IMCT Running Club

[Dr. Medulla]

I haven't done a lot of cycling but I have raced a few Triathlons and a decent bike in good condition makes all the world of difference.

Bike weight, too. When I finally got a good quality bike, what was most noticeable to me was how light it was. So less leg power is being used to move the weight of the bike. Especially noticeable going up hills.

[revbob]

If you replace your bike, buy used. Bike shops are horribly overpriced, imo. After that, tho, don't skimp out on getting it tuned up regularly.

What do bike tune ups consist of?

Most bike shops will have tiers of thoroughness, with the highest being a dismantling and cleaning of all the parts. But a basic tune-up will involve degreasing the chain and gears then re-oiling, tightening the brake and gear cables and replacing the brake pads, and a spoke check (and replacing any that are suspect).

Okay at least some of that is stuff I would never do on my own. As for weight of the bike, I've got an old Specialized mountain bike pre shock era, probably heavier than a lot of bikes. I like the idea of finding a used one however finding the right size could prove difficult.

[Dr. Medulla]

If you replace your bike, buy used. Bike shops are horribly overpriced, imo. After that, tho, don't skimp out on getting it tuned up regularly.

What do bike tune ups consist of?

Most bike shops will have tiers of thoroughness, with the highest being a dismantling and cleaning of all the parts. But a basic tune-up will involve degreasing the chain and gears then re-oiling, tightening the brake and gear cables and replacing the brake pads, and a spoke check (and replacing any that are suspect).

Okay at least some of that is stuff I would never do on my own. As for weight of the bike, I've got an old Specialized mountain bike pre shock era, probably heavier than a lot of bikes. I like the idea of finding a used one however finding the right size could prove difficult.

Unless you're freakishly tall, a standard adult male bike should do. Just raise the seat to your height (your foot shouldn't be flat on the ground when you're at a standstill). But, yeah, mountain bike or road bike, something light is revolutionary in terms of ease of riding. I can easily lift my bike up in the air with one hand.

[revbob]

If you replace your bike, buy used. Bike shops are horribly overpriced, imo. After that, tho, don't skimp out on getting it tuned up regularly.

What do bike tune ups consist of?

Most bike shops will have tiers of thoroughness, with the highest being a dismantling and cleaning of all the parts. But a basic tune-up will involve degreasing the chain and gears then re-oiling, tightening the brake and gear cables and replacing the brake pads, and a spoke check (and replacing any that are suspect).

Okay at least some of that is stuff I would never do on my own. As for weight of the bike, I've got an old Specialized mountain bike pre shock era, probably heavier than a lot of bikes. I like the idea of finding a used one however finding the right size could prove difficult.

Unless you're freakishly tall, a standard adult male bike should do. Just raise the seat to your height (your foot shouldn't be flat on the ground when you're at a standstill). But, yeah, mountain bike or road bike, something light is revolutionary in terms of ease of riding. I can easily lift my bike up in the air with one hand.

What's the threshold for freakish? I don't think I'm there but others reactions sometimes tell me differently. The bike I got at the time was not easy to come by. And I do have to raise the seat to get the proper leg extension, the problem then is my handle bars cannot be raised even a slightly equal amount. If I'm primarily flat ground the seat is raised but if I'm on trails I lower the seat so I don't easily get thrown over the handle bars.

[revbob]

If you replace your bike, buy used. Bike shops are horribly overpriced, imo. After that, tho, don't skimp out on getting it tuned up regularly.

What do bike tune ups consist of?

Most bike shops will have tiers of thoroughness, with the highest being a dismantling and cleaning of all the parts. But a basic tune-up will involve degreasing the chain and gears then re-oiling, tightening the brake and gear cables and replacing the brake pads, and a spoke check (and replacing any that are suspect).

Okay at least some of that is stuff I would never do on my own. As for weight of the bike, I've got an old Specialized mountain bike pre shock era, probably heavier than a lot of bikes. I like the idea of finding a used one however finding the right size could prove difficult.

Unless you're freakishly tall, a standard adult male bike should do. Just raise the seat to your height (your foot shouldn't be flat on the ground when you're at a standstill). But, yeah, mountain bike or road bike, something light is revolutionary in terms of ease of riding. I can easily lift my bike up in the air with one hand.

What's the threshold for freakish? I don't think I'm there but others reactions sometimes tell me differently. The bike I got at the time was not easy to come by. And I do have to raise the seat to get the proper leg extension, the problem then is my handle bars cannot be raised even a slightly equal amount. If I'm primarily flat ground the seat is raised but if I'm on trails I lower the seat so I don't easily get thrown over the handle bars.

[Dr. Medulla]

What's the threshold for freakish? I don't think I'm there but others reactions sometimes tell me differently. The bike I got at the time was not easy to come by. And I do have to raise the seat to get the proper leg extension, the problem then is my handle bars cannot be raised even a slightly equal amount. If I'm primarily flat ground the seat is raised but if I'm on trails I lower the seat so I don't easily get thrown over the handle bars.

If you're under 6'4", I would think a standard-sized bike should work. I'm 6' and a standard bike has always fit me perfectly, so I imagine another 4" wouldn't be a problem. You could also get handle bars with the extra prongs that are mostly perpendicular (they're like antlers coming out of the handle bars). My old mountain bike had that, tho I rarely used them.

[revbob]

What's the threshold for freakish? I don't think I'm there but others reactions sometimes tell me differently. The bike I got at the time was not easy to come by. And I do have to raise the seat to get the proper leg extension, the problem then is my handle bars cannot be raised even a slightly equal amount. If I'm primarily flat ground the seat is raised but if I'm on trails I lower the seat so I don't easily get thrown over the handle bars.

If you're under 6'4", I would think a standard-sized bike should work. I'm 6' and a standard bike has always fit me perfectly, so I imagine another 4" wouldn't be a problem. You could also get handle bars with the extra prongs that are mostly perpendicular (they're like antlers coming out of the handle bars). My old mountain bike had that, tho I rarely used them.

Yeah that's the problem. I've got the "antlers", they help a little.

[Dr. Medulla]

What's the threshold for freakish? I don't think I'm there but others reactions sometimes tell me differently. The bike I got at the time was not easy to come by. And I do have to raise the seat to get the proper leg extension, the problem then is my handle bars cannot be raised even a slightly equal amount. If I'm primarily flat ground the seat is raised but if I'm on trails I lower the seat so I don't easily get thrown over the handle bars.

If you're under 6'4", I would think a standard-sized bike should work. I'm 6' and a standard bike has always fit me perfectly, so I imagine another 4" wouldn't be a problem. You could also get handle bars with the extra prongs that are mostly perpendicular (they're like antlers coming out of the handle bars). My old mountain bike had that, tho I rarely used them.

Yeah that's the problem. I've got the "antlers", they help a little.

Ah, so you are freakishly tall. I'd do some Internet research then, but it does make it harder to find something cheap.

[revbob]

I haven't started back up running yet this year. I've been mired in a freelance nightmare that's sapping my energy and time, so I can't motivate myself. I've been on a draconian diet to make up for it.

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

[Silent Majority]

Took the bike into the shop as I failed to repair a puncture for myself. They pulled out a Koh I Noor sized shard of glass that I'd somehow missed and sent me on my way. Was relieved I could afford the cost of fixing it cos I couldn't do without the two hours a day, five days a week any more. I'd grump right down into being intolerable now.

[Kory]

I haven't started back up running yet this year. I've been mired in a freelance nightmare that's sapping my energy and time, so I can't motivate myself. I've been on a draconian diet to make up for it.

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

It's in addition. I thought would be a quick 2-week job but it's turned into 2 month. I just wrapped it up yesterday though, so I'll be back to running this week.

[revbob]

I haven't started back up running yet this year. I've been mired in a freelance nightmare that's sapping my energy and time, so I can't motivate myself. I've been on a draconian diet to make up for it.

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

It's in addition. I thought would be a quick 2-week job but it's turned into 2 month. I just wrapped it up yesterday though, so I'll be back to running this week.

I don't do freelance stuff because my experience is once you touch someone else's network/server/computer any problems that crop up later will be directed back to you no matter if it is related to the original work you did or not.

[Kory]

I haven't started back up running yet this year. I've been mired in a freelance nightmare that's sapping my energy and time, so I can't motivate myself. I've been on a draconian diet to make up for it.

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

It's in addition. I thought would be a quick 2-week job but it's turned into 2 month. I just wrapped it up yesterday though, so I'll be back to running this week.

I don't do freelance stuff because my experience is once you touch someone else's network/server/computer any problems that crop up later will be directed back to you no matter if it is related to the original work you did or not.

That's what contracts are for!

[revbob]

I haven't started back up running yet this year. I've been mired in a freelance nightmare that's sapping my energy and time, so I can't motivate myself. I've been on a draconian diet to make up for it.

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

It's in addition. I thought would be a quick 2-week job but it's turned into 2 month. I just wrapped it up yesterday though, so I'll be back to running this week.

I don't do freelance stuff because my experience is once you touch someone else's network/server/computer any problems that crop up later will be directed back to you no matter if it is related to the original work you did or not.

That's what contracts are for!

Full disclosure I may be good from a technical standpoint but I'm a terrible businessman. But that makes sense. I'd like to be able to eventually transition into a semi- retired freelancer though so I may need some of those skills.

[Kory]

So you ditched the old job or is the freelance in addition to your other work?

It's in addition. I thought would be a quick 2-week job but it's turned into 2 month. I just wrapped it up yesterday though, so I'll be back to running this week.

I don't do freelance stuff because my experience is once you touch someone else's network/server/computer any problems that crop up later will be directed back to you no matter if it is related to the original work you did or not.

That's what contracts are for!

Full disclosure I may be good from a technical standpoint but I'm a terrible businessman. But that makes sense. I'd like to be able to eventually transition into a semi- retired freelancer though so I may need some of those skills.

I'm terrible at it too. I basically just learn enough from one job to make the next one slightly more bearable.