I like how his seat changed heights from scene to scene, also

10/14/2012 5:05:59 PM

^ha, noticed that too

10/15/2012 1:00:40 PM

So I recently picked up all of the ordering/stocking duties for our co-op, and Jesus, I truly didn't realize how incompatible a lot of bike parts are until now. I knew they were, just not quite to this extent.

Prime example:

square taper sealed cartridge bottom brackets- there's like 20 different spindle lengths. I'm stocking the more common sizes. Do I need to stock more rare French/Italian sizes for those old stupid Peugeots?
chains- 6-9 speed? Should I buy 10 speed at this point?
tubes- 700 vs. 26, Presta vs. Schrader, 32-60 mm valve length.
racks- which basic one to pick to keep our price point low?
bar tape- what colors?

It's between and at this point.

10/15/2012 3:16:55 PM

Anyone know where I can go in Raleigh to try on some giordana bibs and jerseys before ordering?

10/24/2012 7:30:04 PM

^^ re: spindle lengths... What is the more common scenario: refurbing in the original geared condition or modifying to single-speed (or at least single-chainring). If the latter, then the original doesn't matter. For SS, a variety allowing good range of chainline would be best. Additionally, some modern bottom brackets have adjustable spacing (no outer flange on the drive side), to move the chainrings over a reasonable distance. If you are stocking these, then a reasonable range of lengths can be made to fit any chainline/chainring spacing you desire.

Tubes, personally, I stock presta only, even though my commuter has one rim drilled shrader, and my wife's hybrid is drilled for shrader. You can fit a presta in a rim drilled for shrader (preferably with an adapter), but you can't go the other way. However, Prestas don't confuse me, and I've encountered some people who are baffled by them. If you have easily baffled customers, you may need to keep some shraders.

To add to your confusion, what width tubes are you getting? I run 26x1.25 on my commuter, and 26x1.95 on my mountain bike, which is far enough apart I don't like using the same tubes. Significantly too big of a tube in a tire can fold or wrinkle, and a much too small tube can burst

For the rest, I think it depends on your most common work and ability to special order. If you can order a 10-spd chain if you end up needing one, I wouldn't stock them until you get 10-spd drivetrains showing up regularly.

Oh, and bar tape? There is only one color. Black.

10/25/2012 2:06:02 PM

Don't know if any of you ride in Charlotte but there's a benefit for my dad on November 17th. Even if you don't know him we're trying to get people out to show support:

http://ridemickeyride.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/events/234212600040814/242420609220013

10/31/2012 2:34:37 PM

^ I'd do it but for school.

Side note, anyone going up to Salisbury for XC? I'll be there floundering around in singlespeed/women's cat 4-
haven't decided what I'm going to race today, because they run at the same time and I'm riding my old bike
because the new one's not done.

11/4/2012 7:57:19 AM

I was thinking about riding to work today now that we're in the new building, but I don't want to deal with the drama of trying to bring my bike to my desk. If the supposed bike lockers actually do exist then great, else they'll just have to get over me bringing my bike up.

11/5/2012 9:12:12 AM

Quote :

"chains- 6-9 speed? Should I buy 10 speed at this point?"

- yes there are a lot of road bikes that ride 10-speed, in fact i do, i'd say the most common are 8/9/10

Quote :

"tubes- 700 vs. 26, Presta vs. Schrader, 32-60 mm valve length. "

- 700 x 18-23 are most common road bike size, possibly stock 700 x 23-25... presta 48mm length will fit deep rims and normal rims just fine. for mtb, schrader 26 x 1.75-2.125 is most common.

[Edited on November 5, 2012 at 12:36 PM. Reason : .]

11/5/2012 12:34:55 PM

While everyone else in America is drooling over which new electronics they're going to snag on Black Friday, I'm over here debating on whether to pick up a Reynolds XC carbon wheelset...

11/23/2012 1:27:08 AM

^Until the stores have deep discounts on crap I actually care about (cycling knickers and a new set of size 39 shoes,
mine are getting old), then I won't be participating in any Black Friday shopping.

Thank y'all for the input into the co-op, on the next order I'll stop more 10-speed chains. I just was debating it
at the time because the sort of bikes we see at a community shop typically lag 5-10 years behind commercial
shops in design. I also just started stocking things like threadless headsets, star nuts and cartridge bottom brackets as well.

So...did you get the wheelset?

11/23/2012 12:38:27 PM

Not yet. Still debating on whether it's worth the money to upgrade from Stan's ZTR Crest wheels. The carbon wheels probably won't save me any weight, but they should be much stronger and stiffer, and I'm a bit above the Crest's weight limit.

11/23/2012 1:13:02 PM

While some people showed up to race in their divisions at the NC State Thanksgiving Crossoff, others of us showed up to watch the kids' race. Give those girls 10 years, and they'll be kicking all of our asses .

The course wasn't as bad as I thought it would be- I hope eventually the Triangle area can get itself together and host a Triangle cyclocross series. It would be fun to race on our normal practice area, Forest Hills in Durham, and would save some gas money...

11/25/2012 2:46:36 PM

I am starting a women/trans cycling group in Durham. Really why: I'm tired of people asking me to organize rides, and not having enough women to ride with. Goals:

-organize a ride calendar
-get more women/trans folk cycling and more competent as mechanics
-maybe do a women's cycling team (and go down the rabbit hole of sponsorships, racing, etc.)
-start up a mentor program
-"talk shop" meetups
-advocacy

Let me know if you know any womenfolk that are interested.

12/4/2012 9:07:04 PM

^ How's the cycling group going?



Anyone else doing the Tour de Cure Resolution Ride on Jan 1st?


Also, anyone have suggestions for mtb-specific crank arm length for a 5'3" female? I dont' remember her inseam measurement offhand. I'm thinking she needs 165mm, but they don't seem readily available at a price she can afford. Does that length sound right? This will be on a XS Trek EX8. She doesn't have a lot of muscle, so she'll likely be spinning most of the time.

12/29/2012 12:11:54 PM

Cycling group is based on Facebook so far, we've done 1 ride and meetup, another one planned for this upcoming Saturday. Not so much interest in competitive stuff so far, but lots of interest in social gatherings and beginner-type workshops.

Yeah, sounds initially right- my MTB and commuter bikes have 165s, but my road, Surly and cross have 170s (I'm 5'4"). I haven't experienced any pedal strike from any, even in the tight corners on the cross courses. Remember your crank length will vary based on combined BB and tire height.

What frame size are we talking about (46-48 cm)? I'm not familiar with the inch sizing used on MTB.

You may also want to ask the folks over in the MTB thread.

1/8/2013 11:03:48 AM

The X-Small WSD (Women's Specific Design) is 14", and this is basically the length of the seat tube from BB to top. I'm under the impression that crank length is more based on inseam than BB clearance. The MTB thread seems pretty dead, and it's pretty much the same people that post here and there. I guess I'll just keep looking for 165 cranks.

1/10/2013 10:50:59 AM

just pure art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxXqQqAc2pA

1/16/2013 7:28:25 AM

and then there is this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXWK8FE5kuw

1/16/2013 7:36:15 AM

They can't fank us enough!

2/6/2013 8:29:32 PM

^ might just be me, but your embed is no worky



In hope of warmer weather sometime in the no-so-distant future, I picked up a 2013 Argon 18 Gallium frame and have been pricing out components. I found an awesome deal on a new Ultegra 6700 Di2 group set. To go electronic or no....

2/6/2013 10:00:02 PM

It worky for me. Anybody else?

2/6/2013 10:39:16 PM

strange, it works now and I see you didn't edit it.

2/6/2013 10:48:12 PM

Well, I ghost edited it, but that was to add a comment or something, not to change the embed. PLUS, I couldn't even ghost edit by the time you posted. More than 30 minutes after mine, you see.

2/8/2013 5:49:07 PM

so I'm a complete newbie when it comes to cycling. I don't even know where to begin when it comes to picking out a bike and what I want and the people at the bike store I went to this weekend were not much help

I think I'm looking for a hybrid, something that I can use on the trails out here but also for commuting. I test rode the Fuji Traverse 1.3 and liked it. but I also think I might like the Trek Verve 2WSD (haven't test rode, it was suggested to try it)

Like I said, I have no idea about what kind of features I should be looking for so if anyone could help I'd appreciate it! thanks!

2/25/2013 3:08:04 PM

I personally am not a fan of hybrids generally, but I know every bike shop pushes them big time. I just think that in an effort to be the right bike for everything, they end up being mediocre to terrible (compared to their counterparts) at most things. That said if your uses are going to be limited to very light trail riding and occasional commuting, a hybrid might actually be good for you.

Things to look for.

1) Does it fit you? Think comfort from a reach (both arms and legs) standpoint and not just contact points. Many hybrids have the fat beach cruiser type saddle and while that may feel better than a traditional saddle in the parking lot, it's gonna suck on commutes more than a couple miles.

2) Components (derailers, shifters, etc.). As a newbie, this one is gonna be more difficult to be discerning on, but components make the biggest difference in the quality and longevity of a bike. It's the reason why you may look at two bikes and they look identical but one is $800 more. Generally, you get what you pay for and quality components are going to be worth it because they are more durable, lighter weight and they don't need adjusting as much.

2/25/2013 3:56:14 PM

I forgot to update to say that we just gave up and got a super-cheap deal on a mid-grade level 170mm crankset. Her bf hasn't built up the rest of the bike yet, so no feedback on the length yet.

I also have a brand new 2013 Argon 18 Gallium frame sitting here waiting for me to build it up. Only problem is that it's a Large (what kind of road bike company sizes like this!?), so I'm worried it might be a tiny bit too small for me. Got it for a steal, though.

Annnnnd, another long shot, but anyone doing the Doubleshot (http://ad-doubleshot.blogspot.com) this year? It's a race consisting of 14 miles of mtb singletrack and then 14 mile road ride up Hanging Rock Park rd.

2/25/2013 11:01:12 PM

I just bought and replaced both tires on my tri bike with 25mm tires, but I think the rear is rubbing on the frame

3/5/2013 11:51:55 PM

^^Ill be there

Did it last year, one of the best events I did all year.

Come find me, Ill be in a black/blue/red Chattanooga kit, on a green Madone

3/6/2013 6:55:14 AM

Needs some newbie advice. I'm looking for a decent mountain bike to ride through Umstead Park trails, nothing too crazy. Looking to spend around $450-$600. A guy at the Bike Shop recommended a Specialized Hardrock 29, and someone else said to get a Trek 3500. Opinions?

3/7/2013 2:16:13 PM

^mountain biking thread may be a better source for that information.



never been a road biker, always a mountain biker but i'm getting tired of riding my hardtail around the city. i want something with some more speed. Can anyone give me some tips on what to look for for a good city commuter bike? There are tons of road bikes for sale on craigslist here in Charlotte. I want to buy used, but the prices seem to be all over. Not even sure where to start.

3/7/2013 4:14:08 PM

Quote :

"^^Ill be there Did it last year, one of the best events I did all year. Come find me, Ill be in a black/blue/red Chattanooga kit, on a green Madone"

The ride sounds like a blast, but unfortunately I won't be going as my flaky friend bailed on me at the last minute and the race filled up. I need some non-flaky friends that mtn bike.


And to add to my good fortune, measured up my current bike and looks as though the Gallium is not going to fit. Just too much of a saddle-to-bar drop, even with a large rise stem.

Anyone interested in a smoking deal on a 2013 Argon 18 Gallium frame, size Large? http://www.argon18bike.com/bikes/road/gallium.html

[Edited on March 7, 2013 at 5:18 PM. Reason : good]

3/7/2013 4:59:13 PM

Jeepin, get yourself a cross bike for commuting. I consider them an updated version of the hybrid and more than beefy enough to take on some light singletrack.

I can't say I've been doing much fun riding lately besides commuting and some shorter trail rides- school's been kicking my ass- but I plan on hitting the roads and trails come this week with spring break.

3/7/2013 5:09:00 PM

thanks for the info.

do i really want a Cross bike if I have a solid mountain bike though? I love my Gary Fisher and take it on the trails a decent bit, it's just so slow on the road.

3/8/2013 8:17:30 AM

Cyclocross bikes are significantly different from mountain bikes and much more suited to road riding. They are great for commuting. I know a lot of pretty serious cyclists who have them and a few people who commute in NYC using them.

3/8/2013 9:42:58 AM

something like this??

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3580808803.html

3/8/2013 11:56:36 AM

Part of what makes you slow on a mountain bike is the rolling resistance from a fat tire, but the biggest part of what makes you slow is that you are sitting much more upright and catching the wind like a sail.

A cyclocross bike solves both of those problems because it will have a more aggressive geometry that will get you down lower out of the wind and thinner tires. A hybrid will often have fat tires like a mountain bike (but a smoother road tread) but sometimes an even more upright geometry.

^That bike is a hybrid with skinny tires and would probably not fit you unless you are 6'3+. also, not a very good deal given the low quality components.

[Edited on March 8, 2013 at 2:39 PM. Reason : d]

[Edited on March 8, 2013 at 2:40 PM. Reason : d]

3/8/2013 2:38:35 PM

Maybe a little far out of your price range, but something like this:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3665460332.html

A pretty bike, and one I considered getting before building up my own cross bike.

3/8/2013 2:47:35 PM

I don't think more than $650 is fair for that one.

3/8/2013 2:59:14 PM

ah, ok. thanks guys. yeah i'm trying to figure out all the differences between cross/commuter/hybrid. so thanks for the help.

^haven't seen that one but i like it. definitely out of my price range but it gives me a template.

3/8/2013 3:15:10 PM

^^ Yeah I agree Slut. I wouldn't offer anything more than $700 for it. The general public is really uneducated on the relative values of bikes, so I see crap listed way past its value, and conversely have gotten some really good steals on some 'girlfriend' bikes.

I'd stick firm to your $500-600 range, you should be able to pick up an original value $800-1200 used bike in that neighborhood. Also remember, the price of the bike will change depending on whether they upgraded components, etc.

3/9/2013 12:07:48 PM

3/10/2013 5:32:43 PM

^Truer words have never been spoken. I suppose there are worse addictions for your body, but I can't think of any worse for the budget.

3/11/2013 11:24:10 AM

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3565696546.html

this one is near my office. i guess i need to get sized for a cross/road bike before i do anything.

3/11/2013 11:37:38 AM

56cm will typically fit someone in the 5'10-6'1 range. Unfortunately, there is not one general sizing metric that will work across all bikes as every bike (even those with the same size) will have different geometry, etc.

There is also some adjustability with the seat, crank and stem as well.

3/11/2013 11:59:42 AM

yeah i'm 6'0. My MTB is an 18" and a little small, but ride-able.

3/11/2013 1:28:22 PM

is 10 speed the norm for Cross bikes?

3/12/2013 9:04:26 AM

Yeah. 1 x 9 or 1 x 10 is a pretty common setup, with some sort of chain guard to prevent it from popping off. I raced most of a season with a 42 front ring, although I imagine the dudes on here are pushing bigger gears. Not much of a masher.

3/12/2013 11:40:21 AM

so how does that translate into commute riding? is there enough range between gears to handle steep hills, etc?


man, these are such n00b questions

3/12/2013 3:09:55 PM

I think with carrying crap to your office or wherever, it would work out perfectly fine. You could always get a smaller ring in front if you're worried about climbing Mt. Everest. I've ridden my cross bike to and from work just fine with a bag on, and it has some moderate hills and straightaways.

3/12/2013 3:14:44 PM