The classic text when I was learning about bikes was Richard’s Bicycle Book, a fine combination of advice on buying and maintenance, social observation and humour.
The diagram showing the names of parts of the bike included a helpful “STASH” inside the ends of the drop bars.
[Years later he brought out “Richard’s 21st Century Bicycle Book” which, though it had a nice picture of an off-topic trike on the front, wasn’t nearly as useful.]
These days you have http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/
And the help section at Park Tools’ site, and Sheldon Brown.
Oh yeah, the pressure washer thread reminds me: don’t use one on your bike. And don’t use any of those crappy emulsifying degreasers like Simple Green - emulsifiers strip off the thin layer of oil most likely protecting your bits of steel, and get inside your chain, ruining future lubing efforts unless you thoroughly rinse and dry it, like in an oven.
If you want a clean bike, don’t over lube it. The only lube you need to actually be visible is just enough to blacken your chain’s rollers. If you’re cleaning up an old bike, use an oil-based degreaser, brush and rag, in conjunction with as much disassembly as you’re game for or can be bothered with.
I use that to strip paint off my gaming miniatures… in the concentrated form and it works really well if not as fast as other much less biodegradable things. So just adding in an extra DON’T DO THIS to the parts of the bike that need the oil/grease.
Good for cleaning the stove top and kitchen counter but not the bicycle.
AKA Captain Bicycle
I’m glad Harris Cyclery has been keeping the page up.
It’s becoming quite apparent that the correct positioning for most men is going to be very different from most women. There’s no way my shoulders could take that drop from the seat to the handlebars.
I don’t think he was making a general recommendation so much as stating what he runs. You find that kind of setup more in track racing. (both genders.)
I’m so conflicted about buying a bike. I’ve been using Bixi (the local bike share service), which has a lot of advantages, including:
Disadvantages:
I periodically consider buying a bike, then promptly upsell myself into a ridiculous price range, then sign back up for another year of bixi service. I’d really like a nice hybrid bike though.
Took me a decent while to realize this wasn’t the picture of adorable collectible figurines. Oh, brain.
What threw you; the disk wheels?
@anon67050589, @hello_friends, and anyone else who may want to learn more, and/or score a good deal on a bike that runs well but isn’t a thief magnet - co-ops are generally a fine resource. Consult these two lists for a local one:
US/Canada:
And the two best online resources, aside from http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics :
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
That worldwide bike co-ops link is a great resource. In London I can vouch for the excellence of Hackney Bike Workshop, and would also add that London Bike Kitchen are great - I’m not sure if they’re a co-op (membership basis seems to indicate so) or a social enterprise.
These are terrific and will definitely help with learning and finding more communities more quickly. This thread has also helped me realize how local governments need to support cyclists. My office is in a location now with regular violent incidents which I’m realizing raises my anxiety level about biking there. There have been at least three shootings and a fatal dog attack within a few blocks. Law enforcement are there regularly and under or untreated persons suffering from severe mental health impairments.
Excellent resources, thank you!
I noticed a south side favorite wasn’t listed in your links:
Blackstone Bicycle Works (part of the Experimental Station)
And yes, THAT Blackstone, as in the Blackstone Rangers.
Not sure if the US/Canada one is back up (that’s a wayback machine link I gave), but the worldwide list is a wiki - since you’re talking about your local, represent!
The issue with hip rotation has to do with the way your pelvis sits on the saddle- as a simple rule-of-thumb, if your “sit bones” are in contact with the seat, you’re probably ok. With a sufficiently over-extended or overly dropped position, your pelvis can rotate forward. That changes pedaling dynamics, obviously, but also can put more pressure on soft tissue and nerves. Not good things.
In case anyone’s interested in going deep down the hole of my road bike, you can have a look over here at some lovely things:
http://www.peter-mooney.com/photos-1-50/
oooh. lug porn…
Not sure. Some combination of perfectly paused poses, flat lighting and background, kind of grainy image and unkown mind weirdness. Squint and maybe you can also sort of imagine a tiny diorama?
