Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: Need a large lightweight bag

« on: April 18, 2012, 08:10:08 am »

Thanks to all repliers. The North Face bag looks just the ticket but the price brings tears to my eyes.. I now have to chose: disposable (Walmart) vs reusable (NF). I'm off to the NF store now to have a look (and taking the bus to save money) Now if i can get Mrs PJ to bless it....

32

Routes / Re: Mexican Border to San Diego AMTRAK

« on: April 14, 2012, 06:21:01 pm »

There's a hostel (former YMCA) about a block from the Amtrak station. Quite cheap for downtown, about the same as a motel. I've stayed there a couple of times

33

General Discussion / Re: Sierra Cascades: Which clothes?

« on: April 14, 2012, 04:03:12 pm »

You can get enormous temperature ranges in 24 hours. Climbing up to Yosemite and when I went to bed it was in the 80s; at 3am I was scrambling to put on everything I could find; it was in the low 30s. Crater Lake was similar. As a general rule if it's not cloudy expect hot days and cold nights.

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Gear Talk / Re: Need a large lightweight bag

« on: April 14, 2012, 02:49:46 pm »

$7 or so thrift store suitcase

I like the sound of that. Do you think they have thrift stores in Amsterdam?

35

Routes / Re: Mexican Border to San Diego AMTRAK

« on: April 14, 2012, 11:53:30 am »

it's not much of a ride from the border to the Amtrak station. Unless you absolutely have to stay off Friars Rd in San Diego (shouldn't be a problem as this is well north of the station and goes E to W). When I did the Sierra Cascades last summer finishing in San Diego this was the only scary bit.

36

Gear Talk / Need a large lightweight bag

« on: April 14, 2012, 11:46:37 am »

I'm flying to Europe next month to do the North Sea Cycle Route from Bergen. I plan on keeping my airline bag count down to 2 by: using my boxed bike as one 'bag' and having a large duffel bag containing my paniers, sleeping bag, tent etc as a second bag. Now here's the challenge: the only duffel bag large enough that I have found so far is a canvas army type bag that weighs a ton (probably 2 tons when wet) and doesn't fold up small. Does anyone know of a large bag made of strong light tear-proof nylon stuff  that I can take on tour that will roll up small? The other one is so clumsy I'm thinking of tossing it when I get there and finding something else for the trip back.

37

General Discussion / Re: What logistics have been used to get to Anacordes?

« on: April 03, 2012, 09:42:04 pm »

I think there is now a light rail line from the airport into the city.

There is. Get off at Chinatown for King St station (Amtrak) it's a very short walk.

38

Gear Talk / Re: Derailleur compatibility lower gears

« on: March 17, 2012, 12:19:14 pm »

When you reassemble remember the lockring is supposed to be very tight. Here's the specs from Park Tool

39

Gear Talk / Re: Derailleur compatibility lower gears

« on: March 16, 2012, 10:05:59 am »

a big Crescent wrench to turn it

My lock ring tool has a 1/2" socket. If you have a socket set with a breaker bar you can use that in the socket, it's less likely to slip than a Crescent wrench

40

Gear Talk / Re: Wheel Skewer verses Bolt

« on: March 15, 2012, 09:30:06 am »

The front "nut" would work loose quite regularly

Another thing I hadn't thought of. This is probably why having the skewer locking mechanism on the LH side matters. (It's easy to get it wrong on the front wheel) I never realized there was a sound practical reason for what I thought was just a convention. Gawd, is there no limit to the things I haven't thought of?

41

Gear Talk / Re: Chain Length

« on: March 14, 2012, 03:17:14 pm »

The trouble is that anything to do with chains is as bad as politics or religion. Like these two there seems to be a lot of faith involved and everyone's experience seems to be different. I've just met a mechanic this morning who claims to have worked on the Tour de France who reckons chains are only good for 500 (that's five hundred) miles and that expensive chains are no better than cheap ones. My own experience inclines me to agree with him. I look on chains as a consumable to be changed sooner rather than later; cleaning, different lube regimes etc. doesn't seem to make much difference. Mind you on the Tour I suppose they toss chains pretty quickly, probably a new one for each stage it's not worth taking the risk of them starting to jump gears or you won't be a mechanic for long, so he may be a bit biased.

So, if a rigorous cleaning and lubrication regimen plan brings you peace and contentment, do it. I'll bumble along my way.

To answer the original query I have found SRAM chains to be just the right length, other brands I've had to remove a link. Be careful shortening chains if it's too short and you accidentally go into the big-big gears (which we all know you're not supposed to do) the chain can lock up solid. I know whereof I speak.

42

Gear Talk / Re: Chain Length

« on: March 14, 2012, 01:12:11 pm »

See Sheldon on chain lube He reckons factory lube is good stuff and you shouldn't use your own until the chain needs it

43

Gear Talk / Re: Wheel Skewer verses Bolt

« on: March 14, 2012, 01:03:14 pm »

Tightened properly they cannot loosen spontaneously. 

Never thought of that. Has anyone heard of nuts, e.g. the oddball anti-theft types, coming undone? I'd guess the left one would tend to loosen if this happens at all.

44

Gear Talk / Re: Tire recommendations

« on: March 13, 2012, 06:37:55 am »

Makes no sense.  A spare tire is carried for emergencies.  Not normal replacement of a worn out tire.

Err quite. Myself I've given up carrying a spare: they take up a lot of room, even a Kevlar bead folder. Instead I carry Park Tool patches in the hopes a patch will get me to a place I can buy a tire should I get a gash in a one, like I did yesterday on a day ride. Mind you I don't think patches would be much use if a tire won't stay on a rim (a new on on me). Suppose I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. If I'd not been lazy and replaced the paper thin worn tire I wouldn't have needed the patch. Ah well no fool like an old fool.

And this old fool never starts a tour without new tires fore and aft.

45

Gear Talk / Re: Tire recommendations

« on: March 12, 2012, 09:06:00 am »

I know good 700C tires over 28 width aren't always available.

Panasonic RiBMo tires come in 700 X 32 at least, I've had good luck with them but I wouldn't expect more than 5000 out of them. They grip really well.