Side effect of tractor usage

[Boondox]

Back in the old days when I was young and too poor to afford a tractor, I did everything by hand. Setting fenceposts, digging trenches, transplanting trees, moving stone, etc.

I was a lot thinner in those days, and didn't find myself gasping for air so often. I tried the diet thing, the weight training thing, but nothing seems to get me back to the level of aerobic fitness I enjoyed 15 years ago.

So over the weekend I bought a bike. A nice bike. For those of you into the hobby it's a 30 speed Felt F60 with an aluminum frame and lots of carbon fiber. Having test ridden six different bikes, this one spoke to me! And yes, my legs ache and my saddle is sore...but that first ten mile ride brought back all those wonderful feelings I had twenty years ago when I used to ride 500 miles per week. I am SO looking forward to getting back in shape!

My only issues are the bumps and gravel on our rural roads, and the occasional oblivious tourist more intent on the scenery than on driving. But at least now, with a road bike under me, I can keep up with the wife as we pedal around town. There was no way my old mountain bike, with fat tires and low gearing, could keep up with her skinny-tired, high geared touring bike...and the wench showed me no mercy! It was the one thing she could beat me at, and boy did she rub my nose in it!

 

[RobS]

Congrats Pete, that's a sweet ride for sure. I'm suffering the same as you. Family, house and work are taking too much of my time leaving precious little for "me". My biggest problem is consistency. In the old days, I could count on riding 3-5 workdays plus Saturday and/or Sunday for a long ride. Now it's more like 1-2 work days and MAYBE a weekend ride. I did get out yesterday and felt pretty good, so there is hope. Enjoy that bike!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Junkman]

I can remember 50 years ago when the bycicle frame was made of all steel and had one speed. You went down to Western Auto and purchased a motor to install on the rear wheel and could cruise all day for about 6 or 8 cents worth of gas...... I also miss those days... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Richard]

I remember attaching playing cards to the frame so the spokes would make it sound like I had a nasty motor just dying to rip & snort.

As an aside, I did have a friend who attached sparklers (the kind you light and get REAL hot) to his spokes, then he went flying down the street. Was pretty cool lighting effect with the whirlwind of sparks flying everywhere.

Hmm.. speaking of playing cards in the spokes of the wheels... do you think my Chrysler will sound any better if I put some playing cards in ITS' wheels?

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Boon,

Sounds like a nice bike. I test rode a carbon fiber Cannon in Burlington a few years ago. I was used to riding a moutain bike and a quality road bike just blows away a moutain bike for anything but trail riding. I was really impressed, and that was five years ago so they are likely even better.....you can just fly and cover an amazing amount of ground. What a joy it is to get out of the vehicles and jump on a new bike. They operate so perfecly and smooth. To smell the smells and take in the sounds of the crickets and birds along the road in summer is hard to beat.

You still may not be able to lift all those heavy rocks and dig ditches, but you'll be in far better condition than having done nothing. Nice purchase!

 

[RobS]

Well Pete, I just learned (again) the downside to having nice things such as your new bike. They can be downright expensive to own!

I put a new chain on my bike Saturday. Granted, it was long overdue and I'd had the replacement for some time. On my ride yesterday I experienced skipping in some of my more frequently used gears which didn't completely surprise me. No biggie, I'll just pick up a new cassette, right?

Trouble is, I outfitted the bike with the latest, greatest, lightest, fastest, most high tech, etc. etc. etc. Campy Record 10 speed hardware when I built it up. Now I find the replacement titanium cassette is $350!!! Back then, like the fitness level, it seemed like the right priority. Now I have to decide if I'm worthy, or can I live with a lessor component in say, steel?

ugh /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hmm.. speaking of playing cards in the spokes of the wheels... do you think my Chrysler will sound any better if I put some playing cards in ITS' wheels?
)</font>

Put them on Brutus. If you can hear them go click-click-click there's a good chance the engine's not running. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can remember 50 years ago when the bycicle frame was made of all steel and had one speed. You went down to Western Auto and purchased a motor to install on the rear wheel and could cruise all day for about 6 or 8 cents worth of gas...... I also miss those days... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Oh yeah? Well back when I was a kid, they hadn't invented the concept of round yet, so our bikes had triangular wheels so every direction was uphill and the frame was made of square cross-section carbon fiber and the seat was a concrete block because they hadn't invented vinyl yet. AND WE LIKED IT.


Cliff

 

[PineRidge]

Pete sounds like a great bike. Hope the fitness thing works for you.

I remember more than a few years back when our kids were still on mountain bikes. One summer day the wife and I decided to jump on and ride down the street just for kicks. When we both got back we were red faced, legs cramping, and completely out of breath. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif And the kids do this for fun?????

Now we both do the daily treadmill routine to keep in shape.

 

[JimR]

Check Ebay for a new gear set.

 

[RobertN]

Ok Junk... Here's one for you!

Do you remember the 2-speed kickback? It was a coaster brake hub. When you wanted to switch from low to high, or vica-versa, you kicked back like hitting the brakes but not quite that far/hard, then pedaled forward again.

My Uncle used to build bikes for the local paper boys in the 60's and 70's; these were popular with them. I rode a couple bikes set up with one. It was a nifty setup.

 

[Junkman]

By the 1960's I had 4 wheels under me with a 265 engine in front, 2 speed on the column, but no roof overhead... Gypsy Red/India Ivory..... with grey/white simulated leather seating... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Boondox]

Rob -- I nearly bought the bike from Ebay, but wanted the custom fitment services you can only get in a full service bike shop. So I bought locally. That said, within a day I was checking out the components (Ultegra everything except the brake calipers) and began noticing the flex in the generic calipers on hard braking. My local shop wants $140 for the Ultegra set, but I see several pair on Ebay for less than $80.

I think, for upgrades at least, Ebay is the way to go! Pete

 

[Boondox]

Jim -- Exactly! After test riding several nice bikes, I got on the Felt and the first word that came to mind was SMOOTH! Everything on that bike felt smoother, more solid, and better integrated than the others I had ridden. It was love at first ride! Pete

 

[RobS]

Pete, I commend you for your choice to buy locally and for exactly the right reason (fit). I put my bike together myself but got all my stuff from my LBS (Local Bike Shop). They were just as competitive as on-line for new stuff. I did have them build my wheels and press the headset bearings. They suffered through several stem swaps for fit but did it all smiling.

I checked ebay for the cassette and may do that. Troubled by one offering of a "compatible" off brand. Price is right but not sure I'll be happy with the product.

Rubber side down /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dariusr]

It's great to see others who ride bikes and use/love tractors.