|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#71
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
Dave Mayer wrote:
A kickstand What, and run away from what might turn out to be a good touring bike? Nutted wheel axles (i.e. no quick releases on wheels) Oh, what *did* we do before they were invented... Still, I agree with most of your list (though stuff like levers and pedals can always be ripped off), but I was intrigued by this: Steel chainrings I was under the impression that aluminum chainrings, though lighter, were also less durable. I can see how one might favor one or the other, but is there a reason why you would reject those outright? -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
Ads |
#72
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
|
#73
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
David Kerber wrote:
Oh, what *did* we do before they were invented... Carried a wrench around with us GGG. I still carry a 6" wrench even though I have no use for it. Lots of non-QR bikes out there, and lots of toolless people riding them. It'd be a shame not to be able to lend a hand. "It's all in a day's work for... Bicycle Repairman." -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
#74
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
On 27 May 2004 09:33:06 -0500, Frederic Briere
wrote: I still carry a 6" wrench even though I have no use for it. Lots of non-QR bikes out there, and lots of toolless people riding them. It'd be a shame not to be able to lend a hand. When I mount a QR-fork-holder to my rear rack*, so I can tow found bikes home, I'll have to start carrying a wrench. *Thanks to David Kerber for the idea. -- Rick Onanian |
#75
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
In article ,
Frederic Briere wrote: Dave Mayer wrote: A kickstand What, and run away from what might turn out to be a good touring bike? Nutted wheel axles (i.e. no quick releases on wheels) Oh, what *did* we do before they were invented... Still, I agree with most of your list (though stuff like levers and pedals can always be ripped off), but I was intrigued by this: Steel chainrings I was under the impression that aluminum chainrings, though lighter, were also less durable. I can see how one might favor one or the other, but is there a reason why you would reject those outright? It's not the parts that are inherently crappy. It's that they are invariably features of the great number of very cheap department-store bikes that lurk in garage sales. Now, I actually race a superb Pinarello road bike that once had a kickstand mounted on it (sigh), but that is the monstrous exception. Similarly, if you see nutted wheel axles or steel rings, you know the componentry is no good (because it goes along with dreadful, probably-French derailleurs, steel rims, gas-pipe frames, lousy brakes, etc.) If the maker cheaped out on those obvious things, then all the less-visible bits (frame construction) aren't likely to be worth considering either. If you're wondering how bad a bike can get in cheapland, I have a story for you. I lugged home a cheap MTB from clean-up week for the hope of salvaging a few random parts. I thought the frame couldn't be too bad: it had a prominent "4130 Cro-Moly" sticker on the seat tube, and the bike was from the era when an all-Cro-Moly frame was the bright line that marked off the good bikes from the bad. As I hefted it, I couldn't believe how heavy this frame was. I took a closer look at the sticker: "4130 Cro-Moly [and in small lettering] Seat Tube." The thing was a gaspipe abomination. -RjC. -- Ryan Cousineau, http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine/wiredcola/ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club |
#76
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
So what is the hangup with getting the lightest weight everything?
I lose about 4 pounds on a long hot ride even with water so why should I care about a few grams on my bike?? Flat road = no difference, downhill = faster, uphill = more exercise = reason I am riding. I have a MTB with road semi slick on the back, good combo, heavy, but I can go off road when I see something worth pursuing. Either way I am getting a workout, even if not at 20 MPH. Bill Steel chainrings I was under the impression that aluminum chainrings, though lighter, were also less durable. I can see how one might favor one or the other, but is there a reason why you would reject those outright? |
#77
|
|||
|
|||
More on BSOs (bike-shaped-objects)
"Rick Onanian" wrote in message
... In the roofing business, we get people asking for minor repairs whose shingle roof is 30 years old and has finally leaked enough to see water inside the house. Meanwhile, it's probably been leaking into the woodwork for ten years, causing (at least) damage to the roof sheathing, and maybe even interior mold or roof structure damage. They can't see spending thousands of dollars when all they have is a tiny leak. They can't understand that the $200 repair job will be ineffective no matter how well done, nor that their old roof surface is causing expensive damage to the wood underneath. Sure, you are generally correct, but here's my story: In 1981, my wife and I bought a house built in 1911. We were the second owners! The house was in poor repair, which we knew. We were also strapped for cash. The roof was leaking. From the looks of it, I needed a new roof. But I called up a roofer my uncle-in-law recommended. The conversation went like this: Roofer: Where do you live? me: (gave address in next town, on an obscure side street) Roofer: That's a green roof, right? That's (previous owner's) old house? me: Uh, yeah. Roofer: I put that roof on in 1957. It shouldn't be leaking. Let me come over. The roofer took out an ornamental railing, put down some sheet goods and tar, collected $115 from me and it didn't leak until a couple of years ago, when another similar repair was needed. The old roofer died last year, unfortunately, so I have to get bids from somebody else since some chunks are now falling off. Doesn't leak, though. Part of the reason it doesn't leak is that there are actually FOUR layers of roofing. I'm anticipating a big bill. There's 90 years of tar-papered over problems up there. That's OK; I can afford it now. |
#78
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
Rick Onanian wrote:
When I mount a QR-fork-holder to my rear rack*, so I can tow found bikes home, I'll have to start carrying a wrench. Interesting idea, but wouldn't the result be a tad unstable? Still, I'd love to hear more about it when you're done. (Incidentally, today I passed by a house with two used bikes for sale on the front lawn. Unfortunately, they both had women's frame, so I didn't bother. Apart from that, the only thing on the road that caught my attention was a discarded teletubby. From what I've read, everybody else seems to stumble daily upon used bikes, discarded power tools, wads of municipal bonds, etc. Maybe I just live in a dull area?) -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
#79
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
On 29 May 2004 02:22:21 -0500, Frederic Briere
wrote: (Incidentally, today I passed by a house with two used bikes for sale on the front lawn. Unfortunately, they both had women's frame, so I didn't bother. Apart from that, the only thing on the road that caught my Nothing wrong with mixte frames. I use one for short Sunday morning jaunts to the convenience store. Rides nice, and I don't have to lock it. attention was a discarded teletubby. From what I've read, everybody else seems to stumble daily upon used bikes, discarded power tools, Well, you just have to train your eyes, and put in lots of miles. I don't put in lots of bicycling miles (by rec.bicycles standards, anyway), but I do get a lot of road miles driving. wads of municipal bonds, etc. Maybe I just live in a dull area?) Somebody elsewhere posted that a McDonalds dumpster often contained cash. -- Rick Onanian |
#80
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?
Rick Onanian wrote:
Nothing wrong with mixte frames. I use one for short Sunday morning Aren't they reportedly less stiff than DF? Of course, if you're putting together a trashmo, that may not be a concern. Or maybe it is, if you're hauling a load. Heck, what do I know; my main justification was merely not to attract to much attention. jaunts to the convenience store. Rides nice, and I don't have to lock it. Hmm, hadn't thought of that... -- Frederic Briere * = IS NO MO http://www.abacomsucks.com = |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
buying my first road bike | Tanya Quinn | General | 28 | June 17th 10 10:42 AM |
True Cost of a Supermarket Bike | Elisa Francesca Roselli | General | 41 | January 25th 04 05:18 AM |
Secure Bike Parking.? | M. Barbee | General | 14 | January 6th 04 03:00 AM |
How old were you when you got your first really nice bike? | Brink | General | 43 | November 13th 03 11:49 AM |
my new bike | Marian Rosenberg | General | 5 | October 19th 03 03:00 PM |