[ian74]

Instantly made me think of this. Maybe his finger got stuck under his seat, then he reached under with his other hand to get it unstuck and then that one got stuck too.

Like this (but in bike form, scroll to 1:56)

[video=youtube_share;DfkT3ngH08s]https://youtu.be/DfkT3ngH08s?t=1m57s[/video]

[ian74]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 143131 wrote:

Just about anything is technically more ‘fun’ than playing Pokemon Go. Like most mobile games it, by design, manages to fall short of actually being a game (in that there’s no fundamental skill based aspect at which someone can improve and compete) while simultaneously tapping into basic subconscious triggers for compulsion and reward while purposefully wasting your time in the pursuit of getting you to pay for interactivity. If you’re too old to appreciate it just be glad that that experience brought you a shortcut to the fact that it sucks.

I think you are just upset that you haven’t been able to capture a jigglypuff yet. Might have something to do with not having any more pokeyballs.

[ian74]

@Amalitza 143082 wrote:

If you take Tim’s Topeak and need a non-disc-brake rack for one of the bikes, I’m pretty sure I have one gathering dust somewhere in my house. There’s a small possibility I donated it to Velocity with a bunch of other stuff, but I think I did not. If you want it, let me know and I’ll look around for it.

Amalitza! Sweet! I asked Tim if the disc version one would fit on a bike with no discs, since the Trek hybrid doesn’t have them. If it won’t work on that bike, perhaps you could look around to see if you have the non-disc one around? You guys are so awesome btw.

[ian74]

@Tim Kelley 143037 wrote:

I used the Topeak rear setup for years. Super easy to take the seat off and switch between bikes.

Mine has actually been collecting dust since I got the cargo bike, and the rack is for a disc brake setup. Interested?

I am interested! I’m sending you a PM right now.

[ian74]

I recognize this bike, it passes me many mornings at Gravelly Pt. Less so now that I’m leaving earlier, but for most of the spring you were blowing by me every day! Even though you said it was beat to hell, I never heard it rattle or creak as it passed.

[ian74]

@cvcalhoun 142813 wrote:

In terms of budget, I know that if I wait until November, I can get a year-old Trek 7.3 FX from Bike and Roll for probably half the MSRP of a new one. On the other hand, I may be regularly commuting 25 miles or so all winter. Thus, if there is something that would make that noticeably easier, I’m willing to go up a lot on the budget. The real limit is not so much dollars as not wanting to have a bike that’s an obvious target for theft in downtown DC. And the question is whether any of the higher end models has advantages for me that outweigh the extra cost.

I didn’t know Bike and Roll sold the bikes they rented out at the end of the season. What kind of condition are they in? It does sound like you have a decent plan already in place. 7.3 is pretty much a newer 7300, if it works no need to change it.

[ian74]

@cvcalhoun 142791 wrote:

My LBS is telling me my Trek 7300 is probably not long for this world. I definitely don’t want a road bike, because I like the upright position, flat handlebars, lack of being a target for thieves, and being sturdy enough to need repairs only rarely that come with a hybrid. However, I’ve been told that a Trek FX might be a reasonable upgrade in terms of having advantages that I like, while still being more efficient to pedal.

My question is which FX? The higher end ones seem to be lighter. But in part, that comes from narrower tires. And I’m concerned about whether narrower tires will have sufficient traction on snow and ice. So, a couple of questions:

1. Can you put wider tires, or studs, on a higher end FX if you want to?
2. Do the wheels from a 7300 fit on an FX? If so, I might be able to keep the wheels from the 7300 and put studs on them. That way, I could keep the bike lighter on normal days, but quickly change to studs on a snowy day. (I really don’t want to start the day by changing the tires, but wheels seem a bit easier.)

I can help a little, I have a 2009 7.5 FX, I don’t think the bike has really changed that much since then. It came with 32mm tires. I put knobby wider tires on it for the winter and it currently has 35mm on it. If I’m not mistaken, the clearance is pretty tight with the 35. I do not have fenders mounted on it either. It worked OK in light snow as I rode it a bit last winter during Freezing Saddles. It’s a good bike. Also note, the company 45nrth makes studded winter tires that are 30mm! http://45nrth.com/products/tires/xerxes

Looking at the specs of the current models, it would seem once you get to the 7.5FX the groupsets become more like a road bike, they have compact front cranks (2 rings) and Tiagra level components which are really nice. The 7.4 and 7.3 have triple front chain rings so you get more gears. The 7.4 has a carbon fork, and the 7.3 does not. For me, the 7.4 is the sweet spot, it’s got a triple up front, decent derailleurs (deore on the rear), and the price is not bad. There is a big price jump to the 7.5 and I don’t know if it’s worth it. There used to be a 7.4 disc brake model, but it appears that it is no longer available.

It’s hard to find info for tire clearances on these bikes, I had the same problem last winter.

Looking at the Trek website, there are so many other models that might work for you too, there is the DS series, which has a front suspension fork if that’s something you are used to, there are the Allant series with disc brakes, the Allant 7.4 has very similar specs to the 7.4 FX with the exception of having hydraulic disc brakes. But then again it comes with 32 mm tires. The District series, such as this one which I think looks pretty damn sweet. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/city-bikes/urban-commuter-bikes/district/chelsea-9-womens/p/1362001-2016.

OMG, there’s too many options, and this is just Trek! Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Bianchi, Felt etc all offer similar things. If you are wedded to Treks then you have so many options. Do you have a budget in mind? Any other desires aside from wider tire clearances?

[ian74]

@mohonk 142774 wrote:

I can now attest personally on the importance of wearing a bike helmet. The side of my head bounced twice on the concrete before I came to a stop. If I wasn’t at risk at getting a concussion my helmet at least prevented my scalp from becoming a bloody mess – like my left leg.

Glad you are OK and back out there. I have a question that is a bit off topic for this thread though, but what is the significance of your username “mohonk?” I grew up in NY very near a place called Mohonk. Just curious!

[ian74]

@hozn 142729 wrote:

Yeah, I would just focus on steel. (Maybe ti eventually, but as I have no workspace to actually do any of this in real life, this is purely because I think it’d be fun to learn and less about any actual ambitions to ever make anything on my own.)

Steel? Aren’t you worried it would rust?

[ian74]

@TwoWheelsDC 142323 wrote:

To the guy wearing bibs over a t-shirt last night….I’m perplexed by your choices, but hey, you do you man.

I have seen this occasionally, and I always want to educate them, but then again I’m not sure they do this because they don’t know not too, or if its a conscious choice.

Applies to the coworker in the locker room this AM who was wearing boxer shorts under his padded cycling shorts. I chafe just seeing that. Not that I was staring.

[ian74]

@mello yello 141822 wrote:

Did this happen? I swung by about 8:20 but didn’t stick around… used the pump at the hand-dandy service station and skedaddled. That pump does NOT want to stay on the valve.

Yeah, we were there. I think we tend to keep on the early side. I was there at 7 and left around 7:45, I don’t know how much longer the rest of the group stayed though. Sorry I missed you!

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[ian74]

Ok, I think between spamming it on Strava, Facebook, and Twitter most of my BikeArlington friends have seen that I got my N+1. I saved money, sold my video games, and fed Mr. Coinstar and got enough for a bike I test rode and really liked.

I went with a a Salsa Marrakesh, a steel touring bike. So, I might not have taken everyone’s advice, but I did buy a bike that I love. I love the way it looks and rides, which will keep my riding away on it for quite a while. The weight is definitely noticeable, but ride is so smooth, with big cush 38mm tires and a Brooks saddle (my first!), that the trade off is worth it. I love the Brooks saddle without a doubt. I’ve already put 200 miles on it since I picked it up last week and based on my strava times, I’ve lost about 1 mph on the commute in and 0.5 on the way home. Some days a little more, some days a little less. I’m still playing with finding the best tire pressure that rides the line between squishy/slow and harsh/fast. Thanks to the forum members that gave advice, and Tania, Eminva and Cyndi for letting me test ride their bikes. It was very much appreciated.

But look at it! It’s so pertty!

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[ian74]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 141687 wrote:

Dunno who else it affects, but just a reminder to check every once in a while:
I had to log out and log back in to the NBC site just now to get the last few days of rides to sync.

Man, imagine how many more points you could rack up with a fast new bikey bike. You could name it Bikey McBikeface.

[ian74]

@GovernorSilver 140808 wrote:

My thanks to the three guys who came rushing to my aid after I wiped out on N. Capitol St. One of them left his truck in the middle of the street and came running over with Wet Wipes or something similar that I could use to wipe some blood off – he had nothing to do with the accident.

Man, you’ve had a rough week! Is the bike ok?

[ian74]

@GovernorSilver 140698 wrote:

Approaching the airport northbound on the MVT, I was caught by the surprise detour with that climb – wasn’t in the right gearing for climbing and totally messed up my shifting, causing the chain to get tangled up.

One nice cyclist stopped to try to help, then apologized that he didn’t have the right tools.

Then a nice cycling couple stopped to help and one of them suggested I try pulling the chain while he moved the crank – that caused the chain to snap back into place.

I later saw them relaxing by Gravelly Point – we waved at each other.

My normally relaxing ride through the Mall turned into a sprint as we were being chased by tour busses with hardly any safe space for letting the busses pass. Fortunately, about 21 mph was apparently sufficient to stay ahead of them.

I finally learned that I have to pedal hard on N. Capitol St. NE as soon as the light at H St. turns green, if I want to cross K St. before that light turns red.

Did this happen on the Jamis or the Breezer? Also, when are we going to get to meet you at Crystal City Coffee Club? Your like my ex-girfriends, everyone thinks I just made her up since no one ever saw her and we only talk on the internet.

[Author]

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