bikes

[grimcity]

I got this from my first local shop sponsor back when I was in college (I repp'd the shop and also worked behind the counter and did all the skate orders). The manager gave me this, which was and is my favorite little bike ever. I can't do tricks on it, but I used to wreck myself jumping off shit. Using it for rehabbing when I'm not skating now.

'99 Dyno Compe "Brown Sugar" colorway

[Frank and Fred]

Went down to grab my bike from my building's storage room for my usual commute to the office this morning, and the thing has disappeared without a trace, so I have to assume it's been stolen. Pretty whack considering there were plenty of other bikes not locked up and pretty much abandoned in there. It wasn't most expensive bike going around (though it did cost me about $1.5k - incl. a front rack and some servicing costs) and I'd be fine financially to replace it even though I didn't insure it.

But man, I'm really just sad about it, having picked it up at the start of covid, it was probably what got me through that couple of years. plus it being a gravel bike it had also got me sparked to explore all the trails and parkland that I didn't know existed so close to and around my city. I've kinda fallen in love with cycling as a result.

In the meantime catch me on the mountain bike I got when I was like 12 or something. Somehow about 15 years later it still works, not the smoothest ride but should be fun until I figure out my next move.

That's the worst. My bike is so personal to me, when it was stolen I was way more upset than I thought I'd be. Also, I found the thief riding it a few blocks from my house the next day. Needless to say, something primal in me turned on and I got my bike from him.Thankfully, he only ditched my toe clips and water bottle and so I didn't have to repair much.

Sorry for your loss....  :'(

[Síota]

Bike thief's deserve to be eaten alive by rats.

[TastyBurrito]

I remember back in college — when fixed gears were at its peak popularity — there was a huge rash of bike thefts. In particular, bike strippings (snagging posts, wheels, even cranksets!). The campus police weren't bothered to do anything, so the local cycling group set up a sting. They left a bait bike (bianchi with aerospoke and sugino messenger cranks) locked to a rack. Low and behold, near dusk, the thief came in, pulled out tools and began trying to dismantle what they could. Quietly, a few people snuck in on the thief and clubbed them with a U-Lock (the long one) before locking him (via around their neck) to the bike rack.

[KoRnholio8]

You just described my wet dream.

[Frank and Fred]

"U Lock Justice" it used to be called...

[TastyBurrito]

I remember when the theives were going after the bikes of LA messengers — BIG NO NO. Messengers caught them in the act and used their walkies to call in everyone in the area. Culprits were teens from the local catholic/private school. Instead of fucking the kids up, they made them strip to their boxers, called their parents from the kids’ phones and explained what the kids were doing, dropped off their gear to the school’s office, and made the kids walk the few blocks back to their school in just their skivvies.

[cky enthusiast]

i seen more than one fool u locked to something by the neck..

[Skibb]

What the fuck are you guys saying? That’s some medieval shit.


I’m impressed.

[DiscountCanofTuna]

Thanks guys, appreciate the sympathy and advice. For sure going to get a U-Lock next time... probably won't be dispensing brutal justice with it though lol. Can for sure see where those guys were coming from though.

As for a new bike, unfortunately the childhood bike is a touch too small to convert into a full time rider, but it definitely has me stoked on  getting something like a retro MTB, it's definitely got a fun feel to it. Hopefully something old school is less of a target for thieves too. There's a couple of co-op style shops around me that specialise in restoring old and donated bikes which I'll for sure be checking out. Would be nice to get something ready to ride and then tinker with and upgrade instead of going fully from scratch. I'll probably lurk the marketplace listings for those post-covid drops as well, who knows could end up seeing mine listed too

[KoRnholio8]

You need a "beater" commuting bike, if you cannot bring it inside your apartment/house. No two ways about it. Just make sure it functions great, but looks deplorable.

[beandemon]

Definitely a small town thing, but ran into a guy when I was back home a few weeks ago and his move is just to flip his old clunker on it’s back - folks figure it’s busted and move on. Similarly, Ol’ uncle Funky used to ride a department store 10 speed with only 1 pedal when he was bar hopping. Frequently not where he left it but never more than 10 feet. 

[manysnakes]

You need a "beater" commuting bike, if you cannot bring it inside your apartment/house. No two ways about it. Just make sure it functions great, but looks deplorable.

When I was taking it on the bus and leaving it locked outside all day, I built a beater bike and now it's basically the only bike I ever ride, nearly ten years later.

[jgonzalez]

My beater. May it RIP. Stolen about 4 years ago but still miss it. Looked like shit never thought anyone would take it.

[323-BALM]

My beater. May it RIP. Stolen about 4 years ago but still miss it. Looked like shit never thought anyone would take it.

dude someone was like CYCLE PRO i'm stealing this!

...were I to be involved in the bike thievery that day, I'd've suggested the same. Always thought Cycle Pro were sick...didn't know they made anything other than bmx bikes!

sorry for your loss. Bike thieves really are the worst.

[TastyBurrito]

It’s finally here!

Most def the two biggest feelings are 1) Going from Shimano mechanical (5339/1128) to Sram AXS (4633/1036) as I can feel the range now. 2) Carbon wheels — so fast and comfy

Tooks it on a quick 20miles down the San Gabriel River Bed in Long Beach, while hitting as much packed dirt as I could find. Felt comfortable on one as it did the other. So stoked to get more miles on this thing!

[Mr. Pickles]

Sick. I like the look of that helmet too. I have a massive head and all the road helmets I’ve had make me look like a giant dickhead. Granted, they’re like $100 Giro things. I need something that isn’t so bulbous and sits closer to the head.

I’ve also been running one of these and all of the cool points my bikes might give me are immediately negated. Whatever, at least my necks not burning anymore.

https://dabrim.com/products/sporty-cycling

[323-BALM]

https://dabrim.com/products/sporty-cycling

this is the heaviest normcore maneuver i've ever seen. in that halo, you are a god. or a community college professor. i love it.

[manysnakes]

1) Going from Shimano mechanical (5339/1128) to Sram AXS (4633/1036) as I can feel the range now.

I've been riding a subcompact crank for ~10 years, which at the time I had to special order from Japan. It's such a marked improvement over even the standard 50/34 compact that I never switched back. A 46t chainring with an 11t is a bigger gear than the standard 50t with a 12t (and marginally smaller than a 53t w/ a 12t), so you're not even missing that top end (which basically no one uses unless they're hammering downhill or riding with an amazing tailwind). I'm pretty glad that the bike industry finally embraced a recreational rider or a commuter who isn't trying to emulate the Euro pros, because now we can actually get gear which works for normal people.

[bartlaser]

It’s finally here!

Most def the two biggest feelings are 1) Going from Shimano mechanical (5339/1128) to Sram AXS (4633/1036) as I can feel the range now. 2) Carbon wheels — so fast and comfy

Tooks it on a quick 20miles down the San Gabriel River Bed in Long Beach, while hitting as much packed dirt as I could find. Felt comfortable on one as it did the other. So stoked to get more miles on this thing!

Dang, that's a classy looking whip.  I'm tempted to get a steel frame next for a more buttery feel on longer adventure/all day rides.  Do you notice the extra weight that material carries (assuming you're coming from a lighter bike)?  I'm sure with the right gearing the weight isn't an issue.  I wish I could demo road bikes around my parts before pulling the trigger.

Buying my home was a less daunting task than shopping for a bike.

[TastyBurrito]

Expand Quote

It’s finally here!

Most def the two biggest feelings are 1) Going from Shimano mechanical (5339/1128) to Sram AXS (4633/1036) as I can feel the range now. 2) Carbon wheels — so fast and comfy

Tooks it on a quick 20miles down the San Gabriel River Bed in Long Beach, while hitting as much packed dirt as I could find. Felt comfortable on one as it did the other. So stoked to get more miles on this thing!

[close]

Dang, that's a classy looking whip.  I'm tempted to get a steel frame next for a more buttery feel on longer adventure/all day rides.  Do you notice the extra weight that material carries (assuming you're coming from a lighter bike)?  I'm sure with the right gearing the weight isn't an issue.  I wish I could demo road bikes around my parts before pulling the trigger.

Buying my home was a less daunting task than shopping for a bike.

Thank you.

Coming from a 2009 Chinese carbon bike, no. I really didn’t notice the weight difference. Then again, I’ve never really been a weight weenie when it comes to cycling as I’m not the most euro slender dude.

Also when riding, there wasn’t as much vibration — probably a mix of 36mm tires at 55psi and carbon fork — or flex in the ride when comparing it to my 1986 steel commuter.

Modern steel feels very rigid and responsive. So, I say go for it. Steel is real.

As for steel, I say go for it.


 

[sometimeperhaps]

It’s finally here!

Most def the two biggest feelings are 1) Going from Shimano mechanical (5339/1128) to Sram AXS (4633/1036) as I can feel the range now. 2) Carbon wheels — so fast and comfy

Tooks it on a quick 20miles down the San Gabriel River Bed in Long Beach, while hitting as much packed dirt as I could find. Felt comfortable on one as it did the other. So stoked to get more miles on this thing!

Very nice looking bike. I hope to own a standert at some point.

[Síota]

Damn @TastyBurrito that's sick looking. Love that shade of blue

[jgonzalez]

How many bikes do you have in your quiver?

I’m up to 3…but considering 1 more just to install some handlebars I have in the closet on. Same handlebars as the beater I posted that was stolen. Velo orange randonneur

[TastyBurrito]

How many bikes do you have in your quiver?

I’m up to 3…but considering 1 more just to install some handlebars I have in the closet on. Same handlebars as the beater I posted that was stolen. Velo orange randonneur

Three.

1 - chinese carbon I used for (attempted) racing
2 - 1986 Medici Strada (vintage steel)
3 - Standert Pfadfinder (modern steel)

The chinese carbon is currently on my Zwift machine. I might sell that off as to reduce my stable. I don’t think I need that many bikes.

Plus my large bike stack next to my quiver of boards is annoying the FUCK out of my wife 😂

[Frank and Fred]

-Surly Steamroller SS/FG for around town, commuting etc.
-Surly Straggler for longer more adventurous rides in the woods and into the mountains.
-Free spirit townie, I found with a free sign near my house, for taking a skateboard to the curb spot and bc a slow bike helps slow my mind.

[manysnakes]

Down to three from a peak of ~8-10, in various states of (dis)repair. My trusty commuter, my custom gravel bike, and my mountain bike. The fact that I no longer have a traditional "road" bike would have thoroughly disgusted my younger self.

[Mr. Pickles]

3.5, but after today I feel like selling everything and buying a full suspension e-mountain bike.

[Krooked antihero]

3, a road bike, gravel bike and old beaten up commuter bike I use when I’m drinking.

[323-BALM]

3.5, but after today I feel like selling everything and buying a full suspension e-mountain bike.

I’d ask what happened today, but I already know.

Do it.