Topic: The Cycling Thread

[GodSlayer]

I need a new bell for my bike. At the moment it goes ping, which is no use to warn stupid pedestrians to get out of the cycle lane. Especially those with headphones on and busily texting someone.

I very nearly decided to tackle a drunk who walked right in my path the other night. lucky for him my laziness exceeds all emotions.

[jaypee]

motherfuckingflattirebecauseIhitagiganticpotholeonmywayintowork

Oh, but hey I just found out that there's actually a bike shop near my office so that's pretty rad.

[Tai Fung]

I've been riding my tri bike as I ease my way back into the land of those who can run/ride again.  Unfortunately, I've had two flats that have really sidelined me.

I'm a TERRIBLE bike mechanic, and I wonder (with my 2nd flat) if it's just too complex for me.

The first was just this sudden onset, I heard a rumbling from the rear tire, and realized it was out.  I didn't see any puncture on the tire, but I wasn't that far from my car (I'd hit several hard bumps).  I got back to my car, and fixed it at home.  That was a month or so ago.  No problems on the rear.

The worst was today.  The front tire.  I went 10 out, and was 6.5 back when I heard a distinct "ka CHUNK, ka CHUNK" with the front tire's rotation.  I stopped.  I rolled the tire around when I noticed this HUGE pimple/bump looking thing on the tire, about a quarter/nickel's circumference (facing up to me as I rolled the tire).  I was JUST putting my finger to touch it, when the thing, on its own, blew out with a BANG and scared the shizz outta me.  One foot was still clipped in and I swear I thought I was still going to fall off the bike.

So I rolled the bike to the side, and tried to change the tire on the fly.

I first noticed that the tire itself was blown THROUGH the rubber.  Ick.

I then pulled the inner tube (front tire, no big deal), and partially inflated the replacement tube.  I thought I had worked it back in properly, but of course, for all I know, I pinched the inner tube.

Anyway, I then set out with my CO2 canisters, and tried to inflate the tube.  I know the canister is only 120 psi (or less), and that's the tube's rating.  Regardless, when I hit "inflate" on the canister, then THAT tire blew (right through the hole in the tire).

Frak.

So, 3.5 miles later, I'm back at my car (don't ask).  I ended up doing a shortish run of 4 miles after I got back to the car, just to work my nerves out.

I have to have this bike serviced anyway, and presumably, I can just buy two new tubes, but clearly I'll need at least one new tire.

Does anyone have any experience with the great exploding pimple?

Maybe I should just stick to swimming and running.    I'm a biking klutz.

[Alex Simmons]

Does anyone have any experience with the great exploding pimple?

If you have a hole large enough in the tyre for the inner tube to poke through hernia style, then an explosion is inevitable.  This can happen if the tyre gets cut badly on glass or similar sharp object.

It is why one carries in their small kit not only a replacement for tube and a means for re-inflation, but something to put inside the tyre where the hole/cut is, to prevent the tube from pushing out should that hole be large enough to allow a tube to push through.

In Australia we have very tough plastic bank notes, so a $5 bill is perfect for the job, but in other countries a thin piece of strong plastic/rubber would probably suffice as a means to get you home, where upon you toss out the tyre and put on a new one.

[lonely moa]

Does anyone have any experience with the great exploding pimple?

If you have a hole large enough in the tyre for the inner tube to poke through hernia style, then an explosion is inevitable.  This can happen if the tyre gets cut badly on glass or similar sharp object.

It is why one carries in their small kit not only a replacement for tube and a means for re-inflation, but something to put inside the tyre where the hole/cut is, to prevent the tube from pushing out should that hole be large enough to allow a tube to push through.

In Australia we have very tough plastic bank notes, so a $5 bill is perfect for the job, but in other countries a thin piece of strong plastic/rubber would probably suffice as a means to get you home, where upon you toss out the tyre and put on a new one.

aluminium foil works as well, as long as one has a sandwich on board.

[DK]

Duct tape. Solves every single problem.

[Anders]

Duct tape. Solves every single problem.

PMS?

Wait. Don't answer.

[Alex Simmons]

Duct tape. Solves every single problem.

[pandamonium]

Duct tape. Solves every single problem.

PMS?

Yes.

[jaypee]

Turns out it wasn't my freewheel which was shot, it was my cone nut which was all pitted. Apparently it was loose/got loose and during the winter it experienced some corrosion.

[Swagomatic]

It's been 110F or over here for the past few days.  It's supposed to be 113F today & tomorrow.  I've still kept up my riding, though.    There's nothing like slugging down hot water when you're really thirsty - mmm, mmm good!

[pandamonium]

After our one week of 90+ degree weather, we've settled in the high 70s. I love the Bay Area.

[jaypee]

Speaking of Portland, awhile back I mentioned that some Portlanders were making a leather bike handle.  As far as I'm concerned, a bike needs a handle like an aquarium needs a toilet.  Nevertheless, Stevil Kinevil informs me that the handlesmiths have since managed to raise $20,000:

http://venturebeat.com/2012/07/08/portland-hipsters-raise-20k-to-make-leather-handles-for-bikes/



Now, I've spent some time in Portland, and I know from experience that they will look at you askance if you so much as ask for a shopping bag in the grocery store.  Yet for some reason it's perfectly fine to for a cow to die so that you can have a handle for something that is already basically a giant handle.  I mean, what vehicle is more intrinsically portable than a bicycle?

(Source)

Yeah.. seriously..

And $20,000? I increasingly think that Kickstarter is frequented by the dumbest fucking people in the world.

[pandamonium]

...that is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Seriously.

So, how about those drivers who like to pull out halfway into the road, effectively blocking the bike lane and forcing you into traffic? Aren't they swell? Oh, and the drivers who pass within a foot of you, those guys are the greatest. And teenagers driving daddy's (or mommy's) raised Ford F-150 are surely the Great Hope of this generation.

[GodSlayer]

...that is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Seriously.

So, how about those drivers who like to pull out halfway into the road, effectively blocking the bike lane and forcing you into traffic? Aren't they swell? Oh, and the drivers who pass within a foot of you, those guys are the greatest. And teenagers driving daddy's (or mommy's) raised Ford F-150 are surely the Great Hope of this generation.

you just gave me a great KickStarter idea

(click to show/hide)

lightweight chariot scythes for bicycle wheels. either in a break-away design to slice car tires, or, if that's proven ineffective, made of a fencing sword-like flexible metal to bend safely but key the paintjob of anyone who violates the road rules - instant justice! ... until they speed up and run you over in road rage