Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Pedal recommendation?

« on: September 28, 2025, 11:27:01 pm »

Update re where I've ended up for now. I pulled a pair of Sakae SP-155 pedals off my 1989 vintage light touring bike. Toe clips are getting harder to come by these days. I found that Dimension makes a L/XL size that - in combination with these pedals - works quite well for my big feet and shoes. The pedals are a "road" style without serrated plates. The toe clips put my feet right where they need to be and the smooth platform makes it easy to get feet in and out even with a lugged sole. Just back from a tour and I'm satisfied, will probably stick with this combo. As I said, I'm old school.

Thanks, all, for your input and suggestions.
Doug

2

Routes / Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew

« on: September 03, 2025, 09:46:56 am »

Hi,
Looking for info for some exploring on Vancouver Island in the near future.

If you have ridden the Pacific Marine Road between Lake Cowichan and Port Renfrew in recent years, please let me know about road conditions. As far as I can tell it's all paved but I saw one comment about "beaten-up asphalt." Any other tips / heads-ups re that segment would be appreciated. We're on road touring bikes with 35mm and 37mm tires.

Also interested in your thoughts on these tires for the Cowichan Valley Trail segments connecting Duncan -> Lake Cowichan -> Deerholme. I have the impression this is mostly a rails-to-trails route with pretty decent packed gravel surface but it's been hard to find anything definitive.

Thanks in advance for anything you can share.
Doug

3

Gear Talk / Re: Pedal recommendation?

« on: May 24, 2025, 01:58:42 pm »

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I was surprised when I began looking that I wasn't finding any obvious options. Interesting the way these trends play out. Sometimes justified by better solutions, though sometimes seems like herd mentality.

Keep the suggestions coming!
Cheers,
Doug

4

Gear Talk / Pedal recommendation?

« on: May 22, 2025, 12:53:18 pm »

Hi,
I'm looking for a pedal that is:
* Good quality with serviceable bearings
* Wide
* Will take a toe-clip

I've got big feet and wear low hikers for touring. The soles are about 110 mm at widest point. I'm an old-schooler who prefers toe clips.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Doug

5

Classifieds / Re: STOLEN: Heron touring bike

« on: May 15, 2024, 09:44:41 pm »

Hi,
Thanks for the tip. I was not aware of either resource, will check them.

I appreciate your help.
Doug

6

Classifieds / Re: STOLEN: Heron touring bike

« on: December 23, 2023, 08:56:31 am »

Thanks, appreciate it!

7

Classifieds / Re: STOLEN: Heron touring bike

« on: December 22, 2023, 03:01:35 pm »

Hi John,
Immediately after the theft I notified all local authorities, all the local bike shops and various local cycling groups. No leads in close to three weeks, so I thought I'd post it here as well. The more eyes out there, the better!

Cheers,
Doug

8

Classifieds / STOLEN: Heron touring bike

« on: December 22, 2023, 02:28:35 pm »

Stolen in Fort Collins, CO approx Dec 4 2023: Heron touring bike

Large frame, green
Shimano bar-end shifters
Shimano 105 hubs and front derailleur
Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur and cassette
Sugino crankset
Avid Shorty 6 brakes
American Classic seatpost
Sunrim wheels, 700c, 36-hole
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires
Brooks B17 saddle
Planet Bike fenders (rear only when stolen)
Tubus rear rack (front rack shown in the photo not on the bike when stolen)

Please get in touch with Doug with any leads. THANK YOU

9

Routes / Grand Junction - Naturita - Moab loop

« on: February 21, 2019, 11:26:16 pm »

We're looking at a late-spring, 300-mile road bike loop starting/ending Grand Junction CO. Could do either direction:
* Unaweep Canyon
* Gateway
* Naturita
* Bedrock
* Moab
* Cisco
* Grand Junction

Interested in hearing any experience with this loop including camping (or other budget lodging) options, road reports, route segments to avoid the bigger/busier highway segments.

Thanks in advance,
Doug
Fort Collins, CO

10

Gear Talk / Re: Judging tire wear

« on: September 06, 2018, 10:12:58 pm »

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.

This tour will be about 250 miles. The tires have not been flatting, no noticeable flat spots, no threads showing. So maybe they're good to go.

We'll definitely pack a spare, SOP for our tours (we needed it with a blown sidewall on the last tour).

Pat: I'm curious re your statement, "The back tire flatting is harder to control than the front . . ." Don't you mean the opposite? Because a flat on the front is more liable to make you lose control, that's where the better tire should go?

Cheers,
Doug

11

Gear Talk / Judging tire wear

« on: September 05, 2018, 06:05:55 pm »

Hi all,
We're running Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, 700x35, on a couple of touring bikes. They've been dependable and durable, and are well used but still looking quite good. Max mileage on any of the existing tires is about 3500, most of that on a fully loaded road tour. We're getting ready for a five-day, moderately loaded road tour with some long, fast descents. We need to decide whether to replace any of the tires.

What are your tips for checking tire wear and criteria for replacing tires that are worn but not obviously damaged in other ways?

Thanks in advance,
Doug

12

Gear Talk / Re: Sizing Surly Trucker vs Trek 520

« on: January 30, 2017, 11:58:30 pm »

Update that might help someone else . . .
We found a 52cm LHT she could test ride today, which also fit very well. So two good candidates as we continue our search for a used bike that fits our budget.
Doug

13

Gear Talk / Sizing Surly Trucker vs Trek 520

« on: January 30, 2017, 10:11:26 am »

We're looking for experience with sizing on Surly Trucker vs Trek 520. We're looking for a bike for my wife for a fully loaded tour we're planning later this year, hoping to buy used to stay within our budget. Yesterday she rode the Trek 520 in both 51 and 54cm sizes. The 54 was a really good fit while the 51 was clearly too small. However we've been unable to find any Truckers in our area that she can test ride. So wondering if you know how that Trek size might cross over into the Surly geometry?

Other clues:
* She's about 5'8"
* Pubic bone height / "true inseam" = 81 cm
* Effective top tube length for her road bike which is a great fit = 53.5 cm (measured per Surly diagram)

Looking at the Surly geometry charts, she should be in the 50/52/54 range but hard to be confident without getting on the bike.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!
Doug

14

Classifieds / WTB: 52cm LHT or Disc Trucker or similar model touring bike

« on: January 26, 2017, 11:16:01 pm »

Looking for a bike in good shape. Long Haul Trucker, Disc Trucker, Trek 520 or similar design/quality. We're in northern Colorado, zip 80521. Let us know if you have something that might meet our need.
Thanks!
Doug