[RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread JoelMatthews
The Colt is already available.  Initial impressions I have heard are
that the saddle is very hard and not terribly comfortable.  Apparently
it is meant to be a race type saddle for the heavier rider.

On Sep 16, 10:37 pm, Chris Halasz  wrote:
> In another month or two, these beauties will be available from Brooks:
>
> http://bikereviews.com/2010/06/new-products-from-brooks-saddles/
>
> - Chris
> Tucson, AZ

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Re: [RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread Thomas Lynn Skean
I'm looking forward to a "select" B17. If it's simply a thicker stiffer B17 
Special that'd be beautiful (unless they cost $300 or something; that'd be 
ridiculous).

Yours,
Thomas Lynn Skean


On Sep 17, 2010, at 8:06 AM, JoelMatthews  wrote:

> The Colt is already available.  Initial impressions I have heard are
> that the saddle is very hard and not terribly comfortable.  Apparently
> it is meant to be a race type saddle for the heavier rider.
> 
> On Sep 16, 10:37 pm, Chris Halasz  wrote:
>> In another month or two, these beauties will be available from Brooks:
>> 
>> http://bikereviews.com/2010/06/new-products-from-brooks-saddles/
>> 
>> - Chris
>> Tucson, AZ
> 
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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread GeorgeS
I have a Surly Traveler's Check which is the Cross Check with S&S
couplers.  It has been absolutely one of my best purchases ever.  No
problem with the airlines.  No big bulky bike box with the threat of
enormous fees and/or outright rejection hanging over the trip.  No
danger of severe damage or loss of pieces coming out of the box.  The
peace of mind in traveling, for me, is priceless.  That's why the cost
effective argument doesn't make sense.  One may be willing to live
with the downsides of airline travel with the bike in a card board box
rather than pay the admittedly high cost of couplers and case.  That's
a matter of personal preference.  But what one cannot do is obtain the
advantages of a coupled bike for less money than the cost of couplers
and a hard case.  There is also the assembly/disassembly problem.  It
takes me approximately one hour to unpack and get the bike ready to
ride and a little more time to disassemble and pack the bike.  For me,
if I'm going for a multi-week trip, the time spent on assembly/
disasembly is insignificant.  If the trip is for a couple of days,
I'll take the Brompton.  Again, it's a matter of what one is willing
to put up with.  If the assembly/disassembly time is so unpleasant and
frustrating that it threatens to spoil one's vacation, then the
couplers are not worth the cost whatever that is.
GeorgeS

On Sep 16, 8:11 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
> I sent my Bleriot frame off to Bilenky for S&S couplers before I built
> it up.  Bleriot was also, until recently, my randonneuring bike.
> Seems to work just fine :-)  No problems.  It has also been packed and
> taken on airplanes many times (Europe twice.  Mostly to the family
> summer place).  No problems ever.  No extra charge because it was a
> bicycle, ever.  At most, the "piece of luggage" charge.
>
> I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.  Or
> renting a bike at my destination.  Having MY go-to bicycle at my
> destination that fits ME... priceless.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/sets/72157594509789929/with/32...
>
> As it is, my new custom rando bike also has S&S couplers, but I didn't
> have to buy the case and packing accessories, because I've already got
> them.
>
> One of my bikes will be going to Ireland next summer; haven't decided
> which one.
>
> Lynne F
>
> On Sep 15, 7:32 pm, Kip Otteson  wrote:
>
>
>
> > I noticed yesterday that my kickstand was sitting at a very awkward
> > angle.  I moved it a little and I could see that my kickstand plate
> > was ripping off of my frame.  I have a Pletscher double kickstand on
> > the Bombadil and I think that when it was parked at school someone sat
> > on it and bent it all up.  Bummer deal.  I took off the kickstand and
> > now am really old-new school with a bike I have to lean up against
> > things, like in the old days.  I was worried that the chainstays would
> > be hammered as well but they look fine.  I'll have to wait till I'm
> > back in the states to get it fixed properly.
>
> > BTW - I thought that if I was going to get the frame fixed I'd be
> > looking at sending it to Bilenky Bike Works and getting S and S
> > couplers fitted for a more travel friendly machine.  Anybody out there
> > experienced converting a frame to a travel bike?
>
> > Kip Otteson
> > Chiang Mai, Thailand- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

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Re: [RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread Tim McNamara


On Sep 17, 2010, at 8:06 AM, JoelMatthews wrote:


The Colt is already available.  Initial impressions I have heard are
that the saddle is very hard and not terribly comfortable.  Apparently
it is meant to be a race type saddle for the heavier rider.


I have one of the old Colts that I bout 10 years ago, when it looked  
like Brooks was going away forever.  I think I paid $25 for it,  
discovered it in a bike shop in Cannon Falls MN into which my wife  
and I stopped randomly.  I've never ridden it, it's on one of my  
wife's bikes.  She seems to do OK with it although she prefers the  
Pro S saddles on her other bikes.  It's narrow, about like a Pro or a  
B.17N.  The leather is thick like the old Pros were; it would take  
some break-in but would end up being an old friend like my 34 year  
old Pro on my Riv (which I bout just after graduating from high  
school and it took about 2 years to fully break in.  It is the most  
comfortable saddle I have ever ridden).


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[RBW] Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Michael_S
After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
them.

Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
are flat prone too.

 The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
anyone have experience with these?

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread pruckelshaus
I'm riding Ruffy Tuffy's and love them.

On Sep 17, 11:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> them.
>
> Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> are flat prone too.
>
>  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> anyone have experience with these?

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RE: [RBW] Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Joe Bartoe

So, you never even tried them? Plenty of tires feel delicate in the hand but 
hold up well while riding.

I've been using the Grand Bois Cerf (700x28c size) on my Rivendell. They don't 
feel overly robust and they worried me a bit, but they have proven themselves 
over time. The only bit of bad luck I've had was a small piece of metal which 
sliced one through the casing. I've gotten a few flats from random thorns as 
well, but really no more than I've gotten with other tires.

The ride quality on these tires is incredible and they really do run faster 
than other tires I've used. They are faster and nicer riding than the Ruffy 
Tuffys or Roly-Polys. I highly recommend them and trust me, I was skeptical at 
first.

Joe

> Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:43:24 -0700
> Subject: [RBW] Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28
> From: mikeybi...@rocketmail.com
> To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com
> 
> After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> them.
> 
> Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> are flat prone too.
> 
>  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> anyone have experience with these?
> 
> -- 
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> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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> 
  

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread eflayer
on my last two week trip with coupled Rambouillet, I did the
reassemble on the lawn in front of my hotel.  That took about 45
minutes and I had stuff strewn all over the lawn.  Lot's of parts,
pads, tools, etc.   This was a typical assembly location.  When the
trip was over, I was offered the use of a conference room inside the
hotel as the location to do the disassemble and packing.  Indoors with
no distractions and a banquet table is my preferred venue.  All was
smooth, quiet and having a place to put tools and lean the bike can
make a subtle difference.

On Sep 17, 8:35 am, GeorgeS  wrote:
> I have a Surly Traveler's Check which is the Cross Check with S&S
> couplers.  It has been absolutely one of my best purchases ever.  No
> problem with the airlines.  No big bulky bike box with the threat of
> enormous fees and/or outright rejection hanging over the trip.  No
> danger of severe damage or loss of pieces coming out of the box.  The
> peace of mind in traveling, for me, is priceless.  That's why the cost
> effective argument doesn't make sense.  One may be willing to live
> with the downsides of airline travel with the bike in a card board box
> rather than pay the admittedly high cost of couplers and case.  That's
> a matter of personal preference.  But what one cannot do is obtain the
> advantages of a coupled bike for less money than the cost of couplers
> and a hard case.  There is also the assembly/disassembly problem.  It
> takes me approximately one hour to unpack and get the bike ready to
> ride and a little more time to disassemble and pack the bike.  For me,
> if I'm going for a multi-week trip, the time spent on assembly/
> disasembly is insignificant.  If the trip is for a couple of days,
> I'll take the Brompton.  Again, it's a matter of what one is willing
> to put up with.  If the assembly/disassembly time is so unpleasant and
> frustrating that it threatens to spoil one's vacation, then the
> couplers are not worth the cost whatever that is.
> GeorgeS
>
> On Sep 16, 8:11 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
>
>
>
> > I sent my Bleriot frame off to Bilenky for S&S couplers before I built
> > it up.  Bleriot was also, until recently, my randonneuring bike.
> > Seems to work just fine :-)  No problems.  It has also been packed and
> > taken on airplanes many times (Europe twice.  Mostly to the family
> > summer place).  No problems ever.  No extra charge because it was a
> > bicycle, ever.  At most, the "piece of luggage" charge.
>
> > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.  Or
> > renting a bike at my destination.  Having MY go-to bicycle at my
> > destination that fits ME... priceless.
>
> >http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/sets/72157594509789929/with/32...
>
> > As it is, my new custom rando bike also has S&S couplers, but I didn't
> > have to buy the case and packing accessories, because I've already got
> > them.
>
> > One of my bikes will be going to Ireland next summer; haven't decided
> > which one.
>
> > Lynne F
>
> > On Sep 15, 7:32 pm, Kip Otteson  wrote:
>
> > > I noticed yesterday that my kickstand was sitting at a very awkward
> > > angle.  I moved it a little and I could see that my kickstand plate
> > > was ripping off of my frame.  I have a Pletscher double kickstand on
> > > the Bombadil and I think that when it was parked at school someone sat
> > > on it and bent it all up.  Bummer deal.  I took off the kickstand and
> > > now am really old-new school with a bike I have to lean up against
> > > things, like in the old days.  I was worried that the chainstays would
> > > be hammered as well but they look fine.  I'll have to wait till I'm
> > > back in the states to get it fixed properly.
>
> > > BTW - I thought that if I was going to get the frame fixed I'd be
> > > looking at sending it to Bilenky Bike Works and getting S and S
> > > couplers fitted for a more travel friendly machine.  Anybody out there
> > > experienced converting a frame to a travel bike?
>
> > > Kip Otteson
> > > Chiang Mai, Thailand- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

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[RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread grant
Colt and cutaway saddles in general

The flaps that get cut off are part of the saddle's structure. Without
the flaps, the saddle sags sooner. The Swallow deals with it by
riveting the two sides together underneath, but I've never seen a well-
ridden Swallow (mostly they go on Show Bikes, not Go Bikes), so I
don't know how well it works. Just because I haven't seen it and don't
know doesn't mean they aren't out there, and it works great.

The Colt deals with it, if it continues to deal with it the way it did
when it was introduced in the  '80s, by overtensioning. That's what
goes on with the Swift, too,  and you can see it manifested as a
slight dolphin-hump from front to back. It's always kind of funny when
mouths talk for crotches, but when my mouth channels my crotch, it
says, "Hey man, that hump puts a lot of pressure right where I don't
need it."

I got the first two Colts in this country way back then, as gifts, and
I wanted to love that saddle, but I couldn't do it.

Another thing to examine is the rail shape. On the Swift (152mm wide,
compared to 160 for the Pro and 170 for the B.17), the rails stop
being parallel farther from the nose, which means you can't shove them
back as far. Everybody I know except Keven shoves his/her saddle back
as far as  it'll go, and 90 percent wish it would go back more. I
think, but as always I don't know, that the rail shape is guided by
the cutaway leather, meaning the designer doesn't like the look of
parallel rails way far forward on a cutaway saddle.

I'd like to end this on an up-for-Brooks note. The saddles delivered
since the Italians bought Brooks in 2004 or whenever...have been
better than the earlier ones. I think Brooks is overplaying the
Heritage card, but that may be necessary to reach a younger audience
who isn't familiar with it. The boxes are suspiciously stout---who
needs 'em that thick and cleverly comparmentalized?--but overall, it's
still the saddle to beat, and the Brooks saddles of today are the best
ones that I can remember.

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Jim M.
I just started using a pair of 700x28 Schwalbe Ultremo's. I'm very
impressed with their ride quality and they are proving to be a tough
tire too. I reach down and glove wipe them if I've ridden through
glass, etc. No flats so far.

jim m
wc ca

On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> them.
>
> Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> are flat prone too.
>
>  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> anyone have experience with these?

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Aaron Thomas
I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
intact.

If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
them a try.

Aaron

On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> them.
>
> Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> are flat prone too.
>
>  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> anyone have experience with these?

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[RBW] FS: Sugino XD2 crankset, 170mm

2010-09-17 Thread Gino Zahnd
I found another crankset in my boxes as I'm packing to move. Same thing as
last time, but new logo.


Sugino XD2 , 170mm, new logo
rings: 46x36x24

They're in good used shape, and the rings have many thousands of miles left
in them. These were on my Rawland MTB, so have some scrapes at the pedal end
of the crank. Otherwise, great. They might have 5-600 miles on them.

$80 including shipping, US only.

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[RBW] FS: Exustar SRT707 Touring Shoes, Size 41, New

2010-09-17 Thread Jon Grant
Perfect and beautiful, but bought the wrong size. $75.00 shipped CONUS;
Paypal preferred.

--
Jon ³Papa² Grant
Illustration + Information Graphics
Austin, Texas
jgr...@papagrant.com
512-284-9599

Drawings ‹ all sorts

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread NickBull
I just recently flew from DC to Seattle and back on Delta Airlines
with my S&S coupled bike packed in an S&S soft case.  No charge beyond
the "piece of luggage" charge of $23.  In five round-trip flights with
the S&S case, no one has ever asked me what was in the case.  It's
just an airline-legal-size piece of baggage, so why would they ask?
They don't ask what any of my other luggage is, either.  TSA has
looked at the contents several times, judging by straps that are
undone on arrival.

Economics of S&S couplers:  Delta currently charges $200 for bikes, so
a round-trip costs $400.  Three trips pays for your couplers + case.
Airtran charges $80 each way.

I wouldn't get a soft case again, I think that a hard case does a
better job of protecting the bike.  I don't think the bike has ever
experienced actual damage en route, but it just seems like the hard
case would do a better job.

It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to either unpack or pack the bike.  I
have a set of photos to remind me of what packing order works.

Nick

On Sep 16, 9:42 pm, Steve Palincsar  wrote:
> On Thu, 2010-09-16 at 18:11 -0700, Lynne Fitz wrote:
>
> > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.
>
> However, now you still pay the extra charge because it's a bicycle no
> matter how small it packs down, right?

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[RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread Scott G.
For those who think Brooks has been going soft..
(I love the headline)

"New Brooks saddles "even harder" - Vans saddle"

Read more: 
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/new-brooks-saddles-even-harder/5484-4.html#ixzz0zoNx5cjM

"Swiss select Organic cowhide for your Brooks, perfect, almost as
funny
as the "Presoftened" saddles, British humour.

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[RBW] Re: My new Rodeo

2010-09-17 Thread William
Regarding compact doubles, I've always run compact doubles on triple
cranks, so that if I decide later that this particular bike needs the
granny, I can do it.  I've gone so far as to have a bagged up kit of
parts for the swap (ft der, ring and bolts, bb).  I admit I like the
look of a compact double, and I like the idea of lighter weight even
if I can't feel it.  Also, I like a double when I can confidently say
I'd never use a third ring in a particular application, just like
those of you who are committed to a triple would call a fourth
chainring unnecessary.

On my Renovelo/Bleriot I'm going to use a 30/44 in front and an 11-28
9 speed in back.  If I decide that's not cutting it for me on the low
end, I have the parts to go all the way to a 29/46 in front and a
12-36 in back.  With that setup, I'd have a low gear of about 21.6
inches and a high of about 103.  Very few people need a higher high or
a lower low than that for any application.  Spread out over 18 gears,
with only 4 cross-chain gears that I'd want to avoid, that's 14 usable
gears.  I can live with those steps.  I'd argue that there is very
little to be gained in any triple setup over that.  The marginal
benefits would be limited to: better front shifting over my big
17tooth jump, a lower low possible, more gears in the same range with
a 3x8 or a 3x9.

On Sep 15, 11:05 pm, Fai Mao  wrote:
> Especially when I am carrying something home my bike and luggage can easily
> hit the 40 pound mark. A 30 something gear is a gear that I walk the bike up
> 1:10 hill. I need a gear at least in the mid 20's to grind up a hill that
> steep however, it is a quandry because I can at that point push the bike up
> the hill faster than I can ride it up the hill.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 16, 2010 at 1:39 PM, charlie  wrote:
> > I'm with you...I must be a weakling too. I can't go up the
> > foothills of Mt Rainier without a small inner ring, especially after I
> > am all tired out. The only "compact double I would consider would be
> > perhaps a 46x30 or a 44/42x28 coupled with a 12-32,34 or 36 cog set.
> > I own a classic steel race bike from the 80's with a 42x52 and a 13-23
> > six speed. At 21 pounds I cannot ride it on anything but gentle
> > rollers and relatively flat ground. It makes no difference to me that
> > the shifting is "simple and crisp" and I don't think it makes me any
> > faster than my normal all rounder style bike. Unless one is very lean
> > and very in shape, I honestly don't think there is much of a reason to
> > ride with a double and certainly not on a bike that will take you to
> > unknown areas due to its versatility and fender-ability. Three cheers
> > to those that can make compact doubles work..years of sit down
> > bench work and too many calories have done wonders to limit my
> > climbing abilities. I need a wide range triple and I am not afraid to
> > admit it !!!  : )
>
> > On Sep 12, 9:43 am, Anne Paulson  wrote:
> > > > Anne, a 34/36-48/50 double with a 12-27 cassette yields a low gear in
> > > > the mid-30s inches and lets you keep the crisp&simple-shifting short
> > > > cage derailers. I have found even as a middle-age office worker that
> > > > mid-30 gears will get me comfortably up anything (paved) here in
> > > > Western Colorado.
>
> > > I guess I'm just a weakling here. Mid-30 gears don't do it for me when
> > > the grade gets above around 10-12%.
>
> > > --
> > > -- Anne Paulson
>
> > > My hovercraft is full of eels
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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>
> --
> Fai Mao
> The Blogger who sometimes responds to comments

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Michael_S
My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
them for a few weeks and have to toss them.

~Mike~

On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
> I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
> intact.
>
> If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
> them a try.
>
> Aaron
>
> On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
>
>
>
> > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > them.
>
> > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> > are flat prone too.
>
> >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

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Re: [RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread Steve Palincsar
On Fri, 2010-09-17 at 11:14 -0700, Scott G. wrote:
> For those who think Brooks has been going soft..
> (I love the headline)
> 
> "New Brooks saddles "even harder" - Vans saddle"
> 
> Read more: 
> http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/new-brooks-saddles-even-harder/5484-4.html#ixzz0zoNx5cjM
> 
> "Swiss select Organic cowhide for your Brooks, perfect, almost as
> funny
> as the "Presoftened" saddles, British humour.

I don't understand.  Where's the humor?



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Re: [RBW] Re: B17 vs Team Pro... any direct comparison wisdom?

2010-09-17 Thread Tim McNamara


On Sep 17, 2010, at 1:43 PM, Steve Palincsar wrote:


On Fri, 2010-09-17 at 11:14 -0700, Scott G. wrote:

For those who think Brooks has been going soft..
(I love the headline)

"New Brooks saddles "even harder" - Vans saddle"

Read more: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/gear-news/new-brooks- 
saddles-even-harder/5484-4.html#ixzz0zoNx5cjM


"Swiss select Organic cowhide for your Brooks, perfect, almost as
funny
as the "Presoftened" saddles, British humour.


I don't understand.  Where's the humor?


The "presoftened" Brooks Pros were still as hard as a plank.  They  
just had some Proofide applied at the factory and a stamped  
"Presoftened" logo on the top of the saddle.  Otherwise they didn't  
seem any different.



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[RBW] OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread newenglandbike
I just visited Rivendell headquarters last week for the first time and
it was great.I was lucky enough to talk to Keven, Dave, Rich, and
Grant in person.They gave me a delicious espresso and even
lunch.   I had just completed a ~6,000 mile zig-zag trip across North
America (New England, northern Ontario, Alberta, BC, and the Northwest
coast) from Boston, and am currently visiting a few friends who live
in and around the SF bay area.

Anyway at Rivendell I was going on and on about how amazed/impressed I
was that I never broke a spoke on my Rich les...@rivendell built
wheels, nor even had to true them, and about how none of the
components I had purchased from Rivendell, from cranks to chainrings
to shifters/derailleurs had broken or even worn out.The Nitto
Noodle bars have taken several front/side impacts along the way and
have not even so much as bent.   I finally replaced my rear tire at
over 5000 miles coming down the Oregon coast, with another Schwalbe
tire I bought in Kalispell, Montana at Wheaton's bike shop (just
because they had them... plus I thought I might need one eventually,
and it shocked me that they carried Schwalbe's) but I think the
original tire could have gone longer, it's just that I was starting to
get mysterious flats and could see the mesh/cords in some spots where
rocks had punched through.The Brooks saddle occasionally got
soaked in overnight rainstorms when I forgot to cover it, and ridden
for 10 hours immediately afterward-   no problems that I can see.
Wool underwear/t-shirt and nylon pants/MUSA shorts made me actually
look forward to riding in the rain (free shower).   Also the Nitto
mini-rack and Wald basket & bungee-net system could not have worked
better as far as I'm concerned.

Yesterday I noticed this post on Rivendell's website, and am surprised
to see that Grant posted some photos, and amazed at Grant's memory of
our conversation from last Friday when I was there.

http://www.rivbike.com/assets/payloads/361/original_matthewtour.pdf

Grant is right-   the Bombadil would have handled this journey much
better.  the Waterford frame was overloaded and at speeds between
14mph and 25mph would wiggle/noodle quite a bit depending on how I had
distributed the load (along the way I tried several things and refined
the load balance as much as I could).But in terms of components, I
sometimes worried about them but apparently never had to.Other
folks I've met along the way (who were on bicycle trips) had lots of
stories about broken spokes and various mechanical issues, but I
mostly had stories about the magnificent wildlife we have here in
North America, or sometimes abusive offroad terrain matched with
spectacular landscapes, etc.   I did lose a brake pad once but I think
it just worked itself loose, and I did crash into a swamp at dusk on
the north shore of Lake Superior (bent fork) but that's pretty much
it, off the top of my head.

Anyway it was cool to meet the folks at Rivendell.I even camped
out up on Mt. Diablo the night before and got to see at least 5
migrating tarantulas on north gate road, and they left quite an
impression...  we sure don't have spiders like that back east.

Matt

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[RBW] Re: OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread William
That's really really excellent.  Wicked pissah! as I'm told they say
in n'england.

On Sep 17, 12:13 pm, newenglandbike  wrote:
> I just visited Rivendell headquarters last week for the first time and
> it was great.    I was lucky enough to talk to Keven, Dave, Rich, and
> Grant in person.    They gave me a delicious espresso and even
> lunch.   I had just completed a ~6,000 mile zig-zag trip across North
> America (New England, northern Ontario, Alberta, BC, and the Northwest
> coast) from Boston, and am currently visiting a few friends who live
> in and around the SF bay area.
>
> Anyway at Rivendell I was going on and on about how amazed/impressed I
> was that I never broke a spoke on my Rich les...@rivendell built
> wheels, nor even had to true them, and about how none of the
> components I had purchased from Rivendell, from cranks to chainrings
> to shifters/derailleurs had broken or even worn out.    The Nitto
> Noodle bars have taken several front/side impacts along the way and
> have not even so much as bent.   I finally replaced my rear tire at
> over 5000 miles coming down the Oregon coast, with another Schwalbe
> tire I bought in Kalispell, Montana at Wheaton's bike shop (just
> because they had them... plus I thought I might need one eventually,
> and it shocked me that they carried Schwalbe's) but I think the
> original tire could have gone longer, it's just that I was starting to
> get mysterious flats and could see the mesh/cords in some spots where
> rocks had punched through.    The Brooks saddle occasionally got
> soaked in overnight rainstorms when I forgot to cover it, and ridden
> for 10 hours immediately afterward-   no problems that I can see.
> Wool underwear/t-shirt and nylon pants/MUSA shorts made me actually
> look forward to riding in the rain (free shower).   Also the Nitto
> mini-rack and Wald basket & bungee-net system could not have worked
> better as far as I'm concerned.
>
> Yesterday I noticed this post on Rivendell's website, and am surprised
> to see that Grant posted some photos, and amazed at Grant's memory of
> our conversation from last Friday when I was there.
>
> http://www.rivbike.com/assets/payloads/361/original_matthewtour.pdf
>
> Grant is right-   the Bombadil would have handled this journey much
> better.  the Waterford frame was overloaded and at speeds between
> 14mph and 25mph would wiggle/noodle quite a bit depending on how I had
> distributed the load (along the way I tried several things and refined
> the load balance as much as I could).    But in terms of components, I
> sometimes worried about them but apparently never had to.    Other
> folks I've met along the way (who were on bicycle trips) had lots of
> stories about broken spokes and various mechanical issues, but I
> mostly had stories about the magnificent wildlife we have here in
> North America, or sometimes abusive offroad terrain matched with
> spectacular landscapes, etc.   I did lose a brake pad once but I think
> it just worked itself loose, and I did crash into a swamp at dusk on
> the north shore of Lake Superior (bent fork) but that's pretty much
> it, off the top of my head.
>
> Anyway it was cool to meet the folks at Rivendell.    I even camped
> out up on Mt. Diablo the night before and got to see at least 5
> migrating tarantulas on north gate road, and they left quite an
> impression...  we sure don't have spiders like that back east.
>
> Matt

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Re: [RBW] OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread Rene Sterental
Simply amazing. Hats off to you and Rivendell.

René

Sent from my iPhone 4

On Sep 17, 2010, at 12:13 PM, newenglandbike  wrote:

> I just visited Rivendell headquarters last week for the first time and
> it was great.I was lucky enough to talk to Keven, Dave, Rich, and
> Grant in person.They gave me a delicious espresso and even
> lunch.   I had just completed a ~6,000 mile zig-zag trip across North
> America (New England, northern Ontario, Alberta, BC, and the Northwest
> coast) from Boston, and am currently visiting a few friends who live
> in and around the SF bay area.
>
> Anyway at Rivendell I was going on and on about how amazed/impressed I
> was that I never broke a spoke on my Rich les...@rivendell built
> wheels, nor even had to true them, and about how none of the
> components I had purchased from Rivendell, from cranks to chainrings
> to shifters/derailleurs had broken or even worn out.The Nitto
> Noodle bars have taken several front/side impacts along the way and
> have not even so much as bent.   I finally replaced my rear tire at
> over 5000 miles coming down the Oregon coast, with another Schwalbe
> tire I bought in Kalispell, Montana at Wheaton's bike shop (just
> because they had them... plus I thought I might need one eventually,
> and it shocked me that they carried Schwalbe's) but I think the
> original tire could have gone longer, it's just that I was starting to
> get mysterious flats and could see the mesh/cords in some spots where
> rocks had punched through.The Brooks saddle occasionally got
> soaked in overnight rainstorms when I forgot to cover it, and ridden
> for 10 hours immediately afterward-   no problems that I can see.
> Wool underwear/t-shirt and nylon pants/MUSA shorts made me actually
> look forward to riding in the rain (free shower).   Also the Nitto
> mini-rack and Wald basket & bungee-net system could not have worked
> better as far as I'm concerned.
>
> Yesterday I noticed this post on Rivendell's website, and am surprised
> to see that Grant posted some photos, and amazed at Grant's memory of
> our conversation from last Friday when I was there.
>
> http://www.rivbike.com/assets/payloads/361/original_matthewtour.pdf
>
> Grant is right-   the Bombadil would have handled this journey much
> better.  the Waterford frame was overloaded and at speeds between
> 14mph and 25mph would wiggle/noodle quite a bit depending on how I had
> distributed the load (along the way I tried several things and refined
> the load balance as much as I could).But in terms of components, I
> sometimes worried about them but apparently never had to.Other
> folks I've met along the way (who were on bicycle trips) had lots of
> stories about broken spokes and various mechanical issues, but I
> mostly had stories about the magnificent wildlife we have here in
> North America, or sometimes abusive offroad terrain matched with
> spectacular landscapes, etc.   I did lose a brake pad once but I think
> it just worked itself loose, and I did crash into a swamp at dusk on
> the north shore of Lake Superior (bent fork) but that's pretty much
> it, off the top of my head.
>
> Anyway it was cool to meet the folks at Rivendell.I even camped
> out up on Mt. Diablo the night before and got to see at least 5
> migrating tarantulas on north gate road, and they left quite an
> impression...  we sure don't have spiders like that back east.
>
> Matt
>
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[RBW] Re: OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread Mike
Hey Matt, that's really cool. I'm glad your tour went well. I hope
you'll share some pictures with us at some point. I think your
experience is a testament to the quality of the products Rivendell
produces and promotes. I've been really satisfied with the quality and
performance of what I've purchased from Rivendell.

I've been to RBWHQ once before and only met Grant who was really nice
and very engaging. I'm going to visit there later this month and
really excited about that. There's some items that I'd probabaly never
purchase but will be excited to check out in person.

--mike

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[RBW] Re: 3 days in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

2010-09-17 Thread J. Burkhalter
Great shots Mike!  Thanks for sharing the adventure.  My GF and I will
definitely be borrowing from your route when we make it over to the NW
for some bike rambling one of these days.

-Jay
Denver

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[RBW] FS: Shimano TR01 Road Shoes; Easton 10 cm + 25* (?) stem, Wellgo track pedals

2010-09-17 Thread PATRICK MOORE
Prices include shipping in CONUS.

1. Shimano TR01 carbon fiber bottomed road shoe, 45 (fits snug for a
45 -- I generally wear 10s and find these tight with anything except
the thinnest socks). NOTE!!! The straps have had about 1", including
the pull tabs, amputated -- said ends would catch on my straight up
'n' down Cyclotourist crankarms. $35 shipped.

2. Easton 10 cm quill-less (aheadset type) stem, as new (fewer than
100 miles), $25 shipped.

3. Wellgo track pedals, <200 miles, $25 shipped.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/BERTIN753/ForSale#

-- 
Patrick Moore
Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact
Patrick Moore, ACRW at resumespecialt...@gmail.com

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[RBW] Quickbeam for the Big Dog on ebay

2010-09-17 Thread rcnute
Nice!

http://cgi.ebay.com/66cm-rivendell-quickbeam-w-Phil-Wood-MINT-/220670955296?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item3361038f20

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread Angus
After I was asked what was in the case and charged accordingly...DOH...
(pre baggage fees) I did curb side baggage check with a $10 bill/tip
clearly visible in my handno fees!  I guess you could call that a
win-win.

Angus

On Sep 17, 1:02 pm, NickBull  wrote:
> I just recently flew from DC to Seattle and back on Delta Airlines
> with my S&S coupled bike packed in an S&S soft case.  No charge beyond
> the "piece of luggage" charge of $23.  In five round-trip flights with
> the S&S case, no one has ever asked me what was in the case.  It's
> just an airline-legal-size piece of baggage, so why would they ask?
> They don't ask what any of my other luggage is, either.  TSA has
> looked at the contents several times, judging by straps that are
> undone on arrival.
>
> Economics of S&S couplers:  Delta currently charges $200 for bikes, so
> a round-trip costs $400.  Three trips pays for your couplers + case.
> Airtran charges $80 each way.
>
> I wouldn't get a soft case again, I think that a hard case does a
> better job of protecting the bike.  I don't think the bike has ever
> experienced actual damage en route, but it just seems like the hard
> case would do a better job.
>
> It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to either unpack or pack the bike.  I
> have a set of photos to remind me of what packing order works.
>
> Nick
>
> On Sep 16, 9:42 pm, Steve Palincsar  wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 2010-09-16 at 18:11 -0700, Lynne Fitz wrote:
>
> > > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.
>
> > However, now you still pay the extra charge because it's a bicycle no
> > matter how small it packs down, right?

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Seth
Mike,

I understand your hesitation, but 98% of club riders ride a tire like
the one you mentioned.  If you're comfortable fixing flats, then it's
no problem.

Maybe the bigger issue is air volume and the added comfort that it
provides.  I love the my Jack Brown (greens) for the amount of bounce
that they provide.  The Rolly Polly tires are nice too.  Recently I
picked up a pair of the Paris-Robaix tires and am looking forward to
those.

If your max is 30mm, maybe you should try the Grand Bois tires.

Good luck!

Seth Ely


On Sep 17, 11:36 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
> them for a few weeks and have to toss them.
>
> ~Mike~
>
> On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
>
> > I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> > couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> > delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> > expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> > and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> > certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
> > intact.
>
> > If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
> > them a try.
>
> > Aaron
>
> > On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
>
> > > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> > > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> > > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> > > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> > > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > > them.
>
> > > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> > > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> > > are flat prone too.
>
> > >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> > > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -

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[RBW] Re: Tent suggestions

2010-09-17 Thread nathan spindel
Thanks so much for all your tent recommendations! Now I have a lot of good 
options to research. :)

-nathan

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Re: [RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread cyclotourist
It may be a moot point if you've returned them already, but if they don't
work out, you could probably re-sell them here at near retail pretty easily.


On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Michael_S wrote:

> My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
> them for a few weeks and have to toss them.
>
> ~Mike~
>
> On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
> > I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> > couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> > delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> > expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> > and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> > certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
> > intact.
> >
> > If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
> > them a try.
> >
> > Aaron
> >
> > On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> > > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> > > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> > > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> > > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > > them.
> >
> > > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> > > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> > > are flat prone too.
> >
> > >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> > > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> --
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> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>


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Redlands, CA

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[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Michael_S
I still have them. Still undecided.  BTW, Seth I have Jack Browns on
my Ramboillet and they are great for all around riding.  My new bike
has braze-on Paul Racers and fits the JB's with fenders( by design).

I ride with some friends from work sometimes and they are all on 23mm
tired Carbon Fiber Specialized  I've found the Jack Browns roll slower
( sorry Jan) than the skinnier tires. When I rode with them in the
past on 25mm Conti's I was near the front on the climbs. On Jack
Browns I struggle to hang on long steep climbs.  I need something that
rolls faster yet still with some suppleness.  I built a lighter
wheelset and now I need a fast rolling 28-30mm tire to go with it for
those faster rides.

~Mike~

On Sep 17, 9:04 pm, cyclotourist  wrote:
> It may be a moot point if you've returned them already, but if they don't
> work out, you could probably re-sell them here at near retail pretty easily.
>
> On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Michael_S wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
> > them for a few weeks and have to toss them.
>
> > ~Mike~
>
> > On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
> > > I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> > > couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> > > delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> > > expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> > > and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> > > certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
> > > intact.
>
> > > If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
> > > them a try.
>
> > > Aaron
>
> > > On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
>
> > > > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> > > > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > > > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > > > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> > > > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> > > > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > > > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> > > > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > > > them.
>
> > > > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > > > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> > > > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > > > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> > > > are flat prone too.
>
> > > >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> > > > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > --
> > 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-bu...@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.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> David
> Redlands, CA- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

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[RBW] Re: OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread newenglandbike
Thanks guys. I was lucky to be able to do this trip and i really
am glad I could do it. BTW the wheels are the Shimano/Velocity
combo that r...@rivnendell builds.   My chainring/cog teeth are
somewhat hooked but they still have life left in them.

As far as photos, I just managed to upload a couple on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43029...@n07/sets/72157624854639259/

One is of some antelope in Wyoming, and the other is from Jasper park
in Alberta.It's kind of daunting how many photos I have, some of
them pretty random and I'll need to sort through them all when I get
home.


PS, Mike you are from Portland, right?I have to say, I was
awestruck by that town's bicycle infrastructure.   Bike lanes in the
middle of the road- not near the car door zone, but in the middle of
the road. And it seemed like there was designated bicycle parking
every other city block downtown. Signs along the bike routes
telling you exactly how far you are from the next point of
interest!People out walking, children playing in the
fountains...And the amount of people riding bicycles-   not
'cyclists', but people riding bicycles.   I could not believe that a
town such as that could exist in the US anyway.   Powell's books was
bustling.  Also beguiling was the number of bookstores present in even
the smallest of towns in Oregon.   People really like to read there,
huh?   It's unamerican.   seriously.I also met a couple of really
cool guys named Aaron and Phil from Portland who happened to be riding
down to Lincoln City for the weekend when I left, and we rode down
there together.I could not have asked for better company on the
way to the coast, and they were very gracious in waiting for me on the
hills.


On Sep 17, 1:40 pm, Mike  wrote:
> Hey Matt, that's really cool. I'm glad your tour went well. I hope
> you'll share some pictures with us at some point. I think your
> experience is a testament to the quality of the products Rivendell
> produces and promotes. I've been really satisfied with the quality and
> performance of what I've purchased from Rivendell.
>
> I've been to RBWHQ once before and only met Grant who was really nice
> and very engaging. I'm going to visit there later this month and
> really excited about that. There's some items that I'd probabaly never
> purchase but will be excited to check out in person.
>
> --mike

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread Lynne Fitz
No Steve, I don't pay an extra charge.  TSA asked what was in that
case and I said... "parts".  The airline folks didn't even ask.  Two
different airlines.

On Sep 16, 6:42 pm, Steve Palincsar  wrote:
> On Thu, 2010-09-16 at 18:11 -0700, Lynne Fitz wrote:
>
> > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.
>
> However, now you still pay the extra charge because it's a bicycle no
> matter how small it packs down, right?

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[RBW] and 99 cents

2010-09-17 Thread Tony
I think everything on the RBW site is in whole dollars except one item
which is $5.10. Know why? (I found out when I bought one last weekend)

Tony

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread Lynne Fitz
All my destination reassembly has been inside, usually in the hotel
room.  I've assembled it in Prague, St George UT, Histon (UK),
Budapest, our summer place...  I have a sheet of plastic that I put
underneath.  No mess.  No misplaced bits.

Disassembly got a lot faster once I got a wireless computer :-)  A LOT
faster.  I have a bin at home for the parts that come off that are
staying home.  The travel parts live in the S&S travel case when they
aren't being used.

I also have "travel fenders" - Planet Bike Speedez.  The Honjos stay
home, as do the racks, and the generator hub front wheel..  My
Carradice Barley is plenty roomy enough for the riding I do on
vacations.  So far :-)

I can reassemble it in about 45 minutes, and disassemble it to return
home in about the same amount of time.  However, the combination of
Honjo fenders and front rack and Silver brakes makes home
(dis)assembly a bit more complex, requiring about 5 hands. :-)  I can
take fewer tools to the summer place - I keep some basic ones there,
as well as chain lube.

On Sep 17, 9:10 am, eflayer  wrote:
> on my last two week trip with coupled Rambouillet, I did the
> reassemble on the lawn in front of my hotel.  That took about 45
> minutes and I had stuff strewn all over the lawn.  Lot's of parts,
> pads, tools, etc.   This was a typical assembly location.  When the
> trip was over, I was offered the use of a conference room inside the
> hotel as the location to do the disassemble and packing.  Indoors with
> no distractions and a banquet table is my preferred venue.  All was
> smooth, quiet and having a place to put tools and lean the bike can
> make a subtle difference.
>
> On Sep 17, 8:35 am, GeorgeS  wrote:
>
>
>
> > I have a Surly Traveler's Check which is the Cross Check with S&S
> > couplers.  It has been absolutely one of my best purchases ever.  No
> > problem with the airlines.  No big bulky bike box with the threat of
> > enormous fees and/or outright rejection hanging over the trip.  No
> > danger of severe damage or loss of pieces coming out of the box.  The
> > peace of mind in traveling, for me, is priceless.  That's why the cost
> > effective argument doesn't make sense.  One may be willing to live
> > with the downsides of airline travel with the bike in a card board box
> > rather than pay the admittedly high cost of couplers and case.  That's
> > a matter of personal preference.  But what one cannot do is obtain the
> > advantages of a coupled bike for less money than the cost of couplers
> > and a hard case.  There is also the assembly/disassembly problem.  It
> > takes me approximately one hour to unpack and get the bike ready to
> > ride and a little more time to disassemble and pack the bike.  For me,
> > if I'm going for a multi-week trip, the time spent on assembly/
> > disasembly is insignificant.  If the trip is for a couple of days,
> > I'll take the Brompton.  Again, it's a matter of what one is willing
> > to put up with.  If the assembly/disassembly time is so unpleasant and
> > frustrating that it threatens to spoil one's vacation, then the
> > couplers are not worth the cost whatever that is.
> > GeorgeS
>
> > On Sep 16, 8:11 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
>
> > > I sent my Bleriot frame off to Bilenky for S&S couplers before I built
> > > it up.  Bleriot was also, until recently, my randonneuring bike.
> > > Seems to work just fine :-)  No problems.  It has also been packed and
> > > taken on airplanes many times (Europe twice.  Mostly to the family
> > > summer place).  No problems ever.  No extra charge because it was a
> > > bicycle, ever.  At most, the "piece of luggage" charge.
>
> > > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.  Or
> > > renting a bike at my destination.  Having MY go-to bicycle at my
> > > destination that fits ME... priceless.
>
> > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/sets/72157594509789929/with/32...
>
> > > As it is, my new custom rando bike also has S&S couplers, but I didn't
> > > have to buy the case and packing accessories, because I've already got
> > > them.
>
> > > One of my bikes will be going to Ireland next summer; haven't decided
> > > which one.
>
> > > Lynne F
>
> > > On Sep 15, 7:32 pm, Kip Otteson  wrote:
>
> > > > I noticed yesterday that my kickstand was sitting at a very awkward
> > > > angle.  I moved it a little and I could see that my kickstand plate
> > > > was ripping off of my frame.  I have a Pletscher double kickstand on
> > > > the Bombadil and I think that when it was parked at school someone sat
> > > > on it and bent it all up.  Bummer deal.  I took off the kickstand and
> > > > now am really old-new school with a bike I have to lean up against
> > > > things, like in the old days.  I was worried that the chainstays w

[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Lynne Fitz
I love the Continental GP 4 Season tire.  I think mine were 3000s, and
they lasted a good long time.

On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> them.
>
> Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> are flat prone too.
>
>  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> anyone have experience with these?

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[RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread Calm54
I have seen your Bleriot and it is a beauty.  Did you get SS couplers
on the sweetpea?

On Sep 17, 10:26 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
> All my destination reassembly has been inside, usually in the hotel
> room.  I've assembled it in Prague, St George UT, Histon (UK),
> Budapest, our summer place...  I have a sheet of plastic that I put
> underneath.  No mess.  No misplaced bits.
>
> Disassembly got a lot faster once I got a wireless computer :-)  A LOT
> faster.  I have a bin at home for the parts that come off that are
> staying home.  The travel parts live in the S&S travel case when they
> aren't being used.
>
> I also have "travel fenders" - Planet Bike Speedez.  The Honjos stay
> home, as do the racks, and the generator hub front wheel..  My
> Carradice Barley is plenty roomy enough for the riding I do on
> vacations.  So far :-)
>
> I can reassemble it in about 45 minutes, and disassemble it to return
> home in about the same amount of time.  However, the combination of
> Honjo fenders and front rack and Silver brakes makes home
> (dis)assembly a bit more complex, requiring about 5 hands. :-)  I can
> take fewer tools to the summer place - I keep some basic ones there,
> as well as chain lube.
>
> On Sep 17, 9:10 am, eflayer  wrote:
>
>
>
> > on my last two week trip with coupled Rambouillet, I did the
> > reassemble on the lawn in front of my hotel.  That took about 45
> > minutes and I had stuff strewn all over the lawn.  Lot's of parts,
> > pads, tools, etc.   This was a typical assembly location.  When the
> > trip was over, I was offered the use of a conference room inside the
> > hotel as the location to do the disassemble and packing.  Indoors with
> > no distractions and a banquet table is my preferred venue.  All was
> > smooth, quiet and having a place to put tools and lean the bike can
> > make a subtle difference.
>
> > On Sep 17, 8:35 am, GeorgeS  wrote:
>
> > > I have a Surly Traveler's Check which is the Cross Check with S&S
> > > couplers.  It has been absolutely one of my best purchases ever.  No
> > > problem with the airlines.  No big bulky bike box with the threat of
> > > enormous fees and/or outright rejection hanging over the trip.  No
> > > danger of severe damage or loss of pieces coming out of the box.  The
> > > peace of mind in traveling, for me, is priceless.  That's why the cost
> > > effective argument doesn't make sense.  One may be willing to live
> > > with the downsides of airline travel with the bike in a card board box
> > > rather than pay the admittedly high cost of couplers and case.  That's
> > > a matter of personal preference.  But what one cannot do is obtain the
> > > advantages of a coupled bike for less money than the cost of couplers
> > > and a hard case.  There is also the assembly/disassembly problem.  It
> > > takes me approximately one hour to unpack and get the bike ready to
> > > ride and a little more time to disassemble and pack the bike.  For me,
> > > if I'm going for a multi-week trip, the time spent on assembly/
> > > disasembly is insignificant.  If the trip is for a couple of days,
> > > I'll take the Brompton.  Again, it's a matter of what one is willing
> > > to put up with.  If the assembly/disassembly time is so unpleasant and
> > > frustrating that it threatens to spoil one's vacation, then the
> > > couplers are not worth the cost whatever that is.
> > > GeorgeS
>
> > > On Sep 16, 8:11 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
>
> > > > I sent my Bleriot frame off to Bilenky for S&S couplers before I built
> > > > it up.  Bleriot was also, until recently, my randonneuring bike.
> > > > Seems to work just fine :-)  No problems.  It has also been packed and
> > > > taken on airplanes many times (Europe twice.  Mostly to the family
> > > > summer place).  No problems ever.  No extra charge because it was a
> > > > bicycle, ever.  At most, the "piece of luggage" charge.
>
> > > > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > > > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > > > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > > > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.  Or
> > > > renting a bike at my destination.  Having MY go-to bicycle at my
> > > > destination that fits ME... priceless.
>
> > > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/sets/72157594509789929/with/32...
>
> > > > As it is, my new custom rando bike also has S&S couplers, but I didn't
> > > > have to buy the case and packing accessories, because I've already got
> > > > them.
>
> > > > One of my bikes will be going to Ireland next summer; haven't decided
> > > > which one.
>
> > > > Lynne F
>
> > > > On Sep 15, 7:32 pm, Kip Otteson  wrote:
>
> > > > > I noticed yesterday that my kickstand was sitting at a very awkward
> > > > > angle.  I moved it a little and I could see that my kickstand plate
> > > > > was ripping off of my frame.  I have a Pletscher double kickstand on
> > > > > the Bombadil a

[RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread Ron MH
Mike,

Have you considered the Schwalbe Marathon Racers in the 700cx30mm
size? They're on my short list of next "skinny" tires to try.

Ron

On Sep 17, 9:34 pm, Michael_S  wrote:
> I still have them. Still undecided.  BTW, Seth I have Jack Browns on
> my Ramboillet and they are great for all around riding.  My new bike
> has braze-on Paul Racers and fits the JB's with fenders( by design).
>
> I ride with some friends from work sometimes and they are all on 23mm
> tired Carbon Fiber Specialized  I've found the Jack Browns roll slower
> ( sorry Jan) than the skinnier tires. When I rode with them in the
> past on 25mm Conti's I was near the front on the climbs. On Jack
> Browns I struggle to hang on long steep climbs.  I need something that
> rolls faster yet still with some suppleness.  I built a lighter
> wheelset and now I need a fast rolling 28-30mm tire to go with it for
> those faster rides.
>
> ~Mike~
>
> On Sep 17, 9:04 pm, cyclotourist  wrote:
>
>
>
> > It may be a moot point if you've returned them already, but if they don't
> > work out, you could probably re-sell them here at near retail pretty easily.
>
> > On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Michael_S 
> > wrote:
>
> > > My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
> > > them for a few weeks and have to toss them.
>
> > > ~Mike~
>
> > > On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
> > > > I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> > > > couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> > > > delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> > > > expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> > > > and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> > > > certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I) survived
> > > > intact.
>
> > > > If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not giving
> > > > them a try.
>
> > > > Aaron
>
> > > > On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
>
> > > > > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires I
> > > > > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > > > > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > > > > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very sturdy
> > > > > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad. I
> > > > > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > > > > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the thread
> > > > > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > > > > them.
>
> > > > > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > > > > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on my
> > > > > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > > > > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear they
> > > > > are flat prone too.
>
> > > > >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise. Does
> > > > > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > --
> > > 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-bu...@googlegroups.com.
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > >  �...@googlegroups.com>
> > > .
> > > For more options, visit this group at
> > >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
> > --
> > Cheers,
> > David
> > Redlands, CA- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -

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[RBW] Re: OMG i'm on the rivendell website

2010-09-17 Thread rob markwardt
I'm no neat freak but that my friend is one dirty derailleur...would
that work with an indexer?  Agree about Portland...it is a fun place
to ride a bike. I could spend weeks in Powell's.

On Sep 17, 10:17 pm, newenglandbike  wrote:
> Thanks guys.     I was lucky to be able to do this trip and i really
> am glad I could do it.     BTW the wheels are the Shimano/Velocity
> combo that r...@rivnendell builds.   My chainring/cog teeth are
> somewhat hooked but they still have life left in them.
>
> As far as photos, I just managed to upload a couple on flickr:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/43029...@n07/sets/72157624854639259/
>
> One is of some antelope in Wyoming, and the other is from Jasper park
> in Alberta.    It's kind of daunting how many photos I have, some of
> them pretty random and I'll need to sort through them all when I get
> home.
>
> PS, Mike you are from Portland, right?    I have to say, I was
> awestruck by that town's bicycle infrastructure.   Bike lanes in the
> middle of the road- not near the car door zone, but in the middle of
> the road.     And it seemed like there was designated bicycle parking
> every other city block downtown.     Signs along the bike routes
> telling you exactly how far you are from the next point of
> interest!    People out walking, children playing in the
> fountains...    And the amount of people riding bicycles-   not
> 'cyclists', but people riding bicycles.   I could not believe that a
> town such as that could exist in the US anyway.   Powell's books was
> bustling.  Also beguiling was the number of bookstores present in even
> the smallest of towns in Oregon.   People really like to read there,
> huh?   It's unamerican.   seriously.    I also met a couple of really
> cool guys named Aaron and Phil from Portland who happened to be riding
> down to Lincoln City for the weekend when I left, and we rode down
> there together.    I could not have asked for better company on the
> way to the coast, and they were very gracious in waiting for me on the
> hills.
>
> On Sep 17, 1:40 pm, Mike  wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hey Matt, that's really cool. I'm glad your tour went well. I hope
> > you'll share some pictures with us at some point. I think your
> > experience is a testament to the quality of the products Rivendell
> > produces and promotes. I've been really satisfied with the quality and
> > performance of what I've purchased from Rivendell.
>
> > I've been to RBWHQ once before and only met Grant who was really nice
> > and very engaging. I'm going to visit there later this month and
> > really excited about that. There's some items that I'd probabaly never
> > purchase but will be excited to check out in person.
>
> > --mike- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

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Re: [RBW] Re: Continental GrandPrix 4 season 700x28

2010-09-17 Thread cyclotourist
I think you just described the Challenge tires :-)

FWIW, I had some Grand Bois that just didn't work for me (too delicate) and
was able to re-sell them at a minor loss pretty easily.  I think you should
mount 'em up and take 'em for a spin!

On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 9:34 PM, Michael_S  wrote
 

> I need something that rolls faster yet still with some suppleness.  I built
> a lighter
> wheelset and now I need a fast rolling 28-30mm tire to go with it for
> those faster rides.
>
> ~Mike~
>
> On Sep 17, 9:04 pm, cyclotourist  wrote:
> > It may be a moot point if you've returned them already, but if they don't
> > work out, you could probably re-sell them here at near retail pretty
> easily.
> >
> > On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Michael_S  >wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > My issue is it a rather expensive experiment to try. I'd hate to ride
> > > them for a few weeks and have to toss them.
> >
> > > ~Mike~
> >
> > > On Sep 17, 9:58 am, Aaron Thomas  wrote:
> > > > I've been riding the Parigi-Roubaix since they were reintroduced a
> > > > couple years back. They're awesome. I'd hardly describe them as
> > > > delicate. I've had a few flats, to be sure, but no more than you'd
> > > > expect from any other performance-oriented tire with supple casings
> > > > and thin tread. I've even ridden them off-road on fire trails --
> > > > certainly not the best application for them, but they (and I)
> survived
> > > > intact.
> >
> > > > If I may be so bold as to say: I think you're blowin' it by not
> giving
> > > > them a try.
> >
> > > > Aaron
> >
> > > > On Sep 17, 8:43 am, Michael_S  wrote:
> >
> > > > > After reading all the hype about the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires
> I
> > > > > decided to order a pair for my new custom Randonnering bike. I had
> > > > > read about the low rolling resistance and supple ride which all
> > > > > sounded great. I've read about the fact that they were not very
> sturdy
> > > > > when it came to road debris and stuff, but it couldn't be that bad.
> I
> > > > > don't ride in the inner city so I figured that I would not have too
> > > > > many flats to be worried. When I got the package and felt the
> thread
> > > > > thicknesses it was so thin and delicate that I've decided to return
> > > > > them.
> >
> > > > > Now I need to find a 28-30mm  tire that is reasonably fast and
> > > > > durable. The Paselas seem ok, I have 35's on our tandem and 32's on
> my
> > > > > urban bike . I was looking for something a little better.  The Roly
> > > > > Polys seem like an option. And perhaps the Grand Bois, but I hear
> they
> > > > > are flat prone too.
> >
> > > > >  The Continental GP 4000 4 seasons seem like a good compromise.
> Does
> > > > > anyone have experience with these?- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > > > - Show quoted text -
> >
> > > --
> > > 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.
> >
> > --
> > Cheers,
> > David
> > Redlands, CA- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> --
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> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>


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Re: [RBW] Re: Watch those kickstand plates! and question about S and S couplers

2010-09-17 Thread cyclotourist
What hasn't been mentioned is tire size.  Both Lynne's bikes are 650b
bikes.  I'm presuming 650B and 26"/559 wheeled bikes are MUCH easier to pack
than 700C bikes, especially if you're talking touring width (35mm and above)
tires and fenders.

The world is out to get the tall people yet once again...

:-)


On Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 10:26 PM, Lynne Fitz  wrote:

> All my destination reassembly has been inside, usually in the hotel
> room.  I've assembled it in Prague, St George UT, Histon (UK),
> Budapest, our summer place...  I have a sheet of plastic that I put
> underneath.  No mess.  No misplaced bits.
>
> Disassembly got a lot faster once I got a wireless computer :-)  A LOT
> faster.  I have a bin at home for the parts that come off that are
> staying home.  The travel parts live in the S&S travel case when they
> aren't being used.
>
> I also have "travel fenders" - Planet Bike Speedez.  The Honjos stay
> home, as do the racks, and the generator hub front wheel..  My
> Carradice Barley is plenty roomy enough for the riding I do on
> vacations.  So far :-)
>
> I can reassemble it in about 45 minutes, and disassemble it to return
> home in about the same amount of time.  However, the combination of
> Honjo fenders and front rack and Silver brakes makes home
> (dis)assembly a bit more complex, requiring about 5 hands. :-)  I can
> take fewer tools to the summer place - I keep some basic ones there,
> as well as chain lube.
>
> On Sep 17, 9:10 am, eflayer  wrote:
> > on my last two week trip with coupled Rambouillet, I did the
> > reassemble on the lawn in front of my hotel.  That took about 45
> > minutes and I had stuff strewn all over the lawn.  Lot's of parts,
> > pads, tools, etc.   This was a typical assembly location.  When the
> > trip was over, I was offered the use of a conference room inside the
> > hotel as the location to do the disassemble and packing.  Indoors with
> > no distractions and a banquet table is my preferred venue.  All was
> > smooth, quiet and having a place to put tools and lean the bike can
> > make a subtle difference.
> >
> > On Sep 17, 8:35 am, GeorgeS  wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > > I have a Surly Traveler's Check which is the Cross Check with S&S
> > > couplers.  It has been absolutely one of my best purchases ever.  No
> > > problem with the airlines.  No big bulky bike box with the threat of
> > > enormous fees and/or outright rejection hanging over the trip.  No
> > > danger of severe damage or loss of pieces coming out of the box.  The
> > > peace of mind in traveling, for me, is priceless.  That's why the cost
> > > effective argument doesn't make sense.  One may be willing to live
> > > with the downsides of airline travel with the bike in a card board box
> > > rather than pay the admittedly high cost of couplers and case.  That's
> > > a matter of personal preference.  But what one cannot do is obtain the
> > > advantages of a coupled bike for less money than the cost of couplers
> > > and a hard case.  There is also the assembly/disassembly problem.  It
> > > takes me approximately one hour to unpack and get the bike ready to
> > > ride and a little more time to disassemble and pack the bike.  For me,
> > > if I'm going for a multi-week trip, the time spent on assembly/
> > > disasembly is insignificant.  If the trip is for a couple of days,
> > > I'll take the Brompton.  Again, it's a matter of what one is willing
> > > to put up with.  If the assembly/disassembly time is so unpleasant and
> > > frustrating that it threatens to spoil one's vacation, then the
> > > couplers are not worth the cost whatever that is.
> > > GeorgeS
> >
> > > On Sep 16, 8:11 pm, Lynne Fitz  wrote:
> >
> > > > I sent my Bleriot frame off to Bilenky for S&S couplers before I
> built
> > > > it up.  Bleriot was also, until recently, my randonneuring bike.
> > > > Seems to work just fine :-)  No problems.  It has also been packed
> and
> > > > taken on airplanes many times (Europe twice.  Mostly to the family
> > > > summer place).  No problems ever.  No extra charge because it was a
> > > > bicycle, ever.  At most, the "piece of luggage" charge.
> >
> > > > I expect I could try to rationalize the cost - I had the conversion
> > > > done before the S&S price increase.  I figured couplers, case, and
> > > > packing accessories added $1000 to the cost.  10 flights with a non-
> > > > coupled bike would have been that much in extra luggage charges.  Or
> > > > renting a bike at my destination.  Having MY go-to bicycle at my
> > > > destination that fits ME... priceless.
> >
> > > >
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnefitz/sets/72157594509789929/with/32...
> >
> > > > As it is, my new custom rando bike also has S&S couplers, but I
> didn't
> > > > have to buy the case and packing accessories, because I've already
> got
> > > > them.
> >
> > > > One of my bikes will be going to Ireland next summer; haven't decided
> > > > which one.
> >
> > > > Lynne F
> >
> > > > On Sep 15, 7:32 pm, Kip Otteson