Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: 9 speed or 10 speed for my new bike build up?

« on: August 12, 2015, 11:13:02 am »

I find all the gearing below 20 inches some what perplexing. So I am grinding up hill using 20 inch gearing and now have to dive towards the side of the road. No way I can spin fast enough to maintain control of the bike and stay out of the ditch!!

Well SlowAndSlower, you are not living up to your nom de plume.
22x36@90rpm yields around 5mph on my 29er tires. Balance and control is not particularly difficult at that pace.

Well I don't think I am capable of sustaining 90 RPM as I'm seeing more like 3.5-4.5 mph. The problem of balance and control comes when you suddenly are going downhill and not uphill at that gearing. I'm not saying anything other than I have this issue and concern.

17

Gear Talk / Re: 9 speed or 10 speed for my new bike build up?

« on: August 12, 2015, 11:06:47 am »

I don't understand what you mean by that.  I can't say I have ever had a problem with that.  Why would you be diving toward the side of the road and why would it make you unable to maintain control?

I have had many occasions where I am grinding up hill and because of traffic choose to move off towards the shoulder. Suddenly I have no pedal resistance. I just could not spin fast enough for me exert control of the bike. Maybe its just my poor bicycle handling skills. But it happened a lot to me between Virginia and the Mississippi.

Its kind of like when you hit sand or loose dirt, you need to power out of it or go down.

18

Gear Talk / Re: 9 speed or 10 speed for my new bike build up?

« on: August 11, 2015, 10:26:20 pm »

I find all the gearing below 20 inches some what perplexing. So I am grinding up hill using 20 inch gearing and now have to dive towards the side of the road. No way I can spin fast enough to maintain control of the bike and stay out of the ditch!!

19

Gear Talk / Re: 9 speed or 10 speed for my new bike build up?

« on: August 11, 2015, 10:18:48 pm »

Shimano Deore mountain bike long rear derailleur, fairly new, 9 or 10 speed model.

For use with 10-speed road shifters you must use a 9-speed era MTB rear derailleur.  The current 10-speed MTB rear derailleurs have a different cable pull requirement and won't work with 10-speed road shifters.

Except MicroShift has bar end shifters for Shimano mtb 10 speed RDs. See Referenced ACA article.
Yes I know you meant STI road shifters. SRAM??

20

Gear Talk / Re: 9 speed or 10 speed for my new bike build up?

« on: August 10, 2015, 07:51:50 pm »

The only issue I can see using 10 speed would be mixing road indexed shifters with mtb 10 speed cassettes. Adventure Cycling magazine had an article on gearing that covered the this and how various companies address the issue. I suggest reading this article.

I would give some thought about the braking you will want to use too.

21

General Discussion / Re: Should I pack an Air Pillow

« on: August 05, 2015, 01:18:07 pm »

IMHO pillows, at home and touring, are really personal preferences. I need very little pillow loft, if any at all to sleep comfortably. I have an Exped pillow-pump and it worked okay for both functions. But on the last tour I left it at home and did great without it. I did take the pillow cover and stuffed it with my wind shirt for sleeping.

22

Gear Talk / Re: Lights that will attach to the light mounting holes on racks

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:05:42 pm »

The Tubus racks accept http://www.bumm.de/produkte/batterie-ruecklicht.html taillights. Perter White and Harris cyclery sell some of those shown.

23

General Discussion / Re: TransAmerica bike tour- travel East or West?

« on: July 05, 2015, 11:08:55 pm »

@staehpj1
I can only surmise myself as why that may be the case, if indeed it is.
 
First there is typically one start point on the east, Yorktown, whereas on the west you have Florence, Newport, and Astoria. It seems the majority starting in the east start around the first couple weeks in May and their first three or four overnights center around Willis Church, Ashland RV campground and then Mineral. So there are these opportunities to connect early on.

For the first 10-11 days going west it tests your endurance, especially Afton and on, causing short days and rests days for many. This generates opportunities to play leap frog and frequent meet ups. Plus everyone seems to shoot for the known hospitality stopovers like Troutdale, The Place, Rosedale, Outlook, and Hindman for example.

I have followed maybe 8-10 CGOAB TA journals for 2015. However there are not that many west to east journals in the mix this year so I have limited data there. I'm only looking at 2015 to sort out an itinerary for myself for a possible 2016 run at the TA again.

24

General Discussion / Re: TransAmerica bike tour- travel East or West?

« on: July 05, 2015, 06:45:56 pm »

IMHO West to East will be easier if you are low on conditioning. East to West has more steeper climbs early on.

But I believe you will hook up and share the experience with more riders going east-west. This is from reading several journals and my experience as well.

25

Gear Talk / Re: Recommendations for Long Sleeved Jerseys & Tights for Sun Protection

« on: July 04, 2015, 05:34:43 pm »

There are several sources for long sleeve jerseys (REI, Performance Bike) but somewhat limited for leggings.
I like https://www.desotosport.com/category/cycling

BTW I also like the Da Brim for the helmet.

26

General Discussion / Re: What can towns offer cyclists?

« on: July 03, 2015, 05:39:34 pm »

It's always nice when I ride into town if there is some type of sign directing me to approved camping spots.  The symbols used on the ACA maps for signs would be helpful.  Often times I have to consult google maps to find the available services.  A big plus for me is the availability of a warm shower.

+1 I would like to see ACA develop a sign format that a town could promote it's services to the touring cyclist;

• Free water
  Camping free/public/commercial
  Places to eat
  B&B's, hotels, motels accommodating touring cyclist.
  Stores where bicycle and camping supplies can be bought.

Sort like the Interstate exit signs for services and lodging.
A "newspaper" box about events and local maps.

27

Routes / Re: Southern tier in the summer time

« on: June 01, 2015, 03:02:21 pm »

But on the other hand the early morning rides in the desert are really nice starting around 4:30 am.

4:30 AM?

This morning it was out the door at 5:15 am. Will be earlier and earlier until the 21st of the month. It was quite nice as some of the cactus blooms were still open.

28

Routes / Re: Southern tier in the summer time

« on: May 31, 2015, 05:54:44 pm »

  On the other hand, if you love 100 F heat and drab brown land you may love the ST in Summer.  Apparently some folks do.

Phoenix is around 106 F with 14% humidity now. We'll be in the triples mostly through the summer and the monsoons will up the humidity considerably soon. But on the other hand the early morning rides in the desert are really nice starting around 4:30 am. The desert shows itself off best in the cooler parts of the day.

29

Gear Talk / Re: Touring without fenders - big mistake?

« on: May 20, 2015, 09:47:22 pm »

I don't like fenders just because of the "fiddle factor" and the two more things to go wrong.

That being said I now have Planet Bike Cascadia fenders on the touring bike because I ruined my cycling jersey form gunky road crap in Kentucky.

30

Gear Talk / Re: Single pair of shoes, or bike AND walking shoes?

« on: May 20, 2015, 09:37:31 pm »

Sandals do offer a wide choose of warmth from bare feet to SealSkinz's and can "open up" to adjust to thickness.
I like the Shimano two strap version and they are comfortable for me to walk in. Especially up hills pushing the bike:)