Don't think the frame will be damaged from this. These kinds of flats are actually a very common thing to happen. And well, don't worry too much about flats, as its bound to happen for those who cycle regularly. But its good to learn how to patch your tube as well.

A headlight is even more useful should you need to change your tube or patch your tube at nights

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Added on January 22, 2012, 12:31 amI just make use of a simple side stand. Makes it a bit easier too when I need to clean the chain, cassette or crank as it lifts the rear tire off the ground.

This post has been edited by malleus: Jan 22 2012, 12:31 AM

I get around this problem by taping up the contact points. Carbon fiber tape on the chain stay, down tube, that spot on the left side of the frame where the cables rubs against the frame.

Also contact points between my frame and the side stand, contact points between my frame and my rear car rack.

Just like how I'm regretting getting my Trek 6000 as I'm thinking that I should have gone for a 29er instead?

Awwww.. you no fun ler...

Avids that bad? I mean, I hear ppl telling me to avoid those, but really that bad?

No lar, not referring to learning how to tune the bike on your own. More on teasing Silvy on his first purchase

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Added on January 23, 2012, 3:10 pmIt depends really. For me personally, what I would go for is:
- something that's comfortable for me to ride
- something that's easier for me to ride long distance (as in 100km+)

Right now you're just wanting to increase your riding distance, not rushing to do a particular distance in the shortest time possible.

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Added on January 23, 2012, 3:12 pmI'll say that being able to ride longer distance right now makes more sense than wanting to go fast right away.

This post has been edited by malleus: Jan 23 2012, 03:12 PM

Yah ler, that's why I asked how come u went with the 1.9 instead of the 1.5 when u wanted to get slicks.

Well, I ride on the Kesas regularly, about 3-5 times a week. Either at nights (9pm) or early mornings (6am).

My route starts me off from Puchong (meeting place is at Yap Auto), to Summit (U turn) to Bukit Jalil (U turn at Endah Parade) then back to Puchong again. Its a 26km route, takes about 55-65 minutes to complete (not including stops if any). If really really really bored, we'll do 2 laps (at nights only).

This is a pretty safe route, just make sure to stick to the bike lane. And if you want to cycle this route in the mornings, make sure its really early in the mornings before there's too many cars at the U turns.

Not sure if that'll be a convenient route for you or not.

Sunday mornings, depends.. Can be off road, or a long route (50km+).

Things to carry (apart from helmet, gloves, water)
- spare tube
- tube patch kit
- hand pump
- spare chain link
- lights (one rear blinker and one front headlight). I find that the powerful headlight such as the magic shines tends to make you quite visible at nights especially when you have it on blink mode. Bright and blinking makes it easier for you to be noticed

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Added on January 23, 2012, 9:37 pm1.25 may look a bit weird, but its usable actually. Only know of 1 other fellow who uses this on his MTB.

But I hate to imaging the amount of work to inflate that tire with a hand pump if you happen to get a flat on the road. Inflating my 1.5s to 70psi is already bad enuff.

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Added on January 23, 2012, 9:38 pmLooks like need a titanium skullcap under your helmet then

This post has been edited by malleus: Jan 23 2012, 09:38 PM

that's weird. the usual is to have the rear tires smaller than the front

Thought of getting padded cycling shorts instead?

Its kinda the same idea as the 69ers (29 in front, 26 at the back)

Bigger tires in front to make it easier to roll over stuff, smaller one at the back to provide easier acceleration.

Next time in such a situation, just ask him to sell you the patch kit then patch it yourself

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Added on January 25, 2012, 3:29 pmFor that budget, you can check out the Fox helmets too

http://shop.foxhead.com/store/products/Hel...tegory/cat20154

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Added on January 25, 2012, 3:31 pmI did a voluntary reset of mine on 1st Jan

But I still have my old records on my phone though.

This post has been edited by malleus: Jan 25 2012, 03:31 PM

Trek FTW

I don't have the budget to know what those are either

Ok, that sure beats the guy who bought a Trek 8500 to ride in his taman only

15 year old kid? He's still growing mah.. need to get new sizes as he grows

yah man.. that price's real cheap for a Helios 500

I used to like the blacks, but I find that the silvers are more convenient in the sense that its easier for you to tell where there's grime that you need to clean off.

waaah.. you very the hardcore ler.. I only collected the entire kit over a few months, not on the spot

- Helmet & gloves will be the first thing to look at.
- Pump you can get for under RM100. Patchkit should be pretty cheap. Can range from between RM15 or so at bike shops, all the way down to even only RM5 at Daiso. You'll also want to get a spare tube to carry with you too
- Computers, make sure to get at least those that measures your cadence as well.
- Shorts & Jersey, there's quite a large range for these. You might want to shop around to check. Mine costed me around RM300 or so for both the shorts and jersey.
- Shoes, I'll probably leave this one for last. Can't really comment much on it as I don't use the cycling shoes myself as yet.

You might want to get a saddle bag like this one: http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/AeroWe...kt53arm541djq97

Your patch kit, spare tube, simple toolset, etc. will go into that when you ride. Basically any sharp edged objects goes into the saddle bag instead of your jersey's back pockets.

I always unclip the lights, computer and stuff them into the saddle bag and carry it with me whenever I park

This depends from person to person actually. My main reasons for gloves is not for the tumble but:
- padded palms sort of helps with the vibrations
- padded palms helps too when I lean forwards for an extended time, especially when with a MTB I don't get as many options for hand positions as on a road bike
- MTB grips can be quite the uncomfortable on the palms of your hands for extended rides
- the back of the glove is useful as a nose wipe (yucks) when you're cycling

dropped the little bugger once at a bus stop when I was helping a buddy pump his tire. good thing we managed to find it. but watch out for petrol station pumps though. not all bike tires r designed to take that sort of fast inflation from those pumps

yeah. heard about this one. I got mine with the straps before I was told about this, but so far still lucky.

You can always carbonize it yourself by sticking on carbon fiber vinyl stickers yourself