Messages

1

Gear Talk / Best Functional Helmet

« on: May 25, 2006, 12:45:28 pm »

How much protection do you think you need?

While I have not done any rock climbing, kayaking,
horse riding (what's the word?) or any other sporting
activity that required a helmet, they all look largely
the same to me.

If you fall off the bike or go over the bars, any
reasonably constructed bike helmet will provide all
the protection you'll probably need (for your head).
If you get creamed by a car from any direction, a
helmet won't be much help.

I've seen a few motorcyclists die in accidents. They
were all wearing full-face helmets.

The last two bicyclists killed by motorists in Houston
had helmets.

I've more than my fair share of crashes, including over
the bars, and my helmet is unscathed.
I never wore a helmet as a kid.

2

Gear Talk / Beam rack for newbie

« on: May 02, 2006, 12:31:23 pm »

I have one of these. I used to use it for commuting to work.
This rack moves from side to side too easily.
Mine is the quick release type. Impossible to tighten it enough without tools.
There is not enough room between the saddle and any trunk type bag you attach to the rack.
If you want to mount panniers, you'll have to purchase the additional stays.
Also, the weight is higher up than with regular racks, raising your center of gravity. You'd get used to it but it's something to consider.

I would suggest you mount a regular rack using "p-clips".

3

Gear Talk / Aero Bars

« on: May 20, 2005, 05:17:26 pm »

I don't have any pictures of the mounts I made.
If you imagine what a cylinder stretched between the extended bars would look like, that's the shape of the mount.
I turned mine on the lathe from a scrap of walnut...
One inch diameter as long as the bars are wide.
Cut a cove on each end so the dowel will fit snuggly between the bars.
The light I use shines through the spot where your hands go on the bars. The light mount must be extremely tight or vibration causes the light to point at the ground.
You could make something similar out of PVC but it wouldn't be strong enough to hold a light.
As for gusty winds, I've never noticed that the aerobars make it worse. If the wind is blowing from the side I'm on the hoods/ends/drops/flats and still have trouble tracking a straight line
I only use the aerobars if there's a headwind or I'm trying to make time somewhere.

4

Gear Talk / Aero Bars

« on: May 19, 2005, 05:18:29 pm »

I have "Profile Design - Century" bars on my road bike(with drops) and my MTB(with flat and ends).
They were only sixty dollars a pair.
Russell is partly right, they look screwy on my MTB.
They're worth the looks though...
They're good for another 2 to 3 mph into the wind.
You'll lose the position where your hands are along side the stem but I think it's worth it.
You also lose the ability to mount a handlebar bag easily, but I still think it's worth it.
I've made custom mounts that go between the extended bars for my cyclocomputers and lights.

5

General Discussion / I got halfway there when...

« on: September 15, 2005, 02:30:11 pm »

Channing makes first class racks... First class customer service.
Not cheap, but you'll get more than you pay for.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/index.htm