Anybody into Cycling?

XMEN Ashaman DTM · 09-01-2005, 10:54 PM

I forgot to mention speeds:

They're only very useful if you have different slopes to contend with. The idea when riding is to keep your rpms constant, and adjust your gearing to get the speed you want. For relatively flat terrain, 12 or 15 speeds is fine. To really maximize your ability (and efficiency) to climb, then at the least get 24 speeds. I just looked at mine, and I have 27. I don't really use all those speeds, but they help when I switch between gears as my legs tire out. I alternate the force, but keep the rpms constant when I ride by picking two gears that give me a speed that's about what I want, then alternate between the two as I get tired in one or bored in the other.

BTW, it appears that I have several differences between the bike I showed and the one that is sitting out on my deck.

Variable · 09-02-2005, 10:43 AM

Thanks guys, awesome posts. I actuall found a friend at work who used to be into competitive cycling/mountain biking, so we're going out to Chain Reaction today to see what's what. By the end of the day I'll probably end up with something to submit for your approval.

Variable · 09-02-2005, 02:19 PM

So after visitng the good shops in town I finally got a Schwinn Mesa. Based on Asha's input it was one of the few that met the geometry and design of the bikes they had, and my friend gave it the "this is the bike I'd buy if I were buying a bike." seal of approval, which is all I really needed to hear. Taking it home I jumped on and gave it a whirl around the block which was slightly disconcerting and reminded me of how long it's been since I was a kid. I plan on giving it another go in a bit and once I decide I'm comfortable to ride it into work it'll be my primary means of conveyance. Cool thing about the shop I got it from is they do weekly rides in the city, so that should make for fun weekends, if I ever get any off.

Thanks again for your input guys.

09-02-2005, 10:43 AM	#2
Variable Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 245	Thanks guys, awesome posts. I actuall found a friend at work who used to be into competitive cycling/mountain biking, so we're going out to Chain Reaction today to see what's what. By the end of the day I'll probably end up with something to submit for your approval. __________________ The world will not end in a blinding flash of light or virulent pestilence. It will end with me choking the life out of it with my bare hands.

09-02-2005, 02:19 PM	#3
Variable Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 245	So after visitng the good shops in town I finally got a Schwinn Mesa. Based on Asha's input it was one of the few that met the geometry and design of the bikes they had, and my friend gave it the "this is the bike I'd buy if I were buying a bike." seal of approval, which is all I really needed to hear. Taking it home I jumped on and gave it a whirl around the block which was slightly disconcerting and reminded me of how long it's been since I was a kid. I plan on giving it another go in a bit and once I decide I'm comfortable to ride it into work it'll be my primary means of conveyance. Cool thing about the shop I got it from is they do weekly rides in the city, so that should make for fun weekends, if I ever get any off. Thanks again for your input guys. __________________ The world will not end in a blinding flash of light or virulent pestilence. It will end with me choking the life out of it with my bare hands.

09-01-2005, 10:54 PM	#1
XMEN Ashaman DTM Forum wh0re Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 47 Posts: 965	I forgot to mention speeds: They're only very useful if you have different slopes to contend with. The idea when riding is to keep your rpms constant, and adjust your gearing to get the speed you want. For relatively flat terrain, 12 or 15 speeds is fine. To really maximize your ability (and efficiency) to climb, then at the least get 24 speeds. I just looked at mine, and I have 27. I don't really use all those speeds, but they help when I switch between gears as my legs tire out. I alternate the force, but keep the rpms constant when I ride by picking two gears that give me a speed that's about what I want, then alternate between the two as I get tired in one or bored in the other. BTW, it appears that I have several differences between the bike I showed and the one that is sitting out on my deck.