Topics

16

Gear Talk / Derailleur compatibility lower gears

« on: March 11, 2012, 10:16:54 pm »

My wife's bike seems to be perfect with one exception. It needs lower gearing. She only carries about 25 lbs of gear and generally speaking we are flat landers with the exception of some hills. Her current set-up is Tiagra front and rear dérailleurs and a Tiagra crank with 50/34 rings. Rear cassette is a 25/12. Although our style of riding does not require super low gearing, she has problems with hills and bridges and needs to go lower than where she is now. I believe the primary limiting factor is her Tiagra dérailleurs. What is the lowest front and rear rings/sprockets her current derailluers will handle.

17

Gear Talk / Chain Length

« on: March 10, 2012, 08:17:53 pm »

I just put on a new SRAM 971 chain and expected to need to remove at couple of links. To my surprise the new chain was the exact length of my existing chain. I have 440 mm chain stays and did not think that was overly long. I have a triple ring in the front (50 tooth is largest) and my largest rear sprocket is 32 teeth. I would think there are alot of bikes out there that would requie a longer chain. Just curious, is my situation unusual? Also the new chain has a grease type lube, can I ride it as is. What if I change to my dry lube can I just add it now and go. I would not think the two are compatable.

18

General Discussion / Amtrack Question Seattle Area

« on: March 07, 2012, 08:13:17 pm »

Planning to take the Coast Starlight into Seattle. Then Amtraks bus transfer to Vancouver. The layover is only 30 minutes and I will have two bikes to put together. Question is, can I just take my boxed bikes and put them on the bus and go? Is the bus station at Vancouvers Pacific Central Station the type of place I will feel comfortable assembling bikes at my midnight arrival time? Last question, I have a two mile bike ride from Vancouvers Pacific Central Station to my accommodations is that area safe in the wee hours?

19

Gear Talk / Chain selection

« on: February 27, 2012, 09:50:27 am »

Its time to replace the chain on my bike. I know this may be a somewhat subjective issue but which chain should I buy? I would like to go SRAM because I like their connector link. Are they fully compatible with the existing Shimano drive line? Next question is price. I noticed  thru Nashbar  SRAM chains for 9 speeds run from approx. 15.00 for a basic chain to 58.00 for a hollow pin design. There are also chains in between those prices. If it's an issue I,m a light tourer generally 30 LBS of gear on flat terraine, paved. I've also noticed there are other brands out there (BBB and Wipperman) whats the difference. I guess I could stick with Shimano but they have different grades also. How does one choose.

20

General Discussion / Travel info Portland to Seattle

« on: February 20, 2012, 11:36:57 pm »

Can anyone give route info for riding from Portland to Seattle. Traffic, scenery ,hills, shoulders, bike lanes etc. how about weather also for first week of June. I am from Florida and am unfamiliar with area, I plan to be in san francisco will Amtrack to Portland and then ride north.

21

Gear Talk / removing tabs on fork

« on: January 29, 2012, 08:18:21 pm »

I frequently remove my front wheel for transport and would like to make the job less of a hassle by removing the little tabs or nubs at the lower end of the fork. I seem to have heard they are unnecessary and are only there to reduce the manufactures liability.  I had several bikes from the 1980-90's that did not have them.

22

Routes / touring route for california

« on: January 19, 2012, 09:57:12 pm »

I have 14 days to tour using San Fran. as a starting and ending point. Any recommendations for cities to visit and roads to take/avoid. I need to include wine country in the route. A loop would be preferable. Would like to ride approx 50 miles a day as I am looking to do some visiting and not just put on the miles.

23

General Discussion / bike travel in cuba

« on: November 05, 2011, 07:41:45 pm »

Can anyone provide info on either self directed touring or a reasonable tour company in Cuba. I did some checking on the internet and what I found was expensive and was more of a biking vacation than touring. Also I know visiting Cuba is restricted for U S citizens but I heard there is an organization that will facilitate travel there based on some type of cultural or humanitarian excahnge.

24

General Discussion / hip pain

« on: September 29, 2011, 08:53:16 pm »

I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right hip. I ride about 100 miles a week and just started doing week long trips riding 50 to 60 mile a day. Will the riding help or cause the problem to get worse. Doctor says I will eventually need a hip replacement. Will I be able to ride again after the replacement. Would like to increase rides to 2 to 3 weeks in the near future. If anyone has experience with this please advise.