Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: New Touring Bike (RTW)

« on: February 02, 2009, 09:41:45 pm »

Russ > you make a good point.  Might I suggest a Waterford.  Beautiful lugged frame.  About $2200 frame/fork to start and they go way way up.  Many years ago I had my heart set on a Richard Sachs. But, I recently read that he is no longer taking orders unless you have already been one of his customers.  Come to think of it, I'm not even sure he make touring frames.  They are a work of art though.

2

Gear Talk / Re: New Touring Bike (RTW)

« on: February 01, 2009, 11:31:21 pm »

TulsaJohn > Thanks for the info/advice on cyclocross tires. Since I plan to do 90% of my touring on roads doing the TA, Atlantic Coast etc.  I feel that I should go with 700c full road touring (Americano). I'd like to get one as soon as the C&O is in good shape after winter.  I'll try it out on the canal and see how I like it.  It will probably be fine just like you said but, I'll most likely want to baby it and end up getting a mid-level MTN bike for the C&O and save the Americano for the roads.

JamesFrank >  The Koga Miyata World Traveler looks like a good bike.  I have their '09 catalog. 1999 Euros, about $2500. USD They sure do put everything on it. Racks (Tubus), lights, fenders with mud guards, even lights and a dyno. Pedals too.  I guess it just comes down to which riding position you prefer.  More upright flat bars with 26" wheels or road bars and 700c wheels. The Pangea does have 26" wheels but keeps the road bars.  When I did MTN Bike, years ago, I always had a hard time keeping my hands, wrists comfortable after an hour or so on the C&O Canal.  Bar ends helped but not enough.  Hope this helps.

3

Routes / Re: TransAm on Map 12, Christiansburg VA

« on: January 31, 2009, 09:24:53 pm »

Have you done this ride yet?  Or, are you still planning it? If you haven't done it yet, I might be able to help.

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Gear Talk / Re: New Touring Bike (RTW)

« on: January 31, 2009, 09:18:58 pm »

After many many hours/months reading and researching...  for what it's worth...
If I knew that I was going to tour "Round the World", I would go with the new Pangea from Co-Motion.  It is pricey but, it looks pretty much bomb proof.  As it is, I'm pretty much sold on getting the Americano. I just don't see myself going "round the world".  My only internal strugle is that I live basically right next to the 184 mile long C&O Canal.  Crushed stone and dirt that links up to the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile system of biking and hiking trails that will connect Cumberland, MD and Pittsburgh, PA. That's 334 miles of NO CARS!!! Will the Americano, with 700x38c cross tires handle my 220 lbs plus overnight camping gear on that kind of terrain.  The Canal will be my main testing ground for preparing to do the TransAM.  Of course I'll hit the local hills. ALOT
Happy/safe riding on what ever you get,
Michael

5

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Just bought a Garmin Edge 705

« on: January 31, 2009, 09:04:16 pm »

Greetings everyone,
After reading all the great info here at ACA I did it.  I just ordered a new Garmin Edge 705 with Speed/Cadence.  I got it without the loaded SD card and will order the maps on DVD so that I can put them on my PC.
Just wanted to tell anyone that might be wanting to buy one of these or any other computer/GPS that, Colorado Cyclist has 20% off all orders over $100.  The sale ends and midnight Sunday Feb. 1st. So, if you are in the market, now is the time to save over $100.  That means that I'll basically get the DVD of maps and a memory card for free.  All I have to do now is wait for the Fed Ex guy/gal and then figure out how to use the thing.

Thanks for all the great info here and on all the forums.  Hopefully I can add some good info as I learn the Garmin,

Michael

6

Gear Talk / Re: Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: January 24, 2009, 01:19:58 am »

Congratulations on your new Co-Motion NW.  I'm sure you will love it.  Now, get out there and ride.  I don't want to see you logged in here any more >>>>WINK WINK  Seriously, I am really happy for you.  I had a bit of a back related set back and am unable to sit on a bike and bend forward right now. I have put my little nest(bike) egg away for now.  Right now it's stretching, pain killers and PT for me.

Keep us posted on how you like/change the new bike.

Michael

7

Gear Talk / Rear bike rack

« on: December 01, 2008, 02:32:38 pm »

I too will recommend Tubus.  Contact Wayne at The Touring Store Dot Com and he will help make sure you get exactly what you need for your bike model. He also carries a really cool light that attaches to the rear rack.

8

Gear Talk / Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: December 03, 2008, 07:22:51 pm »

Thanks for the info on using, or rather NOT using, any type of loc-tite.  I got and therefore gave bad info.
As far as the STI upgrade, I didn't mean the upgrade would cost $40-$50.  I meant that if the new bike has Dura-Ace Bar ends and you are thinking about upgrading to STI, KEEP the bar ends rather than trade them in for STI because you would not get very much ie. 40-50 at the most in trade in value for the bar ends. Then just buy STI's. And yes STI's are very expensive.
Thanks for keeping me straight.

9

Gear Talk / Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: December 02, 2008, 02:40:10 pm »

From what I heard/read, the S&S couplers actually make the frame more rigid than a frame without them.  And, I have never heard of them getting lose.  You could always use a medium strength "loc-tite" on them. You could still get them apart when needed.  As for STI versus Bar-Ends, I've always thought, WHY NOT BOTH. If the bike is spec'd with bar-ends and you are thinking about STI you might get a credit of $40-$50 to upgrade. So just keep the bar-ends installed in the bars with cables removed, use STI's and if you have a major failure just pull a set of cables out of you bag and installl them on the barends. VIOLA.  You could even use one bar-end as a drag brake controller while using the STI's.  All you would need is a clamp-on stop for the cable or even have one brazed on while building a new frame.
What do you all think?

10

Gear Talk / Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: December 01, 2008, 02:26:48 pm »

Tourista829,
If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was the one writing your post.  I am in very much the same position as you. I am waiting for a settlement for a work injury and have been looking long and hard at heavy duty touring bikes. I'm 225lbs right now.  Gained alot of weight from bad back and not working.  Hope to get down to 200 pretty some with 180 or so my goal. LOL. The Americano is at the top of my list right now. Waterford and Independent Fabrications are #2 and #3.  I'd love to talk to you more about Co-Motion and touring in general. I don't know if my email showsa up on this post of not.  Let me know if not and I'll get it to you.  Hope to hear from you soon>  Michael

11

Gear Talk / STI vs. Bar ends

« on: December 02, 2008, 03:05:03 pm »

As for STI versus Bar-Ends, I've always thought, WHY NOT BOTH. If the bike is spec'd with bar-ends and you are thinking about STI you might get a credit of $40-$50 to upgrade. So just keep the bar-ends installed in the bars with cables removed, use STI's and if you have a major failure just pull a set of cables out of you bag and install them on the barends. VIOLA.  You could even use one bar-end as a drag brake controller while using the STI's.  All you would need is a clamp-on stop for the cable or even have one brazed on while building a new frame.
What do you all think?

12

General Discussion / Trans Am Bicycle Choice???

« on: April 03, 2008, 10:18:32 pm »

WOW a month of back to back to back centuries.  I agree go light. I would recommend a Road Tripple thou.  You have so pretty good climbs no matter which route you take.  I your goal to loaded touring, I would go with the Co-Motion or a Bruce Gordon.  These will have the REALLY low granny gears needed for loaded touring.  The Trek, C-Dale and others just don't go low enough.  They only have about a 24-26" low where as the the Co-Motion and BG have about a 19" low.
I wish I had the legs/lungs to make a 1 month crossing.  Please keep us posted on your trip and I wish you a thirty day tail wind.

13

General Discussion / Training for transam tour 09

« on: April 03, 2008, 10:01:22 pm »

Sorry for the slow reply.  Had major phone line probs. All better now.
I live in Hagerstown.  I catch the C&O in Williamsport at Mile 100.  I also used to catch the trail in Shepherds Town while one of my daughters was at Shep for music lessons. I got to do about an hour or so while I waited for her. As soon as my back Doctor gives me the OK, It would be great to meet some time and ride. Hopefully in May.

14

General Discussion / Training for transam tour 09

« on: March 30, 2008, 01:22:39 am »

Daniel,
How is the riding going? I'm just across the river from you in MD. The weather is going to change for the better any day now so, hang in there and keep the pedals turning.  I am hopefully going to ease back into riding after some injections for my bad back. If all goes well it's back to the C&O Canal path for me.  Hope to do the whole Canal and the GAP this summer.
All the best,
Michael