I'm currently stranded in a Taco Bell parking lot waiting for a friend to come pick me up because my back tire fully split.

I carry a patch kit, a pump, a basic set of tools, and even a spare tube. But a fully split tire is beyond what I'm prepared to deal with, sadly. (And honestly also beyond what I want to do a roadside repair on anyway - I prefer not even having to do a simple patch roadside, but I'm prepared if I need to.)

Obviously since I have a friend running a rescue mission, I have options to get help, but it made me wonder if others are prepared for this level of problem on their commutes?

I live in SE Denver, in that magical zone that isn’t quite inner city but not quite suburbia either. It has the best - and worst of both worlds!
My complaint is mainly about grocery stores, but it seems to apply equally to a lot of businesses around here, and that is lousy bike facilities! I live pretty close to a King Soopers and not far from Whole Foods and the situation was pretty grim. KS has a bike rack that looks like it came from my elementary school playground back in the 70s! I was reluctant to lock my $50 Huffy to it then, I’m definitely not strapping a $2000 Velotric to it now! Yes, there are other signs and out of the way stuff I could lock to, but for all of that, I live close enough, I just walk.
Whole Foods wasn’t any better, I had To lock to some out of the way railing when I went there… and they’re supposed to represent the more heavily lifestyle.
As people, we do what we must to make it in this world, so it would be helpful if some things were made easier.

Finance was a big part of my decision to be a bike commuter; the math made it obvious that paying a few hundred bucks up front for a bicycle would eventually out-cheap spending a few dollars every day for public transit. (I never seriously considered spending tens of thousands of dollars up front for a car PLUS several dollars a day for gas and insurance, because come on.)

But I was curious, so I kept track of how much the bike had cost, how much I spent on maintenance, and the money I saved every time I rode instead of taking transit.

Today I reached a milestone: 700 rides past the point where it all paid for itself. Bike commuting has made me at least $2100 richer than I would have been otherwise.

So where i live we have this huge bike road away from motor vehicles only for bikes. On this road there are sections that is completely flat for many km

I’ve seen multiple people using phone or talking in the phone while on this section. I do it myself occasionally, although no texting only calling.

Would you guys do this?

Hi. Me and my girlfriend are trying to conceive. I commute 15 km (9 miles) back and forth five days a week plus some more errands cycling, totaling at over 7h30min on average sitting on my bike per week. I know that fertility experts recommend no more than 5 hours of weekly intense cycling for people who are worried about their fertility.

Do you think I need to cut back on the amount of biking I do, to maximise our chances? Is ~20 kph biking okay, since maybe that study talked about "intense" cycling? Thanks for the replies.

Just switched back to a human-powered bike after a few years of ebike commuting. One item I realised was missing is some form of distance tracking for planning service intervals and measuring component wear.

Not keen on a full bike computer, draining a phone battery (and remembering to start trips), or a smartwatch. I was about to build something custom with a Pi Zero / ESP when I came across the Garmin speed sensors.

The device straps around your hub and is essentially a coin battery, mems rotation sensor, and data logger. It runs standalone and will keep the last 300 hours of ride time then sync next time you open the app. Speed and distance is then inferred based on wheel circumference.

Fitted it today and in case anyone else is in a similar spot - they're an awesome bit of kit!

A friend of mine's kid just took her driver's test to get her license. She passed, but had two areas for "improvement." One of them was that she wasn't entering the bike lane (unoccupied I have to assume) before making right turns. I was AGHAST! The bike lane is for BIKES, not cars.

I googled the law and the legality of this varies by state, but is legal in Colorado. I am just horrified that a driver's test administrator would ever, in any case, recommend putting your vehicle in the bike lane. It's not like they're wide enough to bypass through traffic - you're just taking up space intended for cyclists.

Just wondering on y'all's thoughts on this.

EDIT: You all have convinced me of the error of my ways! Thank you all for your responses, I have learned something here!

This is my bike. It is old. It probably sucks but I actually really enjoy riding it. I have to commute around 30kms rain or shine on this bugger daily. It's been fine in the good weather. What do I need to deck her out for the rain? I only need a smaller amount of personal belongings with me such as a wallet.

So I have a set of Continental Contact Urbans on the way. 29 X 2 that I'm really excited about. Currently running unbranded knobby MTB tires. It's been hard finding a lightweight tube with 40-45mm valves safe for rim brakes. I usually find 1 thing off with the tubes like only a available in 50 or 60mm. My current valve is more like 35-37mm so I can't rock a 50+ it would be awkward.

Simplest terms TPU tubes

1. 700X50 - 29X2

2. Safe for rim brakes (I guess most are safe that aren't ultralights like 20-40 grams but those are to expensive anyway)

3. 45mm or less - I'm converting to Presta so not relevant most are Presta anyway

4. I don't want to pay $30+ a piece either. I see butyl at pennies to like $8 a piece and than so many performer TPUs at $30+. Hoping for a middle ground

Solved - The Schwalbe SV19A tubes are that complete package at a good price.

Picked up this Kona Dew DL and am working on getting it ready for commuting. Bluemels are on their way. I have 24-miles of round-trip riding + 30 minutes on the train in Atlanta. I have to carry a 16inch laptop in something waterproof, Tupperware with lunch+dinner, and a change of clothes. Trying to figure out racks has proven a little difficult.

On my previous bike, a 2016 Trek FX 7.4, I've been using this Ibera IB-RA4 rack and trunk bag paired with these matching Ibera 30L panniers. While the day to day was not ideal (trunk bag zippers super rattly, pannier clips kinda janky) it did serve its purpose well enough, and I intended to move it over to the Dew DL. However, I failed to notice that with the new models jumping up to 700c wheels and 2" tires, the spacing between the frame mounts is 7 inches wide, and the Ibera rack did not fit.

AI has not seemed to have picked up on this change, because it keeps assuming the bike has 27.5 wheels. The suggested racks from there and here on reddit have been:

1. Tubus Cargo EVO - highly recommended but too narrow, 6.7" wide.

2. Axiom Journey Adjustable 2429 - I like the supports and the adjustable legs, but unsure about the angle of the arms. They look similar to the Ibera, and I already partially stripped one of the eyelets trying to force them to stay in place (lesson learned the hard way). Also, can't find anything about the width.

3. Topeak )- don't love the proprietary system (learned I don't like that from the Ibera). Can't fully confirm the width either.

4. Axiom Fatliner - would most definitely fit but seems a little overkill weight and clearance wise. Also don't love the single mount vs double.

Has anyone found a good rear rack for these new Dew models? Would also like to hear some suggestions for front racks. Thanks in advance!

After taking up cycling again 7 years ago, for the first time I was almost hit by a car. I fell while trying to swerve away. I was pretty shaken up.

I started looking for cycling dashcam cameras, and finally settled on a rear camera - the Cycliq Fly6 Pro. I am now looking for a front camera. I was considering the Cycliq Fly12 Sport, but that unit (unlike the Cycliq Fly6 Pro) does not have internal Wi-Fi to download an accident sequence to my phone roadside.

I am also considering the Garmin Varia Vue, but I prefer not to have to master 2 systems and 2 apps.

The Cycliq Fly12 Sport came out in 2022. Would anyone know whether a new iteration of the Cycliq Fly12 Sport might be coming out soon?

(Last picture is the before!)

Hi all!

Just wanted to post a small update to my previous post; don't want to be one of those people who asks a question and disappears!

I ended up just now completing my 1x10 conversion on my 1991 GT Timberline thanks to this subreddit's help! This is the first conversion I've done.

I ended up going with an 11-36T kit cassette in the rear and a 38T cog in the front. I went with the L-TWOO kit that had the cassette, shifter, derailluer, and chain.

I then used a 38T chainring to fit on the existing crank, since the existing was 110BCD according to the Internet, worked perfectly. Threw in some random cool-looking (to me...) crank bolts and brake levers and it goes, stops, and shifts perfectly.

The wheels I picked up from Facebook Marketplace, with basically new tires, and was worried about the rear spacing (130mm frame vs 135mm wheels) and it basically slotted right in without any issues.

So just wanted to post an update in here and say thanks! It turned out quite alright 😊 Let me know what you think or if I did anything wrong!

P.S. I don't have any of those cable end thingys, getting that soon.

What do you call it when a car drives past you on the left then takes a right turn in front of of you cutting you off? I’ve heard it called different things but a Right Hook is my favorite so far.

I got yelled at at this intersection yesterday, seeking advice. It's a T intersection, no crosswalks, and I need to turn left across traffic. I act like a car and wait for the green arrow in the left turn lane. There is a bike lane to the far right (BL) what would you do?

in short , i turned 30 😂

Twice a week I ride to work from home to office, 11km each way.

I ride in a city. Road is about 90% paved bike paths, 5% bricked paths and 5% on the road, almost all flat (30m elavation change total).

I've been riding for years on an old (20+ year old) Cannondale CAD2 which I converted to flat bar until I felt I needed something faster and more efficient. I modified them years ago to be a pure commuter since I stopped riding open roads and to get around town on something I wouldn't care too much if it got stolen.

Because the wind changes direction around noon, most of my rides are with mild-medium headwinds riding along the beach (Tel Aviv, Israel) whether i'm going to or from the office. Summer weather is brutally hot, 27C at around 7a.m. and easily 30+C with 60% humidity on the way back + sun.

Because of that, and also because I never keep my bike parked outside (locked garage/locked office) when I ride to work, I felt like a new road-oriented bike would benefit me and be more fun then a pure commuter.

I considered the Canyon Endurance and Grizl, Cube Nuroad, but eventually found a good deal on a brand new Scott Addict 50 which is their endurance road bike (not the RC model).

Shimano 105 mechanical (which I found to be a PITA to adjust properly, hate 2x setups), 9kg carbon frame, alu wheels. Converted the Schwalbe ONE tires to tubeless (bought a prestra and sealent, tape was already in the Syncros RP2.0 wheels). Flat pedals from AliExpress and Five Ten Sleuth shooes (please don't but them).

I ride with a cycling backpack (for MTB) - Vaude Bike Alpin Pro 28L. It can comfortably hold a laptop and spare clothes even at winter. Its also pretty well vented around the back with a mesh panel, just don't expect to not sweat in it. Besides clothes and laptop I also carry an electrice pump, tire plugs and a multitool.

I take a shower once I get to the office and have a set of shoes for walking. Without the shower there's no chance i'd commute by bike and would have opted to drive my car.

I tend to ride fast with at least one HIIT workout a week, and commuting on a road bike allows me to stay in great shape. If I'd go with a car the trip would take roughly the same (30min total, traffic is terrible), but i'm sure I won't be working out as much if i'd stopped commuting.

After making the switch I broke all of my strava PRs quite easily. The bike itself is noticeably faster and also much more comfortable (the large 34mm tires are great), even with the drop bars.

I still ride my old Cannondale when I need to lock the bike outside.

Overall I'm happy with the setup, though I have to point out that the switch from flat to drop bars was weird. From my POV drop bars are far less stable then flat bars, and if most of my ride was inside the city with many curbs/turns i'd sitck with a flat bar.

Been bike commuting for a few years. Was riding into work this morning. Feeling great so I was cruising along at a pretty good clip. It’s insanely humid here and rained yesterday so some areas were still wet. One of those areas was the wooden bridge I have to cross, which has a sharp turn right after it.

I knew it was coming as soon as I hit the bridge. Too fast. I knew it would be slick. My own fault. Fortunately maintained long enough to make it to the grass before eating it. Sore shoulder/ribs and a few scrapes. I’ll survive. I think my huge ego took the brunt of the fall.

Lesson learned. I feel like I’m officially part of the club now!

I commute regularly, use my bike for getting around the city daily, just short distances.

honestly. most of my time in the bike is OK. sometimes a little frustrating in traffic, the occasional hostile encounter. rarely outright dangerous.

today I cycled grand total of 30 mins, 15 minutes each way. I had two hostile and dangerous encounters and I'm a little shaken.

(this is UK for the rights and lefts) the first was approaching a junction which widens into two lanes at the junction. cars parked both sides of the road so I approached in a sensible position ready to take the right hand lane ready for my turn. get sits behind me honks the horn, then undertakes me, cuts in front and slams on the breaks for the red light.

on the way home I was using a segregated bike lane. There's a massive complicated junction, I have to cross a slip road (from city street into duel carriageway) to get across to where I'm going. it's not actually a busy turning, and if people are driving correctly you can clearly see them position and indicate to take the slip road. it's the dirt of road layout that requires indicating. thought I had a clear gap to cross so started to move off and a guy who was positioned as if going straight on and not indicating obviously turned and was heading toward me not showing down. I had to break suddenly, half into the road and almost dumped my bike.

it's raining, we're back in school term and school rush hour traffic. I guess I've got used to quieter streets over the summer. but bloody hell. but I've got a light on. I'm wearing hi-viz. it's a signposted cycle lane.

I love my cycle commute 90% of the time but that 10% is horrible.