Recent Posts

61

Gear Talk / Re: New touring bike recommendations

« Last post by TeresaC on March 17, 2023, 12:13:15 pm »

Ok, I'm not sure if I should start a new thread, but I've been riding a Surly Disc Trucker for training and on 200-400 mi. bike tours.  I'm old and the weight of it and in particular the gear shifters are hard on me.

I just noticed a Specialized in my local shop which has wireless shifters and also a place for rear racks. I have a 1000 miler out in the Rockies on my mind-- on the Trans Am, and I'm wondering if a Specialized would hold up with carrying a rear rack of gear, water  and a handlebar bag, maybe about 50 pounds.

62

General Discussion / Re: Your best single piece of advice

« Last post by Westinghouse on March 17, 2023, 02:43:58 am »

Pack as light as possible, leaving enough space open for carrying food and drink. Keep a detailed journal with photos and words and videos. Keep a close watch on weather forecasts regularly. Things are getting crazy out there.

63

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by Westinghouse on March 17, 2023, 02:36:38 am »

My last tour of 1300 miles I carried all kinds of tools. All I used was the patch kit and pump. If not for all the miles on interstate highways, even the patch kit was superfluous. But do not go anywhere without one and a pump, and definitely spare tubes. You will not need extra deraileur cables, and they are weightless anyway. Maybe a spare brake cable. Most likely brake pads. They wear down quick enough in hills and mountains.

64

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by ray b on March 16, 2023, 11:05:46 pm »

As usual, I started skimming after John's reply.

I will add that the best tool is between your ears. When it was said that everyone draws the line differently, you'll find that the mechanics are usually best prepared, with the least amount of parts, fasteners, and tools.

One bit of advice that I picked up from Matt Lee (of Tour Divide fame) is to forgo the multitool, and simply bring individual tools.  I also like to have some of the most used tools positioned around the bike. I keep the two allen keys for the cockpit in a front bag where I can get to them. My tube/tire repair kit and tools are easily accessable and self-contained. The bulk of parts and my tool wrap sit low and centered on the bike in the frame bag near the bottom bracket - harder to get to, but along with the first aid kit, I'm hoping it's one of the 2 things I pack that I hope I don't have to use.

A thought - one of the astrophysicists I ran into on the road a couple summers ago prepared his tool kit by spending a few weeks helping the mechanic at his local bike shop.

65

Routes / Re: Richmond VA to near Salisbury NC

« Last post by John Nettles on March 16, 2023, 07:27:24 pm »

Since your route is so localized, if you do not get any decent responses, you might try a couple of local WarmShowers hosts in the area to see what they say.  Tailwinds, John

66

Routes / Richmond VA to near Salisbury NC

« Last post by Gypsea on March 16, 2023, 05:38:38 pm »

I'll be following ACA Atlantic Route Section 3 from WA DC (after I do the C&O and GAP) to Richmond VA. From there to, say, Wilson NC where I can get Amtrak to Salisbury, I'm looking for local knowledge.  I figure about 170 miles for this leg and Google maps suggests highways 5, 156, 636, 695, 618, and more country roads.  Passing in or near Templeton, Emporia, Roanake Rapids, and Dortches.  I have no knowledge of this area being from West Coast. 

Based on sketchy information I have provided here, any thoughts, ideas, recommendations about routing in this area? 

Thanks, all!

67

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by cosjp on March 16, 2023, 05:09:55 pm »

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.

+1

If I don't replace the CO2 with air when I get home, the tire goes soft much faster.

The only reason is because I have historically had troubles getting tires to seat sometimes with smaller pump.

Get a different pump. I've never, ever had this problem, I've never known anybody else who has had this problem, and I've never heard of this problem. Anybody else here had this problem? Or maybe the problem is a tire/rim incompatibility.

This, however, was on a road wheel set running much higher pressures so it may not be as much of a concern here.

68

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by John Nelson on March 16, 2023, 05:07:30 pm »

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.

+1

If I don't replace the CO2 with air when I get home, the tire goes soft much faster.

The only reason is because I have historically had troubles getting tires to seat sometimes with smaller pump.

Get a different pump. I've never, ever had this problem, I've never known anybody else who has had this problem, and I've never heard of this problem. Anybody else here had this problem? Or maybe the problem is a tire/rim incompatibility.

69

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by cosjp on March 16, 2023, 02:15:34 pm »

If you have a pump the CO2 cartridges and inflator are redundant.  Besides, have you ever noticed how quickly a tire loses pressure after being inflated with CO2? That's because CO2 is soluble in the butyl rubber that tube are made of.  It literally diffuses through the rubber to the lower pressure of the atmosphere. You'll need the pump to keep the tire properly inflated, so why take the extra load.

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.

The only reason is because I have historically had troubles getting tires to seat sometimes with smaller pumps. Sometimes the extra pressure from the CO2 cartridges helps and then it can be inflated with the pump.

70

General Discussion / Re: Must have spare parts/tools

« Last post by jsc on March 16, 2023, 02:12:59 pm »

If you have a pump the CO2 cartridges and inflator are redundant.  Besides, have you ever noticed how quickly a tire loses pressure after being inflated with CO2? That's because CO2 is soluble in the butyl rubber that tube are made of.  It literally diffuses through the rubber to the lower pressure of the atmosphere. You'll need the pump to keep the tire properly inflated, so why take the extra load.

CO2 is great for a flat on short rides ,when you are back to the house that same day.  I use it.  When I get home I deflate and inflate the tire once or twice with a floor pump to purge the CO2 from the tube.