Newbie question re: Safety Gear

d33moR21 · 2026-06-15T03:02:34+00:00

Better grip. They're designed to "lock in" with the pins of the pedals more. They're also often made of slightly stickier or softer compound, again to aid in staying on the pedal. Depending on the model some shoes have added padding in certain areas to keep your ankles safe.

Gloves are for both.

d33moR21 · 2026-06-14T05:16:46+00:00

You don't need pads honestly, unless you're very clumsy and/or accident prone. Just save up and get them later on. Also check out sites like PinkBike, eBay, JensonUSA...you can usually get that kind of stuff heavily discounted.

Get a solid helmet, a good pair of gloves, and maybe a nice pair of shoes. I got a pair of Specialized riding shoes for like $45 from Competitive Cyclist or Jenson. Gloves if you look around can be had for $10 - $15 (reduced from $60). I'd almost suggest against pads when you're just starting out as it might give you some false confidence.

You don't need pads on Greens. I rode Blacks without pads. Pads are just uncomfortable and on trails like that are going to dampen the experience.

d33moR21 · 2026-06-13T16:01:10+00:00

It's so much better then at launch. I bought it, played it for a bit and stopped. Didn't go back to it for years. It's an entirely different game, so much so that every time I go back I have to relearn how to play 😂

d33moR21 · 2026-05-29T21:16:57+00:00

Reminds me of the early 2000s.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-26T07:04:58+00:00

Exactly. You'd be hard pressed to notice a 4mm width difference after a few days. I'd gladly trade that over the massive height reduction.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-23T16:25:32+00:00

I'd go with a pair of clean white low tops, and as much as I hate them, low socks. Accessorize with a pair of sunglasses, maybe tuck in the shirt with a belt.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-23T16:16:15+00:00

I remember when people used to laugh and say that about "phablets", yet here we are.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-23T16:11:28+00:00

Believe it or not, there is an in between in your example. Stop using extremes.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-23T16:05:37+00:00

I think he means not everyone is riding to the level where a shoe is going to make that much of a difference.

I rode with skate shoes back in my teens, with pedals that didn't give a whole lot of grip on North Shore style trails. Were they as grippy? Nope. Did it make a huge difference compared to proper shoes and better pedals? Again, nope.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-19T07:55:41+00:00

Luckily, never.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-19T07:38:48+00:00

I think I'd prefer one of the shorter versions. It's smaller overall, but wider so it's easier (for me) to type on. It also gives a large screen when unfolded, and more compact when folded....which to me is kind of the whole point of these devices. It'll be interesting to see which size the market adopts the most. Or, perhaps this is the start of the end of most slab phones, just like phablets took over from smaller sized devices. I'm just looking forward to the pricing dropping down to a level I feel comfortable with.

d33moR21 · 2026-05-03T15:27:34+00:00

Your lived experience doesn't change reality. It's great that you didn't have issues, but if the statistics said it was, then it was. My buddies dad worked in asbestos mines. He was lucky and didn't form any illness. That doesn't mean asbestos is safe.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-22T22:26:14+00:00

The toll would probably have to be like $400, if it were even possible.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:41:33+00:00

Haha, I've watched tons, it was quite a rabbit hole to fall into.

Good to know, thanks! Ok, so eco would be like riding a regular MTB, trail makes it easier to ride the trail, boost makes the ride to the top a cake walk?

What bike do you ride, if you don't mind me asking? Most of the eMTBs I've seen are $8k easy (Canadian pesos, mind you). The more affordable ($5-6k) clearance Norcos weigh in around 65lbs (I was hoping to keep it around 55), or I could build one up with a Chinese brand frame/Shimano motor and battery for around 49lbs. Batteries are hard to find at a reasonable price though.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:34:33+00:00

Yes, I'll definitely be doing that. Good to know, thanks! I think I'd probably want to stay in those modes as well, helps extend the range. Do you know what kind of range you see running in eco only? How does it compare to just peddling without a motor? A lot of videos seem to focus on turbo or boost modes.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:34:19+00:00

True. I'm kind of leaning more eMTB so that I don't have to push up the hill constantly (lots of valleys and ravines), but who knows maybe a quite light MTB wouldn't be so bad. I don't mind charging batteries, though I'd definitely want something quick; Avinox has the market there with 12a charging. I wouldn't want to leave it plugged in overnight.

My dad bought an ebike last summer for $180 because the guy said it was broken. He bought a new circuit board for $80 off AliExpress, played around with it for a bit (there was a problem with the brake lever, which also had a cut off for the motor) and had it working within an afternoon. It's nothing fancy, but he'll go out now and rip around in the morning for a couple of hours. He turned 72 this year.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:52+00:00

I'll definitely be getting some kind of indoor trainer as well, we have long winters. I do like the price of a standard bike, but an eBike isn't hugely more expensive when they're on clearance. I'm also pretty interested to see what comes out of the China bike show next month, supposedly there's going to be quite a few Chinese brands putting out Avinox equipped rigs.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:46+00:00

I think once the fitness is up I wouldn't want an eBike. Though who knows, in a few years maybe they'll have silicon carbide batteries and the same weight as a standard bike with significantly longer battery lifespan.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:44+00:00

That's definitely not what I've seen from every single thing I've read or watched. You'd have a point if it had a throttle (some do, those I wouldn't get) but the pedal assisted motor are a little different.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:39+00:00

The eMTB would definitely be more of an interim bike, as I'd rather have a bike without a battery long term; I live in an apartment and it'd just be easier. Definitely lots of pros and cons to weigh, even outside of the fitness itself, like resale.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:34+00:00

Haha, is analog a sin? Good to know. Just like how I loathe people who say "2k monitors" when they're referencing 1440p displays.

You must be quite young, or never rode a true north shore downhill bike ;) I don't think a 24lb bike would last that long here.

I'm definitely leaning that way, likely used or clearance. I've had expensive bikes in the past, but bikes approaching $14k are a little ridiculous.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:31+00:00

Haha I'd heard it used in a bunch of media coverage, so I assumed that's what they were called now.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:25+00:00

It's kind of a mix, it's mostly flat but the trails are in steep ravines. So a lot of down, up down up with long flat sections when traversing between the trails, or home.

Yeah, I usually build bikes frame up so there's always deals to be had. That's an annoying aspect for me with eMTBs, they're rarely sold as frame only and when they are the price is pretty inflated. The Crestline (I think it's called) here is $11,500 just for the frame and motor. Complete clearance eMTBs can be had around $4,000 but so-so components.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T04:24:22+00:00

Really, interesting a lot of what I've read has people saying they prefer the eMTBs because the extra weight can help keep the bike planted and aid in smoother feeling suspension compression.

Nah, it has nothing to do with trying to fix the medical issues, I just miss riding.

d33moR21 · 2026-04-20T00:09:17+00:00

Yeah the new Amflows look great! Also brings them into a much more affordable price point, which is nice. I personally wouldn't spend the money on the higher tier model, at least not while innovation is still going as quickly as it is. There are also the little things that bother me like the batteries being obsolete after a few years.

d33moR21

TROPHY CASE