[amitoj]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

You also have cases that have built-in battery bank (2000mAH - 4000mAH); the price is generally around $20-$40. I was seriously thinking of getting one for my 5S sometime back.

That would be a better alternative than lugging around a cable attached power bank.

But I can use the bag for other stuff too, like snacks on the go or a small camera (damn! another thing added to the shopping list)

[FeelTheBass]

Hi! Everyone
I'm a bit inclined towards Firefox Sniper D, Need to know pros and cons about it, A small review would be sufficient to make me proceed further.
My Height is around 5'8 and budget is somewhere around 25,000 only.
As i want one with suspension only and an offroader as well, you may suggest more to me.
thanks in advance

[joe1980]

Anyone using a Brompton foldable bike? I'm planning to get one for my daily office commute. I'm convinced that I could drive it when I would want to and fold it and take the public transport when needed. Any suggestions? I'm looking to get the black edition.

[amitoj]

Completed another 100K ride yesterday. This time the wind literally dragged me down.
Anyway, my question is, has anyone noticed huge elevation differences between Strava and RideWithGPS? I recorded my rides with RideWithGPS and then uploaded the .gpx file to Strava. In both the rides, the elevation gain reported by Strava is significantly less than that reported by RideWithGPS. And they both disagreed with the elevation that route initially mentioned! Here's what i am trying to say:

1. Trails of Groton
   1. Stated on RWGPS: 2802
   2. Recorded on RWGPS: 3346
   3. After upload to Strava: 1049
2. Boneyard 105K
   1. Stated on RWGPS: 2920
   2. Recorded on RWGPS: 3651
   3. After upload to Strava: 2411

All numbers are in feet.
Did some reading on the net and it seems recording elevation gains is not really very consistent and it really depends on whether the app is using the device's built in barometer or its own database. In case of Strava it discards data from the device and uses its own database as mentioned in this too-technical-for-monday-morning article:
Voodoo of Elevation Gain and Strava

But it seems RWGPS uses the phone's built in barometer and then performs something called "elevation smoothing" to come up with the final number.

So, I guess the recorded elevation from RideWithGPS is the most accurate indicator of the sweet misery of climbs that you went through?

[JG_SYZ]

Does anybody have an abandoned Shimano EF51 3 speed front (left) trigger shifter lying around. My shifter badly needed new cable and in the process I damaged the top cover while trying to pull out stuck screws. The mechanism need not be working. I just need the top cover. Thanks in advance. I will pay the courier charges.

[tht'snotME]

Hi guys,

I'm new to cycling and currently looking for cycle.
I'm confused with the type of cycle i need to buy. can you please suggest a cycle for me or tell me points i should consider for buying a cycle.

i'm 5`11 and 90 Kg's and budget is 15K Max.

The main reason i'm looking for cycling is weight reduction/loss.

[JG_SYZ]

Originally Posted by tht'snotME

Hi guys,

I'm new to cycling and currently looking for cycle.
I'm confused with the type of cycle i need to buy. can you please suggest a cycle for me or tell me points i should consider for buying a cycle.

i'm 5`11 and 90 Kg's and budget is 15K Max.

The main reason i'm looking for cycling is weight reduction/loss.

I can give you a brief idea on your question. To make it simple, there are three basic types of cycles available. Road, Hybrid and MTB (Mountain Terrain). Road bikes have the thinnest Tyre size while MTB the widest. While considering the frame size fit for a person, the general rule is to have enough clearance above the top tube once you stand across. I have included a picture for your reference. It also depend on how comfortable you are sitting on the saddle and reaching the handle bars while cycling. These are general guidelines experts can give you more info. BTW, I believe body weight has nothing to do with bike choice. Anyway, cycling should be a good exercise to reduce weight. Hybrid or a MTB should be a good choice. I feel you might need a large frame cycle based on your height. If you have Decathlon near you, start your search there. They have good quality choices and the pricing is the best. Besides, you will be able to try them out and get comfortable with the size. Hope you will have better advises from experts here. Meanwhile, hope this should help you.

[tht'snotME]

@JG_SYZ, Many thanks, I shall start looking at Decathlon.

[rrsteer]

Crossed 3000kms on my Firefox Cyclone today.

I bought this used cycle on OLX for Rs7500/-. Thereafter must have spent Rs1.5k on a speedometer, lights, seat cushioning and better handle bars. And about Rs500 on maintenance in last three years.

I have used this cycle strictly as a replacement for my cars. It replaced my cars for my office commute and for doing daily errands.

It has been a great investment. I have achieved superb ROI.

I clocked an average return of 14% on my investments over the last three years.

Here is the return I got on my investment in this 'cycle' (pun intended), based on very simplistic calculations:

Investment: Rs(7.5k + 1.5k + 0.5k)= Rs9k

Present value (PV) of investment based on an average rate of return of 14% over last three years: Rs Rs13.33k

Fuel saved in last three years at an average kmpl of 10 = 300 litres
Total fuel savings assuming average cost of diesel to be Rs 60 per liter=
Rs 18k

Returns over PV of investment made 3 years ago= ~35%!

The return should be still higher should I includes cost savings on maintenance + intangible benefits. And my calculations are conservative.

Quite easily the best investment I made 3 years ago!

PS: I am not salaried, so its been easy for me to use my cycle for commuting to work.

[Sudipto-S-Team]

You did not calculate the monetary value of the carbon offset and the calorie loss and also a small saving to the community in terms of causing less damage to the road.

There are some calculators available online that can give you some indication of these figures based on your speed and distance etc. I have never worked it out myself but my Cateye Velo 9 can calculate the carbon offset. I am not saying it is accurate but it can at least good benchmark.

[joe1980]

I recently got hold of a 2016 Brompton black edition in black:

http://www.brompton.com/The-Bike

Even though the wheels are 16", it does drives fast with the benefit of carrying it everywhere you go. It is not that comfortable to be carried, but there are these wheels that you can use to roll it. I'm really impressed with this bike and I love every bit of it.

[yogi1771]

She gets an update on wheels & becomes more French .

[prasadee]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Great!
Some of the below points are more relevant to the longer rides, than a 100km ride; but still matter.

What would be a longer ride in your books? Thanks for all these tips though.

I have been riding loops of ~10 miles around lakes and mountains near my house in San Diego. I have had a Specialized 29er Rockhopper comp. Its a hardtail. I have been considering getting into road bikes for a while now.

Yesterday, I picked up Trek Emonda S4. I lifted the carbon fiber frame at the store and my jaw dropped. Its just one kilo. They had some sale on outgoing 2016 models, and I could not walk away. I intend to start riding during the christmas holidays this year. I got hybrid pedals - clipons on one side and flat pedals on the other.

Any tips for road biking beginners is most welcome. After a couple days of riding, I will get SPD shoes. Right now, I am a little terrified of clipping on my feet to the pedals. Hopefully, I will figure it out.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by prasadee

What would be a longer ride in your books? Thanks for all these tips though.

Brevets basically; 200 kms and above.

[Aditya]

I turned 40 earlier this year. So after close to five years and thousands of kilometers on the Rockrider 5.0, I decided to gift myself a road bike.

This pic was taken at the start of this month, when I got her home. The pedal straps and pie plate were taken off a couple of days later.

Fuji Sportif 2.3


The groupset's a Claris - Sora combo - nothing great, but serves the purpose. Getting more and more comfortable with every passing day.

I have retained my Rockrider as well - use it twice a week.