I guess I'm asking 'can I add stuff to my cart, as long as I do so before time expires? Or do I actually have to check out before time expires?'

[Edited on February 26, 2012 at 8:12 PM. Reason : time]

2/26/2012 8:10:58 PM

You have to go ahead and purchase it, but once you make the first purchase, it gives you an option to either ship now or hold the shipping for a week and bundle up any additional purchases you want to make. I think shipping for any additional item is only $1 extra, if I remember right from the last time I used bonktown. Details should be in their FAQ at http://www.bonktown.com/bonktown/help/31/Shipping-Info.html.

2/26/2012 10:02:51 PM

thanks for the link. I feel better about buying now.

I keep an eye at work, got the notification tool. Nothing good has been up, some good tires but not needing those since mine are brand new (with my bike)

2/27/2012 7:37:11 PM

any other good sites for cycling deals?

2/27/2012 7:43:05 PM

I'm a big fan of the site. I haven't bought anything in a while, but over the last few years, I've gotten a full set of high-end kit, socks, spare tubes, Endurox drink powder, energy bars; I even got a black wool Swobo polo shirt that I wear to work occasionally. The combined shipping definitely encourages splurging for a week now and again, but I've saved a lot of money on stuff I would have bought elsewhere.

Other sites run by the same company that occasionally have good stuff of interest are chainlove.com (more focused on mountain biking) and steepandcheap.com (more focused on backpacking, skiing, etc).

[Edited on February 27, 2012 at 7:47 PM. Reason : ]

2/27/2012 7:44:32 PM

^They also own departmentofgoods.com which has alot of the same products, but it's not a timed deal thing.

I'm a big fan of Nashbar and Performancebike for online deals too.

2/27/2012 7:51:43 PM

Any thoughts on the Trek 8.5 DS?

I went for a ride through the lake crabtree park in morrisville then umstead, and now I'm regretting selling my bike a few years back.

2/28/2012 7:38:03 PM

Pretty good components. Actually not a bad deal for all you are getting. The main weakness is the fork IMO, but it will be fine if you don't plan on thrashing it.

I'm a big fan of either buying used on craigslist or bikesdirect.com if you don't really know what you are looking for, but I can't really hate on that bike too much. Depending on what kind of price you are getting it for, it looks like a solid deal.

2/28/2012 10:07:15 PM