--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00001 Date: 07/13/96 From: DANIEL LYNES Time: 03:30am \/To: DAVE HUGHES (Read 4 times) Subj: 3 Speed hub Hello Dave! 12 Jul 96 07:53, Dave Hughes wrote to Daniel Lynes: DH> mean, there are different kinds of "serious". I realize that you DH> meant cyclists-as-athletes, but the point I'm trying to make is Well, suffice it to say, you understood what I meant. You're just twisting it into a different context, from what I was using. Daniel --- GoldED/2 2.42.G0615+ * Origin: Enitharmon/2 Beta Home Site 604-527-0195 (1:153/8028) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00002 Date: 07/13/96 From: ROBERT BUMP Time: 04:16pm \/To: LEAH ROZHON (Read 4 times) Subj: Road Wipes Asked earlier: LR>Does anyone know what happened to those convenient prepackaged >towelettes for cleaning up hands after a repair job on the road or >trail? They were called Road Wipes and looked like a Wash N Dri. They worked pretty good, but were too expensive. If you like the Wash & Dri, or similar products, you can buy them reasonably cheap at many restaurant supply places (Sysco, Kraft) or Warehouse clubs (BJs, Sams) If you want some EXTRA cleaning ability, fill a small shampoo bottle (the kind they leave in hotels or sell as "sample sized" - 1 or 2 oz btl) with your favorite cleaner. I like the orange scented soaps used in auto repair shops. Rob SLMR 2.1a ... Do vegetarians eat animal crackers? --- ProBoard v2.10 [Reg] * Origin: * The CoFFee Clutch * Grinding Daily! * (1:267/162) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00003 Date: 07/13/96 From: LUCAS PARUCH Time: 08:48am \/To: DAVID MARTORANA (Read 4 times) Subj: Re: 3 Speed hubs Hello again, DM> There are numerous complaints about keeping the caliper DM> breaks adjusted and functioning correctly. Many have told me Caliper breaks are only found on Murrays and Huffys these days. They have ceased to exist on quality bikes long ago. Cantaleavered (probably spelled that one wrong) on the other hand will stop you MUCH more efficiently than coaster breaks and are not a hassle to adjust. I put more than 5000 miles on a set of pads with out adjusting anything but the small barrel adjuster on the handle bar. They still work great. I understand your concern about buying a "basic" bike, but being able to stop is a safety issue. It is cheaper to buy good breaks than to pay hospital bills. DM> I have made contact with Schwinn and Huffy (They both have DM> coaster brake bikes with internal Shimano 3 speed hubs). I don't think I've ever seen Schwinn and Huffy in the same sentence before! Schwinn is a bicycle manufacturer. Huffy is a toy producer. A Huffy will only give you problems. The frames of inferior quality, the components are cheap. There is NO resale value, and they are unsafe. If you want a toy that doesn't shift, weighs a ton, and doesn't stop, go for the Huffy. DM> I'm also looking for the address of the Murry Bicycle Co. Big mistake. I owned a Murray long ago. I replaced the rear derailer three times, the front derailer twice, the wheels not only rusted, but didn't hold true for more than a week. The frame rusted. The breaks needed half a mile to stop you. The shifters didn't work properly. Every day something needed adjustment. A friend of mine was riding up a hill on a Murray. He stood up to pedal and the handle bar broke! I've also seen grade schoolers break the frames on little Murray bikes. If you weigh less than 500 pounds, you should never be able to break a frame even if you are trying! I don't care if you are a casual rider or not. Buy a quality bicycle or don't buy a bike at all. Murrays and Huffys are toys. I wouldn't trust them to go around the block. They are attractive because they are cheap, but they are just that -- cheap. You get what you pay for. I suggest doling out some cash now for a bike that won't need to be replaced next month. DM> Just having had prostate surgery (TURP), I have a few months DM> left before I have to make my choice. I don't mind paying a DM> little extra when I know what I am getting for the DM> difference. It sounds like a quality hybrid bike would suit you well. Get something with at least Alivio components (forget about that three speed hub stuff), a decent cro moly frame and you will have years of casual riding without any of the problems or "adjustments" you fear. Quite simply, a quality multi-speed bike needs little to no adjustment or maintenance if it is used for casual riding. If you are basing your fears on experiences with Murrays and Huffys, rest assured, a quality bike will not give you the hassle that a cheap toy will. Happy riding, Lucas ... /\ /\ /\ /\ From the desk of Lucas Paruch ... /\/ \/ \/\/ __o / \/\ FIDONET>> 1:154/100 ... /\ / / \ / _'\<,_ / \ BBS>> The Binary Bicycle ... ./ / ..... \ ... (_)/'(_).. .. \. (414) 375-1877 ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] --- HyperMail! v1.22 * Origin: The Binary Bicycle (414)375-1877 Cedarburg, WI 1:154/10 (1:154/100) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00004 Date: 07/13/96 From: LUCAS PARUCH Time: 08:54am \/To: JOHN O'NEILL (Read 4 times) Subj: Re: Bike training JO> Let's get real, no state I know of is JO> getting rich on motercycle and moped licenses, do you think they JO> would charge much more for a bicycle? Getting rich isn't really the point. If there are no major benefits to licensing bikes, I don't think it should be done. Realistically, local cop shops have no means of communicating stolen bike info to other parts of the country. Not too many people are dumb enough to try to sell a stolen bike in the city where they stole it, and even if they did, the cops don't put APBs out on stolen bikes. The only way one could be recovered is if it were used in a crime and confiscated, or abandoned (in which case it is probably already trashed). Just as a side note, do moped riders need licences in your state? In WI you only need a class D drivers licence (standard automobile licence) to ride a moped. Lucas ... /\ /\ /\ /\ From the desk of Lucas Paruch ... /\/ \/ \/\/ __o / \/\ FIDONET>> 1:154/100 ... /\ / / \ / _'\<,_ / \ BBS>> The Binary Bicycle ... ./ / ..... \ ... (_)/'(_).. .. \. (414) 375-1877 ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] --- HyperMail! v1.22 * Origin: The Binary Bicycle (414)375-1877 Cedarburg, WI 1:154/10 (1:154/100) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00005 Date: 07/13/96 From: LUCAS PARUCH Time: 09:02am \/To: CYRUS CATHEY (Read 4 times) Subj: Re: What to bike to buy? CC> I am 41 and in need of some shaping up . I hate the word CC> excersize and I love two wheeling (motorcycles.) So a bike is CC> the right idea. I will mostly ride pavement and light trails CC> (walking trails). Comfort is a big plus. Money is not really my CC> first criteria although something in the 250-400 range would be CC> appropriate for my budget. Usually the best place to start is at your local bike shop. Tell them what you have just told us. I would imagine that they would suggest some sort of hybrid. A hybrid is kind of like a mountain bike with skinny tires (but not as small as a road bike), lower quality components (you don't need the expensive stuff for streets and gravel roads), and a relaxed riding position with high handle bars and a plush seat. As far as price range, I can't give you any specific examples of bikes you might purchase because I don't know what shops you have in your area. What ever you decide on, you do get what you pay for. More money is equivalent to better components (easier to shift, less maintenance, longer lasting) and a better quality frame (rust resistant, light weight). A few things to keep in mind: It is worth buying a bike locally. Most dealers will service the bikes they sell free of charge for the first year or so, and at a discount after that. Look for a shop that is knowledgeable and friendly. Many shops have part time help that is less than well informed. Ask the salesman what he/she rides. If they don't bike, go somewhere else! Don't pay the sticker price!!! You wouldn't pay the sticker price on a car, don't pay it on a bike either. Look for a buyers guide, most bike mags come out with one once a year, at the library. Find out the "list price" of a bike you are considering. Subtract 15 to 25 percent and that is what you should expect to pay. If you can't get a good price go to nother shop. Have fun riding your new bike! Lucas ... /\ /\ /\ /\ From the desk of Lucas Paruch ... /\/ \/ \/\/ __o / \/\ FIDONET>> 1:154/100 ... /\ / / \ / _'\<,_ / \ BBS>> The Binary Bicycle ... ./ / ..... \ ... (_)/'(_).. .. \. (414) 375-1877 ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] --- HyperMail! v1.22 * Origin: The Binary Bicycle (414)375-1877 Cedarburg, WI 1:154/10 (1:154/100) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBI00006 Date: 07/12/96 From: KEN PECK Time: 10:26pm \/To: RICHARD GLAZER (Read 4 times) Subj: A ticket for what?? -=> Quoting Richard Glazer to Ken Peck <=- RG> Hi Ken, thanks for the reply about your two sense on reflectors. I RG> just purchased a rear light called the Hot Dot by Specialized. It's RG> very small and it flashes when turned on. I don't ride in the dark, but RG> I do ride in the eveening and if I get a flat or over shoot the RG> distance and it gets dark I have an emergency light. It's very tiny and RG> it comes with a velro so that I can tie it to my seatpost. I hope that RG> it is strong enough to be seen. I'm sure it is much better than RG> nothing. I am a year round regular bicycle commuter, so I ride in the dark in the winter months. I have a large VistaLite on my rack and have another and a couple of the smaller ones on my rack pack along with a 3" reflector. I have a NiteRider dual lamp headlight. I also wear a bright yellow windbreaker and white helmet. I'm told I'm really visible. I recall about a year ago on a weekday club ride we broke up into a fast and slow group. I was in the slow group. We got back to the starting point just as it was beginning to get dark. There was no sign of the fast group. So I took of in my car looking for them. They had run into trouble and were running very late. I found them and drove behind them with my car flashers going. One of them did have a small flasher like you mention. But I was really concerned how difficult it was to spot them when they got any distance ahead of me. === ==== = _@ Ken Peck + _ \<._ ========= (_)/ (_) Kenneth_Peck@clr.com ... If you don't succeed, destroy all evidence you tried. --- Blue Wave/QWK v2.10 --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: Texas Phoenix (1:130/1017.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBJ00000 Date: 07/13/96 From: MIKE SCIROCCO Time: 10:33pm \/To: ALL (Read 5 times) Subj: Brakes I just bought a Specialized Rock Hopper and I like the bike pretty well. I'm making a few minor improvements and wanted some advice about brake pads. Right now it has the standard Shimano hard, black rubber brake pads, which are about 2 1/8" long. I have seen brake pads which were longer, and guys I've talked to said that the compound was softer. I've seen red and grey pads, which were supposed to be softer and more grabby. Any suggestions about brake pads which provide better stopping power? Mike Scirocco --- Maximus 3.00 * Origin: Planet Connection BBS (1:216/506) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBJ00001 Date: 07/14/96 From: STEVEN MCFARLANE Time: 07:25pm \/To: CYRUS CATHEY (Read 5 times) Subj: WHAT TO BIKE TO BUY? Dear Cyrus: CC> I am looking for tips on buying a bike. Things like what to look CC> for, how it fits, what style, brands, and everything else would be CC> helpful. Your best bet would be: 1. Find a bike shop you like and trust that gives good service. 2. Check a bookstore for a good beginner bike book. 3. Check your local library's back issue section for the March (?) issue of Bicycling magazine. That issue is their new bikes issue and has a lot of info, tips and other stuff you should know. CC> I am 41 and in need of some shaping up . I hate the word CC> excersize and I love two wheeling (motorcycles.) So a bike is the CC> right idea. I will mostly ride pavement and light trails (walking CC> trails). Comfort is a big plus. Money is not really my first CC> criteria although something in the 250-400 range would be CC> appropriate for my budget. I'm in the sort of the same position. I ride mostly for exercise and bought a "cross" bike (aka "hybrid") a few years ago. They're sort of halfway between a road bike and a mountain bike. The frames look like road bike frames but the gear range is more like a MTB and they have MTB style straight handlebars. They have tires designed mostly for road use, not the knobby ones on MTBs. Road bikes are fast on the road but arenot great off-road. MTBs are great off-road but on-road riding is slower and not as comfortable (knobby tires take more energy to push). Cross bikes are sort of in the middle. They don't work off-road very well and they are slower than road bikes on pavement. OTOH, if you are only out for exercise and to see the scenery, who needs speed? The MTB gears mean there are few hills you can't climb. CC> Thanks for any help you can offer. You're welcome. Remember: no matter what kind of bike you buy, get a good helmet to go with it. Bikes can be replaced; brain cells can't. Tailwinds to you, Steve ... "The Time Traveller's Club meeting has been postponed to last week..." ___ * Freddie 1.2.5 * The first full-featured QWK reader for the Mac. --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: Shizuoka Echo BBS: Home of JAPAN_LINK International Echo 6:730/40) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBJ00002 Date: 07/12/96 From: DEBORAH VON CANNON Time: 09:37pm \/To: ALL (Read 5 times) Subj: bummed out I just got my first Mt. Bike. I am originally from Florida so I had a road bike. Now, I am in WA State and have Mountains! My bummin' heartache...my two toddlers. My husband is never home when I am (work is scheduled opposite times right now) so if i want to ride, I need to do something with my kids. I cannot afford sitters or a trailer right now. I am so bummed. Winter is on it's way and I am going to miss all of those trails. Is anyone else sharing this problem? Any solutions? ( besides giving up or finding another interest?) HELP! --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Outdoor Focus - University Place, WA (206)565-7730 (1:138/123) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 150 BIKE NET Ref: DBJ00003 Date: 07/12/96 From: DEBORAH VON CANNON Time: 09:48pm \/To: CRAIG BUCHANAN (Read 5 times) Subj: internet access We used to be on sprynet but they do not accept the credit card we prefer to use for this bill (discover). What is another good server local for tacoma? We are looking for unlimited, low costing access. Preferably with a browser supplied. Any ideas? --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: Outdoor Focus - University Place, WA (206)565-7730 (1:138/123)