First ride review: Schwinn Sidewinder from Walmart 20.6 mile ride. - Page 5 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-05-2005, 08:37 PM

> Concerning the maintenance requirements of a bicycle, it's a mystery to
> me why more cyclists don't take the chore upon themselves.

A. It requires fine motor skills
B. It requires patience
C. It's not fun
D. Actually, it's downright BORING. Boring, boring, boring.
E. It takes up valuable time that could be spent reading posts on Usenet.

I hope this clears up the mystery for you.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
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01-05-2005, 08:37 PM

> But the one thing I noticed, people who actually ride department store
> bikes on this group have little problems with them.

There are basically three types that ride these bikes:
1. People who buy and never ever ride.
2. People who buy and ride the piss out of them commuting.
3. People (teenage boys) who buy and ride the piss out of them doing things
the bikes were never intended to do.

We get lots of #3. #2 come in once in a long time. #1 come in to have
their bikes fixed after sitting for a couple of years, usually scoffing at
the cost of repair. And then proceed to never ride them again.

So generally, I'd agree.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

01-05-2005, 08:37 PM

> But the one thing I noticed, people who actually ride department store
> bikes on this group have little problems with them.

There are basically three types that ride these bikes:
1. People who buy and never ever ride.
2. People who buy and ride the piss out of them commuting.
3. People (teenage boys) who buy and ride the piss out of them doing things
the bikes were never intended to do.

We get lots of #3. #2 come in once in a long time. #1 come in to have
their bikes fixed after sitting for a couple of years, usually scoffing at
the cost of repair. And then proceed to never ride them again.

So generally, I'd agree.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

01-05-2005, 08:37 PM

> But the one thing I noticed, people who actually ride department store
> bikes on this group have little problems with them.

There are basically three types that ride these bikes:
1. People who buy and never ever ride.
2. People who buy and ride the piss out of them commuting.
3. People (teenage boys) who buy and ride the piss out of them doing things
the bikes were never intended to do.

We get lots of #3. #2 come in once in a long time. #1 come in to have
their bikes fixed after sitting for a couple of years, usually scoffing at
the cost of repair. And then proceed to never ride them again.

So generally, I'd agree.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

01-05-2005, 08:37 PM

> But the one thing I noticed, people who actually ride department store
> bikes on this group have little problems with them.

There are basically three types that ride these bikes:
1. People who buy and never ever ride.
2. People who buy and ride the piss out of them commuting.
3. People (teenage boys) who buy and ride the piss out of them doing things
the bikes were never intended to do.

We get lots of #3. #2 come in once in a long time. #1 come in to have
their bikes fixed after sitting for a couple of years, usually scoffing at
the cost of repair. And then proceed to never ride them again.

So generally, I'd agree.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

01-05-2005, 08:44 PM

"Luke" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> Concerning the maintenance requirements of a bicycle, it's
a mystery to
> me why more cyclists don't take the chore upon themselves.
Adjusting
> derailleurs and brakes; chain, chainring and cassette
replacement;
> trueing wheels; adjusting cones; etc.; these can be
accomplished with a
> minimal investment in tools and learning. A beauty of the
bicycle is
> its sympathy to the backyard mechanic.
>
Time and money are limited resources. Sometimes one resource
is more limited than another.

I don't change the oil in my car any more, either.

01-05-2005, 08:44 PM

"Luke" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> Concerning the maintenance requirements of a bicycle, it's
a mystery to
> me why more cyclists don't take the chore upon themselves.
Adjusting
> derailleurs and brakes; chain, chainring and cassette
replacement;
> trueing wheels; adjusting cones; etc.; these can be
accomplished with a
> minimal investment in tools and learning. A beauty of the
bicycle is
> its sympathy to the backyard mechanic.
>
Time and money are limited resources. Sometimes one resource
is more limited than another.

I don't change the oil in my car any more, either.

01-05-2005, 08:44 PM

"Luke" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> Concerning the maintenance requirements of a bicycle, it's
a mystery to
> me why more cyclists don't take the chore upon themselves.
Adjusting
> derailleurs and brakes; chain, chainring and cassette
replacement;
> trueing wheels; adjusting cones; etc.; these can be
accomplished with a
> minimal investment in tools and learning. A beauty of the
bicycle is
> its sympathy to the backyard mechanic.
>
Time and money are limited resources. Sometimes one resource
is more limited than another.

I don't change the oil in my car any more, either.

01-05-2005, 08:44 PM

"Luke" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> Concerning the maintenance requirements of a bicycle, it's
a mystery to
> me why more cyclists don't take the chore upon themselves.
Adjusting
> derailleurs and brakes; chain, chainring and cassette
replacement;
> trueing wheels; adjusting cones; etc.; these can be
accomplished with a
> minimal investment in tools and learning. A beauty of the
bicycle is
> its sympathy to the backyard mechanic.
>
Time and money are limited resources. Sometimes one resource
is more limited than another.

I don't change the oil in my car any more, either.

01-05-2005, 09:05 PM

On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 14:26:14 -0500, PSB <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Did the 20.6 miles today including a several 100 feet climb within a
>mile and some dirt roads. Bike performed almost perfectly. Gears shifted
>without any problems, brakes worked outstanding. Bike rode real quiet
>except for the 26x1.9 tires humming on the road.

$15 for a pair of slicks will take care of that. Your wrists and
shoulders will thank you if you ride very far.

>Bike seemed faster on
>the dirt roads than the paved roads but probably just my perception. The
>bike has a front suspension fork but I really don't see the point in it
>on this bike. Only minor problem was the end of the front derailleur
>cable stuck out a little bit and kept hitting the pedals making the
>annoying (click, click, click sound each time the pedal hit). Corrected
>by taking a taking a trash bag twisty and connecting the cable to the
>frame. Might have to adjust the seat angle slightly.

Be aware that while the Schwinn's seat tends to have a better clamp
that the ones used on many Roadmasters, these still tend not to grip
well if undertightened. Carry a wrench for the through-bolt on the
clamp for the first few rides, and check the tightness after the first
ride even if it seems OK.

> This bike performed
>great in my opinion on this first ride. Maybe I got a lemon for the
>Roadmaster Mt Fury as someone else had good reports on it. I'll report
>after I reach 100 miles on it.

My rash prediction: it will do just fine.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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