Active Community: Message List

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

omabikeryder — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:47:55 GMT

I ride out in the country, some farm dogs just like to chase bikes. If you are already moving, you can outrun them. Yelling at them to STOP or GO HOME will often get them to stop chasing. Coming up on a very aggressive dog, not under control on a trail would be a bad situation. The guy who kept the bike between him and the dog had the right idea. I would only pepper spray a dog as a last resort. A good trick is to grab your water bottle and spray them in the face when they get too close.

Re: How much do road bikes depreciate?

omabikeryder — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:54:34 GMT

Oh, new models come out in the fall. Bike shops get very motivated to get rid of "last years models" about now. Might get a good deal and get a new bike.

Re: How much do road bikes depreciate?

omabikeryder — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:52:49 GMT

The issue isn't how much a new bike depreciates, the issue is how much bike can you afford to buy. Consider it as buying a used car versus a new car. If you get the exact vehicle you want and need, and can get it new, then drive it till it drops, then you got your money's worth. If you buy new and trade it in two or three years, then you are going to lose money. Much better to buy the two or three year old vehicle, get a good vehicle at a lower price, but it doesn't have the newest features. I would never spend that kind of money on a used anything sight unseen. You also need to consider their motivation for selling it. Are they one of those people who just has to have the newest thing, or are they trying to dump their problem onto you? Caveat Emptor.

Re: acknowledging cyclists

omabikeryder — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:42:46 GMT

Can't speak for everyone, but as someone who cycles and runs on public trails, raising up your left arm is a nice way of letting them know you heard them and won't be startled when they go around.

Re: Squeaky brakes...HELP!

omabikeryder — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:18:59 GMT

How old are the brake pads? They tend to get dried out and hard when they get older, and make a lot of noise when braking. Maybe the pads need replacing, but cleaning up the rim might help. If you just had tune-ups they should have caught it.

Re: Cycling Event - Questions from a beginner

omabikeryder — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:46:46 GMT

28 miles isn't that far, you will do fine. At 12 mph you would be done in 2 1/2 hours (with a break). I assume the support vehicles are for mechanical problems. They will probably have a couple of stationary water stops, you could get help there also. If you can't make the distance, then you could get a ride back to the starting point, called sagging in, or a ride on the sag wagon. I know people who rode across Nebraska on hybrids, just make sure the tires are fully inflated and you have a water bottle. Have fun.

Re: Opinions on Bikes Direct

omabikeryder — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:25:14 GMT

You have heard the pro side, this is the con side.

It's not a name brand bike, the manufacturing standards are not as high.

The quality of the wheels, seat, and handle bars are low end.

You can't test ride the bike.

Their selection is limited.

The price is lower, but you have to pay shipping and handling charges, add that into the price.

You are buying from a faceless entity, they don't care about customer service, their only selling point is price.

You get what you pay for.

The bike arrives partially assembled. Do you have the tools and skills to assemble it? Pedal wrench, adjust the deraileur, brakes, etc.? If not, you are going to haul it into a bike shop. Add that to the cost. You will need another tune-up after 500 miles or so on any new bike, add that to the cost. If you bring in a mail order bike into a bike shop you will be a low priority to them, expect a little hostility.

If you buy at a local bike shop, you get to test ride bikes, different brands included. The quality is higher, you get customer service, they will come fully assembled and tuned- up, they will give you a free tune-up after 500 miles. When you walk in the door you will be met with a smile and will be a high priority.

I don't work at a bike store, I've never purchased a mail order bike, but a friend has. He brought it to me to assemble it for him. It was a pain. The brake cables had not been trimmed, I could not get the rear deraileur adjusted properly. My previous comment was meant to be humorous in nature, I'm glad someone got it.

Re: What??? I can't hear outta my ear...

omabikeryder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:15:51 GMT

Try an ear wax removal kit. Or go to an ear, nose throat doctor.

Re: Bike shipping

omabikeryder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:13:44 GMT

Basically two choices; ship it ahead of time, or fly with it. (I assume you are flying?)

If you fly, you need a special shipping container, and it will cost at least an extra $50, depending on the airline. You have to partially disassemble the bike to get it into the container; remove pedals, remove seat and seat post, remove aerobars, take off both wheels, loosen handle bars so they can be turned sideways. Then reassemble when you get to your destination. You need a good hex key set and a pedal wrench.

Take it to a good bike shop, let them find a bike shop in destination city. They will do all of the above, and ship it to another bike shop who will reassemble the bike and check it out to make sure everything works. Costs more. Allow several days so it is there and ready to go when you arrive. They will reverse the process when you leave, might have to set up drop off arrangements.

Third option, rent a bike for the competition.

Fourth option, drive.

Good luck!

Re: First Triathlon in 10 days...

omabikeryder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:18 GMT

Stretches, stretches and more stretches. Ice the knees, take ibuprophen. Recovery walk later in the day, and a recovery bike ride the next day as suggested. And more stretching.