Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Build from Frame Up Information

« on: July 09, 2011, 11:13:51 pm »

A frame-up build is a lot of fun, go for it. There are a lot of minor details that can bite you, and if you don't have a lot of expertise already then just expect to get bitten by them and spend a lot of time troubleshooting issues. But if you like doing that then you'll have a good time. if you just want to bolt parts on and have it work then it might not be so much fun.

There is plenty of help online to work through whatever issues come up.

I would start by talking with the frame maker or others that have built bikes on the same or similar frame (maybe there'sa  forum for them) for component recommendations. Frame geometries and such can impact what components you can use.

I agree than the Zinn books are good - road bike or mountain bike, whichever is appropriate for your frame.

The build kits sound like a good idea potentially as long as you can get what you want, or most of it, in one of the kits. Components are really expensive when you buy them one at a time.

Obviously start by picking the big buckets you want to be in (disc vs cantilever etc. brakes, internal geared hub vs. derailleur, grip vs. STI shifters, etc) then work down from there.

Lots of great help online, good luck!

17

Routes / Re: Adirondack Park Loop Difficulty

« on: July 09, 2009, 06:11:49 am »

Thanks for the feedback guys. It sounds like there's at least a decent grunt of a climb but it's not an overbearing route to ride. If we think we're interested in making the drive up to NY then I'll buy the maps from ACA and get the detailed scoop.

Thanks again,
Ray

18

Routes / Adirondack Park Loop Difficulty

« on: July 08, 2009, 07:12:28 am »

My brother and I are looking to do a self-supported tour this fall and the Adirondack Loop cams up as an idea. We're both more rails to trails type guys, we don't really enjoy climbing mountains all day, but road tours with some traffic don't bother us any. How would you rate the Adirondack Park Loop route from a difficulty perspective?

19

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Jersey vs. Under Armour

« on: May 27, 2009, 01:40:18 pm »

I don't use bike jerseys much. In particular when I'm touring off the beaten path I prefer to fit in and wear clothes and biking shoes that look like normal clothes. REI Tech Tee's and Under Amour along with other tech tops and shorts (with padded bikers underneath) are my normal biking wear.

I know others that like the longer backside, and the long zipper in the front of bike jerseys definitely gives you a lever to pull to regulate body temperature with exertion.

I've typically spend $30-$40 for a jersey and $22'ish for an REI Tech Tee.

20

General Discussion / Re: How Many ACA Map Tours Are Done Each Year?

« on: April 06, 2009, 07:08:47 pm »

Wow, that's impressive, thanks for the information!

21

General Discussion / Re: my big ride

« on: April 01, 2009, 04:24:43 pm »

It's impressive you landed the folks you did as sponsors. Looks like a great start to a great plan.

How have you learned everything you need to do to get such a ride together? Just figure it out as you go along? Done it before? Know someone who's done it?

22

General Discussion / How Many ACA Map Tours Are Done Each Year?

« on: April 01, 2009, 09:40:09 am »

Just curious, how many people do you think are out there doing ACA tours? I don't recall seeing ACA publish anything along the lines of how many maps they sell per year. I assume there are more than a few hundred of us? Any data points that you know of?

23

Routes / Re: Suggestions about getting in and out the BlueRidge

« on: January 24, 2009, 11:49:32 am »

You're probably well aware of it, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is brutal in elevation gain. It's pretty much always going up or down, which means us cyclists spend all day going up hill. I don't remember the numbers I've read, but it was impressive, something like 50,000 ft of gain. it's a really beautiful road though, and not much traffic during the week.

Given the route you're describing I'm guessing you're not scare of climbing though!

24

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast Route Camping

« on: January 24, 2009, 11:36:59 am »

As the others said, the campgrounds in Oregon are unbelievable, particularly for the money for hiker/biker sites. Some of the nicest I've stayed in across the US. Washington was very nice as well. I ran into very few mosquitos in WA until the very south and then had them throughout Oregon. Not sure if that's typical but that's what I saw.

I wouldn't expect to see the hiker/biker sites fill up but I've generally been off season. Most (all?) of the ones we stayed in didn't have designated spots #1,2,3, they were just an area.

It was a great ride. Didn't really see much actual cost in Washington but got a lot of it in Oregon. WA was must more remote, OR was fairly busy traffic-wise in comparison.

One of my all-time favorite tours.

25

Gear Talk / Novara Safari Front Rack? and Fenders?

« on: September 02, 2008, 08:18:35 pm »

I saw that price last weekend, it's a great deal. I have a Safari and put an OMM rack on it. I'm almost 100% sure it's the Sherpa. I used rubber clamps around the forks to attach the rack.

It's tough to find fenders that fit as well. I ended up with Planet Bike fenders and did a couple of easy mods to make it stable on the front. My brother has a Safari and went a different route with fenders that he says fit better. I think these are the ones I have:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7007.html


Note that the Safari rear rack doesn't use stainless hardware and the construction isn't what I care for. I planned to use it for a few years before swapping it out but after < 2 years I had a bolt rust out a bit and fail. I had a tough time stopping creaks from the rear rack when I was riding as well.

I have a habit of riding my touring bikes off road and even on slightly technical single track, so I've smashed up the foam grip a bit on my Safari, too. I'll replace that with Fitzik shortly, which is more durable.

If you'd like some pics of anything on my bike just let me know. I talked to the guys at Arkel in Canada, they were very helpful with touring equipment for this bike.

I'm curious to see what you think of the Town & Country tires. I didn't like them at first but they've grown on me. I'd estimate I'll get nearly double the mileage on those that I get on the Continental Contact on my 700c bike. And they have actually performed OK on and off road. Not great in sandy trail, but serviceable.

hokypoky@teamhokies.com

This message was edited by rcrampton on 9-2-08 @ 8:19 PM

26

Gear Talk / need advice for bike purchase. please

« on: August 19, 2008, 07:20:52 pm »

I think it depends on what you're looking for. To get started riding a bike to see if you like it, it's nice to get in without dumping a bunch of money. A used bike might be a better route, you can get a lot more for your money, and cross over into the quality level where it will hold up better.

For loaded touring a trek 520 may be easy to find and is a really great bike that can last a lifetime. A Novara Randonee is cost effective, as is the Fuji Touring.

For unloaded touring any of the mid-range bikes can be a good buy used.

27

Gear Talk / MTB tires

« on: August 19, 2008, 07:27:11 pm »

Continental makes some nice tires as well. I forget which models I've ridden in 26" for road/dirt, but they have some nice ones.

Schwalbe is a popular choice, some nice ones from them too.

28

Gear Talk / MTB for touring

« on: August 19, 2008, 07:36:31 pm »

If you can get one of the bikes on the road and do some touring you'll get a much better idea of what you want than you have today. Maybe you'll be perfectly happy with your MTB for years. If not they'll be specific things you care about and you can do a good job of picking the next bike.

I toured on a MTB, a 700c bike, and the 26" Novara Safari. I ended up learning that I liked 26" wheels because of the selection of tires. I can go on-road and off-road on the same tour just fine.

29

Gear Talk / NEW BIKE FOR TOUR

« on: August 19, 2008, 07:41:35 pm »

The toughest problem for many of us is actually finding touring bikes to try. Most LBS don't carry many, if any models. Since you're in NY City you can probably buy any bike that's ever existed. One approach would be to find a few LBS so you can look at several touring bikes. Maybe you'll find one that has both a bike you like and touring expertise and friendly folks.

I'm not answering your question of course... but just another idea.

30

Gear Talk / Need Gear Advise for a Randonee

« on: August 19, 2008, 07:44:57 pm »

Just got back on the forums after several months away. I've got a Randonee as well and have the GT-54s and GT-18s on mine and they fit great and ride well. I love those panniers as much as my bike itself.

Enjoy the Randonee, I think they've made some great improvements since I bought mine several years ago.