http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/
Dave Moulton has put 150 miles on his new Fuso, his former model name, made by an expert who took over the make. Now Dave is a lot older than I -- he was born in 1936, so almost 20 years older -- and it is very interesting to me at least to see what a man in his mid 70s will choose for riding longish distances comfortably. (Note: I am not slyly advocating, far from it; rather noting that even hard core racers eventually raise their bars and use Brooks saddles. His Fuso looks very appealing to me -- well, I'd have to get rid of the Brooks.) Me, I am starting to hanker for lower climbing gears for days when I want just to toodle around on a hot day on something less porcine than the (note: very fun nevertheless) Fargo. I have a Surly QR axle replacement for the '03 (from Jim at Hiawatha) that I need to get installed so that I have a much more easily flip/flopped wheel; then I need a half link (hope my brother remembers to bring one out next week) so that can use the entire length of the Campy 1010s and install a Dingle on the far side. This will give me 16/17-20 gearing, not so much for shifting on the run, but for shifting before the run to a choice of 68" or 58" in addition to the 72". Even better, when I have the money, perhaps getting another wheel built up with SA's kickback coaster brake hub -- and an S3X wheel for the '99. If I had all the money I'd get a Roadeo or, perhaps even more desirable, a used Ram or Heron. I don't want to invest in a road multispeed that is not in at least within the outer edges of he the penumbra of the Rivs' league. Speaking of toodling: I have been very surprised how easy it is to toodle even in the '03's 72" gear -- as long as you go slowly enough. My problem is warmup: it's hard to warm up in a 72" when you have to start the ride into a strong south wind or up a hill. I no longer have computers on my bikes, but I used to enjoy seeing how slowly I could go in a given fixed gear: I used to momentarily drop below 4 mph on the erstwhile Motobecan, loaded, up one very steep hill -- below 20 rpm in the 67" gear. Still, a 50" or 45" gear for hills or winds easier. -- "Push back against the age as hard as it pushes against you." Flannery O'Connor ------------------------- Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW http://resumespecialties.com/index.html ------------------------- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
