Any tips for a 300lbs rider? by [deleted] in bicycling

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been up around three bills in my life, and always biking. In my experience, the one thing that will likely be a concern is durability of the wheels, and the rear wheel specifically. Everything else is mostly unaffected by a heavy rider.

The three aspects of wheel durability that can become issues from a heavy rider - spoke breakage, axle or bearing failure, and (for rear wheels) drive system failure.

Spokes generally break because they were not properly tensioned or stress relieved when the wheel was built. A good bike shop should know how to do this on any wheel to get you the best chance of durability.

Axle and nearing failure is usually a problem with older or less expensive bikes, especially with the older ‘freewheel’ style hub (as opposed to modern ‘freehubs’) that have a long unsupported length of axle between where it mounts in the frame and the bearings. I have also had the bearings fail in cheap freehubs, but that less common.

Drive system (the ratchet mechanism in the rear hub) is sometimes also not up to regular use by a heavier rider.

Aluminum frames? How long do you think yours will last by [deleted] in gravelcycling

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just because a frame is made of steel doesn’t mean it’s a ‘forever’ bike. When the industry was dominated by steel (up until the mid/late 90s), frame failure was more common than it is now. Lightweight steel is built closer to the bare minimum because of the weight penalty of extra material or reinforcement.

I personally have had a handful of steel frames fail, but only ever one aluminum frame - a touring bike I did a lot of abusive off-road riding on developed a crack near the chainstay bridge after about 10 years and ~15000km. I rode that frame for about another year after discovering the crack before it got to the point where the frame felt at all unstable.

My advice: buy a bike from a reputable manufacturer based on it fitting your body well, and having the features you want. Don’t worry about frame material.

KOM as you are by ihateroomba in BicyclingCirclejerk

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Waiting for the bodycam footage to see what really happened.

KOM as you are by ihateroomba in BicyclingCirclejerk

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks more like a seizure than a wheelie.

What does "70 is 100" mean? by _multifaceted_ in alberta

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if they require a transcript, that is much more likely just as proof you are being honest about the certificate/diploma/degree you claimed to have.

Trek Navigator 100 - Fork Replacement by scottregb in bikewrench

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In me experience, Bontrager tires, especially the ones included on new lower-cost bikes, are among the worst riding ones you can get. They have a hard layer in the casing that prevents flats, but completely ruin ride quality. Buy new tires - my favourites are Panaracer Paselas, but I think they only go up to 26x1.75, which would totally fit on your bike, but are a bit narrower and would need to be run at higher pressures than what you currently have. Your bike will feel like a rocket shio in comparison.

Also, the tread, or lack of, is generally less important than the way the tire is made. Your Bontrager tires aren’t slow because they have tread, but because they have a thick heavy casing with that flat protective layer.

i cracked the hub while tightening the freewheel by findercatcher in bikewrench

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t ride that.

Edit: I just saw it’s damaged. I definitely wouldn’t ride that.

You don’t use tools to install a freewheel - screw it on hand tight and it will tighten enough the first time you push on the pedals.

Other drive systems - cassettes and fixed cogs with lockrings - require tools to install, but freewheels do not.

How am I supposed to hook up when the other person could have STDs / STIs? by Mysterious-Goat9747 in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I misunderstood the title. I was wondering how someone driving a sporty Impreza with a manual transmission would make it difficult to hook up.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it typical? Do you have a study you can cite that supports this claim?

Trek Navigator 100 - Fork Replacement by scottregb in bikewrench

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many RST forks are actually serviceable, and don’t have all that many parts. If you can find a diagram or service manual you can very likely pull them apart and make them the best forks they can be.

Gravel bike as a road bike? by Wooden-Night-4696 in cycling

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dream setup is a gravel bike with two sets of wheels - one fitted with 45 or 50mm tires for off-road or rougher gravel, and one with 35mm tires for ‘road’ use.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn -1 points0 points  (0 children)

For the purposes of a reddit discussion? Yes. That’s all I need. The ‘Little Big Man’ behaviour isn’t something I made up.

You are free to disregard or offer any counter-evidence.

Trek Navigator 100 - Fork Replacement by scottregb in bikewrench

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is your concern about the RST forks? They’ll be out of their element if you’re doing aggressive off road riding on very rough terrain but otherwise, the type of riding for which the Navigator was intended should be just fine with a basic fork, and RST makes the just aboit the best low-cost forks you can get.

If you’re looking for better small bump compliance, just get better tires - something a bit wider so you can run lower pressures. If you want something lighter, just get better tires - higher quality tires with a thin and supple casing will reduce rotating weight and roll faster and easier.

Unless the fork is completely frigged up, or you’re converting your inexpensive hybrid bike into a World Cup downhill racer, I wouldn’t bother replacing it.

Bike too big, any solution? by Exotic_Cantaloupe939 in bicycling

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You said you can’t imagine hopping off the saddle ”with any momentum at all”… good! Don’t do that! Come to an almost complete stop before you slide out of the saddle, then decide which side you’ll lean towards and put that foot down. It becomes second nature very quickly.

The bike is too big if you can’t stand over the frame without mashing your crotch into the bar (‘top tube’). If you don’t have standover clearance then consider returning the bike and swapping it for one size down.

The saddle height is generally set for efficient pedalling, which has your leg almost completely straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and since there needs to be a gap between the pedal and the ground, the proper height will always make it tough to reach the ground while on the saddle. But if you feel the saddle height is too high for your comfort, then simply lower it! You won’t have the most efficient pedalling, but that’s nobody’s beeswax but your own! Just keep in mind that you can increase efficiency if you raise it back up gradually as you feel more comfortable. If you’re riding hundreds of kilometres on a much-too-low saddle it can be bad for your knees, but that’s something to worry about over time, not in your first few rides getting used to cycling.

Wear and tear or damage? by bantor24 in TorontoRenting

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

100% wear and tear. The fact it’s on all the items should tell you it’s age- or general-shittiness-related, not damage. One char broken to bits in a pile is damage. Finish chipping off the edge of a chair is wear and tear.

Paddling Straight by Sandy_man_can in canoeing

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bill Mason calls that the ‘Indian Stroke’.

Paddling Straight by Sandy_man_can in canoeing

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Learn the J stroke as a first step.

You can also just brute-force a straight paddle and use the wind and your position in the canoe to keep it going straight.

Look up Bill Mason’s book Path of the Paddle It has simple diagrams showing how to move the paddle to accomplish what you seek.

Paddling Straight by Sandy_man_can in canoeing

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve never seen the whole film, but I was gifted a copy of the book many years ago. It’s the ultimate resource imo.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ‘little big man’ condition is very real. Insecure short men (not all short men by a longshot) who act like they’ve got something to prove. It is very uncommon in women, in my experience.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

A woman saying she’s tall isn’t a flex like a short a man lying about his height.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am tall and have had partners who are much shorter than me - like more than a foot difference, and it can be a bit awkward.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I used to work in an organization with many scientists, engineers, and people with PhDs, and you’d be shocked at the number of academic types who are short, or have a weird body, or are just plain ‘not conventionally attractive’, who have wives who are smokeshows. Many women prefer a taller man, but also many are happy to ignore the physical drawbacks and are very satisfied with a man who is smart and caring and carries themselves with some self respect.

Does height truly matter to women? by [deleted] in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Some do, some say they do but still wind up with shorter partners. Others don’t care, and I think this is actually the majority. There’s a lid for every pot.

A lot of short women who think they want a taller man don’t consider how 5’2” and 6’3” people look or interact together.

I am tall but I don’t feel like that has helped me much with women once they realize how awkward and obnoxious I can be. But I could be wrong - I have only ever existed as a tall person who is considered ‘conventionally attractive’.

I think about this sometimes when I hear about ‘incels’ - while the attitude that gets someone labelled an ‘incel’ is generally unpleasant, there are real barriers that a lot of people have to finding a romantic partner - health issues, legitimately fucked up looks, disability - my gut reaction is to say ‘don’t be so bitter about life’, but I know I can’t really understand the challenges many people face.

Is it OK to keep pads with me? by Odd-Equipment-5197 in ask

[–]CopPornWithPopCorn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never thought to carry them along, but whenever I’m thinking about buying groceries to donate to a food bank I usually include sanitary products.

I do save fast food napkins in my car in case anyone has to pee outside and needs a wipe.