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Splode posted:I've had multiple people ask me to explain what the front gears actually do and how you are supposed to use them when I've been volunteering at the local bike repair not for profit. I think having two sets of gears interacting is just annoying and unintuitive for a lot of people, particularly if you compare it to the simplicity of having only one set. I do not understand how a person can have eyes and not intuitively understand what "the front gears do". Just look at them! They are different sizes. Do you know what gears are? I mean obviously this happens, I am not doubting you, but I don't really understand how one can survive to adulthood without learning some basic mechanical intuition.
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May 2, 2024 15:45
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I think the bigger wtf there is understanding rear gears but not front ones
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May 2, 2024 15:50
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It's the interaction between the two that is the issue. In truth, a lot of people just do not understand how gear size relates to torque and speed as it's not something they've ever needed to know. But if you only have rear gears (or only front gears, but that isn't a thing really) then its easy: change the gear number up or down to either go faster or make it easier. How does it work? Who cares. With two sets, it's similar but they interact and ultimately people don't want to think about Mechanical systems when they ride, they just want to ride.
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May 2, 2024 16:01
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Too hilly where I am to give up on front derailleurs. What's not to love about a lil chain ring for climbing and a big chain ring for descents and going fast on flats. One chain ring is either too masochistic or too boring
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May 2, 2024 16:25
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As someone known as the person who can fix bikes, I've been asked several times why someone's chain makes a noise sometimes and I've had to explain again that not all gear combinations are good and some should never be used. This is difficult for many to comprehend. They think their bike has 27 speeds or whatever because that's what it's supposed to have, or something. I like having two rings on my road bike though, adds versatility. For my commute ten in the rear is plenty because it only has one steep hill but it's pretty short and I tend to attack that one standing up anyway.
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May 2, 2024 16:53
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Front derailleurs are good. They're dead simple and I don't understand how so many people complain about them for tuning/maintaining. I set mine once and then its mostly fine for a few years until I replace the cables. 1x setups often claim to have similar total gearing range than 2x but the intermediate steps are all annoyingly large and make settling into a good natural cadence difficult, especially in hilly areas. I get the appeal of the advertised simplicity of 1x but I just think the trade offs are not worth it in the real world. I do understand that "not bike people" don't care to learn how anything works and want something as simple as possible, but the trade off is huge and if you're posting in this thread you probably aren't that type of person. Related to that, I tried out an Enviolo hub on a recent e-bike test ride and for an automatic hub it worked a lot better than I expected it to especially for the low cost compared to something like a Rohloff. I can imagine the type of audience it would appeal to, the same type of person that doesn't like thinking about gears at all. But it still doesn't do anything for me, I like and want the control even on an e-bike.
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May 2, 2024 17:02
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Phosphine posted:I mean obviously this happens, I am not doubting you, but I don't really understand how one can survive to adulthood without learning some basic mechanical intuition. Back when I was wrenching, I had a customer who lubricated his brake rotors because his brakes were too loud. He's lucky he didn't ride into traffic and die. A lot of modern life is as idiot-proof as possible. People rely on cars and cell phones without having the faintest idea of how they work or how to fix them, because they're increasingly designed to be unservicable at home. Bicycles are very simple in comparison but they resist idiot-proofing. Guinness posted:Front derailleurs are good. They're dead simple and I don't understand how so many people complain about them for tuning/maintaining. I set mine once and then its mostly fine for a few years until I replace the cables. 1x setups often claim to have similar total gearing range than 2x but the intermediate steps are all annoyingly large and make settling into a good natural cadence difficult, especially in hilly areas. I get the appeal of the advertised simplicity of 1x but I just think the trade offs are not worth it in the real world. They're great on a bike with a dropper post, which is not something you'd see on a commuter bike anyway.
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May 2, 2024 17:17
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Bike commuting often involves hauling baggage, grabbing groceries and stuff, and in my case involves hauling 2 children in a bike trailer. Unless you live in a flat place, I can't imagine doing a lot of that up a hill without a small front gear. I use the entire range of my surly long haul trucker every day and I don't think rear gears get large enough to make the uphill climbs doable with all that weight. e: i should tone it down a little; it's possible but miserable alnilam fucked around with this message at 17:53 on May 2, 2024 |
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May 2, 2024 17:35
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I ran a 34t x 11-52 on my cargo bike. It was fine for getting up steep hills, with the significant caveat that I was on 24" wheels. Would roughly map to a 32 x 42 gear on a 700c, so still doable with modern 1x.
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May 2, 2024 17:58
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Splode posted:I've had multiple people ask me to explain what the front gears actually do and how you are supposed to use them when I've been volunteering at the local bike repair not for profit. I think having two sets of gears interacting is just annoying and unintuitive for a lot of people, particularly if you compare it to the simplicity of having only one set. Shimano have been working on this for decades with multiple tries at RapidRise where the lever direction goes the same way as the power increase on the front and rear. Never caught on. Now they agree with you and CUES is going to be on every midlevel city bike for the next several years.
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May 2, 2024 18:18
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Just got a bike with a Rohloff. It and belt drive is magic, and all I want on all future bikes. Gotta get rid of all my other bikes to fund a single-speed belt drive for commuting and another Rohloff for long rides.
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May 2, 2024 18:32
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Literally Lewis Hamilton posted:Why would you need to gut the shifter? Just don’t use the doubletap paddle. e: also i just discovered that the bottom pulley on the rear derailleur has a crack running down the full radius. i have no idea how that would happen or howl long it's been there, but it's a good enough excuse to swap out the cage assembly anyway! TenementFunster fucked around with this message at 22:01 on May 2, 2024 |
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May 2, 2024 20:27
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1x is fashionable right now. I see enough complaints about the Enviolo hubs on reddit (although mainly in the context of cargo bikes) that I'm pretty suspicious of them.
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May 3, 2024 03:09
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leftist heap posted:1x is fashionable right now. I liked mine for commuting. It's pretty vital to get the one rated for your use case though, using the commuter for a cargo bike would probably not help it last very long.
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May 3, 2024 12:48
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The great thing about up-to-8 speed drivetrains is they're much cheaper, so they're an easy choice for a cheap, not-attractive-to thieves city bike. You can have a 1x up front if you live somewhere relatively flat, or a 3x for an excellent range of gears on a shoestring budget. I get that many on this thread are looking for something a little more sporty/light/fun, which is fair enough. I generally want something I can park outside and it's still there later, and I don't feel guilty about not cleaning too often.
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May 4, 2024 18:07
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Al2001 posted:The great thing about up-to-8 speed drivetrains is they're much cheaper, so they're an easy choice for a cheap, not-attractive-to thieves I’d like to see stats on the distribution of what kind of bikes are stolen when a lock is used. If a moderate lock discourages pros from taking a lower tier bike or not. Just hearing anecdotally what is taken, it doesn’t seem to be flat out insurance.
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May 4, 2024 18:19
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kimbo305 posted:I’d like to see stats on the distribution of what kind of bikes are stolen when a lock is used. If a moderate lock discourages pros from taking a lower tier bike or not. Just hearing anecdotally what is taken, it doesn’t seem to be flat out insurance. Of course this is all anecdotal, however(!) if you use a u-lock and have a cheap bike, it's extremely unlikely to be stolen. The kind of thief who's committed enough to carry around something that can break a u-lock (almost always a battery-powered angle grinder irl) wants to come away with something of actual value. You can break some u-locks with very long-handled bolt cutters too, but I think they're too impractical/inconspicuous for most thieves. Cable locks and small chains can be snipped in a second so I don't count them as real locks.
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May 4, 2024 18:56
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Yesterday (02/05/24) officers from Team 2 response attended a theft in progress in Winsley- three high values bikes to the value of £20,000 had been loaded in the back of a van that made off from the scene. Following a swift investigation, the van was identified as travelling in the Bath area. With the assistance of Firearms officers and officers from our Burglary Team, the van was located in Bath. Two suspects have been arrested and are currently in custody and the bikes were recovered. Sgt DAVIS from Team 2 has said "Bikes are always attractive to thieves, no matter the value. They are easy to adapt and sell on so we would urge the public to have their bike frames stamped to make them easily identifiable and harder to sell on." Contact your NPT team to request assistance with bike stamping by emailing us at TrowbridgeAreaNPT@wiltshire.police.uk The story I heard was that one of the bikes had a tracker/air tag fitted. So how do they stamp a carbon bike?
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May 4, 2024 22:11
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Phosphine posted:I do not understand how a person can have eyes and not intuitively understand what "the front gears do". Just look at them! They are different sizes. Do you know what gears are? You just gotta multiply them. So 3x2 is more than 1x5 but less than 2x4
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May 5, 2024 14:48
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If that's not how it works then i don't caaaare
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May 5, 2024 14:49
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I'm building a new commuter pretty much from scratch and it's been a fun process. It took alot of patience to build up the wheels but they turned out great. I did learn a lesson about tubeless tires that seems obvious in hindsight - don't skimp on sealant. I had the beads seated, tape on tightly, and valve seated well but was still getting a slow leak. After scratching my head for awhile I did the soapy water thing and found tiny leaks all over the sidewalls of the tires. Dumped a bunch more sealant in there, shook and spun then around for awhile, and now they hold pressure overnight.
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May 5, 2024 20:08
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I find that a break-in ride is necessary after setting up tubeless to ensure that everything gets plugged, but glad you got it sorted!
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May 5, 2024 21:56
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Unfortunately I made the mistake of doing the tires before most of the bike is ready to ride. No brakes, no seat, no drivetrain yet. I might end up throwing some more sealant in when I do get it rideable for that break in.
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May 5, 2024 22:01
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I gotta say I'm pretty impressed with the factory tubeless setup from Giant. I took delivery of my bike in December and let them know I wouldn't be riding it until April, so they just gave me the sealant it comes with in a little baggie. Cautioned me that it wouldn't hold air overnight and that it wasn't anything to worry about. The rear tire held a ridable pressure all winter and while the front did end up mushy it took like a month, again, with no sealant.
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May 6, 2024 11:57
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i know it’s a rapha dentist faux pas, but i couldn’t help but get the evangelion unit 01 autism helmet
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May 6, 2024 23:25
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TenementFunster posted:i know it’s a rapha dentist faux pas, but i couldn’t help but get the evangelion unit 01 autism helmet this rules
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May 6, 2024 23:32
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Al2001 posted:Of course this is all anecdotal, however(!) if you use a u-lock and have a cheap bike, it's extremely unlikely to be stolen. The kind of thief who's committed enough to carry around something that can break a u-lock (almost always a battery-powered angle grinder irl) wants to come away with something of actual value. You can break some u-locks with very long-handled bolt cutters too, but I think they're too impractical/inconspicuous for most thieves. there are sometimes crews who sweep an area, taking everything that's locked up, but that's exceptionally rare and almost always in non-residential areas at like 4am when cops and bystanders are both at a minimum. i've only ever seen one personally and it was in sf's financial district at 4am on a sunday, grabbing bikes people left locked up outside work or bars
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May 7, 2024 11:03
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My colleague's husband had a nasty crash last week. I don't know the guy and he's about ten years my junior but from what I've gathered over the years he's a way more dedicated cyclist than I've ever been. He's into road and gravel bikes and does crazy long range rides I'd never attempt. Anyways he got home from his 75 km(!) work commute after calling his wife and asking where they lived (they had moved apartments just a week before and he had gone to the old place first) all bloodied up, severe road rash over large parts of his one side, cracked helmet and clear signs of concussion. Minor damage to the bike, just bar wraps scraped I think, so he probably rode home pumped to the gills on adrenalin. She called an ambulance, he spent a night at the hospital for observation after some kind of brain imaging that was clear, and is home recovering now. No known witnesses to whatever happened, no police report, nothing. They guy has no memories of the day, or the week leading up to it. He seems to be doing alright, considering. Scary stuff though.
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May 20, 2024 20:21
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Put the fenders back on my gravel-turned-commuter bike yesterday as it's winter here now and I got tired of arriving to work with a wet arse. As for chainring chat, I have a 46/34 and an 11-36 on my commuter (which is an old CX bike I put an older 10-speed mtb derailleur onto) and I use basically all of that range at some point during my commute.  That's the way home, mostly flat with a decent climb near home for a total of 129m climbing in ~11 km. I'm sure a modern 1X groupset could do the job with some bigger steps between some of the gears.
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May 21, 2024 10:20
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Delete me - wrong thread
wooger fucked around with this message at 12:06 on May 21, 2024 |
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May 21, 2024 11:38
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I've been bike commuting since last August with the exception of when it rains. I just sold my car since it was rotting at the curb, so I'm looking for recommendations for rain gear since I'm going to have to ride in all weather now. I live in North Texas, so a jacket doesn't need to be super warm, but recommendations on something that would keep me mostly dry on a 30 minute commute would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be perfect since I change at work. I just don't want to get totally soaked.
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May 30, 2024 12:34
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Xiphas posted:I've been bike commuting since last August with the exception of when it rains. I just sold my car since it was rotting at the curb, so I'm looking for recommendations for rain gear since I'm going to have to ride in all weather now. This is v dorky but it works: rain cape.
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May 30, 2024 13:09
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Xiphas posted:I've been bike commuting since last August with the exception of when it rains. I just sold my car since it was rotting at the curb, so I'm looking for recommendations for rain gear since I'm going to have to ride in all weather now. Why do you need to stay dry if you’re changing anyway? I certainly don’t bother and just ride in normal Lycra cycling shorts & jersey if I’m gonna get wet, maybe some kind of long sleeve jacket if it’s really windy. They dry in an hour or so. Anything waterproof will make you sweat anyway. In winter I’m in a soft shell hiking jacket that keeps me warm and comfortable, wool hat, winter bib tights. And I change at the other end. 5 miles each way approx.
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May 30, 2024 13:20
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Goretex rain jacket of choice, pit zips are essential! Showers Pass brand rain pants These have kept me dry very well in all kinds of weather for like 15 years of year round bike commuting However i will say if it's an especially hot stormy day, sometimes it's better to just go shirtless and change afterwards.
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May 30, 2024 15:36
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wooger posted:Why do you need to stay dry if you’re changing anyway? This. Just wear quick drying technical clothing - bibs & jerseys are what they are for a reason. Actually the worst thing is putting the wet shoes back on for the trip home. Shoes never dry during the day Spare socks & shoe covers if it's gonna be really wet. But they aren't perfect, if you are throwing up a lot of spray the water will run down your leg under the covers regardless. The winter Lycra bibs are 100% worth it if it's gonna be wet and under 10°C, especially with the zips at the ankles to get out of them easier. You'd be surprised how warm the fleece lining is on something so lightweight. As an aside - I unlocked a new experience today on my commute: riding in a hailstorm. Absolutely do not recommend that one.
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May 30, 2024 16:15
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SimonSays posted:This is v dorky but it works: rain cape. Yeah I bought myself a big rain poncho and it's better than all the expensive stuff: because it's a poncho, it's open at the bottom and I don't get sweaty, it's long so it keeps my legs dry too, and I can just put it on and take it off with normal clothes underneath. Cost very little and folds into its own pocket so I can just keep it in one of my panniers. The only thing it doesn't do is keep my shoes dry so I do need to get some shoe covers
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May 30, 2024 22:54
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Splode posted:Yeah I bought myself a big rain poncho and it's better than all the expensive stuff: because it's a poncho, it's open at the bottom and I don't get sweaty, it's long so it keeps my legs dry too, and I can just put it on and take it off with normal clothes underneath. My solution is to wear sandals when it's raining
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May 30, 2024 22:56
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if it isn't bitterly cold and you're going to be changing anyway, fenders and synthetic fibers are plenty
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May 30, 2024 23:02
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Cactus Ghost posted:if it isn't bitterly cold and you're going to be changing anyway, fenders and synthetic fibers are plenty Yeah, I guess I'll go with this, especially since it's getting into summer. I'll just pack the extra socks for the inevitable swamped shoes. I did get hit by a big splash from a passing SUV today, which soaked me pretty good. That makes me pine for the gortex option, but the couple of times I wore something similar outdoors in summer it really sucked. I'd rather be wet than super hot in the inevitable 100 degree days of August.
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May 31, 2024 01:15
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finally getting around to putting my old fenders on the new commuter and there's so much rub 
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May 31, 2024 16:10
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