Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: 9 Speed barcon indexing issues with XT/XTR rear derailleurs?

« on: April 09, 2011, 04:12:29 am »

Oddly enough, I have had issues with getting the indexing to work. What I found was cable housing length, especially at the rear derailuer, seemed to affect the accuracy of the indexing. After playing with it for some time it ended up working well, but went to friction shifting anyway.

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Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts

« on: April 03, 2011, 11:28:35 am »

Never heard of that issue. Perhaps a short with a thinner chamois might help. Even one with an old school real chamois with no foam or other fabric would help. Thinking the edge of the chamois is the issue as you mention. Make sure the shorts are form fitting, as that is a key function of a riding short for it serves as a second skin. If wearing baggies and you have not tried traditional cycling shorts, give them a try since there is no extra fabric to cause problems. In addition, if all you have used are mid grade shorts give a high end short a shot. Be sure to start with a name brand, not a "private label" brand since there typically are differences in quality of chamois, fabric, and fit.

Ps. An old friend of mine in the garment industry explained why name brands cost more by using this comparison: They do the research, development, marketing and understand what they do and why they do it. The off brand stuff are copies of the name brand stuff but are constructed without an understanding why they are doing what they do. Apply this to bridge construction and ask yourself who you would trust. My addition to this explanation is looking at the bike industry as an example. Shimano makes good stuff, there is a brand out there that looks just like it, functions like it and cost a fraction of the Shimano stuff. It is called Falcon and other names that they put on it. But somehow the stuff literally lasts less than half the time Shimano lasts. How come?

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Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts

« on: April 02, 2011, 09:50:41 pm »

+1 on the cheap shorts rule, don't go there. Have spent good money on bad product and regretted many times trying to "feel good" about saving money.

Recent discovery; Have worn Sugoi RS Flex shorts for about 8 years now and love them. Easily get over 10 thousand miles to a pair and own three pairs now. The only brand I buy, however pair of Specialized RBX shorts were given to me this winter while riding in CA for a week. Very impressed with their comfort and look forward to sitting in the saddle for a long ride this spring. Just may have found an alternative to the Best of Breed Sugoi RS Flex!

Just went through my cycling logs and found the original Sugoi RX shorts have a bit over 16 thousand miles. The others considerably less since they are newer. Average yearly mileage is between 2 and 4 thousand miles.

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Classifieds / Fuji Touring Series V for sale

« on: March 31, 2011, 05:46:48 am »

I have owned since new in the box a 1986 Fuji Touring Series V bike for sale. Has original frame/fork/wheels all of which show age. Some rust on top tube cable guides and a dent in top tube as a result from a fellow rider tipping it while staying at a hostel. Has 70's era Suntour front and rear derailuers, Suntour barcon shifters, 70's era Sugino road crank, Sachs 13-34 7 spd freewheel (not matched to capacity of rear der.) Suntour XC Pro cantis, and MKS touring pedals true to the originals. No saddle. Love the bike, but have been riding a custom frame for the past 9 years and decided it is time for it to see the road again under another person's watch. Seeking 200 US dollars.

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Gear Talk / Re: Panniers = racks= bike

« on: March 31, 2011, 05:24:35 am »

Surprisingly I have been using an inexpensive rack made by Giant Bicycles for about 6 years without any sign of failure. Mainly a commuting rack, but have on several occasions loaded it with gear for touring.

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General Discussion / Re: Bike Fits

« on: March 19, 2011, 08:19:59 pm »

Tourista829 I am with you on the steel frame. High grade steel frames are a whole different breed of bike from production steel frames, and in another universe compared to aluminum. Never will go aluminum, always stick with steel, and only the best of steel. Partial to lugs as well, and Waterford makes a very top notch lugged frame. For those with deep pockets, go with their custom fancy lugged stuff, nice, very, very nice!

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General Discussion / Re: Bike Fits

« on: March 19, 2011, 05:44:41 am »

Paddleboy17, you present a logical position and make much sense. My experience as a tourist, race boy, then tourist again is one of frustration until I was fitted by a master fitter. Have been riding since the early 70's and throughout the entire time my upper back and knees had always given me major issues. Used every method of self-service fitting available (Lemond, shop employees eyes and knowledge, European shop pro fit in the 80's, and even followed a mathematical formula found in the Paterek Manual) with no solution. When fitted 4 years ago by a competent shop the problems disappeared. Come to find out the saddle I used made a big difference in my upper body's attitude on the bike. Along with that, it was discovered stock frames have too steep seat tubes for me, although proportionally I am very average for 6 foot tall. I ride an odd ball custom built frame with 72.5 seat angle, 59 cm seat tube, 56 top tube, and 71 head tube. Fits like a glove and after 5-6 hours in the saddle I feel just fine!

As a young college racer boy, no way could I have justified the expense of a 200 dollar fitting if it had been available then, but now I know better and will preach it to the world! It has kept me on the bike. BTW, bents have their own issues, of which fit can be one.

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General Discussion / Re: No new bike this year

« on: March 17, 2011, 08:23:12 pm »

Have insurance, but only plpd (basic coverage to make it legal). State of Michigan has no fault laws which make it impossible to sue for damages other than $500 small claims suit which will cover tires at best. The car was old but trusty as the day is long. Probably as maintenance free as a bicycle! Anyway, my new acquisition is a 1998 Nissan Sentra. As a hypermiler type driver it is returning a consistent 40 mpg, twice what the Volvo would get so it ain't all bad except for the no new bike part this year. If I lived in a warm climate I wouldn't even own a car, just as I did living in San Francisco as a young man.

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General Discussion / Re: Bike Fits

« on: March 17, 2011, 03:33:33 am »

Just helped a fella yesterday on an old C-dale road bike. He had the classic numb nuts, hands, and neck pain. He has been dealing with the shop he bought it from putting band aid after band aid on it to fix the problems. I suggested he go to the local shop that has a certified master fitter trained by Andy Pruitt, but did not want to spend the money so I made all of the obvious changes suggested above. To me this is a half-baked approach to getting it right and is essentially guessing at answers until the right one is found. Not a good plan. From experience I know he will need a new bike that fits him correctly. You can't make gold from tin.

Go get a professional fit by a certified master fitter. I believe they can be found on the web at masterbikefitters.com.

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General Discussion / No new bike this year

« on: March 13, 2011, 10:57:42 am »

Guy spun out in front of me causing me to broadside him. Totaled my trusty old Volvo 240. 21 years with that beast and now I have to replace it. Found a car, but the money saved for two new bikes this year is gone. Can't even buy the wheels I planned to build. Just ain't fair.

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Gear Talk / Re: Hub recommendations?

« on: February 21, 2011, 07:56:48 am »

Thanks for the offer, exceptionally generous of you. Now I just need to decide on a rim. Likely a Velocity. Hoo-boy, it never stops!

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Gear Talk / Re: Hub recommendations?

« on: February 20, 2011, 01:21:28 pm »

Gosh, waynemyer, you make perfect sense to me as I still have two freewheels in my stash (burn through one every year) and can get them easily enough. The 10 speed systems are not nearly as robust as even the 9 speed before it, but nothing compares to the 6 and 7 speed systems I still use today. Good for long hauls and lots of torque load. Will look into the Phil Wood stuff this coming week. Perhaps I can take some motorcycle money and get at least a rear hub (yes, I use an envelope system to manage my disposable income). The local shop should be happy to order it for me plus spokes which they will cut to length.

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Gear Talk / Re: Hub recommendations?

« on: February 20, 2011, 09:00:04 am »

All this talk brings up my other concern: Freewheel or cassette? Have had cassettes on mountain bikes only, and they sure prove to be best for the application, but road bikes I have stuck with freewheels due to the universal nature of the product. They can be found nearly anywhere in the world, whereas cassettes are not so universal and can be brand specific. As for cartridge bearings they are my preference born out of necessity. As a year round commuter here in MI, I was destroying cone hubs every other season due to the salt from the roads getting into them. Switched to Sunshine hubs with cartridge bearings in the early 80's and never have had a problem since.
I have considered Phil threaded hubs (top of my affordability index), but need to be convinced the freewheel will still be viable 20 years from now since that is how long I will keep them. I still run Suntour Barcon shifters so I don't care about index compatibility or the cog count. As a former mechanic it is hard to change my opinions about certain things, but it seems that at some point it will be necessary to update to the cassette platform.

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Gear Talk / Hub recommendations?

« on: February 18, 2011, 06:41:29 am »

After 20 years, 1 mountain bike, 2 road bikes, and untold thousands of miles (50k+) the old Mavic 501 hubs went south this past fall. Axle broke, couldn't get it out of the hub so I dumped them. Have decided to move on to cassettes so I am looking for the same quality and durability. Have considered Phil Wood, but will need to save up through the mid way point of the riding season (Michigan) so need something more affordable right away. Yes, lace my own wheels. I do know that if they had been Phil Wood hubs, the company would have replaced the axle for me at a minimal charge which makes them very tempting. I keep stuff for a very long time so I buy top shelf product and do not cut corners. Ideas anyone?

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Gear Talk / Re: Ortlieb Front Roller City Panniers

« on: February 17, 2011, 08:41:55 pm »

Any problem with breakage of the plastic hooks over say, 20-30k miles? Are there weight restrictions?