Bicycle stuff · 12:17am Dec 15th, 2022
Just wanted to talk about bicycle stuff with you all. For those who don't know, I got a bicycle for myself in May. I love it, even though I had to replace some parts to make my bicycle comfortable, and I plan to do more to it soon. It's a simple single-speed bicycle I bought for roughly 200 dollars with 28-inch wheels and pedal brakes. By now, I realized I should've spent more initially and got one with more things that I like, but I'm slowly getting to where I want to be with the bicycle.
First thing I replaced was the seat post - it was far too short, so I couldn't set it at a comfortable height for me and, because of that, my knees hurt for about a month, although they rapidly improved after I replaced the post and cycled more. You really do need to have your seat height properly set or else you're going to have problems, and I could've ruined my knees if I continued as I was.
Second, I bought some tools for bicycle disassembly and whatnot. So far, I've a wrench, some allen keys, some things to help with getting a tyre on and off the wheel, a tube repair kit, a tool to install a bottom bracket (the thing that allows the pedals to, well, be pedaled), and some other things. I can handle pretty much every bit of maintenance on my bicycle by myself without paying for it in a bicycle shop, which doesn't work in winter anyway.
I changed the handlebar post for a taller one, plus changed the handlebars for backswept and taller ones as well, simply for comfort so that I could sit up straighter. I also got a new pair of grips that have protrusions on outer ends for better grip and comfort, plus they're secured with bolts and not just through friction. I can definitely say that friction-fitted grips suck ass when it comes to getting them on and off. Each time I do that, I get sore forearms.
I also got a rear and a front light. Quite nice for cycling during nighttime or winter.
And yes, I do cycle in winter. I've seen a couple other people cycle, but not as often as I do. It was honestly not bad at all, far better than I expected even in Siberian weather, meaning plenty of snow and temperatures down to -30C. And yes, I cycled in -5C, -10C, -20C, and -30C, it was really no problem. I didn't even have to wear my winter jacket, I just wore the autumn jacket with some good thermal clothes underneath. Of course, I also wore some nice thick mittens because the hands get the coldest, aside from feet.
Overall, I say that cycling is great, although I had to buy plenty of things for my bicycle to make it truly comfortable, as well as learn a couple things so that I could adjust stuff on my bicycle. I'm quite proud of it, and I wish I started - or resumed, I suppose - cycling sooner. I used to ride a bicycle when I was a kid, but then I abandoned it for some reason, although it has something to do with the fact that both bicycles I used to own before were taken to my family's garage for repairs or something and just never reappeared again. I used to have a folding bicycle and a regular mountain bicycle, and I wonder where they are now.
Do any of you guys cycle? Not for sport or anything like that, just casually, or maybe to commute? If so, does any of you cycle in winter? I honestly recommend trying it at least once, although there are some problems you may encounter.
Ice is the obvious problem. I fell down with my bicycle once because I made too tight a turn while going a bit too fast, although I was fine and it was a soft, slow fall. I nearly fell a second time when I was braking and my rear wheel started sliding from under me, but I managed to stay more or less upright, although I was sore in the legs the following days - I had to prevent myself from doing a split, took me a few seconds to come to a stop from sliding.
The second problem is soft snow or slush. When the snow is soft and undisturbed, it's fine - unless it's too deep - but once some cars roll over it and put it in some mushy clumps, cycling becomes much harder. And slush... just don't cycle when it's slushy - it is extremely slippery and you will not like it. I also got a helmet because, while my falls were not dangerous, I'd rather not chance it, especially when it comes to some drivers. I'd rather be a bit hurt and have to pay for another helmet than end up braindead because some moron decided traffic lights are a suggestion, and everyone else is a background decoration to their main protagonist life.
The third is the cold. I didn't really feel all that cold aside from my face, which was uncovered, but that's it. Just dress according to the weather, maybe a bit lighter because you'll warm up. Get a ski mask too.
And finally, just snow in general. Even packed snow is harder to cycle on than asphalt. Initially, my bicycle came with a 44-tooth front sprocket and 18-tooth rear sprocket, which is more or less fine for flat terrain, but they suck for hills. I first changed the rear sprocket for a 20-tooth, which was fine, but recently I got a 24-tooth one, which made cycling a lot easier, and I wasn't really losing any speed considering that I don't really cycle all that fast, especially in winter. Though, I did have to lengthen the chain, but that was fine if tedious.
So, to summarize, I love cycling despite everything I have to get right in order to enjoy it. Barely a day passes without me wanting to go cycling, and I hope more people will share this and go out cycling at any time of the year. I wish cities invested a lot more in bicycle infrastructure because really, bicycles are a great way to get around pretty much all year round.
I may be aromantic, but I do love my bicycle.
I use to bicycle when i was a kid stopped and when i tried again was scared don't know why used to dive under water and now i panic when my head is under water it's just werid how i changed from when i was a kid to now
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For me, it's the opposite. When I was a kid, I was afraid of swimming. I was walking in the water just fine, but I couldn't make both my legs leave the ground for long, fearing that I would somehow fall over and drown. Didn't learn how to swim until I was about fifteen.