Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Hub Generator Lights

« on: January 03, 2012, 06:02:01 pm »

we have the Schmidt SON28 hubs, B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo R Senso Plus headlights, B&M Toplight Line Plus rear lights, B&M E-Werks, and B&M E-Werk cache batteries. With the exception of having some issues with the E-Werk cache batteries everything has been great and worth the price. We do a lot of nighttime riding and commuting so our lights are on 24/7 and (knock on wood) we've had zero issues with them. Our daughter and a family friend have the same setup and again no issues with their equipment. As for having drag... ummm.... ok! I've put over 5000 miles on my bike this year and ran the lights 24/7 and I couldn't tell the difference.  I wouldn't hesitate one second on buying the stuff again.

17

General Discussion / Re: texting

« on: December 20, 2011, 07:20:32 pm »

.... If you're three feet out in the road, they'll move partially into the other lane, if necessary, to give you three feet.  That's been my experience, as well, after I started taking adequate space on the road.

Same here. I'll take up a third or more of the lane if I have to and this seems to be the best approach.

18

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Mirror

« on: December 18, 2011, 04:37:19 am »

...
4. I have bicycled in many heavily congested European areas and I never see bicyclists using a mirror.
5. The times I have seen cyclists using mirrors was almost always in USA on some ACA routes.

I guess its an American thing.

Lucas

Sorry to disagree but it's definitely not an American thing. It's true that you may not see a bike commuter on his/her Fixie zipping around the city with a mirror, but you will most certainly see many other cyclists in Europe with mirrors on their bikes. 

19

General Discussion / Re: For those who like odd scenes from Google Earth

« on: December 16, 2011, 03:44:42 pm »

No worries!! I'm a techie nerd type, just without the pocket protector and broken glasses!! 

20

General Discussion / Re: For those who like odd scenes from Google Earth

« on: December 16, 2011, 04:04:23 am »

Is this what you're talking about?

21

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Mirror

« on: December 15, 2011, 05:48:26 pm »

Once you ride with a mirror you most likely will never ride without one.  Mirrycle makes a really nice mirror. Check them out.

22

General Discussion / Re: Message for Simon Kirk re Tamiami Trail

« on: December 14, 2011, 04:30:11 pm »

I've thought about cycling Tamiami Trail too, but man those mosquitos would drain you dry in a no time!

23

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks Mud Flaps

« on: November 29, 2011, 05:24:09 pm »

My daughter, wife, a family friend, and myself all have SKS fenders and we all have mud flaps. For the front, we each installed a Cascadia Road Mudflap. For the rear we bought some stock rubber about 1/8" thick and made our own flaps. Each one hangs down 10.5" from the end of the fender and are 5" wide at the base. In the end we spent less than $5 per set for each bike and they work great!

Front mud flaps are nice and help with keeping your feet dry! Rear mud flaps are a must if plan on riding with others! Both are better the longer they are.

24

Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff- two questions

« on: November 21, 2011, 07:07:00 pm »

Thank you for the update dombrosk.

Are you using their chain tensioner too? How much did you chain life improve?

thanks
ron

25

General Discussion / Re: Why is it so difficult to find front racks?

« on: November 17, 2011, 07:05:02 pm »

Define cheap. 

Here is a great site with front racks.

http://www.ortliebusa.com

and here is a great front rack

http://www.ortliebusa.com/CartGenie/prod-73.htm

26

General Discussion / Re: Hi, I'm a newby after advice!

« on: November 15, 2011, 05:12:50 pm »

Melbourne. No one has guns here, but I was told most people carry them in the States, especially in the south.

Oh don't believe everything you hear and/or read. You should be fine, but watch out for those folks in the West and up North, they're usually not as nice as the folks from the South! 

27

General Discussion / Re: Hi, I'm a newby after advice!

« on: November 15, 2011, 03:49:00 pm »

... people had told me it wouldn't really be safe to travel across America without a gun,

well.... it never hurts to be prepared! 

Welcome aboard and where are you coming from?

28

General Discussion / Re: Light Touring

« on: November 12, 2011, 10:43:09 am »

Lite touring also implies your'e doing laundry every night.

Or you're wearing Merino wool stuff and you only need to wash once a week or so! For example, Ibex Duo shorts and some of their shirts. 

29

General Discussion / Re: Computers and the bike

« on: November 05, 2011, 04:17:25 pm »

I used to have a Lenovo for work and I would think twice before hauling that monster thing around. There are lighter and smaller options out there if you can swing it.

We maintain a blog and love taking pictures, so I've carried my MacBook Pro 13" during 3 separate multi-week European bike tours and countless weekenders & overnighters here in Florida. It's fairly light and small and fits nicely in my front pannier. However, I've considered getting something even lighter and smaller, but I'll have to wait until this one dies before I can justify spending the money. 

Remember it's your tour and you're the one carrying the weight, so don't pay any attention to the naysayers and just do your thing! Enjoy!

30

General Discussion / Re: Hello. I am new to the forum

« on: November 05, 2011, 03:49:16 pm »

Welcome to the forum. Those are some nice tours for just starting out.  Like ChromolyWally said, sorry to hear about your ride being stolen.