Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: The importance of always wearing a helmet

« on: April 24, 2013, 06:48:39 am »

So, in hot weather going up steep hills I remove my helmet and climb 3-8 mph depending on the incline. I always put the helmet back on at the top before the ride back down.

That brings up an interesting point.  As I posted above, my crash was at a walking speed so going slow isn't protection.  Basically you can get a head injury falling from the height your head is above the ground even at zero speed. 

A beanie-type or Pirate headcover helmet liner can make a helmet tolerable in hot weather and even at slow climbing speeds since it keeps the sweat out of your eyes. 

17

General Discussion / Re: The importance of always wearing a helmet

« on: April 23, 2013, 05:03:30 pm »

I'm a member of the "Saved By The Bell" club.   Bell Helmets sends membership certificates to those who crashed and hit their head hard enough to damage or destroy one of their helmets.  I fell on a slick road at a slow walking speed when the bike went sideways out from under me and I hit my shoulder hard enough to break a bone and hit my head hard enough to crack the helmet in three places.  I had a mild concussion but it would have been far, far worse without the helmet.  You don't have to be going fast to get hurt.  I never rode without a helmet prior to the accident and certainly not after.

All the above being said, I'm against helmet laws.  People have the right to take chances and, if they refuse to use reasonable safety equipment, it's their choice. What I don't like is those who get hurt blaming (and suing) others for what they did to themselves.

18

Gear Talk / Re: breaking spokes

« on: April 23, 2013, 05:16:53 am »

It is ludicrous to expect a machine built wheel to meet a high level of quality.

Machine built wheels come in various levels of quality just like hand-built wheels.  Wheels built using quality components and sophisticated machines that include stress relieving can be very true and properly tensioned.  Obviously they will cost more than cheap wheels built on simple machines.

As noted, broken spokes are almost universally due to inadequate tension, not excessive tension. Serious over-tension will deform or crack the rim before the spoke fails.

 

19

General Discussion / Re: Do we need to do any training?

« on: April 23, 2013, 05:02:27 am »

"Training" with intervals, etc. as the racers do, no, not at all.  Training as in getting used to longer days in the saddle, and riding a loaded bike, yes, certainly.  Three to four miles a day won't harden your rear ends or get your legs used to pedaling hours at a time.   

20

Gear Talk / Re: 2 stem configuration

« on: April 11, 2013, 07:24:22 am »

I think you could make the 12" auxiliary bar cheaply from a surplus straight bar and a hacksaw.  Try your LBS for the lowest cost bar they have or ask if they have a take-off bar they would sell at little to no cost.   Bike co-ops should have a whole bin of suitable starting material at nearly no cost.

21

General Discussion / Re: touring without "eating out"

« on: April 11, 2013, 07:19:48 am »

The "no restaurants" approach is very doable but I would NEVER try to subsist on freeze-dried meals unless starvation was the only alternative.  As mentioned above they are expensive, barely tolerable and not very filling.  Your buddy made a foolish bet.  By comparison you could save money by eating only in restaurants.

That said, grocery stores have a huge variety of ready to eat and easy to prepare items and many have hot food and deli counters where you can eat well at moderate cost.

22

General Discussion / Re: Shipping Supplies to Yourself

« on: April 11, 2013, 07:13:01 am »

I agree that it can be and often is more trouble than it is worth, but there are times when it might be worthwhile.  A few examples where mail drops might be worth the effort are:

• Parts for a needed repair
• Replacements for worn out or broken items that are not available where you are

I am way more likely to mail stuff home than the other way around.

I would thing these items will be needed where you are, not where you are going to be in a few days, so they can be sent to a specific address or Post Office where you are currently stranded.

23

General Discussion / Re: Camping on the TramsAm

« on: April 09, 2013, 02:04:11 pm »

ACA tours are great, but not exactly cheap. My guess is that taking your own van will reduce costs.

Taking your own van isn't cheap either.  Vans aren't famous for their wonderful gas mileage and gas for about 4000 miles and maybe twice that if you drive to your starting point and then have the van follow you on the ride will be a significant expense..  Also wear and tear on the van must be considered as an expense.   

24

General Discussion / Re: Camping on the TramsAm

« on: April 09, 2013, 09:00:21 am »

For me also, the trip would be diminished by the van. But plenty of van-supported cyclists have a great time. To each his own.

A van can save a lot on up-front equipment costs. You don't really have to worry about stretches with lack of food or water. You're not constrained to eating what's available along the route, since the van can go off-route to pick up food. You can quit for the day in the middle of nowhere since the van can shuttle you to where you will stay for the night. The van can stay behind and pack up, allowing the cyclists to get out earlier. It can travel ahead and make all the arrangements for food and lodging. It can shorten the trip by allowing the cyclists to ride much farther in a day. It can detect problems on the route and scout out detours. It frees you up from worrying about most mechanical and physiological breakdowns. It provides emergency shelter during storms. The van driver can take care of daily chores such as laundry and shopping.

A van solves many problems, perhaps too many. It can turn an epic adventure into a series of day rides, not that there's anything wrong with that.

What you are describing is an organized tour like AC and other commercial touring companies run.  Why bother with your own van.  Use somebody else's.

25

General Discussion / Re: Camping on the TramsAm

« on: April 09, 2013, 07:44:07 am »

[Not saying what you should do, but having a sag vehicle in the mix changes the experience in some very fundamental ways.  If you are sure you are OK with that, fine, but it would spoil the experience for me in many ways.

I agree.  The van and the dogs would remove all spontaneity and your ability to explore at a whim.  You will be locked into a pretty much fixed route and a predetermined destination each day.   I think the dogs are going to be more of an impediment than you imagine.  What you consider "well behaved" may not meet everyone's definition. 

26

General Discussion / Re: Shipping Supplies to Yourself

« on: April 05, 2013, 07:07:52 am »

Try calling Fed Ex or UPS and see what they will offer in the way of holding a package for you at one of their locations.  I know after three attempts at home delivery for a package that requires a signature, they return it to the sender so you may not have a big time window to get it.   

I've never done it but I understand the US Postal Service will take packages addressed to "General Delivery" at a specific post office (by ZIP code I believe) and hold them for the addressee.  Contact your local Post Office to see how this is done.

Finally, bike shops are often used as drop-ship locations for touring cyclists but you better let them know in advance and be sure they are ok with it.

27

Gear Talk / Re: Ergonomic Handlebars for Surly LHT?

« on: April 05, 2013, 06:12:01 am »

. I would like to make sure I have the most ergonomic possible handlebars.

Simple answer, there is no such thing. Handlebar likes and dislikes are nearly as subjective as saddles, which is why there are so many designs and styles.  My own preference is drop bars with a particular liking for FSA's Wing Pro design but that me, not necessarily you. 

Many riders don't like drop bars at all and prefer flat bars (MTB type) which I detest.  Others like Mustache, Trekking, or a variety of similar flatter designs.   

Drop bars (and the Trekking designs) allow several hand positions so you can move around during a ride and avoid hand numbness and allow you to get lower when fighting a headwind.  Drop bars also come in a variety of bends and "reach" and drop dimensions so you can usually find a design that suits your style and physical needs.   

Flat bars also come in a variety of widths and configurations and "bar ends" can be added to give an alternate hand position.  One problem with your LHT is that if you decide on flat bars, you will need replacement brake levers and shifters since the ones that come with the LHT's drop bars won't work on flat bars.

28

General Discussion / Re: Trying to bike from Chicago to Pittsburgh, ideas?

« on: April 04, 2013, 05:18:05 pm »

DaveB's link appears to be broken.

It was broken by the moderator as I offered to assist the OP when they got near Pittsburgh since I live right in the area.

29

Gear Talk / Re: Racks

« on: April 03, 2013, 06:08:07 am »

Fair enough and thanks for the advice. I had a feeling they weren't ideal but I liked them so much I had to check. If 77lbs is overkill, how much am I looking to support on the rear racks? Is is worth the price to pay for a nice rack or am I better off putting than money into the bike somewhere else? 

Speaking of, are these ( http://www.rei.com/product/833203/seattle-sports-titan-1500-panniers-pair-special-buy ) panniers suitable? I've been looking at the Ortlieb Classics and while they hold a little more they are also significantly pricier.

Thanks again for all the help!

The objection to the rack you showed isn't that you need 77 pounds of capacity (you don't) but that we doubt it would stand up to that load anyway.

As RussSeaton confirmed, Blackburn racks have a long established reputation for durability at moderate cost and should meet your needs very well. 

Tubus racks are extremely well made and strong and Ortlieb panniers are very durable but both are very expensive overkill unless you plan to tour for months and months at a time and be in some pretty remote places.   

As to total gear weight, lighter is better.  The tourists who carry 60 pounds or more are just poor planners or are carrying things most don't need like work-related gear.  The first big hill you come to will make you curse every extra pound. 

30

Gear Talk / Re: Racks

« on: April 02, 2013, 07:39:36 am »

It impresses me as form overwhelming function.  Heavy and structurally suspect.  Blackburn racks are well regarded and both lighter and less expensive.