[RBW] Re: What do Rivendell Riders use for wheel security?
I use Pinheads... same basic idea as Pitlocks, also have on a few bikes keyed alike. They're a slight pain to use compared to QR skewers, but I feel better leaving those bikes locked outside for a few hours. The design seems *somewhat* more defeatable than Pitlocks, but it's not like I'm running $2000 Enve wheels or anything. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Dia-compe 986es for 700c conversion
I'm so stoked -- I finally found a grubby old set (2 pair) of black Dia-compe 986 calipers. No springs, brittle pads, but I must have tried four or five different sets of brakes on my old Trek 520, which was built to take 27 wheels, but which is running 700c. Nothing really worked well at all, due to the bosses being too high. But these homely old brakes actually have enough adjustment range to stop my 700c rims perfectly. I was afraid I'd have to cut off the bosses and run caliper brakes, but I really hate making permanent changes to elder statesman bicycles. Now I just have to rummage around and find some springs that will work, and Trak Palin will ride again! -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Creative Way to Clean a Stinky Helmet
I can't speak to this, but I've had good success buying the detergents sold for hunters who want to eliminate any trace of human odor. They claim to contain enzymes that break down oils and sweat, and they work really well for handwashing helmets and other stink-laden garb. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Water Bottles Tested and Rated
I use the Camelbak insulated bottles, which keep drinks cool up to 15 minutes after you start riding and come in a wide range of stupid prints and garish colors that don't match any of my bikes. I do actually like that you can lock out the bite valve until you need it, and they're a lot easier to drink from than some of the other ones. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Touring Shoes/Pedals
I use some beat-up Shimano SPD sandals whenever it's at all warm (and assuming I'm not going to be bombing through a bunch of rocks!), some cheapish Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes otherwise (mountain bike shoes have tall enough ridges on the bottom that the cleats don't clonk on wood floors too much), and some crazy huge Lake boots for when it's pouring or snowy. Pedal-wise, I have become a really big fan of Crank Bros. Eggbeaters and Candy pedals, which make it a lot easier (for me) to clip in and release. They're four-sided, so you never have to futz with them at all. I have a lot of knee pain, and the float on these pedals is just about right for me. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Sign I need 1/8 Chain vs. 8-speed?
I'm a big guy and a masher, but I've broken a lot of chains -- maybe 8 or 9 times in the last several years. Almost all of the broken chains were SRAM chains -- switched all those bikes to KMC and nothing since then. The one exception is a Campy 10 speed chain I snapped going downhill, weirdly. Most of the time it's either been climbing, or trying to power through an intersection. The cargo bike (which uses two chains joined together) has also seen its fair share of broken chains. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Touring click in shoes without using the click in on platforms/rat traps feasable?
My girlfriend uses Shimano road shoes (not a super-roadie design, more of a sport-touring shoe) with the inserts still in place, on platform pedals in the stoker position of our tandem. She likes the improved stiffness. I'm not sure how grippy they are, though. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
The gf and I have put a couple thousand miles on our tandem in the last year, including the Seattle to Portland ride. It's an '81 Santana, big beautiful fillet-brazed tank, rolling 27x1 1/4 on 48 spoke Phil wheels. It's a pavement only machine, though, or I will get punched in the back of the head repeatedly. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Least quill stem extension possible? Nitto Dirt Drop?
You can go with one of the steel Dutch bike stems for really minimal reach (about 10mm). Something like this: http://www.dutchbikebits.com/index.php?route=product/productpath=37_55product_id=125 -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Brooks saddle covers - what all works for you
I use the Aardvark ones, but after losing a couple, I thread a couple twist-ties through the fabric and around the saddle rails. When I want to take it off I can just pull it off and push it under the rails, leaving it attached with the ties. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Sugino XD2 crank exploded diagram available?
The main things you'll ever need to do are: remove/replace chainrings, in which case just take note where the bolts and spacer/washers go; or install or remove the whole crank, in which case you're best served by researching square taper bottom brackets on the Park Tools repair site, or perhaps Sheldon Brown. There's nothing especially unique about the Sugino cranksets, though. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Anyone Using Magnic Lights?
The girlfriend and I are each getting a set of the new ones in May (hopefully). I will try to post reactions once I've put a few miles on them. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Rambouillet conundrum
True, but even if I swap out for a different frameset (Mercian Audax?), the tires will be put to good use. I'll give it a shot. On Sunday, April 6, 2014 6:48:33 PM UTC-7, Brian Campbell wrote: Sounds like you know what you like and the Ram is not it. I would sell it. There may be no mystery to solve. Not every bike is for every person. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Rambouillet conundrum
For what it's worth, I (the original poster) am around 6' tall, 230 lbs., pretty beefy and broad (big shoulders, etc.). I would characterize myself as a masher, I guess, since I cut my teeth on mountain biking and never really developed a glassy-smooth pedal stroke. I guess I was just really surprised by some of the ride characteristics of the bike... I was expecting something like the sport-tourers of the 80's and early 90's, not so much the handling of a loaded touring bike or early 80's klunker. I do suspect there are some real fit issues with this frameset for me -- most of my bikes are kind of on the small side, some almost comically so. I appreciate how open minded all you Riv devotees have been through this discussion, though -- no one telling me my perceptions are just wrong, etc. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Rambouillet conundrum
OK, you guys talked me into trying a different set of tires before I boot this frameset to the curb. I did tour on the Paselas (on an old Trek 520) and found them both amazingly flat-resistant and super boring to ride, so I'm willing to buy that they could be making the Ram handle like a Trek Navigator. I've been planning on trying either a Compass or Grand Bois tire, but I'm nervous about flatting way too often. I am already the most flat-prone guy I know (riding 23s doesn't help, of course), and I've heard mixed things about these tires. I do know how much difference a decent tire can make, though. Thanks for all the thorough and thoughtful responses -- really great feedback. I appreciate it. - Jeff On Friday, April 4, 2014 10:44:27 AM UTC-7, Jeff Ong wrote: So, I've got a lot of bikes and zero cars. Only two are conventional road type bikes (a 2004 Merlin Fortius and an '84 Nobillette). Many are mountain bikes, and my daily rider/commuter is a 1995 Voodoo Bizango that I've added rack/fender eyelets to, converted to drops and 2 inch Schwalbe Marathons, and basically made into a sort of Atlantis type ride. About a year ago, I bought a secondhand (or third- or fourth-hand, who knows?) Rambouillet (from the first run of framesets, in pearl orange). My idea was to have a sporty road/light tourer with fenders, since I live in Portland, where it drizzles seven months of the year. I built this up with a pretty Riv-like collection of stuff -- a VO triple crankset, platform pedals, some nice wheels and Pasela 28s, Shimano 9-speed bar end shifters, bars a bit above saddle height, etc. It's super pretty, everyone oohs and ahs over it, etc. The problem is, I kind of hate riding it. It just steers like a pig, wallowing through turns, and it feels super slow to accelerate. I get terrible pedal strike unless I coast around every turn. I've really tried to get used to the ride, but I always find myself getting angry when I'm out on the bike... like hurry up, man! come on! I'm a decent enough mechanic to know that there isn't anything mechanically wrong. I do think this bike is bigger on me than I generally ride -- I'm 6' tall and this is a 58cm, and generally I ride smaller than that, although it's difficult to compare compact frames against this more traditional geometry. The bike isn't super light (27 lbs or so with fenders and racks), but many of my bikes are around that weight or heavier. Am I just not cut out for Riv-type geometry? Is it poorly fit to me? Is there something about the Rambouillet that just makes it slow-steering and ponderous? I would love to swap out this frameset with something livelier and more fun to ride (but that can still take racks and fenders with 28mm tires), and I'm just hoping to not make the same mistake. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Rambouillet conundrum
So, I've got a lot of bikes and zero cars. Only two are conventional road type bikes (a 2004 Merlin Fortius and an '84 Nobillette). Many are mountain bikes, and my daily rider/commuter is a 1995 Voodoo Bizango that I've added rack/fender eyelets to, converted to drops and 2 inch Schwalbe Marathons, and basically made into a sort of Atlantis type ride. About a year ago, I bought a secondhand (or third- or fourth-hand, who knows?) Rambouillet (from the first run of framesets, in pearl orange). My idea was to have a sporty road/light tourer with fenders, since I live in Portland, where it drizzles seven months of the year. I built this up with a pretty Riv-like collection of stuff -- a VO triple crankset, platform pedals, some nice wheels and Pasela 28s, Shimano 9-speed bar end shifters, bars a bit above saddle height, etc. It's super pretty, everyone oohs and ahs over it, etc. The problem is, I kind of hate riding it. It just steers like a pig, wallowing through turns, and it feels super slow to accelerate. I get terrible pedal strike unless I coast around every turn. I've really tried to get used to the ride, but I always find myself getting angry when I'm out on the bike... like hurry up, man! come on! I'm a decent enough mechanic to know that there isn't anything mechanically wrong. I do think this bike is bigger on me than I generally ride -- I'm 6' tall and this is a 58cm, and generally I ride smaller than that, although it's difficult to compare compact frames against this more traditional geometry. The bike isn't super light (27 lbs or so with fenders and racks), but many of my bikes are around that weight or heavier. Am I just not cut out for Riv-type geometry? Is it poorly fit to me? Is there something about the Rambouillet that just makes it slow-steering and ponderous? I would love to swap out this frameset with something livelier and more fun to ride (but that can still take racks and fenders with 28mm tires), and I'm just hoping to not make the same mistake. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Rambouillet conundrum
On Friday, April 4, 2014 11:08:43 AM UTC-7, Patrick Moore wrote: You do have a problem! I love my later edition blue Ram, also 58 (I'm 2 shorter but mostly shorter in the legs) and, while the Ram doesn't feel as spritely as my 2 remaining customs (tho' the Parigi Roubaix tires help make up for that) it is hardly piggish and it does encourage energetic riding. I've found that weight doesn't always mean feels faster. I owned a bike a couple of years ago that the two previous owners sold because (I am extrapolating) it felt sluggish to them -- didn't plane. The first time I got on it, it felt as if it just fit and wanted to go. It was rather a tank with f and r racks and fenders and lights; heavier than the Ram but not by much. And it had mediocre tires -- IRC Tandems. The Ram also fit right away and feels as, or almost, as fast, even though I guess the geometry is quite different -- medium versus low trail. It certainly has better tires. From these experiences, and from experience with other bikes, I tend to think that a frame's geometry can complement or resist one's body type, preferred setup, and customary riding style, so that some bikes just feel faster because they fit better -- regardless of tires, tubing, weight, and paint color. This is a guess, but my experience to support it has been remarkably consistent. Another thought: I rode that earlier bike (an old Herse) first with 32 mm Pasela Tourguards, and *those* were pigs. Even the scavenged IRC Tandems felt much better. Perhaps you should try better tires? Or just ride??? (Just kidding.) Thanks -- I have thought about using a higher-quality tire before I give up, as I've found that makes a pretty big difference in ride quality. I built up a set of nice wheels for this bike with some used King hubs, and that made a significant improvement, but it's still a pretty un-fun ride. I don't think it's a weight issue, as many of my bikes are pretty heavy, and don't have the same qualities. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Bosco Bullmoose Bars
I have Midge bars and Sparrow bars, and they're very different animals. The Midges feel like flared drops, with several usable hand positions, and they take road brake levers and bar-end shifters. The Sparrows really only have one hand position, at the ends, and are more like Dove or Albatross bars. I have them set up with old XT thumbshifters, and while they're comfortable, I wouldn't use them for singletrack riding. I can't really lift the front wheel when riding that bike. When I ride singletrack with the Midge, I invariably find myself switching to deep in the hooks, to get the most leverage and to shift my body weight forward. For general riding, I'm on the shoulders of the Midge bars, and typically braking with my thumbs on the interrupter levers I've got a couple inches out from the stem. Just my 2 cents! On Monday, March 31, 2014 6:48:28 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote: Casey and Philip, You have me intrigued with the flared off-road drops. For the Sparrow and wood chipper and On One Midge, is the cruising position in the flats on top, as on a road bike? Do they take road levers? What is the difference with different types of aluminum? With abandon, Patrick On Saturday, March 29, 2014 10:09:56 PM UTC-6, Philip Williamson wrote: I love flared off-road drops for exactly the reasons you mention. Philip www.biketinker.com -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] What do Rivendell riders use for riding Sandals?
I have put a lot of miles on my Shimano SPD sandals, from mountain biking to road centuries to tandem touring. I do like clipless pedals, though. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: How many mountain bikes do you own?
I have a slightly ridiculous number of mountain bikes, although only a few of them regularly get taken off-road. I've got a long travel Santa Cruz Huckler and a modern (2005-ish) Klein Attitude hardtail. Having at least front suspension really does make a huge difference for modern, very aggressive trails, I've reluctantly decided. Also, I discovered that as a guy in my 40's, I recover a lot quicker if I ride suspended. That said, I've also got a MB-Zip which is ridiculously light and fun to ride, a very early fillet-brazed Mt. Goat, a nice mid-80's fillet brazed Ritchey, and an early 90's Alpinestars elevated chainstay bike that I converted to a ridiculous fixed gear after the derailleur hanger bent irreparably. Oh, and my daily rider (apart from my Rambouillet) is a mid 90's Voodoo Bizango converted to drop bars, with fender/rack mounts I brazed on myself. That one still sees quite a bit of dirt, too. -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
