Messages

1

Classifieds / Re: WANTED: Surly Long Haul Trucker 56cm

« on: May 23, 2010, 04:15:54 am »

Check REI, if you are a member, they are having a 20% off one item sale with free shipping.  This would bring the bike in at about $800.  Call them even if you are not a member, they are very helpful and can probably get you a membership and the deal.  Good luck

2

General Discussion / Re: Bike Fit for Person with Bad Shoulders/Knees?

« on: May 23, 2010, 04:10:06 am »

About the handlebars.  I previously dislocated my shoulder and can't use the traditional 39 drops however, I have had very good luck with the 44 drops.  That width corresponds to the width of my shoulders.  Next time I will go with a 46 thought because that will put my hands in the same place as on the mountain bike when I am riding in my typical hands on top of the bar position.  I donot hunch over them since I also broke my back and that is a killer.  So I suspect you may be riding in a similar very straight back position.  On the knees, I had nothing but trouble with bikes until I got "fitted" by the certified guy at the bike shop,  this ended the knee bike issues.  Cant  help with short leg issues, mine are absurdly long. This was the cause of this issue, constantly riding bikes that were too small.  Here hoping your issues can be solved as easily. 

3

Gear Talk / Re: 26 vs. 29 inch wheels if towing a trailer

« on: May 19, 2010, 12:28:13 am »

 I ride a Fisher 29er 30  miles a day for the work commute, then on weekends.  I went through the gaskets in the Rock Shock in 8 months.  It took two months to get the parts to rebuild the shock. I have been riding it for another 6 months including 6 weeks of touring as well and am needing to get them replaced again.  It says in the owners manual how often you need to replace them.  I bring a set with me when touring or change to a solid fork.
I pull a burley, and replaced the tires with solid ones so that i do not have to deal with flats.  The trailer seems to pull better with the solid tires.  If you are planning to do the lake Isabella end of it soon, the goat heads are really bad this year (at least in Bakersfield).  I am running, tuffies and thorn resistant tubes. This combination works the best of anything I have tried.  Have fun and best of luck.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Kickstands?

« on: May 19, 2010, 12:01:19 am »

I solo toured 6 weeks last year with a burley nomad and a fisher 29er without a kickstand.  I seriously recommend that you get a kickstand if at all possible.  Since there are two of you, the situation wont be so bad if one of you holds the bike when you attach the trailer; however, attaching the trailer by yourself is a royal pain.  Also, it is hard to find things long enough to lean the bike and trailer on.  When you lean just the bike it easily falls down, due to the pull of the trailer, and every time the little black rubber part that attaches to the bike gets harder to get lined up.  Best of luck.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!

« on: May 18, 2010, 11:39:51 pm »

On your list of trying things, I noticed that you did not list changing out the front fork, I put a salsa for on my fisher while I was getting the rock shock rebuilt.  It made the bike shake (in a frightening manner) on really fast road downhills.