The all about Bicycling thread

DamnitAll, that rig on the back looks nice and minimal. Does it come off easily? Does it bounce around?

I am looking for something I can use for commuting but take off for my regular rides. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

I like a small front rack with a small front bag with decaleur on it for commuting.
I can carry my lunch, small amounts of clothing and a little paperwork. It takes about 2 minutes to take the front bag off when I don't want it on there.
And it keeps the weight forward and low where it has less impact on the bike's handling.

 

I'm looking for something like this. Can you take a pics?

 

Here are a couple of nice examples using the small front rack: Tall Rando Bag

Mini Rando Bag

 

Charlatan, the bag is a Carradice Camper Longflap. In my setup the bag is attached to the rails of the saddle with leather buckled straps, which makes removing it a time-consuming process. It rests on the Carradice Bagman Support mount (mine is an older version of the one pictured here), which keeps it from moving around much at all. Carradice also offers another mounting/attachment system that allows for easy on/off.

I chose the Camper Longflap because I wanted a saddle bag alternative to using a pair of rack-mounted panniers for overnight or multi-night bike camping trips, since my rear rack is pretty heavy on the rear of the bike, and the trips often involve long dirt road climbs to get to the campsite. Panniers or a rack-mounted trunk bag are all pretty well suited for commuting use, especially since many of them come with a quick-release mechanism that allows for coming off and getting put back on easily.

master, I don't have a handlebar bag but I really love my front rack. It's a Nitto M12 and is perfect for mounting small front bags like this one, for example, but I also just use it with a small elastic cargo net and can strap on pretty much anything that will fit in the space between my handlebars.

Half the fun of being into cycling is dropping tons of cash on fun stuff like this.

rogue49 , this one around the airport? Or a different airport?

 

Damn, all this bike discussion really makes me want to get out and ride but I really do not like riding in cool weather. We've had a chilly spring. I have one long sleeve bike jersey that I wear when its under 70 (which we've yet to hit this year!) but if it is below 50, forget it.

Give me a few more weeks. I need to get the bikes out this weekend and get them ready for the summer.

 

Make sure your saddle is at the right height.
If you don't know how to sort that out ask an experienced rider to help you. It's essential to have the right saddle height if you have pre-existing knee issues.

 

Thanks, DamnitAll and fflowley! Those look like workable solutions.

 

I have a bike that has had flat tires for quite a while now. One of these days I might inflate those and take it out for a spin; sounds like a nice thing to do for a local photo safari.
That recent picture that damnitall posted shows how important a bike helmet is. Haven't had one of those for a good 20 years now.

 

All it takes is one spill and you'll be a believer. I heard mine hit the pavement when I went down. I never had a scratch on my head/face. Had I not been wearing one, it could have been very bad.

I wasn't wearing bike gloves then. I have ever since. Losing the skin on your palms is not fun. And in my case, it really hindered my sex life.

 

I had a spill on my bike in gravel back in 93?, it was in high school at least. Wrong day to wear shorts and t-shirt. My right wrist caught the brunt of the fall and had a nasty sprain for long enough. My knees were also not appreciative of the gravel. Fortunately my right hand does not do anything critical like writing or things involving good coordination. I taught myself how to write with that hand back in 8th grade but never have had cause to actively use that hand for that purpose thankfully.

 

I'm 6'8" and 270lbs. Do entry-level bikes for people my size exist?

 

Beach cruiser. ;-)

 

http://fromthethicket.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ggp-tour-de-fat-fat-tire-bike.jpg

I'd bet a 24" mountain bike would work.
http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/0af/f78/d05/20/mountain-bike-sizing-chart.pdf