Hey, Dave -- thanks for your response. Yes, I did switch out the gearing. I replaced the stock chain rings with a 43/26 combo, and replaced the flip-side 20-tooth freewheel with a 22-tooth count. I maintained the White Industries 18/16 free that is on the drive side. I made the switch about a month ago, and I must say I'm liking the range quite a lot. Another addition, and one I find quite useful, is a mounting of a Pletcher double-leg kickstand -- especially useful considering the spate of flat rear tires I have been experiencing of late. It's a bit weighty, but very convenient for making the chainring switch and, of course for removing the rear wheel to place the flip-side 22-tooth. When wearing loaded rear panniers, the kickstand makes those things very easy and fast.
As to tires, you're right about both the Schwalbe and the Paselas, both of which I have hanging in my garage or mounted on another bike. My touring Atlantis is wearing the Supremes, and I have a set of Marathon XRs on a spare QB wheel set for use down in the SoCal desert that we venture down to each February. I don't enjoy riding the XRs on paved roads that much, but on dirt roads they are superb. I'll probably purchase another set of the Paselas from RBW, but I know they won't have the bite I need to climb some of the steeper Marin Headlands fire roads. But, I don't mind walking a bit, either. As to the tour, all of the aforementioned mod's were for a two-week crossing of Nevada and Southern Utah. The plans have been abruptly stalled due to a sudden elder-care family situation. I will, however, plan another such tour for late spring. In the meantime, I will keep riding the newly geared Quickbeam around the area. Sunday I rode it from my SF home, down to Palo Alto, across the Dumbarton Bridge, then up the eastshore to the city of Alameda. Mostly flat terrain, and I averaged 15 mph with no problem and only stopped once to eat a snack. Very comfy and enjoyable ride until I flated out in Hayward. it was 73 miles on the day, and I really liked the gearing. Some of we old guys are like that. Thanks for your comments and responses. I'll post some pix of the new configuration soon. I also traded out my beloved NS Banana bag for one of the Sackville Keven saddlebags. The jury is still out on that, but it does look good. Ray --- On Mon, 9/21/09, Dave Craig <dcr...@prescott.edu> wrote: From: Dave Craig <dcr...@prescott.edu> Subject: [RBW] Re: Quickbeam Tire Recommendations To: "RBW Owners Bunch" <rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 8:02 AM Hi, Ray: I remembered that you are or were planning a tour with your QB. Are these tires for that? If so, I'll add my vote for Schwalbe XR's or Supremes. I've had good experiences with both. The edge goes to the XR's for loose stuff (I actually use it as an MTB tire on my Bombadil) and the Supremes for general touring with mostly road. I don't really like the XR's for fast cornering on streets due to the profile, but they are great for touring speeds and with any off-road environment. For general use, it is hard to beat the Pasela Tourguards. They are relatively cheap and effective. My wife now has 3 full summers of touring and many, many miles of recreational riding on 32's with NO flats. I use 35's on my QB here in town and they work great. My preference, at my weight (200 lb) goes to 35's for the best combo of speed, ride quality and rim protection on our potholed roads and on my dirt/asphalt loop rides. Are you still doing your QB tour? How did the new gearing work out? Dave On Sep 21, 5:48 am, Ray <r.sh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > I am seeking recommendations for new Quickbeam tires that: > > 1) Are 700x32 (I'd consider 35s) > 2) Are highly puncture resistant > 3) Optimum for 85% road rides, much of that on urban streets > 4) Can handle safely 15% trail riding AND on 5-8% grades after I flip > the rear wheel to use the 22 tooth free. > > Does such a tire exist? If not, what comes closest? > > Thank you all for reading and responses. > > Ray --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---