Shuv's 2-wheeled antics *SLOG

[sevenfourate]

Other forums i've been on have sections where members *Blog [A record that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks, videos, and photographs provided by the writer] of their ongoing 'trials and tribulations'. This might be the next car modification on a Petrol-Heads forum, an upcoming trip on a Travelling site or the latest addition on a Collectors group.

For me (us) here as cyclists: It could be rides undertaken, cool pictures snapped, purchases made, custom parts machined up (Engineer by trade), grievances had, funny stories shared or just the everyday ramblings of an averagely fit, overly keen Cyclist. One who's into many different things; and quite some variety of disciplines. So theres always likely to be something going on in my World thats 2-wheel related.....

Moi ? I'm 52 and of that age where you really start to like things done a certain way. And outside of those comfortable parameters - you may find yourself turning into a one man moan-fest. And often seemingly take glee in doing so. For that reason alone i'm NOT calling this a Blog. But my **SLOG [Musings of the good, the bad and the Fugly].......

Lets see where this goes........

 

[a.twiddler]

I suppose many of us are doing this already scattered about between different threads -Tiny Rides, Recumbent Rides, Your ride Today, What you've Fettled, response to other threads, ponderings while riding, etc. If you put it all in one place and call it a BLOG does it make it more or less valid? I dunno.

 

[sevenfourate]

I suppose many of us are doing this already scattered about between different threads -Tiny Rides, Recumbent Rides, Your ride Today, What you've Fettled, response to other threads, ponderings while riding, etc. If you put it all in one place and call it a BLOG does it make it more or less valid? I dunno.

Absolutely 👍 And i'll of course still participate in all those threads as normal. There may just be more 'in detail' stuff i'll post here 🤷‍♀️

People may or may not be interested in my ramblings. That remains to be seen ! But if i manage to make a few people smile; or tickle a nerve of a fellow 2-wheeled freak along the way then great ! I am surprised someone hasn't / more haven't done this already ? There must be numerous people on here with large fleets of bikes, retired (?) folk who do multiple interesting rides a week or just people with a fabulous grasp of the English language who enjoy sharing their antics.....

 

[sevenfourate]

So at the start of last year....and having stopped playing a couple of other sports.....i started to get into Walking. Often doing half Marathon type distances; and really enjoying going 'off-piste' and finding spots around my Town i'd never seen / found / stumbled (Not the best term in this example ) upon before. Infact in some ways my aim was often to get lost. To find a route less travelled......

Having played alot of Sport and owning less than perfect knees; these miles soon started to take a toll. So i decided to break-up my walking with some supported weight exercise = Cycling. It wasn't quite a chore at first...but i didn't really enjoy if i'm honest. I then started to slow down a bit, enjoy the process, take pics......and again explore the less trodden paths. Now THIS was much more up my Street

So for the last 6 months i've been doing this - and approaching 40 mile road outings - on my Sons 'borrowed' 10+ year old (?) Carrera Hybrid (Pictured) . Hardly the epitome of Cycling tech. But i LOVED it ! Although it has been a case of every week was another component wearing out / breaking / needed running repairs; and my wife said to me; "You do realise if you absolutely kill that bike - you'll have to replace it AND buy yourself one". So why don't you hand it back while the going's good and treat yourself.

So last week i ignored her and bought myself two bikes. A Hybrid for road / "Gravel" use. And an MTB for dirty Winter fun. They arrive Thursday.......

 

[sevenfourate]

Meanwhile this was both the start of my Cycling as a kid. And one of the current 2-wheeled activities.........BMX !

The first pics are of me on the Quarter Pipe we made and had in my parents front yard as a kid. Along with a couple of Trick ramps at the opposite end.

And it's something i've got into rebuilding retro versions of over the last few years. And i do occasionally use the 'beater / rider' too. Currently got 7 bikes in the 'man-cave' inc a GT Performer, A Haro Freestyler, A Diamond Back Joker, a fairly recently done ET Replica etc. Another one that's ready apart from painting the frame. And yet another that's all completely done and just needs putting together. I'm saving these as "Winter jobs" for when it's too rank to ride !

All have been bare-bones rebuilt, re-painted, Powder-Coated, Re-Chromed as required. And parts flown in from all around the Globe appropriately......

 

[sevenfourate]

So onto today. Well tomorrow more to the point. When 2 x New Steeds arrive:

1./ Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3 - MTB.
2./ Trek FX 3 Disc - Hybrid.

Triton Cycles is where I purchased from.

https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/

…….And as a Trek ‘Premier Dealer’ or some such spiel - they build the bikes up in their workshop and deliver to your door fully built / adjusted and ready to ride. Adjusting in their fully kitted out delivery vans if required. My slot for this is 9pm !! (Let’s hope this old fart can stay awake 🤣)

Hybrid will be on 700 x 38c wide rubber (When I fit the Schwalbe Marathons I’ve already purchased). And the Marlin is on 29” wheels.

I went to buy spare tubes for both this Morning - in readiness of a weekend on 2 wheels: and discovered both take the same size Impac (Schwalbe) Presta Inner tube. That’s nice and easy for a change. So 3 items ordered for starters……..😎

 

[Drago]

The Carrera Subway hybrid is a perennial favourite of tarmac terrorists everywhere. Tough, well made, sensibly equipped, inexpensive, decent performer, capable of handling some off road work as well. A good tool to keep tucked at the back of the shed.

 

[sevenfourate]

Parts (Extra’s ?) are starting to arrive for the new rides:

Inc: 1.5” / 38c Schwalbe Marathon (Green / recycled version) for the Hybrid, 2 sets of Cateye lights, a Camelbak for days out on the MTB, 2 pairs of quality lock on grips, nice bar ends for the MTB, DMR V8 pedals for the MTB, 2 complete puncture solving kits so they can stay with each bike, new Seat-bag, new bottle and Carbon cage for the Hybrid etc.

Lots more still to come too. Need to think about some suitable clothing next if I’m going to be a year round Cyclist…..

 

[sevenfourate]

The Carrera Subway hybrid is a perennial favourite of tarmac terrorists everywhere. Tough, well made, sensibly equipped, inexpensive, decent performer, capable of handling some off road work as well. A good tool to keep tucked at the back of the shed.

52 years in. And I’ve achieved temporary Cult Status - because of a borrowed bike from my uninterested teenage Son. Oh the irony…..

 

[sevenfourate]

Both new Treks arrived circa 7.30pm this Evening with Triton. Fully built, ready to ride and without issue 👌

I’ve not so much as looked at the MTB - apart from admiring the fab colour 😍

….but on the Hybrid I’ve fitted: the 1.5” / 38c Schwalbe Marathons, new lock-on grips, some decent flat pedals, lights, chainstay protector, under seat bag and all puncture equipment I’ll be carrying. And adjusted seat, bars and levers to make comfy.

About all I haven’t done is fit the Helicopter / clear protective tape. Which I’ll do tomorrow…..

 

[sevenfourate]

First shakedown ride on the new Hybrid. Let’s just say I’m not overawed at this point. Early days - and a lot of old feelings to get over, new feelings to get used to - and perhaps contact points etc to be adjusted.

Speaking of which: this saddle (I’ve only adjusted height so far - not angle) looks to be dead flat. Even a tiny bit forward if anything. My old ride looks like the seat is tilted back a tiny bit. So the nose is in the air slightly.

Is and why is dead flat the preferred norm ? Is nose up very slightly a ‘problem’ ?

*****Looks like that’s a no to that then 😳

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitne...-how-to-find-the-correct-saddle-angle-for-you

 

[ColinJ]

Is and why is dead flat the preferred norm ?

Yes, for some people. Because that is how they are 'supposed to be'...

I was once on a training camp near Benidorm when former pro Marcel Wüst was one of the guest riders. I limped back from one long training ride and said hello to Herr Wüst, who was sunning himself on the lawn outside his room. He took one look at my bike and leapt to his feet, declaring that my saddle angle was "not correct" - very German! He insisted on levelling it so that the back and front were at the same height, but as you point out slow down - that makes the front part slope upwards.

Is nose up very slightly a ‘problem’ ?

For me, yes, VERY yes! After that saddle angle adjustment...

I only managed to ride about 1 km with the saddle like that and I got the dreaded numb nuts syndrome. I adjusted it back to my preferred 'front section level' setting and had no further problems with it.

 

[sevenfourate]

Shakedown day for the FX3 complete. The extras / upgrades I’d fitted all stayed affixed 🤣 And I’ve fine tuned controls / bike adjustments enough for one day.

Tomorrow will be a ‘proper’ ride out - which will likely be enough to see where we’re at……

 

[sevenfourate]

Yes, for some people. Because that is how they are 'supposed to be'...




For me, yes, VERY yes! After that saddle angle adjustment...

Interesting. Thanks 😎

Like anything in life - the more you read; the bigger the minefield becomes. Seems to mainly effect (Often negatively) hip position and function if grossly wrong [For any individual].

And then of course there’s the conflicting theories 🤣🤣🤣

 

[sevenfourate]

Longest ride yet (Only a paltry 42 miles - some of you boys do that as warm-up 😎)…..of course motivated and excited by having new wheels under my buttocks.

Bike behaved well. After the initial shakedown ride reservations of yesterday. I thought bearings were loose in front wheel on one stop. Turned out QR wanted a 1/2 turn more. And I’m not quite sure about clutched rear mech for my use. Engaged or not engaged ?

Other than that a fab ride in great weather and with good company 🙏