Bob Cranger said:Cyclists -
Bike: Sun Retro-Alloy Cruiser. It’s a 3-speed with coaster brakes.
Today I took a dry run to the grocers and mall where I'll do most of
my shopping. There is one hill of which I still can’t get to the
top. I’d like to stand up to pedal, but I’m still quite large and I’m
afraid my chain will break.Once I’m able to climb that hill, I’ll install my pannier baskets,
which weigh about 6 lbs and try a few more dry runs to the stores.
The baskets will be more or less permanently attached, so I might get
a used bike for exercise and fun riding. I like the 3-speed but maybe
I’ll try a 5-speed to get used to the up-to-date bike gears.There’s another hill right by my house (at the top of the hill)
Lately I’ve been making it to the top of that one, but by then I’m in
the lowest gear and I’m almost to a full stop, not to mention out of
breath. I’d rather not get into that situation while away from
home.
Does the bicycle have a front brake or can one be fitted? A large rider,
cargo and a steep hill with just a coaster brake is a bad combination
for two reasons. The coaster brake can fade, and even an effective
coaster brake will result in much longer stopping distance than even a
mediocre front brake.
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful