Alright guys with the seemingly unending rises in gas prices and the rather gradual increase in my waist line I have decided time for me to start getting back on a bike. I am currently in the process of losing weight and getting myself more active and back in shape. As I mentioned in the engagement thread it was my now fiances only request before we get married. We will be getting married in the summer of 2012 so I have a good amount of time to kick my butt into decent shape. I have actually lost almost 10 lbs in just over a week just because I have been watching what I'm eating and I am more active, not even really exercising yet.
Anyway back on topic back when I was younger (much younger) I was constantly on my bike and I could ride for hours without getting tired. Once I got a car my time on a bike gradually decreased. The town I live in now would be fairly easy to get around to most places by bike and we even have some nice mountains and wilderness areas one could go as well. I know we have some avid bike riders on the board so I figured I would ask you guys what do you think the best way to get back in the saddle will be without me killing myself by over doing things etc and making it so I don't want to ride anymore?
Also I currently have a rather inexpensive Columbia (built by Iron Horse) mountain bike, aluminum frame, disk brakes and front suspension only. It is a decent enough bike nothing great but good. I think it does need to have things adjusted because as I recall the last time I road it the shifting was a little off. Any good sites for how to properly adjust things?
honestly, if youre moderately mechanically inclined, the shifting adjustment is easy. Do yourself a favor and either buy a cheapie bike stand, or fabricate something that can hold the bike about 2-3 feet off the ground and be reasonably steady. Ive seen some bike stands that clamp to a workbench that are pretty inexpensive.
Determine if the shifting wants to shift early or late compared to the "click" of the shifter. Its likely going to shift late as the main reason you get shifting thats off is cable stretch. if its relatively minorly out of tune, the adjustment can be made by twisting the barel adjusters. The other adjustments in the shifting are respective to limiting the travel of the derailleur. Those shouldnt need tweaked much once theyre set - they are typically set or philips screws that have a H/L marked (high low).
Anyway, Id say that the bike you hav enow is a better choice for getting started than trying to get a new to you steed. A set of 1.5 inch slicks will get you going. If you run out of gear, a new chain and a larger big chainring can get you bigger gearing.
A good set of covered padded shorts will help with bootie fatigue (thats what she said) and you should be set. Getting started is the easy part. Its once youstart to develop a sense of what you like and dont like, then you begin to find things to buy, and its downhill from there.
WOW!!! I WANT TO BUILD THIS.
A little effort and math, and the same could be done with steel pipe and a real clamp for VERY cheap.
Yeah, pretty much what 4cyl said.
A slick-tired MTB is the near-perfect run around towm bike. Tires with just the slightest tread can make do on light trail as well. Once you get your legs under you, find some like minded people to ride with. Riding buddies help push you to keep riding and ride just a little harder every time. Common goals are key, though.
Huh that is a cool little setup to work on a bike I will have to piece that together once I get my shop set back up.
I will look into the different tires. I know the ones on the bike at the moment are quite knobbly.
Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar are your friend there. I've used their house brand slicks for my errand bike and always had good luck. You can usually get one version or another on sale for $9.99 ea .
