So what do you ride?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So guys what do you ride and why??

For my part i,ve given up on motorcycles, never did like cars so, if i want to get anywhere now i cycle, and i love it, the whole concept of self reliant, self propelled transport is really important to me, since my son came on the scene i,ve really been interested in the world he and the rest of his generation are gona inherite from us, so doing my bit for the planet is something i,ve really taken to heart, and cycling helps me to acheive that.

so as for my rides...

i,ve got an old mtb fitted with a tow bar so i can hook my sons bike to mine as a sorta tandem.

but my main bike that i use pretty much everyday is a modified dahon vitesse d5 folder.

why a folder? well if you trying to live with out an engine ocationally you need to use public transport or taxi,s try doing that on a full size mtb/racer

sorry for the long post 

[Grant Lamontagne]

The folders seem interesting to me, but I like sturdy things.  The last time I looked at one they were pretty rickety, but then that was a while ago.  Are they really getting any better?

I'm not looking for anything I can take down a mountain, but I like something solid- I'm pretty hard on things, which is why I have SAKs and multis.  They can take the abuse, and help me fix the other things I break....

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

well i,ve had two dahon,s the first one was a tough old thing but would flex ALARMINGLY at speed, this one however is every bit as good as any full size bike but only takes up half the space, plus there is the shere gadget factor of them

[Grant Lamontagne]

How are the backsprings on it?



Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

theres good snap and the walk and talk are excellent

[Grant Lamontagne]

My old mountain bike used to flex alarmingly at speed, but then I did mention I was hard on things, and it was getting on in age.  I actually got a speeding ticket on that bike once.  It seems cyclists are also required to follow the speed limits, something I was unaware of until then.

Of course the cop thought I would just want to have an official record of how fast I was going- I don't rightly remember what it was, but I think it was 73kph in a 60 zone.  I was heading down a hill drafting a truck when I decided to overtake him, and the next thing I know a siren scares the living hell out of me and I almost wiped out.

But I'm feeling MUCH better now!   :grin:

Def

[I'm Still Bison]

 Hi there Micky D ! Dahons are apparently so popular now that apparently supply can't keep with the demand in parts of the country. back in the 60's there was a car mfgr. that  with every car sold also gave  a free folder,and I can't remember the maker or the bike.
 What I'm riding nowadays is a mid 80's Raleigh Wyoming, a 2006 Schwinn Sierra GS,and a 2007 Mongoose Crossway 250..don't knock the Mongoose..it is amazingly similar to the Trek 7.2 FX in frame and componentry,at about $130 cheaper.Right now I'm saxing my pennies for either the Jamis Coda Sport,or Bianchi Castro Vallley.
Welcome aboard,and tell us about some of your favorite places to ride.

[parnass]

RANS Gliss recumbent bicycle.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

well i,m lucky were i live as there are a lot of minor country roads and woods to walk through, so i tend to use one of my bikes to get me to the places i practice bushcraft.

having said that i have to negotioate several miles of urban sprawl, filled with psycho drivers, who sole mission in life is to end mine

good fun though

my dream bike would have to be a thorn raven! got to be the ultimate bushcraft vehicle

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

nice i,ve always wanted to have a go on a recumbent, how are they in heavy traffic?

i only say that as it seems to me that your visability is cut down on account of you being lower?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

My old mountain bike used to flex alarmingly at speed, but then I did mention I was hard on things, and it was getting on in age.  I actually got a speeding ticket on that bike once.  It seems cyclists are also required to follow the speed limits, something I was unaware of until then.

Of course the cop thought I would just want to have an official record of how fast I was going- I don't rightly remember what it was, but I think it was 73kph in a 60 zone.  I was heading down a hill drafting a truck when I decided to overtake him, and the next thing I know a siren scares the living hell out of me and I almost wiped out.

But I'm feeling MUCH better now!   :grin:

Def

73 kph! thats some tow! it feels weird doing those sorta speeds on something without all that weight and an engine!!

[parnass]

nice i,ve always wanted to have a go on a recumbent, how are they in heavy traffic?

i only say that as it seems to me that your visability is cut down on account of you being lower?

There are different styles of recumbent bicycle.  Most are much more comfortable than an ordinary diamond frame bike.   Sold my mountain bike because the 'bent is so much more fun.  No aches or pains after riding it even on a 30 mile trip.

Some recumbents are lower than others.  My Gliss is lower than a diamond frame bike, but not very low.   Heavy traffic can be perilous no matter what type of bike.  I have a day-glow orange flag on a mast mounted to the rear of the bike.  The flag and bike attract more attention than a diamond frame which is an advantage in traffic.


Check out http://www.bentrideronline.com and the forums at
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/

[I'm Still Bison]

What is it like to make the switch to a 'bent?  What kind of changes did you have to make?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

nice i,ve always wanted to have a go on a recumbent, how are they in heavy traffic?

i only say that as it seems to me that your visability is cut down on account of you being lower?

There are different styles of recumbent bicycle.  Most are much more comfortable than an ordinary diamond frame bike.   Sold my mountain bike because the 'bent is so much more fun.  No aches or pains after riding it even on a 30 mile trip.

Some recumbents are lower than others.  My Gliss is lower than a diamond frame bike, but not very low.   Heavy traffic can be perilous no matter what type of bike.  I have a day-glow orange flag on a mast mounted to the rear of the bike.  The flag and bike attract more attention than a diamond frame which is an advantage in traffic.


Check out http://www.bentrideronline.com and the forums at
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/

we have a LOT of pot holes in the uk, how well do bent respond to rapid changes of direction?

[Splat]

I've got a Giant Rainier mtb and a Specialized Allez Elite road, both are triples. I bought the Giant first about 5 years ago to get back into riding and, primarily, get back into shape. I was 6' at 235lbs. Nice corporate job, on my arse all day, eating a lot at dinner. The weight came on quickly. I loved riding again and went many places locally and down the shore with the Rainier. Then I figured since I was doing practically all roading with the Rainier I might as well get a real road bike. I've had the Speciallized for two years now and love it. I upgraded the shifters and derailleurs to Ultegra. I'd like to get a nice pair of Ksyriums this summer. I love this bike and it's helped me get closer to my  weight-loss goal of 185. I take the bike down the shore, to the mountains, but mostly local riding. I average 25-30miles per ride, sometimes 40. I'd like to do a century this year. We'll see how that goes. 

PS, Hammer Heed, Endurolytes and Gels are the cat's ass!