Bought a new bike....... the pedal kind.

[Dilliw]

If you look around there is a market for the :vintage" ten speeds. Panasonic, peugot, fuji from the 70's.
 funny I got my Fuji out of storage 3 years ago to start riding and noticed the frame had grown! or maybe I shrank?
Either way I had to go down 2 inches.

My old Peugeot was sitting in my sister's basement.  I dusted it off, tuned it up, and it's now a bike path warrior.  Gets lots of looks too.

[Testarossa]

In 1984 I latched onto a Rossin steel frame that fit me perfectly, and built it with Shimano parts. I'm still riding it but have upgraded wheels and drive-train components over the years. Now running Mavic sew-up wheels with Campy cassette and derailleur -- all "analog" with the levers still on the downtube.  Had to go to flat bars for the same reason I can no longer reach clip-ons.

Mountain bike is a Klein Mantra bought around '94. Worn out two sets of wheels and a dozen sets of tires.

[HardAspie]

I am  headed for insanity. My Giant Escape is here in my room with me and Neither of us is outside riding. That is because we in Aridzona are in the final stages of pre monsoon. By the time there is any light the temperatures are quite unpleasantly high, later in the day probably dangerously high for physical exertion. I may have to put a blanket over the thing so I don't have to see it there, taunting me.

[slowmover]

I've got a big tire 3 speed was around 100$ and it's beautiful in it's simplicity.

[Demar]

I googled your bike, looks like it came with Shimano RS11 wheels, I put a set of RS31's on mine in November & my black colored 105 brake pads have worn half the braking surface away. You'll notice wear indicators drilled in the side of yours too, when they're gone you pitch the wheels.

Thanks for the tip. I looked into Kool Stop brake pads and ordered two pair.   

[toaster404]

You are bad people.  I got out my bicycle and am now thinking maybe a ride every morning would be good.  I used to go up every other Wednesday morning early, ride from Foothills Parkway to Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort for coffee, and then ride back before anyone was up on motorcycles.  Great ride!  The Wilier is on rails through the downhill corners, every bit as fast as I can motorcycle it safely - the limit being my sightline.

[Triple Jim]

You are bad people.  I got out my bicycle and am now thinking maybe a ride every morning would be good.  I used to go up every other Wednesday morning early, ride from Foothills Parkway to Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort for coffee, and then ride back before anyone was up on motorcycles.  Great ride!  The Wilier is on rails through the downhill corners, every bit as fast as I can motorcycle it safely - the limit being my sightline.

Wow, I know that route well, and it would be a great bicycle ride.  I've ridden the Dragon from DG to the bottom parking lot and back, and it was a lot hillier than it seemed when I was on a motorcycle.         So do you live near the 129 end of the Foothills Parkway?

Edit:  I just remembered that I have photographic evidence of the ride:

[toaster404]

I live in Friendsville, 50 miles on the dot from DGMR.  We would drive up in the truck with the bikes in the back and ride.  I continue to think about putting a bike rack on a bike.  Would fit easily on my VL800.  Not so sure about the 1400!!  Not as many places to clamp junk on.

We'd also do the Foothills Parkway loop or two.  Up foothills, down happy valley.  Or to Walland and back around the front side of Chilhowee Mtn. 

I have ridden back here from over in NC via the gap.  Takes a while.  Pretty ride.

[Triple Jim]

All  those routes sound like fun rides.  Friendsville... I hope you're not getting fumes from the fire today.

[Randown]

Thanks for the tip. I looked into Kool Stop brake pads and ordered two pair.   

I've done a few rides with those pads & I still see what I assume to be AL dust showing up. So now the plan is to just wear down the wheel with normal riding before the year is done - shouldn't be difficult b/c on closer inspection they're well beyond half way there. Shimano says 1 year warranty & I can drop them off at a nearby facility.

Not thrilled with the kool stop pads despite all the good user reviews, they don't fully contact the rim surface b/c they aren't flat. Maybe that's an OK strategy for the wet - they're OK but not as good stopping in the dry as the Shimanos - I'll probably grind them flat & use 'em up that way.

[Triple Jim]

Something sounds odd.  My Campy brakes with stock pads on Rolf wheels have been in use for six or eight years @7,000 mi/year, and the rims and pads still have plenty of life left. 

Do you ride on wet roads very often?  Or maybe a lot of city riding that makes you stop a lot?

[PJPR01]

60KM this morning on my Purple R800 Cannondale....smoot h as silk.

Have had the bike now for 15 years (used to have a Gitane, Motobecane and Italvega before), about 7 years ago I invested in a set of Bontrager wheels (AMAZING!), changed out a few components like handlebars, stem and seatpost to carbon, freshened up cables, wiring housing and all Shimano components running smoothly.

Nothing like a 60km ride in 100 F heat, but fueled by a 3 liter camelback full of iced water with electrolyte tablets and all was good!

Tomorrow... the Norge gets exercised!

[Triple Jim]

...about 7 years ago I invested in a set of Bontrager wheels (AMAZING!)...

You probably remember, but after Trek and Rolf had a falling out, Trek started making Bontrager wheels.  I have one as a spare, and it's fairly similar to the Rolfs.  I like that style, and the aero shape is quite strong and stiff, but they're not particularly light.  (both Rolf and Bontrager)

[PJPR01]

True they may not be the lightest on the market (there was a price/weight tradeoff to make at the time!  :), but compared to the Mavics I had on before, they're like a set of feathers and they ROLL forever!    Reminds me of the Phil Wood hubs we used to lust after when we were kids in the 70's.  Those would roll all the way to China! 

[Triple Jim]

Sounds like a reasonable plan.

[Guzzistajohn]

Here's my rig, my buddy Ashley built this one from parts at his bike shop for me, no name on the frame but hey, it works for me! We're lucky here we're near a rails to trails riding area (about a mile away) called the Frisco trail. Now if I can just keep up with the wife! I've taken off about 20 lbs. skipping the carbs and hitting the trail. Feels good! Bicycles were a great passtime in my younger days,Schwinn sting ray, Schwinn Varsity, Univega, BMX, Trek mountian bike later, Loved it!

[lucydad]

Demar,

Hot damn, you are going to have some fun!  Love my Cannondale.  My body definitely is in better shape since I bought it.  Riding is now evening right at dusk to mitigate our extreme Houston heat. 

Have fun!

[Triple Jim]

Nice hardtail, John.  It looks like titanium... who cares what label was on it, most of them are made in the same factory anyway.  Light, no corrosion, hard to beat!

[Guzzistajohn]

Nice hardtail, John.  It looks like titanium... who cares what label was on it, most of them are made in the same factory anyway.  Light, no corrosion, hard to beat!

Yep, It's titanium, the best part about it was the price! *FREE* Ashley is a good buddy to have!

                    OH! dang near forgot, suspenders--------KER-SNAP!!!

[Triple Jim]

Free is a good price.  :-)   I occasionally throw together a bike for a son or daughter, but they don't normally get a titanium frame.  They're at college, so I try to make them look horrible, with lots of rust and ugly welds, etc., so they don't get stolen!

[Guzzistajohn]

Last weekend the wife and I rode 12 miles of pretty technical gravel, lots of wash outs from the rains we've been having. over 4 old railroad bridges. It was fun and a challenge at times. I was impressed, she kept right on going. A steady uphill all the way back, she beat me back to the truck by a long way.

[Kentktk]

My old Peugeot was sitting in my sister's basement.  I dusted it off, tuned it up, and it's now a bike path warrior.  Gets lots of looks too.

Probably because it`s ancient and people feel sorry for you having to ride it.

[guzzied]

I've been a cyclist just as long as I have been a motorcyclist, back in 2001 I did the California Triple Crown (200 miles is one day) and then parked the bicycle for a few years (burnt out). So, now at 58, I find myself cycling to keep my blood pressure in check (no meds needed) and weight with in range. 

Bicycle's have gotten crazy expensive, with $3000+ carbon wheel sets, $100 dollar tires, complete bikes going for way over $12,000 now, and it doesn't even come with a motor!  My 2005 Bianchi, aluminum main frame with carbon seat and chain stays with Sram Force 10 speeds is good enough for what I do now a days, I recently purchased two 90's Klein Quantums with down tube shifters and I'm super happy with their performance and handling. Plus, it works the mind more having to reach down to the down tube shifters

The bicycle club members are always asking me where I learned my bike handling skills, my answer is from my other bike!  Yes, counter steering also works on light weight road bikes

Keep the rubber side down,
                                        Mike

[Guzzistajohn]

How's everyone doing on their bikes? You guys getting your cardio in? Did my first sprint triathlon last weekend, next goal for this hood-boy is head down the coast in six weeks to the land of billion dollar fund managers, investment bankers & carbon fiber to give them heck on a 23 lb Walmart special. HECK I say!

Still riding 12 to 16 mi 3X a week. Pulled a bunch of old bluejeans out of the closet that fit again, glad I kept them!

[Triple Jim]

How's everyone doing on their bikes? You guys getting your cardio in?

I'll be doing 20 mi/day and a few longer ones here and there as long as I'm able.  After my bicycle ride today, I went for a 90 mile loop around the lake with my newly licensed daughter, each on a motorcycle.  That was a first for us.

[Scud]

The early connections to bicycles as a precursor to interest in motorcycles struck a chord for me. I remember the first two bicycles I loved as a kid - a black Raleigh with a banana seat, and a similarly shaped red Schwinn Stingray. As I type this it dawns on me that I have a pair of V11s - black and red - in the garage. Coincidence or diagnosable condition?????? Is there a psychologist in the house? Is it true what they say? The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Anyway, I used to ride bicycles a lot on the street, but now I prefer my mountain bike. It keeps me fit (mentally and physically) for the dirt bike, which I assume also helps with street motorcycling.

Times like this make a guy appreciate what a big thumper can do.

[Triple Jim]

Anyway, I used to ride bicycles a lot on the street, but now I prefer my mountain bike.

Mountain biking on good, challenging trails is huge fun and great exercise.