Back riding - sort of

[Tizeye]

After the bike accident, wife didn't want me riding, but decided today that the mountain bike was OK. Didn't push the road bike because it is too large for me anyway...which was part of the problem. But get back steady with the mountain bike and then we can talk about an upgrade, probably gravel, on a frame that fits. I did get a new helmet after the accident.

Not going to invest in a second set of wheels but will get some slicker tires. Also, need to repair/adjust my shifters.  Don't know if cable adjustment or disassembly and clean the pawns. Downshifts but lever to upshift has no effect until fully downshifted, then upshifts only halfway - two sprockets on front and three or four sprockets on rear.

Just barely fits in the car. Need to get a trailer hitch which is a job to install, needing to remove bumper trim rather than the simple bolt to frame from underneath. The GM one is nice with a custom plate for bumper trim hitch sticks out of, and the most expensive, but lowest hitch weight of around 100-150lbs. Classic Draw-Tite hidden drops below bumper with a 250-350lb hitch weight which would be good if ever got e-bikes.

[Tizeye]

Brakes are hydraulic, in great condition without squeaks and SOOOOOOO much better than the rim brakes on the road bike - that wouldn't stop me when I needed them too.

[Tizeye]

Skipping the $525 GM hitch and even the $239 Draw-Tite hitch. Just ordered the Saris Bones EX on sale for $179 that will fit the hatch...and a lot lighter than my Thule Post hitch rack. Supposedly can't raise the rear hatch, but when using, easy enough to access gear from the lowered rear seat. Do question their general statement that can't raise the rear hatch. While obvious with the weight of bikes mounted, but bikes dismounted and just the 11 lb rack? Perhaps wouldn't stay up with the 11 lb weight, crashing down on you as you attempted to retrieve tire pump, helmet, shoes, gloves or other gear. I will miss sitting on the rear of the car to change shoes.