Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Getting Starting: Self Contained Touring

« on: July 29, 2010, 12:14:06 pm »

Buying stuff is not the answer, especially since money is tight. You've got a bike and some lightweight outdoor gear, and that's mostly what you need. Maybe you need a rack and a couple of panniers.

I suggest just getting out and trying some overnight trips near home. Find out if you enjoy it, and if you really do, then start upgrading when you can afford it.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/S24O/ Is a great little article describing just how simple overnight tours can be.

17

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

« on: July 28, 2010, 06:22:36 pm »

This thread should be closed by the admins.

Or at the least, the subject should be reworded for accuracy to something like "My Personal Poor Experience with a Salsa Fargo"

18

Gear Talk / Re: Simple question: Bottle racks?

« on: July 27, 2010, 11:50:10 pm »

I have three and they work great, even with standard water bottles.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=26279&category=272

19

Gear Talk / Lopsided Brooks B17 ?

« on: July 24, 2010, 02:00:53 pm »

I was working on my bike the other day and noticed that the Brooks B17 saddle was not level left-to-right. It's about 1-3mm higher on one side.

I pulled it off the seat post and sure enough, one of the rails is shaped slightly different from the other.

Now, I've had the saddle for almost a year, and I don't think my tush notices the slant, but I do recall a few months ago wondering why the bike pulled to one side when I took my hands off the bars. I attributed that to a nearly empty pannier on one side of the rear rack.

I know that Brooks saddles are known to morph to fit a tush, or perhaps it's the tush that morphs to fit the saddle, but is it possible the saddle rails where straight when purchased and have since bent?

As far as a break-in period... I remember that the first few hours on the brand new saddle where very uncomfortable, but just 15 miles into the saddle it didn't bother me anymore. I think it feels the same now as it did back then after the first day of use, just fine. So if Brooks will take the saddle back I don't think I would have a problem breaking a new one in.

20

Gear Talk / Re: bIKE COMPUTER

« on: July 18, 2010, 12:39:05 pm »

I've had the $12 wired Bell from Target for a few months and it works great.

It's all I need, and the price cannot be beat.

21

Gear Talk / Re: Good Cycling Shorts w/ Chamois

« on: July 17, 2010, 09:27:36 pm »

Sounds like Pearl Izumi is the way to go. Thx.

Any issues with the PI liners under everyday shorts?

22

Youth Bicyle Travel / Can I Tour with a Trail-a-bike?

« on: July 13, 2010, 06:22:29 pm »

Family tours using tandems are common, but can it work with a 5-year old who doesn't pedal much on a trail-a-bike?

23

Gear Talk / Good Cycling Shorts w/ Chamois

« on: July 11, 2010, 09:23:20 pm »

Last year I bought a pair of REI shorts with a built-in chamois http://www.rei.com/product/793149 but didn't actually ride with them until this week.

Overall the fit is good, but the chamois is HUGE, thick, and stiff. They don't look so bad in the mirror, but it feels like I've got a big foam rectangle in my pants.

The last chamois shorts I had were the lycra type and the chamois was thinner and not so stiff. Those felt fine.

Maybe I just need to wash these REI shorts fifty times to loosen them up, or....

Can anyone recommend a good touring short, cargo style, with a less-than-diaper-sized chamois?

24

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for a great shop to buy touring bikes

« on: July 07, 2010, 06:27:31 pm »

$22 and currently in stock.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175533_-1_201521_10000_200388

25

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for a great shop to buy touring bikes

« on: July 05, 2010, 01:42:45 pm »

I don't like drops so the Trek 520 is out.

You could always put REI/Safari-style trekking bars on the Trek 520. I bought an early Safari (circa 2000) and it was a good bike, but back then they were CroMo and I think better crafted. I rode a '09 Safari last year (before deciding on a LHT) and I didn't like the way it rode.

After reconfiguring and replacing many of my stock LHT's components, I know that the next bike I buy I will probably build from the frame up myself.

What's your budget?

26

Gear Talk / Re: Which pedal?

« on: July 04, 2010, 11:35:39 pm »

I just did a comparison of the M770, M540, and M970 on Shimano's web site http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M770.-type-.html and the specs seems to be nearly identical. Well, the M925's are 25 grams lighter than the other two.

27

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendation for a great shop to buy touring bikes

« on: July 04, 2010, 11:24:40 pm »

yumadons,

Why not specify your home location in your user profile for local suggestions?

It's important to own a new bike for a little while before jumping into a long tour with it. Buying a bike near home is probably smart.

28

Gear Talk / Re: Which pedal?

« on: July 03, 2010, 03:55:52 pm »

What do you like better about the A530's?

I had problems getting in and out of the cleat side (suppose it could have been fixed by adjusting) and riding with standard shoes on the platform side was really uncomfortable.

29

Routes / Re: Pacific Coast - starting in Bellingham or Seattle?

« on: July 03, 2010, 01:10:50 am »

Seattle's not so bad, especially if you're there on a Saturday or Sunday 

It's always fun to hop a ferry from downtown Seattle and instantly escape the hustle/bustle the moment you board the boat.

30

GPS & Digital Data Discussion / Re: Danno's 1st GPS

« on: July 02, 2010, 01:33:48 pm »

I'm in the same boat.

I'm currently leaning towards the Delorme Earthmate PN-60 because it's brand new to the market and does not require an additional map purchase.