Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Bike Rack Reviews

« on: January 29, 2010, 12:44:46 pm »

I have been using a set of racks made by Nitto and the the models are Campee 27F for the front and Campee 27R for the rear. I have and use the Tubus Cargo and Tara but the Nittos are in my opinion several notches above anything else on the market and oddly enough seem to be pretty much unknown to most mainstream cycle tourists. This may be because they are REALLY expensive ($180-$269 each is the selling range you'll see online) but they are not only beautiful (fillet brazed rather than crude welding) but are nickel plated. All the Tubus racks I've ever used wear thru the powder coating in short order even using plastic Ortlieb attachments exposing the bare metal to rusting. The main thing that sets them apart for me is that they use a lowrider frame both front AND rear, and angle the bags out at about 10 degrees from the bottom and the load carries much more stable than carried high and vertical. The front rack also allows the use of a traditional french style randonneur handlebar bag carried lower and more stable than a handlebar mounted bag. This is the setup Jan Heine uses who wrote the rack article named earlier, and for good reason.

2

General Discussion / Re: Florida

« on: January 29, 2010, 11:37:32 am »

I just returned from a 3 day tour around Lake Okeechobee following the LOST trail (well named as it's not well marked in most placed and I got off route a few times adding about 15 miles to my route).
Nice campsites along the way and some very rough dirt track for several miles but doable with 1.5" tires at 45psi.
The trail is closed in a few places totaling maybe 35 miles of highway detouring but except for one really nasty highway construction zone on 441 most all of the detours have reasonable shoulders.
 I did it fully loaded but it'd be a nice tour do do light as there are many accesable towns with motels  along the way.

3

Classifieds / ISM Touring Saddle

« on: December 16, 2009, 06:26:43 pm »

I got this for my wife to try out and she decided to use another saddle than this one. Only ridden about 2 miles so essentially new. An unusual design that is very effective at distributing the pressure away from your tender bits. Google: "ISM saddle" for info. f you are having trouble with saddle discomfort for long distance touring this may be a saddle to consider. new retail they are $80, will sell this for $45 obo. Mark at 720-560-1178

4

Classifieds / Burley Nomad Trailer

« on: December 16, 2009, 06:20:37 pm »

In excellent condition with Schwalbe Big Apple 16x2.0 tires. I only used it for one 700 mile - 10 day tour of Florida. Stored in my garage. Tows so much better on pavement than either the BOB yak or ibex that I've also owned, but not as good on single or double track dirt as they will. Has the Burley QR attachment and 2 - 16" spare tubes. Cost new currently as is : $400. Will sell for $275. Folds flat for shipping. can send pics. Call Mark at 720-560-1178

5

Gear Talk / Re: Considering New Handlebar Setup

« on: May 14, 2009, 09:28:26 pm »

I used to be a confirmed drop bar rider, road, off road, racing touring. Then as I got older and the wrist problems that began with beating the crap out of them riding off road in the late '70s and early 80s before front suspension started to protest. Tried trekking bars and did not like them for a lack of really comfortable positions. Tried moustache bars. Too low and also lack of positions. Am now using nitto albatross bars and it's like the sky opened up and angels have carried me off to cycling heaven!!! I put neoprene grips on and wrapped them with cork tape, using barcons and mtb levers it is without a doubt the most comfortable setup I've experienced in over 40 years of riding. Aero position forward and loads of intermediate hand positions to change to, plus I have a very upright riding posture making full use of my Brooks B68 saddle, which is a wider seat that works perfectly with these bars.  Very stable for 50 mph descents and still climbs well. The best part is feeling like a kid again bombing around on my 3 speed. Some savy commuters have discovered these but very few tourist have, but IMO these are the best choice for loaded long distance touring out there. If you are young and your - neck, back, shoulders, wrists may be able to hold up to riding drops or any bar setup at 2 to 3" below your saddle line for a perceived aero advantage, but eventually we all age, and the nicer you are to you parts early on, the nicer they will be way on down the road. Trust me on this one.
The hard part was coming to terms with the dorky "non-cyclist" appearance of them. Form follows function and now I think they are beautiful.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Pedal Suggestions for Soft Soled Shoes?

« on: May 14, 2009, 08:50:18 pm »

I'm going to throw my 2 cents worth in on this because recently I've gone 180 degrees from what I used for the past 41 years of cycle racing (road and MT.), touring, etc. Like most folks I had the same hard and fast assumptions relating to what a "serious cyclist" would use and have always assumed that one had to use cycling shoes with clips and cleats (in "the old days") or clipless pedals/shoes. After reading an essay by Grant Peterson recently at rivbike.com on the myth of cycling shoes, I decided to give it a try, an lo and behold, he's right! I don't need cycling shoes. Wow no more geek shoes. I can wear my Keen non spd sandals and ride in perfect comfort with a full load (30-40 lbs) in the mountains and still crank out 80-100 miles a day. My knees feel better because I'm not limited to a measly 5 degrees of float. My foot can find it's most comfortable/ideal position on the pedal. Better for the knees. I still use spd pedals with my recumbent because I'm reclined at a 30 degree angle, and if I still raced, I'd still be clipped in, but I'm not. I'm touring at a 10 -15 mph pace, not racing. I don't pull up on my upstroke and neither do you, unless you are sprinting. To paraphrase Tom Hanks in ":A League of  Her Own" : there's no sprinting in touring!
The thing that nobody has mentioned in this thread is you really need to use a large platform pedal to provide the stiffness that a cycle shoe normally would, like a lambda MKS or a Tioga spider, or Speedplay Drillium. Comfortable, grippy, and when you get off the bike you can look like a normal person. As a cycling advocate when I'm touring this is important to me as I feel I am able to connect more easily to regular folks by riding in non cycling clothes and shoes. In all the years I was a cyclist, my identity was connected to being seen as a "cyclist" and as such enjoyed being different from all those "non-cyclists" by wearing the requisite lycra  "costume" which I think can create an us vs. them mentality and by wearing looser fitting, fast drying synthetics and wool outdoor clothes that look more normal, I find that more average folks on my tours talk to me and am more approachable. These same folks may be more inclined to consider serious cycling as an option if they can wear more "normal" clothes. I guess I'm getting into a new thread here with the clothes but I do think it's related to the shoe thing. Don't assume that all dyed in the wool cycling assumptions are the only truth. Try something new, you may be surprised at how freeing it is!

7

Classifieds / Re: Touring bike for sale

« on: January 24, 2009, 08:28:49 pm »

Sorry, typo,  I'm not a very good typist. Standard, but hand built 36 hole low flange Shimano hubs.

8

Classifieds / Re: WANTED  Equipped tour bike to borrow, rent or buy

« on: January 20, 2009, 08:31:48 pm »

I have a Specialized bike for sale here that was built in 1996 and is one of the nicest touring specific bikes I've ever seen. I suspect it's gotten little attention because they built very few and most people don't know about them, but they are very well designed for loaded touring. I would keep it if I could still ride upright bikes, but I now have to do my loaded tours on recumbents. Feel free to contact me at 720-560-1178. I'm in Florida and I've just reduced the price to $650. New it sold for $1300. Mark

9

Classifieds / Re: Touring bike for sale

« on: January 20, 2009, 08:25:26 pm »

Price reduced to $650. Half what a LHT will cost with racks and very similar in design and application.

10

Classifieds / Touring bike for sale

« on: December 15, 2008, 08:31:23 pm »

58cm. frame(semi-sloping toptube) mid 90's Specialized Sequoia that was closer in design to the older Expedition than the new Sequoia. It was designed for loaded touring. Comes with drop bars, barcons, cantilever brakes, factory front and rear racks, hand built wheelsmith 36 hole 5wheels, sealed high end components, fenders, greenfield stand, integrated light system with under bottom bracket generator that is moved onto the tire by a cable attached to a shift lever behind the seat tube. Very cool and you can turn on the lights without stopping. Many braze ons including 3 fork eyelets , one for fenders, one for the front rack and one if you want to use low riders(mid fork braze ons too) as well. There is a Sigma computer on it. It has an ISM comfort saddle that I tried and is really comfortable for touring, but I am now only riding recumbents for touring because of wrist and hand problems. I hate to part with this bike as it is quite rare and in excellent condition as I've only used it for one 500 mile tour 12 years ago and a few days rides. It has always been kept in the garage. I paid $1300 for it new and will sell it for $750. Call Mark at 904-460-2379 or 720-560-1178. The bike is in St. Augustine FL.

11

Classifieds / for sale: 1996 Specialized Sequoia touring bike

« on: July 26, 2007, 04:19:17 pm »

This is a very different model than the current Sequoia. It is designed for full on loaded touring with cantilever brakes, and front and rear custom factory racks. It has touring geometry and seat tube is 22" center to center, top tube is 23" center to center. Used for one 500-mi. tour and a few day trips and is in excellent condition. It has full braize ons and comes fully equipped for touring, with everything you need except your camping gear. The bike is being sold w/ the following items: Overland equipment front and rear panniers (similar in quality to Beckmans; they have never been used and include full rainproof covers), Tubus Tara front low rider rack, Novara handlebar bag, Sigma bike computer, mirror, fenders, all sealed bearings throughout. The bike came from the factory w/ a unique under bottom bracket generator system and is controlled by a lever-to-cable system brazoned behind the seat tube. The saddle is a Selle Anatomica Clydesdale (cost was $160 and is a Brooks type leather saddle but much more comfortable, requiring no break-in). The color is metallic brown; pics are available. Asking $1300.00  Call Mark at 720-560-1178