Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Why the low thread numbers?

« on: January 09, 2011, 09:57:01 pm »

  I was hoping this was going to be about coarse threaded bolts and bosses.

This forum has been very helpful to me. I waste alot of time on other bicycle forums that seem to be over ran with d**k and fart jokes, and people bragging about money they've spent.  I really am thankful for the wealth of useful information present here. I know if I have a question Google will not answer, then an experienced tourer will be happy to provide advice here without mocking what I'm doing or what I'm about.

If you have a valid question about bicycle touring, feel free to post. If no one does, then there is no reason to panic. I don't know why you'd use a thread to bash the forum that allowed you to post it. Also FWIW I watched "Captain Ron" last night and think sailing looks fun.


Ride on.
-10speed

17

General Discussion / Re: what cycling computer to get?

« on: September 25, 2010, 12:31:28 pm »

     Cadence? not really something I have ever cared about personally, could take or leave it.   
     Two Bikes? no, a feature I do not want. Would prob end in me getting way confused.

At some point in your life you are going to want have cadence.  Cadence is your guide to when you are cranking in an efficient zone.  A cadence of less than 80 and you are abusing your knees.  A cadence of more than 99, and you probably need to change gears.  When you are young, you probably don't care what kind of abuse you subject your knees to, but at some point you will care.

I'm 26 years old, I ride a 1x7 in town with 26" tires with a 46 ring. Also I ride SS mountain bikes. I never spin above 60 rpm...

18

General Discussion / Re: what cycling computer to get?

« on: September 24, 2010, 01:47:00 pm »

after 5 minutes on the Cateye website, armed with all the input you guys provided I think the Enduro 8 or Strada will be best for me. They have the same functions but the Enduro 8 is marketed to be more durable. I do think temp would have been a useful/novelty function but only comes on the crazy computers. Either way I'll figure it out.

Thanks Guys.

19

General Discussion / Re: what cycling computer to get?

« on: September 24, 2010, 01:11:10 pm »

So it seems like the "nays" have it hands down, no to wireless.

What I hear is almost everyone agrees on a basic wired Cat Eye. Sounds fine with me, I was ready to blow $100 on computer but it sounds like I should get by on much less. That's great news.
 Any specific models of Cat Eye stick out?

Things I will def want:

     Speed
     Av Speed
     Distance     
     Clock
     
     Cadence? not really something I have ever cared about personally, could take or leave it.   
     Two Bikes? no, a feature I do not want. Would prob end in me getting way confused.

Thanks for all the good info... I can't believe how much useful input this forum offers vs. certain other cycling forums I'm a part of. I do appreciate it.

20

General Discussion / what cycling computer to get?

« on: September 23, 2010, 08:01:47 pm »

So I am putting the finishing touches on my dream touring bike (pics to come) and I know 0 about cycling computers, I think wireless is a must, besides that.... I really don't have clue. I have access to QBP so if it is a brand they carry that's a plus. Otherwise what can you guys recommended?


thanks gang,
Brian

21

General Discussion / Re: Food

« on: August 05, 2010, 01:32:28 am »

Fred,
Great link!

22

General Discussion / Re: B17 makes me numb, why?

« on: August 05, 2010, 01:29:02 am »

* for all, saddles are very personal I agree with those who have said so. I have had many saddles that seemed to work great in their application. I will admit I am green to touring. But I'd like to think I am doing what is right. I went to a local frame builder and had him size me and build a custom frame to my body and personal needs. It is currently at the power coaters being finished. In the mean time I wanted to get a good long ride saddle. I have never done incredibly long rides and am a mountain biker looking for adventure in touring. I bought the B-17 after looking at Selle which seemed great at three times the cost. Everyone loves the Brooks and it seemed as though one couldn't go wrong. I bought it and threw it on my commuter, for break-in reasons. It is still on the commuter and I am not sure if it will be the saddle that gets my butt across the country.

Today I slid it forward in the rails and tilted it up slightly before leaving for work. the result: better sitting up, but now less comfortable in classic riding position. I will continue to make minor adjustments and see if I can find a sweet spot. I will put it on the touring bike initially and see if I can dial it in on that bike. If I can not I will look into Selle.

also, I hear the avocet h20 air is a great saddle. any feed back on it? more importantly where can you get one?

everyones input on here is very helpful. this is a great place for gathering information, many other forums on the web are not so. thanks all.

23

General Discussion / Re: B17 makes me numb, why?

« on: August 03, 2010, 01:29:27 pm »

Ducnut,

Thank you for you well thought out response.


I actually just called Rivendell, probably the U.S.'s biggest distributor of the B17.  I asked a guy there what to do. He told me a few interesting things.

First: My frame (commuter) is too small for me because my bars are below my saddle height. However the position in question involves me not touching my bars, whereas the classic position with hands on bars IS comfortable, which I did tell him. So, I sorta have to throw that argument out.

Secondly: Brooks boasts how they have not changed their designs for a hundred years. Well guess what? Bikes have changed. Rivendell reminded me that 100 years ago seat tube angles were around 68 versus today around 72 degrees. He told me most people slam the B17 all the way back to get behind the pedals more, which is how the saddle was originally designed. This I get.

Third: He recommended that I try a narrower saddle, he even mentioned the Selle Anatomica. This again was based off the fact that my bars were lower and my seat tube more upright, a race bike! (actually Trek 850) so I would need a race saddle. 

Honestly,
I think when my touring frame is back from paint and built up, I will throw the Brooks on. I give it a month, if I still encounter same issue: Selle Saddle here I come... which is what I almost got to start but so much more $$$ than the Brooks and everyone told me you can't go wrong w/ the Brooks.

 

24

General Discussion / Re: B17 makes me numb, why?

« on: August 03, 2010, 03:14:27 am »

Edit:

FWIW: I have ridden many saddles and this is the first to cause this issue(numbness).
Also I am a healthy 25 year-old so I shouldn't think it's my body.

25

General Discussion / B17 makes me numb, why?

« on: August 03, 2010, 03:11:01 am »

Time to bring up an old issue:

I have fallen to the cries of the masses. I cracked and bought my first Brooks Saddle, the B17 Standard.
It was a rock for a long while. I proofhided per factory recommendations. I ride it every day roughly 20 miles +/- on my commuter. I knew it had a serious break in period and was willing to deal with that. It has gotta alot better I will say, now 6 months in. but I notice that when I ride no hands for more than 20 minutes I numb out. Sorry ladies... I go to give myself a scratch and can't feel anything. Probably not good. I have tried slight angle up and currently slight angle down. It seems to not matter. While in classic riding position, I have no issue, but lets face it, it is nice to sit up once in awhile and give the neck and back a break. What gives? I know everyone and their brother swears by this saddle and I must be doing something wrong here. Brooks know-it-all's please chime in here.

Thanks Gang,
Ting-a-Ling Ding-a-Ling
(sorry couldn't resist)

26

General Discussion / Re: cassette for phil?

« on: July 25, 2010, 02:47:28 pm »

Dave B,


Thanks for the education, will aluminum spider cassettes have any advantage besides weight for touring use? Is it true that they just notch out you freehub?

27

General Discussion / Re: cassette for phil?

« on: July 22, 2010, 02:09:17 pm »

thats helpful, anyone agree or disagree w/ sram 70 series?

28

General Discussion / cassette for phil?

« on: July 22, 2010, 01:26:03 am »

So I just finished building up a new touring wheel set, phil touring 36H hubs to velocity deda rims w/ DT straight gauge.

My question is, do I need to run a high quality cassette w/ alloy cogs or are cheap steel options just as good?
my concern is for life of free hub body and expected milage on cassette.

part #s are appreciated. 

Thanks yall

29

General Discussion / Re: mountain v. road clipless shoes/pedals

« on: May 22, 2010, 11:29:00 am »

It's hard to disagree w/ Dave on that. 

Mountain is still clear winner.

30

General Discussion / Re: mountain v. road clipless shoes/pedals

« on: May 21, 2010, 03:27:20 am »

Me thinks your question is misformed.

really?

you can buy road specific cleats/pedals or mountain specific cleats/pedals.   Also there is variation in shoes that are designed for serious road riding/racing and serious mountain biking.

The question if it wasn't clear is: Which is preferred by experienced tourists and why.


At this point mountain seems to be a clear winner.
Previously I have no experience with Road specific pedals/cleats/shoes. So I ask.