NEW TO BIKES...and have some questions

Twitchell

In article <sI91k.674$hH.435@trndny07>, Peter Cole says...
>
>Twitchell wrote:
>> First, I'm over 60 with both hips replaced within the last 2 years and still
>> walk with a cane when away from the house. I try to get a least a four mile
>> walk in each day but can do five but really relieved to sit down.
>
>>
>> Any advise appreciated. Just remember, I'm on a LIMITED budget and this is
>> really an experiment to see if this a good idea for artificial hips. Met
>> someone yesterday on a bike and turns out he had his knee AND hip replaced on
>> one side and highly recommends biking as therapy.
>
>I know several guys over 60 who have had hips and knees replaced, they
>all ride 1,000's of miles a year. A couple of them (single & double
>hipsters) are ultra-cyclists, doing single event rides of up to 750
>(mountainous) miles.


Right now, I can barely make to the end of my closed-end street and back. I'd
always been a walker/runner and never paid attention to bikes...which is why I'm
dubious about spending any amount of money to radically improve this bike. I
don't even know why I'd need to replace a chain (as has been suggested) just
because of rust.

twitch

Twitchell

In article <4845541f$0$899$ba4acef3@news.orange.fr>, James Thomson says...
>
>>> It's a Marin, circa 1992-3, I think the Pine Mountain model. The
>>> round-round-round seatstays, coloured stem, distinctive dropouts,
>>> and that paint job mark it out.
>
>It's a '93 Marin Pine Mountain - I found a copy of the '93 Marin catalogue
>on my hard drive. If you'd like a copy (It's a 2.5MB .pdf in German, but the
>pictures are nice) just send me an email. My reply-to address is valid.
>
>Here's a '92 Marin catalogue. Many of the features are the same as '93, but
>the paint is different:
>
>http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12451
>
>James Thomson
>
>
>
Thanks James. I just went to your link and DLd the thing. Sheesh they all look
alike (other than the paint). I don't know how you can tell. Anyway, I'll
forward the Pine Mountain pic to a biker friend for any comments he may have.

I just went to their website. I used to work just around the corner from them
years ago when I was a computer network tech.

In a way it's too bad it's NOT the Eldridge Grade as Eldridge is my first name
in real life. It's also the name of a residential street here in Novato.

Just out of curiosity, the front forks of the Pine Mountain don't look like the
ones I have. Can I assume the user just replaced the stock ones with ones from
Manitou? I ask only because the speedo I ordered (Schwinn) has to attach to it
with a fairly short strap and the forks are somewhat fat.

twitch

James Thomson

"Twitchell" <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com> a écrit

> Just out of curiosity, the front forks of the Pine Mountain don't look
> like the ones I have. Can I assume the user just replaced the stock
> ones with ones from Manitou?

According to the 1993 catalogue I have here - and I'm paraphrasing using my
very rudimentary German - Manitou elastomer forks were an option on all
models from the Bear Valley SE up.

James Thomson

Twitchell

In article <48456720$0$903$ba4acef3@news.orange.fr>, James Thomson says...
>
>"Twitchell" <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com> a écrit
>
>> Just out of curiosity, the front forks of the Pine Mountain don't look
>> like the ones I have. Can I assume the user just replaced the stock
>> ones with ones from Manitou?
>
>According to the 1993 catalogue I have here - and I'm paraphrasing using my
>very rudimentary German - Manitou elastomer forks were an option on all
>models from the Bear Valley SE up.
>
>James Thomson
>
>
Thanks. I guess it's time to look at that catalog.

Can you send that pdf to eldridge.faulkner@gmail.com

I'd appreciate it. I stopped by a bike shop during yesterdays walk and was
floored by the prices! It's insane. Prices for just the pedals were $35 to
$50. I bought an almost new 15 speed Huffy at a garage sale last Saturday for
$10. I wasn't sure what kind of bike to use so I gave myself a choice. The
Huffy is just too small so I'll sell it at the end of the month for (hopefully)
$25 or $30 and keep the mountain bike.

As a small crazed protest against the high prices, I pulled the pedal reflectors
off the Huffy pedals and inserted them on the mountain bike pedals. Both bikes
are not compatible of course...Huffy uses standard measurements and the mountain
bike uses metric so I could just switch pedals! I did, however, pull a small
pouch that attaches to the frame from the Huffy and will put in on the mountain
bike. It's ridiculously small, triangular in shape and might hold a small tool.

thanks for the help....

twitch

Twitchell

In article <r51b44dpda9kvn0hnrh57t28d37om00pe5@4ax.com>, Werehatrack says...
>
>On 2 Jun 2008 09:31:16 -0700, Twitchell <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com>
>may have said:
>
>>I need new tires but since I haven't ridden a bike in over 40 years, I'm really
>>not up to speed on how to figure out how to shop for them.
>
>It hasn't changed all that much.
>
>>The existing front tire rim is 26" X 1" (outside diameter) current tire says 26
>>x 1.50
>>rear tire rim is 26" x 1.25" (out side diameter) current tire says 26 X 1.75
>>
>>The front tire has many bulges along the sides (looks like a racing tire...it's
>>mostly smooth) and seems about to blow. The rear tire is an old mountain tire
>>and worn out.
>>
>>I want the same size tire on each rim. Can I put a 26 X 1.75 tire on the front?
>
>Yes. I would avoid knobby tires, though, since you don't need them
>unless you're going to be riding in the dirt a lot. The knobby tread
>sets up a buzzing vibration when you ride; this can be really hard on
>the wrists and elbows in particular, in my experience.
>
>>Seems like I could because it's not much bigger that what I already have.
>>Should I also buy new tubes?
>
>It's not a bad idea; keep the old ones as spares to swap in for a
>quick fix if you have a flat. Inspect the rim strips (the rubber or
>cloth bands that cover the heads of the spokes) while you have the
>tires off, and make sure they aren't about to come apart...and make
>sure they're present! Also, look for bubbly rust in the areas where
>the tube comes in contact with the rim; this is a frequent source of
>repetitive punctures on older steel-rim bikes.
>
>>I've been to Amazon and priced tires. I don't
>>need the off road...just street tires and Cheng Shen seem like the cheapest ones
>>there at $6 to $9.
>
>Those should do just fine.
>
>>Any advise appreciated. Just remember, I'm on a LIMITED budget and this is
>>really an experiment to see if this a good idea for artificial hips. Met
>>someone yesterday on a bike and turns out he had his knee AND hip replaced on
>>one side and highly recommends biking as therapy.
>
>An acquaintance with a replacement knee doesn't trust his new joint on
>a regular bike, but rides a recumbent as often as he can. That type
>of bike is a lot more expensive to buy, however.
>


Thanks for the advise. I'm going to put in an order to Amazon for the Cheng
Shen tires (2) and tubes.

twitch

Werehatrack

On 2 Jun 2008 09:31:16 -0700, Twitchell <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com>
may have said:

>I need new tires but since I haven't ridden a bike in over 40 years, I'm really
>not up to speed on how to figure out how to shop for them.

It hasn't changed all that much.

>The existing front tire rim is 26" X 1" (outside diameter) current tire says 26
>x 1.50
>rear tire rim is 26" x 1.25" (out side diameter) current tire says 26 X 1.75
>
>The front tire has many bulges along the sides (looks like a racing tire...it's
>mostly smooth) and seems about to blow. The rear tire is an old mountain tire
>and worn out.
>
>I want the same size tire on each rim. Can I put a 26 X 1.75 tire on the front?

Yes. I would avoid knobby tires, though, since you don't need them
unless you're going to be riding in the dirt a lot. The knobby tread
sets up a buzzing vibration when you ride; this can be really hard on
the wrists and elbows in particular, in my experience.

>Seems like I could because it's not much bigger that what I already have.
>Should I also buy new tubes?

It's not a bad idea; keep the old ones as spares to swap in for a
quick fix if you have a flat. Inspect the rim strips (the rubber or
cloth bands that cover the heads of the spokes) while you have the
tires off, and make sure they aren't about to come apart...and make
sure they're present! Also, look for bubbly rust in the areas where
the tube comes in contact with the rim; this is a frequent source of
repetitive punctures on older steel-rim bikes.

>I've been to Amazon and priced tires. I don't
>need the off road...just street tires and Cheng Shen seem like the cheapest ones
>there at $6 to $9.

Those should do just fine.

>Any advise appreciated. Just remember, I'm on a LIMITED budget and this is
>really an experiment to see if this a good idea for artificial hips. Met
>someone yesterday on a bike and turns out he had his knee AND hip replaced on
>one side and highly recommends biking as therapy.

An acquaintance with a replacement knee doesn't trust his new joint on
a regular bike, but rides a recumbent as often as he can. That type
of bike is a lot more expensive to buy, however.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

A Muzi

>>> Just out of curiosity, the front forks of the Pine Mountain don't look
>>> like the ones I have. Can I assume the user just replaced the stock
>>> ones with ones from Manitou?

> James Thomson says... "Twitchell" <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com> a écrit
>> According to the 1993 catalogue I have here - and I'm paraphrasing using my
>> very rudimentary German - Manitou elastomer forks were an option on all
>> models from the Bear Valley SE up.

Twitchell wrote:
> Thanks. I guess it's time to look at that catalog.
> Can you send that pdf to eldridge.faulkner@gmail.com
> I'd appreciate it. I stopped by a bike shop during yesterdays walk and was
> floored by the prices! It's insane. Prices for just the pedals were $35 to
> $50. I bought an almost new 15 speed Huffy at a garage sale last Saturday for
> $10. I wasn't sure what kind of bike to use so I gave myself a choice. The
> Huffy is just too small so I'll sell it at the end of the month for (hopefully)
> $25 or $30 and keep the mountain bike.
> As a small crazed protest against the high prices, I pulled the pedal reflectors
> off the Huffy pedals and inserted them on the mountain bike pedals. Both bikes
> are not compatible of course...Huffy uses standard measurements and the mountain
> bike uses metric so I could just switch pedals! I did, however, pull a small
> pouch that attaches to the frame from the Huffy and will put in on the mountain
> bike. It's ridiculously small, triangular in shape and might hold a small tool.

Compare a Montblanc Princesse fountain pen ($35) with a Bic (ten for 99
cents)
One might scrawl with both equally, I suppose.
--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

philcycles

On Jun 3, 2:47 am, Twitchell <Twitchell_mem...@newsguy.com> wrote:
>
> I live in Marin county CA....maybe that explains it.
>
> twitch

You've been given good advise here and here's some more. I would take
it to the Recyclery in San Rafael under the freeway on 4th St. They
won't look down on it and won't steer you wrong or gouge you. And if
you need parts they have lots of good used parts.
Before I went for a ride I'd check with my orthopod and/or physical
theripist. Very important. Also I would be fitted to the bike very
carefully with an eye towards your problems. If you can't find anyone
in Marin-perhaps Bicycle Odessey in Saucilito-to do it I'd be happy
to. I'm a frame builder in Berkeley.
Phil Brown

Twitchell

In article <cac61$4845ca41$20830@news.teranews.com>, A Muzi says...
>
>>>> Just out of curiosity, the front forks of the Pine Mountain don't look
>>>> like the ones I have. Can I assume the user just replaced the stock
>>>> ones with ones from Manitou?
>
>> James Thomson says... "Twitchell" <Twitchell_member@newsguy.com> a écrit
>>> According to the 1993 catalogue I have here - and I'm paraphrasing using my
>>> very rudimentary German - Manitou elastomer forks were an option on all
>>> models from the Bear Valley SE up.
>
>Twitchell wrote:
>> Thanks. I guess it's time to look at that catalog.
>> Can you send that pdf to eldridge.faulkner@gmail.com
>> I'd appreciate it. I stopped by a bike shop during yesterdays walk and was
>> floored by the prices! It's insane. Prices for just the pedals were $35 to
>>$50. I bought an almost new 15 speed Huffy at a garage sale last Saturday for
>> $10. I wasn't sure what kind of bike to use so I gave myself a choice. The
>>Huffy is just too small so I'll sell it at the end of the month for (hopefully)
>> $25 or $30 and keep the mountain bike.
>>As a small crazed protest against the high prices, I pulled the pedal reflectors
>>off the Huffy pedals and inserted them on the mountain bike pedals. Both bikes
>>are not compatible of course...Huffy uses standard measurements and the mountain
>> bike uses metric so I could just switch pedals! I did, however, pull a small
>>pouch that attaches to the frame from the Huffy and will put in on the mountain
>>bike. It's ridiculously small, triangular in shape and might hold a small tool.
>
>Compare a Montblanc Princesse fountain pen ($35) with a Bic (ten for 99
>cents)
>One might scrawl with both equally, I suppose.

At this point, I strickly a Bic guy. I'll buy a Montblanc Princess when I gain
employment and have some spare coin.

twitch