[SteveTheTech]

Welcome,

Good Luck on that ride sounds like it could be pretty rough. Does that route save you time vs. taking a car? Or at least worth the ride fitness wise?
What branch are you in?

I too am new to cycling and am planning on taking one of these classes to help tune my skills. http://www.waba.org/education/calendar.php

Good Luck, stay safe out there.

[SteveTheTech]

I wanna go if noobs are allowed, the mrs and I will not be riding there but if I need to dress the part I understand.
…
Maybe the bikes will stay in the car as proof, if that is required for admission.

[SteveTheTech]

I hate to rehash an old topic but this is indeed one of the more important issues facing WABA members, and all local cyclists. Most of us want more accommodations for cycling made in traffic legislation, and or support the rail to trail projects. Not following the basic rules set forth on the trails and streets are just not leading by example, not surprising though as many of the other locals have pointed out with some pretty horrifying examples, some people suck.

To be a more conscious cyclist my wife and I are planning on taking some of the waba classes,. To learn proper safety and technique. I want to take a few of the mechanic classes, and eventually pursue mechanic certification as time and skill progress.

I always take both of my trusty multi-tools and a tire pump just in case, but I would be hard pressed to stop on the highway. For some reason being on a bike makes me a friendlier person, maybe I enjoy cycling more than driving. That sucks I used to be a hard core car guy…ahh getting older.
At a speed where you have typically a few seconds to decide whether to offer assistance or leave them be, we all have a few criteria that we ask ourselves. If the person looks like they are in distress I think we are all legally obliged to do something if we can.(total Seinfeld moment)

http://youtu.be/zPnK0NCn_MQ
Thanks for indulging, it’s a throwback (didn’t want to link the actual video it was too big).

Basically don’t do that ^ If you see someone who needs help…help them if you can. Seems simple enough.

[SteveTheTech]

@CCrew 4220 wrote:

Airzound for the win

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYkBHGurj-I
Time 2:14

That is amazing. It is huge and loud enough to scare old and young. Not even a language barrier could misinterpret. This would come in real handy on the W&OD east of Vienna. I feel like I may meet my maker by way of one of those suv strollers and it’s ipod wearing pilot.

@JustinW 4219 wrote:

What I have heard in discussions is that, for some, it is perceived as being too much trouble. I think it has to do with a fatigue factor –

On the other hand, if trail users remember that they are on multi-use trails, they, too, have some responsibility for being aware of their surroundings including approaching traffic (from the front and the back).

A compounding factor – some trail users don’t like verbal announcements. For whatever reason, I’ve been offered middle digits and various curses when announcing a pass. Curious.

Saying it is too much trouble is kind of what I expected. There is no excuse for neglecting such a basic safety item like that. The rider themselves may have complete control but you can never expect the people around you especially if they are children on bikes.

If fatigue is the biggest issue than I would assume their stopping distance is going to be compromised and they should willingly remove themselves from the multi-use trail, as they are knowingly riding in an unsafe manner. If for no other reason that the fact that running down a child in a stroller could end up with the rider being sued, or injuring. Personally I am for running over slow people as much as the next person out there, but some days my wifes MS is acting up and we are the slower riders.

I find it surprising you would have been told to F yourself while following the rules. Then again some people are just mean.

[SteveTheTech]

I buy them in bulk from Home Depot, or Target. But I use them for all types of things at work and around the home. I found a box of 50 mixed size black cable ties in the electrical section of Home Depot for 5 or 6 bucks.

I was this (fingers almost touching) close to getting the Cateye wireless, it looks like a great device. I ended up going with the Planet Bike 9.0 wired since the range is not long enough to work on an indoor trainer. Also for training we picked up a Mainnav 600a (http://www.mainnav.com/product/mg-600a.html) for Google Mapping.

[SteveTheTech]

Holy crap man, sounds like you might be on the verge of something really bad.

Be careful, snapping anything in that area will down you for some time.

[SteveTheTech]

@Joe Chapline 4099 wrote:

You can rate the whole thread, though. I haven’t noticed that anyone has used that feature.

I just rated it, so this thread has FIVE stars, while all other threads have NO stars.

Hahaha, Yeah I saw that but i thought it would be kind egotistical to rate a thread I started.
One of the car forums I participate in that has a thanks feature in the the lower right segment, but they use some weird forum software.
Good Lookin out, great forum you’ve got here.

I wasn’t sure if this a five star thread though? I was thinking 4 maybe it’s pretty close to internet gold but there is always a little room for improvement

@PrintError 4109 wrote:

I’m the same way with cars. In the 14 years I’ve been driving, I’ve never taken a car to a mechanic. Not once, not for anything. You save a FORTUNE knowing how to DIY this stuff, and most of it is easy easy easy.

Now I actively support being an educated driver/owner/DIYer but there is an area where being thrifty might jeopardize you and your families safety. Brakes, wheels and tires are things that directly effect the vehicles safety, and should never be altered unless the person has the right tools and no how to start and finish the . Stopping is much more important than starting. Being able to DIY everything on your car was something my father did and still does, but he has been having trouble on anything post 2000. The Check Engine Light is not a 30000 mile light like I used to hear people say, it tends to mean something, that has been his biggest hurdle. With (good) forums and service manuals you can fix anything, but any good technician knows when to ask for help.

Being easy is relative though depending on what your driving.

[SteveTheTech]

@Dirt 4029 wrote:

I can stop buying bikes any time I want. *Reflexively scratching my track(bike) marks.*.

Why do all these hobbies end up the same way…I wonder if this one can beat my tool collection. Bwahahaha

[SteveTheTech]

It really is a shame this forum doesn’t have a points system. As usual that was an epic post. The dollar bill trick sounds perfect for the type of damage I fear.

I currently have a set of Conti Ultra Race with. They have lost only 1.5 lbs of inflation pressure over the last three months and almost 500 miles and have only a small bit of wear from the heat of my (cheap) trainer. These tires are so much better than their car tires. There are many spots where I should have destroyed them (as a former MTB and bmx rider I tend to try to jump over things, not worrying about breaking a spoke) but I personally think the tires have saved me.

In the future I be going with Gatorskins as replacements. I would sacrifice some rolling resistance for a rayon band and some added weight, I’ll bump the air pressure a few for a longer ride. I do the same thing with vehicle tires. Tires and brakes are two things to never compromise with in any vehicle.

The emphasis on good tire levers sounds like it comes with a really crappy story…I’ve got blue plastic Park Tool ones for both beaded sets of wheels…whether those will work more than once I am not sure…hopefully it will be some time before they get tested.

[SteveTheTech]

Now crap marketing is just crap marketing…I feel the same way about Hyundais product and marketing. It seems like you get 1 complaint from BD, which they will typically send you whatever you where missing and that is it…. Like buying a Mazda you have a lower overall price but it is created by cuts somewhere.

[SteveTheTech]

Good Luck, and congrats.

Stay safe out there and enjoy.

[SteveTheTech]

@CCrew 3999 wrote:

Err, I dunno. The BD bike I have sitting here pretty much justifies the negative stigma. It’s a “Mirage Sport” and while I only paid $160 for it pretty much new off CL they were retailing it for close to $700 at the time..

That sounds a little too good to be true for something that was either slightly used or barely used. To play devils advocate for a minute. The components on most of their bikes alone cost more than the total bike. The bike you have sitting there might be just a pile or crap…but hey for such a small fraction of the original price…not a bad gamble by some standards, I’m not a big fan of CL bikes, I tend to be a little too ocd about maintenance and usage to trust it. That is basically how I ended up at BD. If you are not looking to spend more than a grand on a first bike and are handy enough to build and adjust it should be given more of a look, is all I’m saying. I’m not that keen on LBS service or sales so buying online was a pro in my book, I bought it Sunday and was riding it Wednesday. Which is fine by me, I bought a couch this weekend in person and won’t see it for 2 months.

I am a forum moderator at a large car enthusiast forum so I look at company reps using a forum for shameless self promotion a little differently. Since the product has received such a bum wrap from many several reasons, having a company rep to answer most threads either pro or con is a step you see from many online based companies now (it works well with younger generations). Most people take to the internet to complain about things (I see it in the car forums all the time) Frame geometry is critical but it seems that when they compare one of their bikes to a name brand they are talking about components mostly. I’m not saying it’s the best, in my case I think I saved about 50% for my first road bike.

/thread jack
cheers

[SteveTheTech]

@CCrew 3996 wrote:

Yeah.. They have a tendency to bring out the bicycle wars for sure. I will say that I have one of their bikes sitting here, picked off CL for next to nothing, and it is certainly at the low end of the spectrum. I’d be hard pressed to buy one at full price from them..

Let me add that I picked up my Fuji Cross Pro (full Ultegra) from Performance for less than the price of the Fantom you posted, plus got 10% back in points and free service so there’s an incentive if you’re not in a rush to hold for the best price – there’s deals out there if you don’t absolutely positively have to have it today. .

I kind of feel like opinions like that have given them a negative stigma, although I am guilty of having that. I have an old Specialized MTB outside that partially soured my impression of them but I would consider another in the future. I would be a little hesitant to buy a commuter sight unseen, but I’d take a gamble for a wicked deal. The Fuji Cross Pro retailed for about $600 more than the bikesdirect , although still considered “entry level” by hard core bike folks, I tend to be rough on my bikes and would hate to break something on a really expensive bike and having blown the majority of my budget on a name on a frame. If you can score a wicked deal that might be the way to go but I am not patient enough to wait for a sale of that sort, or decisive enough to make a decision on the fly like that.
I find this discussion very interesting.

@OneEighth 3997 wrote:

@ SteveTheTech – what size frame are you looking for in your cx bike? I have a 54cm Redline Conquest Pro that I built up with parts off my 2005 road bike but no longer ride.
If you are interested, let me know….

I’m the same size and my current road frame is 61cm. I tried several between 59-61 and I prefer a slightly longer reach for longer rides but that might just be me. It was a gamble and I find a bit of a reach fairly comfortable on longer rides. I’d probably go a little smaller for a cx maybe 59.

ohhh now I had not thought of actually doing that….until now…..If you wanna part with your parts I’d give them a good home. We need to chat…after I chat with the mrs…won’t make that mistake again lol.

I think we are thinking different things about what’s coming next.
(She wants a comotion tandem)

[SteveTheTech]

@CCrew 3870 wrote:

They were ticketing stop sign runners on the W&OD in Reston this afternoon.

Not really hugely upset to see it, there are some pretty flagrant violators in that area.

Good Looking out, thanks for the heads up.

@CCrew 3895 wrote:

He let me get away with a solid trackstand, but he was certainly watching.

Here’s a good question though…. At Old Reston (by 7-11) there’s both a stop sign, and a walk light. If the walk light is lit do you have to stop?

I was at that exact place today thinking the exact same think. lol

As far as a trackstanding a stop, it seems like they would just prefer you slow down and check the conditions before proceeding. The rule I remember from drivers ed was 3 seconds, but that is not always realistic even early on the weekends. There are several places east of Crestview Dr (~mm21) where the trail is elevated stopping fully is advised but if there is no traffic….There are many people I would like to see get tickets. But in reality it would probably be one of us who us just trying to capitalize on the free momentum a bit to get a jump start….that being said the law is the law and they really just want to keep everyone safe.

There is also a law in VA that cyclists are not supposed to wear headphones in both ears while riding. We have all seen that infraction cause several near misses.

http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp wrote:

Traffic Controls

Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings.

Reference: §46.2-830 ^TOPICS

Other than that it is pretty vague other than the basic common sense type things.

[SteveTheTech]

I have a road bike and want to go for something I can drive on the streets and around town a little more, I’m personally looking at going CX for a more everyday rider.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro_rival.htm

This one tends to be a semi controversial brand but the components cannot be beat for the price. Having purchased two bikes this year in the entryish level I would much rather buy blind but educated online.

Happy shopping,

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