Newbie questions

I have a bag that attaches under my saddle. It has almost 2 l vloume and I'm able to fit in a
ParkTool, tire levers, patches, glue, spare tube, my cell phone, 2 oatmeal bars, my car keys, ID,
credit card and some money when going on MTB trail or bike path. My mini pump attaches on my
frame and I have 2 water bottle racks. My jersey has 3 pockets so I can put my sunglasses in one
of them when I take them off when it is too dark in the woods. I'd do anything to be able to
avoid a backpack.

Paul Bielec said:

I have a bag that attaches under my saddle. It has almost 2 l vloume and I'm able to fit in a
ParkTool, tire levers, patches, glue, spare tube, my cell phone, 2 oatmeal bars, my car keys, ID,
credit card and some money when going on MTB trail or bike path. My mini pump attaches on my frame
and I have 2 water bottle racks. My jersey has 3 pockets so I can put my sunglasses in one of them
when I take them off when it is too dark in the woods. I'd do anything to be able to avoid a
backpack.

Great answer! My Topeak pump attaches to my waterbottle mount, tube n mutitool and cash fit in my
tiny under seat tool bag, windbreaker and extra junk fit in a biggish MEC hip bag if I choose to
take it. (I CAN wear a backpack, IF I feel like it :-) ) If you want to do it, it's usually doable.
Best regards, Bernie

In article <[email hidden]>, Adam Bender

Quoted message said:

I have a Masterlock bike lock, with a cylindrical notched bolt that fits into the locking clasp. I
noticed that recently when I tried to lock it, the bolt would fit in but then easily pull out. I
fiddled with it and rotated the bolt in the lock, and that seemed to fix it - now I can't pull it
out at all while it's locked. Is this a common problem with these locks? Anything I can do to
prevent this in the future?

I have a Kryptonite U-Lock, which has worked for me very well. They have an insurance thing that
helps replace the cost of your bike (I've no experience with this). But if you question it's
security and value your bike, I would probably get a lock you're more secure with if you can manage.

Quoted message said:

I've noticed that on my commute I used to pretty much use 2nd gear for uphill and 3rd for flat,
now I use 3rd for uphill and 4th for flat. Is this some indicator of progress of some sort?

I often find that I shift my bike like a car -- just keeping the same cadence on the strokes.

Quoted message said:

How am I supposed to carry a bike lock, water bottle, air pump, tool kit, spare tire, etc., all on
my bike?

I used to carry it all in my backpack. It's enormous and, with my books and stuff for school, it's
great in the fall or winter months. But as summer dragged on, I decided to invest in a bike rack and
a trunk. It swallows everything nicely. The one I bought also has a shoulder strap so it doubles as
a carry-all when I am doing quick day trips.

Quoted message said:

Like I said I mostly ride trails, with a short (2 mi) daily commute, and occaisonal longer road
rides (10 mi). I've been looking at getting an Ibex Ignition 2, would people reccomend this bike
for the riding I'm doing? Is there something else I should consider? I'm still riding my childhood
bike, which is at least 8 years old, but still functional. If I do get a new bike, is it
reccomended to keep my old one around for rainy days and such?

Not from experience, but maybe for future-dreaming, I have always envisioned a multi-bike future for
myself. One dedicated to commuting, one for off-roading and one for racing or touring. I guess it
depends what you do with it most. My commuter is geared toward that: rack, fenders, slicker tires.
All of this to consider.

Adam Bender said:

Hi, this is my first post to the group. I've just started riding a lot again. I rode for fitness in
high school, then stopped when I moved into a dorm in college. Now I live off of campus, so use a
bike to commute, and I'm also near trails, so I hit those when I get a chance. Anyways, here are
some questions I've accumulated:

I have a Masterlock bike lock, with a cylindrical notched bolt that fits into the locking clasp. I
noticed that recently when I tried to lock it, the bolt would fit in but then easily pull out. I
fiddled with it and rotated the bolt in the lock, and that seemed to fix it - now I can't pull it
out at all while it's locked. Is this a common problem with these locks? Anything I can do to
prevent this in the future?

Mine works the same way. You just have to press firmly for it to catch; it *IS* misleading - you
remove the key, shove in the bolt, you'd expect it to 'catch', but it doesnt always. It seems to
catch less often when due to space or angles, you arent inserting the bolt straight-on.

I've recently started turning the key to open it as I press the bolt in, then release it. After
only a few times, it seems like it works better than the bute force method.

Quoted message said:

How do you jump over logs?

Use the afterburner 😉

Quoted message said:

I've noticed that on my commute I used to pretty much use 2nd gear for uphill and 3rd for flat, now
I use 3rd for uphill and 4th for flat. Is this some indicator of progress of some sort?

How am I supposed to carry a bike lock, water bottle, air pump, tool kit, spare tire, etc., all
on my bike?

You can get bags of various sizes to fit under the seat to carry tools, snacks, orange vests,
batteries etc.