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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Bicycles

    Hobbies and Pastimes
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    • mclaincauseyM
      mclaincausey
      見習いボス
      Joined:

      I think @sabergirl is wise about not making a huge investment up front, @JDelage but I also think you're gonna love riding.

      I think one move to consider is to get a "fitness bike" like this Specialized at a trusted LBS. You can add fenders and saddlebag racks if you want, get a clip-on U-lock (but don't leave it out overnight), and use it as a commuter bike that is a bit more playful and quicker than more of a cruiserly style commuter, and not a lower-back-killing forward-leaning street racing design. It's enough bike to get around town and work out on, and if you ever need more you can either sell it or upgrade the components. And if you have dirtbags stealing bikes where you live, it's not the end of the world if it gets stolen (though you'd definitely want to register the serial number in all the right places and lock it up).

      Think it, be it.

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • JDelageJ
        JDelage
        啓蒙家
        Joined:

        Well, in the last few days I spent a lot of time researching various options. Once I had narrowed my options it proved nearly impossible to find exactly what I wanted. I was thinking about getting a naked frame and building the bike (but the frame sets and components are also hard to find). Finally I was able to find my top choice in a shop in Bend, OR (I'm in Seattle). It's a shop-built Surly Disc Trucker, and they agreed to ship it to me. It should arrive to me early next week. I'm super excited.  😛

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • henry_davidH
          henry_david
          Joined:

          WTB tires are rad and the handlebars look great! Good call, @JDelage  😎

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • mclaincauseyM
            mclaincausey
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            Gorgeous bike and good pickup @JDelage !

            Think it, be it.

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • NikN
              Nik
              Raw and Unwashed
              Joined:

              Looks like a sweet setup, especially for Seattle! I used to ride between Capitol Hill and Magnolia everyday, and that big chainring would have been useful. That'll also be a sound bike for throwing on a trainer and playing around on Zwift, which is more fun than I thought it would be. Nice choice on the bike, enjoy!

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • henry_davidH
                henry_david
                Joined:

                Plus, you can hit some fire roads/trails with that, too, and not only have more fun, but also avoid cars.  😉

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • zhivagoZ
                  zhivago
                  Raw and Unwashed
                  Joined:

                  You did will @JDelage!! Enjoy the shit outta that baby!!

                  Zhivago

                  MM: "we all got to start somewhere"

                  G: "Never once did he bitch, moan or complain.  He just motivated the team and got on with it"

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • bryaneidins70B
                    bryaneidins70
                    Iron Heart Deity
                    Joined:

                    @JDelage

                    Nice bike and agree about the WTB tyres. I have the Riddlers on my CAADx and had my first puncture in 3yrs last week, I do a lot of off road with the bike.

                    What wheel size are on the bike, look like 650b?

                    Are the shop cutting down the steerer for you, you don't want to be smacking that?

                    'Fail we may…Sail we must'

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • JDelageJ
                      JDelage
                      啓蒙家
                      Joined:

                      Yes, the shop elected to put 650b on it. The bike is being shipped to me as is, and then I have to adjust it to me. I'll probably do that at a local bike shop and have them cut the top of the stem off.

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • chrisjohnnickC
                        chrisjohnnick
                        Iron Heart Deity
                        Joined:

                        Think I'm going to pick up a bike this week. Been wanting to get one for the last year or so, but used ones in my local market have been getting snatched up as fast as I can save the listings.

                        Mostly going to do commuting and touring around town, but I'm in Nashville so have a lot of hills and trails I would like to take advantage of as well.

                        Found a Ritchey "Crazy Pete" from 1995 locally that I may get.

                        Wants List:
                        IHSH-20-Red, XL
                        IHSH-208-Indigo Kersey, L-XL
                        IHSH-254-Grey Kersey, L-XL
                        IHSW-45 Black, M
                        IH-526SV 21oz type III, 38 or 40
                        IH-777S-SB size 32
                        IH-777S-142 size 31 or 32
                        IHJ-142-BLK or IND, M

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • henry_davidH
                          henry_david
                          Joined:

                          Pics please, @chrisjohnnick!!! I'm a huge Ritchey fan and ride this fucker:

                          2011/2012/2013 Swiss Cross canti with 700x38 knobbies. Such a lovely frame and all about the magic of steel Ritchey.

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • AlexA
                            Alex
                            IHUK Crew
                            Joined:

                            I have a Cinelli Bootleg Mystic Rats single speed that i picket up quite a few years ago, which i really have enjoyed riding, but I'm losing patience with not having any gears. Would you guys recommend trying to get gears added to this, or starting afresh? Also, any idea of cost to add the gears approximately (I appreciate there is a large range of products, I wouldn't need anything too high tech)

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • J
                              Jett129
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              If you could use the existing front chain ring and could just add a cassette in the rear, might be the most cost efficient way to go. Others can probably give you more detailed suggestions.

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • NikN
                                Nik
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined:

                                Could be tricky. You’ve got horizontal dropouts and chain alignment is complex. I’d suggest looking into an internal transmission hub by sturmey archer or shimano alfine.

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • henry_davidH
                                  henry_david
                                  Joined:

                                  …or use that aforementioned difficulty in conversion as a reason to get a new bike  😃

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • GilesG
                                    Giles
                                    IHUK Crew
                                    Joined:

                                    My recommendation too.  That frame is designed for single gear…..

                                    "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • henry_davidH
                                      henry_david
                                      Joined:

                                      Comfortable + cool + great for around town while being able to hop off paved routes:

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • AlexA
                                        Alex
                                        IHUK Crew
                                        Joined:

                                        @henry_david:

                                        …or use that aforementioned difficulty in conversion as a reason to get a new bike  😃

                                        I had feared this may be the case  😃

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • DmartD
                                          Dmart
                                          啓蒙家
                                          Joined:

                                          Great bike!

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • bryaneidins70B
                                            bryaneidins70
                                            Iron Heart Deity
                                            Joined:

                                            My best mate owns a bike shop and he is having hell trying to get hold of components because of the pandemic. The secondhand market for components, prices are through the roof.

                                            Keep your fixie and buy a new/secondhand geared version.

                                            'Fail we may…Sail we must'

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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