Topics

1

Gear Talk / Raised stem

« on: August 15, 2023, 09:56:07 pm »

About 15 years ago I had a Novara Safari trekking bike that I sold to make way for my Cogburn fat bike, but still dearly miss. Only recently have I given up looking for a replacement and decided to refurbish my 2006 Bianchi Volpe instead. One of the features I miss from the Safari was the raised handlebar stem, so I've put one on the Volpe. I like the more upright position. Any thoughts? (I also added a touch of my own! :

2

Gear Talk / What Happened to the "Adventure" Bikes?

« on: May 16, 2021, 04:40:59 pm »

A couple of years ago, so-called "adventure bikes" were the big thing. Trek had the 920, REI, the Co-Op ADV 4.2, Specialized, and others had entries in that market niche. Now they are as scarce as hen's teeth. What happened?  Were they victims of COVID, or just poor sales? Inquiring minds want to know, because I would still give my eye teeth for a 2006-'07 Novara Safari, but I would take a 920 or ADV 4.2 as an acceptable alternative if I could even find one.

3

Classifieds / Wanted: '06-7 Novara Safari

« on: March 06, 2017, 11:01:28 am »

Wanted:Looking for a used 2006 or '07 Novara Safari, large size in good condition. (This is the aluminum-framed, 26 in. wheel, tan or olive green model.) Sold mine a few years back and have regretted it ever since.

4

Gear Talk / 700x40 vs. 27.5 (650b)x48

« on: February 19, 2016, 12:32:13 am »

Spec-ing a new bike for touring and gravel. Do a lot a gravel near home for fun and exercise, but am hoping to do more S24O and multi-day self-supported touring since I retired. Open to suggestions as to what would be better for my riding? I used to have an '06 Novara Safari, and to be honest, the only thing I didn't like about it was the 26-inch wheels. Sold it (here) to make way for a 29-er MTB. I realize that I may have just answered my own question, but like I said, I have an open mind.

Ride safe,
Hans

5

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Garmin Edge 1000 Explore

« on: February 15, 2016, 03:33:32 pm »

Finally took the plunge and replaced my Garmin Edge 205, my first generation SPOT Tracker and some of the functions of my smartphone with a Garmin Edge 1000 Explore. Looking forward to exploring with it on Discovery, my Bianchi Volpe, and maybe next year on my new Meriwether Cycles Discovery II.

I've used this on my Cogburn a couple of times this winter, and so far it works great. A bit different than the old 205, but I am getting used to that. Love the auto-load feature! Just set the unit next to my laptop or Dragon tablet and the ride appears on my Ride with GPS log. Really looking forward to using it on long rides this spring.

https://youtu.be/nbYZ3h1GKfA

More info as I use it more and more.

Ride safe,
Hans

6

Gear Talk / New Adventure Bike...from Trek!

« on: August 05, 2014, 10:41:10 am »

Stop the presses! Holy Hot Wheels, Batman! I may have to become a Trekkie again! Just introduced at the Trekworld Trek dealers gathering, the new 2015 Trek 920 Adventure Bike. Those of you who know me know until I got the Volcanic, all of my MTBs were from Trek, and I still ride one at work. Been thinking of upgrading the Volpe, and this may be the ticket! Looks very interesting, to say the least.



Ride safe,
 
Hans

7

Gear Talk / Of Tires and Roads

« on: September 16, 2013, 12:27:31 am »

Planning on crossing the Chippewa National Forest here in MN using almost completely dirt and gravel roads. Backroads in Minnesota are almost universally semi-sandy, but the area has had sufficient rain so it's not powdery, and terrain is fairly level. Carrying me (250 lbs.) and my gear in rear panniers (30-35 lbs.) Do you think the 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus on my Volpe would cut it, or should I take my mountain bike?

Ride safe,
Hans

8

Routes / Western Adirondacks; Out of the loop, but inside the Blue Line.

« on: September 05, 2013, 11:35:23 am »

I had just this morning been wondering what NYS Rt. 28 was like for cycling between Thendara and Blue Mountain Lake, but the ACA, unfortunately, left this part of the Adirondacks out of their “Adirondack Park Loop”. I hope to come home from MN for a week or so next year (2014) with my road bike. I went to Adirondack Woodcraft Camps near Old Forge as a kid, almost 50 years ago, and I have felt very attached to the Old Forge-Inlet-Blue Mtn,-Long Lake region ever since. I was even licensed to guide in the Inlet-Moose Lake area. Back in 2005 I had done some mountain biking on the TOBIE trails, re-visiting some of my memories from Woodcraft, fishing in the Moose River, camping at Lake Durant. But I have grown to love bicycle travel and touring and need information on roads in the area. I found a very good article on the "Adirondack Explorer" website. Can anyone else out there give me more insight? http://adirondackexplorer.org/adventure-planner/2007/03/01/fulton-chain-bike-tour/
It's a beautiful area. I hope it's as beautiful a ride.

Ride safe,
Hans

9

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / New Garmin Edge Touring

« on: August 29, 2013, 11:42:52 am »

I like gizmos as much as anyone (except maybe my son-in-law), but it is rare I find one that is a "must have". I have a solid Delorme PN-20 GPS for my MTB, and a Garmin Edge 205 on my Bianchi, Discovery. Today, Garmin revealed something new. In the words of Will Smith at the con of the alien spaceship in ID4, "I gotta get me one of these!": http://youtu.be/MA9V1M2ikqs

Looking forward to actually being able to check one out first hand.

Ride safe,
Hans

10

General Discussion / Inspire or Scare the Begeebees?

« on: April 17, 2013, 12:03:31 pm »

The Adventure Cycling Association's mission is to inspire and empower people to travel by bicycle. As a 14-year ACA member, who has been touring since 1996, and a 25-year park ranger, I am really surprised by posts, mostly from riders outside of North America, about fears of two things; bears and rural American residents. The real truth us, there is not a bear behind every tree bush and rock, and the rural countryside is NOT inhabited by people like those in "Deliverance". Moreover, the replies that reinforce those fears are very disappointing, and certainly not very "inspiring" to those whose only exposure to the United States has been from Hollywood or the network news.

Hopefully, those read this will take my suggestion to try an "inspire" bicycle travelers, rather than scare the begeebees (Whatever begeebees are?) out of them.

Ride safe,
Hans

11

Classifieds / SOLD 1/16/13: 2007 Novara Safari

« on: October 08, 2012, 11:44:25 am »

For Sale: 2007 Novara Safari "Trekking" bike. Very well maintained. Aluminum frame; Avid mechanical disc brakes; "butterfly" handlebars; SRAM Grip Shifters with Shimano Deore front, LX rear derailleurs; 26 inch wheels. 1068 actual lifetime miles. Many extras included: Old Man Mountain front rack, frame pump, 3 bottle cages, cyclometer, Pleischer dual (two leg) kickstand, 2 pair good tires; WTB All-Terrainasaurus on bike, Conti Town & Country not mounted. Selling to make room for Surly Pugsley. Asking $600.00, plus buyer pays shipping from central MN, USA. (Shipping is NOT negotiable.)



(Water bottles and rack pack NOT included.)

E-mail:traveler@twowheeledexplorer.org

Thank you,
Hans Erdman

12

Gear Talk / Stem leaks

« on: August 13, 2012, 06:06:17 pm »

Ever since I put puncture resistant Schwalbe tires on my Bianchi Volpe, I have had an inordinate number of flats...from the other end. I have had to replace 5 tubes, 2 front, 3 rear because of the valve stem shearing off at the juncture with the tube. The shop even put one of them in, and today it was flat again. Tubes from Kenda, Giant and WTB, so different manufacturers. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Thanks!
Ride safe,
Hans

13

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Lewis & Clark, Yankton, SD Map 2, Panel 27

« on: June 24, 2012, 08:00:09 pm »

There are two closures on the L&C in Yankton; From the east, the first is on the Audlt-Brokow Trail, about a mile west of the Travel Information Center trailhead, behind the city shop/garage. Looks like a big sink-hole on the trail. There are signs warning that the trail is closed about a half-mile before, but you can walk around it (or ride if the conditions are dry) and get back on the paved trail. The second is under the Broadway Ave./Hwy. 81 bridge to Nebraska, and the trail is completely blocked by equipment, so you have to go back to the street and cross at the next intersection. Unfortunately, neither detour is marked at all, so you kind of have to figure it out yourself, or follow the marked L&C National Historic Trail signs on SD Hwy. 52.

14

Gear Talk / Tires vs. Tyres

« on: April 19, 2012, 08:47:38 am »

I am thinking of replacing the (original. so 5 years old) Conti 26x1.95 tires on my 2007 Novara Safari expedition bike with  Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 26x2.0 tyres. Any input, thoughts, considerations you all might have?

I have Schwalbe Marathon Plus 348s on my Bianchi Volpe, and I really like the ride, handling and durability.

Ride safe,
Hans

15

Gear Talk / 26" v. 700...again

« on: June 28, 2011, 09:07:35 pm »

Very simple question: Is it actually harder to pedal a bike with 26" (Conti T&Cs) than 700s, or is it just me? I have been riding my Safari for the past week and it just seems like a whole lot more work than the Volpe. (w/Schwalbe Marathon HRs) I know I am not back in shape yet, due to my TBI recovery that took 9 weeks out of my ride schedule, but... Both sets of tires are inflated to optimal pressure, riding both on long stretches of new "road candy" asphalt.

Or am I just getting wimpy? 

Ride safe,
Hans