I've got a new bike...

laptoplover · Post by **laptoplover** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:21 pm 0

I've been moaning about my mountain bike for ages, so with two bank holidays so close (meaning that i get double time at work) I decided to save up and buy myself a new bike.

Speacilzed Hardrock Sport, women's edition. Disc brakes, 24 gears, front suspension, and mine's in charcoal (apparently. To me it just looks dark gray!).

She rides like a dream, I am completely in love. The first thing I did when I got her out of the shop was ride her home the long way via the cannel, going in the wrong direction! She has a little mud on her now, but nearly as much as I would like. She still screams I'm a brand new bike just a little too much for my liking, but I'm working on that. I shall go along the river today as it's been raining this morning!

I'm a very happy girlie this morning though, I worked hard, and handed over a bundle of cash to get something shiney, and I'm proper chuffed now.

Geenius · Post by **Geenius** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:27 pm 0

Nice bike.

My mum's just got herself a new Specialized road bike (Sirrus - older model)

.

She's just looking forward to entering her next triathlon now, so that she can see what a difference it makes

moosedude · Post by **moosedude** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:30 pm 0

I'm Sooo Jealious! I've taken my bike a few times to a place called ashridge, ridden through some massive puddles and got completely muddy, such great fun

matt303 · Post by **matt303** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:38 pm 0

Cool, it's great when you've been working towards something and you get it. Here's a link to a site that's always full of motivational photos to get you out on it even on the worst days Bog Trotters 2006 Album

And here's one of me setting off on my pride and joy on a rainy day in the Peak District.

Have fun

Portland · Post by **Portland** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:44 pm 0

Lovely bike, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

My ex had a Specialized and it was most jumpable. Sadly my cyclind days are behind me now

laptoplover · Post by **laptoplover** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:48 pm 0

I go cycling loads. I live accross the road from the Thames close to where the Kennet and Avon joins it. As a result I'm always cycling along there whatever the weather when I need to get out of the house and/or away from my coursework!

I also use it to commute to and from work, so I'm going to be leaving it in the town centre until gone 2am, as a result I'm just sorting out insurance and tagging for it. Going to cost me a bit more, but then do I want to pay Â£50 for protection or almost Â£400 for a new bike...

Portland · Post by **Portland** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:55 pm 0

Very wise, you don't want to lose your new baby...

laptoplover · Post by **laptoplover** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:58 pm 0

Thankfully, I'm not living in Oxford any more where bike crime is unimaginable, but then if I was, I doubt I would have bought such a yummy bike! Reading's a bit more safe, but there's always a risk...

matt303 · Post by **matt303** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:16 pm 0

laptoplover wrote:I also use it to commute to and from work, so I'm going to be leaving it in the town centre until gone 2am

Is there anywhere sort of secure at work where you can chain it up, I really wouldn't like the idea of leaving a bike anywhere in a town centre at night. I saw too many with kicked in wheels when I lived in Brighton, never underestimate a drunks ability for pointless destruction.

Xstreme · Post by **Xstreme** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:42 pm 0

Ooooh, I love bikes and your new Specialized looks great. It looks like a sturdy frame that's built to withstand a few jumps. Any plans on getting it airborn

Do take care with it though. I've seen far too many bikes stolen in towns. Plus as Matt mentions drunks and shiny things don't often mix too well.

My town bikes an old 1992 Kona (photo below) singlespeed. Not worth much cash wise but I know i'd be gutted if anything happend to it as I love the old thing!

laptoplover · Post by **laptoplover** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:49 pm 0

I chain up my old one at the back of the Oracle, where very few people have to go past at the end of the night. In fact there's only one pub and the club I work at. On the plus side of it, there's minimal passing people and it is hidden between a building and a tree and bushy patch, on the downside, there's no passing people and no cameras.

I haven't decided yet whether or not it's good enough for a stealable bike (I accidentally left my old one unloacked outside the train station for about six hours once and it didn't get nicked!), but at the same time, I don't know another place which is so out of the way that few people even know about it!

defsdoor · Post by **defsdoor** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:39 pm 0

We bought 2 of these just last week -

And if I leave work now I will be going out on mine when I get home

goldfish · Post by **goldfish** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:41 pm 0

defsdoor wrote:We bought 2 of these just last week -

And if I leave work now I will be going out on mine when I get home

I'd complain if I were you, it's got no fucking pedals.

Simon

Mojo · Post by **Mojo** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:15 pm 0

I just got this a few weeks back:

and later tonight, its prolly gonna look a bit like this again.

Still getting used to honkin' up the hills after my hardtail (spesh rockhopper) but I'll let it off for the fun that can be had coming back down.

\o/

everklear · Post by **everklear** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:42 pm 0

I bought my last (and current) bike in...um...1987 or 88, I believe. Cost me $400. I use it, but not as much as I should.

So, my question is, "Have bikes changed much in the last (almost) 20 years?" I'm expecting the answer to be yes. How so? Better...stronger...faster?