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Bicycle age
- Thread starter elrechazado
- Start date
The Lamonster
Member
My priority is coverage and compatibility. I basically want the most/best coverage out of whatever is compatible. So if the Raceblades are just as good as the mounted ones, I might as well go with them, eh?
frontieruk
Member
So I've spotted a mount by the rear derailleur, its just hidden due to the colour, the front mount is likely on the back of the frame remembering my Rapid and had some really stupid mounts...
I'm guessing the same is true of the contend as theres a set of guards for it...
*only for Rim brakes
frontieruk
Member
Pic time.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say no mud guard mounts on that beast.
T8SC
Member
You are correct. I do have mud guards on my winter bike, Flinger F35's if I remember rightly. If I had to put mudguards on the 'dale (Not that I would) I'd opt for the SKS Raceblade Long's ... greater coverage for if u ride in a group, easy to install & remove too. Crud Roadracer mk3 seem to be good too, I know a few folk who use them, but they don't provide as much coverage to the rear however they do provide protection for the lower headset bearing as the SKS splits around the brake/forks.
Yesterday, I rode NF-26 (Suiattle River Road). As the name implies, it's a road managed by the National Forest service, running up the Suiattle river valley deep into the Cascade mountains.
At first, it is paved.
Ten miles in, there's a bridge to forest road NF-25 on the south side of the river. There's something I need to visit across that bridge, having to do with my tires, but this was not the right day. The sun needs more time to work its magic.
Much of NF-26 is surrounded by trees, but you can often see the foothills through them, and in places it opens up.
At the end of NF-26 is Sulphur Creek Campground. But I only got within four miles of that. Instead, I took a left turn, up Green Mountain Road. It's a 2200-foot climb with an average gradient of around 8% and a pretty gnarly surface for something calling itself a "road."
It turned out to be a fairly tough hill. The combination of looseness and grade made it very difficult to hop out of the saddle, so it was hard to keep my core from feeling stiff.
The view at the top is nice. You can see the Suiattle flowing toward you, far below.
From here, I retraced my steps and rode back.
...The most daunting thing about the climb was knowing that I'd have to come back down, heheh.
Green Mountain Road is consistently pretty, though:
And finally, another photo of the gravel section of NF-26:
At first, it is paved.
Ten miles in, there's a bridge to forest road NF-25 on the south side of the river. There's something I need to visit across that bridge, having to do with my tires, but this was not the right day. The sun needs more time to work its magic.
Much of NF-26 is surrounded by trees, but you can often see the foothills through them, and in places it opens up.
At the end of NF-26 is Sulphur Creek Campground. But I only got within four miles of that. Instead, I took a left turn, up Green Mountain Road. It's a 2200-foot climb with an average gradient of around 8% and a pretty gnarly surface for something calling itself a "road."
It turned out to be a fairly tough hill. The combination of looseness and grade made it very difficult to hop out of the saddle, so it was hard to keep my core from feeling stiff.
The view at the top is nice. You can see the Suiattle flowing toward you, far below.
From here, I retraced my steps and rode back.
...The most daunting thing about the climb was knowing that I'd have to come back down, heheh.
Green Mountain Road is consistently pretty, though:
And finally, another photo of the gravel section of NF-26:
codswallop
Member
Not sure I'd be able to make it up something like that in my current state, but damn I wish there were more trails like that near me.
Psychotext
Member
Pretty.
outunderthestars
Banned
All City Space Horse?
With a biplane fork and threaded headset? I see my bike has you... stumped.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Need a saddle width sanity check for those whom may now
I have three saddles I've tried and swapped between as I try to find the right balance:
Fizik Aliante (143mm)
Fabric Scoop (142mm)
Brooks C15 (140mm)
Both the Scoop & C15 require me to be sitting perfectly, with more often than not some sharp discomfort right under me bum. (Whats weird is the Fabric Scoop on my mountain bike is perfect, but that's probably do the saddle to bar drop.) The Aliante has been what I always go back to but I get numbing, but never consistently. Meaning I may go 10 rides without any discomfort, but then have 3 days of 10-15 minutes of discomfort/numbing.
I was thinking 140-142 may be too narrow and that's where the sharp pinching pain is coming from, however the sweep of the Aliante may be too much for my forward movement.
So yeah, safe to assume I need 143mm minimum? Was tempted to see if I could demo a Specialized Romin at 143 since it's matching width with a rear scoop, but straight nose & channel relief.
I have three saddles I've tried and swapped between as I try to find the right balance:
Fizik Aliante (143mm)
Fabric Scoop (142mm)
Brooks C15 (140mm)
Both the Scoop & C15 require me to be sitting perfectly, with more often than not some sharp discomfort right under me bum. (Whats weird is the Fabric Scoop on my mountain bike is perfect, but that's probably do the saddle to bar drop.) The Aliante has been what I always go back to but I get numbing, but never consistently. Meaning I may go 10 rides without any discomfort, but then have 3 days of 10-15 minutes of discomfort/numbing.
I was thinking 140-142 may be too narrow and that's where the sharp pinching pain is coming from, however the sweep of the Aliante may be too much for my forward movement.
So yeah, safe to assume I need 143mm minimum? Was tempted to see if I could demo a Specialized Romin at 143 since it's matching width with a rear scoop, but straight nose & channel relief.
Are there are bolts around the outside of the pedal that secure a shoe-contacting surface to the pedal body, that might be loose?
Superman would be going faster than 17km/h if he was pedaling at 650W. The most plausible explanation is that you're a giant.
Psychotext
Member
Have you actually measured your ass? It's really easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7j9LUVJrjA
OR
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I did once and it came back 130, so 150 after +2cm, the range is 143-155 there.
I put foil on my bike seat and plopped my ass down. My depression was pretty center of the seat. I may just try the Romin because it has the rear scoop that I like on the fizik, but straight nose and center channel for relief.
I put foil on my bike seat and plopped my ass down. My depression was pretty center of the seat. I may just try the Romin because it has the rear scoop that I like on the fizik, but straight nose and center channel for relief.
outunderthestars
Banned
Did you make sure firmware was updated and also zero calibrate it?
Yep. Already had the latest firmware. Zeroed it. Changed the battery. Even reinstalled the crank just in case the torque setting somehow messed up and was messing with it.
Psychotext
Member
What model was it, out of interest?
That's bizarre. Mine has been flawless so far. Well, shit happens in manufacturing. I'm sure they will make it right.
Yeah.. and just googling I couldn't find anyone else with the same issue with this model. Really odd.
Maybe you're just a freak of nature. Get on the tour!
Rivendell is an interesting guess. I'm not sure if they ever used biplanes, but they've used deep fork crowns which give a comparable look. I'm also running Shimano bar-ends in friction mode, cheap Shimano derailleurs, plastic fenders, and laughably huge chainstays... Grant Petersen might approve, at least until noticing the fit.That is does. Rivendell? Whatever it is, it is beautiful and really well set up.
It's a drop-bar conversion of a 1983 Specialized Stumpjumper.
outunderthestars
Banned
The Scoop comes in different curves so are you sure you are have the same version?
TarpitCarnivore
Member
The shallow gave me the same problem as the Alliante with increased pressure. So I tried the flat but am iffy on, the sides might not be shaped well for my buns.
Psychotext
Member
Been "watching" the highland trail 550 on trackleaders and some of the performances being put in are just mindblowing.
http://trackleaders.com/highland17
Leaders have done over 200 miles in the first 24 hours, and this is off road, on terrain where you often have to hike a bike.
http://trackleaders.com/highland17
Leaders have done over 200 miles in the first 24 hours, and this is off road, on terrain where you often have to hike a bike.
frontieruk
Member
The view over Winchester as we left and headed home.
Psychotext
Member
Finally started training again. Only 95%, but I feel so happy that I'm able to get back at it.
Got out for a nice ride today. Trails were quite muddy in spots due to all the rain we've got here lately, so I didn't do my usual circuit. Took a friend into the trails for the first time on my spare bike... he loved it even though he wiped out a couple of times. It's always fun to introduce someone to this amazing sport.
frontieruk
Member
Hey bike-age I'm new to the scene and have a few questions. So I'm planning on commuting to work via bike (only 3 miles all downhill then 3 miles back uphill). I was wondering if the Trek FX 2 would be a good bike for this. It's a bit pricey but it looks to have everything that I want. Also I'm going to purchase a U-lock and I know this is a stupid question but whats the safest way to lock it in? My work has one of these
outside and I figured the best way would be to put the u-lock through the frame+backwheel to the rack. Anyway thanks in advance. Can't wait to start getting in shape and not looking like a twig.
frontieruk
Member
Treks are solid bikes, so generally can't go wrong, I would recommend popping to the bike so and trying it though if just to get the right sizing for you.
As to the lock you got it
Treks are solid bikes, so generally can't go wrong, I would recommend popping to the bike so and trying it though if just to get the right sizing for you.
As to the lock you got it
Yea I'm heading to a bike store tomorrow to get a feel for the right size frame. Thanks a ton of the picture I'll get one of those chain thingies for my front wheel too. Never hurts to be too safe.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
The specialized romin is pretty nice saddle. No numbness on 2-4 hour rides which is all im looking for mostly. I'm half tempted to give the 155 a go to see if it'll be a smidge more comfortable.
The only thing I need to figure out is why it feels like one side is hugging the saddle more. It feels like I'm shift to right, but I know that's kind of normal (per steve hoggs right side bias post). Just debating on trying to shift my cleats one way or the other to off set it.
There is no perfect solution to keep your bike safe when locked up. The only thing you can do is make your bike look like the bigger pain in the ass to steal.
The only thing I need to figure out is why it feels like one side is hugging the saddle more. It feels like I'm shift to right, but I know that's kind of normal (per steve hoggs right side bias post). Just debating on trying to shift my cleats one way or the other to off set it.
There is no perfect solution to keep your bike safe when locked up. The only thing you can do is make your bike look like the bigger pain in the ass to steal.
Psychotext
Member
Nice.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Where is this?
Sometimes it's best to listen to the brain, others you may have to fight it.
Its along the Capital Crescent Trail in Maryland. Going to follow my instincts and plan a 40 miler next weekend.
Gray Matter
Member
Bought a new bike on friday. 2016 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 with Ultegra DI2. It is soooo good. I installed my Reynolds wheels and my 4iii power meter.
That's one beautiful bike.