if you're getting a road bike, you can't just pick a frame size by your height because your proportions can be different. I'm 5'9" but have shorter legs and a longer trunk than typical.

have get a reputable person fit you for a bike. if your used store or coop doesnt have someone who can or will do this, go to a higher end store and "test ride" a new bike. they'll fit you properly.

5/24/2013 3:49:18 PM

Bleh. I need to get fitted again just to make sure. I saw a nice looking Trek 5000 on CL and a Trek 5200 on ebay for reasonable prices. How are Treks in general?

5/25/2013 8:10:16 PM

Any Trek road bike is going to be fine. What's really more important, besides fit, is the components. Lots of companies will use the same frame and have different models based on the quality of the components used. Another thing to note is that, for example, Ultegra from 2000 is probably not going to be any better than a 105 groupset from last year, so you can't judge a bike off just that.

5/26/2013 11:31:37 AM

Yeah I don't know too much about components, but assume I'd have to replace a couple if I bought a used bike.

5/26/2013 1:35:29 PM

Quote :

"Another thing to note is that, for example, Ultegra from 2000 is probably not going to be any better than a 105 groupset from last year, so you can't judge a bike off just that."

What the hell are you talking about? Of course it will be better.

I'm riding a Shimano 600 arabesque that's hit its 30th birthday this year and it's more solid than the 2300 crap that comes on the entry level Trek.

5/26/2013 5:34:43 PM

50 miles so far today (might as well get my ride on while I wait for my interview next week). 20 later tonight!

I'm well on my way to a full century by August.

5/29/2013 6:48:12 PM

Centuries are 100 years. What is a "full century"?

seems like you are well on your way to a full century by tomorrow.

5/29/2013 7:45:29 PM

A century is riding 100 miles nonstop.

5/30/2013 12:32:52 AM

Full refers to miles, as opposed to metric centuries of 100 kilometers. Not sure why we decided one was more "full" than another. Maybe we stole it from the running world, where a marathon has become the measure of everything, and has half and double (and probably other) variants.

5/30/2013 8:32:15 AM

What kind of mutant bike is this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOFTRIDE-Classic-Qualifier-Triathlon-Road-Bike-Carbon-Fiber-Aluminum-Shimano-105-/111088147426?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item19dd5e9be2


Hate to ask again, but if I did buy online, is frame size the major thing? I assume I can replace any other part(s) I don't like. I saw some okay looking bikes, but I'd definitely run it through someone before jumping in.

Think I'm out until July anyway. Stupid wedding season.. :/

6/3/2013 10:36:37 AM

It's a soft-ride kind of mutant. Some folks like them, some folks think they look weird.

Buying anywhere, fit is the most important thing, followed by components meeting your needs/wants. Fit can get weird, and I'd be wary of buying anything sight-unseen (or un-test-ridden) unless you have something solid to compare it to. I have bought a frame unseen. The numbers were a near-perfect match for the frame I was replacing, and the price was good enough I was willing to take the risk. I still ride that frame, it's awesome.

The basic number used as a size is the length of the seat tube, from middle of the bottom bracket to somewhere. This somewhere varies, often center of top-tube (identified as center-to-center, or C-C) sometimes to top of top tube (identified as C-T) or in modern, "compact" frames, to somewhere imaginary. This is one important size, but it is NOT the most important. I find a bikes with a similar reach (top-tube length plus stem) fit much more reliably than bikes with similar "sizes". Saddle heights are fairly easy to adjust, but changing reach requires swapping out stems. Beyond this, discussing fit gets complicated, geometrical, and devolves into petty fights over differences of 0.5 degrees and rake vs. trail.

Bottom line: size is important, but knowing a size fits you is more complicated than just the one number.

6/3/2013 11:53:24 AM

^^ USA Triathlon allows non-standard bicycle design in races, vs. UCI which dictates the standard diamond frame. That's why you see tri bikes with all kinds of weird angles. I wish both organizations would get on board with each other, but then again, cyclists are kind of embarrassed of triathletes.

6/5/2013 11:52:31 AM

These are fun: http://imgur.com/a/HeST2

6/25/2013 2:26:00 PM

1304Bikes officially shut down today (Raleigh's old bike co-op) but the Durham Bike Co-op got a lot of their tools, and a neat 3-speed coaster brake tricycle with a basket. Needless to say I've already taken my dog for several rides around the neighborhood in it.

Anyone doing any bike touring this summer? I already did an overnight out to Henderson to a friend's family farm last week, and we're leaving on a 4 day tour of the C & O Trail over the 4th of July (DC--> Cumberland, MD). We're old, so none of that bike camping stuff we did when we were younger.

6/29/2013 10:18:10 PM

Was this the house/bicycle junkyard? That thing was an eyesore. As expensive as road bikes are for some reason, you'd think they'd be able to take donations to rent a proper commercial space.

7/1/2013 12:59:44 AM

Your donation certainly went a long way towards paying the rent.

7/1/2013 10:30:17 AM

I visited their website, and it appears they did take donations and purchase a retail location. Apparently there's not enough interest in cycling in Raleigh. Or rather the people that do cycle here have plenty of money and don't need old bikes. Shame, I bet 95% of bicycles purchased go in the garbage within 4 years.

7/1/2013 10:54:34 AM

I have no idea about the cycling market in Raleigh these days, but there's definitely a secondhand market that Oak City currently covers. I think it was a lack of volunteers/lack of organization that made 1304 fall apart, as well as high rent.

It's a shame, because their latest space had a lot of potential over on West St.

7/1/2013 11:00:51 AM

I guess so. I have lots of old bikes sitting in storage. Even a peugeot. Is that a better brand than Huffy? I'll probably just trash them.

[Edited on July 1, 2013 at 11:38 AM. Reason : Its such a hard name to say. Pway-got. Pway-got]

7/1/2013 11:32:42 AM

guys... smc has trolled this thread before. Please don't respond. I think a cyclist bullied him in elementary school or something.

7/1/2013 12:08:01 PM

Yeah I know, but I was responding to everyone else.

7/1/2013 2:22:13 PM

My new wheels come monday! I'm excited because my rear is all out of whack right now. Had it trued when I got the bike a few months ago (had a broken spoke too) and they are at the end of their life it seems. Here is what I got: http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=2446



[Edited on July 4, 2013 at 2:04 PM. Reason : dd]

7/4/2013 1:53:52 PM

Bike Island has an impressive photoshop job on their title pic. And is that a slingshot? Wow.

7/5/2013 9:35:58 AM

Bleh.. back on track for a bike, ended up trying a few at Allstar.

I saw a pretty good review of the 2012 Allez Sport (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-road-bikes-under-1000-32772/) and assume the 2013 is pretty much the same.

Bike rode pretty well, though I had a sort of death grip on every bike. I assume that can be worked out with seat positioning and not being an experienced rider (I didn't go super fast). Think price was ~$860ish

I also tried a Giant TCR 2 (I think), which felt like cheating. It had better components and things seemed smoother and I think I went faster with less effort. But for that price range ($1300 or so) I could go up to $1500 and get a carbon Roubaix or something. (http://allstarbikeshop.com/product/12specialized-roubaix-compact-130982-1.htm)


Are components that huge a deal or something for when or if I ever ride really fast? Are they a PITA to install? I could just get the cheaper sport and figure out what to upgrade as I get experienced.

7/5/2013 1:36:27 PM

IMO, components matter the most out of everything on the bike. They actually make up a good chunk of the cost of most showroom floor bikes. If it were me, I would buy the highest level of components I could afford, all other things (fit, comfort, etc.) being in the same ballpark. Good components aren't just about riding fast. They are lighter, more durable (less likely to need adjustments) and as you noted, they are smoother. They are going to make the riding more enjoyable no matter the speed.

If you are mechanically inclined, it's not that big of a deal to change them out, but it's extremely expensive to buy components on their own. If you do end up upgrading components, it's generally going to be easier and only marginally more expensive to just sell your old bike and buy a new one.

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 3:02 PM. Reason : d]

7/5/2013 2:59:33 PM

Sounds good. Did a bit of looking around - Giant Defy 1 looks a bit more in my price range and has some nicer components. I'll have to give it a try.

7/5/2013 9:50:59 PM

I think I narrowed down my options to a Giant Defy 1 and a Giant TCR SL 2. Both have 105 components that in I doubt I'd replace in the forseeable future. Both have solid google reviews.

Probably a silly question that I should've asked.. when you test ride bikes, what are you looking for? From a newbie's experience, I feel like I'm making guesses. What may seem wobbly or uncomfortable could just be me riding it wrong or too slow (or the nerves).

I'm going to compare the two again Tuesday and probably pick whatever seems better. I remember the TCR feeling nicer, but I tried the Defy on a different day and I was pretty wiped out from a run. My palms got mangled more on the Defy going downhills, and my feet kept hitting the front tire (I plan on getting clipons though).

7/7/2013 6:11:08 PM

Fit is the most important thing to find in a test ride, and it can be a hard thing to just feel even if you are very used to being on a bike. I recommend finding a shop (or an individual) that seems credibly proficient at adjusting a bike to fit you.

I recommend checking tire pressure and noting tire size (or better yet, setting a known reference tire pressure) when you test ride bikes. Tire size and pressure have a huge impact of the way a bike feels, and can completely overshadow how a frame or wheelset performs if you aren't paying attention.

Wobbliness should go away... Racing-style road bikes can be twitchy at slow speed (maybe seen in reviews as entering into turns easily at high speed). Your toes will overlap the front tire, even with clipless pedals. You won't normally turn the front wheel that much when moving at speed, even a very sharp turn at speed will take far less wheel movement.

However, specific discomforts should be addressed. Some may go away as you get used to the bike, but even these may stand in the way of your initial enjoyment. Some things won't go away, and are signs of poor fit or other problems that will get worse if not corrected. Discuss these discomforts with the competent fitter you found.

7/8/2013 9:15:14 AM

Lessons learned when bike touring this weekend on the C & O Canal Towpath:

1) Never go with a girl who just got dumped by your dude friend.

2) Bitches be crazy.

3) Friendships either thrive or die under pressure.

4) Make sure you bring hard liquor.

5) Never let someone else navigate.

Highlights: We went the wrong way for a bit, she got into a fender bender in front of my house, left her credit card at a stop so had no money for 4 days, ate half my food, crashed her bike, got a flat, Cried twice, and eventually I had to implement a "no talking" rule for my own sanity and take over driving back before she killed us. I also resisted slapping her back into reality.

Needless to say, we're not talking and I doubt I'll ever tour with a woman again.

7/8/2013 1:33:25 PM

^^ Yeah just noticed it slow turns. I am probably going at mach grandma speed.

I'll definitely ask about tire pressure

7/8/2013 2:23:46 PM

Found out that the cyclist killed in Durham the other night was a long-time coworker He was an avid cyclist, and I don't even think he owned a car. Be safe out there, guys

7/10/2013 12:49:34 PM

^ Yeah he worked at Red Hat. He and my dude would nerd out over open-source stuff occasionally; I would ride with him on community group rides.

Everyone in the Durham cycling community is pretty tore up over it. We're putting together a ghost bike at the shop tonight in his memory. People are asking me how we do that, and my only reply is "I don't really know. No one I've known has been killed by a car, until now".

7/10/2013 5:17:18 PM

Man, that's depressing. Sorry to hear about your friend. I was riding over by Western/Hillsborough/Jones Franklin yesterday and there was no room in the open lane for cars to pass... So I darted over on the wrong side of the barrels. Sketchy.

7/17/2013 12:42:51 PM

^^ You just set one up. It's called a Ride of Silence, and there is a world wide website for it. It's very casual.

FYI I know someone who has been killed by a vehicle.

7/17/2013 1:21:03 PM

i haven't posted in this thread in awhile. never pulled the trigger on the Kona from the beginning of summer. Have been riding my old 26er on the trails and spending money on bachelor party/wedding trips

but i've still been actively searching for a road bike. seems some of the shops are starting to advertise model year end sales. also saw this one on CL. any thoughts?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3944653152.html
http://www.cannondale.com/2011/bikes/road/performance-road/synapse

i think it's the Alloy 6 Tiagra on that last link

7/25/2013 10:23:09 PM

nevermind, Cannondale has been sold. the search continues.

7/26/2013 6:53:22 PM

i guess everyone is out riding!

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3950600133.html

might go look at this one tonight. He has told me that everything is still stock, original tires and chain. He is the original owner.

I feel like there should be some discount here if tires and chain are still original. Doesn't sound like a guy too eager to sell that would take a lowball offer, but what would be fair?

7/27/2013 11:16:14 AM

Anyone do the Bull Moon Ride last night?

It's the nth time I did it. This year they only had one 12-mile route, which was arguably hillier since they went into South Durham instead of going out east like usual.

It was fun to take newbie friends out though and cruise, not cool dodging those weird recumbent bikes in my blind spots.

7/28/2013 10:43:29 AM

I personally think recumbents should be banned from large group rides like that....I've been taken out by one in the past, and almost got taken out by one yesterday in the Cup'n'Cone ride.

7/28/2013 11:22:14 AM

can anyone offer advice on a set of tires for a road bike that will be used as a weekend local get around bike and for beginner group riding?

should i invest in something like a set of Gatorskins?

also, 23 vs 25?

7/29/2013 9:55:05 AM

I personally am a cheapskate, so I always get whatever cheap tires I can find and it has served me pretty well but I know others who swear by gatorskins. I don't typically have any more flats than anyone else and I haven't ever cornered my bike beyond the tire capability so cheap ones like http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_559112_-1___202471 have served me fine.

I would recommend getting 25s for your needs. It will give you a smoother ride for the commuting.

[Edited on July 29, 2013 at 12:34 PM. Reason : d]

7/29/2013 12:32:01 PM

I'll agree, I think gatorskins are overrated. They're a great tire, but not sure it's worth the price.

I've had great success with much, much cheaper tires. Hardly ever a flat.

7/29/2013 12:58:27 PM

thanks guys. i'll keep reading and looking.




this is what i ended up going with. 2011 Trek 2.1. (58cm)

Shimano 105 group set. Replaced the rear cassette with new 105 11-25T, new chain. 105 SPD-SL pedals.

still needed... Tires, Helmet and Shoes.

7/29/2013 1:20:33 PM

looks nice. 105 is a great component set. probably the best value for the money out there. congrats man.

7/29/2013 1:55:06 PM

^^ Nice bike!

I personally hate recumbents, not because they aren't a classic bike or anything, but because I feel they're harder to see even more so than regular bikes. I could barely see this guy on my tricycle, even with a flag and lights.

No long rides for a few days- I wiped out on construction gravel downtown and ended up skinning half my left hand and left ankle. Add that to the right foot with a large localized reaction from a wasp sting, and I can't get my bike shoes on or brake properly with my left hand.

At least I don't have any events or races coming up!

7/29/2013 6:32:43 PM

Oh as far as tires, I've been rocking the hell out Schwalbe Marathons lately on now 3 bikes. Love love love!

7/29/2013 6:33:49 PM

so are there any other essentials i really need to consider before i get out on the open road? I'm going to take it easy for a few weeks, just around the local residential areas. That way I can get used to the new SPD-SLs and shifting strategies and everything. But i'm going to OBX in a few weeks and my buddy and I plan to get in a couple rides while we are there. So i want to be fully prepared.

Pedals, Shoes, and Helmet have been secured.

I've got a bottle cage and bottle waiting to put on once i have the bike back. As well as a patch kit, levers, and spare tubes.

I know I still need to get a floor pump. and obviously some shorts, which i'm looking into as we speak.

7/30/2013 11:28:29 AM

went to Performance Bicycles today and got a great comfortable pair of shorts as part of their 2 day sale. and picked up a relaxed fit half-zip jersey as well.

7/30/2013 7:59:23 PM

who builds their own bikes?

I've got two that I've restored

A 1983 Coventry Falcon



to



And an ~70s/80s Ross Europa that I got from GCF thrift store for $14.99:



to

7/30/2013 8:18:52 PM

just ordered a set of Vittoria Rubino Pro 700x25. I've been scared to travel too far on the old tires so i'm looking forward to putting the one ones on.


getting used to the "full cycle" of pedaling in clips. it's much different than riding clips on a MTB in my opinion. I have been thinking about paying to get everything fitted. I know the bike itself fits me, but I think it would be good to have the seat, cleats, stem, and everything adjusted to my body now that i have the clips on there.

8/5/2013 8:25:14 AM