Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Folding tires

« on: January 08, 2012, 04:06:32 pm »

I think you have this backwards.  Folding (kevlar beaded) tires are both more expensive and lighter than wire (steel) beaded tires. 

Folding tires are indeed a bit trickier to mount the first time out of the box but not after that.   Once you get them mounted they retain their shape when removed and reinstalled
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I agree. I find the wire bead harder to mount. My Conti kevlars go on much easier than my wired Gatorskins and much, much, much easier than Schwalbe Marathon Plus

2

Gear Talk / Re: Bike saddle issues

« on: December 23, 2011, 01:33:10 am »

I've never ridden the Specialized saddle; but I have the SMP Evolution, which looks to be very similar in design. My experience on this design has been very positive and I have found other seat designs to be troublesome. With your years of experience with riding, I suspect you have tried all this. However, my suggestion would be to ensure the height and fore/aft position of the seat is best for you. Sometimes we forget to look at the tilt of the seat. For me, I found that the front being slightly up, slightly being key, the seat is more comfortable than straight or tilted down. (Seems down = more pressure on the nerve). Another consideration which I became aware of not so long ago is the left/right orientation. I found a slight shift to the right makes a difference. Check out this blog: http://www.fezzari.com/blog/2010/09/03/saddleposition/ You know, maybe it's all in my head, but a tweak to the right seems to help. 

3

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Mirror

« on: December 15, 2011, 06:38:29 pm »

Interesting thing, mirrors. I tried a couple, three for road riding, no tours yet. What I found is they were more of a distraction because they would not maintain a consistent view of the road off to my left. I found myself moving the thing to get the view. It seemed, no matter what style, the thing would shift. I never used a helmet mounted mirror. But, I envision my helmet moving/shifting a bit during the ride giving cause to mess with adjusting the mirror. One thing I learned very quickly: Regardless of what the mirror reflected, I would and always will turn my head to see what is going on. For me: No more mirror. 

4

Gear Talk / Re: Changing a Rohloff Wheel

« on: November 20, 2011, 02:00:29 pm »

Yes, I did do some more searching and found a description of taking the rear wheel off.

dombrosk: I'd be interested in a link to the thread you reference.

Thanks!

5

Gear Talk / Changing a Rohloff Wheel

« on: November 18, 2011, 01:35:31 pm »

I am considering in investing in a S&S coupled bike for some touring. Rohloff (quick release) is high on my list for a drive train. Every now and then I see mention of the challenges of changing out the rear tire on a Rohloff equipped wheel, but no details. Is this true; are they a pain to change out? What makes it more challenging? Can anyone point me in the direction of a video or tutorial of some sort where this is covered so I can see for myself? And, of course, what has your experience been like?

6

General Discussion / Re: Cycling in Switzerland

« on: August 07, 2011, 12:43:48 pm »

I thought the wheels looked to be 700. I guess in Switzerland there wouldn't necessarily be problems finding parts/tires for 700. Your tour looked wonderful. Thanks for the info.

7

General Discussion / Re: Cycling in Switzerland

« on: August 06, 2011, 11:54:58 am »

I did a two-week loop in Switzerland in 2009 (journal here).  The riding is outstanding.  I have an S&S coupled bike and I stored the hardshell case (a big suitcase, in essence) at a friend's house.

Raybo, can you please tell us how you had your Waterford set up? 26" wheels? What size tires did you use? Components? I'm enjoying your journal!

8

Gear Talk / Re: RX Cycling Sunglasses

« on: August 04, 2011, 11:39:00 pm »

I can't wear those slick trim, sporty looking glasses because my eye sockets are on the larger side and I end up with larger lenses. Aviators are my friend. For bicycling I went out and bought a titanium aviator style frame and had polarized sunglass lenses in them~ a couple of hundred bucks. Yeah, glasses are expensive, but this ala carte stuff will empty your pockets.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Novara Randonee Bike - 2011???

« on: August 02, 2011, 07:33:17 am »

There is a certain pride to riding American steel. I had a VooDoo Bizango from the last year they were made in the USA~ nice ride, extra special. Gave it to my son and he treats it like an heirloom. The nice thing about the LHT is the 26" option. But, realistically, the 700 can do the same. But, the real difference seems to come into play when you go south of the border into Mexico and beyond, or off the North American Continent. Well, I got the itch. Although I'm still tweaking my Casseroll commuter (which could do well on a light tour), I find myself looking elsewhere for something that might manage a heavier haul. Certainly the Grand Tour is an option, but so is the LHT.   

10

Gear Talk / Re: Novara Randonee Bike - 2011???

« on: August 01, 2011, 10:07:20 pm »

It's to bad Novarro changing the specs and "commuterizing" their bikes. I'm curious about where the Gunnar Grand Tour fits in all of this. I hear a lot about the LHT and it seems to be a really solid bike; what about the Gunnar?

11

Gear Talk / Re: Fitting a Brooks Saddle

« on: July 31, 2011, 01:16:08 pm »

I'm inclined to think the nose needs to come up a bit. I recall reading someplace that many men have a tendency to prefer nose up, while many woman prefer the nose down. Not sure how true that is. So far, my B-17 Imperial Narrow seems to be working quite well for me. I found this blog about seat position rather interesting, especially in regard the left/right orientation to the top tube.

http://www.fezzari.com/blog/2010/09/03/saddleposition/