Random bike shots from the north..

[walpurgis]

Think i'll go to specsavers Jayson, sure them frames look like gates compared to what i ride with my short 29' inch inside legs, :lol

You think you've got problems. I've got a 28.5" inside leg and I've been looking round motorbikes (again) and as I don't like 'cruisers' and 'tourers' that leaves the sport bikes. They all seem to have seats over 32" high and I can't find anything that feels low enough to be happy with. Bum!

[wiicrackpot]

You think you've got problems. I've got a 28.5" inside leg and I've been looking round motorbikes (again) and as I don't like 'cruisers' and 'tourers' that leaves the sport bikes. They all seem to have seats over 32" high and I can't find anything that feels low enough to be happy with. Bum!

Ooo...that 3.5'' difference is a big problem with a big throbbing motorbike, you'll be straddling it at 45 degrees angle when you come to a rest at lights etc,
i'll not moan about my 29''inches anymore.

[walpurgis]

you'll be straddling it at 45 degrees angle when you come to a rest at lights etc

You're not far wrong Andy. I've had plenty of bikes too tall for me, but I'm knocking on a bit and my leg strength is not what it was, so retrieving a bike that wants to topple is getting harder. Anyway, I've always had a rule: 'don't buy a bike that's too heavy to pick up again if you let it drop', so my choices are getting limited!

[wiicrackpot]

You're not far wrong Andy. I've had plenty of bikes too tall for me, but I'm knocking on a bit and my leg strength is not what it was, so retrieving a bike that wants to topple is getting harder. Anyway, I've always had a rule: 'don't buy a bike that's too heavy to pick up again if you let it drop', so my choices are getting limited!

Yes Geoff, made the same mistakes when i was younger, bought a few frames that were too big for me cause it's got a longer top tube,
you guessed, thinking that gives a more head down balls out aerodynamic posture, just like the Pro's , know better now,
with my short legs, i'll only go for 50cm or slightly smaller for a better stand over clearance,
as for heavy bikes and i share your predicament, carbon fibre and they are getting cheaper by the day,
sloping top tube is a godsend in modern bikes for us old and getting weaker types,
but i don't know if carbon fibre is used as a frame material in modern motor bikes though.

[Anti Meep]

Take quite a few pics of my interests and think that bicycles are the top contender when talking about the amounts. Have also received some enquiries of my interest of taking photos, so decided to kick up small thread based to these random bike shots Most are taken with my Canon 40D body with battery handle with vertical controls using either Canon 50/1.8, Sigma 30/1.4 or Zeiss Sonnar 135/3.5 lenses. Enjoy!

Today did two and half hour ride with my Steamroller and on my way home visited the local rink to watch singlespeeders/fixed gear riders playing some bike polo.

These shots take me back!
When I was in Primary School me and a random group of mates used to ride down to Huntly Primary School on the odd weekend and play Bike Soccer. Imagine the early 70's in a coal mining town in NZ. All sorts of resurrected bikes piloted by kids wearing nothing except your basic footy shorts and singlets/ t shirts and bare feet. Most bikes never had complete pedals, just the center prong bit with a threaded nut on the end. No helmets back then.
No rules apart from "just kick the ball!" And played on tar seal netball courts. Lots of blood and bruises. A few tears. Heaps of buckled wheels. The odd dust up and always a whack from Dad when I got home but always plenty of laughs.
Probably get arrested these days for even suggesting the kids give it a go.
Thanks Mika! Great idea this thread!

[wiicrackpot]

Hi Craig, isn't this thread great that Mika started, though quiet at the mo, no doubt he'll be back with some pics and epic ride tales for us.

Never tried bike Polo though i hear it mentioned in my local Glasgow Fix Gear forum but sure looks good fun, tempted to go and have a look one night,
i often hang out in this cool forum, http://www.lfgss.com/ (london fixed gear & single speed) that community is huge,
another thing thats really great is fellow bikerson there pass on kit at bargain prices, some free even.

p.s. are you from these shores?, is that the same Huntly in the North East (Aberdeenshire)?.

[Anti Meep]

Andy, this is a cracker thread alright.
Me? Not from the Northern end of the Earth.
Huntly is a wee coal mining town in the North Island of New Zealand. Although I'm now further north in Auckland.
We do have Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English connections though. Like most Kiwi's I spose.
Craig.

[Mika K]

Thanks Craig! Especially the image you pout my head from the 70s mining town is intriguing

I have been mostly just commuting, so nothing special to report I guess? Well, last Monday (or Tuesday was it) morning Mrs. Mrok needed the car, so despite the heavy wind and new snow on the bumpy ice took the kids to the daycare (and pre-school) by the bike trailer as usually do. After few kms of biking and then spending 10min inside taking the clothes of from the kids etc. felt soaking wet. No other possibility than to bike back home to get clean shirt to the office. Better luck next time

[wiicrackpot]

@ Craig, good to see your DNA is from the nothern hemisphere, just that your name and place of abode made me think you were from here.

@ Mika, am i right in thinking you are riding that Steamroller as a fixie?, in the snow, no brakes, toe straps and precious cargo in the back, if you are,
your bambino looks happy and real cosy in that pod.

[Mika K]

Yes it has no brakes at the moment, but no need to be afraid as with those heavily studded tires with low pressure and some weight at the trailer not going to reach mach 1 and we have only one small (virtually no traffic there) and one bigger crossing on my way to kindergarden..