241
Gear Talk / Re: Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?
« on: April 27, 2010, 03:36:45 pm »Sounds like a case of PEBCAK.Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard.
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242
Gear Talk / Re: Jamis Aurora 2009 handlebar bag suggestions
« on: April 26, 2010, 03:53:24 pm »
I don't have a Jamis Aurora, but the most flexible handlebar bag mount probably is the Arkel. You can shift it around to suit your needs.
The Aurora has STI shifters, right? That introduces another issue: some bags will interfere with shifter movement and cable runs. A decaleur and handlebar bag might give you the mounting flexibility you need.
The Aurora has STI shifters, right? That introduces another issue: some bags will interfere with shifter movement and cable runs. A decaleur and handlebar bag might give you the mounting flexibility you need.
243
General Discussion / Re: the best new bicycle for offroad use
« on: April 26, 2010, 03:46:11 pm »
To be a little more exact, we need more context.
Every material has its benefits and drawbacks. No single material is categorically the best in all situations. Are your priorities durability, speed, or price? You get to pick two of those and reality will set the third parameter.
Every material has its benefits and drawbacks. No single material is categorically the best in all situations. Are your priorities durability, speed, or price? You get to pick two of those and reality will set the third parameter.
244
General Discussion / Re: the best new bicycle for offroad use
« on: April 26, 2010, 03:43:45 pm »
Yes.
245
General Discussion / Re: first timer
« on: April 21, 2010, 10:17:38 am »
A Roadmaster might not be the best bike for doing a loaded tour. I wasn't aware that Roadmaster ever made a bike that was capable of loaded touring. Make sure to do some loaded tests well ahead of your departure date. If this bicycle is working for you, then great!
The weight of a touring bicycle is a secondary concern to its functionality and durability.
The weight of a touring bicycle is a secondary concern to its functionality and durability.
246
Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!
« on: April 20, 2010, 02:27:54 pm »
As an engineer, I am intimately aware that 100% quality control is a near impossibility. The fact of it is: nobody wants to pay the price of 100% defect-free merchandise.
It stinks that you had to run hither and thither because of a defective frame. That running around had nothing to do with Salsa. Those circumstances existed outside of the defective frame. If your Surly was defective, you would still have been running around. You were the cause of sitting in SoCal traffic, not Salsa.
Now, you said Salsa ignored your initial requests for help. I'll take you at face value there and scream with you "Total Weak Sauce!" But Tim reached out to you, reached out to us, and has sworn that Salsa stands behind their goods. I'll also take that at face value until proven otherwise.
I empathize that you are waxing vitriolic on the topic, but Salsa really seems to be going the extra mile here.
It stinks that you had to run hither and thither because of a defective frame. That running around had nothing to do with Salsa. Those circumstances existed outside of the defective frame. If your Surly was defective, you would still have been running around. You were the cause of sitting in SoCal traffic, not Salsa.
Now, you said Salsa ignored your initial requests for help. I'll take you at face value there and scream with you "Total Weak Sauce!" But Tim reached out to you, reached out to us, and has sworn that Salsa stands behind their goods. I'll also take that at face value until proven otherwise.
I empathize that you are waxing vitriolic on the topic, but Salsa really seems to be going the extra mile here.
247
General Discussion / Re: (Ireland to...) Vancouver to San Francisco
« on: April 18, 2010, 12:08:59 pm »
Definitely a great time weather-wise. Around the 4th of July weekend, the traffic will be horrendous and campgrounds will be busy on the coast. As geeg mentioned, you usually won't be turned away at a state park on bike.
If you are interested in swinging over to Portland Oregon and seeing some sights, I am happy to host touring cyclists. I am on WarmShowers.org (http://www.warmshowers.org/users/waynemyer).
If you are interested in swinging over to Portland Oregon and seeing some sights, I am happy to host touring cyclists. I am on WarmShowers.org (http://www.warmshowers.org/users/waynemyer).
248
Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!
« on: April 17, 2010, 08:07:24 am »I will contact Topanga Creek today to thank them for helping you with this issue and to make sure their needs are met. If you have any additional needs, please feel free to contact me direct at tkrueger at salsacycles.com.
We stand behind our products 100%, and I feel this was just an issue of miscommunication, as we typically respond to emails or phone calls within 24 hours. Again, I am really sorry for your experience, and if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Ride and Smile,
Tim, Salsa Cycles
I sure do like a company with their finger on the pulse. This impresses me greatly and certainly goes far to putting the Fargo back in the running on my list of Wants.
249
Gear Talk / Re: TIRES - 700c vs 26 inch for long tours AND S&S Couplers
« on: April 16, 2010, 11:09:49 am »I rode in the rain once without fenders and found about 4 ounces of water in the downtube.I think I figured out your problem!
The last time I rode in the rain without fenders, I was brushing grit out of my mouth for the rest of the day. It took three washings to get the grit out of my clothing and two showers to get it out of my hair. Road grit, in the rain, without fenders... it's like particulate osmosis. That stuff just gets everywhere!
250
General Discussion / Re: REI Bikes
« on: April 16, 2010, 11:04:30 am »
"Look at the big brain on Brad!" Sorry, couldn't resist.
I agree; it is quite impressive to see the bicycles people used for touring and randonneuring in the past, long before bicycles were refined and perfected.
I agree; it is quite impressive to see the bicycles people used for touring and randonneuring in the past, long before bicycles were refined and perfected.
251
Gear Talk / Re: TIRES - 700c vs 26 inch for long tours AND S&S Couplers
« on: April 14, 2010, 07:56:10 pm »
Tires: that's a religious argument for touring in the US. I think it's a matter of how tall you are, how much you are carrying, and what else you wish to do with the bike. I recently installed 700c on my do-everything bike (it came with 26") and it is an ecstatic thing.
S&S: if you want to get them installed on an existing frame, the places I have seen will only install them on steel or titanium bikes. Comotion is of the opinion that S&S should be installed at design time and advises against retrofits. Given the legendary handling of Comotion frames, I am inclined to believe them. Anecdata: I have talked with many people about their S&S couplers because I planning a purchase of a new tandem with S&S. Everyone has expressed only joy with the system. I have yet to hear one negative thing. Again, very second-hand information, so take it with a grain of salt.
S&S: if you want to get them installed on an existing frame, the places I have seen will only install them on steel or titanium bikes. Comotion is of the opinion that S&S should be installed at design time and advises against retrofits. Given the legendary handling of Comotion frames, I am inclined to believe them. Anecdata: I have talked with many people about their S&S couplers because I planning a purchase of a new tandem with S&S. Everyone has expressed only joy with the system. I have yet to hear one negative thing. Again, very second-hand information, so take it with a grain of salt.
252
Gear Talk / Re: Salsa Fargo - Lemon of the year!
« on: April 13, 2010, 12:04:11 pm »
I am not so sure it is a defective frame. In reading other's reviews about the Salsa Fargo (ref: threads on CrazyGuyOnABike.com), I think the Salsa Fargo is designed to only have a very light load on the front. That front rack is awfully small and the designers are trying to say something to riders.
Thank you for the heads up. It is seriously disappointing because I really wanted a Salsa Fargo after seeing one in the LBS. I hope that Salsa rectifies their front end issues on this platform because I think it has serious potential for Fun.
Thank you for the heads up. It is seriously disappointing because I really wanted a Salsa Fargo after seeing one in the LBS. I hope that Salsa rectifies their front end issues on this platform because I think it has serious potential for Fun.
253
Gear Talk / Re: Tool time
« on: April 12, 2010, 04:40:15 pm »
I find that there is no substitute for "real" tools. After a minor repair or two using one of those all-in-one tools (Crank 19), I gave it to someone just starting out with bicycles.
I have never needed more than these tools, but I haven't toured outside the US. YMMV. Depending on your faith in your platform and how far you are going: cassette tool, cable cutters, tire boot, cash.
- I went through my bicycle and found all the allen wrench sizes I would need. I bought a special kind of articulated allen wrench from Fastenal, only in those sizes. Multitools can't reach, say, the tension bolts for brake levers.
- A "real" chain tool such as Park's Chain Brute is in my kit.
- Emergency spoke, e.g. FiberFix, and/or extra spokes.
- Spoke wrench
- A small bottle of dry lube and wet lube (when going out more than 200 miles)(squeaks drive me nuts).
I have never needed more than these tools, but I haven't toured outside the US. YMMV. Depending on your faith in your platform and how far you are going: cassette tool, cable cutters, tire boot, cash.
254
Gear Talk / Re: small wheel folding bikes vs. traditional frames with S&S couplers
« on: April 12, 2010, 11:18:38 am »
The S&S coupled frame is a zero-compromise platform. Shipping is a little more complex because of the disassembly, but if the most traditional ride feel is what you are after, I think you will be hard-pressed to beat an S&S coupled bike.
Another folder option might be the Dahon Tournado (http://us.dahon.com/bikes/1672/tournado). I have not experienced this bike myself, but everyone I have talked to with a recent Dahon says that the customer service is awesome and they love their bike.
I owned a Bike Friday New World Tourist with 406mm wheels (now called the Pocket Rocket). I also owned the trailer/suitcase. It is indispensable and immensely rewarding to be able to ride my bike to the airport, pack it up, and then get right back on my bike at the other end. I only incur the extra bag cost (never tell the airline you have a bike).
Your height will be mostly inconsequential with a Friday. They design the bike around you. You will have a little more leverage on the masts because of the height, but I think this will work to your advantage (more on that in a moment).
Make no mistake, even with experience, packing up a BF into its suitcase is a 15 to 30 minute affair. Allow yourself at least an hour you try to pack up a BF.
As Bogiesan mentioned, the BF (like anything) is a aggregate of compromises. Interestingly, the compromises add up to way more than the sum of their parts. There is flex in the stem, but this works to smooth out the bumps transmitted by the small wheels. The small wheels are insanely strong; I built up a custom set of wheels with 28 spokes and those wheels took loads of abuse on Vermont roads. BFs also accelerate like a shot from a gun.
Another surprise was the stability at speed. I descended Vermont and Oregon hills at up to 48MPH without any hint of shimmy. If anything, the BF was quite confidence-inspiring. The only platform I have ever ridden that was more stable is my Burley tandem.
Service and support from Bike Friday is stellar. Their frames are guaranteed for life, and you can always get parts for your generation of BF. They even have a retrofit service to allow use of modern components on older platforms.
Bogiesan also mentions the Bromptons (English folders). They are a cut above with the exception of size of fold. Bromptons do not fit into their own suitcase. Or any suitcase.
Another folder option might be the Dahon Tournado (http://us.dahon.com/bikes/1672/tournado). I have not experienced this bike myself, but everyone I have talked to with a recent Dahon says that the customer service is awesome and they love their bike.
I owned a Bike Friday New World Tourist with 406mm wheels (now called the Pocket Rocket). I also owned the trailer/suitcase. It is indispensable and immensely rewarding to be able to ride my bike to the airport, pack it up, and then get right back on my bike at the other end. I only incur the extra bag cost (never tell the airline you have a bike).
Your height will be mostly inconsequential with a Friday. They design the bike around you. You will have a little more leverage on the masts because of the height, but I think this will work to your advantage (more on that in a moment).
Make no mistake, even with experience, packing up a BF into its suitcase is a 15 to 30 minute affair. Allow yourself at least an hour you try to pack up a BF.
As Bogiesan mentioned, the BF (like anything) is a aggregate of compromises. Interestingly, the compromises add up to way more than the sum of their parts. There is flex in the stem, but this works to smooth out the bumps transmitted by the small wheels. The small wheels are insanely strong; I built up a custom set of wheels with 28 spokes and those wheels took loads of abuse on Vermont roads. BFs also accelerate like a shot from a gun.
Another surprise was the stability at speed. I descended Vermont and Oregon hills at up to 48MPH without any hint of shimmy. If anything, the BF was quite confidence-inspiring. The only platform I have ever ridden that was more stable is my Burley tandem.
Service and support from Bike Friday is stellar. Their frames are guaranteed for life, and you can always get parts for your generation of BF. They even have a retrofit service to allow use of modern components on older platforms.
Bogiesan also mentions the Bromptons (English folders). They are a cut above with the exception of size of fold. Bromptons do not fit into their own suitcase. Or any suitcase.
255
Gear Talk / Re: Road Training/Touring Bike--Tricross Sport?
« on: April 11, 2010, 11:59:28 am »When I tried to replace the Ultegra 9-speed with the Sram 11-34 on my 2000 Cannondale R700 (with 130mm rear spacing and 130mm hub) it didn't fit. The cassette didn't "lock" on the hub - the cassette seemed too wide. I tried many times to make it work because I really wanted that gearing on that bike. I no longer have that bike so I can't go back and re-measure anything but, at least for that Cannondale (using Shimano 105 hubs) the 11-34 and 130mm spacing was not doable.Sounds like a case of PEBCAK. The SRAM and Shimano 9-speed cassettes are completely interchangeable. Now, whether your derailleur would have handled the increased range is another topic entirely.