Just like riding a bike!

[Alfalfa]

I found myself questioning this phrase for just a moment as I hopped on my Univega after airing up the tires. It had been years since I've ridden a bike, and I kinda feel like all the motorcycle miles made it feel all the weirder as I rolled out of the driveway. It did come back quick.

Need to get the kid on a bicycle this summer, figured I should be ready to ride with him. Everything still seems to work, just needs a good lubing.

[facw]

@Alfalfa Good stuff!

[sn4cktimes]

@Alfalfa bicycle brakes being backwards from motorcycles sometimes trip me up a bit...

[facw]

@sn4cktimes I rented a bike in the UK that them mirrored (though the one I owned there was normal, so I don't think that's universally true). It was definitely a little confusing.

[farscythe]

@facw bike i bought in england and rode for years had the front brake on the left...eventually bought a new bike here in the netherlands and it has the front brake on the right

my first emergency stop was spectacular....and fairly painful as i went straight over the handlebars

[drVanTraveler]

@Alfalfa You might want to get new brake pads, they don't age well. The best would be Kool Stop for wet performance.
Changing cantilever pads can be frustrating, many adjustment angles to deal with.

[sn4cktimes]

@drVanTraveler I’ve long since decided besides a BMX bike that has fully rotating bars, I’m discs or nothing. Once I used disc brakes on a bicycle, and realized the feel is so much closer to a motorcycle, I could just never go back.

[drVanTraveler]

@sn4cktimes said in Just like riding a bike!:

@drVanTraveler I’ve long since decided besides a BMX bike that has fully rotating bars, I’m discs or nothing. Once I used disc brakes on a bicycle, and realized the feel is so much closer to a motorcycle, I could just never go back.

Yes, for some disks are the only way.
In the case of @Alfalfa , the Univega is a perfectly good older bike that will work great for biking with a kid. The modern brake pads on properly adjusted cantilevers provide good brake effectiveness.
I've decided that hydraulic disk brakes are not for me. When my last bike with hydro's shits a caliper with leaky seals, I'm ripping those out too and replacing them with mechanical cable operated calipers. I and many others just don't need the hassle and PITA of hydraulic brakes on a bicycle.
The modern 1x12 electric shift hydro braked bike needs a ton of upkeep to keep all that crap running. If you aren't competitive it's a waste of time and money IMHO.

[ibRAD]

@drVanTraveler Rim brakes are just mechanical disc brakes with 630mm rotors!

[Mr.Ontop]

@Alfalfa said in Just like riding a bike!:

just needs a good lubing.

Don't we all.

[sn4cktimes]

@ibRAD you’re not incorrect… the mechanical advantage of the diameter likely offsets the grip differential… I just hate adjusting them and pissing around with a cable.

[sn4cktimes]

@drVanTraveler reasonable take. I’ve had really good luck with my Scott’s brakes, it’s belt drive, and it’s hub gear… all 3 of which I’ve been told can be finicky.