I'm not sure where you live but in my experience living around mountains, they typically hold their own type of infrastructure in the form of dirt roads and trails. Riding off the pavement is a much, much more enjoyable experience in my opinion. There is less traffic and the sense of adventure heightens as soon as you pull off into the dirt 😊
Ain’t that the truth. Same reason I wear a helmet. Never used to when I lived in a city with good bike trails and lanes but it’s worth slapping on to give me a slightly better chance of not having to have my skull stapled back together after some a$$hole on their phone plows me over
I've shaved about 85 pounds off my bike by eating less and riding my bike a lot. Now THAT'S an upgrade! Also, there's nothing wrong with fancy cycling gear, but there seems to be a correlation between cycling jerseys and friendliness. The more geared up a rider is, the less likely they're going to acknowledge you when you give a friendly wave or nod from your comfy upright bike.
@@decius596 Wool. Changed my life. I'm guessing that you already tried it and don't like it so good luck with your search. And agreed, Nebraska sucks. Guess how I know.🤣
Every time someone 'apologizes' for the bike they're riding, I ask them 'Do you like it? Does it do what you want it to?' When they answer 'Yes' I tell them 'It looks like you have the right bike.'
I published a set of 10 cycling maxims for our local club blog. #1 is, "Any bike you are riding is better than any bike you're not." #2 is, "You are more like a possum than a Buick." I forget the rest.
How the bike industry could sell more bikes...? Advocate for infrastracture that benefits people getting around and commuting on bikes. If people need cars to go anywhere, they will always look at bikes as toys. But if it's easier to do a quick shopping trip with a bile rather than the car, they will also go to the bike shop more often to swap chains, gear cables, spokes or to get a new bike... The bike industry should just learn from the car or petrol industry.
@@junahn1907 Add to that crappy pavement. CA cities are falling apart cuz taking care of streets is boring, hard to budget, and doesn't get politicians their headlines. That's why I switched to a gravel bike.
1984 and a female customer is telling me that she doesn't care that toe clips and straps might give her a performance benefit--she just wants to have fun riding her bicycle and she can have plenty of fun with flat pedals. I just couldn't wrap my head around this and found myself arguing with her about it. Fast forward 40 years and I've converted my mountain bikes over to flat pedals and found I was enjoying riding them more with no loss of "performance" that I could notice. I've even recommended to others who are on the fence or having issues with cleated systems to give flat pedals a try. I recognized at the time, back in '85' that I had totally failed at customer service that day, but it wasn't until much, much later that I realized that she was actually right all along.
Yes . And I've found that placing my feet more towards the heel on the pedals results in less leg fatigue. I think it creates a better balance between the quads and the hamstrings.
I tried the whole clipless thing and ended up back on flats with all my bikes. Caught Flack from a few "real" cyclists. Absolutely do not care. I love wearing Keen sandals on my summer rides and walking my bike straight through a stream no problem while they soak their expensive shoes
I use flat pedals, but, will be getting toe straps, for context zi live in zireland, my right foot keeps slipping off the pedal completely, never happens with the left foot, I wear runners & have tried every other type of shoe for flat pedals & still have the problem. Need the straps!
@@TheGreenhillsCyclistInRagOrder Consider installing a pedal axle extender on that right pedal. It will move the pedal out from the crank about 3/4 inch. Can get them on E-bay.
Thanks, man! I had to quit riding 20 years ago, and now want to get back in. My great local bike shop (where I got all my kids' bikes) was gobbled up by Trek, and after I brought my 25 year old bikes in there to get them up to riding speed, I started to realized what a sh!t show the "cycling industry" has turned into. You have allowed me to realize my scorn and derision is justified and not just the rantings of an old man yelling at the sky. :). Good luck!
I took my Trek y22 bike from late 1990's to the bike shop to get an crank arm replaced. They were in horror to see rim brakes, 100mm fork and suspension , and what they call "ancient geometry"....Im just out there happy ridin it on dirt trails. For me its just 2 wheels driven by a crank and chain 😂
Maybe they were just afraid that the ancient component on your bike might require replacement parts that are not available anymore. Otherwise anyone older than 20 with some minor knowledge of bicyle history would love to work on such a bike.
You need a new bike shop. There are certain ones I won't go to because they have the same boutique upgrade mentality. The main one I go to is awesome. Anybody can go through the door with any kind of bike and they are happy to fix it
i’m 80 years old have been riding as an adult since about age 24 and my current bike is a 30 year old trek 820 which I bought new and just modified a little bit so that I sit more upright. I love riding and hope to log many more miles…
My old 820 is really the bike that carried my love of cycling into adulthood. Fun little bikes, I wish we still saw a greater number of 26 inch wheels still being offered on quality bicycles.
"Cantilever brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get V brakes." Got V brakes. "V brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get mechanical disc brakes." Got mechanical disc brakes. "Mechanical disc brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get hybrid or hydraulic brakes." Got hydraulic brakes. "One piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get two piston hydraulic brakes." Got two piston hydraulic brakes. "Two piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get four piston hydraulic brakes." Got four piston hydraulic brakes. "Four piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? Get six piston hydraulic brakes."
This! Seriously! I have the original wide profile cantis on my 1989 mountain bike and get all the same comments. But here's the thing, it has full size brake levers, I wrap four full sausage grippers around them and when I squeeze the wheels stop turning. There is no improving on that short of ABS. But when I test-ride a new bike with disc brakes and drop bars and try to apply the brakes with just my two teacup lifters nothing happens. My response to the bike industry is "forget fancy new brake tech, learn how levers work and stop mounting brake levers upside down you idiots!!!"
Well, the first person was right, cantilever brakes are horrible. But good v-brakes are capable of locking a wheel if you're strong enough, and at that point it's all about your tires and riding technique. The other brakes are about saving strength on long downhill rides.
Hot damn, I do love this channel. I'm freaking 91 years old been riding a while, I mean a while. Just had a hip revision and building the miles back, not easy, but I'll get back, the ass is just a bit sore now. 🙂 I just watch the Tour de France and dream.....
I enjoy your rants. I started my cycling at UW in the 60s. Now retired, I'm riding most days( snow bird) and never feel bored. Hope you keep doing your videos. 10:47
Love these repair vids with the smooth jazz. Really scratches an itch and learning a lot from watching while picking up little tricks. Keep em’ coming! 🤠
I am still riding my 1999 Bianchi steel frame touring bike with shifters on the downtube. I ride a lot of organized/charity rides, and the looks that I get range from impressed to mocking. Either way, I ride what I like. I have made some comfort improvements to it over the years, but nothing that the industry would consider an upgrade. It has over 50,000 miles on it now, and I have no intention of letting it go. I might be buried with that thing, Pharaoh style. 😂
Thanks, bike farmer for creating this channel. It has been like therapy for me to watch you work and hear your perspectives on life. I now find myself anticipating the next video in my feed and have a hard time not watching from beginning to end! Keep up the amazing work!
People like you are rare .. my main bike guy sadly passed away and the first thing he told me when I asked him about getting better suspension was .. well do you care if you get down the mountain half a second earlier? That was the reason I stuck with him because he didn't just wanted to sell me stuff I didn't need. Rip David I hope you are still sending it up there
Funny enough: it was the pump! So I visited the family back home in Germany and a cousin let me use his bike. Of course it had flat tires. I tried to pump it up with two different pumps that were laying around. Those tires just didn't get firm. Must be the inner tubes. I put new tubes in and pumped them up. But those tires didn't get firm! Then I rolled the bike to the bike shop. They pumped them up and all was fine. And that's how my cousin got a set of free inner tubes.
If that happens, I usually will test the pump on something I KNOW is holding air first. Then if that known good tire pumps up fine, I'll replace the tubes. Thankfully most LBSs around here will fill air for free. I know this because I still ask how much I owe them. If they ask for money, I'll pay them. Their time and effort getting distracted from their current work just to fill my tires. But the few times I've done that, it's been "no charge." Not by my insistence. I let them offer it. I always offer to pay.
My late wife and i took up tandem riding so we would arrive at the same time. She carried considerable extra weight. We were having a good time riding with other tandem couple and had a conversation during the lunch stop you will enjoy. " you should do x and y to take half pound off your bike" I laughed, saying we took up riding so i could lose 20# and my wife twice that. He never skipped a beat, no really, it will help... This point was driven home after she passed. I had regular training rides i did every morning so i could do 60+ mile rides weekends. One route was a very long, very steep grade. I struggled to maintain 8 or 9 mph with my old weight. After her passing, i lost those 20# and was able to hold 11 mph same hill, same bicycle, a Trek Y-Foil. Curious, on the flats, my average speed didn't really change
Great video, love it! My bike is a 1993 Trek 950, with 26 x 1.75 panaracer semi slick tires, full planet bike fenders, Brooks B-17 saddle, randonneurs handlebars, friction barend shifters, loose handlebar and saddle bags (I like to carry my stuff in my bags), triple crank with 8 spd cassette in the back, lights front and back, I wear t-shirts and also wear a $50 helmet on my head. And I tour, commute, ride club rides on this, and 200 km brevets. This bike always gives a heart attach to all of the bike club's snubs and I love it! By the way, I've owned this bike since 1997, I bought the frame and original fork for a yopping $30! Still my go to bike.....
Thanks Andy, your vids are awesome. In March, I found a $40 used Nishiki Colorado on Marketplace, put on riser bars, comfy seat and a whole slew of other things you suggested. I've ridden over 1,000 miles on it, through Fl9rida heat and dropped 55lbs. You're always there for me when I need a tune up or repair.
The old Nishiki bikes are solid. I’ve got one from the mid 90s that has put in some time in the Florida sun as well. Definitely my favorite bike to ride
Dick's (the sporting goods chain) bought the Nishiki name and now sells heavy, low-end comfort bikes branded with that name in its stores. It's not comparable to a Nishiki from the 70's & 80's.
@josepha8759 Mine is definitely a Dick's model, and it's heavy, but I'm over 400lbs... So a heavy bike isn't a concern. It's got easily upgradable parts, an XL frame, and its a 29er. At 6'7", those are important factors for me.
@@daveanderson2767 Awesome that you've dropped 55 lbs. 👍 Please check out Dr. Ken D Berry MD's videos on the carnivore diet. I've read a lot of comments on his videos from really big men like you who are losing up to a pound a day eating carnivore or ketovore. I switched to ketovore to control gout and it works.
I have to contradict yourt comment #9 on helmets. Years ago I broke my frontal skull bone because of a bike accident and because I wasn't wearing a helmet. I have chronic headaches since than. In my training as a MD I also worked in traumatology and I highly recommend anyone using a bike helmet. Not because you can't ride a bike savely, but because unexpected things happen that lead to horrible accidents. If you wear a helmet you reduce your risk of concussion or intracranial bleeding. You don't have to get the most expensive helmet ever, I also just use a helmet for around 40 bucks and it's fine, as longe as it fits your head and was tested for savety standards. Also I got a new bike a few days ago. But only as my old ones frame broke after 26 years of using. ;)
I used to wear a bike helmet simply to model good behavior to my kids. Then I slid on some loose sand on asphalt, I can still hear the sound of my helmet grinding on the ground as I came to a stop. I got away with a broken collarbone. No, a bike helmet won't save your life in a collision with an automobile, nothing would. But I suspect most bike accidents are more like the one I described.
Both my husband and I are on what are commonly called "blood thinners"-they're not and they don't "thin the blood" but they do slow down the time it takes for clots to form. So,because of the possibility of a head injury and more bleeding than would be normal for someone not needing these drugs, we both never rode our uprights, and now our recumbent trikes without wearing helmets. It's just taking a simple precaution while we enjoy cycling!
2:20 Great video, for the most part. But regarding helmets: had I not worn a helmet on that particular ride 3 months ago, I probably wouldn't be able to post this comment anymore. Learning to ride your bike safely is only one side of the coin. You just have to teach and *convince* all the drivers out there to drive there cars safely, too. Can you do that? Last thing I remember from that day is my thought 'Why is this ... behind me so damn close? He can't overtake here anyway!' Next glimpse of awareness found me in the ambulance car, and then again in the emergency room. All medics involved assured me afterwards: had I not worn that now crashed helmet, this would have been fatal for me more probable than not. Guys: if you can teach *all* car drivers (and I really mean all) to drive safely, please go out and do it. You'd earn my eternal gratitude. But if you're not able to fulfil this little task, just were a helmet when cycling in the streets and roads. For your own sake and the sake of your loved ones.
The heaviest thing on my bike is me. That's the component I should lighten. Also I ride a 16 year old Trek mountain bike with (gasp) 26" wheels. Oh the shame of it. Said mountain bike came with presta valve stems, I drilled the rims for schraders. Now I can stop at Walmart and get a tube that fits, oh the shame of it. I ditched my clipless pedals for teethed flat pedals, now I can ride in my tennis shoes, oh the shame of it. My $25 Walmart bike helmet did save me from a concussion...oh the joy of it.
My love for my comfort queen, steel, All City Space Horse has inspired me to ride 1200 miles this year and I've upgraded it by fixing my nutrition and lost 85 lbs. Love my bike, love this hobby and it has been a great fun journey. I did 4 days of RAGBRAI this year and had way more fun than I expected! When I look at some of these $9k bikes with a twinge of lust, I think of your videos and happily pedal off on my pavement princess!
Well said, I happen to ride, I ride bicycles resurrected from a bike co-op cast off bin. they are ugly, miss matched parts, but they work for how and what I ride. Can I wear lycra? Only if I want to get arrested for indecent exposure.
I love this video series. I think of myself as a real cyclist. By that I mean I bike to work, the store, my kid's school, etc. I don't wear lycra but I do have a fancy bike. Why because if I'm not spending $80,000 on a car I can pay $1000 on a bike but I realize that's a small change for a bike today.
i also think of myself as a real cyclist. i have a bike (or three) and i ride it. that's my whole definition. if you have a bike, and ride it, you're one of us too! i have my foot in so many camps. the tribalism is dumb. we all ride bikes. i love the customers that "aren't big bikers". you're here! do you wanna ride a bike? then you belong!
I still remember my favourite kind of riding was back when I was a teenager I'd go out exploring the outskirts of town, getting lost out in the rice farms of rural Chiba Prefecture, and ending up somewhere I didn't recognise at all...and panicking how far I'd come after seeing the local buses destined to some train station that's quite a bit away from my home town...I manage to get back home of course and I'd pour over the map for hours trying to figure out the route I'd discovered. Now my 8yo son wants to ride around and explore our suburban neighbourhood, which isn't as wild as my own rides, but it's still very fun. We also go to the local pump track together. Fun is the best kind of biking. Thanks for these excellent videos!
I’m long past buying the latest wonder widget with a razor sharp ass hatchet saddle and handlebars in the next time zone. I’ve been there, done that, bought the jersey, raced it every weekend, lathered, rinsed, and repeated. Now that I’m 69, I have a herd of 2nd and 3rd hand bikes that cost me pennies on their original price, upgraded with used or inexpensive new components to fit my current physique, shod with touring tires that last for years, that fulfill my every cycling need. Because my bikes fit me, I can at least keep the younger and faster riders in sight on the climbs. Because I trust my equipment, my setup, and my bike handling skills, I can sail past them on the downhill sections. I believe you’re on the right track with your business model, and you’re going to make a lot more cyclists happy with your services than what most encounter in the corporate bike selling universe. Keep up the great work, and thanks for making these videos!😁❤️
A few years back, my local bike shop recommended that I buy a Giant brand, "Leisure Bike." The pedal sprocket is about 8in forward of the usual position allowing my middle aged body (with belly) to comfortably ride upright. I don't ride as much as I'd like to but when I do, it's a nice bike. I am convinced they had my well being in mind when this bike was suggested.
Honestly, the newest road bikes look SO cool, but I don't feel less for owning a 30 year old road bike. This bike was $1k in 1996 dollars, which puts it well above entry level back when it was built. The RSX brifters needed replacing and so did the bottom bracket. Everything else was in great shape and I got it for $125, and paid the bike shop mechanic $266 for parts and labor (shifter replacement, recable controls, adjust brakes and derailleur, replace bar tape, replace bottom bracket). I then bought a better saddle from that shop. I'm still ahead on cost for the quality of specs vs paying for a new entry level road bike. It rides great and I'm happy on it. All thanks to the LBS doing great work on it. It looks like an older bike design, but it still rides like a road bike, and unless I'm racing, there's no difference in speed. And I'm comfortable.
I feel exactly the opposite; one of the main reasons I prefer older bikes in that new ones look absolutely terrible, and that's before you start installing modern Xeromorph-shaped components.
Had a 2005 DB MTB that got stolen in 2011. Bought a thrift store 1994 Schwinn Crosscut that I don’t expect will ever get stolen, then cops returned my MTB. Fast forward to now and I’ve replaced pedals, seat + drop bar on my hybrid, got beefier tires and it’s my gravely bike… MTB for snow too… great rants, BikeFarmer!
I treated myself to the bike of my dreams, I had to save up to buy it. and I treasure it like it was my first born child. The year was 1993, the bike was a Dawes Super Galaxy touring machine, Its still my pride and joy and still takes me where ever i want. The cycle industry tries to make out that my bike is so out of date that it wont make it to the end of the street and if I did try to ride it that far with down tube shifters and rim brakes I would be putting my life on the line!. the problem is that bikes like mine are so good that they will easily last a lifetime, and if the bike companies are unable to persuade us that we can't survive without the next new wonder bike then they go out of business.
Same here, only the year was 2019 and it was a carbon fiber Trek ProCaliber 9.6 which I upgraded with carbon fiber seats and wheels. Before that I only rode K-Mart and second hand bikes. So I had an excuse to splurge, and don’t regret it. It’s the best bike I’ve ever had, and I don’t think it can get any better… so imma keep this thing till the frame gives.
The bike was riding in RI before I came to FL 15 years ago was a 1953 Raleigh 3 -speed. It had a bent seat stay , rusty spokes on the rear and a coating of sludge on the chain. I rode that bike everywhere. I told people it was once Henry Miller's because he was in Europe in 53. I would still have the bike but the car carrier would'nt let me put it on the car. I read an article in Cycling Magazine back in the day which the rider had your Dawes Galaxy. I wanted one because I liked the name. That is a GREAT bike . Ride on.
Sir, you had a lot of good points, especially on the rider dropping weight! I was at my LBS earlier, telling the guy that if I'm going to worry about weight, I need to worry about mine first. After all, physics only cares about the total rolling weight, i.e. the weight of the bike and the rider; since I need to lose some weight, I'll start there. Since I got back into biking and eating better (mainly smaller portions of my normal diet, nothing scientific here), I can feel the pounds starting to come off. If I ever get close to my high school weight again, maybe then I'll worry about the weight of my bikes and components. Until then, I'll focus on rider weight, TYVM. As for gear, I normally wear street clothes, including regular sneakers. That's right; I still use toe clips! I get why clipless pedals are good, but even that's too much for me. For me, cycling is all about simplicity, minimalism, back to basics, and all that. I have bike shorts, but they're baggy MTB shorts, not the spandex ones the TDF wannabes wear. While I have a jersey, it's from my skating days; I was too cheap to buy a proper cycling jersey, so I use my old Rollerblade jersey. I only wear the jersey and MTB shorts on longer rides though. Usually, I just wear shorts and a brightly colored t-shirt (like construction workers wear) that I got off Amazon. The t-shirts are made of a poly cotton blend, so they're good enough at wicking moisture for rides less than an hour or so. Oh, and I was in the new Trek Bikes shop in town. It had been an iconic LBS in my area, and the owner retired. When he retired, Trek took over the shop. I was curious, so I paid a visit to the Trek shop. When I went in there, my jaw hit the floor. I saw jerseys costing $150. I saw bicycles that cost MORE than my motorcycle! I'M SERIOUS! I was like, WTF? Are you serious? These carbon fiber wonders with Ti components are wonderful works of art, but they only make sense for professional racers; for mere mortal riders like me, my vintage bikes are more than adequate.
I came to cycling again in my mid 40's as rehab for knee surgery after an injury playing tennis. I was a better than average tennis player but had learned where I stood in the world of athletes and vowed to never let cycling become competition. I did get reasonably fast and one day found myself in the company of two members of the local racing team. After missing a shift mid climb the race group leader commented I needed to upgrade my equipment. I replied that I had to be more careful about my riding companions. My bike is a 2003 steel frame Lemond Tormelet. The geometry fits me perfectly and the well worn Brooks saddle is comfortable even in my Fruit of the Looms and off the rack duds from Walmart. My garage is stocked with 7 speed, rim brake gear against the day when that generation is no longer available.
Great video - thanks! Very sensible take on everyday cycling presented with humour. I'm an older(78), born-again cyclist, and would add an 11th thing to your list - cycle computers. I have one, and won't give it up, but the temptation to be disappointed with your ride if your average is 0 001mph slower than last time is huge!
I was talking with a couple of lycra wearing bike club members before a ride last year, and I voiced my opinion that electronic breaks and shifters were just much more expensive alternatives to things that have worked just fine since forever, and that landed about as well as shouting "Go Yankees" in a Boston bar.
@@manysnakes - Right?! Rim breaks have been pretty good at stopping bikes for decades. Disk breaks come along, and they're slightly better. Great! That doesn't magically make rim breaks no longer work.
A few years back I took my 1998 Vintage LTS to a local bike shop wanting to replace my beat up rims. The fellow in the shop laughed at me and asked why I would want to waste money on such an old bike. Yeah, they didn't and still don't get much business from me. I ride because it is fun, and my old LTS still keeps up with these young guys on their fancy new bikes that they upgrade every year or so.
When I moved to Colorado I soon learned that no matter my speed there might be a group passing me at twice the speed while chatting away. Then I learned that loads of professional cyclists make it their home, and they're on the road a lot.
Aloha - Recumbent rider here again. Thank you for the video. We need more shops with your unique pov. Note I ride for fun. I ride in a full kit sort of (compression shorts Instead of padded) because I like it and board shorts like to ingest bees at speed. I love my bike. That is why I ride bent. It is 2009 steel frame.
The major issue is that the manufacturers of 'normal' bikes (and parts) chased after the 'racing' bikes in both marketing and price. A bike used to be a cheap mean of transportation, now it has vibes of snobbery... I made a long overdue overhaul to my 20 y.o. mountain bike, sure, I spent 250€ in parts (quite a ship of Theseus) but I picked the most practical, resilient and reliable, not the lightest or fastest. It became a really smooth and comfortable touring/trekking bike. I'm lucky that I can maintain my bikes by myself, the last 'bike shop' in town closed a few months ago (the gentleman was already retired and doing it mostly for fun), I used to go there once a year for a check up or to get parts. Now only there are only 'cycling shops' ...
LAST time i went to a bike repair shop, wanted my bike to get cleaned and tuned. It was in the middle of the summer, and could be that older great mechanics were on vacation, dunno. Anyway some guy in early 20s took the bike and a week later it was done. Front derraileur wasnt rattling when i dropped it off, now it is. Rear derraileur shifted, but not perfect. Guy said it was "like it (RD) didnt have the strength" or something like that. But the thing that PISSED ME off so much i vowed i will never set foot in ANY bike service again was when he said that it felt good for a low end bike. It was a 4 year old Fuji Nevada with Acera/Deore group. That pissed me off so freakin much. He did a shit job servicing it, and i kinda got a feeling that unless its SLX/Ultegra, to these guys it doesnt matter if its properly tuned. Its not rocket sceince, took me some time, but im fixing and tunning my own bike. Its not perfect, but better than last service....
These young bike mechanics have a real bad attitude. I think the problem with bike shops these days is that many people are buying bikes and components online and the shops have lost business. So -they'll do whatever they can to convince you into buying a new bike.
Tuning and fixing your own bike is a lot of fun. When I started cycling, i also started learning how to do everything to my bike. It's apparently simpler than motorcycle and car, so why bother looking for mechanic 😂
@@feliciacoffey6832 Mostly watching yt videos, but also reading some articles, forums,reddits. Depends on the topic. Its not a walk in a park, but if you have awill to learn and try stuff you can do it. FIrst time i tried to tune my dereaileurs took me almost a day. Each time it was "fine", but not good enough. Each time it got more "logical" to me as i tampered with it.
Funniest video I have seen in a while! I have a 40yr old bike turned into a one speed, extended stem to keep me upright, padded seat, and fat tires. I don't want a tech rocket, I like a rambler. I personally wish the bike companies would downsize and fire their marketing departments....as far as the racers go....they are not the majority of the market and it is high time the companies realize that.
Well, riding my bike a car hit me head on and what kept me safe wasn’t my helmet but my past crashes. My experience crashing. I wasn’t wearing a helmet. In a split second, I knew that if I didn’t do something, I could die here. I decided to take the hit and roll as much as I could. A helmet didn’t keep me safe, experienced and a limber body did. I’m glad to say what’s now keeping me the safest when I ride is sharing the road. Sharing, that’s an upgrade tehe. God is good.
I really hate riding with the traffic along a rural road, with cars you can't see doing 60. It was better to be against the traffic, like pedestrians, since you could see whats headed toward you.
Yes, I upgraded my #1 bike last month with Holland type handlebars. Now I can sit back and enjoy the ride. This month I will upgrade my #2 bike with Holland type handlebars so I can enjoy that bike. Bike shop dude said I might lose my balance 😮!
Makes sense. I lOVE my 15 year old Trek 820. Fresh tires and regular maintenance are all it needs. I just wish Ohio had bike highways like the Netherlands.
I'm a follower of the book 'Just Ride'. I lived thru my entire childhood, plus some, with no helmet. Now, I wear a cheapie from walmart when the helmet police are around. Regular shoes, pants, and t-shirt. My Surly Bridge Club and I still put on the miles but, I'm having fun, adventure, and adrenaline highs while doing it.
I think the heavy sarcasm all strikes to a point; who cares what others think. If you ride and it makes you happy, that's all that matters. That's how I see it anyway. I like your honesty and humor. And yes, these are reasons I dreaded going into bike shops. They would make me feel horrible for riding something that wasn't new or fancy. I then started doing my own work so I would understand it more and be more self reliant. The attitudes changed over time at the shop and now they're super helpful. Almost like there was a culture shift in the shop. Or the industry... not sure. Anyhow, I'd love taking my bike to you if you weren't in Wisconsin. Have a great day.
Bicycles are an addiction. I like the cheap fixes that I find on Marketplace. People go bananas when I tell them about the Fuji road bike. I just got with a carbon fiber fork and aluminum frame and 2x10 tiagra drivetrain and I only spent $75 on it and I had to buy bar tape and new hoods. Oh yeah, I decided to give myself an improvement and put and 11 to 34. Cassette on it instead of the 12 to 28. That was standard. It almost makes the person I'm talking to that has their multi-thousand dollar bike choke on the order they're drinking. I also appreciate my department store GMC frame that I basically put all the parts that I wanted on it. Nothing expensive. Just the stuff I wanted to play with.
Brother, marketplace deals will be the death of me. I went from 2 bikes to 10 way too fast. Kept buying bikes to salvage parts off of, only to find out they are in perfect working order and kinda cool in their own right. Viva la used bike deals!
Have a 90's era custom built Marinoni, with 2x 8speed Shimano, Mavic rims and rim brakes. Even has hood mounted friction shifters. At 18.5 pounds (with a carbon fork), it cost me about 1,200, all in. Bought it used, for $300, and did upgrades as I could afford them. I did race, for three seasons, but that was over thirty years ago. That was on an all steel Apollo, which cost me $250. I hated the snobbery then and I hate it even more now. Now I just want to lower my heart rate, blood pressure, and keep my strength and energy up. Professional cyclists train up to 40,000 k per year. Most of the snobs couldn't train half that much, but they still think they can buy their way in. Reality is so much less hassle.
The main thing I learn from Bike Farmer or at least remind myself is that bikes are for everyone for any level. I'm on one end with my bib, 1x drive chain, Titanium custom build going 20 and the friend next door just going for a comfortable ride to go shopping on their up right used metal they got from our local bike shop.
I had a mountain bike and I used to ride a couple of times a month. Then I got a $300 fat bike that weighs at least twice as much. Now I ride every other day and go at least 4 times further each ride. For fun! Guess I found the right bike 😊
One could just replace "bicycle" with "motorcycle" or "automobile" and all the same things apply. Marketing sapping the joy out of literally everything that is past 1 year old.
YOU have taught me how to adjust brakes and derailleurs! Thank you, I’m fixing up several 90’s mountain bikes that I’ve found at the curb. They were all $800 new, I only dreamt of having one then, now I have three left, I fix them and they go to my friends’ kids.im keeping one of the Gary Fishers for me, for now.
Hey Bike Farmer, videos like this are one of the reasons I am a sub. Blunt, honest truth. I love it!! Keep making them. Btw, my “upgrade” is a new meniscus this year. Finally back out spinning my wheels again. Happy!!! 😊
I pretty much agreed with everything in this video. Whenever I tell people I ride bikes they say something to the effect of "ew not like those spandex people, right?" Also, those people can be snooty and irritating, but I bet nobody would notice them if there were more than a couple of token bike lanes in each city. Bikes interfere directly with traffic, so I think people often go into "race mode" out of fear. I hate being the first "vehicle" in the left hand turn lane with a few cars behind me, riding on my ass impatiently as soon as that arrow goes green. You're right that people burn money on performance parts. I used to ride a carbon fiber cyclocross bike and I've drifted back to steel frames. I don't get why every bicycle we sell in America is designed for racing, or why that's the only thing that bike companies seem to think Americans want. Why can't I get my hands on a simple, upright steel cargo bike to pick up some damn groceries? How is that a several thousand dollar purchase??? Am I a hypocrite because I spent fifteen hundred bucks on a Trek touring bike on craigslist? Probably, but there simply aren't very many bikes in this country designed to carry anything heavier than a couple of gel packs, and I'd have bought a cheaper bike if I'd found one.
People in countries that have large utility cycling populations know that bikes are tools, not toys, but even where a lot of utility bikes are sold they're mostly not cheap, because they're built to last and buyers know they're getting a good car replacement - particularly with the proliferation of cargo e-bikes.
OK, I am a sucker but the last time I was in a bike shop was 1973 to buy a Viscount [Browning] with the cast aluminum fork that sheared just below the headset when you hit a pot hole! Proof that I am a sucker!
Oh yeah, my bike is an old Giant LIV "girls bike". I put on highrise bars, plush seat, a front disc brake, rear brake is still rim, Connex diy waxed chain. It rides absolutely beautifully, and it's comfortable 😊
Well only the jersey is one I would argue on because after 4 years of commuting in cotton T-shirts and denim shorts I welcomed the revelation that a proper well made bike jersey would not still be wet with sweat when I cycled home 8 hours later. I have never bought cycle clothing for aerodynamics or weight, it’s always for the comfort.
If you're not the boy racer type, riding slow "Is more! Just listening to the sound of your tires, bird song and the occasional dog bark while enjoying the view in the countryside is definitely "More"! stuff your expensive upgrades. Oh, and I don't have a car!
I like your Kambouiller, great looking bike. Drop end shifters, steel lugs, looks like campy... You know your stuff. My dad rides a frejus and knew the guy years ago. I have 2 custom steel frames, one fixed, both, full campy. Keep it clean, trash the hype. I don't need titanium screws. My frames have 90's geometry and it is still the same today.
Unfortunately I am one of “the suckers” as described. I got tempted into buying a pair of ultralight titanium bottle cages - 4grams each. Yes 4grams! They do hold a bottle cage but are so flimsy as to not hold the bottle steady and you can’t get a bottle out with one hand! Basically for show purposes only. Had to put my old bottle cages back on the bike - there is no fool like an old fool 😢
Meh i ditched water bottles as soon as i got a camel back. Stores both my water well well as keys wallet phone. No more fiddling about trying to put bottle back in the cage. Plus the ice water in the pack helps keep me cooler.
Well, as a mountain biker, "upgrades" are very much a real thing IMO, i got a set of Sram Code R brakes and ever since i just don't worry about how fast i'm going because i know my brakes and tyres are up to the task, and when i swaped my rear shock for one 9 years newer i was BLOWN AWAY by how much better it was, i got a lot more pop on jumps, loads of support pedalling with great bump response, and as a little bonus it's even a little lighter, wich is nice to have on a DH bike. Truth is, the brakes were both the cheapest and the better of the two, but i would consider both of them upgrades over the original parts i was running and i'd confidently say i'm faster (and more importantly) and have more fun thanks to them, so they fully earn the chance to call themselves as such. The rear shock aditionally taught me more about how i should set up my suspension, so that's another big win IMO
Too fat for a bicycle and too clumsy, I fall off. So I bought a tricycle. Declining to pay $4000 I bought one used for $1200. My cycling costume consists of Dickies shirt, Carhartt shorts and suspenders and whatever cheap ass underwear my ole lady bought me. Shoes are, well, just shoes. My bicycle hat is more a thing to mount a mirror to than something to protect my cranium. If I really need a helmet it is really too dangerous for me to be doing. The high speed low drag super athletes laugh at me but somebody gotta be the butt of the jokes, might as well be me. Oh, and I voted for Trump and my wife did too.
I'm 41. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine gave me a bone-stock Genesis 29" Hardtail. That bike is a straight beast -- and where I lost the "weight" was going to light tires. No joke, not only did I improve the weight of the bike, but the rolling resistance of the tires is 5x what knobby tires on the street will do. And on top of that, I put an aluminum frame on the back so I can pull a 50 lb. garden wagon with it. Even with that weight, the bike is very nice to ride, especially when you haul over 100 lbs. of tools to work on a car (my mom's). But the fact is, it isn't the fancy-schmancy road bike, it's a nice-running 29" hardtail. And it's mine. And funny thing is, there are a lot of times I'll ride my 29, and I'll get questions about the hitch for my wagon, since it's a pull-behind instead of a side-pull. Point is, my bike and how I ride is nobody's business but mine, because who cares? I'm the one riding, nobody else.
Yes, but helmets can only lower the damage when you eventually screw up. Learning how to ride and looking around is what actually saves your life. Problem I have with "the helmet thing" is they made it into the holy idol of safety. Situation is so ridiculous that after the accident, people are ONLY asking "did he have a helmet" instead of "did that dum&a$$ just ran through the intersection without even looking?" The level of religious fanaticism around bike helmets is actually dangerous. Helmet is the last layer of defense - not the first one and not the only one.
The fuss around helmets only exists because there's always that guy who feels the urge to share the immense wisdom that helmets don't do much. Everyone else is just plain using them. Take seatbelts, for example. When someone crashes, is this the first thing you ask? No. Because this is the default. I suspect the no-helmet guy is the same that would literally die if they used a mask for 10 min in 2020. Maybe it's the same guy that says "voltage don't kill, what kills is amperage " until he falls head first after being tased by cop by a low amperage device.
I would have landed in koma or coffin at least 3 times over the last 20 years without a helmet. You can be the most skillfull rider and still that trucks front grill is harder than your skull. Not to mention the road surface...
just about to say. a properly maintained and fitted bike is active safety, but still you will be flying eventually and I prefer my head to be less mush when this is happening
@@fernosanPlenty of people still die from not wearing seat belts. The main cause of death for cyclists is car colissions, of which 73% (gov.uk) were found to be the driver at fault. Advocating for helmet use blames the victim and doesn't get to the root of the problem, which is a lack of infrastructure and easy-to-pass driving tests. To be clear, I wear a helmet. I just don't care if you do, because we've got much bigger fish to fry than 8 deaths a year (gov.uk).
I love my old trek 7.2fx from 2009ish. I've pedaled US 1 to Key west and up mountains in several states. Lots of miles on roads with no shoulders in all kinds of weather. Never needed fancy seat covers or different wheelsets or lighter crankarms. I'm an average guy who likes to ride
I'm 78 and have had hundreds of flat tires and pants cuffs chewed up by the cloth eating chain demons. Between then and now several bicycles have served me well. If you can't sit in your dining room chair for one hour without scrumming about how anyone thinks that some magical bike seat will keep you in comfort for any trip of length is a dreamer. Manufactures know that one can always sell a dream.
Personally I’m a bike nut. I love my modern Specialized EVO and my 1970 restored British Falcon road bike. I love to change parts and change stuff. I’ve been riding since I was 3. But I agree with you, if you just commute or ride twice a year restoration or maintenance is all most people need…me, I customize everything….😅
i got a surly preamble, put on some swept back bars, a saddle that is comfy and some schwalbe marathon tyres because i ride to work and hate punctures. Its got a very cheap 8 speed microshift drive train. It changes gear fine, its comfortable, it has flat pedals so i can wear any shoes i want. I have got a bike that gives me no excuse not to ride it, plus i have lost over 20kg in weight and did a bicycle tour on on it. The whole thing cost like £1,000, and probably under £300 a year in consumable parts/tune ups. . Sure i could add some £500 shimano groupset or new wheels that are so light and will make me SUPER FAST (I see this shit all the time online)but the bike functions great, its comfortable, fast enough for me, and keeps me fit. Plus its steel so im pretty sure ill be able to ride this frame for the next 20 years plus. Casette wore out, bought a £25 sunrace casette. Chain wore out, £10. I see fat dudes with lycra and £6k carbon bikes and i always laugh and think "that big belly is not very aero" Im also working a really low paying job £18k a year so my bicycle lets me go to work for free since buying it and I dont need a gym pass.
And to think I used to pay five bucks so I can buy a magazine that was pretty much just to advertisement for whoever paid them to write an article! They had me re-reading these ads dreaming about one day I can afford them! Honestly RUclips is a godsend for real information if you do research.
I always said a good bike doesn't have to be fancy. What makes a bike ride well is if it fits you in size and works how it should be. Even a million dollar space bike can be a shity bike if it's not maintained properly or not your size.
😂 Just came back from my Zone 2 century training ride in my new favorite Lycra bicycling jersey. Sat down on the couch with my bacon egg and cheese sandwich to watch your latest vid. This is genius. As someone who is a "serious cyclist" who is anything but serious I love this. Keep doing God's work. I'm looking to upgrade from my 2002 Trek but I'll be damned if I'm sinking any money into electronic shifting.
Oh yeah, this has turned me off about cycling since just about forever… I've been cycling as a main mode of transport for over fifty years! The one thing I disagree about is Joe Blow pumps: got one of them 25 years ago because my previous pump was cheap crap and gave out after six or seven years and I figured it should last longer. And I'm still using that JB pump at least once a week. Only thing I've done is to replace the tire chuck when it wore out about 5 years ago. Long since paid for itself in saved money on multiple cheap crap pumps and frustration when those break.
Agree there is way too much emphasis put on high end equipment. However, it really depends on what you are doing. If you’re a casual rider, most any comfortable bike will do. If you ride road, fast and long, the bike can really make a difference. Things like gearing, derailers, shift controls, geometry and even tires can make a noticeable difference. Not saying totally high end on everything, but good quality definitely makes a difference. And yes, weight is laughable. I’ve seen guys with high end super light bikes who were 60 pounds overweight or more. Really!!?? 😂
So true! As a girl growing up I competed in bike races and there was so much emphasis on the weight of the bike, but I knew I weighed more than that difference, so what's the point in worrying about grams when you could easily poo that out?
Those who say weight doesn't matter are wrong. Three years ago I got on my scale wit my Varsity Sport and saw 305 pounds show up. Today I got on the same scale (with new batteries) with my 1986 Centurion Dave Scott and the scale said 200 pounds. The Dave Scott is so much easier to get up hills that I don't know why everyone doesn't upgrade.
@@escgoogle3865 I'm living the dream. I own those bikes I couldn't afford in high school--Schwinn Cimmaron, Trek 720, and the Dave Scott. Just had to wait for the prices to match my earing power. . .
@1:47 You can swap the insert of an SV valve. That isn't the problem. @8:17 If you want the benefits of exercising, that statement is true. No tomfoolery. Just ride swiftly. 😘
After spending 300€ on a new bike four years ago and enjoying it in its simplicity, I sold it for a third of the price and spent another 300, but this time for three used bikes: a 15€ Bianchi ATB, flipped after cleaning off the rust and changing cables grips etc; a 150€ Merida Crossway, a hybrid that wanted to be an upgrade from the 300€ new one, but gave me a slight headache with... guess what... hydraulic brakes, but now rides good and I enjoy the wider range that it offers, both with low and high gears, thanks to the triple crankset; and the new entry is a steel roadie from 7-8 years ago, 135€, but litterally never ridden by the previous owner, still with some wrapping around the wheels, with a basic Claris groupset, but most importantly plenty of range for a weak climber like me (and that's the only reason why I didn't choose an older but higher end model, they require some money to put on a compact crankset and something bigger in the rear, if the RD can accept it). After some initial fear with the hoods and poorly set rim brakes, I'm now starting to enjoy it more and more. If my legs will allow it, I'd love to do a couple days ride next year. In cheap lycra and with a helmet.
You nailed it for sure, too funny! You can add 29" wheels and the abandoning 26" wheels and bikes. You can pick up a 26'er for peanuts, tune it up and have a great ride, but of course, that don't help the bike industry sell you new bikes and equipment sucker!🤣🤣
Thanks for what you do! It brings me back to reality after I watch too many videos about high performance bikes and equipment. You’ve also taught me a lot about maintaining my ride so it will continue to be “good enough for who it’s for “. Keep it up, and bring on the Bike Farmer merch!
I've seen a few starting to do this on mountain bikes for durability reasons. When you think about it, it's kind of silly Presta were ever on mountain bikes considering they were invented because skinny road wheels needed a narrower valve.
I got a huge bad taste in my mouth for local bike shops back around 1985. I went into a bike shop and they treated me like I was some total loser who had no clue which was 100% correct but I already knew that and didn't need my face rubbed into it, I was there to learn and become a life long cyclist which I became and have always bought my supplies, tools parts etc online and did all my own work. I never ever go into a bike shop and spend money and I have spent thousands of dollars on bikes and parts etc. I've owned probably over 200 bikes in my life as I was huge at flipping bikes when CL first got going. I was making pretty good money at it out of my garage bike shop. Now days I can't seem to give a bike away for free after spending $200 on it getting it in to shape so I pretty much stopped doing that. Anyway, I agree with all you say and do 100%. Your a younger version of me on a larger scale I guess as you live in a better place for biking. I live in Texas and the heat kind of makes it not as good of a place although there are a lot of bike enthusiasts here.
We have a very nice greenway where I live. Lots of walkers and people riding bikes. Of the bike riders, the people on the cheap Walmart bikes are always the most considerate to everyone else on the trail. The absolute worst are the spandex and jersey wearing, expensive bike racer types. I don't know how many times I have almost been knocked over because one of them zipping along like they are in the Tour de France.
I have 3 bikes: (1) A "daily driver" that gets most of the mileage. It's a reasonably fast, durable alloy road bike, that is gravel-capable with a wheel / tire swap (and yes, I have those wheels and tires.) (2) A 2016 Cannondale Synapse Ultegra Carbon. If I'm spending more than 4 hours on a bike, and I don't need to haul anything, this is the bike I'm taking. It's comfortable, decently fast, and just a sweet ride, but I do baby it. (3) A mountain bike. Some of my co-workers got me hooked on mountain biking last year, and I'm looking forward to getting out there this fall. Do I NEED 3 bikes? No. Do I enjoy the heck out of each of them? {bleep} yes.
It's insane how many people don't understand that a halmet isn't a fix for cycling safety, and that wearing a helmet for me personally means I'm more likely to ride faster, take more risks and increase the chance I'll hurt myself because I have a subconscious false sense of safety so I prefer not to wear one on commutes or easy rides. I do absolutely wear one when I go outside with the intent of having fun by means of going fast though.
It all depends on the type of collision. Years ago a car turned into me and I flew over the hood and hit the ground headfirst. I walked away with a cut above one eye and a destroyed helmet. Without the helmet I would have likely started severe head trauma.
I got a kick out of this video. My brother just bought a Roscoe 8 and and wanted me to get a bike too... So i just spent a week stressing about the best way to do this with so many options. Anyway, i gave up and just bought a Trek 4500 for $45 and wanted to know how to get it usable and found you! Now I don't feel like it was that much of a compromise.
I'm the fancy racer who has all the fancy gear, training, diet, and don't have any weight to loose😛 It frustrates me to no end how difficult it can seem for new riders to get into the sport. Going to most bike shops as a complete beginner sounds like a good way to drain your 401k. Shops like yours are on their way out unfortunately. Cycling will eventually become something that is even more out of touch to the general public than it already is. Let's face it, cycling is becoming a rich person sport. I know so many people who are genuinely interested in cycling but don't want to spend the 5k$ for a bike a basic necessities. We just had a good local shop close with great used bikes due to the owner passing. It's now down to Facebook marketplace for anything used unfortunately. And thats even worse than the fancy bike shops now😑 Although we do have a good local fancy shop whith a straight shooting owner. He wont sell you anything you dont need and will try to talk you out of the fancy stuff. Great shop they just dont do anything used unfortunately.
I picked up a Breezer model "downtown" for 20 bucks this morning. Brakes were disconnected, half the bolts were loose, and the tires were flat. Got it home and was riding it in half hour. Always thought I wanted a Breezer! Thing isn't nearly the bike, my old Trek 720 is. It's going on FB for sale.
I don't need a better bike. I need better bike infrastructure, so I have more options than riding up the side of a mountain.
I like mountains, the scenery changes faster than on flat land. But I agree on the infrastructure.
@@keithmcmanus2406
I don’t need a new bike, but I do think my engine could use a little tuneup 🤔👍
I'm not sure where you live but in my experience living around mountains, they typically hold their own type of infrastructure in the form of dirt roads and trails. Riding off the pavement is a much, much more enjoyable experience in my opinion. There is less traffic and the sense of adventure heightens as soon as you pull off into the dirt 😊
Ain’t that the truth. Same reason I wear a helmet. Never used to when I lived in a city with good bike trails and lanes but it’s worth slapping on to give me a slightly better chance of not having to have my skull stapled back together after some a$$hole on their phone plows me over
Here in America we have the freedom to only choose cars as transportation
That's what freedom is, one choice.
I've shaved about 85 pounds off my bike by eating less and riding my bike a lot. Now THAT'S an upgrade! Also, there's nothing wrong with fancy cycling gear, but there seems to be a correlation between cycling jerseys and friendliness. The more geared up a rider is, the less likely they're going to acknowledge you when you give a friendly wave or nod from your comfy upright bike.
This must be true everywhere. Add in old folks going way too fast on Ebikes.
Suited up for action is often necessary but free marketing, meh
I'm a mountain biker but I don't own any Fox or branded gears except for helmets.
I'm still waiting for a good alternative to lycra for super humid weather. Nebraska sucks!
@@decius596 Wool. Changed my life. I'm guessing that you already tried it and don't like it so good luck with your search. And agreed, Nebraska sucks. Guess how I know.🤣
I ride so I can eat all the pizza I want.
Every time someone 'apologizes' for the bike they're riding, I ask them 'Do you like it? Does it do what you want it to?' When they answer 'Yes' I tell them 'It looks like you have the right bike.'
I published a set of 10 cycling maxims for our local club blog. #1 is, "Any bike you are riding is better than any bike you're not." #2 is, "You are more like a possum than a Buick." I forget the rest.
Guy used to ride an OLD canti MTB frame with drop bars and pull 80% of the ride. This is way before drop bar MTBs were a thing. It was awesome!
AMEN!
My bicycle watches this channel when I'm not home.
How the bike industry could sell more bikes...?
Advocate for infrastracture that benefits people getting around and commuting on bikes.
If people need cars to go anywhere, they will always look at bikes as toys. But if it's easier to do a quick shopping trip with a bile rather than the car, they will also go to the bike shop more often to swap chains, gear cables, spokes or to get a new bike...
The bike industry should just learn from the car or petrol industry.
Yeah ,but did you see those new awesome wireless shifter for just 600 $ ?
This is why they have been pushing "gravel bikes" so hard. It's too dangerous to ride around cars now.
they make parts that don't fit the older stuff is how they do it.
@@junahn1907 Add to that crappy pavement. CA cities are falling apart cuz taking care of streets is boring, hard to budget, and doesn't get politicians their headlines. That's why I switched to a gravel bike.
1984 and a female customer is telling me that she doesn't care that toe clips and straps might give her a performance benefit--she just wants to have fun riding her bicycle and she can have plenty of fun with flat pedals. I just couldn't wrap my head around this and found myself arguing with her about it. Fast forward 40 years and I've converted my mountain bikes over to flat pedals and found I was enjoying riding them more with no loss of "performance" that I could notice. I've even recommended to others who are on the fence or having issues with cleated systems to give flat pedals a try. I recognized at the time, back in '85' that I had totally failed at customer service that day, but it wasn't until much, much later that I realized that she was actually right all along.
Yes . And I've found that placing my feet more towards the heel on the pedals results in less leg fatigue. I think it creates a better balance between the quads and the hamstrings.
I tried the whole clipless thing and ended up back on flats with all my bikes. Caught Flack from a few "real" cyclists. Absolutely do not care. I love wearing Keen sandals on my summer rides and walking my bike straight through a stream no problem while they soak their expensive shoes
I use flat pedals, but, will be getting toe straps, for context zi live in zireland, my right foot keeps slipping off the pedal completely, never happens with the left foot, I wear runners & have tried every other type of shoe for flat pedals & still have the problem. Need the straps!
@@TheGreenhillsCyclistInRagOrder Consider installing a pedal axle extender on that right pedal. It will move the pedal out from the crank about 3/4 inch. Can get them on E-bay.
@@TheGreenhillsCyclistInRagOrder sharpen your pedals with a regular flat steel file. Your feet will stop slipping off. Guaranteed.
Thanks, man! I had to quit riding 20 years ago, and now want to get back in. My great local bike shop (where I got all my kids' bikes) was gobbled up by Trek, and after I brought my 25 year old bikes in there to get them up to riding speed, I started to realized what a sh!t show the "cycling industry" has turned into. You have allowed me to realize my scorn and derision is justified and not just the rantings of an old man yelling at the sky. :). Good luck!
Scorn and derision is what this channel is really all about it.
I took my Trek y22 bike from late 1990's to the bike shop to get an crank arm replaced. They were in horror to see rim brakes, 100mm fork and suspension , and what they call "ancient geometry"....Im just out there happy ridin it on dirt trails. For me its just 2 wheels driven by a crank and chain 😂
dude any decent bike shop would have been psyched to see a legit y frame. those things are important bike history!
Maybe they were just afraid that the ancient component on your bike might require replacement parts that are not available anymore. Otherwise anyone older than 20 with some minor knowledge of bicyle history would love to work on such a bike.
agree
Don't let those nitwits try to shame you. They're young guys who are so wrapped up in technology they need computer program to find their own dicks.
You need a new bike shop. There are certain ones I won't go to because they have the same boutique upgrade mentality. The main one I go to is awesome. Anybody can go through the door with any kind of bike and they are happy to fix it
i’m 80 years old have been riding as an adult since about age 24 and my current bike is a 30 year old trek 820 which I bought new and just modified a little bit so that I sit more upright. I love riding and hope to log many more miles…
Way to go !!!
My old 820 is really the bike that carried my love of cycling into adulthood. Fun little bikes, I wish we still saw a greater number of 26 inch wheels still being offered on quality bicycles.
I'm on my late 80's Trek 750. Same here.... same mods to make my 52yo ass and back hurt less. Having a blast!
"Cantilever brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get V brakes." Got V brakes.
"V brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get mechanical disc brakes." Got mechanical disc brakes.
"Mechanical disc brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get hybrid or hydraulic brakes." Got hydraulic brakes.
"One piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get two piston hydraulic brakes." Got two piston hydraulic brakes.
"Two piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? At least get four piston hydraulic brakes." Got four piston hydraulic brakes.
"Four piston hydraulic brakes? Are you sick of living? Get six piston hydraulic brakes."
This! Seriously! I have the original wide profile cantis on my 1989 mountain bike and get all the same comments. But here's the thing, it has full size brake levers, I wrap four full sausage grippers around them and when I squeeze the wheels stop turning. There is no improving on that short of ABS. But when I test-ride a new bike with disc brakes and drop bars and try to apply the brakes with just my two teacup lifters nothing happens. My response to the bike industry is "forget fancy new brake tech, learn how levers work and stop mounting brake levers upside down you idiots!!!"
V-brakes are cantilever brakes. They are mounted on cantilevers.
Amen!!!!
'Are you sick of living". Get electromagnetic voice activated brakes .
Well, the first person was right, cantilever brakes are horrible. But good v-brakes are capable of locking a wheel if you're strong enough, and at that point it's all about your tires and riding technique. The other brakes are about saving strength on long downhill rides.
Hot damn, I do love this channel. I'm freaking 91 years old been riding a while, I mean a while. Just had a hip revision and building the miles back, not easy, but I'll get back, the ass is just a bit sore now. 🙂 I just watch the Tour de France and dream.....
Send it my friend! Your comment should be pinned to the top in bold letters for all of us to read and admire!
Keep rippin it!
@@thompsongtx Much appreciated, sir. No crash and burns today, hopefully!
Thanks for keeping up the passion!!!
I enjoy your rants. I started my cycling at UW in the 60s. Now retired, I'm riding most days( snow bird) and never feel bored.
Hope you keep doing your videos. 10:47
Love these repair vids with the smooth jazz. Really scratches an itch and learning a lot from watching while picking up little tricks. Keep em’ coming! 🤠
Thanks hey!
I am still riding my 1999 Bianchi steel frame touring bike with shifters on the downtube. I ride a lot of organized/charity rides, and the looks that I get range from impressed to mocking. Either way, I ride what I like. I have made some comfort improvements to it over the years, but nothing that the industry would consider an upgrade. It has over 50,000 miles on it now, and I have no intention of letting it go. I might be buried with that thing, Pharaoh style. 😂
i've gotten some looks while riding in casual clothes on my 40 year old bike.
i just drop those people.
Awesome !!!
I quit fired from Eric's mainly for tell customers the truth and giving brakes on bike service.
Thanks, bike farmer for creating this channel. It has been like therapy for me to watch you work and hear your perspectives on life. I now find myself anticipating the next video in my feed and have a hard time not watching from beginning to end! Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks hey!
In short: screw racing technology for recreational cycling.
Your body and wallet will be forever thankful.
People like you are rare .. my main bike guy sadly passed away and the first thing he told me when I asked him about getting better suspension was .. well do you care if you get down the mountain half a second earlier? That was the reason I stuck with him because he didn't just wanted to sell me stuff I didn't need. Rip David I hope you are still sending it up there
Funny enough: it was the pump!
So I visited the family back home in Germany and a cousin let me use his bike. Of course it had flat tires. I tried to pump it up with two different pumps that were laying around. Those tires just didn't get firm. Must be the inner tubes. I put new tubes in and pumped them up. But those tires didn't get firm! Then I rolled the bike to the bike shop. They pumped them up and all was fine. And that's how my cousin got a set of free inner tubes.
If that happens, I usually will test the pump on something I KNOW is holding air first. Then if that known good tire pumps up fine, I'll replace the tubes.
Thankfully most LBSs around here will fill air for free. I know this because I still ask how much I owe them. If they ask for money, I'll pay them. Their time and effort getting distracted from their current work just to fill my tires. But the few times I've done that, it's been "no charge." Not by my insistence. I let them offer it. I always offer to pay.
@@SirBrass Makes total sense. However I was not in my place and didn't expect to incur a problem with a pump, actually two pumps.
My late wife and i took up tandem riding so we would arrive at the same time. She carried considerable extra weight.
We were having a good time riding with other tandem couple and had a conversation during the lunch stop you will enjoy.
" you should do x and y to take half pound off your bike"
I laughed, saying we took up riding so i could lose 20# and my wife twice that.
He never skipped a beat, no really, it will help...
This point was driven home after she passed. I had regular training rides i did every morning so i could do 60+ mile rides weekends. One route was a very long, very steep grade. I struggled to maintain 8 or 9 mph with my old weight. After her passing, i lost those 20# and was able to hold 11 mph same hill, same bicycle, a Trek Y-Foil. Curious, on the flats, my average speed didn't really change
Great video, love it! My bike is a 1993 Trek 950, with 26 x 1.75 panaracer semi slick tires, full planet bike fenders, Brooks B-17 saddle, randonneurs handlebars, friction barend shifters, loose handlebar and saddle bags (I like to carry my stuff in my bags), triple crank with 8 spd cassette in the back, lights front and back, I wear t-shirts and also wear a $50 helmet on my head. And I tour, commute, ride club rides on this, and 200 km brevets. This bike always gives a heart attach to all of the bike club's snubs and I love it! By the way, I've owned this bike since 1997, I bought the frame and original fork for a yopping $30! Still my go to bike.....
Awesome !!!
You just described my ideal set up. Really motivating to see folks out here using the older stuff that I want to use too!
Thanks Andy, your vids are awesome. In March, I found a $40 used Nishiki Colorado on Marketplace, put on riser bars, comfy seat and a whole slew of other things you suggested. I've ridden over 1,000 miles on it, through Fl9rida heat and dropped 55lbs. You're always there for me when I need a tune up or repair.
The old Nishiki bikes are solid. I’ve got one from the mid 90s that has put in some time in the Florida sun as well. Definitely my favorite bike to ride
Dick's (the sporting goods chain) bought the Nishiki name and now sells heavy, low-end comfort bikes branded with that name in its stores. It's not comparable to a Nishiki from the 70's & 80's.
@josepha8759 Mine is definitely a Dick's model, and it's heavy, but I'm over 400lbs... So a heavy bike isn't a concern. It's got easily upgradable parts, an XL frame, and its a 29er. At 6'7", those are important factors for me.
@@daveanderson2767 Awesome that you've dropped 55 lbs. 👍 Please check out Dr. Ken D Berry MD's videos on the carnivore diet. I've read a lot of comments on his videos from really big men like you who are losing up to a pound a day eating carnivore or ketovore. I switched to ketovore to control gout and it works.
I have to contradict yourt comment #9 on helmets. Years ago I broke my frontal skull bone because of a bike accident and because I wasn't wearing a helmet. I have chronic headaches since than.
In my training as a MD I also worked in traumatology and I highly recommend anyone using a bike helmet. Not because you can't ride a bike savely, but because unexpected things happen that lead to horrible accidents. If you wear a helmet you reduce your risk of concussion or intracranial bleeding. You don't have to get the most expensive helmet ever, I also just use a helmet for around 40 bucks and it's fine, as longe as it fits your head and was tested for savety standards.
Also I got a new bike a few days ago. But only as my old ones frame broke after 26 years of using. ;)
I used to wear a bike helmet simply to model good behavior to my kids. Then I slid on some loose sand on asphalt, I can still hear the sound of my helmet grinding on the ground as I came to a stop. I got away with a broken collarbone. No, a bike helmet won't save your life in a collision with an automobile, nothing would. But I suspect most bike accidents are more like the one I described.
I’m sorry, I don’t see where you’re contradicting me.
@@bkefrmrit sounded like you were saying don’t buy a helmet
@@nealart except I didn’t
Both my husband and I are on what are commonly called "blood thinners"-they're not and they don't "thin the blood" but they do slow down the time it takes for clots to form. So,because of the possibility of a head injury and more bleeding than would be normal for someone not needing these drugs, we both never rode our uprights, and now our recumbent trikes without wearing helmets. It's just taking a simple precaution while we enjoy cycling!
2:20 Great video, for the most part. But regarding helmets: had I not worn a helmet on that particular ride 3 months ago, I probably wouldn't be able to post this comment anymore. Learning to ride your bike safely is only one side of the coin. You just have to teach and *convince* all the drivers out there to drive there cars safely, too. Can you do that? Last thing I remember from that day is my thought 'Why is this ... behind me so damn close? He can't overtake here anyway!' Next glimpse of awareness found me in the ambulance car, and then again in the emergency room. All medics involved assured me afterwards: had I not worn that now crashed helmet, this would have been fatal for me more probable than not. Guys: if you can teach *all* car drivers (and I really mean all) to drive safely, please go out and do it. You'd earn my eternal gratitude. But if you're not able to fulfil this little task, just were a helmet when cycling in the streets and roads. For your own sake and the sake of your loved ones.
I’m not anti-helmet. I’m anti-helmet advocacy. It makes cycling seem more dangerous than it is and enables the dominance of car culture.
Thank you for saying this. Very convincing and very true. Almost lost my brother but for his helmet.
The heaviest thing on my bike is me. That's the component I should lighten.
Also I ride a 16 year old Trek mountain bike with (gasp) 26" wheels. Oh the shame of it.
Said mountain bike came with presta valve stems, I drilled the rims for schraders. Now I can stop at Walmart and get a tube that fits, oh the shame of it.
I ditched my clipless pedals for teethed flat pedals, now I can ride in my tennis shoes, oh the shame of it.
My $25 Walmart bike helmet did save me from a concussion...oh the joy of it.
My love for my comfort queen, steel, All City Space Horse has inspired me to ride 1200 miles this year and I've upgraded it by fixing my nutrition and lost 85 lbs. Love my bike, love this hobby and it has been a great fun journey. I did 4 days of RAGBRAI this year and had way more fun than I expected! When I look at some of these $9k bikes with a twinge of lust, I think of your videos and happily pedal off on my pavement princess!
Well said, I happen to ride, I ride bicycles resurrected from a bike co-op cast off bin. they are ugly, miss matched parts, but they work for how and what I ride. Can I wear lycra? Only if I want to get arrested for indecent exposure.
The space horse is dreamy! What a great ride!
I love this video series. I think of myself as a real cyclist. By that I mean I bike to work, the store, my kid's school, etc. I don't wear lycra but I do have a fancy bike. Why because if I'm not spending $80,000 on a car I can pay $1000 on a bike but I realize that's a small change for a bike today.
i also think of myself as a real cyclist. i have a bike (or three) and i ride it. that's my whole definition. if you have a bike, and ride it, you're one of us too!
i have my foot in so many camps. the tribalism is dumb. we all ride bikes.
i love the customers that "aren't big bikers". you're here! do you wanna ride a bike? then you belong!
I still remember my favourite kind of riding was back when I was a teenager I'd go out exploring the outskirts of town, getting lost out in the rice farms of rural Chiba Prefecture, and ending up somewhere I didn't recognise at all...and panicking how far I'd come after seeing the local buses destined to some train station that's quite a bit away from my home town...I manage to get back home of course and I'd pour over the map for hours trying to figure out the route I'd discovered.
Now my 8yo son wants to ride around and explore our suburban neighbourhood, which isn't as wild as my own rides, but it's still very fun. We also go to the local pump track together. Fun is the best kind of biking. Thanks for these excellent videos!
I’m long past buying the latest wonder widget with a razor sharp ass hatchet saddle and handlebars in the next time zone. I’ve been there, done that, bought the jersey, raced it every weekend, lathered, rinsed, and repeated. Now that I’m 69, I have a herd of 2nd and 3rd hand bikes that cost me pennies on their original price, upgraded with used or inexpensive new components to fit my current physique, shod with touring tires that last for years, that fulfill my every cycling need. Because my bikes fit me, I can at least keep the younger and faster riders in sight on the climbs. Because I trust my equipment, my setup, and my bike handling skills, I can sail past them on the downhill sections. I believe you’re on the right track with your business model, and you’re going to make a lot more cyclists happy with your services than what most encounter in the corporate bike selling universe. Keep up the great work, and thanks for making these videos!😁❤️
Ass hatchet 😂
A few years back, my local bike shop recommended that I buy a Giant brand, "Leisure Bike." The pedal sprocket is about 8in forward of the usual position allowing my middle aged body (with belly) to comfortably ride upright. I don't ride as much as I'd like to but when I do, it's a nice bike. I am convinced they had my well being in mind when this bike was suggested.
Honestly, the newest road bikes look SO cool, but I don't feel less for owning a 30 year old road bike. This bike was $1k in 1996 dollars, which puts it well above entry level back when it was built.
The RSX brifters needed replacing and so did the bottom bracket. Everything else was in great shape and I got it for $125, and paid the bike shop mechanic $266 for parts and labor (shifter replacement, recable controls, adjust brakes and derailleur, replace bar tape, replace bottom bracket). I then bought a better saddle from that shop. I'm still ahead on cost for the quality of specs vs paying for a new entry level road bike.
It rides great and I'm happy on it. All thanks to the LBS doing great work on it. It looks like an older bike design, but it still rides like a road bike, and unless I'm racing, there's no difference in speed. And I'm comfortable.
I feel exactly the opposite; one of the main reasons I prefer older bikes in that new ones look absolutely terrible, and that's before you start installing modern Xeromorph-shaped components.
I was riding a 73 Schwinn Collegiate not so long ago. Those heavy steel rims act like flywheels once you get them going.
Had a 2005 DB MTB that got stolen in 2011. Bought a thrift store 1994 Schwinn Crosscut that I don’t expect will ever get stolen, then cops returned my MTB. Fast forward to now and I’ve replaced pedals, seat + drop bar on my hybrid, got beefier tires and it’s my gravely bike… MTB for snow too… great rants, BikeFarmer!
I treated myself to the bike of my dreams, I had to save up to buy it. and I treasure it like it was my first born child. The year was 1993, the bike was a Dawes Super Galaxy touring machine, Its still my pride and joy and still takes me where ever i want. The cycle industry tries to make out that my bike is so out of date that it wont make it to the end of the street and if I did try to ride it that far with down tube shifters and rim brakes I would be putting my life on the line!. the problem is that bikes like mine are so good that they will easily last a lifetime, and if the bike companies are unable to persuade us that we can't survive without the next new wonder bike then they go out of business.
I totally agree, but I had to upgrade to index shifters
Same here, only the year was 2019 and it was a carbon fiber Trek ProCaliber 9.6 which I upgraded with carbon fiber seats and wheels. Before that I only rode K-Mart and second hand bikes. So I had an excuse to splurge, and don’t regret it. It’s the best bike I’ve ever had, and I don’t think it can get any better… so imma keep this thing till the frame gives.
The bike was riding in RI before I came to FL 15 years ago was a 1953 Raleigh 3 -speed. It had a bent seat stay , rusty spokes on the rear and a coating of sludge on the chain. I rode that bike everywhere. I told people it was once Henry Miller's because he was in Europe in 53. I would still have the bike but the car carrier would'nt let me put it on the car. I read an article in Cycling Magazine back in the day which the rider had your Dawes Galaxy. I wanted one because I liked the name. That is a GREAT bike . Ride on.
Sir, you had a lot of good points, especially on the rider dropping weight! I was at my LBS earlier, telling the guy that if I'm going to worry about weight, I need to worry about mine first. After all, physics only cares about the total rolling weight, i.e. the weight of the bike and the rider; since I need to lose some weight, I'll start there. Since I got back into biking and eating better (mainly smaller portions of my normal diet, nothing scientific here), I can feel the pounds starting to come off. If I ever get close to my high school weight again, maybe then I'll worry about the weight of my bikes and components. Until then, I'll focus on rider weight, TYVM.
As for gear, I normally wear street clothes, including regular sneakers. That's right; I still use toe clips! I get why clipless pedals are good, but even that's too much for me. For me, cycling is all about simplicity, minimalism, back to basics, and all that. I have bike shorts, but they're baggy MTB shorts, not the spandex ones the TDF wannabes wear. While I have a jersey, it's from my skating days; I was too cheap to buy a proper cycling jersey, so I use my old Rollerblade jersey. I only wear the jersey and MTB shorts on longer rides though. Usually, I just wear shorts and a brightly colored t-shirt (like construction workers wear) that I got off Amazon. The t-shirts are made of a poly cotton blend, so they're good enough at wicking moisture for rides less than an hour or so.
Oh, and I was in the new Trek Bikes shop in town. It had been an iconic LBS in my area, and the owner retired. When he retired, Trek took over the shop. I was curious, so I paid a visit to the Trek shop. When I went in there, my jaw hit the floor. I saw jerseys costing $150. I saw bicycles that cost MORE than my motorcycle! I'M SERIOUS! I was like, WTF? Are you serious? These carbon fiber wonders with Ti components are wonderful works of art, but they only make sense for professional racers; for mere mortal riders like me, my vintage bikes are more than adequate.
I came to cycling again in my mid 40's as rehab for knee surgery after an injury playing tennis. I was a better than average tennis player but had learned where I stood in the world of athletes and vowed to never let cycling become competition. I did get reasonably fast and one day found myself in the company of two members of the local racing team. After missing a shift mid climb the race group leader commented I needed to upgrade my equipment. I replied that I had to be more careful about my riding companions. My bike is a 2003 steel frame Lemond Tormelet. The geometry fits me perfectly and the well worn Brooks saddle is comfortable even in my Fruit of the Looms and off the rack duds from Walmart. My garage is stocked with 7 speed, rim brake gear against the day when that generation is no longer available.
Club riders are just about the most obnoxious group of people on the planet.
Great video - thanks! Very sensible take on everyday cycling presented with humour.
I'm an older(78), born-again cyclist, and would add an 11th thing to your list - cycle computers. I have one, and won't give it up, but the temptation to be disappointed with your ride if your average is 0 001mph slower than last time is huge!
I was talking with a couple of lycra wearing bike club members before a ride last year, and I voiced my opinion that electronic breaks and shifters were just much more expensive alternatives to things that have worked just fine since forever, and that landed about as well as shouting "Go Yankees" in a Boston bar.
I've recently become amused (bemused?) by the "conflict" between disc and rim brake riders. Who possibly gives a shit? It's not your bike!
@@manysnakes - Right?! Rim breaks have been pretty good at stopping bikes for decades. Disk breaks come along, and they're slightly better. Great! That doesn't magically make rim breaks no longer work.
Go Sox!
Sox fans are probably the best baseball fans to argue about sports with
I don’t argue. I live in New Jersey.
A few years back I took my 1998 Vintage LTS to a local bike shop wanting to replace my beat up rims. The fellow in the shop laughed at me and asked why I would want to waste money on such an old bike. Yeah, they didn't and still don't get much business from me. I ride because it is fun, and my old LTS still keeps up with these young guys on their fancy new bikes that they upgrade every year or so.
When I moved to Colorado I soon learned that no matter my speed there might be a group passing me at twice the speed while chatting away. Then I learned that loads of professional cyclists make it their home, and they're on the road a lot.
Aloha - Recumbent rider here again. Thank you for the video. We need more shops with your unique pov. Note I ride for fun. I ride in a full kit sort of (compression shorts Instead of padded) because I like it and board shorts like to ingest bees at speed. I love my bike. That is why I ride bent. It is 2009 steel frame.
Dont count kilometers, count days you got on a bike 😊
I like that!
whats a kilometer....ha
Count whatever you please. Counting kilometers is fine too.
The major issue is that the manufacturers of 'normal' bikes (and parts) chased after the 'racing' bikes in both marketing and price. A bike used to be a cheap mean of transportation, now it has vibes of snobbery...
I made a long overdue overhaul to my 20 y.o. mountain bike, sure, I spent 250€ in parts (quite a ship of Theseus) but I picked the most practical, resilient and reliable, not the lightest or fastest. It became a really smooth and comfortable touring/trekking bike.
I'm lucky that I can maintain my bikes by myself, the last 'bike shop' in town closed a few months ago (the gentleman was already retired and doing it mostly for fun), I used to go there once a year for a check up or to get parts. Now only there are only 'cycling shops' ...
LAST time i went to a bike repair shop, wanted my bike to get cleaned and tuned. It was in the middle of the summer, and could be that older great mechanics were on vacation, dunno. Anyway some guy in early 20s took the bike and a week later it was done. Front derraileur wasnt rattling when i dropped it off, now it is. Rear derraileur shifted, but not perfect. Guy said it was "like it (RD) didnt have the strength" or something like that.
But the thing that PISSED ME off so much i vowed i will never set foot in ANY bike service again was when he said that it felt good for a low end bike. It was a 4 year old Fuji Nevada with Acera/Deore group. That pissed me off so freakin much. He did a shit job servicing it, and i kinda got a feeling that unless its SLX/Ultegra, to these guys it doesnt matter if its properly tuned.
Its not rocket sceince, took me some time, but im fixing and tunning my own bike. Its not perfect, but better than last service....
Casual snobbery like that is such a turn off
These young bike mechanics have a real bad attitude. I think the problem with bike shops these days is that many people are buying bikes and components online and the shops have lost business. So -they'll do whatever they can to convince you into buying a new bike.
Tuning and fixing your own bike is a lot of fun. When I started cycling, i also started learning how to do everything to my bike. It's apparently simpler than motorcycle and car, so why bother looking for mechanic 😂
@Kumeko01 How did you learn to fix your bike? RUclips videos? I want to learn.
@@feliciacoffey6832 Mostly watching yt videos, but also reading some articles, forums,reddits.
Depends on the topic.
Its not a walk in a park, but if you have awill to learn and try stuff you can do it.
FIrst time i tried to tune my dereaileurs took me almost a day. Each time it was "fine", but not good enough. Each time it got more "logical" to me as i tampered with it.
Thanks! You do a great job keeping it real on these vids.
Funniest video I have seen in a while! I have a 40yr old bike turned into a one speed, extended stem to keep me upright, padded seat, and fat tires. I don't want a tech rocket, I like a rambler. I personally wish the bike companies would downsize and fire their marketing departments....as far as the racers go....they are not the majority of the market and it is high time the companies realize that.
Well, riding my bike a car hit me head on and what kept me safe wasn’t my helmet but my past crashes. My experience crashing. I wasn’t wearing a helmet. In a split second, I knew that if I didn’t do something, I could die here. I decided to take the hit and roll as much as I could. A helmet didn’t keep me safe, experienced and a limber body did. I’m glad to say what’s now keeping me the safest when I ride is sharing the road. Sharing, that’s an upgrade tehe. God is good.
I really hate riding with the traffic along a rural road, with cars you can't see doing 60. It was better to be against the traffic, like pedestrians, since you could see whats headed toward you.
Yes, I upgraded my #1 bike last month with Holland type handlebars. Now I can sit back and enjoy the ride. This month I will upgrade my #2 bike with Holland type handlebars so I can enjoy that bike.
Bike shop dude said I might lose my balance 😮!
What's a Holland type bar?
@@bellavia5upright and swept back.
@@AJourneyOfYourSoul OK. What usually comes on an English 3 speed.
Makes sense. I lOVE my 15 year old Trek 820. Fresh tires and regular maintenance are all it needs. I just wish Ohio had bike highways like the Netherlands.
I'm a follower of the book 'Just Ride'. I lived thru my entire childhood, plus some, with no helmet. Now, I wear a cheapie from walmart when the helmet police are around. Regular shoes, pants, and t-shirt. My Surly Bridge Club and I still put on the miles but, I'm having fun, adventure, and adrenaline highs while doing it.
I was going to comment about Just Ride. My Surly is a LHT. 30+ pounds of fun.
I think the heavy sarcasm all strikes to a point; who cares what others think. If you ride and it makes you happy, that's all that matters. That's how I see it anyway. I like your honesty and humor. And yes, these are reasons I dreaded going into bike shops. They would make me feel horrible for riding something that wasn't new or fancy. I then started doing my own work so I would understand it more and be more self reliant. The attitudes changed over time at the shop and now they're super helpful. Almost like there was a culture shift in the shop. Or the industry... not sure. Anyhow, I'd love taking my bike to you if you weren't in Wisconsin. Have a great day.
Bicycles are an addiction. I like the cheap fixes that I find on Marketplace. People go bananas when I tell them about the Fuji road bike. I just got with a carbon fiber fork and aluminum frame and 2x10 tiagra drivetrain and I only spent $75 on it and I had to buy bar tape and new hoods. Oh yeah, I decided to give myself an improvement and put and 11 to 34. Cassette on it instead of the 12 to 28. That was standard. It almost makes the person I'm talking to that has their multi-thousand dollar bike choke on the order they're drinking. I also appreciate my department store GMC frame that I basically put all the parts that I wanted on it. Nothing expensive. Just the stuff I wanted to play with.
Brother, marketplace deals will be the death of me. I went from 2 bikes to 10 way too fast. Kept buying bikes to salvage parts off of, only to find out they are in perfect working order and kinda cool in their own right. Viva la used bike deals!
If only my town have tons of cyclist too. But it's only me and 3 other guys
Have a 90's era custom built Marinoni, with 2x 8speed Shimano, Mavic rims and rim brakes. Even has hood mounted friction shifters. At 18.5 pounds (with a carbon fork), it cost me about 1,200, all in. Bought it used, for $300, and did upgrades as I could afford them. I did race, for three seasons, but that was over thirty years ago. That was on an all steel Apollo, which cost me $250. I hated the snobbery then and I hate it even more now. Now I just want to lower my heart rate, blood pressure, and keep my strength and energy up. Professional cyclists train up to 40,000 k per year. Most of the snobs couldn't train half that much, but they still think they can buy their way in. Reality is so much less hassle.
The main thing I learn from Bike Farmer or at least remind myself is that bikes are for everyone for any level. I'm on one end with my bib, 1x drive chain, Titanium custom build going 20 and the friend next door just going for a comfortable ride to go shopping on their up right used metal they got from our local bike shop.
I had a mountain bike and I used to ride a couple of times a month. Then I got a $300 fat bike that weighs at least twice as much. Now I ride every other day and go at least 4 times further each ride. For fun! Guess I found the right bike 😊
One could just replace "bicycle" with "motorcycle" or "automobile" and all the same things apply. Marketing sapping the joy out of literally everything that is past 1 year old.
YOU have taught me how to adjust brakes and derailleurs! Thank you, I’m fixing up several 90’s mountain bikes that I’ve found at the curb. They were all $800 new, I only dreamt of having one then, now I have three left, I fix them and they go to my friends’ kids.im keeping one of the Gary Fishers for me, for now.
Hey Bike Farmer, videos like this are one of the reasons I am a sub. Blunt, honest truth. I love it!! Keep making them. Btw, my “upgrade” is a new meniscus this year. Finally back out spinning my wheels again. Happy!!! 😊
I pretty much agreed with everything in this video. Whenever I tell people I ride bikes they say something to the effect of "ew not like those spandex people, right?" Also, those people can be snooty and irritating, but I bet nobody would notice them if there were more than a couple of token bike lanes in each city. Bikes interfere directly with traffic, so I think people often go into "race mode" out of fear. I hate being the first "vehicle" in the left hand turn lane with a few cars behind me, riding on my ass impatiently as soon as that arrow goes green.
You're right that people burn money on performance parts. I used to ride a carbon fiber cyclocross bike and I've drifted back to steel frames. I don't get why every bicycle we sell in America is designed for racing, or why that's the only thing that bike companies seem to think Americans want. Why can't I get my hands on a simple, upright steel cargo bike to pick up some damn groceries? How is that a several thousand dollar purchase??? Am I a hypocrite because I spent fifteen hundred bucks on a Trek touring bike on craigslist? Probably, but there simply aren't very many bikes in this country designed to carry anything heavier than a couple of gel packs, and I'd have bought a cheaper bike if I'd found one.
People in countries that have large utility cycling populations know that bikes are tools, not toys, but even where a lot of utility bikes are sold they're mostly not cheap, because they're built to last and buyers know they're getting a good car replacement - particularly with the proliferation of cargo e-bikes.
OK, I am a sucker but the last time I was in a bike shop was 1973 to buy a Viscount [Browning] with the cast aluminum fork that sheared just below the headset when you hit a pot hole! Proof that I am a sucker!
the local non-profit where volunteer has one with the replacement fork.
Oh yeah, my bike is an old Giant LIV "girls bike". I put on highrise bars, plush seat, a front disc brake, rear brake is still rim, Connex diy waxed chain. It rides absolutely beautifully, and it's comfortable 😊
Well only the jersey is one I would argue on because after 4 years of commuting in cotton T-shirts and denim shorts I welcomed the revelation that a proper well made bike jersey would not still be wet with sweat when I cycled home 8 hours later.
I have never bought cycle clothing for aerodynamics or weight, it’s always for the comfort.
If you're not the boy racer type, riding slow "Is more! Just listening to the sound of your tires, bird song and the occasional dog bark while enjoying the view in the countryside is definitely "More"! stuff your expensive upgrades. Oh, and I don't have a car!
I got my first light bike because I had to carry it to my 4th floor apartment everyday.
I like your Kambouiller, great looking bike. Drop end shifters, steel lugs, looks like campy... You know your stuff. My dad rides a frejus and knew the guy years ago. I have 2 custom steel frames, one fixed, both, full campy. Keep it clean, trash the hype. I don't need titanium screws. My frames have 90's geometry and it is still the same today.
Unfortunately I am one of “the suckers” as described. I got tempted into buying a pair of ultralight titanium bottle cages - 4grams each. Yes 4grams! They do hold a bottle cage but are so flimsy as to not hold the bottle steady and you can’t get a bottle out with one hand! Basically for show purposes only. Had to put my old bottle cages back on the bike - there is no fool like an old fool 😢
Meh i ditched water bottles as soon as i got a camel back. Stores both my water well well as keys wallet phone. No more fiddling about trying to put bottle back in the cage. Plus the ice water in the pack helps keep me cooler.
Well, as a mountain biker, "upgrades" are very much a real thing IMO, i got a set of Sram Code R brakes and ever since i just don't worry about how fast i'm going because i know my brakes and tyres are up to the task, and when i swaped my rear shock for one 9 years newer i was BLOWN AWAY by how much better it was, i got a lot more pop on jumps, loads of support pedalling with great bump response, and as a little bonus it's even a little lighter, wich is nice to have on a DH bike. Truth is, the brakes were both the cheapest and the better of the two, but i would consider both of them upgrades over the original parts i was running and i'd confidently say i'm faster (and more importantly) and have more fun thanks to them, so they fully earn the chance to call themselves as such. The rear shock aditionally taught me more about how i should set up my suspension, so that's another big win IMO
Too fat for a bicycle and too clumsy, I fall off. So I bought a tricycle. Declining to pay $4000 I bought one used for $1200. My cycling costume consists of Dickies shirt, Carhartt shorts and suspenders and whatever cheap ass underwear my ole lady bought me. Shoes are, well, just shoes. My bicycle hat is more a thing to mount a mirror to than something to protect my cranium. If I really need a helmet it is really too dangerous for me to be doing. The high speed low drag super athletes laugh at me but somebody gotta be the butt of the jokes, might as well be me. Oh, and I voted for Trump and my wife did too.
I'm 41. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine gave me a bone-stock Genesis 29" Hardtail. That bike is a straight beast -- and where I lost the "weight" was going to light tires. No joke, not only did I improve the weight of the bike, but the rolling resistance of the tires is 5x what knobby tires on the street will do. And on top of that, I put an aluminum frame on the back so I can pull a 50 lb. garden wagon with it. Even with that weight, the bike is very nice to ride, especially when you haul over 100 lbs. of tools to work on a car (my mom's).
But the fact is, it isn't the fancy-schmancy road bike, it's a nice-running 29" hardtail. And it's mine.
And funny thing is, there are a lot of times I'll ride my 29, and I'll get questions about the hitch for my wagon, since it's a pull-behind instead of a side-pull. Point is, my bike and how I ride is nobody's business but mine, because who cares? I'm the one riding, nobody else.
Tell em' all to go pound sand.
What do you call an aggressive narcissist with no sense of self-preservation or situational awareness?
A cyclist.
A: RUclips Commenter
just get out and ride. And have fun. I made one change to my road bike and my time in the saddle increased greatly. I changed it to a flat bar.
No matter what the occasion is, always wear a helmet every where you ride
Yes, but helmets can only lower the damage when you eventually screw up. Learning how to ride and looking around is what actually saves your life. Problem I have with "the helmet thing" is they made it into the holy idol of safety. Situation is so ridiculous that after the accident, people are ONLY asking "did he have a helmet" instead of "did that dum&a$$ just ran through the intersection without even looking?" The level of religious fanaticism around bike helmets is actually dangerous. Helmet is the last layer of defense - not the first one and not the only one.
The fuss around helmets only exists because there's always that guy who feels the urge to share the immense wisdom that helmets don't do much. Everyone else is just plain using them.
Take seatbelts, for example. When someone crashes, is this the first thing you ask? No. Because this is the default.
I suspect the no-helmet guy is the same that would literally die if they used a mask for 10 min in 2020.
Maybe it's the same guy that says "voltage don't kill, what kills is amperage " until he falls head first after being tased by cop by a low amperage device.
I would have landed in koma or coffin at least 3 times over the last 20 years without a helmet. You can be the most skillfull rider and still that trucks front grill is harder than your skull. Not to mention the road surface...
just about to say. a properly maintained and fitted bike is active safety, but still you will be flying eventually and I prefer my head to be less mush when this is happening
@@fernosanPlenty of people still die from not wearing seat belts.
The main cause of death for cyclists is car colissions, of which 73% (gov.uk) were found to be the driver at fault. Advocating for helmet use blames the victim and doesn't get to the root of the problem, which is a lack of infrastructure and easy-to-pass driving tests.
To be clear, I wear a helmet. I just don't care if you do, because we've got much bigger fish to fry than 8 deaths a year (gov.uk).
I love my old trek 7.2fx from 2009ish. I've pedaled US 1 to Key west and up mountains in several states. Lots of miles on roads with no shoulders in all kinds of weather. Never needed fancy seat covers or different wheelsets or lighter crankarms. I'm an average guy who likes to ride
I'm 78 and have had hundreds of flat tires and pants cuffs chewed up by the cloth eating chain demons. Between then and now several bicycles have served me well. If you can't sit in your dining room chair for one hour without scrumming about how anyone thinks that some magical bike seat will keep you in comfort for any trip of length is a dreamer. Manufactures know that one can always sell a dream.
I DISagree. These seats with the cutout in the middle make a BIG difference.
@@bellavia5especially if you have a padded cycling shorts. Makes a huge difference for chaffing ,Saddle sores, during the long rides.
@@Nokturnaldeath Yes.
Personally I’m a bike nut. I love my modern Specialized EVO and my 1970 restored British Falcon road bike. I love to change parts and change stuff. I’ve been riding since I was 3. But I agree with you, if you just commute or ride twice a year restoration or maintenance is all most people need…me, I customize everything….😅
Same. I like fixing ‘em more than riding ‘em
So glad I was watching this on the toilet 😂 I laughed so hard I need an upgrade
Upgrading the toilette? - He was talking about bikes, man!
i got a surly preamble, put on some swept back bars, a saddle that is comfy and some schwalbe marathon tyres because i ride to work and hate punctures. Its got a very cheap 8 speed microshift drive train. It changes gear fine, its comfortable, it has flat pedals so i can wear any shoes i want. I have got a bike that gives me no excuse not to ride it, plus i have lost over 20kg in weight and did a bicycle tour on on it. The whole thing cost like £1,000, and probably under £300 a year in consumable parts/tune ups. . Sure i could add some £500 shimano groupset or new wheels that are so light and will make me SUPER FAST (I see this shit all the time online)but the bike functions great, its comfortable, fast enough for me, and keeps me fit. Plus its steel so im pretty sure ill be able to ride this frame for the next 20 years plus. Casette wore out, bought a £25 sunrace casette. Chain wore out, £10.
I see fat dudes with lycra and £6k carbon bikes and i always laugh and think "that big belly is not very aero"
Im also working a really low paying job £18k a year so my bicycle lets me go to work for free since buying it and I dont need a gym pass.
Everything is a scam, everything is a marketing campaign!
And it’s never been more true with modern ‘high-end’ ‘high-price-tag’ bikes!
Good video!🤪👍
Welcome to capitalism
@@sempi8159 Not just any old Capitalism...... Crony Capitalism!
And to think I used to pay five bucks so I can buy a magazine that was pretty much just to advertisement for whoever paid them to write an article! They had me re-reading these ads dreaming about one day I can afford them! Honestly RUclips is a godsend for real information if you do research.
I always said a good bike doesn't have to be fancy. What makes a bike ride well is if it fits you in size and works how it should be. Even a million dollar space bike can be a shity bike if it's not maintained properly or not your size.
😂 Just came back from my Zone 2 century training ride in my new favorite Lycra bicycling jersey. Sat down on the couch with my bacon egg and cheese sandwich to watch your latest vid.
This is genius. As someone who is a "serious cyclist" who is anything but serious I love this.
Keep doing God's work.
I'm looking to upgrade from my 2002 Trek but I'll be damned if I'm sinking any money into electronic shifting.
Oh yeah, this has turned me off about cycling since just about forever… I've been cycling as a main mode of transport for over fifty years! The one thing I disagree about is Joe Blow pumps: got one of them 25 years ago because my previous pump was cheap crap and gave out after six or seven years and I figured it should last longer. And I'm still using that JB pump at least once a week. Only thing I've done is to replace the tire chuck when it wore out about 5 years ago. Long since paid for itself in saved money on multiple cheap crap pumps and frustration when those break.
I also hate Lycra But sadly it does help me not rub my thighs together until they melt!
the chamois is nice after, say, 20 miles.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned to you, that your tagline is fantastic! We used to say in the military...Good enough for government work.
I’m glad to see that English major diploma being put to good use yet again! Love your content btw! Kind regards from Romania!
Agree there is way too much emphasis put on high end equipment. However, it really depends on what you are doing. If you’re a casual rider, most any comfortable bike will do. If you ride road, fast and long, the bike can really make a difference. Things like gearing, derailers, shift controls, geometry and even tires can make a noticeable difference. Not saying totally high end on everything, but good quality definitely makes a difference. And yes, weight is laughable. I’ve seen guys with high end super light bikes who were 60 pounds overweight or more. Really!!?? 😂
What this 4K all carbon gravel bike (hard tail MTB with drop bars) that I just purchased is not going to change my life? ! What the french toast!?
Boy did they see YOU coming. $1500 -$2000 is the MOST you need to spend . Bicycle test guy on YT agreed with me.
So true! As a girl growing up I competed in bike races and there was so much emphasis on the weight of the bike, but I knew I weighed more than that difference, so what's the point in worrying about grams when you could easily poo that out?
Team suppository!
Those who say weight doesn't matter are wrong. Three years ago I got on my scale wit my Varsity Sport and saw 305 pounds show up. Today I got on the same scale (with new batteries) with my 1986 Centurion Dave Scott and the scale said 200 pounds. The Dave Scott is so much easier to get up hills that I don't know why everyone doesn't upgrade.
1986 Dave Scott, I wanted one so bad in Highschool.
@@escgoogle3865 I'm living the dream. I own those bikes I couldn't afford in high school--Schwinn Cimmaron, Trek 720, and the Dave Scott. Just had to wait for the prices to match my earing power. . .
Of course !
@1:47 You can swap the insert of an SV valve. That isn't the problem.
@8:17 If you want the benefits of exercising, that statement is true. No tomfoolery. Just ride swiftly. 😘
I could listen to this man grinsplain about bikes to me all day
After spending 300€ on a new bike four years ago and enjoying it in its simplicity, I sold it for a third of the price and spent another 300, but this time for three used bikes: a 15€ Bianchi ATB, flipped after cleaning off the rust and changing cables grips etc; a 150€ Merida Crossway, a hybrid that wanted to be an upgrade from the 300€ new one, but gave me a slight headache with... guess what... hydraulic brakes, but now rides good and I enjoy the wider range that it offers, both with low and high gears, thanks to the triple crankset; and the new entry is a steel roadie from 7-8 years ago, 135€, but litterally never ridden by the previous owner, still with some wrapping around the wheels, with a basic Claris groupset, but most importantly plenty of range for a weak climber like me (and that's the only reason why I didn't choose an older but higher end model, they require some money to put on a compact crankset and something bigger in the rear, if the RD can accept it). After some initial fear with the hoods and poorly set rim brakes, I'm now starting to enjoy it more and more. If my legs will allow it, I'd love to do a couple days ride next year. In cheap lycra and with a helmet.
You nailed it for sure, too funny! You can add 29" wheels and the abandoning 26" wheels and bikes. You can pick up a 26'er for peanuts, tune it up and have a great ride, but of course, that don't help the bike industry sell you new bikes and equipment sucker!🤣🤣
Thanks for what you do! It brings me back to reality after I watch too many videos about high performance bikes and equipment. You’ve also taught me a lot about maintaining my ride so it will continue to be “good enough for who it’s for “. Keep it up, and bring on the Bike Farmer merch!
I recently upgraded from Presta valves to Schrader valves. Laugh at me all you want, it's one of the best upgrades I've done.
I've seen a few starting to do this on mountain bikes for durability reasons. When you think about it, it's kind of silly Presta were ever on mountain bikes considering they were invented because skinny road wheels needed a narrower valve.
My favorite “upgrade” to my MTB.
You're not being serious are you?
I got a huge bad taste in my mouth for local bike shops back around 1985. I went into a bike shop and they treated me like I was some total loser who had no clue which was 100% correct but I already knew that and didn't need my face rubbed into it, I was there to learn and become a life long cyclist which I became and have always bought my supplies, tools parts etc online and did all my own work. I never ever go into a bike shop and spend money and I have spent thousands of dollars on bikes and parts etc. I've owned probably over 200 bikes in my life as I was huge at flipping bikes when CL first got going. I was making pretty good money at it out of my garage bike shop. Now days I can't seem to give a bike away for free after spending $200 on it getting it in to shape so I pretty much stopped doing that. Anyway, I agree with all you say and do 100%. Your a younger version of me on a larger scale I guess as you live in a better place for biking. I live in Texas and the heat kind of makes it not as good of a place although there are a lot of bike enthusiasts here.
That was a good one. It hurt me in a good way and saved me 5k. Thanks.
We have a very nice greenway where I live. Lots of walkers and people riding bikes. Of the bike riders, the people on the cheap Walmart bikes are always the most considerate to everyone else on the trail. The absolute worst are the spandex and jersey wearing, expensive bike racer types. I don't know how many times I have almost been knocked over because one of them zipping along like they are in the Tour de France.
I will tell you keep a bicycle simple and cheap
I have 3 bikes: (1) A "daily driver" that gets most of the mileage. It's a reasonably fast, durable alloy road bike, that is gravel-capable with a wheel / tire swap (and yes, I have those wheels and tires.) (2) A 2016 Cannondale Synapse Ultegra Carbon. If I'm spending more than 4 hours on a bike, and I don't need to haul anything, this is the bike I'm taking. It's comfortable, decently fast, and just a sweet ride, but I do baby it. (3) A mountain bike. Some of my co-workers got me hooked on mountain biking last year, and I'm looking forward to getting out there this fall. Do I NEED 3 bikes? No. Do I enjoy the heck out of each of them? {bleep} yes.
It's insane how many people don't understand that a halmet isn't a fix for cycling safety, and that wearing a helmet for me personally means I'm more likely to ride faster, take more risks and increase the chance I'll hurt myself because I have a subconscious false sense of safety so I prefer not to wear one on commutes or easy rides.
I do absolutely wear one when I go outside with the intent of having fun by means of going fast though.
You might be the first one to make a rational comment about #9. Thank you.
It all depends on the type of collision. Years ago a car turned into me and I flew over the hood and hit the ground headfirst. I walked away with a cut above one eye and a destroyed helmet.
Without the helmet I would have likely started severe head trauma.
... helmet*
I got a kick out of this video. My brother just bought a Roscoe 8 and and wanted me to get a bike too... So i just spent a week stressing about the best way to do this with so many options. Anyway, i gave up and just bought a Trek 4500 for $45 and wanted to know how to get it usable and found you! Now I don't feel like it was that much of a compromise.
I'm the fancy racer who has all the fancy gear, training, diet, and don't have any weight to loose😛 It frustrates me to no end how difficult it can seem for new riders to get into the sport. Going to most bike shops as a complete beginner sounds like a good way to drain your 401k. Shops like yours are on their way out unfortunately. Cycling will eventually become something that is even more out of touch to the general public than it already is. Let's face it, cycling is becoming a rich person sport. I know so many people who are genuinely interested in cycling but don't want to spend the 5k$ for a bike a basic necessities. We just had a good local shop close with great used bikes due to the owner passing. It's now down to Facebook marketplace for anything used unfortunately. And thats even worse than the fancy bike shops now😑 Although we do have a good local fancy shop whith a straight shooting owner. He wont sell you anything you dont need and will try to talk you out of the fancy stuff. Great shop they just dont do anything used unfortunately.
I picked up a Breezer model "downtown" for 20 bucks this morning. Brakes were disconnected, half the bolts were loose, and the tires were flat.
Got it home and was riding it in half hour.
Always thought I wanted a Breezer!
Thing isn't nearly the bike, my old Trek 720 is.
It's going on FB for sale.
Those steel Trek Multitracks are pure joy to ride.