tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post8543445602460245950..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: Silly device du jour: shiftless bicyclesCrabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-87046502748581215682009-07-23T15:16:39.730-04:002009-07-23T15:16:39.730-04:00I'm 31 years old and still ride a Robinson, BM...I'm 31 years old and still ride a Robinson, BMX, everywhere, one gear. It's a workout and thats what it's supposed to be, a fun workout.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08445563503259929444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-49238044786939708912008-12-21T18:07:00.000-05:002008-12-21T18:07:00.000-05:00The last truck I drove for a paycheck had an autom...The last truck I drove for a paycheck had an automatic transmission. I didn't like it for the first week, but I eventually found that I wasn't nearly so tired, physically and mentally, at the end of the day. Bear in mind, my previous truck had a 15-speed transmission and 400 Cummins diesel engine.<BR/>Because I shifted gears while I was working, I prefer not to shift gears while driving my car or riding a bicycle. There are sound, valid reasons why automatic transmissions don't work in 40-ton trucks, no reason whatsoever not to use them in cars, motorcycles, or bicycles. <BR/><BR/>I want a bike with full suspension, automatic transmission, and an enclosed shaft drive- with a total weight under 20 lbs, please. And, oh yes, I want it to be more efficient than a derailleur system.Beaugrandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11877513126816083730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-77149355368840932042008-07-01T07:55:00.000-04:002008-07-01T07:55:00.000-04:00Thank you so much, Merry!! I do live in a hilly a...Thank you so much, Merry!! I do live in a hilly area, but it's dangerous enough driving in a car - I wouldn't dare ride a bike near my home. I'm hoping I can find one that will fit easily in my car, so I keep it in there most of the time (I have a Honda Fit), and I also want to be able to ride with my dog (that I can't keep up with walking).<BR/><BR/>I had no idea they still made 3-speeds, and will keep an eye open for one. I've never seen a bicycle in our thrift shops here, but I'll keep watching. A coworker in another department rides a bike on occasion so I talked to him briefly yesterday, and he gave me the name of his favorite bike shop that he says has more used bikes than new - YAY! I'm stopping by today after work.<BR/><BR/>LOL I do remember those skinny bicycle seats - I can't believe anyone finds them comfortable!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17171120973771720606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-27900829055497949912008-06-30T22:03:00.000-04:002008-06-30T22:03:00.000-04:00They've also got 3-speed bikes that can look prett...They've also got 3-speed bikes that can look pretty cool. It makes sense to me to buy a bike with 20 or so gears if you live in a hilly area or might possibly get more into riding later on.<BR/>I know you can buy used bicycles from thrift shops or places like that, but please, /please/ go to a 'real' bicycle shop and get sized first. <BR/>And then once you've bought the cheapo bike that's in your size, go back to the 'real' bike shop and buy the most comfortable seat you can find. <BR/>Do not skimp on bicycle seats or you'll pay in the end, as it were.<BR/>Good luck!The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-45244339950136266662008-06-30T12:11:00.000-04:002008-06-30T12:11:00.000-04:00I dunno... I've just started looking at getting in...I dunno... I've just started looking at getting into bicycling again and was floored to see they are up to 20(!!!) gears, so it sounds like it's not that bad of an idea to me. Why do you need so many gears if you're not a racer?<BR/><BR/>And do you have any suggestions for someone who doesn't know how much they'll ride and doesn't want to put a lot of money into this (yet)? I don't think I want what we used to call '10-speeds' in the day (wow that makes me sound old!) - the ones with the U handlebars and skinny wheels.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17171120973771720606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-23886889625804447182008-06-30T11:55:00.000-04:002008-06-30T11:55:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17171120973771720606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-48644491486807942482008-06-19T17:53:00.000-04:002008-06-19T17:53:00.000-04:00I think the bike that shifts gear ratios itself is...I think the bike that shifts gear ratios itself is a great idea if you add a shifter to set how many rpms you want to pedal at!<BR/><BR/>Then you can add some preset buttons like car radios have for the stations and label them things like "spinning", "get the hell out of the intersection", "i am getting tired ease up", etc. <BR/><BR/>I mean honestly, how in the world am I supposed to care if there are 42 teeth on the front and 16 teeth on the back so that means I am at 2.625:1 and if I shift to the next size down at 14 teeth I will be at the next available ratio of 3:1. Yuck, let me pedal at 40 rpm and the bike can worry about shifting in the hills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-26670620679867422522008-06-19T16:37:00.000-04:002008-06-19T16:37:00.000-04:00.........i didn't even know you had to shift gears............i didn't even know you had to shift gears on a bycicle. haven't ridden one since i was a kid....... i feel stupid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-69563582232541137682008-06-19T16:17:00.000-04:002008-06-19T16:17:00.000-04:00Well, like sis said, I eventually got a ten speed....Well, like sis said, I eventually got a ten speed. I did learn to change gears, but where we grew up was kind of flat, so I put it in ten and left it there - even going up the steepest hill in town. (I had great legs, I tell ya!)<BR/><BR/>Now, of course, after years of driving, my legs and knees are not what they once were, but the bike only has 7 speeds. I can't seem to find the right gear, ever - it drives me nuts.<BR/><BR/>Maybe pretty shiny lights would help. Of course, it doesn't get dark until 10.00 pm, by which time, I am not out riding my bike. In the fall, they would show up.Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05318594769530526005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-116055161515278372008-06-19T14:59:00.000-04:002008-06-19T14:59:00.000-04:00I have never even heard of such bike! I am in the ...I have never even heard of such bike! I am in the camp of wanting to do it myself. That is what makes biking so much fun...trying to figure out how to work all the gears. (coming from someone who still hasn't figured it out!)<BR/><BR/>maybe if I got me some monkey lights?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-78718400460670617412008-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:002008-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:00Wow, awesome comments! Archaic verb definitions an...Wow, awesome comments! Archaic verb definitions and bicycle wisdom all in one place!<BR/><BR/>It's sad, though, to hear about these awful bike mishaps--glad to hear everyone's ok now. (I was miserable enough as an adolescent, I can't imagine enduring 8 weeks of having my jaws wired shut. Yikes!)<BR/><BR/>And I'm impressed by all of you who do just fine on a single-gear bike. When I hit hills of any size, I NEED those lower gears!Crabby McSlackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-61890399738949156342008-06-19T13:35:00.000-04:002008-06-19T13:35:00.000-04:00Awwww, thanks Dr. J! Yes, I had some pretty good ...Awwww, thanks Dr. J! Yes, I had some pretty good people working on me, my dentist even took me in on Sunday and repaired my teeth. Got my chin and lip stiched up and the surgery to wire my jaw shut went okay except they couldn't find my normal "bite." So they "wired it shut" after I woke up. Fortunately children seem to bounce back really quickly...unfortunately I was taken to the ER about once a year for whatever mess I got myself into. I really loved riding my bike, and I would love to get back on again...maybe after 15 years has gone by? This year makes #14! :) I'm glad you're okay too - something about that surgeon must have sparked your career path!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-1395079292481541822008-06-19T12:19:00.000-04:002008-06-19T12:19:00.000-04:00I was unaware of this new technology. I think I...I was unaware of this new technology. I think I'll stick with regular biking:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18285850895862247408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-91455111336823252652008-06-19T11:45:00.000-04:002008-06-19T11:45:00.000-04:00Colleen! There's a memory! When I was 14, I was pl...Colleen! <BR/><BR/>There's a memory! When I was 14, I was playing bike tag with a friend. Got my front wheel spokes into his pedal and flipped my self over, face first into the asphalt road! I was knocked out and blood everywhere. When I woke up I heard a lady yelling, "there's a doctor three houses down!" I went there and lucky me, he was a surgeon and he stitched me back together! <BR/><BR/>I really hope you are OK and can ride again one day. <BR/><BR/>Dr. JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-56122519907962997342008-06-19T10:55:00.000-04:002008-06-19T10:55:00.000-04:00Boooo, I wish I could ride any kind of bike, but I...Boooo, I wish I could ride any kind of bike, but I'm a scaredy-cat. When I was 13 I broke my teeth, chin, and jaw in a horrible bicycle accident. Had my jaw wired shut for 8 weeks and was the freakshow for the entire 8th grade. Good times!<BR/><BR/>One day I'm going to get up enough courage to ride again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-10476005235266413542008-06-19T10:29:00.000-04:002008-06-19T10:29:00.000-04:00NOT commenting on biking because I don't. Last ti...NOT commenting on biking because I don't. Last time = 15 stitches through eyebrow. (before helmets were popular).<BR/><BR/>But the monkey lights are cool! I have a friend whose wheelchair is equipped with one of these. Alledgely a real cool message might appear if she let her wheel chair go straight down one of the SF hills.. and she got her speed way up.<BR/><BR/>In the meantime, we simply admire the pretty colors.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07504185070473121551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-83631683491435715122008-06-19T10:21:00.000-04:002008-06-19T10:21:00.000-04:00I like those monkey lights...Automatic bike seems ...I like those monkey lights...<BR/><BR/>Automatic bike seems odd...kind of like an automatic car. Now that I have a standard I don't think I could go back to automoatic...and I just don't see biking as that difficult to need an automatic. It takes a bit to get used to having a bunch of gears, but it's not exactly rocket science. Even little hick town me who grew up with a banana seat bike with no gears picked up on the multiple gears thing pretty quickly...I'd be annoyed if I couldn't adjust the gears...and I don't think you'd get the same amount of exercise.<BR/>It makes me think of what I saw yesterday - a guy had had an electric motor mounted to his bike so he could put along at about 20 Kph...and he went by, not pedalling and smoking a cigarette...seemed to be to defeat the purpose of biking :)<BR/>I like biking to work - good for me, for the earth and I get a bit of exercise all in one.Geosominhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-6095560193082525522008-06-19T10:06:00.000-04:002008-06-19T10:06:00.000-04:00Just so long as the training wheels have bright sh...Just so long as the training wheels have bright shiny lights on them, Dr. J! :)The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-31759456127404486622008-06-19T09:32:00.000-04:002008-06-19T09:32:00.000-04:00So, in the beginning I had a bike with training wh...So, in the beginning I had a bike with training wheels and one speed. Lost the training wheels and off I went. Eventually a 10 speed, and 18, that was cool! A few years ago, I got a 3 speed beach cruiser as a tough workout bike. I had the other bikes but I liked the cruiser best! Soon I only rode it in 3rd gear, never shifting. Maybe one day, the training wheels will be back and the circle complete :-)<BR/><BR/>Dr. JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-72576937260342668912008-06-19T08:57:00.000-04:002008-06-19T08:57:00.000-04:00Man, I need a bike. I'm kind of embarrassed that ...Man, I need a bike. I'm kind of embarrassed that ours got stolen several years ago and we never replaced them. Although when I do get one, it will be of the shifting variety (I feel the same way about manual vs. automatic transmissions, btw!)Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04339643338071382257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-20230746785909343822008-06-19T08:56:00.000-04:002008-06-19T08:56:00.000-04:00All the reasons for shifting your own gears on the...All the reasons for shifting your own gears on the bike are my reasons for having a manual transmission on the car. Yes, I think I'm smarter than my car!<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, when I borrowed my friend's bike back in 1983 (?) to practice in the school parking lot across the street, I gave up without learning anything. I couldn't tell any difference in the gears, and the parking lot was on a hill, so I could go up and down, or go from side to side on the level. Maybe I'm not smarter than a bike?<BR/><BR/>Mary Anne in Kentucky, with lots of hills nowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-30468464413841365132008-06-19T08:53:00.000-04:002008-06-19T08:53:00.000-04:00Oh, dear, my age is showing!! I never learned to r...Oh, dear, my age is showing!! I never learned to ride a bike with gears! My sister had one, but I never did - I was content to use my old fixed gear bike. Never did get the hang of shifting gears on hers.<BR/><BR/>That said, I can drive a standard transmission vehicle - in fact, that's what hubby has, so I have to drive it occasionally. (and Crabby, I can echo that sentiment - I won't learn to ride a bike with gears because I don't wanna!)the Bag Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17434610508260994331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-16385467073907988772008-06-19T08:13:00.000-04:002008-06-19T08:13:00.000-04:00If you really, really, really don't want to be bot...If you really, really, really don't want to be bothered shifting gears, then get a fixed-gear bike.Leah J. Utashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497599109798015888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-76966846318015828292008-06-19T08:11:00.000-04:002008-06-19T08:11:00.000-04:00At the risk of being a total nerd, just wanted to ...At the risk of being a total nerd, just wanted to mention that the phrase "short shrift" comes from an archaic verb referring to the performance of penance (so it's totally appropriate to use when talking about exercise). Giving someone the "short shrift" kind of means you're letting them off easy--but there are other alternative meanings (like you're considering something because you kind of have to, but you're impatient to get it over with). <BR/><BR/>I agree about the bike-shifting thing. An automatic car is one thing, but an automatic bike sort of defeats the purpose a bit--at least if your purpose is exercise or development of the skill of bike-riding. However, maybe more people would use bikes if they were less difficult to use? (Not that shifting is necessarily difficult)LMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194634431878605447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-7811146572657213192008-06-19T07:50:00.000-04:002008-06-19T07:50:00.000-04:00sorry about the double comment - stupid computer!sorry about the double comment - stupid computer!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com