Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Rain Jacket? Yes. Rain pants?

« on: February 05, 2021, 11:01:28 am »

I've used rain jackets and pants riding, and have the same issues with sweat inside the rain gear.   It is nice to have them once stopped though.

I have a bike specific rain poncho that I like more than the jacket/pants combo for riding.  Mine is from Vaude, has loops to stay on your hands (out on the handlebar). Poncho + full fenders seems to work pretty well. Not great in wind though - it's kind of a sail.

2

General Discussion / Re: A musty item -

« on: August 25, 2020, 06:07:38 pm »

I once put some damp swim trunks and Teva sandals in a plastic bag, so as not to get other stuff wet in the pannier.

That was a stinky mistake....  Better to just bungee it all on the outside and let it dry while riding.

3

General Discussion / Re: Which non greasy sunscreen?

« on: August 13, 2020, 06:12:57 pm »

I like No-Ad, available in 32oz bottle at Walmart for about $10, IIRC. Lots of different SPF choices.

Non greasy, non staining.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Bag volume, weight, cost for touring/bike packing?

« on: July 23, 2020, 09:28:08 pm »

My panniers (old Jandd ones) aren't waterproof - but based on a tip decades ago, I use trash compactor bags for liners inside the panniers. Waterproof and durable.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Bike buying advice

« on: July 21, 2020, 10:06:55 am »

Hello all,

So looking at a specialized diverged. 56' frame. im 5'11 and 215lbs.

I want a bike i can ride everyday and take on longer day rides but also when i become consumed with spontaneity  or boredome take it all the way across the US if i feel like it.(been mulling this idea over for awhile as I get in shape since covid has upended a lot of my life.)

Thoughts and advice as I have very little bike knowledge. Thanks in advance.

Edited a little for the points that stood out to me -

1) That's probably the right frame size.  I'm 6'0" and I'm usually on a 56cm frame. There's still some guesswork in buying without trying, but if that's what you have to do...

2) Have you done any touring of any kind? E.G., carrying loads, and/or riding day after day, and/or, camping + riding.  Or are long bike trips more of an aspirational goal?

IMHO the elements that make a bike fun to ride unloaded are different from what makes for a good loaded touring bike.  You can use a dedicated touring bike as an unloaded "regular" road bike, but it may feel heavy, dead, slow, etc.  They do make for good, durable commuter bikes though, if that's more what your daily rides would be.

3) "Little bike knowledge" = tech knowledge, or are you new to riding overall?

I agree with the suggestion that a used bike can be the best way to go - but you'll need to be able to assess condition and quality. If you don't have the background for this, do you have a friend close by who can look at potential purchases for you or with you?

6

Gear Talk / Re: Mechanical or hydro?

« on: July 20, 2020, 10:55:44 am »

I'd never heard of the Gevenalle shifter mounts before. Interesting...

Reminded me of the Kelly Take Offs, which I had on a cross bike years ago. Looks like they still make them. Reasonably cheap - they use a downtube shifter but mount it inside the handlebar.  I thought they were OK - not as immediately convenient as brifters, slightly easier to reach than bar ends.

http://www.kellybike.com/product/takeoff/

7

General Discussion / Re: eBikes for touring

« on: July 19, 2020, 09:15:43 pm »

We are hoping so.... just took my wife's bike (Rivendell Betty Foy) into a shop to be converted to an e-assist ride. Tech is telling me it will be a good option for 40 - 50 miles/day with assist only. Will give you all a review in a month.

I bet Grant Petersen would love to have a pic of the ebike conversion Rivendell.  Please email one to him.

8

Gear Talk / Re: Touring capable road bike

« on: June 24, 2020, 01:04:44 pm »

Just starting research on a new bicycle for my wife and would like recommendations and suggestions of considerations when buying. 

My wife is now 70 and has had road bikes rather than touring bikes. 

What does your wife want for this bike? Have you asked?

Not trying to be obnoxious about it, serious question.  There's a ton of widely varying suggestions already in this thread, and I suspect many are making assumptions based on what they personally prefer.

If she's going to be doing just credit card touring, wouldn't any bike work just fine? (backpacker type saddlebag and a handlebar bag can go on anything) So, have *her* pick something she's going to like riding.

9

General Discussion / Re: Used touring bicycles

« on: June 22, 2020, 10:42:42 am »

They would be foolish to turn away the business.

Not necessarily.  Cheap bikes take more time to fix, it takes a mechanic with broader skills, and there are often more costly things wrong than the bike owner realizes.  I work at a bike donation & giveaway place, and you wouldn't believe how long it can take to get a bike simply to the safe-and-usable state.  A shop owner probably sees "trouble" written all over the discount bikes.

Other than the really cheap stuff like beach cruisers, the Bikesdirect bikes are real bikes, using real parts, and are no worse to work on than big brands. Lots of the cheaper ones (say, $500 and less) have cheap drivetrains like Altus or Tourney, generic no name hubs, cheap bottom brackets, etc, but you'll find the same on the low end Trek, Giant, etc.  I think bike shops look down on them because they are direct sales competition.

I'd avoid the BD full suspension bikes (some scary designs in there)but I think their hybrids and basic road bikes can be a good deal. Their frames are just catalog frames, and I'd expect many are the same ones you'll find - with different paint - sold by brands like Fuji, KHS, and other smaller / less expensive end of the market brands.

10

General Discussion / Re: Used touring bicycles

« on: June 21, 2020, 11:01:04 am »

You could probably find something suitable and new at bikesdirect.  Look on a real computer, not just phone or tablet - their website is crowded and a big screen helps.

If you buy from them, you should expect to be able to assemble and adjust the bike yourself.  Your local bike shop may not take kindly to assembling one of their bikes.