TNL Bicycles Volume I: Wild And Wacky Action Bike

If you are buying used without the help of a shop, do a bit of googling about how to correctly find a bike that fits you.

Especially if you are having back issues, that will go a long way to making your ride more comfortable.

Ever since my move to Redmond, I was dismayed how nothing is within walking distance and public transportation, while decent, doesn't serve my area past 6:45 PM (although in Redmond's defense, almost no one along the route takes the bus). I've been walking to school for about 50 minutes to get some mandatory exercise for the first few weeks, but I finally got around to getting the abandoned bike in my garage fixed. The front wheel was detached and the seat stand was shot, but the local chain bike shot reattached the wheel for free and replaced the seat stand for about $18. So here it is, my GT Mountain Bike.

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1222490166

I also got the Giro helmet and a Kryptonite bike lock for free as they were also abandoned in the garage.

Question. How much does it cost to add a stand for the handlebars so that they'll be at the same height as the seat? The bike shop would charge me $45 for the part, but I wanted to get this board's opinion before I commit. Go for it, or look for another shop and see if they offer it at a cheaper price?

Also, I'm looking to replace the seat with something more comfortable. The same shop had a Forte Men's Contour Saddle on sale for $26, which ends on Sunday. Good deal, or should I look for another seat?

Besides chain lube, what other accessories would I need? Any specific brands of tire pumps I should look into, or are they all the same?

As far as your handlebars, they shouldn't be the same height. You can adjust their sweep however. Just loosen up your headset and turn them until it's comfortable- you don't want to bend your wrists. $26 for a comfort saddle is a fair deal, but you should expect your ass to be sore for a week or so, much as when you first got into teh gehy secks.

As long as it'll pump your tires, any pump will be fine. Keep a patch kit handy, preferably with tire levers. It's also useful to have a spare tube.

EDIT: Also be wary of over-lubing your drive train. This is a common noob mistake.

This happened today on my way to the train station. The chain just up and slipped off of the derailleur while I was pedaling at a pretty fast speed. I totally had no expectation of this, swerved into a ditch and went flying. That part was pretty cool and I don't mind the wounds, but my left arm is fucked up. No reason for that to happen, I just bought this Shimano XT and had it installed by the bike shop. I was able to put the chain right back on, but still. I guess I'll have to take it back. :(

Anyway. 1&2 are my left arm. Nothing bad, just that scrape, but since my arm took the brunt of the blow, that's where the pain is coming from. 3&4 are my left knee. Funny that a paper cut will make me pass out and this didn't phase me. 5 is my hip, but I can't get a good pic of it without getting my cock in the picture... but it is really just a bigger version of the scrape on my arm.

That sucks. Bike injuries are a pain in the ass, but at least they're usually flesh wounds. Hope you heal up soon, and that the bike wasn't rattled more than the chain.

Bike's fine. It's in the other room, mocking me.

Headed out to meet up with an informal First Friday night ride around the local "Greenbelt".
Something like 23 miles through everything Harrisburg has to offer.
Riverfront, industrial ruins, ghetto, historic Paxton Cemetery, few miles of wooded single-track, hill bombing through Reservoir Park toward the State Hospital Grounds (where Girl Interrupted was filmed), wicked fast boardwalk runs through swamps at Wildwood Lake, then back down the Riverfront to City Island. Stopping at a couple bars along the way to replenish backpacks with fresh 6-packs. The reward is in the risk. Good times.

Headed out to meet up with an informal First Friday night ride around the local "Greenbelt".
Something like 23 miles through everything Harrisburg has to offer.
Riverfront, industrial ruins, ghetto, historic Paxton Cemetery, few miles of wooded single-track, hill bombing through Reservoir Park toward the State Hospital Grounds (where Girl Interrupted was filmed), wicked fast boardwalk runs through swamps at Wildwood Lake, then back down the Riverfront to City Island. Stopping at a couple bars along the way to replenish backpacks with fresh 6-packs. The reward is in the risk. Good times.

So I just went to the doctor and I have some bone spurs growing on my elbow, which are causing the recurring pain. This is a result of the bike accident, so that sucks.

I have to try some exercises for two weeks and if those don't work I'll have to get surgery on my elbow. :(

My new bike, a Haro X2 Backtrail.

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Being an ex-skater and snowboarder, I always wanted to get into dirt jumping, so it's on! I'm totally going to hurt myself.