davidsprincess's Journal, 17 Jul 21

LOL Tim- I can barely remember how to ride a bike so not sure why I asked. Just being my nosy self. ;)  

WOW!! I had no idea and actually I found that very interesting! Thank you for taking the time. If I win the lottery- you can pick whatever bike your little heart desires! I promise! Very cool! 

Ha- I wish I could! I would love to!  

Thanks Tim Vail! This is great info. You should start a course for beginner cyclists. The maintenance of a bicycle can be overwhelming. When I first started biking last year I didn't even know tires had tubes in them. I'm planning on going tubeless. When I found out about that, my mind was blown. I've been riding avidly since first lockdown (March 2020) to burn up calories. Never really thought I enjoyed cycling but found out I love it. I need to learn more about the mechanics of it all! Started with the 1990's Gary Fisher Mt.Tam that was sitting in the garage. All it needed was air in the tires. I rode the mother clucker out of that bike last summer and fall. Still ride it too. But I knew I wanted an upgrade to a faster/lighter bike and read that Salsa made decent gravel bikes for the quality/cost. Last year, in July, the local bike shop (LBC) sold me a Salsa Warbird (59cm), waited two weeks (that was pure good luck) for delivery, found it to be so uncomfortable and couldn't reach brakes or gears, it was huge. Not safe. I was slower. They sold me different handel bars$$$, a different seat$$$ and it was horrible, I couldn't reach the pedals! Took it back four times saying it wasn't the bike for me, they made it seem like it was my fault and I wasn't "trying hard enough" to adapt. I'm 5'5". They finally gave me a refund and told me never to return to their shop. It was a humiliating and horrible experience. Beautiful bike, just for a MUCH taller person. New bikers please take note: Bike sizing is really important! Go to a reputable dealer and shop around. In October, I gathered my courage and went to all the different bike shops till I found one that I felt actually cared about their customers. And they were true professionals, took measurements and talked about what I wanted to acheive on my bike, didn't pressure me either. After waiting almost six months I got my new bike, Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie (48cm) in March! Big size difference. I think Roubaix are super cool because lots of the gravel guys who ride the hills around here ride Roubaix!  

My lottery dream trip is a biking tour of the Greek islands.  

Hey! This is cool reading info on bikes from FS's two most dedicated cyclists! I was sure I knew nothing about bikes and now I am convinced I know less than nothing!😃 

A van dessel full tilt boogie sounds like something everyone needs to have on hand. 😆. Thanks for sharing this info! Me, too Melissa!  

My husband is very handy and since he retired 9 years ago he has been buying high end bikes and restoring them. It's a great hobby. It's something he enjoys. He sells alot of cannondales, treks, specialized, bottecchia, and colango( those 2, not so many..he usually keeps those) bikes. My only complaint is that I get a bike I like, come home and he has sold it and replaced it with a different bike! I'm a creature of habit so it is hard for me to have to get used to a new bike. I wish we could ride more but summers here are brutal! Even at 6am it's 100 degrees... 

How interesting, I had no idea. Nothing like the bikes we rode in "the old days." LOL! 💜