• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass DB bicycle thread



IMG_20220813_143108.jpg


IMG_20220813_142814.jpg
 
Well, I survived a crash, a couple weekends ago. Bike's OK. A comedy of errors led to me trying to ride home with a 20-25 mm innertube in a 40mm front tire. It was going OK until I went around a hairpin turn, and the tire rolled off the rim. Down I went, hard.

Bruises, scrapes, but according to X-Ray at urgent care, no fractures. Left brake lever was bent, I un-bent it. Back in the saddle the next day.
 
Well, I survived a crash, a couple weekends ago. Bike's OK. A comedy of errors led to me trying to ride home with a 20-25 mm innertube in a 40mm front tire. It was going OK until I went around a hairpin turn, and the tire rolled off the rim. Down I went, hard.

Bruises, scrapes, but according to X-Ray at urgent care, no fractures. Left brake lever was bent, I un-bent it. Back in the saddle the next day.
I'm glad you're ok, that doesn't sound pleasant at all!
 
Well, I survived a crash, a couple weekends ago. Bike's OK. A comedy of errors led to me trying to ride home with a 20-25 mm innertube in a 40mm front tire. It was going OK until I went around a hairpin turn, and the tire rolled off the rim. Down I went, hard.

Bruises, scrapes, but according to X-Ray at urgent care, no fractures. Left brake lever was bent, I un-bent it. Back in the saddle the next day.

Yikes.
Glad there were no fractures.
Heal up quick!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris Fitzgerald
NBD - Orbea M30 LT

Toning down my riding to what I most enjoy, which is all around trail riding. I’d like to continue playing bass and not have to worry about messing up my hands or body, crashing at speeds over 25mph over rough terrain or sending it over 25’ gaps at the bike park. The kids can have it, lower 20mph downhills, playing around popping over trail obstacles and being able to clear technical ups/downs keeps me quite happy. This bike does it all and keeps me in check as there is a limit compared to my last bike. Up here at near 10k’ it climbed like a goat.
08559158-9FBB-43BD-8709-AD116A7E7151.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Hey, is anyone else riding belt drive? I love my 3-speed but am in the market for a 7 or 8 and welcome any US available recommendations under a grand. Thanks. (Already know about Priority/Brilliant.)
 
I've always been curious about belt drive, but not enough to take the plunge. I think Trek has had them on and off, as well as REI's various brands.

I'm still max'd out at 3 speeds for my internal gear hubs, ancient Sturmey Archer. The 3-speed seems like the perfect storm for just getting around town, and maintainability by mere mortals. It would be fun to compare one of the bigger Shimano IGH's with the 1x9 on my "road" bike.
 
I've always been curious about belt drive, but not enough to take the plunge. I think Trek has had them on and off, as well as REI's various brands.

I'm still max'd out at 3 speeds for my internal gear hubs, ancient Sturmey Archer. The 3-speed seems like the perfect storm for just getting around town, and maintainability by mere mortals. It would be fun to compare one of the bigger Shimano IGH's with the 1x9 on my "road" bike.

Hey, I was glad to read you're ok after that recent spill.

I was surprised by how easily I became a belt convert. No more grease and barely any maintenance to speak of. I've had my 3 speed for a couple of years now and only had to adjust the v-brakes once the cables stretched out. Quiet and clean without the fuss but I miss the speed of multi-gears.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris Fitzgerald
Never even heard of belt drive bikes. I can’t imagine how it would be an improvement over chains overall, but am open to learn.

A friend has some attachments on the ends of her bars that allow her a secondary riding position that gives her wrists a break from being in the same position all the time. It’s an interesting idea, but a search of these things, like all searches these days it seems, reveals a bewildering array of possibilities. Anybody have any experience with these appendages?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassfran
Here's my propaganda on swept handlebars. ;)

In terms of wrist position, I've gone a different way on my bikes, installing "swept" bars, aka "north road" or "tourist" style. These are the kind you used to see on old 3 speeds etc.

Straight bars pound the hell out of my wrists. I can go half a mile on them. And you can see this when you watch people ride -- they've got their palms cupped around the ends of the bars, or are riding with their fists on top of the bars, trying to give their wrists some relief.

Swept bars don't give you any larger number positions, but the one position they give is vastly more comfortable for me. You know from bass playing that a small change in approach can sometimes make a big difference. That little bit of wrist angle is actually quite significant. I can ride 10's of miles on swept bars, and have ended up installing them on all of my bikes. I have some favorites, but they are all quite similar, so if you can be patient, it's worth waiting for bargains to pop up. Aluminum or steel. Some of the brands I've randomly used:

Origin8 Citi Classic
Velo Orange Tourist
FSA Metropolis (wider clamp diameter)
Steel bar from old Schwinn

I've noticed online, "Sunlite Elson" is a steel tourist bar that's quite affordable.