1
Gear Talk / Re: Higher quality racks
« on: November 17, 2021, 08:44:25 am »
You think you have problems with low quality racks? This is my second attempt. The first attempt lasted 4 short rides. I hope this does better.
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2
Gear Talk / Re: Adapting ordinary sockets to hex keys.
« on: September 13, 2021, 12:59:20 pm »
The only roadside socket I need is 13 mm. This might not be the best idea if you need all those sizes, but it works for me.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBAI5E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBAI5E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Phone GPS app
« on: June 29, 2021, 10:33:58 am »
Thanks for the heads up about Komoot, Hobbes. I haven't seen this yet in my area. I'll keep my eyes open.
4
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Phone GPS app
« on: June 28, 2021, 09:19:19 pm »
In case somebody else reads this, I found a darn good app -- Komoot. It accepts GPX route files. Routes and maps can be stored on the phone for offline operation. It offers very good voice navigation. The text-to-speech is excellent. My phone battery isn't all that great. But using the "Wake up display" mode, the phone battery lasts longer than my legs. If you don't have GPX route files, Komoot has its own route planner, which in some ways is superior to RideWithGPS. The first map is free. Additional maps are reasonably priced, and include updates. All of this is offered for free. There is a paid version, but the free version has everything I need.
5
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Phone GPS app
« on: June 25, 2021, 04:51:55 pm »Quote
Try Osmand. It will take your gpx file and give TbT (and voice) instructions.
The tutorial video on this page https://osmand.net/features/trip-planning#Planning_trip_using_GPX_track makes it look like a lot of work to get meaningful text to speach.
6
GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Phone GPS app
« on: June 25, 2021, 08:34:11 am »
I create gpx routes with a computer app. Then I load the gpx on a Garmin Edge and follow turn-by-turn directions. I've had two Edges. Both died within 2 years. That's a pretty expensive solution, IMO. Is there an Android app that will duplicate the Garmin experience using offline Google maps?
7
Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?
« on: February 07, 2021, 06:24:27 am »
I ended up with a Hase Trigo. The seat is higher than many other trikes, making it easier to see and be seen. The under-the-seat steering version has front and rear derailleurs to make those hills easier. The frame seems to be strong. I can haul it in my hatchback. If you're tight on space in the garage, you can sit it vertically "nose up" to take a smaller footprint. I'm having bad luck with the weather, but I have 80 miles on it. It's a lot of fun.
8
Gear Talk / Re: padded shorts vs padded saddle - newbie here so go easy on me!
« on: February 04, 2021, 08:37:32 am »
I don't like padded shorts either. I wear athletic compression shorts with running shorts for modesty. It works as well as padded shorts for me. If your saddle is comfortable, you're good to go. One thing I do is move around a lot. When rolling downhill, I put most of my weight on one foot. I get out of the saddle once in a while. Instead of drinking while riding, I stop for 5 minute water breaks.
100 miles a day is a good goal, but I never made it. I did several tours riding 60 to 80 miles a day. The most I ever rode in one day was 97 miles. After setting up for the end of the day, I had to ride a ways to get to a grocery store. I used to roll at sunrise and get a couple of hours in before having a hearty breakfast. Then I might stop mid-day for a hike, see a site, or just relax. I also stopped to blog and Email, usually at a public library. That's how I kept in contact with my family. I also took a day off once every week or more, depending on what I found interesting in an area. I'm sure others could do the tour faster. It's not a race. But you will have to do it again tomorrow. Endurance and moderation were the keys to my tours.
Do it your own way.
100 miles a day is a good goal, but I never made it. I did several tours riding 60 to 80 miles a day. The most I ever rode in one day was 97 miles. After setting up for the end of the day, I had to ride a ways to get to a grocery store. I used to roll at sunrise and get a couple of hours in before having a hearty breakfast. Then I might stop mid-day for a hike, see a site, or just relax. I also stopped to blog and Email, usually at a public library. That's how I kept in contact with my family. I also took a day off once every week or more, depending on what I found interesting in an area. I'm sure others could do the tour faster. It's not a race. But you will have to do it again tomorrow. Endurance and moderation were the keys to my tours.
Do it your own way.
9
Gear Talk / Re: Rohloff SpeedHub
« on: January 14, 2021, 08:40:40 am »
I don't tour these days, but I did tour with a Rohloff, and I still rite quite a bit locally. Touring with a Rohloff was OK, but I don't own one now and I don't plan to ever own another one. I'll start with the good stuff. The Rohloff is an engineering marvel. It is built with the highest level of craftsmanship and quality. There are absolutely no leaks. They even put a LokTite like substance on the tiny oil change port screw.
Now the minor complaints. Rohloff recommends oil changes. They offer an oil change kit that costs a small fortune. I changed oil at recommended intervals. The old oil always looked dark and dirty. I don't know what causes this, but it convinced me to keep on changing the oil at the recommended intervals with the recommended kit. A casual reading of their marketing material indicates you can change to any gear at any time without backing off on the pedal force. A more careful reading of the owner's manual suggests timing the shift to when your feet are vertical, to minimize the pedal force. Then they say something like " ... but if you want to shift under force, we built it strong". That's far from an exact quote, but that's pretty much the message. I recall quoting the page number in an earlier post on this site. You can probably find it if you are feeling energetic. The Rohloff has a very good range from low to high gear. To get that range, they use a two-speed system. The transition in and out of 7 is notably different than the other gear changes. (I might have the gear number off by one, it's been a while.) Shifting into or out of 7 under force is not going to happen.
Finally, the bad stuff. After 15,000 miles, it started to get hard to change the gears. I'm sorry to admit it took me that long to wake up to what I really had. The only two ways to get a Rohloff hub is to buy a wheel that already has a hub, or have a wheel built. If your hub is defective, Rohloff has decent warranty. Simply disassemble your wheel, send the hub off to Germany, and wait for its return. If you are on tour and the hub is causing problems, the only reasonable solution is to have an LBS (local bike shop) convert you back to a derailleur. My experience with LBS on the road was fabulous. The two times I needed their help, they put me at the top of the queue. But a major job like that pretty much means you're going to spend a day or more walking to local attractions. Plus you would hit the road with an untested wheel and derailleur the LBS had in stock. I always wanted 500 miles on every major component before starting a tour. Roadside repairs might be required to get you to an LBS. Roadside repairs of a Rohloff are very unlikely to be necessary. That's a very good thing, because road side repairs are impossible.
Now the minor complaints. Rohloff recommends oil changes. They offer an oil change kit that costs a small fortune. I changed oil at recommended intervals. The old oil always looked dark and dirty. I don't know what causes this, but it convinced me to keep on changing the oil at the recommended intervals with the recommended kit. A casual reading of their marketing material indicates you can change to any gear at any time without backing off on the pedal force. A more careful reading of the owner's manual suggests timing the shift to when your feet are vertical, to minimize the pedal force. Then they say something like " ... but if you want to shift under force, we built it strong". That's far from an exact quote, but that's pretty much the message. I recall quoting the page number in an earlier post on this site. You can probably find it if you are feeling energetic. The Rohloff has a very good range from low to high gear. To get that range, they use a two-speed system. The transition in and out of 7 is notably different than the other gear changes. (I might have the gear number off by one, it's been a while.) Shifting into or out of 7 under force is not going to happen.
Finally, the bad stuff. After 15,000 miles, it started to get hard to change the gears. I'm sorry to admit it took me that long to wake up to what I really had. The only two ways to get a Rohloff hub is to buy a wheel that already has a hub, or have a wheel built. If your hub is defective, Rohloff has decent warranty. Simply disassemble your wheel, send the hub off to Germany, and wait for its return. If you are on tour and the hub is causing problems, the only reasonable solution is to have an LBS (local bike shop) convert you back to a derailleur. My experience with LBS on the road was fabulous. The two times I needed their help, they put me at the top of the queue. But a major job like that pretty much means you're going to spend a day or more walking to local attractions. Plus you would hit the road with an untested wheel and derailleur the LBS had in stock. I always wanted 500 miles on every major component before starting a tour. Roadside repairs might be required to get you to an LBS. Roadside repairs of a Rohloff are very unlikely to be necessary. That's a very good thing, because road side repairs are impossible.
10
Gear Talk / Re: Better components?
« on: December 23, 2020, 02:40:13 pm »
Thanks for the brake info, "T-boss"
11
Gear Talk / Re: Better components?
« on: December 16, 2020, 11:35:57 am »
Thanks very much Dave, especially for the brake info.
12
Gear Talk / Re: Better components?
« on: December 09, 2020, 05:35:46 pm »
Thanks, guys. If I were into minimizing weight, I wouldn't by a trike.
13
Gear Talk / Better components?
« on: December 08, 2020, 02:45:44 pm »
I've been riding for 15 years. It never occurred to me to pay attention to the components. The bike comes with stuff. I ride the bike. Now I am waiting for my Hase Trigo recumbent trike to arrive. The shop asked if I want better components. Here's what comes with the bike:
Brakes: Promax DSK300 mech. disc brakes, forged aluminum brake levers with locking mechanism
Gear system: 24-speed; Shimano Altus Mix, development 1.43 m to 7.36 m
Crankset: Samox, 155 mm, 50/39/30 T
The bike comes with some kind of twist shifter. I've used a twist shifter before and found it OK.
I ride 3 to 4 thousand miles a year. I'm a slow rider (10 to 12 MPH). I ride mostly on the street, but occasionally on a mild trail. I like going up hills. I ride to give my body a chance to do something and to have fun.
What components would be better? Why are they better? Do they last longer? Is there anything wrong with the default components?
Brakes: Promax DSK300 mech. disc brakes, forged aluminum brake levers with locking mechanism
Gear system: 24-speed; Shimano Altus Mix, development 1.43 m to 7.36 m
Crankset: Samox, 155 mm, 50/39/30 T
The bike comes with some kind of twist shifter. I've used a twist shifter before and found it OK.
I ride 3 to 4 thousand miles a year. I'm a slow rider (10 to 12 MPH). I ride mostly on the street, but occasionally on a mild trail. I like going up hills. I ride to give my body a chance to do something and to have fun.
What components would be better? Why are they better? Do they last longer? Is there anything wrong with the default components?
14
Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?
« on: November 18, 2020, 01:49:11 pm »
Well, TCS, you are exactly right. And now I know why. After trying the Stratus for a couple of days, I decided I can learn to ride it. But I don't think I will ever feel secure enough to ride it on the street. I took it back. There are some interesting trikes that let you sit almost as high as a bike which might be good with light traffic. There's not very much in stock right now. I'm going to hibernate for the winger and poke my nose out in the spring. Thanks again to you and dminden1 for your help.
15
Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?
« on: November 17, 2020, 04:28:26 pm »
Thanks for the advice, guys. I went to a bike store that has several recumbents. It turns out their new bikes are 3-wheel because, according to them, 90% of all new recumbents are 3-wheel. But they had several used two-wheel recumbents, and even had some new Tour Easys. (The owner is a super pack rat.) The only short wheel base bike they had was too small for me. But I saw a very nice Rans Stratus XP (the model with two 26" wheels and disk brakes). I have it on a two day loan. I'm discouraged by how hard it is for me to drive the darn thing. I'm so shaky that I can't go out of the neighborhood. Starting on a hill is totally impossible. I guess practice makes perfect.
The Stratus XP is no longer available, but the price listed is $2800. The Stratus LE (with a 20" front wheel) is listed at $2700. To this I would add $60 for shipping and money for a shop to put it together. What does it cost to have a bike put a bike together? What is a fair price for the used bike? It looks almost new to me, but I'm not a mechanic. I'm headed over to bentrider.
The Stratus XP is no longer available, but the price listed is $2800. The Stratus LE (with a 20" front wheel) is listed at $2700. To this I would add $60 for shipping and money for a shop to put it together. What does it cost to have a bike put a bike together? What is a fair price for the used bike? It looks almost new to me, but I'm not a mechanic. I'm headed over to bentrider.