Messages

361

General Discussion / Re: Brooks saddle damage

« on: April 03, 2009, 05:17:20 pm »

I tried tensioning last year but it didn't help as the problem is deep depressions under the sit bones. I may try to soaking it and putting some kind of weight under it to push out the dents again. FENDERS! If I had had on fenders 6 hours of rain wouldn't have splashed the underside of the saddle because I did have a cover on. I've learned that for $75 Brooks will recover it, plus the cost of shipping to England.
I'll put back on my 35 year old Brooks which is still in better shape than the new one.

362

General Discussion / Brooks saddle damage

« on: March 18, 2009, 11:13:20 pm »

I got caught in the rain on a century last June and my new Brooks Pro, which should take years to show any wear, broke down (sagged) under my sit bones. Anybody have any experience reversing the damage?

363

Gear Talk / Re: Considering New Handlebar Setup

« on: March 15, 2009, 10:42:56 pm »

The first thing to do is to go to a shop that specializes in fitting you to your bike. Many problems can be solved by a different stem or bar height or the position of the saddle. I go every few years (I'm now 57) and am amazed at how a minute adjustment can make a difference. It isn't cheap but if the person knows what they are doing it is  well worth it.

364

Gear Talk / Re: big, wide feet need touring shoes

« on: March 15, 2009, 10:38:54 pm »

Lake has wide sizes and two they call touring shoes plus the mountain shoes. http://www.lakecycling.com. I just bought the MX 90 only because the sole was less agressive than the MX 101. The factor told me they were the same as far as stiffness. Don't believe the website which says the wides are out of stock. call or write them because I got the wide only because of direct communication.  Most local stores unfortunately don't stock wides.

365

General Discussion / Re: Is it worth installing a kick stand?

« on: February 17, 2009, 11:01:27 pm »

Then there is this option, I first saw in this forum a couple of years ago: http://www.click-stand.com/Home_Page.html.

366

General Discussion / Re: What gear?

« on: February 15, 2009, 10:39:48 pm »

Also consider wool jerseys and undershirts. They are as cool in the heat as synthetic shirts but don't stink without laundering for several days!

367

General Discussion / Re: passport/CAN/US

« on: February 10, 2009, 11:48:39 pm »

Here is the page for the official information: http://travel.state.gov/passport_cal/passport_travel_requirements.php.

368

General Discussion / Re: How do you like the new forum?

« on: January 14, 2009, 09:52:46 pm »

Too complicated and too much stuff. Don't need all the bells and whistles. I liked the simpler forum better.

369

Connecting ACA Routes / Ino on off ACA route from Milwaukee to Chadron Neb

« on: April 05, 2007, 12:15:55 am »

There is one other option to all the hills I mentioned. The New Berlin Trail leaves Milwaukee and the you can hook onto the Glacial Drumlin trail to Cottage Grove about 15 miles outside of Madison. About 60 miles NW of Madison in Reedsburg you can take the first of 3 contiguous state trails (http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/findatrail.html) to La Crosse: 400 Trail, Sparta-Elroy Trail, and the La Crosse River Trail. All nice fairly flat hard packed dirt trails. Then you can ride down the Mississippi River on WI Highway 35 all the way to Cassville which is fairly flat and then take the little ferry across the river and ride the Iowa side to Dubuque. This is much longer but much less hilly and more scenic.

370

Connecting ACA Routes / Ino on off ACA route from Milwaukee to Chadron Neb

« on: March 19, 2007, 11:13:59 pm »

You can get the official WI bike maps from the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (http://www.bfw.org/) and Illinois maps from http://www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/STATE.HTM. There are Milwaukee County maps at http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/maps4460.htm. There are bike trails/routes out of the city and trails southeast out of the county. This will be a great few days of cycling for you. Fairly flat at first then pretty hilly west of Monroe all the way to Dubuque. Monroe is the beginning in southern Wisconsin of the "driftless region" which is the area of the Mississippi Valley that wasn't flattened by the glaciers. Virtually all roads are paved in southern Wisconsin thanks to the dairy industry that needed good roads for the milk trucks. The township roads are often the best choice until Monroe, then they might be hillier than the county or state roads. There's a nice state park, Big Foot Beach, at Lake Geneva then slim pickings for non-commercial campgrounds on your route. There are a couple of state parks in northern Illinois.

There is no Wisconsin Bikeway per se and Kenosha to La Crosse wouldn't be much help anyway. Be careful on the bridge over the big muddy; lots of traffic and windy.

This will be a beautiful route of farms and friendly small towns. Have fun!

371

Urban Cycling / what bike do you use for pure urban ridin'?

« on: January 28, 2007, 11:54:48 pm »

64 cm Trek 330 from early 80's (?) Reynolds 531 lugged frame bought last year on eBay. 1998 105 triple with Nitto moustache bars and bar end shifters. Fenders of course with a small canvas saddle bag but will get a large Carradice Nelson Long Flap bag soon. Tires are 700/28 at 90 psi.

372

Gear Talk / Rear bike rack

« on: December 06, 2008, 10:56:40 pm »

Lots of places to buy the Tubus including Wallingford and Peter White. Mine poped a weld (but didn't seem to weaken it at all it is so strong) and it was replaced easily.

373

Gear Talk / Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: December 06, 2008, 10:53:52 pm »

"I have a Brooks Professional. It is about 15 years young. I have stretched it out and conditioned it, and once broken in has served me well, but I fear it is at the end of it's life. You are the third person, I have come in contact with who raves about the Brook B-17. "

After 30 years on a Brooks Pro I bought a B-17. It broke down in 2 years so I put back on the old Pro for 2 more years. I bought a new  titanium Pro weeks before the price went up (yea!) and will ride it until I die probably.

If my frame wasn't 64 cm I would definitely have had Waterford build it with S&S. Mine won't fit in the box.

374

Gear Talk / Co-motion Americano vs Norwester Tour

« on: November 23, 2008, 10:26:42 pm »

If you're considering the Co-Motion, consider the Waterford Adventure Cycle.
Both are top notch bike companies making top tourers. You can't go wrong with either.

375

Gear Talk / B.O.B. trailers

« on: November 02, 2008, 10:01:43 pm »

As you see, this topic has many experiences and opinions. I pull a BOB Yak and like the person who doesn't notice the Burley, my BOB tracks so nicely that I forget it is back there except when standing.  My lifetime high speed is with the BOB.
My question is if you're doing the TransAm route why bother with the extra weight of the shocks on the Ibex unless you're going to be off road.