Random Thoughts - Part Deux [NO POLITICS]

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Just got back from the store from buying two mountain bikes for the granddaughters to use at our house. Oh, yes, that was ma-ma's idea. I need to fix her i-pad so she can't get on the internet anymore ......

Anyway, 23", girls, mountain bikes, 15 speed.

Yes, 15 speeds!

Now, when I was a kid, we had 1 speed bikes; then when my kids were kids, they had 3 speed bikes ..... then 10 speed bikes.

NOW, they have 15 speed bikes ....... WHY .. ?? .....

Oh, I guess it just goes along with automobile automatic transmissions ...... 2 speed to 4 speed to 6 speed to 8 speed.

Now, pa-pa has to put them together ...... yep, they came in a box ...... with a picture on the outside with a woman in high heels holding an adjustable wrench a pair of pliers and a screwdriver ...... piece of cake ...... right ......


humfrz

I bought myself a bicycle some years ago. I went into the bike shop, and this young dude came and offered to help. This was the conversation as I remember it:
Me: I'm looking for a bike for exercise. Sturdy, simple, 3 or 5 speeds, large comfy seat with springs.
Sales guy: This is a bike shop, not a bloody museum. But let me show you what I would recommend. Here's a good bike.
Me: (Looking at the price tag) Let's start with the cheapest thing you've got.
Sales guy (sighs) Ok, this here is our best seller. Magnesium alloy frame, dampened front fork, 21-speed, (continues babbling)
Me: Allright. How about that one, it looks the same but I like the color better?
Sales guy: Nah, you don't want that. It's last year's model.
Me: What's the difference?
Sales guy: Well... uhm.. It's basically the same, but it's black and besides, it's half price since it's last year's model and stuff...
Me: I'll take it.

A couple of days later, a friend of mine who is really into biking (skinny dude who cannot ride without special sunglasses which costs more than my bike) came to visit and I blurted out that I got a bicycle.

Friend: Only 21 speeds? At least it's Shimano gears. Tires are to fat. (Lifts the bike with one hand) - and it's way too heavy. Practically unusable.
Me: Too heavy? It's magnesium alloy, it's a quarter the weight of the bike I used to ride to school as a kid!
Friend: Should have gone for carbon fiber, mate. Shaved 2-3 kilos at the least!
Me: Look at me! What's 3 kilos going to do to the total weight when I'm on it?
Friend: Still, it'll be seconds slower....
Me: (cutting him off) I'm doing exercise, not Tour de France, you tosser.
Friend: (rolling eyes, walking away.)

Anyway, years later I have mastered the 21 speeds.
There's two separate gear systems. On the pedal crank there are 3 speeds (I call them A, B and C), and on the hub there are 7 gears (1-7).
Lowest ratio is thus A1, highest is C7. The following are unusable because the chain gets pulled too hard sideways: A6, A7, C1 and C2.
So it's really 17 speeds. Several of those are near duplicates.
I have found 3 that I like and use. (A2, B3 and C4)


My bike (and some dandelions. I like dandelions.)

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

I bought myself a bicycle some years ago. ......]

WOW ........ that was some story .......


humfrz

[nextcar]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

My bike (and some dandelions. I like dandelions.)

Random thought: dandelion translates roughly to "lion's tooth" - they are named for the jagged shape of the leaves.

/trivia

Why do I know this useless stuff?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Even 1 speed pikes actually have two speeds.
Uphill and downhill.

Well, OK, 3 speeds if you count "coast" .....


humfrz

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

a friend of mine who is really into biking (skinny dude who cannot ride without special sunglasses which costs more than my bike)

I see these lycra tights wearing weight weenies all the time and they think they own the entire road.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by krayzie

It can't be 15 unless you're counting the combo with the front chainrings (5 speed x 3?).

SRAM is now at 12 speed (just the rear cogs) with their mtb stuff and Shimano has electronic shifting.

I'm happy with my now old 9 speed. You gotta be fit like Rambo to ride single speed on a trail.

Well, all I know is what it says in the ad (it says it has 15 gears)....is a "gear" not a "speed"..........

No kid should miss out on the simple pleasure of biking winding trails through the woods. With the Norhern Ridge, they don't have to. You'll find the basics they need for a smooth, steady ride.
Wide gear range for ups and downs
Linear-pull brakes for reliable stopping
Quick-release seat clamp to adjust for growing legs
Includes: Kickstand
Model: 8153-84TJ
Number of Gears: 15
Brakes: Front and Rear Linear-Pull with Adjustable Levers
Shifters: Thumb Shifters
Bicycle Type: Mountain
Frame Material: Steel

Educate me .....


humfrz

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, all I know is what it says in the ad (it says it has 15 gears)....is a "gear" not a "speed"..........

Yes so basically 5 cogs at the rear cassette and 3 cogs on the front crank which equals to 15 different gearing combinations.

Wouldn't it be easier if you just bought them simple single speed BMX bikes?

I would remove that kickstand if I were you just to be safe.

I once had a Huffy from Walmart that my neighbor gave me and I tacoed the front wheel on the sidewalk due to my fat arse lol! That bike must have weighed 50lbs.

[nextcar]

Originally Posted by krayzie

I see these lycra tights wearing weight weenies all the time and they think they own the entire road.

There is a name for those dudes: MAMILs (pronounced like mammals)

Middle Age Men In Lycra

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by krayzie

I see these lycra tights wearing weight weenies all the time and they think they own the entire road.

Yeah, me too. I always wonder; if they like it so much, why are they all so angry all the time?

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

Yeah, me too. I always wonder; if they like it so much, why are they all so angry all the time?

Maybe his hidden motor broke just before the finish.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKgJ_Uhwfno"]Hidden Motor demonstration with Greg LeMond - YouTube[/ame]


This is known as "mechanical doping" since they've all been juiced and caught like Lance prior lmao!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by krayzie

Yes so basically 5 cogs at the rear cassette and 3 cogs on the front crank which equals to 15 different gearing combinations.

Wouldn't it be easier if you just bought them simple single speed BMX bikes?

I would remove that kickstand if I were you just to be safe.

I once had a Huffy from Walmart that my neighbor gave me and I tacoed the front wheel on the sidewalk due to my fat arse lol! That bike must have weighed 50lbs.

Well, you have a good point there.

However, when it comes to the granddaughters, I just do what ma-ma says. I've found out that makes my life a whole lot easier ......

Besides, $59 for a 15 speed (gear), 24" bike, seemed to be reasonable.

Now, If I open that box and find out that I have to even put all the links in the chain together ........ I will just ........


humfrz

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, you have a good point there.

However, when it comes to the granddaughters, I just do what ma-ma says. I've found out that makes my life a whole lot easier ......

Besides, $59 for a 15 speed (gear), 24" bike, seemed to be reasonable.

Now, If I open that box and find out that I have to even put all the links in the chain together ........ I will just ........


humfrz

Just be glad they are grand daughters not grand sons. Spent loads for the 14 year old's bike and he has already removed parts, plans on a BBK and is modding the pedals and grips. HMMMMM Wait a second, I guess those would be considered good traits on here.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by krayzie

Maybe his hidden motor broke just before the finish.

This is known as "mechanical doping" since they've all been juiced and caught like Lance prior lmao!

Hidden motor is effortless cheating. A whole career based on erythropoietin, growth hormones and blood doping; that sits on a whole other level.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Just be glad they are grand daughters not grand sons. Spent loads for the 14 year old's bike and he has already removed parts, plans on a BBK and is modding the pedals and grips. HMMMMM Wait a second, I guess those would be considered good traits on here.

Tell him he's cool in my book