If FEMA had the bicycles, would it fund Hustler's manlet bib?
#4001
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Well, this is a new one for me. I got my slicks (Conti CityRIDE) for my Zaskar yesterday so tonight I decided I'd get them mounted. I swapped the front tire, no problem. I removed the old Tioga Factory XC Slick from the rear wheel to find...no rim tape. Doesn't look like any has ever been on the rim, ever. I've only ridden this bike a few times over the years (wife never got into mountain biking)...but still, I rode it for 10-15 miles, and given the wear and tear on it I'm sure the previous owner had ridden it for several hundred miles. How has this tube survived with no rim tape?
#4002
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Replaced the 3 year old (I think) Botangers 23mm with the Continental gatorskins 25mm today (kevlar version)
WOW
No joke it was like going from k-sports to xidas. I was seriously surprised. So much smoother, so much grippier, and just overall win sauce![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I wasn't expecting to notice much since I am n00b and dunno what I'm doing. But there was a drastic difference that even I noticed
WOW
No joke it was like going from k-sports to xidas. I was seriously surprised. So much smoother, so much grippier, and just overall win sauce
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I wasn't expecting to notice much since I am n00b and dunno what I'm doing. But there was a drastic difference that even I noticed
#4003
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Ride to work was....interesting.
Last night's ride was to work to make sure I got the route down, and to test how long it would take. It was 50 minutes exactly, going at a normal pace. (12 miles)
This morning it took me 55 minutes, and I had to put in more effort. way more effort. I think there was a LOT more wind resistance. Didn't realize how much that affects things.
Here in Suckramental, it's pretty darn cold at night/morning, and pretty hot in the day time. I was really cold riding to work. So I'm not sure what to do, get cycling jersey and pants?
I think no matter what, If I keep riding to work I'm gonna need a backpack or a big pouch. Change of clothing, lunch, etc. all has to come with me otherwise its too much hassle.
Thoughts?
Oh and my lights should come in today, boy was I nervous riding without them this morning.
Last night's ride was to work to make sure I got the route down, and to test how long it would take. It was 50 minutes exactly, going at a normal pace. (12 miles)
This morning it took me 55 minutes, and I had to put in more effort. way more effort. I think there was a LOT more wind resistance. Didn't realize how much that affects things.
Here in Suckramental, it's pretty darn cold at night/morning, and pretty hot in the day time. I was really cold riding to work. So I'm not sure what to do, get cycling jersey and pants?
I think no matter what, If I keep riding to work I'm gonna need a backpack or a big pouch. Change of clothing, lunch, etc. all has to come with me otherwise its too much hassle.
Thoughts?
Oh and my lights should come in today, boy was I nervous riding without them this morning.
#4004
Retired Mech Design Engr
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Arm and leg warmers with shorts and shirt sleeve jersey if cold one way, hot the other. Maximum adjustability.
EDIT: Also consider driving on Monday and taking in 3 days of work clothes. Then you minimize what you have to carry on the bike Tues-Thurs. Drive Friday. Friday's here are always worst for traffic (cars vs bikes) on ride home. If you want to ride 5 days, then a backpack works, but makes your back wet w/ sweat. I didn't like that and built a dedicated commuter, but it's too early in your carrier for that. And it is more fun to ride the light bike home.
I have also mounted a rear rack on a road bike. I think backpack is a better choice for a single bike solution.
EDIT: Also consider driving on Monday and taking in 3 days of work clothes. Then you minimize what you have to carry on the bike Tues-Thurs. Drive Friday. Friday's here are always worst for traffic (cars vs bikes) on ride home. If you want to ride 5 days, then a backpack works, but makes your back wet w/ sweat. I didn't like that and built a dedicated commuter, but it's too early in your carrier for that. And it is more fun to ride the light bike home.
I have also mounted a rear rack on a road bike. I think backpack is a better choice for a single bike solution.
#4006
Former Vendor
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I spent an embarassing fortune on a Camelbak with integrated back pads to solve the sweat and pouches big enough to carry my laptop and change of clothes (left a pair of sneakers at the shop) but it was worthwhile.
My rules for clothing:
>60*F: short sleeve jersey, short bibs
55-60*F: +arm warmers
50-55*F long sleeve jersey, short bibs, knee warmers
45-50*F long sleeve jersey, thermal base layer, vest, bib tights
35-45*F swap vest for full-length jacket, add double-lined thermal gloves
For 52-55*F and 90-95*F in similar attire, you're going to want to err on the cold side in the mornings. I would do a good base layer, short sleeve jersey, arm warmers, knee/leg warmers, and long-finger gloves. You might be a little chilly for the first few miles but once body heat builds it will be fine. For the afternoons, ditch the arm/leg warmers.
My rules for clothing:
>60*F: short sleeve jersey, short bibs
55-60*F: +arm warmers
50-55*F long sleeve jersey, short bibs, knee warmers
45-50*F long sleeve jersey, thermal base layer, vest, bib tights
35-45*F swap vest for full-length jacket, add double-lined thermal gloves
For 52-55*F and 90-95*F in similar attire, you're going to want to err on the cold side in the mornings. I would do a good base layer, short sleeve jersey, arm warmers, knee/leg warmers, and long-finger gloves. You might be a little chilly for the first few miles but once body heat builds it will be fine. For the afternoons, ditch the arm/leg warmers.
#4007
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A few observations
Hot weather
When it's hot as you roll out, you won't begin to cool off until a few miles and you start sweating. So its normal to feel too hot as you roll out. The tighter your gear fits, the cooler it will be. Snug fit means your sweat reaches the surface immediately and
helps cool you. What you don't want is baggy gear that traps your body heat under a layer of damp, low breathability material.
Cold weather
When it's cold, you should never be warm as you roll out. You'll be way too hot once you start generating heat. In cold weather, aim for a level of gear that has your hands and feet warm but everything else a bit cool. A good undershirt is the foundation for me.
Hot weather
When it's hot as you roll out, you won't begin to cool off until a few miles and you start sweating. So its normal to feel too hot as you roll out. The tighter your gear fits, the cooler it will be. Snug fit means your sweat reaches the surface immediately and
helps cool you. What you don't want is baggy gear that traps your body heat under a layer of damp, low breathability material.
Cold weather
When it's cold, you should never be warm as you roll out. You'll be way too hot once you start generating heat. In cold weather, aim for a level of gear that has your hands and feet warm but everything else a bit cool. A good undershirt is the foundation for me.
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#4009
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So anyone here run rims or a whole wheelset from light- bicycle? They have a few really nice looking things and their reputation seems to be pretty decent for a "chinese company". I don't know much about wheels other than that the ones on my bike are fairly heavy, and a 25c tire is probably the widest I can run in my frame (a 28 MIGHT squeeze but not sure).
I was looking at these for a 25c tire: U shape 25mm depth Hand-built 700C carbon 25mm wide clincher road bicycle wheels for tubeless compatible Light-Bicycle
Opinions? Suggestions? Just buy the rim and build it or have them make the whole wheel? I specced out a set pre-built for just shy of $600 around 1550 gram. They range all the way from 24mm deep to 88mm deep, and the weight difference seems to be around 100 grams between the two extremes
I also specced out some 29er wheels pre-built also for right under $600 for the set around 1550gram
I was looking at these for a 25c tire: U shape 25mm depth Hand-built 700C carbon 25mm wide clincher road bicycle wheels for tubeless compatible Light-Bicycle
Opinions? Suggestions? Just buy the rim and build it or have them make the whole wheel? I specced out a set pre-built for just shy of $600 around 1550 gram. They range all the way from 24mm deep to 88mm deep, and the weight difference seems to be around 100 grams between the two extremes
I also specced out some 29er wheels pre-built also for right under $600 for the set around 1550gram
Last edited by Mazdaspeeder; 06-10-2016 at 12:11 PM.
#4011
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FWIW, my new wheelset for our tandem is ~1600g. that's XTR hubs, Easton 30mm deep aluminum rims and DT swiss heavy duty spokes. good hubs are a better investment in a wheelset than bling carbon hoops, IMO. there are a lot of reasonably priced aluminum options out there these days.
#4012
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I once read a commuting blog and they mentioned several times (paraphrasing) "if you show up to work on time, your late". not leaving time for mechanicals, wind, traffic, signals... a smoke? idk
#4013
Retired Mech Design Engr
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I try to get to work 30 min early to allow time to freshen and change. I also have to avoid others starting to converse as then the day starts and I'm still standing there in cycling shorts.
We don't have showers so I spritz with alcohol as I change.
We don't have showers so I spritz with alcohol as I change.
#4015
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FWIW, my new wheelset for our tandem is ~1600g. that's XTR hubs, Easton 30mm deep aluminum rims and DT swiss heavy duty spokes. good hubs are a better investment in a wheelset than bling carbon hoops, IMO. there are a lot of reasonably priced aluminum options out there these days.
Oval Concepts Aero Wheels - 327 Wheelset
One note is that when I am free wheeling, the rear hub makes almost NO cliking noise. I mean it's there, but unless you try to listen for it its basically silent. The hubs simply read "oval" and I think there is some part number there too but I don't recall
#4016
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Yeah I'm the boss so being a little bit late doesn't really get me into trouble, but I still hate being late so I totally agree. Next time (monday?) I will allow another 10 min minimum.
I got there just on time today, and there is a locker room/shower in our office building so I cleaned up, but it's still time consuming in the morning when you're half asleep.
Anyways, just did 28mi now. Down a bike trail along a river. WOW! Riding bike trails is like being on track, it's just so much better than city roads.
I got there just on time today, and there is a locker room/shower in our office building so I cleaned up, but it's still time consuming in the morning when you're half asleep.
Anyways, just did 28mi now. Down a bike trail along a river. WOW! Riding bike trails is like being on track, it's just so much better than city roads.