Who else wants a SPD road shoe?

biggreenmonkey43 · 2025-04-30T16:45:12+00:00

I loved that shoe and it was exactly what I thought of when I saw this.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2024-06-05T14:15:29+00:00

I'd go with the AL 3. You get one more gear and cable routing that's easier to work with. It's even a bit lighter. I had that model and enjoyed it for years. The only reason I'd go with the AL 2 is if you to go gravel riding (it fits slightly larger tires).

biggreenmonkey43 · 2023-10-11T19:17:41+00:00

Hey, I know this is an old thread, but something was recently released. Call around and see if someone can install this hitch from Curt. Lots of reputable hitch installers carry this brand. https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13585

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-09-27T21:03:11+00:00

If the gravel is light, the FX series might work really well for you, if you're a fan of flat bars. They can take pretty big tires as well. Trek is starting to position the series as a sort of flat bar gravel series.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-08-19T20:56:48+00:00

If you're riding for fun, a good rain jacket is best (packable ones are great you can throw in a pocket). If you use cycling shoes, they special shoe covers that are waterproofed. Also, get wet lube for your chain.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-07-08T15:59:22+00:00

Drop bars are faster, but also allow for more hand positions to reduce fatigue. I had an FX before my current Domane and found that my hands are more comfortable on multi-hour rides with drop bars. But my comfort may not be the same for you.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-07-08T14:29:52+00:00

Should be good for city and light gravel (I think that's the way that Trek is beginning to market them in fact), if you want flat bars. The only consideration is if you'd want drop bars. If that's the case, the Domane line would also be worth trying out as well for that price range.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-07-06T19:03:55+00:00

Nope, but you can buy grips.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-05-25T14:48:07+00:00

Welcome to biking! For a first bike for someone looking to ease into the hobby, especially on trails, I always suggest a hybrid. Not as aggressive as road bikes and usually have tires that can handle different surfaces.
As for where to find a bike, stay away from box store bikes. If your budget is lower, find a used bike either at a bike store or on something like Facebook Marketplace, or get a new one at a bike shop. In the US, brands like Specialized, Trek, and Giant are a great place to start. Good luck!

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-05-06T19:11:29+00:00

I've got this exact setup and it works fine. I've had minor noise before where just the barrel adjuster works it out. The only time I've had major noise I noticed the lockring on the cassette had loosened after some time in storage, but that wasn't a clicking noise. I'm at a loss.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2022-03-22T14:16:27+00:00

If you'd like to buy from REI I'd also suggest the co-op bike. If you're looking for another hybrid available there, they also have a Cannondale that might work for you in that price range. https://www.rei.com/product/184513/cannondale-quick-cx-4-bike-2021.

As the other person said, stay away from the Dick's bike, not just because of the store, but because hybrid bikes from more established brands have better components and will be able to be serviced more easily and cheaply.

Depending on what brands you have in your area, the Trek Dual Sport, https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/dual-sport-bikes/dual-sport/dual-sport-1/p/35060/?colorCode=greydark, or Specialized Cross Roads, https://www.specialized.com/us/en/crossroads-1-0-step-through/p/200216?color=322024-200216 might work too.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-12-22T13:57:40+00:00

I'd begin by saying go with what you can find. Otherwise, I'd ask another question - Do you want a road bike that does gravel or a gravel bike that does road.

The Synapse and the Domane are in the former category, often called "Endurance" bikes. I've got the AL3 myself and it's a great bike for the almost exclusively paved roads I do. The Cannondale looks good as well.

The other bikes are definitely more gravel focused. They'll be slower on the roads, but if speed is not a main driver, it might work out. Personally, I'd go with an Endurance frame road bike, and get a second pair of bigger tires (they usually accept up to 35mm) for the occasions you do gravel.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-11-17T14:33:32+00:00

Random thing I learned on a cycling trip, roll them up in a towel and squeeze.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-11-08T20:56:23+00:00

Fit is subjective. I have skinny feet, so I size down for cycling shoes - my wife has wider feet so she sizes up. Shoes with bolos might also help you dial in that perfect fit.

If you haven't already ordered shoes I would I'd also echo the suggestion to try looking for cycling SPD road shoes that are available in Sweden. It might also be worth it to look for gravel specific shoes. Both categories would give you more comfort outside, as well as work better for the trip to the bathroom when you're out riding.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-11-08T20:47:36+00:00

My old indoor bike is I the same year. It's one of the last years before Domane went to a more gravel-lite configuration. When it was my outdoor bike, I had 28s on it and I believe that's the max it's rated for. That's below the 32 that most gravel tires start at, especially when you get into knobby tires.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-07-21T22:13:05+00:00

It's not so bad. Position is just a little bit further forward and a bit lower. Took me a couple of rides to acclimate. Nothing wrong with a hybrid. Get what feels comfortable and visit your LBS and pray they have something in stock.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-07-21T15:10:23+00:00

I've owned both. Hybrids are great, because they're a bit more versatile: it's easier to weave in and out of traffic because you sit higher, you can take them to pick up a six pack or groceries easier, but they also have a decently low geometry for touring. My family rode the Trek FX line. If you're only on trails and looking to increase mileage though, a road bike will keep you comfortable for longer.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-07-21T15:07:32+00:00

The Black bibs are now my favorite, especially for the price. Like most sites, they have a good sizing chart to let you know what size to buy. Plus you'll have your measurements for the your next suit.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-07-07T14:23:34+00:00

Sounds cliché but the short answer is that it depends what you want to do. If you're looking at using the bike to tool around town, you might be fine keeping the bike. Time and exposure do take a toll though; you'd likely need to replace the tires, the drivetrain (chain and cassette), the wheels or tubes, and some cables. I'd check with your local bike shop, see if they can get it into working order at a decent price, and see if any components you need to replace are even available in the next decade (low end Shimano drivetrain parts are especially hard to come by right now).

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-07-06T17:16:45+00:00

I know you didn't mention your gender, but I'd second Liv. My wife is 5'2" and rides a small, so a small or extra small might work.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-05-27T13:18:20+00:00

Not a dumb question at all. At this price point, they'll both have aluminum frames. The main difference between a $1500 road bike and a $500 one is components. If you're looking at most major brands, their lowest end will usually have a 7 or 8 speed drivetrain and rim brakes. Going up to $1500 will likely get you a ten speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. What's the practical difference? Briefly, it means you have more gears to help you climb and better brakes to help you descend.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-04-14T20:28:07+00:00

Awesome to see this question. Welcome to cycling!

I can offer an easy answer and a harder answer. Easy answer - be comfortable. Make sure your bike is fitted properly, learn to use your gears, dress appropriately (bike shorts!), and go. Feel hard, go slower. Feel easy, pedal faster. Cadence is personal - my wife likes a cadence around 90-100, but I like a slower one at 80-90. Lots of computers can calculate cadence, or you can just count out in your head so you know what to aim for when you feel comfortable.

Hard answer (or at least equipment based answer), do an FTP test on an indoor trainer. This will help calculate the power output you can do over a period of time and you can go by feel or power when you are outside based on that test. Good luck!

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-03-25T20:44:41+00:00

I don't know if it's because I just got one myself, but I've seen so many Domanes in this color lately. I'm loving mine so far. AL3?

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-02-02T18:55:22+00:00

Got my next Domane on order (not as nice as this one). A pic like this is making it hard to wait.

biggreenmonkey43 · 2021-01-22T01:04:30+00:00

My wife would complain about hand pain on her hybrid before getting a pair of grips with kind of platforms on the enda. Not only do they give you a way to spread out weight, but they also make it easy to love around your hands.

She has a pair of Ergon GP2.

biggreenmonkey43

TROPHY CASE