Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: cold feet! Recommendations?

« on: February 09, 2010, 08:26:33 pm »

I've tried all the shoe covers and socks and the rest, and in the end there is only one thing that works:  properly designed gore-tex winter cycling shoes.

Sidi, Shimano, Northwave, Lake, etc all make nice winter cycling shoes -- go ahead and spend the money. They cost too much, but i put them off too long and can't live without them anymore.

2

General Discussion / Re: Best Cell phone coverage across US???

« on: February 09, 2010, 08:20:44 pm »

No one offers complete coverage everywhere, and so you are best to ignore the commercials.  Every region has local cell phone operators that give equal or better coverage than the national mega-telecom companies.

My highest recommendation is this:  bring the cell phone you already have, as it will work for 911 calls anywhere.  For all non-emergency calls, just ask a local.  99 times out of 100, people have been helpful and let me use their phone.

3

Routes / Re: cycling in Dordogne/Lot region

« on: February 09, 2010, 08:11:53 pm »

Is anyone interested in learning about cycling routes in SW France's Dordogne/Lot region? We're Americans who have lived here for 4 years and love to extol the virtues of this region's back roads and awesome landscapes and architecture.

Yes!  I am planning a trip from Limoges to Bordeaux in autumn 2010, and would love to include some detours through the Dordogne/Lot/Perigord.  Thanks!

4

General Discussion / Re: Aerospoke wheelset VS 36H Wheelset

« on: February 09, 2010, 07:53:05 pm »

I have seen a bunch of Aerospoke wheels on bikes that have passed through our shop on customers bikes, mostly fixed gear stuff, and I must say that I do not regard them as a well made product and would definitely recommend you strike them from your list.

I can't disagree more.  Have you ridden an Aerospoke wheel?  An Aerospoke wheel is a very well built composite rim, not the typical injection-moulded plastic rims you see on chinese-built BMX bikes.  Aerospokes are as bulletproof as they come, and the build quality is as good as any other USA-manufactured wheel of equal or lesser price. 

To answer the question asked: yes, Aerospokes are a reasonable alternative to 36-spoke wheels.  Test ride them!

Tradeoffs: weight penalty to avoid spoke truing.  One other drawbacks (pretty standard for any composite wheel): If you do destroy the aluminum rim of the Aerospoke wheel or wear through the brake track, they can't be rebuilt, you must buy a new wheelset (hubs are serviceable).  Durability really is not an issue.  These wheels have been around long enough to prove their design is sound.  If you break an Aerospoke wheel, then it is highly likely that you have serious injuries and won't be riding for a while anyway.  In my experience, with appropriate care, they will hold up to any normal abuse that a rider - even a Clydesdale - would dish out.