Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Search for the perfect touring bike mirror

« on: December 30, 2017, 06:30:05 pm »

I have used the Blackburn mirror mounted over the hoods on my touring bike for a few years now. I have found it to work better than many others, but not perfectly. It is better at absorbing vibration than most others. Issues I have had are that gradually the bolt in the center comes loose resulting in the mirror not staying in one place. You need to rotate the whole mirror a full turn to tighten it if this happens. Also, if you drop your bike it will break off, and cannot be put back together. Nevertheless I found it to be better than others. Have not tried a glasses mounted mirror so can’t comment. On my bikes with flat Bars I use a mirracyle mirror, which works better than any other I have tried


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2

Gear Talk / Re: Hydraulic or cable disc brakes for the Trans Am?

« on: October 14, 2017, 01:59:53 pm »

Thanks guys

I have owned bikes with either cables or discs for the last few years. I have not had any problems with cable brakes that were not readily fixable.  Hydraulic brakes work well, but when you have problems they are difficult to resolve. You may have to bleed hydraulic fluid out to stop them dragging, for example. I will only buy bikes with cables now if I intend to use the bike for touring. Perhaps also look into how easy it is to remove and replace the pads and availability of replacement pads. YouTube is a good source of info for this.


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3

Gear Talk / Re: Touring tandem: experience with different makes

« on: January 26, 2017, 04:51:31 am »

Thanks for all the information. It seems to me there is no one right answer. It is good to read of so many people enjoying their tandems so much. Definitely there needs to be some balance between cost and 'pack-ability'. One common theme seems to be the need to make sure the fit is right. Thank you all


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4

General Discussion / Re: What about travel other country to cycling?

« on: January 23, 2017, 06:22:01 pm »

I recently had to organise a family holiday in Austria and decided to include cycling with my wife and son. First time cycling overseas for them, second time for me. We only had a short time so we booked with one of many tour companies that operate there. They organised the bikes and accommodations. We had a wonderful time (it was summer). Many stories to tell. The infrastructure there is first class. The people friendly. Was it worthwhile?  Yes, gave me confidence to go there longer and organise it myself next time. My wife loved it and I now have a much more understanding partner for my cycling. Would I do it again? Yes, but now I know how things work, I would take my own bike and only reserve the first couple of days accommodation. It was a good 'bridge' to doing something more involved.


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5

Gear Talk / Re: Touring tandem: experience with different makes

« on: January 06, 2017, 03:36:34 am »

I have one of these and it is brilliant.

http://www.circecycles.com/products/helios/


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Thanks for the suggestion.  I have seen others who are using folding tandems for long tours (e.g. Flying Cyclists). What is your experience with this type of tandem?  Is the frame sturdy enough for an extended tour (wobbles etc)?  How do you find the smaller wheels to ride on?


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6

Gear Talk / Re: Touring tandem: experience with different makes

« on: January 04, 2017, 03:15:25 am »

Thanks all for the comments.  Yes I was thinking the 26" wheels would be easier to pack, it is now a customisation for the Co-motion mocha as they now use a bigger wheel.  Driving everywhere would be great if we could, but we live on an island, so no option but to fly.  Thanks for confirming what we thought, there are limited other options.  Will take a look for a used one. 


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7

Gear Talk / Touring tandem: experience with different makes

« on: January 02, 2017, 02:44:15 am »

My wife and I have been using a basic tandem for a few years and are planning to upgrade soon.  We want a reliable tandem that fits well, can be packed for air travel and will work for us on extended tours.  We want it to last us for several years.  Some level of robustness is needed because we sometimes ride off road on gravel (but usually relatively flat groomed trails).  Our preferred method of carrying loads is panniers.
We have looked at Comotion, and like the bikes, but to get one In standard size with SS couplers, good quality drive train and solid wheels, packing cases etc. we are looking at around $7,500USD. 
I am left wondering if this level of purchase is spending more than we need to for what we are looking to achieve, but as the saying goes "nobody ever regretted buying quality". 
What I have read from other fora is that custom made sizing is not required and that the size of the captain is most important, as some level of adjustment can be made for the stoker.  So standard size will probably work.
Any thoughts or similar experience from anybody out there?


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8

General Discussion / Re: How do I convince my partner touring is safe?

« on: June 06, 2016, 05:17:45 am »

Thanks all.  Have splashed out on a 'findmespot' device.  When I told my wife about it, she offered to pay for it.  Yes she is a city girl.  I had an accident back in 2009 when a car pulled out in front of me, I went over the hood.  I think that makes her more nervous, but it has actually made me a safer rider.  I am very selective where I ride, and I do use a mirror.  No accidents since 2009, although I did fall over a couple of times when I couldn't get my foot out of the pedals fast enough!  I do like the idea of getting her to drive.  If nothing else, it will convince her that I'm doing what I want to, and she won't worry quite so much.  Not getting any younger, got to do some good tours before my knees or hips give out!


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9

General Discussion / Re: How do I convince my partner touring is safe?

« on: May 30, 2016, 03:46:33 pm »

Thanks all for your replies.  Yes to worries I am lying in a ditch somewhere, have heard that more than once!  Good suggestion for an overnight, will try that, probably with a credit card.  I can't see her going on a one to three month trip, but it may dispel some of the worries by making things more familiar.  Will look into find me spot, sounds good. 

We live in New Zealand, so going overseas for bike touring involves significant travel.  But there are only so many places to see on an island in the Pacific.


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10

General Discussion / How do I convince my partner touring is safe?

« on: May 30, 2016, 05:36:30 am »

HI I am relatively new to cycle touring, although I have been riding road bikes for 7 years.  I have a touring bike, camping gear and have done a couple of tours of 3-5 days, learnt a lot. 
My other half is always worried about me, I was bowled over by a car back in 2009, but no incidents since.  Although I have taken her out on a tandem regularly, she is not one to want to go camping at all.  Her idea of tough going is a hotel that doesn't have wifi.  So the possibility of going together really doesn't come up.  We have both travelled widely, and both lived in the US about 20 years ago, so it is not a worry about strange environments.
I want to do a long tour, such as the transamerica trail, and am confident that I can manage this.  Years go past and it doesn't happen.  The ACA book on the TAT has simply rekindled my determination.   But it is going to be a real challenge to sell this to my wife.  If I am 30min late coming home from work she gets very worried.  How is 3 months going go over?

Any thoughts on how I can manage this, or has anybody had the same experience?


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