Messages

331

General Discussion / Re: Serious back/rump problems

« on: January 03, 2011, 10:48:36 pm »

Here we go slightly off topic again, but...
OK, I paid more than $100 last year I admit it.  There are however two ways to get fit professionally. One involves machinery lonerider refers to. The other way is with a professional that understands physiology and has been trained to look at the body on the bike and make the adjustments from experience not just what a machine says. I have no doubt that the operator also watches and uses his/her judgment, don't get me wrong on that. Pros trained by people like Andy Pruitt (http://www.ultracycling.com/equipment/bikefit.html) (http://bch.org/sportsmedicine/default-sports-medicine.aspx) do not need the Serotta. The key here is that your shop may not have either expertise in which case you should look further if you are having physical problems and want the best fit possible. Which is to say, that I agree with lonerider.

332

General Discussion / Re: Serious back/rump problems

« on: January 02, 2011, 10:22:29 pm »

I second the suggestion of getting a professional bike fit. Best $100 you'll spend on your bike-if you go to a pro.

333

Gear Talk / Re: Fenders for touring

« on: December 27, 2010, 11:01:54 pm »

The Planet Bike fenders above are too short to do anything but keep the stripe off your back. The ideal fender is lonnnggg, and wider than your tires so that it keeps not only your back clean but your bottom bracket and feet too. Some folks add a mud flap. Even my Planet Bike fenders that have the flap aren't really long enough but are a good start. French bike builders of many years ago used aluminum fenders and prided themselves in how they were mounted: the curve of the fender carefully following the curve of the wheel with equal space between tire and fender all the way around. See photos in the current Bicycle Quarterly http://www.bikequarterly.com/currentissue.html.

334

Gear Talk / Re: Is there a difference?

« on: December 05, 2010, 09:20:40 pm »

Warmers are just that, they keep you warm. Compression leggings may or may not depending on which research you read help your legs recover from exertion faster.

335

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks B17 - Standard or Aged?

« on: December 04, 2010, 07:57:45 pm »

All this assumes that you have been properly fit on the bike, that is, the saddle is located correctly on the post fore and aft, height and tilt. If in doubt see a professional and pay the $100. Also, remember that saddles vary in how they sit above the rails so be sure to measure the fore and aft, tilt (a level can be helpful), and height of a properly fit saddle before swapping for another.

336

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks B17 - Standard or Aged?

« on: November 17, 2010, 11:59:16 pm »

Break in a B-17? Mine felt great the first ride. Now the Professional model is another story. That may take 1000 miles to break in, but then it lasts 10 times as long too. I've owned both.

337

General Discussion / Re: Novice coming to America !

« on: October 11, 2010, 10:41:49 pm »

Cleated shoes are wonderful for long distance touring, but not absolutely necessary. We could go on for days about the pros and cons of cleated shoes. I carry only sandals as my other pair of footwear. One tour I only had my cycling sandals, no other shoes and did fine once past the mountain cold.

338

General Discussion / Re: Sea-Tac to Anacortes by air?

« on: October 11, 2010, 10:38:29 pm »

There is a bus from SeaTac to Anacortes http://www.airporter.com/.
There is a bike shop that will assemble your bike but since I did my own I don't know the name. Should be easy to find though. I shipped my bike to the motel; you can ship directly to the bike shop. There is camping at Deception Pass State Park a few miles away.

339

Gear Talk / Re: Gunnar frames - are they any good????

« on: September 17, 2010, 11:06:19 pm »

It used to be that all Waterfords were lugged and no Gunnars were, but Waterford does offer some non-lugged frames.
Not only are their frames great but Richard Schwinn has been a terrific advocate for bicycling in the state included president of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin not too long ago.

340

General Discussion / Re: Invitation to join warmshowers.org

« on: September 17, 2010, 10:51:01 pm »

I have to agree that staying with strangers has been highlights of my tours. Once, at a restaurant in the woods in the middle of nowhere in Oregon, a couple heard us lament that our intended campground didn't exist so they invited us to stay with them. Great night of conversation, pizza and beer. Everyone should read Travels With Willie by Willie Weir (available in Adventure Cycling website) where he "initiates kindness" by seeking out strangers and gets himself invited into their homes or yards.

341

General Discussion / Re: Water Filters

« on: January 30, 2010, 11:15:44 pm »

Not on a road tour.

342

Gear Talk / Re: 3-4 person tent

« on: January 30, 2010, 11:14:56 pm »

I advise always using a tent that holds one more person than the quantity that you want to put in it. Three in a three person is tight. Compare the weight for two tents v. one 4 person and the 4 wins easily. Only you can decide whether to split up the family.

343

General Discussion / Re: Biker vs World

« on: January 02, 2010, 09:18:10 pm »

So as not to assume that any cyclist is unable to do their own repairs I always ask if they have everything they need rather than "do you need help"?"

344

General Discussion / Re: Carrying Pepper Spray

« on: January 02, 2010, 09:15:35 pm »

Don't bring your concealed weapon here to Wisconsin. We're still somewhat civilized and concealed carry is illegal.

Now to your question, being robbed the way you describe is extremely rare. The tales of anything like this far exceed the reality and yet I have never heard of a case.

345

Gear Talk / Re: loose spokes

« on: December 02, 2009, 10:19:08 pm »

How many spokes? At 270# anything less than 36 or even 40 is asking for problems.