Recent Posts

91

Gear Talk / Re: PedalCell

« Last post by wildtoad on May 05, 2022, 09:48:56 am »

Great feedback, rmball28, much appreciated. Ordering the pedal cell was on my 'to do" list but was I struggling a bit with adding yet another accessory to my bikes... all the while a decent power bank, sometimes supplemented w/ solar, has met all of my touring power needs. Based on your feedback I am going to pass at this point.

92

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: connecting Parks, Peaks, and Prairies to North Lakes

« Last post by John Nettles on May 04, 2022, 10:09:31 pm »

It would be the same connector.  The NT and the NL share the same route for the 5-10 miles.  They separate at Grant, MN.

Tailwinds, John

93

Connecting ACA Routes / connecting PPP to Northern Tier heading east

« Last post by johnisaac on May 04, 2022, 09:35:08 pm »

A change of plans. I've decided to head east on the Northern Tier from PPP in Minneapolis. I'm looking for the easiest way to connect these routes. Thanks.

94

New England / Re: Green Mountain Loop Vermont

« Last post by ray b on May 04, 2022, 03:34:20 pm »

No.

(My opinion)

95

General Discussion / Re: Looking for riding experiences while recuperating from a knee replacement

« Last post by OHRider on May 04, 2022, 02:33:24 pm »

If the knee is not a problem riding, I would make sure I had a second opinion. If you haven't seen a sports medicine-oriented academic guy who focuses only on knees, it might be worth a trip.

I did see a sports med guy and asked both him and the ortho surgeon if there are any other options. Based on discussions and of course the xrays I think this is the way to go.  Anything longer than a short walk is an issue. I've had a cortisone shot and they did not see the gel injections as being able to provide long term relief.

96

New England / Green Mountain Loop Vermont

« Last post by bmccolgan61@gmail.com on May 04, 2022, 12:22:36 pm »

Hello, In June, I will be riding from Montreal to Burlington, VT. From there, I will be following the ACA Green Mountain Loop. My plan is to go in the counter clockwise direction in order to visit a few friends early in the trip. Is there any advantage to travelling the loop in the clockwise direction? Thank you, Brian

97

General Discussion / Re: Looking for riding experiences while recuperating from a knee replacement

« Last post by ray b on May 04, 2022, 12:16:16 pm »

If the knee is not a problem riding, I would make sure I had a second opinion. If you haven't seen a sports medicine-oriented academic guy who focuses only on knees, it might be worth a trip.

98

Gear Talk / Re: Trek Domane AL5 Suitable for Touring

« Last post by staehpj1 on May 04, 2022, 10:09:32 am »

That's a weird place for a frame to break, how did it happen?  I'd have expected that the seatpost would have reinforced the seat tube to prevent such a break, unless you'd ignored the minimum insertion mark on the seatpost.

I thought the same.  Seems like an odd place to fail.  A too small diameter seat post might be another cause.

IIRC the Domane comes with a carbon fork; I would not recommend P-clamps on a carbon fork.  You probably don't want to put 70 pounds on the front, but the OMM rack aggie recommended would be an option.

Yep.  Or just a bar roll or large handlebar bag and skip the front panniers. 

Could you clean up the seat tube near the break to the point that you could use a seatpost collar (e.g. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=102478) to ride the old 520 frame?

Looking at pictures of 520s some have quite a bit of seat tube above the top tube and some almost none or none at all.  Maybe it depends on model year?  Frame size too?  Anyway, if it had enough seat tube left above the top tube, that could be an answer.  It might require extending the slot in the seat tube a bit to allow for clamping down on the seat post.

99

Gear Talk / Re: What rear sprocket do I need to help me get up hills and mountains easier?

« Last post by John Nettles on May 04, 2022, 09:48:06 am »

It is basically a toss up with a very slight preference to the 42/22 just because it is a very slightly lower gear even though they are both basically the same gearing.  As you say the longer belt will last longer since each tooth gets less where but as I said, these belts "improperly" tensioned can get 15k miles (24K km) so if the longer belt lasts say 10% longer it would take 150k miles before you earned a "free" belt so the cost really does not matter. One unspoken advantage of a smaller chainring is that it doesn't hit obstacles as much if you do off road touring and have to get the bike over logs and such thus limiting the damage to the belt potentially.

However, using the Gates Gear Calculator you referenced earlier, I noticed a 3rd option is the 39/20 with a 113t belt.  Gives the lowest gear of all (slightly) but it is also most expensive option so would rule that out unless you were starting from brand new everything. This would have been my preferred if it was optioned when new. 

I vote the 42/22 since the gearing is basically the same as a 39/19 and you might as well get extra life out of the belt.

Tailwinds, John

100

Gear Talk / Re: Trek Domane AL5 Suitable for Touring

« Last post by Pat Lamb on May 04, 2022, 09:07:29 am »

That's a weird place for a frame to break, how did it happen?  I'd have expected that the seatpost would have reinforced the seat tube to prevent such a break, unless you'd ignored the minimum insertion mark on the seatpost.

IIRC the Domane comes with a carbon fork; I would not recommend P-clamps on a carbon fork.  You probably don't want to put 70 pounds on the front, but the OMM rack aggie recommended would be an option.

Could you clean up the seat tube near the break to the point that you could use a seatpost collar (e.g. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=102478) to ride the old 520 frame?