Topics

1

Gear Talk / Front Fork. Carbon vs Steel?

« on: November 23, 2005, 01:40:18 pm »

Carbon Fiber fork vs Cromo Fork.  Any suggestions.  If I am going to use front racks, OMM low riders, is carbon going to hold-up?

2

Gear Talk / Difference Longer Crank Length Makes

« on: November 16, 2005, 10:43:24 am »

Are my findings correct?  I am giving up on my 30 yr old touring bike, it is becoming a money pit.  I am thinking of using my mtn. bike for touring.  I have done the "gear ratio" and "gear inches" calculations.  I have the same width tires on both bikes (28 mm).  To test things out, I put both bikes on the indoor trainer to find out if the longer crank will make-up for the smaller wheel (700cc vs 26 inch).  My test was to pedal the bike at a comfortable cadence on both bikes (they both have cadence computers), then compare the RPM and the MPH.  The longer crank arm of the mtn. bike 175 vs 170 for the road bike, allowed me to pedal in a higher gear inches at the same cadence (90 RPM) and achieve a greater MPH.  I believe I can compensate for the drop handlebars of the road bike with my butterfly handlebars and adding aero bars, on the mtn. bike.  Again, does the longer crank make that much difference?

3

Gear Talk / Road Bike vs Mountain Bike

« on: June 02, 2005, 04:51:25 pm »

I am trying to decide which bike to take on a 1 week road tour.  I have an older 15 speed steel bike, 700 x 32 tires, Phil Wood components and bar end sifters that I have used for touring in the past successfully.  I also have a 21 speed steel mountain hard tail bike set-up with 1.5 x 26 inch smooth tires, butterfly handlebars, front shock.  The weight of the two bikes is equal.  I have calculated the gear ratios for each bike.  The highs are similar with the mountain bike having lower low-gear ratios.  Both bikes are very comfortable to ride.  I have used the mountain bike on the Great Divide and commuting and I have used the road bike on many multi-week tours.  I will be touring in Northern Minnesota with some rolling hills for a week using front and back panniers.  The butterfly handlebars give me the same number of hand positions as the traditional road bike handlebars.  I don't feel that the small gear steps of the 21 speed will be that much of an advantage.  I am traveling with my sons who will be using their 700 c wheeled road bikes.  My main question is, if I take my mountain bike, will I be at a riding disadvantage to the riders using road bikes.  Will the mountain bike front shock and wider tires be a disadvantage under a loaded touring environment.

4

Gear Talk / CamelPak bladder size and color

« on: February 27, 2005, 04:28:05 am »

I am looking to purchase a new Camelpak.  I currently have a 100 oz. bladder that I use for on and off road use.  My current pack and bladder is big and not streamlined.  I want a more streamlined profile for road use with the addition of a bright color for safety.
I have 2 questions.  
1..Will I find that a 50 oz bladder too small?
2..I have seen on the Camelpak web site, a 70 oz. construction worker neon yellow pack.  Has as anyone used this model of Camelpak.  The design is the same as the military 70 oz pack.  Will this pack ride low enough so as to not restrict my neck and helmet?

5

Gear Talk / Wind Drag of panniers vs trailer

« on: December 09, 2004, 03:28:51 pm »

Has anyone thought of the pros and cons of front/rear panniers to a trailer when thinking about the amount of wind drag.  
Question 1.  Which has a greater wind drag ?  Question 2.  Does the amount of wind drag offsets any weight difference?

6

Gear Talk / Question on pedals and cleats.

« on: June 17, 2004, 04:50:07 pm »

I want to use sandals and clipless pedals for touring.  I have heard people say that a small platform clipless pedal, can cause "hot spots" on your feet.  Is this true ?  I also wanted to use the Frog Speedplay pedal, which have a large degree of float.  Is the small pedal and SPD cleat going to increase the potential for "hot spots" when used with the Shimano sandal.

7

Gear Talk / Road bike vs mountain bike for touring

« on: May 21, 2004, 05:04:38 pm »

I was having a discussion with a bike shop employee the other day on the merits of using a mountain bike vs a road bike for on pavement touring.  If handle bar design and tires were not an issue, I suggested that the road bike's 700c wheel would be more efficient (more miles per work effort) by the end of the day over the mountain bike's 26 inch wheel.  The bike shop individual stated that if you take the mountain bike's crake arm length into consideration, the mountain bike's efficiency would be almost the same.  Is this true.

8

Gear Talk / Replacing my 25 yr old derailleur, any suggestions

« on: May 12, 2004, 11:56:52 am »

I have a 28 yr old road bike that I am using for touring and recreation riding.  Finally the derailleur broke.  I want to replace the derailleur.  The bike was an expensive bike and still very comfortable to ride.  I have a triple crack of 48/38/28 and a 5 cog freewheel of 32-14.  

I have several questions on new derailleurs.
1.  Is there a real difference between MTB and road derailleurs.
2.  Looking at road derailleurs, they don't list the maximum size of rear cog they will accept, but they do list long cage vs short.  Do I simply want a long cage and will the long cage work with a 32 or 34 tooth rear cog?
3.  Any suggestions on make/model of derailleurs to buy for my replacement.

Finally, I noticed that newer handlebars are wider than my bike's current handlebars.  Is wider more comfortable for touring?

9

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Entering Way Points manually

« on: November 03, 2004, 04:58:07 pm »

I am new to using a GPS.  I have a Garmin Etrex.  I am comfortable with using the longitude and latitude from the GPS and finding my exact location on a paper map.  My question is, If I had a set of way points associated with the Great Divide map that point to specific locations on the map.  When I can't find the location of what the commentary says I should be able to find,  could I enter in a way point into the GPS and then let the GPS show me the direction I should be looking for the trail/road etc.

10

Routes / Great Divide Steamboat to Salida

« on: March 09, 2005, 04:03:20 am »

I am riding on the Great Divide ride between Steamboat and Salida in Colorado this summer.  I know AC has a similar sponsored 7 day ride.  What are the camping stops and mileage used on the sponsored trip?  Where do people leave their vehicles in Steamboat and Salida?

11

Routes / Great Parks South

« on: January 24, 2005, 09:23:56 pm »

Does  anyone know if the Great Parks South AC route in Colorado (  Steamboat South, maps 6 & 7 )  have wide shoulders and how heavy is the traffic usually during July or August ?

Thanks

12

Routes / Great Parks route

« on: November 07, 2004, 01:39:42 am »

I have a question on the Great Parks route through Colorado.  I have a 15 year old son that I want to take on a week long tour.  We have gone on many weekend tours in the Midwest where we live.  Does the Great Parks route in Colorado have enough towns you ride through on a daily basis and is the difficulty of the ride moderate.  My experience with riding with him is that if we go on a 1 hour ride, he will ride me into the ground.  If we go on a day ride, after 3 hours he is dragging.  My fear is that the towns will be too far apart to break up the day and the amount of up-hill riding in the mountains demoralizing.
Would I be better to stick to the Midwest till he is older.

Thanks