[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

First year using it good to know!

Desktop Strava gives you the complete details of every year for the past 6 years. Monthly, Weekly, Distance, Elevation, Hours, and the individual activities.

Not only for you, but for any other rider as well.

And its still free.

Cheers, Doc

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Desktop Strava gives you the complete details of every year for the past 6 years. Monthly, Weekly, Distance, Elevation, Hours, and the individual activities.

Not only for you, but for any other rider as well.

And its still free.

Cheers, Doc

Yes, it does but not in the same brief form as this review which is only up on the app. I do check stats of random people

[GeeTee TSI]

Started my cycling regime from Decathlon today with the acquisition of a Riverside 500 and rode it home!


Riding straight out of Decathlon Bellary Road on the wide open highway, the experience was akin to my first test drive of a GT TSI, coming from an NA Manual hatchback
For a very occasional user of a generic MTB cycle, I was blown away by
Acceleration : light weight, slim road tyres and slick gearing enables a surprising turn of pace to out accelerate wheezing Tata Aces with ease!
Speed : 9*1 gearing has a good 'overdrive' feel at higher gears where one can capitalise on downhill stretches (and tailwinds?)
Ergonomics: For my 180 cms frame, I found my L size cycle just right (and how wrong my earlier MTB was!). Palm grips are excellent and the front shocks aided with a spring loaded seat takes care of tarmac undulations




Looking forward to managing errands as well as weekend rides on the Riverside 500

[1985Darkkid85]

Need to lose some lock down weight (12kgs) and also commute 32kms to office, post January 2022.

Can the esteemed members recommend a good hybrid with fatter tires and good hydraulic lockouts?
I was looking at a MTB or a Fat-bike like Marlin Thor, but dont want to end up going drenched and repel newly joined team-mates from opposite gender

Budget less 60k Indian rupees, but can stretch a little for an absolute necessity

Looking at Brands like Trek, Scott, Giant and Toronto.
Not very keen on B-TWIN, as the nearest decathlon is 10kms away.

The only thing i could glean off from the fora are the raving reviews of the Trek DS 2/3, with my limited comprehension.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by 1985Darkkid85

Need to lose some lock down weight (12kgs) and also commute 32kms to office, post January 2022.

Can the esteemed members recommend a good hybrid with fatter tires and good hydraulic lockouts?
I was looking at a MTB or a Fat-bike like Marlin Thor, but dont want to end up going drenched and repel newly joined team-mates from opposite gender

Budget less 60k Indian rupees, but can stretch a little for an absolute necessity

Looking at Brands like Trek, Scott, Giant and Toronto.
Not very keen on B-TWIN, as the nearest decathlon is 10kms away.

The only thing i could glean off from the fora are the raving reviews of the Trek DS 2/3, with my limited comprehension.

In India (not just Mysore) if you ride 30 km at ANY pace, and sit indoors like that (especially in a recirculated air office environment) it's not just the opposite gender you will find avoiding you.

Office commuting on a cycle is a complicated logistical (and ultimately, hygienic) nightmare. Can be done, is done by many, and it surely saves a nice packet of cash in fuel saved (especially if you use your personal car, or even bike). But for many like me, short of a proper bath, I just cannot imagine sitting like that (with whatever dry cleaning involved) for the next 8 to 10 hours comfortably. Leave alone my effect on co-workers.

On the bike front, you don't need suspension for commuting. Especially when you're looking at hydraulic lockouts. Much better to get a rigid fork lightweight hybrid with 700x35c tyres. With road (minimal) tread.

10 km to the nearest Decathlon is not a lot, if you plan riding 32 km one way daily. So why are you excluding those bikes (especially since not much else is available currently).

My suggestion would be a rigid fork 3x8 or 3x9 speed hybrid with rim brakes coming in under 12 kilos. Whichever one fits your budget and is available and fits you and you like the look and feel of.

Cheers, Doc

[1985Darkkid85]

Originally Posted by ebonho

On the bike front, you don't need suspension for commuting. Especially when you're looking at hydraulic lockouts. Much better to get a rigid fork lightweight hybrid with 700x35c tires. With road (minimal) tread.

10 km to the nearest Decathlon is not a lot, if you plan riding 32 km one way daily. So why are you excluding those bikes (especially since not much else is available currently).

My suggestion would be a rigid fork 3x8 or 3x9 speed hybrid with rim brakes coming under 12 kilos. Whichever one fits your budget and is available and fits you and you like the look and feel of.

Thanks Doc, i live and work in Bangalore. My IT office gym does have a shower, so can sneak in one at dawn.

Do you have any specific recommendations that can you suggest for my need? The ulterior aim is to be as comfortable as possible minimizing the road shocks and the after-effects fatigue.

I like the Trek Ds3. Similar ones from Scott, Giant or B-Twin recommendations?

Appreciate all the help,
R

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by 1985Darkkid85

Thanks Doc, i live and work in Bangalore. My IT office gym does have a shower, so can sneak in one at dawn.

Do you have any specific recommendations that can you suggest for my need? The ulterior aim is to be as comfortable as possible minimizing the road shocks and the after-effects fatigue.

I like the Trek Ds3. Similar ones from Scott, Giant or B-Twin recommendations?

Appreciate all the help,
R

I don't have any specific recommendations coz I'm not (or have not been for 3 years now) in the hybrid space.

I like the Cannondale and Merida hybrids. Both are very light, great components, and nearly road bike geometry with flat bars.

Scott and Marin make good hybrids too. Trek of course (though pricey for what they offer).

Specialized make great hybrids too (Sirrus). Fuji too, though I've not seen many off late.

Bt please note, my frame of reference is fast lightweight flat bar roadies.

Don't have any idea of sprung hybrids, because I've never really looked coz personally I feel a front suspension is only needed for proper off road riding.

For urban riding, your tyres and frame and grips and body provide all the suspension you need for that terrain.

Cheers, Doc

P.S. You should reach out to @drive_angry here. He owns many very nice hybrids and is a hybrid freak and expert. And keeps adding new ones to his very large stable. He would be the best guy to advise I feel.

[drive_angry]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I don't have any specific recommendations coz I'm not (or have not been for 3 years now) in the hybrid space.

I like the Cannondale and Merida hybrids. Both are very light, great components, and nearly road bike geometry with flat bars.

Scott and Marin make good hybrids too. Trek of course (though pricey for what they offer).

Specialized make great hybrids too (Sirrus). Fuji too, though I've not seen many off late.

Bt please note, my frame of reference is fast lightweight flat bar roadies.

Don't have any idea of sprung hybrids, because I've never really looked coz personally I feel a front suspension is only needed for proper off road riding.

For urban riding, your tyres and frame and grips and body provide all the suspension you need for that terrain.

Cheers, Doc

P.S. You should reach out to @drive_angry here. He owns many very nice hybrids and is a hybrid freak and expert. And keeps adding new ones to his very large stable. He would be the best guy to advise I feel.

Thanks Doc! I am no expert just balancing my life on two wheels I too resonate with you that hybrids don't actually need suspensions, they add unnecessary weight of about 5 kgs. out of the 5 hybrids I have, none of them have suspension and the lightest I have is Fuji (Carbon Fork) at 9.49kgs with Sora and heaviest is the Giant with 11.4 kgs with Alivio.

Since comfort is the personal choice but for me, following is the order:

Trek FX>Specialized Sirrus>Fuji Absolute>Giant Escape>Polygon Path

I occasionally do off-roading on Giant with 700*35C tyres (Ralson) and Polygon Path with 700*38C tyres (Vee Rubber) the bikes are just fine. Bottom line is don't decide a bike by merely looking at the specs and groupset, just take it for a spin and let your body do the talking. Also, do go for a bike fit.. it is an investment if you want to ride in your 70s or maybe in 80s. Happy hunting

In the end, the bike is as strong as your legs.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by drive_angry

In the end, the bike is as strong as your legs.

Beautifully said.

The bike is actually a lot stronger than your legs. Till such time as you don't start snapping chains and cranks that is (its not uncommon).

9.49 kilos is a mind boggling weight for an alloy hybrid. As light as most Sora level roadies, and lighter than a few as well.

Cheers, Doc

[smdeep]

Hi,

Need some advice. I have a Decathlon Btwin Riverside 120 hybrid cycle. I am not satisfied with the shifting and the brakes on the cycle. It has no front derailleur, has an 8 speed Microshift rear derailleur.

My question is, is it possible to change the rear derailleur and the shifter to a Shimano Altus?

Also, would it be a good idea to upgrade the brakes?

Thanks in advance

[MinivanDriver]

Hi all, I am starting out on riding. Purchased a Riverside 500 recently. I have a rather heavy 17 inch laptop that I need to carry to and from office. Any recommendations on a good paneer rack ( luggage carrier) that would fit the riverside500 would be of great help. Thanks

[docmoya2007]

Originally Posted by drive_angry

I too resonate with you that hybrids don't actually need suspensions, they add unnecessary weight of about 5 kgs.

As a 2021 Trek Dual Sport 3 owner, I felt better with the suspension forks open when I am downhill or on a long stretch of broken roads, which is many in the place I currently live. I did try innumerable times to close and locked the front suspension forks to get the feel and get used to it, but almost always regret later on post ride, as the fatigue and soreness is much more in the hands, arms and the shoulders.

In fact, I sometimes wonder if I could upgrade my SR Suntour NEX 63mm travel ones to better, longer travel air suspension ones. I am afraid the mentioned additional weight of 5kgs vrs a similarly speced FX3 is wrong.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by docmoya2007

As a 2021 Trek Dual Sport 3 owner, I felt better with the suspension forks open when I am downhill or on a long stretch of broken roads, which is many in the place I currently live. I did try innumerable times to close and locked the front suspension forks to get the feel and get used to it, but almost always regret later on post ride, as the fatigue and soreness is much more in the hands, arms and the shoulders.

In fact, I sometimes wonder if I could upgrade my SR Suntour NEX 63mm travel ones to better, longer travel air suspension ones. I am afraid the mentioned additional weight of 5kgs vrs a similarly speced FX3 is wrong.

You cannot compare a locked out fork to a purpose built rigid fork.

They are not remotely the same in the way the bike behaves.

The geometry is totally different. Not to mention the degree of flex and how it transmits hits through the chassis and hands.

A locked out suspension fork is a compromise workaround to getting some efficiency on a smooth surface. But it cannot match the agility, handling, flex and feel of a rigid fork.

Cheers, Doc

[HTC]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

Hi all, I am starting out on riding. Purchased a Riverside 500 recently. I have a rather heavy 17 inch laptop that I need to carry to and from office. Any recommendations on a good paneer rack ( luggage carrier) that would fit the riverside500 would be of great help. Thanks

This many not help you, but let me tell my experience of biking to office in Bangalore. With the kind of roads we have in bengaluru, your laptop will get damaged if you put it in pannier and ride.

I would suggest to have slim backpack just for laptop. Rest all luggage can go into pannier or bag tied onto carrier. Wear the bag such that it is high up towards the shoulder and not sagging and resting your lower back. After 3-4 days, you will get used to your laptop weight and cycling will be a breeze.

This is just my experience. If other members have safely used panniers for laptop, they will pitch in with suggestions.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by HTC

This many not help you, but let me tell my experience of biking to office in Bangalore. With the kind of roads we have in bengaluru, your laptop will get damaged if you put it in pannier and ride.

I would suggest to have slim backpack just for laptop. Rest all luggage can go into pannier or bag tied onto carrier. Wear the bag such that it is high up towards the shoulder and not sagging and resting your lower back. After 3-4 days, you will get used to your laptop weight and cycling will be a breeze.

This is just my experience. If other members have safely used panniers for laptop, they will pitch in with suggestions.

Such an excellent real world suggestion.

I see so many guys put their 30-40k mobiles in the saddlebag and ride.

I too used to be guilty of the same.

Till I figured out that if my saddle bolt can wear a hole in the top of my bag, it surely cannot be too good for the glass casing of my Nokia.

Cheers, Doc