Messages

31

General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT: Need help setting my bike up

« on: January 19, 2011, 06:17:53 pm »

TIRES - How much off road do you intend to ride and how rugged? For me, I like slightly skinnier tires for higher pressure and less rolling resistance (generally), not so hard to get on and off when fixing a flat that I'm cursing the world (shwalbe marathon plus and continental touring gave me issues - especially on those stock alex rims), and fairly puncture resistant. I don't care about weight since I ride fully loaded. With this criteria, and assuming mostly road travel, I recommend shwalbe marathon 28mm.

STEM - Any $20 stem that fits your riding position. I prefer 4 bolt clamp style stems.

SADDLE - Depends on if your riding position is upright or more aggressive. I generally recommend brooks B17 standard.

BREAKS - Stock surly brakes work for me. Replaced a lot of brake pads with the cantilever style breaks though. I liked using koolstop mtb pads.

SEAT POST SUSPENSION - I prefer not.

PEDALS - Clipless IMO. Helps prevent injury and extra efficiency is nice. Any mountain bike style SPD with recessed cleats so walking around of the bike for short distances is simpler.

COMPUTER - Mine always break.

FRONT/REAR LIGHTS - Up to you. If you plan to ride a lot at night something very powerful. I just used the most powerful petzl headlamp which barely sufficed for night riding.

PUMP - Something with a pressure gauge. I like the topeak road morph a lot.

WATER HOLDERS (X3) - Any

FRONT RACK - Lots to consider here. Do you want a platform on top, or just a low rider? I like jandd low rider front rack and surly front nice rack depending on what you're looking for.

REAR RACK - I like lower rails so panniers and something large on the platform can fit. Topeak super tourist DX is nice, or a tubus logo for something fancier.

Have fun!

32

General Discussion / Re: Biking Zion, Bryce, GC

« on: December 28, 2010, 11:37:28 am »

I rode nearly the same thing as part of a longer trip this summer. I had a blast.

Ultimately, I think that area is best traveled by car and on foot in my opinion. The roads from vegas to st. george (assuming that is where you fly into) are less than ideal; you are basically on an interstate through the desert for 100+ miles, though there are side roads available. You may want to arrange transportation to st. george if you are on a schedule and time spent on this section ultimately takes away from time in the parks.

Once you arrive in zion, bryce, and GC, the roads ultimately lead you to magnificent views of those parks. However, to explore them further, you must go on foot.

I really did enjoy biking the roads to the grand canyon from the north, to bryce from the east (through escalante region), and around the grand canyon on the east side towards flagstaff (though that may not be part of your itinerary). However, I was more inspired to stay in each of the parks you mentioned and hike for several days then I was riding my bike between them. If you are considering this during tourist season, traffic may be an issue in certain areas.

As a side note: I enjoyed biking flagstaff -> sedona -> jerome -> prescott in AZ, though past that it quickly descends into what I remember as desert hell. Just in case you were looking to extend the ride a little.