Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Surly Disc Trucker v. LHT

« on: January 21, 2013, 04:11:36 pm »

Looking at pictures of the disc trucker fork, it appears that the left fork should be stiffer than the right fork as one might expect.  I am wondering if any owners of disc truckers have had any problems with a tendency to turn to the right?  If you have a disc trucker are you limited to circular tours or can you do a point-to-point tour?  Perhap if you wanted to do a tour in a counter-clockwise direction you could find a custom frame-builder to design a fork for you for maybe $500 with the disc caliper mounted to the right fork, thus making it easier to turn left (or you could put that $500 into your tour).  I'll have to talk to my mechanical engineering friends about it.  Seriously though, has anyone mounted a Tubus Tara rack to the disc trucker fork and fenders with normal stays?  I have a trucker deluxe, with which I tour and commute 200 miles/week sometimes loaded with 40 lbs. of most likely very unbalanced groceries with no problems other than when I went through snow and didn't realize that ice had accumulated on my rims - slowed down my stopping a bit.  Thought I might switch to a disc up front, but only if it is not too much a hassle.  I don't really see the need for a rear disc brake as I can lock up the rear wheel with a caliper brake just fine.

17

Gear Talk / Re: Generator Hubs and USB Devices

« on: January 21, 2013, 02:52:07 pm »

Pat, I just got a couple of items you might like.  One is an EZO power battery for <$40 from Walmart (http://www.walmart.com/ip/EZOPower-2-Port-External-Backup-Battery-7800mAh-Black/21550555).Â

18

Gear Talk / Re: Cross-levers on drop bars and handlebar bags

« on: December 26, 2012, 10:37:11 am »

Thanks Craig, I was actually wondering about the Klickfix mount also, so I guess I'll give it a try.

19

Colorado / Re: Worst experience across the US was in CO

« on: December 18, 2012, 06:06:51 pm »

I moved out to western CO 8 years ago as a very early semi-retirement.  Many people here are very nice, at least on the surface.  But there are some of the worst red-necks here I've ever come across.  I've lived in Nebraska, Virginia, SC and other places, and they don't compare.  And it seems many can't enjoy the outdoors unless they kill something.  But I have had great experiences on the Front Range where people are much more likely to enjoy an active lifestyle and to have graduated high school.  Once the real estate market picks up I'm heading back to the southeast.  Yet I fear that the bad experiences I've had here are just a sign of the times, and not unique to CO.

20

Gear Talk / Cross-levers on drop bars and handlebar bags

« on: December 18, 2012, 04:41:13 pm »

Does anyone use cross-levers with a handlebar bag?  I am concerned about having room for cable routing.  I am thinking of Paul cross-levers, as I am using v-brakes and an Ortlieb bag.
I am also considering a new drop bar.  I have the stock bar on a 2009 LHT, but when I set the ramps close to level for comfort, the drops are too steep.  The Nitto Noodle seems to have a good bend to solve this problem, but I don't want that long of a reach.  It looks like the Ritchey Pro Evo Curve might work, but I'm wondering about the oversized clamp area. Any thoughts?  Part of the reason I am thinking of cross-brakes is to get in a more vertical position on steep decents for drag and to get over that feeling of going over the top.  -Thanks