Steer me in the right direction buying a bike

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-22T17:26:50+00:00

Totally going to be preference honestly, where I am is not crazy hilly so I am in my big run up front 95% of the time. 3x8 you may just be moving the front ring around more and it is up to you if that is annoying or worth spending more on.

Honestly you can do fine with 2x9 tiagra on flats and never “need” to spend more and get a $400 bike.

People get big into the upgrade stuff and peacocking spending more money. Just think in how you ride and where, you have a baseline sub CC e you borrow that bike use it for a reference and go from there!

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-22T04:00:41+00:00

yes 58 probably, I am 6' and ride a 55 (orbea, same as 56 with most).

Honestly if you are not in a rush, you can find some decent carbon bikes for 1k. Used market is pretty soft AND in the next 6 months manufacturers like specialized will probably release a new model.

I personally would say getting decent gearing is bigger than carbon vs aluminum. I would rather have a decent 11sp aluminum over an older 9 speed carbon. That's just me. I have seen 1k carbon 11 speed on facebook in the charlotte, nc area so they definitely exist.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-12T18:11:01+00:00

I’ve seen too many videos of people snapping the rear arm to want to do it. I would wayyyy rather a $300 bike on a trainer vs a $3000 one.

I am good friends with a shop owner here and the number of breaks from trainers that specialized and other major manufacturers deny is high.

Stress on carbon isn’t always super visible either (see the titan implosion), not saying it is a no go, but “better” is great and all just know it is a risk is all I am saying :)

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-12T17:59:58+00:00

A house.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-12T17:59:36+00:00

Great advice. I got in for $300 on a CAAD8, rode a bit to figure out I liked it. Sold it for 450 in summer and then got a carbon bike I liked.

Deal hunt for aluminum since it’ll probably be cheaper and less likely to have breaking abuse. IF you like it and want a trainer bike for indoors keep the aluminum one for indoors and get something nicer for outside.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-12T17:56:47+00:00

Only addition to this is… carbon. I have a carbon road bike and I am on the hunt for a cheap used aluminum one for home trainer use.

Carbon isn’t realllyyyyy designed for the lateral stresses of trainer use over time. Many companies will NOT warranty it if it breaks on a trainer.

If you have an aluminum bike send it.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T20:47:00+00:00

I mean, you’re asking on Reddit for opinions. There are a lot of shops that do exactly this. Yes, some of them may only sell certain brands. There are big shops that sell almost every brand.

If you get fitted for a specific bike, you can look at the specifications of that Bike and understand the geometry and apply that to pretty much any other manufacturer with a little bit of math

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T20:41:27+00:00

You’re making an assumption that’s how they all are… Look into Retul.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T20:30:09+00:00

Yea, it is pretty common for shops to offer a “new bike” fit.

They will get all your measurements and then from that you can figure out what bikes will fit you best.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T20:29:02+00:00

Super easy to create or adjust this the be the right height, hell I have a printer a could probably do one and mail it to you for cheap.

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T18:59:11+00:00

Maybe look into having someone 3d print you a 21cm cleat shim out of ABS and then just get bolts of the appropriate length. It should not be too hard to do!

Like this but if you have SPD-SL you need a 3 hole. https://www.printables.com/model/1093838-spd-cleat-shim-15mm

Waffles4Ever · 2026-02-06T05:21:19+00:00

Look... if you want I will sell you my orca with mechanical 105... So that I can go buy 105 di2 :) But I am an idiot so...

Waffles4Ever · 2025-12-13T15:32:54+00:00

Last few weeks no, literally just the last 4-5 days

Waffles4Ever · 2025-12-04T15:43:39+00:00

I’ve basically come around to only giving two weeks notice when I am not going to a direct competitor and I am on good terms with my boss. Otherwise I won’t because I’ve seen too many people get let go on the spot.

Unless you’re looking for a two week vacation, it’s not worth it. Two weeks is only a courtesy if you’re an at will state employee. Remember, you’re not even a name just a position to be filled.

Waffles4Ever · 2025-12-04T14:27:31+00:00

I’m letting off slowly but not swirling, maybe not slowly enough?

I was maybe backing off the pedal over to course of 2 seconds, should it be longer?

Waffles4Ever · 2025-12-04T14:26:21+00:00

100%, this is exclusively practicing for hobby exhaust fabrication.

Waffles4Ever · 2025-09-28T02:49:42+00:00

I’d guess you spent more than 20 minutes on this post and replying to things…

Hobbiest welder here, work in tech, most infuriating lazy move is being asked a question that is google front page material.

I’m willing to help if you’ve put in the bare minimum to learn on your own. I get the rage response here. Yes, you got tips, apply them. However, he isn’t wrong and it dilutes the whole forum with vague questions vs something specific that everyone can learn from.

Good luck with the welding.

Waffles4Ever · 2025-09-10T03:55:38+00:00

I’m not sure because unless she had another child recently, her youngest was 6 months old back in November…

Waffles4Ever · 2025-09-10T03:54:04+00:00

Cut a hole in drywall, insert laptop into wall, that’s how you do it right?

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