New Cyclist Issues

[squadge]

Got the bike today (Specialized Crosstrail), put the handlebars on the wrong way around and wondered when riding down the road why my knees were hitting the handlebars. Not to worry I just switched it round and had my brake levers upside down for the first short ride. I rode 5 miles along a disused railway line, all went well until I got chased by a border collie for at least 1/2 a mile (I kid you not); snapping at my ankles I rode faster and faster, but couldn't shake it off - in the end I had to kick it in the mush. I hadn't realised that was what it wanted and it scuttled home.

Enjoyed the ride and the bike seems good, although I will have to learn the gears again when I put the handlebars right. There were a few niggles such as front brake pads were rubbing a bit and the gears seemed a bit grindy and didn't change fully and quickly at some points. Is this normal or do they need adjusting?

The bikes in the shed now with a d-lock on attached through the back wheel to some shelving and by the front frame to a go kart and the front wheel to the d-lock. I also have a wireless alarm that goes off in my bedroom, but is silent in the shed. It gives me a few minutes to get my axe and call the cops. Still worried though... Mind you the handlebars are on the wrong way around. :-)

Cheers,
Taff

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Take the bike in the bedroom with you, sleep well!

 

[I like Skol]

Sounds like your bike was set up by the Marx brothers? Get it checked out by a good LBS™ (local bike shop!).

As for out of control hounds, I once purposefully rode into an out of control dog that was chasing my poor innoccent family pet remorslessly along a public footpath. It was a hell of a shock to the dog and the owner gave me an earfull of abuse (which I ignored) but it served its purpose and sent the agressor away yelping with its tail between its legs!

 

[MrJamie]

Its worth a ding of the bell from a distance to give dog owners chance to tether their mutt. I havent been chased that often at all, but when it happens i actually like to see how far away i can take the stupid dog from its stupid owner. I figure its the only action that will make the owner keep better control of their animal and blame them/their dog, as anything else i do would just result it it being blamed on me.

When you say the handlebars are on the wrong way round, do you mean that the stem (which clamps the bar you hold to the upright bit that turns) is facing backwards? Im not sure how else youd hit your knees.

Brakes are very easy to align, gears take a little practice but given what happened with the handlebars ive got to echo the above and say get a checkup/service as a bike shop from a safety point of view.

 

[sidevalve]

I agree with Mr Jamie about the bars that's really wierd but as for the dog be carefull there. You could try the {very] old trick of pretending to throw a ball for the thing, sometimes it works and they run off however if you hit the beast there could be three outcomes 1 - it runs away, fine 2 - you fall off and it runs away leaving you sore with a damaged bike 3 - the yobbo owner and his buds run over and give you a kicking [sick modern society but it happens]. Probably the easiest idea is to just to accept the time loss, stop, get off and ORDER it to GO HOME, when they no longer see you as a jolly chasing game most lose interest and do so.

 

[biggs682]

sounds like a fun 1st ride hope they get better