Messages

31

Gear Talk / tour tool(s) for spoke change

« on: June 30, 2008, 02:01:51 pm »

If you're looking for a backup solution give this a thought. I was having a problem a number of years ago with breaking spokes on the rear of our tandem. I bought an item called "fiberfix". It's an emergency spoke repair kit consisting of gortex cord and a turnbuckle to adjust it. I had to use it during a tour of the Columbia Gorge and it worked great. They are availabe thru Adventure Cycling and many bike shops.  

32

Gear Talk / Colored Panniers

« on: May 27, 2008, 02:39:50 pm »

My wife is into purple and she bought purple fabric paint and painted our bike bags to match our tandem..
It worked very well but did make the fabric slightly stiffer for a short time.

33

Gear Talk / BOB trailer and Cannondale

« on: April 28, 2008, 07:22:36 pm »

I have a 2004 Cannondale T800 with the factory standard rack that comes with this model. When I attached my BOB trailer this past weekend to go on a tour, the bottom rear rack attachments interfere with the attachement of the BOB. The bottom of the rack rubs and hits the BOB frame (just an inch or 2 behind the skewer). Before I try bending and fabricating, has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?  Thanks

34

Gear Talk / Best Tires for Mixture of Road & Rail Trails

« on: October 08, 2007, 07:39:05 pm »

Try to find out the surface of the rail trail.
I've ridden crushed limestone trails back east that are smooth and could be done easily on a 700/25 tire.
I also rode the Hiawatha Trail in Montana which is rocky and rough and it was just bearable on 700/38 tires.

35

Gear Talk / Tire Pumps for Long Tours

« on: September 26, 2007, 09:27:57 pm »

Another vote for the Topeak morph..and it's flexible hose and built in pressure gauge.

36

Gear Talk / Panniers or Trail Bob for USA crossing?

« on: September 19, 2007, 09:22:27 pm »

If you do go with a BOB, use it in conjunction with Panniers. I put things I want to get to easily in the panniers (like lunch, camera, windbreaker) and my heavier, camping items in the BOB.

37

Gear Talk / Navigating safely with 2 wheeled trailers?

« on: March 22, 2007, 07:15:20 pm »

On a tour from Washington state to California, I used a BOB single wheel trailer and my wife used a 2 wheel Burley Nomad. Both worked great. There are advantages to both. I don't think there is a issue with width on a 2 wheel trailer. A 2 wheeler is not much wider than a bike with loaded panniers.

38

Gear Talk / bike light

« on: November 01, 2006, 07:21:46 pm »

here's another option for lower cost bike lights.
www.batteryspace.com  I ordered camera batteries and a L-ion bike lite battery for my NiteRider light from them and have been very pleased with their products and service. Lots of info on their site and their bike light forums are very informative..

39

Gear Talk / Trek 520 rim cracks -no warranty service

« on: October 25, 2006, 08:23:25 pm »

my wife had a 1996 TREK 2300 with matrix rims. This is a lightweight road bike, never carried more than a seat bag. Both rims had to be replaced after a few thousand miles due to cracking around the nipples.

40

Gear Talk / Tents

« on: July 31, 2006, 09:09:11 pm »

I've been using an REI half dome for numerous week plus bike tours and for a 12 day backpacking trip around Mt Rainier. 5 pounds, packs small, roomy enough for 2, double doors and double vestibules and it has stayed dry inside when it's dumping outside.
I'm happy with it and would buy another.

41

Gear Talk / Mr Tuffy's

« on: June 14, 2006, 08:17:01 pm »

I installed Tuffy liners and after a few months the same thing happened to me, a cut at the overlap.  I cut the liner so it didn't overlap and then took the piece I cut out and layed it over the two ends to make a connection. I use tuffys in my touring bike with 700 x 37 at 70 psi and commuter bike with 700 x 28 at 95 psi and no flats for 2 years, 5000 + miles per year and 235 days of riding per year. I'm a believer.

42

Gear Talk / shelter

« on: October 25, 2005, 07:27:54 pm »

On our 2 week Pacific Coast tour and on a 12 Day Mt Rainier back packing trip we used an REI half dome plus. It was rated a best buy by Backpacker Magazine. Easy to set up, dual vestibules, dual doors, under 6 pounds and compact. It also has clear windows which helps brighten the interior. It's weathered some wicked rainstorms and has remained dry inside..I heartily recommend it.  

43

Routes / Big Sur fire effects?

« on: October 06, 2008, 06:18:27 pm »

I second the report by Alex.  You can see the fire effects in places but it is intermittent and certainly not a moonscape. The underbrush was burned but most all of the large trees although some are scorched, will recover. It should not changed anyones travel plans.

44

Routes / Big Sur fire effects?

« on: September 02, 2008, 01:00:55 pm »

I'm riding from Oregon to LA in September. I'll give you a report in October.

45

Routes / US 2 from sandpoint to everett

« on: August 28, 2008, 01:32:19 pm »

US 2 is used by many cyclists crossing Washington.
Shoulders are good almost the whole way. Low traffic volumes in the eastern portion then it will get busy around the Wenatchee area and then again after crossing Stevens Pass.