Messages

46

Gear Talk / Re: BOB Trailer Ibex storage versus YAK

« on: September 26, 2011, 06:06:22 pm »

I put my yak in an Ortlieb big zip bag when I travel with it.  It easily holds the yak and other gear and it is has straps so you can carry it on your back if necessary.  When I'm riding it folds up under the bob bag.  I've also used it for extra storage during a trip and it is supposed to be water resistant. 

You remove the wheel and the front fork to put it into the bag.  Never had a problem shipping it that way.

47

Routes / Re: Ok, here's the deal...

« on: September 25, 2011, 04:41:59 pm »

Niagara Falls is a long way from the sites you want to visit in NYC.  The Twin towers memorial and Times Square are fairly close and you'll have to take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty.  The TransAmerica route will get you to Colorado but you'll have to either take the Atlantic Coast route south to join up or work your way across NY to Niagara Falls where you can join the Underground railroad route.  Once you get to Colorado you'll have a couple of options to get to LA.

48

Routes / Re: Western Express - Nevada & Utah

« on: August 31, 2011, 06:40:23 pm »

In Nevada there are two forest service campgrounds (primitive).  One is at Bob Scott Summit just east of Austin and one at Hickison Summit which is a little further east of Austin.  Neither have water and as was previously mentioned running water you can filter is not easily found.  I've ridden the Nevada portion 8 times so I can say it is doable with plenty of water.  I've only driven the Utah portion so can really comment on the ride other than to say its a long way between services.

49

California / Re: Bear issues in PCH campgrounds?

« on: August 31, 2011, 03:39:46 pm »

I think it is pretty much a remote possibility.  I've never heard of any bear issues along PCH.

50

Routes / Re: Western Express - Nevada & Utah

« on: August 31, 2011, 03:31:17 pm »

The ACA Maps are pretty accurate when it comes to availability of water on this route.  It is doable if you bring enough water.  If you decide to stay on hwy 50 instead of taking the old 50 route (hwy 722) you can get water at Cold Springs.  There used to be a store there (it burned down a few years back) but there is a "motel" still there and they were supposed to rebuild the store.  The advantage of this route is that there is less climbing than the 722.  You should be able to do it in 40 to 60 mile segments.  

51

Routes / Re: southern route from el centro to blyth or el centro to yuma

« on: August 23, 2011, 08:06:54 pm »

In El Centro get on hwy 86 north to Brawley.  In Brawley take hwy 78 north and follow it all the way to Blythe.  Take the road that is just north of and parallels I10 and more or less dead ends at the river.  You'll cross the river on the pedestrian crossing next to I10.  Get on I10 east at exit 1 and follow it all the way to Quartzsite.

52

Routes / Re: southern route from el centro to blyth or el centro to yuma

« on: August 22, 2011, 02:39:03 pm »

Much of the way along I8 from El Centro to Yuma there are frontage roads.  In a couple of spots you will have to ride on the shoulder of the interstate.  http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/departments/planning/pdfs/bikes_fwy_shoulder_d11_01122010.pdf    Not sure of the condition of the roads though.  Unless you have a particular reason to go to Yuma why don't you follow ACA's Southern Tier map to Quartzite.  It is on roads that don't have a lot of traffic.  I never enjoyed my time riding on the shoulder of an interstate.  Lots of noise and I'm always dodging debris on the shoulder.

53

Gear Talk / Re: cargo trailers

« on: August 21, 2011, 03:12:41 pm »

Shipping a bike is more hassle than the trailer.  I ship my bob in an ortlieb big zip.  It is like a big duffel bag and easily holds the trailer and lots of other gear.  Never gone over 50 lbs so I haven't had to pay the exorbitant baggage fees.  The big zip can also double at another waterproof bag.

I've also read a review that stated the individual hit a pothole and this caused the bike to spill, the trailer to turn over and the contents of the trailer to fall into the roadway. 

54

Gear Talk / Re: cargo trailers

« on: August 21, 2011, 08:56:45 am »

You should do a search in this forum for trailers.  There has been a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of trailers.  You may find much of the information you are looking for.  

I have a Bob Yak.  I've done several tours with it and I like it.  I pulls easily and doesn't affect bike handling other than I have to make a wider turn (just like a trailer on a car).  I also attached a Greenfield kick stand to the fork.  It makes it much easier to park.  The bob bag is nice because it is waterproof and holds quite a bit but you can use just about any roll top bag(s).  After some wet rides I've hosed it off to get the grime off without removing the contents or worrying about anything getting wet.  It also easy to bungie cord additional items to the top or sides of the bag.  

Also since the trailer wheel tracks behind the rear wheel I don't have to worry about the trailer hitting a pothole or other debris.  

The one thing I have to be careful about is the attachment/detachment.  The cable to the rear derailer (?) will snag the locking pin.  With practice I've developed a method to avoid it but it still happens occasionally.  

I just ordered the 28 inch fork (replacement) and I'm not happy with it.  It appears that BOB's quality control has suffered (made in Taiwan).  The fork attaches to the trailer using a metal rod.  Where the fork actually contacts the trailer there is a teflon gasket and in the middle is a metal fitting (metal rod slips through) that is supposed to be flush with teflon gasket.  The teflon gasket minimizes the friction.  Unfortunately on the replacement fork the metal fitting sits up about 1/4 inch.  So instead of teflon on metal it is not metal on metal so it doesn't move back and forth as easily and it wears on the trailer attachment point.  I contacted the dealer and I'm not real happy with the response.  I sent an email to BOB and I'm waiting for their reply.
BOB is sending a new fork to replace the defective one.  They responded promptly to correct the issue.

55

General Discussion / Re: Bicyle on bus from St.George (UT) to Las Vegas (NV)??

« on: August 18, 2011, 07:18:20 am »

I stayed a Circus Circus with my bike and it was no problem.  Ask for a room in the section(s) away from the main building.  I had a ground floor room and it was plenty big enough for me and the bike.  Don't have any info on a bus though.

56

General Discussion / Re: Can my Trek 1200 be modified for a long bike tour?

« on: August 15, 2011, 04:17:33 pm »

Take a look at the roads to see if they have small shoulders and rumble strips.  A two wheeled trailer will move you into the traffic lane a bit more especially if the rumble strips are right next to the white line.  I used a Bob on my Trek 5200 with no problems.

57

General Discussion / Re: Planning Pacific Coast tour, need a few questions answered

« on: August 09, 2011, 04:35:29 pm »

Take a look at the reviews of people that own and use trailers.  I'm very happy with my Bob and haven't had any handling problems.  It also seems like it isn't there when I'm touring.  I've some some reviews for a two wheeled trailer that would give me pause.  One stated that the trailer hit a pothole that caused the bike to crash and the contents of the trailer to fall into the road.  It also seems the cover isn't waterproof and is liable to open in the back as well as having the wheels rub holes in it.  If possible, find a dealer that will let you take one for a spin to see how they effect your ride. 

58

General Discussion / Re: Planning Pacific Coast tour, need a few questions answered

« on: August 05, 2011, 08:29:49 pm »

If you do a search in the gear section you will find others think about the different brands of trailers.  I use a yak and am very happy with it.  The price at REI seems to be the MSRP.  You can put and "ad" in the classified section to see if someone is willing to sell theirs.  You may also be able to find it on amazon for less.  The bob dry sak is very effective at keeping things dry and clean.  (I've put the bag in the shower to clean if off after a particularly dirty ride.)  The only thing I don't like about the dry sak is that it doesn't have any dividers.  It's just like a duffel bag.

I haven't used the Burley Nomad but I've read some pretty good things about it.  It is a two wheel trailer and is rated to carry a little more than the bob. 

You can find both of these in the ACA (Adventure Cycling) store.

59

General Discussion / Re: Planning Pacific Coast tour, need a few questions answered

« on: August 05, 2011, 01:25:03 pm »

The summer is usually a dry time along the pacific coast.  Although it can rain it isn't like the week long rains during the winter.  Water resistant covers are all you should need although waterproof panniers are always nice to have. 

The are some racks that you can mount on your front fork that will handle a small load.  It is possible to put everything on the back but that puts more stress on the rear wheel so you are more likely to suffer a broken spoke.  You could also use a trailer and it will easily carry all your gear.

60

General Discussion / Re: Suggestions for early-October bike tour?

« on: July 21, 2011, 05:04:46 pm »

If you want some off road the Utah Cliffs loop is a great ride.  If you want to do all road riding you can make a loop that encompasses Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Parks.  You may even be able to get in Canyonlands and Moab.  Other than a lot of chipseal the roads are pretty good.  I did a loop like this several years ago and it was awesome.