346 posts shown.
electricotter9 said:Sorry to crash this thread out of nowhere, but I was wondering what you guys think about my bike setup? Do you reckon it’s actually decent enough for some serious riding, or am I just kidding myself? 622 miles Are we talking about full-blown, whirlwind vacations, or more of a laid-back, moderate way to travel?
Man, you’re going to have just as much of a headache dealing with those panniers as I did. I had a bike with a pretty similar frame setup—an Escape 2008—and even then, getting everything dialed in was a bit of a chore, though I eventually managed to get through it without too much drama. 808 miles Between planning the summer vacation and all the little things you have to prep beforehand, I’m looking at a total of... 2797 miles A year. It’s not exactly an eternity, but then again, it’s certainly not nothing either.
Jamie Cox29 said:I live out in the woods. It's one of those tiny little towns where all the surrounding roads are just gravel and dirt. Honestly, there’s no point in buying a dedicated road bike here. I can manage on the paths I have because my current setup is basically a forest trail bike, and I'm used to the grit. This one actually has rear suspension, which makes it a bit more of a chore to pedal on flat ground, but I've taken it everywhere, so I'll make it work.
This Avalanche doesn't have disc brakes because I tend to steer clear of them; standard rim brakes work just fine for me. It's priced at $1333 and you know how it goes—the gear eventually needs
.
If you do decide to pull the trigger, just make sure it has mounting points for a rear rack. You're looking for two screw holes near the seat post, something like this:
Jamie Cox29 said:What’s your take on the Avalanche 1?
Look, that's an XC mountain bike equipped with disc brakes, specifically built for hitting the trails and forest paths rather than cruising down asphalt. If your main goal is just riding mostly on the road, buying that bike doesn't really make much sense—you'll likely end up spending more money in the long run and honestly, you're just going to have a harder time making the ride comfortable.
So, what kind of budget are we looking at for the bike itself, and what's the total amount you're planning to drop overall?
Dennis Lewis6 said:It’s not necessarily a given; Twinlab might rip you off, but at least you know exactly what you’re getting...
I wouldn't say it's a given, either; anyone claiming otherwise clearly hasn't spent much time looking into this. Honestly, it's like trying to find high-end, artisanal organic milk—it's incredibly high quality, but for you, it would probably cost a small fortune just to get a single gallon. It has to be top-tier because, let's face it, the price tag is steep...
Dennis Lewis6 said:they won Manufacturer of the Year
back in 2002, they were voted the top American brand by athletes
and at the end of the day, PRICE DEFINES QUALITY!!!!
So, who exactly has been taking home those awards over the last six years?
Price doesn't define quality; the importer defines the price. If you look at Twinlab products out in the States, they are WAY cheaper than what we see here because the local distributor just pads their margins to an insane degree. Besides, there’s no rule that says a higher price tag actually translates to better stuff.
Ephedrine is banned, plain and simple. End of discussion.
ruggedorca23 said:so you're looking at either rim brakes or disc brakes.
The consensus seems to be going with V because if you're picking up a budget bike—say, anything under $600 or even a bit more—those cheap disc brakes are honestly pretty useless.
Am I totally off base here?🙂?
Not quite, though I see where you're coming from. Usually, the real headache is trying to mount a rear rack on a bike equipped with disc brakes. Plus, since you'll likely be cruising at lower speeds on the road, even those entry-level discs will get the job done fine enough, so braking power isn't really the issue. A disc-equipped bike also tends to be heavier, and they can be a bit of a pain to maintain; every time you have to pull the wheel off to patch a flat, you're stuck readjusting the brake alignment all over again. On top of that, I don't think there are many affordable 28-inch trekking bikes out there with disc brakes—it's mostly just the 26-inch models.
Jamie Cox29 said:rim brakes?
what's wrong with my bike??
it's handled plenty of hills and valleys with me😢
Well, good for you, I guess, but honestly, I wouldn't have the guts to take a trip like that on a setup like that.
Jamie Cox29 said:My tent weighs in at about eleven pounds, while my gear for the ocean trek sits right around nine. I’ve actually gotten pretty good at setting the whole thing up in total darkness—I've had to do it more than a few times when things didn't go quite according to plan.🙂 So, let me be clear: there’s no such thing as a free lunch here. If you're thinking about setting up camp, you have to realize nothing comes without a catch. I mean, what kind of headache are we actually looking at if the local police roll up and find you out there with a tent? Depending on where you set up, you could be looking at anything from a simple warning to some pretty heavy fines for trespassing or violating local ordinances. It’s one of those things where you think you're just enjoying the view, and suddenly you're dealing with a citation. And as for the fines? Honestly, they can be a total gut punch. They aren't exactly pocket change, and they tend to scale up depending on how much trouble you've caused or how strictly that specific county enforces its camping laws. It's definitely worth weighing the "freedom" against the potential cost.
What on earth are we doing with a five-pound tent? Seriously, that thing is a beast. You need to hunt down something actually lightweight—I’m talking gear that weighs closer to a couple of pounds if you want to actually enjoy the hike.
I suppose I should have seen this coming, though it doesn't make the feeling any less heavy. There’s just something about the way things are unfolding right now that feels profoundly disheartening—almost like watching a slow-motion wreck you can't quite pull away from. It’s one of those moods that settles in deep, much like that gray, heavy fog that rolls off the Pacific in San Diego, making everything feel a bit more muted and somber than usual. You find yourself sitting there, staring out at the horizon, wondering when exactly the momentum shifted so drastically against us. It's a quiet sort of sadness, really, nothing loud or dramatic, just a lingering sense of disappointment that sits in the back of your mind while you go about your day. kaže:
I honestly don’t know how some people manage to drive without wearing sunglasses; it’s a total nightmare when you get hit by a stray fly or a bug flying straight toward your eye while you're cruising down the highway. It’s one of those small things that can completely ruin a drive if you aren't prepared.
Right, I completely blanked on my glasses—I really should have grabbed a pair with interchangeable lenses, though if we’re being honest, you'll probably only find yourself reaching for the sunglasses once the summer heat kicks in.
Jamie Cox29 said:I can't see the image you've linked, but if you can describe what’s going on in it or tell me what you want me to write about, I'll get right on it. Just give me the gist of the situation or the point you're trying to make, and I'll craft something that sounds like me—long-winded, maybe a little too detailed, but definitely honest.
I just finished swapping out my old setup for a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and I went with a slightly wider profile this time around. It feels like a solid upgrade.
Do you think I could actually pull this off and use this whole story to get what I'm after?
I’ve been driving mine for about seven years now, and honestly, I haven't had to deal with a single breakdown. It's been incredibly reliable. That said, I have seen other people run into trouble with those gears—they'd end up bending under the pressure and causing the whole shifting mechanism to go haywire on its own.
Are you actually kidding me right now? You really think you're going to walk into a Starbucks and try something like that?
Look, if you’re serious about getting out there, just go ahead and buy yourself a decent trekking bike. You know, one of those solid, reliable models that actually holds up when the terrain gets a little rough. It isn't worth wasting your time or money on some cheap, flimsy thing that's going to fall apart the second you hit a gravel path or a steep incline. I learned that the hard way a few years back when I tried to save a few bucks on a budget commuter, only to have the derailleur snap halfway through a ride near San Diego. It was embarrassing, honestly, and a total waste of a Saturday. Just invest in something quality from the start—your knees and your sanity will thank you later. $667 Just a heads-up—make sure you’re looking for a model with V-brakes rather than disc brakes. If you go that route, you should have no trouble mounting a rear rack and some panniers without any real headache. As for the tires, I’d say thinner is better; really aim for something with a more pronounced tread pattern if you can find it.
I made it a bit of a nightly ritual to set up my tent. It only took about ten or fifteen minutes of effort, but man, it made a world of difference in how well I actually slept. Honestly, losing a few pounds didn't even phase me on that bike of mine; between the panniers and all the extra gear, the whole setup was already pushing well over sixty pounds anyway.
Trust me when I say a good tent is absolutely non-negotiable. It can get brutally cold and windy once night falls, and believe me, there is nothing quite as miserable as trying to sleep in a bag while the wind keeps whistling right down your neck.
And if you aren't heading out solo, make sure you're trekking with someone who’s just as stubborn and driven as you are. Every time I try to go out with a group, the whole thing basically crawls along because someone always needs a break, or they have to hit the restroom, or they need water, or they just need to sit down for a second.
Well, look, I actually went on an even longer trip than yours, so let me try to lay out some general ground rules for you.
You’re going to need a tent and a sleeping bag—and honestly, you can find lightweight versions for both that won't weigh you down too much per person—but if you can, grab a thin sleeping pad, because the ground is almost always nothing but rocks. As for storage, a couple of panniers will do fine, whether you hang them on the front or the back; they'll fit everything you need. I carried some pretty heavy bags on my front rack myself and never had any trouble keeping the bike under control.
The absolute essentials, though? SUNSCREEN and TONS OF WATER. The summer sun out here is absolutely brutal, and water is basically your only lifeline. Also, please, do yourself a favor and get some decent cardio training in before you head out. The last thing you want is to keel over on some random incline in the middle of nowhere, and trust me, there are climbs that feel like they go on forever. I usually kept about two to three liters on me; once I dropped down to just one liter, I started panicking about where the next gas station or convenience store was going to be. You can usually find a shop in most towns, but you have to stay sharp because they’re often closed on Sundays, which meant I ended up drinking water straight from my bottle more often than I liked.
Moving on:
- Get some quick-dry clothing and footwear—cycling gear works, or even hiking clothes, which are usually a lot cheaper. For your feet, just bring a solid pair of sneakers that won't fall apart, so you don't have to lug around extra shoes just for walking around town. Your bike and saddle are obviously huge factors; the seat doesn't have to be the most luxurious thing ever, but you really need to be broken in. Definitely buy some quick-dry liners to wear under your shorts; otherwise, sweat-soaked fabric will chafe you raw in no time. I picked mine up at Nike and they were great. Oh, and bring gloves, too...
- Band-aids, bandages, ibuprofen, multivitamins/minerals, and some electrolyte powder to mix into your water. You have to replace the salt you lose through sweating; plain water isn't enough by itself, and you can pick up some cheap stuff at a CVS or Walgreens.
- A primary phone and a backup (just in case your main battery dies), plus chargers... if you aren't planning on staying at established campgrounds, charging becomes a real headache. A GPS is highly recommended, along with detailed maps if you plan on veering off the main highways. A heavy-duty lock is also vital. I'd suggest swapping out those quick-release skewers on your wheels and seat for hex bolts, and make sure you carry a full toolkit for common repairs, tire patches, and a pump. Also, throw a handful of zip ties in your bag—they are perfect for just about anything.
- Regarding food, honey, milk, and bread turned out to be a perfect combo for me. I used honey in a little squeeze bottle, like a ketchup packet. You can find bread and milk in any grocery store, and it worked perfectly; I didn't have the energy for sugary snacks like candy bars while riding. For dinner, you can eat something more substantial.
- Try to avoid the main highways, especially the stretch between Seattle and San Diego.
- You can sleep at any campground, but if you're trying to save money, you can always pull off the main road and camp somewhere on the side. Just make sure you're tucked away where you aren't visible, though keep in mind that doing that significantly increases your risk of getting a flat tire.
- There's a whole lot more to it, but I can't think of anything else right now.
James Lewis6 said:Basically, whey has a lower protein percentage because there's so much water content involved, but honestly, whey proteins are top-tier...
Could you maybe walk me through what those numbers actually represent? I’m really hoping they aren't referring to percentages...
Look, if you really need an answer to this—since you seem stuck on it—just drink it right after you finish up at the gym. Just toss a scoop into some water, shake it up, and you're good to go.
It’s actually hydrolysate, not a waterproofing agent. Honestly, it’s just one of those things meant for people with money to burn; it really isn't worth the investment.
They aren't actually harmful. You just have to be careful to make sure you're picking up actual whey protein rather than some high-calorie gainer instead.
Roger Richardson61 said:The Dymatize at Prosport is actually cheaper than their unflavored isolate.
It’s $65 for 4.5 kg. That works out to exactly $33/kg.
Yeah, those are really my two main options right now. I might just end up grabbing both, honestly, because there are times when I want to mix my whey into something where I don't necessarily want a chocolate or vanilla aftertaste messing with the flavor profile.
velvetraven said:Killa $83... I don't know, everyone seems to be treating it like some kind of absolute Best Buy deal 🤷
Which one? This Proforce stuff is about $35 for 2kg, once you factor in shipping and everything else (well, I haven't actually sat down to dig through the fine print yet).
velvetraven said:Dymatize ISO ☕ 😁 (though honestly, if you go for the pina colada flavor, it’s absolutely disgusting, just trust me on that 😬)
It’s definitely pricey... I’ve had the chocolate one before and the taste was actually pretty solid, but I haven't touched the pina colada and I have zero intention of ever trying it. 🙂
Roger Richardson61 said:Optimum Nutrition at Prosport is easily the cheapest way to go.
But seriously, can someone make sense of the pricing over at Prosport?
For instance, looking at this link, the ON is listed at $99, but as soon as I log in, the price jumps to $115!
Then there's the Elite Whey, which sits at about $70, but once I sign in, it drops to $65.
What is going on there?
Right now I'm weighing my options with the Proforce isolate from Prosport... does Prosport actually have a physical storefront, or is it strictly online shipping? (And yeah, I realize they're based in Canada). If they do have a shop, where is it located?