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Messages - iSolo

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1
Gear Talk / Sandals: Shimano vs. Lake
« on: July 04, 2004, 01:12:16 pm »
I got a pair of Lake sandals a few weeks ago and that toe
guard saved me from a good scrape. Had a pair of
Shimano's that wore out, but sandals do that. Don't really
have a prefrence, both work and are real nice during the
summer here in Montana. One thing you might want to
consider when getting your sandals, whichever ones you
decide on, is allowing for a warm pair of socks, or two while
wearing them. I use them in conjunction with a pair of Simms
Flyfishing, knee high wet socks, or Smartwool socks with
Sealskins.



2
Gear Talk / Drivetrain Advice
« on: March 28, 2004, 12:52:54 am »
What? Now my economics is to low? :) (Just teasing.)

I didn't include the cost for new rims and wheel building. I got
very good at wheel building. I haven't had to rebuild the
wheel since I strung up the Rohloff. (knock wood). My Rohloff
has already paid for itself, several times over. And some
people have over 100,000 miles on this hub, and no one
knows how far it will go before it break downs. Rohloff
doesn't even know yet. Another great advantage of the
Rohloff is being able to shift, anytime. No more anticipating
how many revolutions I'll have to make to get my derailluer to
upshift or downshift before, during, or after a technical. The
Rohloff goes into whatever gear I want instantly. Which is
real nice when commuting and waiting to cross an
intersection at a full stop, or finding yourself in too high of
gear while going up hill and hoping you can force the crank
that extra revolution to downshift, without snaping the chain
or derailluer.

Ok. I'm starting to sound like a cheerleader so I'll stop now.

Keith



3
Gear Talk / Drivetrain Advice
« on: March 27, 2004, 04:36:55 pm »
Actually I spent a lot more than that. $3,700 was just the cost
for replacing rear hub, cassettes, and derailleurs for downhill
races. Now I switch out the Rohloff (the whole wheel) from
my downhill bike to my hardtail for commuting and touring.

Keith

This message was edited by iSolo on 3-27-04 @ 1:39 PM

4
Gear Talk / Drivetrain Advice
« on: March 27, 2004, 06:56:05 am »
Best money I ever spent.  In the past 5 years, before
purchasing both the Shlumpf and Rohloff, I have spent over
$3,700 in just keeping up my two bikes.  The past two years
with only the Rohloff, and the only bike I ride now, I spent
about $50 on chains and oil changes, in two years.  I ride the
bike everyday to work and back. I tour on it and take it out in
the mountains.  

As far as the road bike handle bars go. I've heard that twist
shifter doesn't work on road bars, but that didn't stop Sheldon
Brown from putting one on his bike.  Surprisingly, I've never
had a problem with the rear chain tensioner, but it would
have been nice if my bike had horizontal dropouts. My next
bike will be made with dropouts specifically for the Rohloff. I'll
sell my bike but I won't sell this hub. I almost gave up on it till
after it finally broke in, about 800 miles. Now I won't ever go
back to derailleur systems.

And no. I don't work for Rohloff or even own a bike store. I'm
just really pleased with this hub, and haven't had to do
anything but change the oil once a year. Try putting 18,000
miles, (actually I have close to 19,000 miles on it) on any
derailleur, cassette and hub combo system, without problems
or constant adjustments, and you'll aslo go through three
times as many chains.

But hey, it's not for eveyone. Best investment I ever made for
my bike.

Keith



5
Gear Talk / Drivetrain Advice
« on: March 22, 2004, 01:24:57 am »
If you're going to spend that much money you might look into
a Rohloff 500/14 Speed hub. Gives the same gears as a
mountain bike but cost from $900 to $1200. I bought one two
years ago and won't go back to using derailluers. No
derailluer problems because I have none. I also put on a
Schlumph speed drive and have a gear inch from 14inches
to 124inches. If you're a weight weenie and worried about it,
the Rohloff will add an extra 1 and 1/2 pounds to the bike.
But you won't have to worry about breakdowns with this
thing. The Rohloff will also save you on chain wear. Besides
the worry free maintanence, being able to shift gears, and
multiple gears at a time, anytime, at a full stop at busy
intersection, or going up a steep hill or peddeling backwards,
is a new experience.

You really got try one before you start knocking it.
18,000 miles on the Rohloff, including the whole CDT and
from Montana to Florida, and 4200 on the Schlumph so far
without a breakdown, of any kind, and I have better gearing
than a mountian bike and road racing bike combined. Now if
I can just find tires that won't go flat.

Keith



6
Gear Talk / panniers vs. BOB-like trailers??
« on: January 29, 2004, 06:49:02 am »
I went through the same dillema when I was trying to chose
between a trailer or panniers. I settled on the world tour
panniers by Brule Moutain Gear. I like to hike, I like to bike, I
like to mix tours with hikes and these panniers let me turn my
panniers into a backpack. I've had the World Tour Panpacks
for 3 years now and not one regret. Used the WT's to
backpack travel around Europe the first year i got them,
bought a used bike with a rack in the UK and sold the bike in
France. Got on a plane and went to Thailand. Backpacked
around the Thai mountains then flew to Darwin Australia.
Bought another used bike in Darwin converted the pack
to panniers and rode all the Perth.

Have used the WT panpack to go backpacking while
stopping at several unique places around the US, and other
countries while touring. Or just used the WT pack to go
backpacking. Sometimes a bike is a hindrance, sometimes
its a godsend so having the flexibility for both is great
advantage to me. Brule Moutain Panier Packs solved my
personal dillema and I haven't regretted it. I'm always on the
lookout for multi-use gear.

Got nothing against trailers except that trailers make you
want to get in the bad habit of carrying more stuff than you
really need while touring, but they are great for running
errands around town.



7
General Discussion / PLEASE HELP
« on: January 29, 2004, 03:44:58 pm »
Patrice look for "Backpackers" insurance. They usually have
policies that cover from 1 to 18 months world wide and some
include "Adventure Travel".  Last time I was in England I
remember seeing a few local magazines at the Kings Cross
Youth Hostel that advertised insurance for Backpackers and
Adventure travelers.

You might also want to check out Lonely Planets web site,
they might have more  travelers insurance info there.

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