The all about Bicycling thread

So this is the bike I got my girlfriend. Tried out two different women's specific bikes and two others. This was the best fit. Also happened to be the most expensive. But people should learn on better equipment, otherwise they generally outgrow beginner equipment. It has bells and whistles. Fox shocks front and rear. Shimano xt rear deraillur. Hydraulic disc brakes. And 29 inch tires. It's really sweet. This is the bike that I would lust after.

 

Tear it up!

What are the trails like that she'll be riding it on with you?

 

I have an earlier version of that same bike. It's a solid ride.

 

Since my gf is a complete novice, we will be riding concrete paths and maybe some doubletrack fireroads when the weather permits. I would like to find a beginner's mountain bike group in the spring. This way she can get used to riding it over the winter a bit. Btw, she is an Athena. I could easily overwhelm her and probably get her hurt. I'm not going to do that. I'd like to find a basic skills course so someone else could coach her.

 

Get her onto some dirt as soon as possible. Don't waste such an awesome ride on concrete.

I am sure you can find some tame fireroads and/or flowy paths that will present just enough of a challenge.

I would also suggest locking out the rear suspension if you are going to be riding relatively flat surfaces. She will otherwise lose quite a bit of pedal energy.

 

I don't want to push her too hard. I was a personal trainer for 8 years. I know that one person in the relationship can easily push too hard, too fast, and ruin trust. Trust me, I want her to learn. But I speak from a lot of experience in coaching people.
That maestro suspension is pretty efficient for pedaling, especially when it's been set up properly. I own a shock pump that goes up to 300 psi, so I got her set up.

 

Sounds like you've got this. Have fun!

 

Thanks. We'll tool around this weekend.

 

Rode my bike the first time since my crash. I rode to work yesterday and today. My body hurts and not just because my shoulder isn't 100% yet.

Out of shape.

It was fun rolling off road, especially because this time of year is dry and cool.

By the way, I had the bike checked out and adjusted before riding.

 

My gf and I rode a couple miles the other day when it was almost 60 degrees. Now it has snowed off and on for about 8 inches the past couple days. So no riding til it melts. I do want to go solo for a real ride on the kick ass bike I bought her someday soon.

 

My tracks

 

Showoff.

 

Anybody got any recumbent experience?

 

Are you a 60+ white guy with facial hair?

 

I'm currently drooling over recuberant fat trikes.

 

I WISH!

Just an old lady with balance issues. DaddySquirrel wants me to get a recumbent trike......
--- merged: Feb 17, 2015 at 6:49 PM ---


Here's a pic of BabySquirrel with her new bike helmet and bike trailer.

I think she likes it. She fell asleep in there while on a ride with Daddy

 

It depends where you ride if recumbent bikes are good or not. I've ridden one on the bike trails here, and always ride them if I am riding indoors at a gym. But, riding in traffic is my issue with them. There is also an issue with possibly tipping over on a trike when going downhill and needing to turn sharply. The smaller tires can be a problem if they are some weird size and bike stores don't carry tubes for.

I have seen some people riding this tandem recumbent. And there are a lot of other recumbent riders on the bike trails around here. You can ride longer distances without neck problems and see more than what you see if you are riding a normal bike and looking downward.

 

Those people look like dorks. I don't want to look like a dork.

DaddySquirrel is pretty over protective of me. I think he doesn't want me to over do it.

There are bike lanes for most of the area where we will mainly ride.

 

The dorkiest. Ever.