New Bike

[mace2]

This is my first road bike ever. I love it! Can't wait to ride all summer.

Big thanks to Ian and Gord (sp?) at Dizzy Cycles in Kits. Great guys.

http://a.photos.cx/Allez003-55a.jpg

And yeah those are Mallets... will change those later.

[the flying moose]

nice ride other than the fact that white bar tape will be dirty really quick. make sure you get a couple of decent chamois shorts and a really, really comfy pair of shoes and most importantly have fun.

[sanrensho]

nice ride other than the fact that white bar tape will be dirty really quick.

White is the new black, noob. I'm switching to white tape for all my rides.

Is that the stock stem, or did they fit you with a high-rise stem?

[mace2]

i think that is the stock stem, and yeah, i was thinking that about the bar tape too.

i was thinking about getting those 'chamois liners' from MEC... supposedly lets you easily wear a more normal type of short on top. not really into skintight clothing :|

[sanrensho]

i think that is the stock stem, and yeah, i was thinking that about the bar tape too.
|

Assuming that your seat height is correct, your bars look a little high (not taking into account flexibility issues--something that I'm personally familiar with).

You might want to think about a zero rise stem (or flip the current stem for negative rise, remove spacers, etc.) as you pile on road miles and develop more flexibility in your back. Or you might be ready for a lower bar position now, if you're already flexible. Feel free to experiment.

Oh and forget the chamois liners, just get regular spandies. Eventually, you'll feel comfortable "coming out of the closet." Spandies (without shorts over them) are way way comfortable once the weather heats up. If you're riding a bike, you're a geek anyway, so who cares how you look to 99% of the population.

Enjoy the bike and let us know if you have any Qs.

Is that a chain drop device installed on your seat tube (below the bottle cage)?

[mace2]

Assuming that your seat height is correct, your bars look a little high (not taking into account flexibility issues--something that I'm personally familiar with).

You might want to think about a zero rise stem (or flip the current stem for negative rise, remove spacers, etc.) as you pile on road miles and develop more flexibility in your back. Or you might be ready for a lower bar position now, if you're already flexible. Feel free to experiment.

Oh and forget the chamois liners, just get regular spandies. Eventually, you'll feel comfortable "coming out of the closet." Spandies (without shorts over them) are way way comfortable once the weather heats up. If you're riding a bike, you're a geek anyway, so who cares how you look to 99% of the population.

Enjoy the bike and let us know if you have any Qs.

Is that a chain drop device installed on your seat tube (below the bottle cage)?
Great, thanks for the information sanrensho.

However, I have no idea what a chain drop device is...?
I did notice I can kind of "half shift" with the front derailleur... I think it's to prevent the derailleur from rubbing with the chain? Maybe that's what you mean.

I almost wish I wasn't going to Whistler tomorrow... I want to ride the road bike instead! Never thought I would say that.

[sanrensho]

"Chain drop device" is a little plastic "fang" that prevents your chain from dropping off the small front chainring.

Yup, the half-shifts are there to prevent chain rub.

[shorelocal]

This dude says ya gotta be good to run the white tape:

http://www.roadie.ca/videos/view_video.php?viewkey=f0af142b6d3bead98a92

Nice ride ... enjoy it in this great weather.

[the flying moose]

Oh and forget the chamois liners, just get regular spandies. Eventually, you'll feel comfortable "coming out of the closet." Spandies (without shorts over them) are way way comfortable once the weather heats up. If you're riding a bike, you're a geek anyway, so who cares how you look to 99% of the population.


but please DO NOT wear underwear beneath your chamois. its not a good look for anyone.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Get a proper pair (or several) of biking shorts. The padding in the regular pair is far superior to the MEC liner shorts. I have both and don't use the liner shorts very often - just for rides up Fromme, since it isn't that much time in the saddle going up. You can still wear both types under a regular pair of shorts.

For the chain drop device, think of picking up one of these (http://gvtc.com/~ngear/whatis.html). I ordered one for my hardtail, and couldn't speak more highly of it. Everyone says a proper front D alignment will solve this problem, but $12 is the cheapest insurance you'll ever find. I'll be ordering one for my road bike soon.