Jim, You are not imagining things. I have a Surly Cross-Check that has been used as a commuter, grocery-getter, randonneur, single-speed and as a cyclo-tourer. When I had it configured as a tourer I had it fairly heavily laden in front (2 large Ortlieb backroller panniers + Tubus Tara) with an Ortlieb rack pack on back + Tubus Cosmo. I still cannot believe how comfortable that particular rig rode. As Mark Schneider points out, bikes do seem to work better when they flex a bit, and with the Surly's decently burly tubes, it sure proved that theory!
Good luck! Jeff On Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 5:01:26 PM UTC-8 Mark Schneider wrote: > I think I have an idea. The stiff tubing on your Clem wasn't flexing > without a load. Bikes work best when they flex a little, your other bikes > weren't as stiff, the extra weight allows the Clem to "plane". I've heard > Jan Heine talk about stiffer bikes needing more weight to ride better. > > On Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 11:57:28 AM UTC-8 Jim Whorton wrote: > >> Jim M, thanks for sharing that about the 52 Clem. I had wondered how a >> 52 would feel. I can't help thinking the 55 Atlantis would be perfect, >> though I'm hesitant to spend that money on a new bike for all the reasons >> people have said. >> >> Really appreciate all the comments and advice. I've learned a ton from >> this forum over the last couple years. >> >> DougP, yes, I am with you on donating bikes and parts. Rochester has a >> great non-profit called R Community Bikes that repairs old bikes and gives >> them away to people who need them. I have given them a few. >> >> Jim W >> >> On Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 1:14:07 PM UTC-5 Jim M. wrote: >> >>> On Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 8:24:28 PM UTC-8 Jim Whorton wrote: >>> >>>> I'm not sure why I picked up the pipe, Jason. It seemed like a good >>>> pipe. >>>> >>> I have a pipe like that (slightly shorter) to use as a cheater bar. >>> >>> I have the same pbh and bought a 52 Clem H that was on sale. It was too >>> small though I fit the theoretical range. I should have gotten the 59. I >>> support the suggestions of better tires/lower pressure. I think you'll feel >>> a big difference. I really liked the Clem other than the sizing. >>> >>> jim m >>> walnut creek >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/aa6dd406-70c0-4d72-aa03-527d87cefd76n%40googlegroups.com.
