16
Gear Talk / Re: The Rocky Mountain Sherpa is SWEET
« on: April 29, 2010, 08:41:25 pm »
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17
Colorado / Re: Introduce Yourself
« on: April 28, 2010, 02:57:58 am »
Ron and Nancy - Eagle Valley Colorado
Hello to everyone I know, mostly from other virtual places and fellow Colorado residents.
My wife and I have been touring for a long time and I'm happy to have made at least a couple of lasting positive impressions on the touring scene, statewide and worldwide.
Tailwinds and miles of smiles, or as I used to say so many moons ago on the touring listserv...
sMiles2go
Smiles to go
Smiles and smiles to go.
Hello to everyone I know, mostly from other virtual places and fellow Colorado residents.
My wife and I have been touring for a long time and I'm happy to have made at least a couple of lasting positive impressions on the touring scene, statewide and worldwide.
Tailwinds and miles of smiles, or as I used to say so many moons ago on the touring listserv...
sMiles2go
Smiles to go
Smiles and smiles to go.
18
Gear Talk / Re: Front Rack for Novara Safari
« on: April 28, 2010, 02:53:57 am »
I second and third the Tubus Tara. We have an older Safari and the one shown in the photo (as well as many other touring bikes), which my wife toured Alaska with and the Tara worked beautifully.
19
Classifieds / Re: Wanted 54cm Surly or Cannondale preferred under $600
« on: April 28, 2010, 02:32:20 am »
$450 plus shipping from Colorado. Pretty close to how it's pictured. Doesn't include the extras shown (rack, lights, cages, etc.). This was going to be my wife's commuter bike but she always goes for her Novara Safari, as she doesn't like drop bars very much. If it fit me, there's no way I'd let it go. Let me know here if you're interested.
20
Bike Clubs / Re: UTAH... A True Touring Club ! ! !
« on: April 28, 2010, 02:19:44 am »
Hi MTN Gator,
I'm the creator of the Utah Bicycle Touring Society.
The UBTS did "make it" but every organization takes committed and inspired people to keep things going. When I retired and left the state of Utah, members took the path of least resistance and pulled the UBTS under the big bicycle club in Salt Lake City. Ironically, the organization that the UBTS events were brought into had "touring" in the name but they did no self-sufficient touring. The club focused mostly on short day rides.
The main events that I created for the UBTS still happen at least once a year, in the same place that they began. However, I was the sole effort behind the website and since the Society melded in with another organization, the site was no longer valid.
The UBTS inspired many people to find adventure out on the road.
I'm the creator of the Utah Bicycle Touring Society.
The UBTS did "make it" but every organization takes committed and inspired people to keep things going. When I retired and left the state of Utah, members took the path of least resistance and pulled the UBTS under the big bicycle club in Salt Lake City. Ironically, the organization that the UBTS events were brought into had "touring" in the name but they did no self-sufficient touring. The club focused mostly on short day rides.
The main events that I created for the UBTS still happen at least once a year, in the same place that they began. However, I was the sole effort behind the website and since the Society melded in with another organization, the site was no longer valid.
The UBTS inspired many people to find adventure out on the road.
21
Bike Clubs / UTAH... A True Touring Club ! ! !
« on: March 12, 2007, 01:35:21 am »
This is the first club of it's kind. Totally focused on self-supported touring, with our annual event being a big, *bike camping social!!* Y'all come on out! 
The Utah Bicycle Touring Society.
(Link removed as I've moved on and the club I founded continues with the BBTC)
Cheers,
The Utah Bicycle Touring Society.
(Link removed as I've moved on and the club I founded continues with the BBTC)
Cheers,
22
Gear Talk / The other shoe
« on: May 28, 2007, 07:48:05 pm »
Shimano SPD Sandals are probably the most popular touring shoe made. http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1218 It's the only shoes nancy and I use, for off and on road touring.
Little if anything compares because they dry very quickly after a rain and in concert with Gore-Tex socks http://www.rei.com/product/729120 , they're suitable for cold and wet days.
Have a great time on your tour!
Little if anything compares because they dry very quickly after a rain and in concert with Gore-Tex socks http://www.rei.com/product/729120 , they're suitable for cold and wet days.
Have a great time on your tour!
23
Gear Talk / 2nd best panniers
« on: May 28, 2007, 08:06:06 pm »
I'd have to say that no one makes the best panniers. Best is a subjective classification.
Among North American based tourers, Ortlieb, Arkel, Jandd and Lone Peak seem to be the most commonly used independently made panniers. Across the pond, Carradice is also very popular. There are many others such as Serratus which is affiliated/made for MEC, and those made for Nashbar.
While you can't always tell what the pannier brands are on the bikes in the FLT Gallery www.fullyloadedtouring.com , you can see that there are many approaches. What's best for one person is simply that and nothing more.
Cheers,
Among North American based tourers, Ortlieb, Arkel, Jandd and Lone Peak seem to be the most commonly used independently made panniers. Across the pond, Carradice is also very popular. There are many others such as Serratus which is affiliated/made for MEC, and those made for Nashbar.
While you can't always tell what the pannier brands are on the bikes in the FLT Gallery www.fullyloadedtouring.com , you can see that there are many approaches. What's best for one person is simply that and nothing more.
Cheers,
24
Gear Talk / self sealing innertubes
« on: April 27, 2007, 09:30:42 pm »
Hello and welcome to loaded bike touring.
I think you'd have to look pretty far to find much of an interest among experienced tourers in the tubes you speak of. Touring specific tires take care of us all pretty well in regards to flat resistance. For instance, in all the years that Nancy and I have been touring we've had zero flats. This kind of tire performance is common among the handful of touring favorites made by Continental and Schwalbe. Also the Vittoria Randonneur Pro (and happens to be on sale at Nashbar) has been getting good early reviews. In my experience anything beyond normal tubes and good tires is just useless additional spinning weight that deadens road feel.
The Schwalbe Marathon line is probably the most popular but I've been using Conti for a decade and continue to do so on several of our bikes.
Tailwinds,
I think you'd have to look pretty far to find much of an interest among experienced tourers in the tubes you speak of. Touring specific tires take care of us all pretty well in regards to flat resistance. For instance, in all the years that Nancy and I have been touring we've had zero flats. This kind of tire performance is common among the handful of touring favorites made by Continental and Schwalbe. Also the Vittoria Randonneur Pro (and happens to be on sale at Nashbar) has been getting good early reviews. In my experience anything beyond normal tubes and good tires is just useless additional spinning weight that deadens road feel.
The Schwalbe Marathon line is probably the most popular but I've been using Conti for a decade and continue to do so on several of our bikes.
Tailwinds,
25
Gear Talk / Front Rack for new Safari?
« on: April 11, 2007, 12:07:00 pm »
Have Tara, will travel. Well, the Tubus Tara fits using the Safari's front eyelet with one spacer. The aft tang contacts the fork. A band of electrical tape would protect the paint surface.
07 Safari with Tara rack
I hope this helped.
07 Safari with Tara rack
I hope this helped.
26
Gear Talk / Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« on: March 26, 2007, 12:18:39 am »
To follow up on my last post. The bike in image #124 is a 2006 T2000 so the fork is the same as what's on this year's T2000.
I don't know about the straight forked Ts but I can confirm that T2s from 2003 and back, and T800s can use the Tubus Tara with no mounting issues. One spacer on each side is all that's needed to mount the rack to the rear eyelet as shown in this photo: http://www.pbase.com/image/76187243.jpg
I prefer using the Tara over most other front racks because it folds nicely for shipping yet can carry a lot of weight.
Cheers,
I don't know about the straight forked Ts but I can confirm that T2s from 2003 and back, and T800s can use the Tubus Tara with no mounting issues. One spacer on each side is all that's needed to mount the rack to the rear eyelet as shown in this photo: http://www.pbase.com/image/76187243.jpg
I prefer using the Tara over most other front racks because it folds nicely for shipping yet can carry a lot of weight.
Cheers,
27
Gear Talk / Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« on: March 25, 2007, 10:40:50 pm »
Check out the bike in image #124 in the FLT Gallery, www.fullyloadedtouring.com
I'm not certain, but it looks like the Jandd rack to me.
Cheers,
I'm not certain, but it looks like the Jandd rack to me.
Cheers,
28
Gear Talk / Digital Cameras
« on: March 12, 2007, 01:03:18 am »
Hello and welcome to touring.
I'm as much of a photographer as I am a cyclist. I took over 3800 photos on my last 1 month tour. The FLT gallery is also a photo/touring creation of mine.
I for one don't see the need to spend extra on a camera body if all I'm getting for the money is the addition of weather resistance. If you're prone to having bad luck perhaps that's not the right answer for you though.
Every year, my touring gear is taken into high heat and heavy rains. I've never had any electronic gear fail while on tour.
Cheers,
I'm as much of a photographer as I am a cyclist. I took over 3800 photos on my last 1 month tour. The FLT gallery is also a photo/touring creation of mine.
I for one don't see the need to spend extra on a camera body if all I'm getting for the money is the addition of weather resistance. If you're prone to having bad luck perhaps that's not the right answer for you though.
Every year, my touring gear is taken into high heat and heavy rains. I've never had any electronic gear fail while on tour.
Cheers,
29
Gear Talk / Touring tires
« on: March 02, 2007, 01:23:48 pm »
Panaracer Pasela: Everyone I personally know that's had them (3 people), had a sidewall blow out early in the tire's life. Three years ago I got to witness this when the front Pasela TourGuard blew on a friend's new *unloaded* Surly LHT. The tire had less than 100 miles on it and was properly inflated.
A couple of months ago I wasn't shocked to see something similar at the beginning of the tour for these two: "Only 30kms into the trip and Sarahs tire was already trashed!" http://blog.erck.org/?p=103#comments The failed tire in the photo looks exactly like the failure I saw first hand.
Personally, I wouldn't use them if they were free.
We tour 30 days a year each summer and never had issues with either Continental or Schwalbe touring tires. Not one flat on tour thus far. This includes extensive touring in Utah, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Switzerland with heavy loads. That said, I always expect having a flat and I won't be surprised if our 30 days in Alaska this year ends the no-flat streak.
Cheers,
Ron
www.fullyloadedtouring.com
A couple of months ago I wasn't shocked to see something similar at the beginning of the tour for these two: "Only 30kms into the trip and Sarahs tire was already trashed!" http://blog.erck.org/?p=103#comments The failed tire in the photo looks exactly like the failure I saw first hand.
Personally, I wouldn't use them if they were free.
We tour 30 days a year each summer and never had issues with either Continental or Schwalbe touring tires. Not one flat on tour thus far. This includes extensive touring in Utah, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Switzerland with heavy loads. That said, I always expect having a flat and I won't be surprised if our 30 days in Alaska this year ends the no-flat streak.
Cheers,
Ron
www.fullyloadedtouring.com
30
Gear Talk / Marathon XR-changing tires??
« on: February 24, 2007, 11:26:13 am »
Hi KCReswel,
I'm curious why you had your bike shop install the tires. Tire changing is something every tourer should be comfortable in doing themselves; more so than any other type of cyclist.
Ease of installation varies somewhat from rim to rim but is related more to the tires. Schwalbes are some of the tighter fitting tires I've used but in most cases they've been manageable.
That said, the first time I planned to give Schwalbe Marathons (first version) a try, they were incredibility tough to get them mounted to a pair of Mavic 221 rimed wheels. I returned them and used Continental TravelContacts instead.
In this case, I'd advise that you try removing and reinstalling at least one of the tires to see what you're up against. Chances are it's going to be an easier task if the wheel and tire are warm so try to change it with that condition met.
Ron
www.fullyloadedtouring.com
I'm curious why you had your bike shop install the tires. Tire changing is something every tourer should be comfortable in doing themselves; more so than any other type of cyclist.
Ease of installation varies somewhat from rim to rim but is related more to the tires. Schwalbes are some of the tighter fitting tires I've used but in most cases they've been manageable.
That said, the first time I planned to give Schwalbe Marathons (first version) a try, they were incredibility tough to get them mounted to a pair of Mavic 221 rimed wheels. I returned them and used Continental TravelContacts instead.
In this case, I'd advise that you try removing and reinstalling at least one of the tires to see what you're up against. Chances are it's going to be an easier task if the wheel and tire are warm so try to change it with that condition met.
Ron
www.fullyloadedtouring.com