In my quest to become fitter - and with my charity bike ride approaching - I decided to buy a new bike.

All my cycling is road cycling so I opeted for a road bike and after a bit of searching, I decided to get this - Specialized Secteur Triple

Nice set of wheels JD.

I take it that the roads where you live are bike friendly? I don't feel all that safe cycling on the roads here in Ottawa, even though some routes have dedicated bike lanes. There are plent of paved trails around, which are awesome.

Enjoy!

She is a beauty!

As for the roads and drivers - no...they're not great and the roads are in a bit of a state too - in fact I was taken off my bike on a roundabout a couple of months ago - but I keep my wits about me and look for trouble heading my way - saved me a few times. In the UK there are possibly as many bad mannered cyclists as there are drivers - and that just creates a them and us culture.

Having recently cycled in Holland, I envy them and await the day when Britain adopts their policy on cycling.

But I enjoy cycling way too much just to give it up because some people don't know how to negotiate an obstacle

JD you and I are alike in many ways, love of flightsims, racing games (GTR2

I just bought an Electra Cruiser 7D for my rides around town for errands and leisure. I'm looking to get a proper road bike this year to train to get back into shape.

Here's what I call The Darth Vader, esquire:

Very nice! My Brother is a avid cycler. He typically rides in the Tour de Tucson every year.

Originally Posted By Sigma One (22 MAY 2012 9:36am)

JD you and I are alike in many ways, love of flightsims, racing games (GTR2

), and now bikes!

 

I just bought an Electra Cruiser 7D for my rides around town for errands and leisure. I'm looking to get a proper road bike this year to train to get back into shape.

 

Here's what I call The Darth Vader, esquire:

 

LOL@ Sigma One, it looks tactical! Where are the machine guns and rocket launchers? Dont forgot to put some psychops speaks on the sides and play Flight of the Valk...err nm. :}}}}}}}}}}}}

Hahaha thanks, I wouldn't mind putting some more '40's-esque details on it, like hooded lamps and maybe some rifle holsters

 Wow Sigma - I wouldn't even know how to sit on that thing! Where do you get a bike like that? I've never seen anything like it in the standard bike shops on my quest for a new bike

Just took my bike out on a short road test - she's fast. Even with this 18 stone bulk on it!

oh - and I guess it's only fair to give you the real picture - a beautiful bike and me - truly Beauty and the Beast in RL!

Hey Judge,

The style of bike is a cruiser, they're not really fast but they're generally comfortable and allow you sit a bit more upright. Great for people wanting to take it easy.

I bought it through my local bike shop that ordered it from Electra. They're known for their decent prices and good build quality of cruiser and commuter bikes. I was originally looking at their Ticino 1

Great minds think alike, although that clearly doesn't account for me. I literally just bought a bike for similar reasons. I have much further to go than JD in terms of getting fitter, and feared a complete geek out once I dove back in. So I bought a super cheap denali road bike. on the internet. from a company I'm not proud to shop in. The denali will get me back into the groove, and once in the groove, I'll geek out for a more appropriate bike. . . if necessary.

I won't be sharing a photo of me or the bike. It's black and very cool looking. . . as long as I'm not in the frame. And that has _nothing_ to do with my America's Greatest Hero outfit. 

I am fortunate to live along a river valley that has been heavily bike and pedestrian-pathed. I shall be diligently working my way up and down the Green River (yes, that Green River) until I'm ready to start biking into downtown.

Somewhere before that, I'll upgrade to a bike hopefully at least as cool as Sigma's or JudgeDredd's.

Sigma One - that makes sense. I couldn't ever get a bike like that though - simply because I don't "take it easy"...when I get on my bike, I go hell for leather. As fast as I can go, that's how fast I'll go...when I go out "leisure" riding - after work or at the weekend - the "leisure" part is actually going full pelt

It's my nature - I do things full on or very, very lackadaisical...hence my size - I eat full on too (unfortunately)...I don't know why my eating never went the lackadaisical route!!

Still being that size means it makes me work harder on it...though that can be a viscious circle.

Meadbelly - I didn't want to go "all geeky" when I went to get a bike and that was one of the reasons why I didn't get a road bike. But I think after 4 years on the road - and knowing my cycling "style" now - just road riding - then I thought it was time to get an appropriate model. Hopefully I will lose more weight and look geekier

Best of luck on the Charity ride Judge. And I salute you for what you are doing.

Thanks Seytan

The cycling is coming along nicely...unfortunately I don't seem to be able to put as much effort into weight loss as I do exercise

But I'm enjoying the cycling.

Got 'tactical' with my cruiser today. Rode around town and relaxed along some light trails at a nearby wooded park in my neighborhood. Unfortunately most of the trails are rough gravel, so I'm going to try and fish out a mountain bike that is taking up space in our garage to tackle those trails.

A quiet and peaceful place to just sit and take in the scenery. I must have nearly run over about a dozen rabbits and I'm pretty sure there was a cat or two that was checking out the scene.

Originally Posted By JudgeDredd (22 MAY 2012 12:19pm)

 Wow Sigma - I wouldn't even know how to sit on that thing! Where do you get a bike like that? I've never seen anything like it in the standard bike shops on my quest for a new bike

 

Just took my bike out on a short road test - she's fast. Even with this 18 stone bulk on it!

 

oh - and I guess it's only fair to give you the real picture - a beautiful bike and me - truly Beauty and the Beast in RL!

You have nothing to worry about. I am 130kg and 6"3'. I have not found a bike that I would not sit on and see the tyres flatten instantly yet. It actually stops me from riding as much.

Your bike looks great BTW.

Originally Posted By Sigma One (23 MAY 2012 8:33pm)

Got 'tactical' with my cruiser today. Rode around town and relaxed along some light trails at a nearby wooded park in my neighborhood. Unfortunately most of the trails are rough gravel, so I'm going to try and fish out a mountain bike that is taking up space in our garage to tackle those trails.

 

A quiet and peaceful place to just sit and take in the scenery. I must have nearly run over about a dozen rabbits and I'm pretty sure there was a cat or two that was checking out the scene.

 

Pretty country. What part of the world you located in if you dont mind me asking? I will post some pics God willing next time my Brother and I go shooting in the Rincons.

(edited for spelling, its 2:44 am and im drunk...)

Just regular ol' Illinois, about 30 miles south of Chicago. My town has a pretty "downtown" area and a somewhat nice park. I plan on getting more pictures eventually since the batteries for my Nikon ran out

Originally Posted By JudgeDredd (22 MAY 2012 6:59am)

She is a beauty!

 

As for the roads and drivers - no...they're not great and the roads are in a bit of a state too - in fact I was taken off my bike on a roundabout a couple of months ago - but I keep my wits about me and look for trouble heading my way - saved me a few times. In the UK there are possibly as many bad mannered cyclists as there are drivers - and that just creates a them and us culture.

 

Having recently cycled in Holland, I envy them and await the day when Britain adopts their policy on cycling.

 

But I enjoy cycling way too much just to give it up because some people don't know how to negotiate an obstacle

Hi Judge, let me know when you cycle in The Netherlands again, I might join you 

Originally Posted By Sigma One (23 MAY 2012 8:33pm)

Got 'tactical' with my cruiser today. Rode around town and relaxed along some light trails at a nearby wooded park in my neighborhood. Unfortunately most of the trails are rough gravel, so I'm going to try and fish out a mountain bike that is taking up space in our garage to tackle those trails.

 

A quiet and peaceful place to just sit and take in the scenery. I must have nearly run over about a dozen rabbits and I'm pretty sure there was a cat or two that was checking out the scene.

 

Sigma, love your cruiser. I too bought an Electra 7D, a Townie though. Here's a pic of mine right after I bought it a year ago, before I added the fenders. I love it. And I bought a gel cruiser seat too at the REI sale last week, it's so much better than the stock.

Originally Posted By Xicano (27 MAY 2012 5:48pm)

Originally Posted By Sigma One (23 MAY 2012 8:33pm)

Got 'tactical' with my cruiser today. Rode around town and relaxed along some light trails at a nearby wooded park in my neighborhood. Unfortunately most of the trails are rough gravel, so I'm going to try and fish out a mountain bike that is taking up space in our garage to tackle those trails.

 

A quiet and peaceful place to just sit and take in the scenery. I must have nearly run over about a dozen rabbits and I'm pretty sure there was a cat or two that was checking out the scene.

 

Sigma, love your cruiser. I too bought an Electra 7D, a Townie though. Here's a pic of mine right after I bought it a year ago, before I added the fenders. I love it. And I bought a gel cruiser seat too at the REI sale last week, it's so much better than the stock.

 

 

 

 

I love the handlebar! I like mine but it's a bit wide and I'd like to "tuck in" a bit, so I might be inspired by you to do the same! The seat is comfy but I bet a gel cruiser is even better! I figure after a few more months I'll get some panniers for trips to the stores around here since I'm trying to cut back on using my truck.

However now I picked up this guy. My ma nabbed it at a garage sale for about 15 bucks but boy does it need some TLC. I just got back from the bike shop and picked up some brakes, chains, brake wire and a new saddle:

Now I gotta pull the pedal crank and see if the cassette is in any decent shape. After that it's off to be sanded and painted matte white and black and dubbed "Stormtrooper One". Sense a theme?

So I figured I'd come back with an update (formerly Sigma One here).

Remember the above bike? Well...

New front suspension fork, stem, handlebars, brakes, painted frame, cleaned up the all the nasty parts and now its at the bike shop getting some final parts put on and adjusted. 

Very cool - not sure I could make a bike from scraps...it's all I can do to get my head around adjusting the gears!

Lets say it was a big learning experience. I brought it to the bike shop where I got my cruiser and they have been more than helpful in getting the parts I need and giving me advice on what to do. 

I figure it is important to learn as much as about bikes as possible in case of repairs and future investment. Once I move into my new place (with more room) I'll be aiming to get a bike repair stand and get started on putting together a road bike

The best part is that so far I've payed roughly half of the price I would have paid for a bike with similar parts on it. Sure it's not pretty but I am proud to say "it is mine!"

Originally Posted By ScottP (6 JUN 2012 7:42pm)

So I figured I'd come back with an update (formerly Sigma One here).

 

Remember the above bike? Well...

 

 

New front suspension fork, stem, handlebars, brakes, painted frame, cleaned up the all the nasty parts and now its at the bike shop getting some final parts put on and adjusted. 

Great job!!!

I'll get a better pic soon, thanks JH!