Messages

46

The Bike Shop / Re: Recommended Torque Settings

« on: January 27, 2016, 11:43:09 AM »

in my time working on bikes in shops, I used a torque wrench a LOT. on a bmx bike though, most of the bolts are so big and the forces put on them so extreme that I don't see the point. I think rear 3/8" axle nuts on a "regular" bike is 20 foot-pounds, but I would definitely put a lot more into it on a bmx bike. 99% of the stuff I worked on was road and mtn bikes that have tiny 4m bolts holding everything together that will strip if you're not careful and precise and threaded bottom brackets with JIS tapered cranks and chainring bolts that will come loose if you don't tighten then enough (which it seems most people don't). I would not get too hung up over accidentally over-tightening anything on your BMX bike.

47

The Bike Shop / Re: Roof Racks?

« on: January 04, 2016, 10:00:14 AM »

having installed a lot of roof racks while working at REI, I much prefer Thule's system to Yakima's. if you can get a rack with an arm that grabs the frame or the front tire, that should work fine.

I installed a hitch on my car and put a Thule T2 on it (sweet employee discount!) anything similar to that T2 is preferable to a roof system. I have seen too many smashed bikes from cars running into garages and trees with roof rack systems to ever put one on my car. if you are diligent about it, you can probably get a good deal on a used hitch rack too. keep stalking Craigslist.

48

The Bike Shop / Re: Remember how a few arm-chair engineers called this out? Well who'd a thunk it..

« on: November 19, 2015, 11:47:13 AM »

I remember, CARBON. I remember. Sorry George.

49

Bike Gallery / Re: Fixed gear bikes/ Post your big bikes V2

« on: September 03, 2015, 08:13:17 PM »

New passion: cx on singletrack. Rode several miles of rocky Barton Creek Greenbelt today, what a hoot!

50

The Bike Shop / Re: Pedals

« on: August 24, 2015, 08:15:48 PM »

Maybe I have been mountain biking for too long, but VP AIM pedals look nice.

51

The Bike Shop / Re: big boys bike advice.

« on: June 23, 2015, 04:49:16 PM »

I have to nitpick- that rear brake cable end is too long. cut it down short enough that it can't possibly get caught in the rotor.

52

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 06, 2015, 06:08:52 PM »

wear padded lycra shorts under some "normal" athletic, comfortable shorts. sorted.

53

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 06, 2015, 04:42:00 PM »

No. saddle position has nothing to do with reach. saddle position is for placing your pelvis in the ideal position for your pedal stroke. most people go by KOPS (knee over pedal spindle), where you position your saddle such that your knee is directly over your pedal spindle when the cranks and feet are level. some people like their seat a little behind the KOPS position, or perhaps in front, but either way, it's a good place to start.

if you are trying to make up for a bike that is too short by putting a seatpost with more offset on it, you are going to fuck up your pedal stroke and eventually hurt your knees. I know this from personal experience. if your reach on your bike is too short, you need a bigger frame, longer stem or different handlebar or some combination of the two.

54

Bike Gallery / Re: Fixed gear bikes/ Post your big bikes V2

« on: June 04, 2015, 07:44:53 PM »

I wish I could do without those spacers but they designed the bike with a tiny head tube. because I am not a contortionist able to ride my bike with a bars dropped a foot below my saddle height, you will have to tolerate the presence of spacers.

55

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 04, 2015, 12:30:36 PM »

ballpark sizing for someone your size with "flat" bars would be 575-600mm effective top tube. a road bike with drop bars would be more like 540mm ETT.

if you put a flat bar on a drop-bar bike your size, the reach will feel very short and upright. good news if you have back problems and want to sit upright like it is a beach cruiser, bad news if you want to go fast.

56

Bike Gallery / Re: Fixed gear bikes/ Post your big bikes V2

« on: June 04, 2015, 08:58:06 AM »

swapped my Vaya frame and fork for a Soma Double Cross Disc. the DCD is a cyclocross bike, whereas the Vaya is a touring bike. DCD has a higher BB and shorter chainstays and a longer TT. proceded to crush 30 miles of roads, gravel paths, and singletrack with some CX dudes last night. so fun! noticeably more agile than the Vaya.

I went with the 52cm gold DCD. I see how a 54 could have worked with a shorter stem, but this works fine. I originally ordered a lugged gold fork, but the gold color on the fork was way off from the frame paint, so I swapped if for the black unicrown fork. good move, I think. might need to play around with the handlebar angle and saddle position (knee started to hurt after about mile 20), but I am happy with it.

57

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 04, 2015, 08:53:34 AM »

how tall are you? there is a massive thread in the Surly sub-forum on MTBR somewhere about Crosscheck sizing that might be helpful. for reference, I am 5'9" and I ride a bike with something like a 600mm effective top tube, which is usually designated as a "medium" size. you might be able to compare some other bikes with similar sizes that are more specific about sizing recommendations as well.

58

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 02, 2015, 09:16:04 PM »

just installed a super nova light system on it because im stupid and like being broke.

that thing is rad. seriously considered getting one of those at some point.

59

The Bike Shop / Re: Surly Cross Check Build

« on: June 02, 2015, 09:10:04 PM »

Regarding the handlebar choice- do sure to pick your frame size based on handlebar type. flat bar- long top tube. drop bar- short top tube. I love my Salsa Cowbells. Salsa also makes a super-flared out Woodchipper bar, and just came out with a mid-flare cowchipper, which looks awesome indeed. dirt drops are something completely different, don't confuse yourself with those.

60

The Bike Shop / Re: big boys bike advice.

« on: May 30, 2015, 09:03:48 PM »

your height would put you squarely in "medium" territoryif you are putting drop bars on it. large if you are putting some sort of flat bar on it.