Messages

1

Classifieds / FS: 2014 Kona Sutra Frameset - 53cm

« on: October 30, 2013, 12:17:00 am »

Brand new frame and fork only.

It's a disc brake frame compatible with 700c wheels.

Here's what it looks like built out:
http://konaworld.com/sutra.cfm

Here's the frame itself:


I got this frame as a replacement to my previous Sutra 2009 frame. I loved that bike and road it for many, many miles - several bike camping trips and a fully loaded tour from San Diego to Austin. The 2009 model had a known defect in the way they configured the rack mount that eventually failed on mine - which is how I got this shiny new frame as a warrantee replacement. In the mean time, I've moved on to my next machine... My good fortune becomes yours.

BTW - I have a collection of good, used components for sale that could be used with this frame if you don't want to buy them all new, as well (Avid BB7 calipers and rotors, handlebars, Shimano bar-end shifters, break levers, FSA crank that still has some miles left on it, good 9 speed cassette and chain... you could practically build a bike with the parts, but I thought I'd give someone a chance at the frame if they want it before I put together a 'new' bike to sell).

Make me an offer on the bike that will build into your next world traveler.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Solar Panel - Yea or Nay?

« on: August 10, 2013, 04:37:52 am »

I took a solar panel on my last tour and found it moderately useful - mostly for the days camping where I had it stationary in the sunlight in the morning/afternoon before leaving camp. It did alright on the back rack of the bike, but I generally was near a plug every other day so I could recharge everything so it wasn't truly needed,

(this was the solar panel: sCharger-5, http://www.amazon.com/sCharger-5-Performance-Sunlight-Extremely-Reliable/dp/B003ZFQUWO)

The most useful thing was this: Tekkeon MP1580
MPhttp://www.amazon.com/Tekkeon-MP1580-TEKCHARGE-Battery-Charger/dp/B006FXUS1C/

It's a AA battery charger. But it also and lets you recharge other devices off of rechargeable or normal AA batteries. Worked great to charge the cell phone, bike light, or charge the AA batteries for my Garmin Oregon 450.

On my next tour, I'll likely leave the solar panel behind and just take the MP1580 and 6 Eneloop AAs.

3

Routes / Re: The Western Southern Tier in the Winter (January-Feb)

« on: January 12, 2013, 11:48:10 am »

Thanks for the thoughts, dscheese.

I'm in the middle of my route and was looking for some alternatives to heading over the unnamed (Blackjack) pass due to the weather and lack of hotels/services along the ACA route between Safford and Silver City. Originally I was going to camp along this section but it is just to darn cold for that this week!

My current plan is to go from Safford to Lordsburg, NM and then follow Highway 90 up to Silver City. The only concern I have at this point is the weather - I'll be in Silver City mid next week and it still looks cold but it doesn't look like it is going to snow. As long as any precipitation has not accumulated on the ground I think I'll be okay...

Thanks for the advice on where to stay.

Kevin

4

Routes / Re: The Western Southern Tier in the Winter (January-Feb)

« on: December 16, 2012, 09:07:54 pm »

Thanks, staehpj1.

5

Routes / Re: The Western Southern Tier in the Winter (January-Feb)

« on: December 16, 2012, 01:29:07 pm »

Thanks, Westinghouse & staehpj1 - I appreciate your thoughts a lot!

I've got my flights booked and starting to plan out the details of the route... I'm excited.

Any particular sections where you thought the interstate was a better choice?

6

Routes / The Western Southern Tier in the Winter (January-Feb)

« on: December 08, 2012, 03:16:30 am »

Hi folks,
I've just started to plan my trip leaving in a little less than a month. I'm heading out alone on the ST starting in San Diego and planning to end in Austin (I don't have enough time for the full end-to-end).

I'm looking for advice from folks who've done the west-to-east in the winter time, particularly around advice on if I should avoid the highland/passes or trudge on through and risk some snow/cold. I'm an experienced backpacker, but I haven't done a lot of winter camping but mostly in the pacific northwest. I don't know how much concern I should have wrt cold desert nights.

Any thoughts on re-routing from the ACA's suggested route would be useful.

Thanks in advance!
Kevin