A Geometry Lesson

When someone talks about a bike’s geometry, they’re talking about how the bike is set up to fit the rider. Frame size is a huge part of it, but other things like seat height and handlebar position make a big difference as well.  People who like to go fast tend to set up bikes aggressively so they can hunker down and be really aerodynamic. People who are just riding for fun (and old fat folks like me), usually prefer a more casual, upright style.

My new bike originally belonged to someone much taller than me. Everything was set to “Big… no, BIGGER.” Today’s lesson (yes, it’s my lesson, not yours) was “if your handlebars are too far away from you’re body, you’re not going to be comfortable.” My stem (that’s the piece that holds the handlebars to the top tube of the fork) is way too large. I did most of the ride with the middle of my fingers on the handlebars. Not comfy.

But other than that the bike rides well. I just need to replace that stem (part is already ordered!) and figure out where to mount a lock and a pump. Then she’s ready for a proper long ride!

13 mile ride through Toluca Lake and Burbank

First test ride notes!

  • The clipless pedals are set a lot tighter than my old bike. DIDN’T FALL DOWN!
  • If you don’t tighten the bolts on the handlebar stem, it can and will turn independently of the fork! DIDN’T FALL DOWN AGAIN!
  • The seat was way too high! NO HIGH-SEAT GROIN DAMAGE!
  • The chain is slipping like crazy! Could be the chain is too long, or it could be a worn cassette. HOPING FOR A TOO-LONG CHAIN!

So, back to the shop tomorrow for fine tuning.

 

Also: It’s mighty pretty.

Thunder: Stolen!

There’s a bicycling subreddit. One of the things they have is posts titled NBD – “New Bike Day.”

I’m putting together my bike. It’s nearly done. It won’t be 100% for a bit, but it will be mostly done Wednesday, when I plan to post it. I was excited because I did a custom yellow-to-orange gradient paint job. Looks pretty spiffy with the black trim and bar tape.

Yesterday, darkshizzle posted this:

SO much cooler looking than my bike!

I AM NOT ENVIOUS AT ALL.

“New” bike update

I mostly put the bike together today. As I was slapping parts on it, trying to get it done this weekend, I realized lots of stuff needed to be replaced, and that I really have no idea how to properly set up a derailleur. So, I put it together as much as I could, threw the rest of the parts in a bag, and dropped it off at the bike shop.

Wednesday (or possibly Thursday): I ride!