Any of yall ride road bikes for exercise?

[chunky_mcdaniels]

This is just me personally. I kinda enjoy the punishing aspect of just one, heavy gear, it’s tough to begin with, but once you get that conditioning you become a monster as far as leg strength.

You lose a bit more body fat too because it’s like doing heavy weights. You get conditioned pretty quick too, and you ride with power and speed (helps with my boxing.)

This is what I would get.
At 5’11”

• 56cm frame (or 58cm if you have long legs but short torso)
• Aluminium/alloy frame or carbon fibre frame (Cannondale,Cinelli frame or anything light and simple.) Some people prefer steel frames, they’re more shock absorbent traditionally, but weigh a tonne more. I like responsive bikes that you can zip around on.
• Drive train and crankset don’t worry too much, just not too cheap.
• Low tooth count, back wheel cog (freewheel/flip flop, not fixed!)
• Straight bars, bull horns or drop bars. It’s a personal preference thing, I rode straight bars for years but I got drops these days.
• Two brakes if possible.
• Wheelset is a tough one, i love light frames with light wheels (mavic ellipse are great if you can get em). I got shyt wheels atm but I can still tear it up, it doesn’t matter all that much.
• Good tyres are a must, thin, thick, doesn’t matter, just get good ones and always have them max pressure.
• Get some Velcro foot straps. fukk all that fukk boy shoe shyt, that’s for old white men. Loose straps give you heaps more zip and you can pull your foot out quick.
• Get a seat that you can angle forward slightly, doesn’t have to be expensive but it’s amazing how much a few degrees downwards on a seat orientation does for take off speed and speed in general.

I haven’t rode geared bikes in a while so I don’t want to recommend something I’m not down with.

The build I described above isn’t necessarily expensive, you can make that for cheap, and even do it with gears if you want. I just prefer one gear, fukk fixed gear though, stupid.

 

[Jim Cornette]

fixed bikes are trash tho if you live in a hilly city...I used to have one because it's easier for servicing and less can go wrong.

I box as well and have thighs like a running back and I struggled for any kind of momentum up decent hills. I'd rather have gears so I'm able to at least keep some speed as I'm elevating.

you can always keep it in high gear when you're riding round the city so you still work out your legs.

for the poster asking what to get.. don't go all out on an expensive ass bike. it'll prolly just end up getting stolen lmaoo just get a good second hand one that suits what you're after- people are always selling bikes

 

[areohbee824]

I got a Specialized Crossroads Hybrid, haven't used it much lately but as soon as it warms up, I'll be on it just about every weekend. Getting into biking kicked off getting in better shape for me late 2017. Nothing like a long bike ride

 

[chunky_mcdaniels]

fixed bikes are trash tho if you live in a hilly city...I used to have one because it's easier for servicing and less can go wrong.

I box as well and have thighs like a running back and I struggled for any kind of momentum up decent hills. I'd rather have gears so I'm able to at least keep some speed as I'm elevating.

you can always keep it in high gear when you're riding round the city so you still work out your legs.

for the poster asking what to get.. don't go all out on an expensive ass bike. it'll prolly just end up getting stolen lmaoo just get a good second hand one that suits what you're after- people are always selling bikes

I feel you on the hill situation, but I embrace that shyt like Napalm on a heavy single speed. Fixed gear (as in the ones that you can’t peddle backwards, freewheel single speed is where it’s at) is just a bad idea in general (unless on a bike velodrome.) Straps help on hills. Light bike helps too.

I worked with an Olympic bronze medalist years ago (Mexico games I wanna say). He was a track sprinter fixed gear, I mentioned that people were riding fixed gear in the streets these days. He said ‘why would you ride a bike like that outside of a velodrome? It doesn’t work properly if you have to stop all the time?

 

[Jim Cornette]

I feel you on the hill situation, but I embrace that shyt like Napalm on a heavy single speed. Fixed gear (as in the ones that you can’t peddle backwards, freewheel single speed is where it’s at) is just a bad idea in general (unless on a bike velodrome.) Straps help on hills. Light bike helps too.

I worked with an Olympic bronze medalist years ago (Mexico games I wanna say). He was a track sprinter fixed gear, I mentioned that people were riding fixed gear in the streets these days. He said ‘why would you ride a bike like that outside of a velodrome? It doesn’t work properly if you have to stop all the time?

oh those fixed back wheels where you can't peddle backwards are trash and dangerous lmao

I had a freewheel single speed with flat bars.. I used to race to work and back in the city quick as shyt. I kinda miss that bike now we talkin bout it haha

but nah I need gears for what I ride now..I ride 30kms a day with a lotta hills n shyt

 

[phcitywarrior]

@chunky_mcdaniels Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll go to a used bike store and see what they recommend for me going forward. At least I now have knowledge of what to look for.

 

[Wildin]

Back on my shyt
About 40 mins to work everyday

Where you live? I still got 30 days of Temps averaging 20 degrees. I know that's an excuse but I've been riding indoor everyday and got the receipts to prove it.

What would you suggest for a breh that rides his bike recreationally through a mix of road and sidewalk?

City isn't perfectly flat and there are some rolling hills. Essentially a good starter bike.

I'll look to add more bikes as I get more experienced, but right now looking for an all rounder.

5'11, 230+ lbs

Get a hybrid bike.

I have a road bike that I literally keeping on the road. But with my hybrid I've taken it mountain biking, dirt trails, grass trails, gravel roads.

@chunky_mcdaniels Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll go to a used bike store and see what they recommend for me going forward. At least I now have knowledge of what to look for.

Don't go to a used bike store. If you don't that you might as well go to a department store and cop a bike.

Use Craigslist or a pawn shop.

If your scared about getting a broken of damaged bike. You can literally take a bike to an LBS (local bike store) or aby department store (dikks sporting goods, scheels, sport's authority) and take your bike to the bike section and they will tune your shyt up. Just like taking a car to the shop.

You'll need to buy unit tool and some spare inner tubes anyway so regardless of what you get go to youtube and learn to tune up yourself.

It's literally essential to check your entire bike before each ride. And you will have to tube up during rides, depending how serious you get.

 

[phcitywarrior]

Get a hybrid bike.

Use Craigslist or a pawn shop.

Ideally I'd start with a hybrid bike for riding through the city and doing some exploring/commuting. Then I'd get a proper road bike for longer rides and exercise.

Why do you say not going with a used bike store? I feel a used bike store will have more selection and knowledge of what I'd like to get. I'm still kind of a novice with bikes so I'd rather buy right the first time around. Maybe visit the used bike store to get an idea of what to look for then get on Craigslist to hunt for a deal.

 

[Wildin]

Ideally I'd start with a hybrid bike for riding through the city and doing some exploring/commuting. Then I'd get a proper road bike for longer rides and exercise.

Why do you say not going with a used bike store? I feel a used bike store will have more selection and knowledge of what I'd like to get. I'm still kind of a novice with bikes so I'd rather buy right the first time around. Maybe visit the used bike store to get an idea of what to look for then get on Craigslist to hunt for a deal.

The information is free. It'll cost you nothing to go talk to them, get fitted for a bike. You'll actually sit on one and theyll adjust the seat and handlebars to show you a perfect fit. Tell you your frame size. Etc.

Once you get that info buy used.

I know people get paid to lie on the Internet but I wouldn't shyt you. I bought my girl a brand new bike for $125. A dude bought it brand fukking new from dikks sporting goods or some shyt for like $900 and it sat in their garage for a year so he put the shyt on craigs.

People move from a house to an apartment, or just stop riding or are moving in general and need $$$ so the first thing to go is a bike.

I bought a bike that was ready to go then a bought an old 80's road bike and customized the fukk out of it myself.

My coworkers are always like "I want to ride this year, we should go out, I need a bike though"

I pull up craigs and put the maximum price at $200 and end up like my damn self seeing some of the whips on there.

I got 2 and a bmx, I don't need more road bikes/hybrids.

I'm telling you breh you can eat. Tuning is fairly simple once you pop on some youtube and understand what different parts do. And for the shyt you can't replace, even though unlike a car 90% can be fixed at home, for what you can't fix you can always take to a department store like dikks sporting goods or a local bike shop and theyll fix it for you, just like taking your car to a shop. unless you really learn and sometimes ride either your LBS employees you may end up getting fukked because unlike dikks local bike stores are seriously local and to stay in business they gouge prices.

 

[phcitywarrior]

The information is free. It'll cost you nothing to go talk to them, get fitted for a bike. You'll actually sit on one and theyll adjust the seat and handlebars to show you a perfect fit. Tell you your frame size. Etc.

Once you get that info buy used.

Thanks for the info breh. I'll check out my LBS and then see what's good on craigslist. I may even PM you some stuff I find just for a second pair of eyes. Looking for a hybrid bike with flat bars to start and then a road back with drop bars for serious speed later on.

It's warming up my way now and I'd like to start riding at least 3 times a week. Shed some weight before my soccer season starts and get back into conditioning.

 

[Wildin]

Thanks for the info breh. I'll check out my LBS and then see what's good on craigslist. I may even PM you some stuff I find just for a second pair of eyes. Looking for a hybrid bike with flat bars to start and then a road back with drop bars for serious speed later on.

It's warming up my way now and I'd like to start riding at least 3 times a week. Shed some weight before my soccer season starts and get back into conditioning.

I got 30 more days of cold Temps. I've ridden in the cold before. My city sucks at plowing the trails ad we've had massive snow, add in the below freezing Temps this snow will be on the ground until at least March 15-march 20th.

This is the first time in probably atleast 5 years I haven't been able to hit the trail first week of March. It'll be April when I get out there. But I ride indoors everyday.

I'm gonna do a half century (50 miles) before the end if April. Hopefully do 2 in May then do a full century (100 miles). Thats my goal.

 

[phcitywarrior]

So my tax refund in coming in a little earlier than expected. Budgeting 350-400 on a good used bike and a few locks. Got a few questions.

My intended Biking situation:

1. Casual biking: Primarily will ride the bike Monday to Fridays to the gym and the train station so about 5-6 miles in total. This will mainly be trail riding. Surface is varied as in there could be some bumps and gravel here and there.

2. Long distance biking: On the weekends, however, I'd like to bike through some of the trails in my city (Washington DC) or even the city itself. About 20-30 miles in total. Again, surface will be varied. Some trails, some road etc. Not gonna be 100% smooth like on the road.

So my question is this: Should I get two bikes with my budget? 1 hybrid bike with flat bars for more casual riding (going to the gym/metro) and a 2nd hybrid bike with drop bars for the longer rides? I've read that hybrid bike with flat bars are good for short rides but over longer distances they can be quite uncomfortable because of the hand position. Whereas drop bars are better for longer distances and are actually more comfortable.

Or maybe a hybrid bike with drop bars will suit my needs just as well? I'm all ears.

Also, if my budget it too aggressive then let me know. I plan on going to a few bike stores next weekend to get my fitting. If I can save money from my budget then I'll throw that into getting a camera I've had my eye on for a while.

 

[Wildin]

So my question is this: Should I get two bikes with my budget?

Absolutely not. Especially if this is your first bike in a long time.

Long story short you're going to overwhelm yourself. Too much ambition. Get one bike. Start riding small, very small. 10-15 miles every few days. That's like an hour on the bike. When your done your going to be like .

But the key is to gradually build up. You may start to ride more often and or you may start to ride further distances. Both of which are good but you don't want to take on too much too quick. There are a lot of variables that'll make you fall back for a minute and before you know it your bike will have been sitting in the garage for a month or two.

You're going to get saddle sore (your ass adjusting to the saddle (the seat) of your bike. It's not comfy as a chair and soft seats don't work it's just something your body's has to get used to.

You'll need to ride in different conditions one day when it's colder than you thought. One day when it's hotter than you thought. One day when it's windy as fukk, one day when there's a little rain.

The reality is if you plan on riding as a hobby you're going to be faced with these elements. I've been riding when it was 65 then suddenly it's 85. I've been riding when it was 58 and it dropped to 40. I've been riding when it was sunny then started to drizzle. I've been riding when winds picked up to 20-30 mph.

Your chain may snap, get a flat and have to repair on the side of the trail, brake cable snap...

There are tons of variables that you will inevitably face. It's better to take them one at a time as they come naturally while you get some mileage on your wheels.

If you can ride 3000 miles on one bike this year then consider getting a second one. Or if you know you can get someone to ride with you get a second one so they can ride, otherwise not a lot of older cats have their own bike unless they ride too. A majority of my friends have bikes but I do have a couple who don't and when we ride they ride my second bike.

Your budget of $400 is good for used. I've found plenty for under $250 on Craigslist. Spend the rest on lock, bike bag, water bottle, Unit tool, spare tube, pump, portable pump, lights, helmet.

 

[phcitywarrior]

Absolutely not. Especially if this is your first bike in a long time.

Thanks man. As far as type of bike, which would be best for me?

Regular hybrid with flat bars or hybrid with drop bars. I care less about having two bikes but more so around having the "right" bike for they type of riding I want.

 

[Wildin]

Thanks man. As far as type of bike, which would be best for me?

Regular hybrid with flat bars or hybrid with drop bars. I care less about having two bikes but more so around having the "right" bike for they type of riding I want.

The thing about a road bike with dropped handlebars is you can ride on top or dropped in

Comfort is relative. I can ride hybrid for 6 hours and never get uncomfortable with flat bars. Not in my arms or back.

One of the huge things to be aware of is make sure you are not squeezing the fukk out of your handlebars. You waste uncessesary energy squeezing onto the handlebars for dear life. You'll realize it takes very minimal effort to control the handlebars and maintain balance and even turn. But some riders squeeze the fukk out of the handbars which causes hand fatigue which travels to the forearm, they they straighten the forearm, which puts pressure on the shoulders but alleviates stress from the forearm, but then your shoulders start to hurt so you adjust your back, then your back starts to hurt....

Whether you go hybrid or full road is your choice. I have a hybrid (flat bar) and road bike (dropped bar) and I like them both the same.