Topics

1

General Discussion / Hint for using Craigslist...

« on: July 29, 2013, 11:05:04 pm »

As I posted in Gear Talk, I recently found a great deal on a bike on Craigslist and I think I owe it to the Craigslist app on my phone for helping me find it. So, I thought I'd share this hint. If you have a smart phone, download the Craigslist app that allows you to enter the item you're looking for, then it continually does the search for you. You can select up to 10 Craigslists for it to watch. Then, when that item is newly listed in any of those regions it alerts you. On my iphone, the app has a purple and white logo. "Craigslist +" is its name.

I had been spending 1-2 hours every couple days checking out all the various lists within 6 hours of our location. I missed really good listings a couple times. The bike I bought this last weekend was listed on Friday, on a list 3 hours from my town, and he had 3 calls within the first couple hours. I was the first one to show up. The app saved me the time on the computer and I was alerted immediately when the ad was placed.

I hope this hint helps someone else find a good deal!

Lori

2

Gear Talk / My "new-to-me" bike!

« on: July 28, 2013, 01:35:50 am »

I just have to share with someone who can share my excitement, besides my husband, how excited I am about my new bike! I found this beauty on Craigslist for $400. It's a 2002 Trek 520, used by it's one owner for about a year, then parked in the garage for the last 9-10 years. It's in almost new condition. I'll be taking it to my LBS for some fitting on Monday. I'm simply THRILLED!

3

Gear Talk / Can I change the chainrings/crankset?

« on: July 26, 2013, 10:01:47 pm »

I'm new to the whole touring bike world, and really am just getting into cycling. I've been doing tons of research and know just enough to be dangerous.  I'm looking at buying a 2003 Trek 520. This is from the vintage when Trek was using the Shimano 105 Triple, 30/42/52. It's got an 11-32, 9 cogs on back. While I don't plan on doing loaded touring anytime in the near future, I live in a very hilly region and I think I'll be wanting lower low gears. So, will I be able to just swap out the crankset? Is this something that a LBS will need to do, or can a reasonably mechanically minded person do it? Assuming it can be done, what do you recommend I look at, and about how much $$ would this upgrade cost?

Thanks!
Lori

4

Gear Talk / newbie saddle question

« on: June 21, 2013, 12:37:16 am »

I'm planning to buy a touring bike (either a Trek 520 or Surly LHT) and have a very basic newbie question. The only bike I've ever had is a 27-speed hybrid. It's got a pretty comfortable saddle and I never have worn padded bike shorts. Do I just need to plan that I'll always have to / need to wear cycling shorts with the tour bike as they all have the narrow "hard" saddles? The LBS has some narrow saddles with gel cushioning but do they still require padded shorts?

I intend to use the bike for general riding but do plan to build up my rides to 4-5 rides per week, including one long ride--40-50 miles. Thanks for any education you can offer about saddles, shorts, etc.

5

Gear Talk / finding bikes to test drive

« on: April 25, 2013, 07:09:21 pm »

What bike shops in the Portland, Oregon are the best for finding tour bikes in stock to test drive? I'm especially interested in the Trek 520, Surly LHT, and Salsa Vaya 2. I live a couple hours away and am not familiar with the shops there but am hoping the "big city" will have more stock than where I live.

Thanks!
Lori