Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Lugger
08-27-12, 10:04 AM
I had a rough start to my 2012 summer, with a motor vehicle accident that busted my collarbone in 2 places, collapsed lung, and broke a bunch of ribs. After a few months of recovery, and some time to think about what is really important in life, I've decided to get into cycle touring.
I've always loved bikes. I was raised on Freestyle BMX in the '80s, and moved on to road bikes and single speeds in the early 2000s. I bought a Casseroll in 2007 with the intent of doing some longer rides and light touring. The geometry is great - like a Caddy, but I had trouble getting the bike comfy ~ I have a broken back and some disc issues, so it's been tricky getting a more upright/flat lumbar position.
Last week, I took the Salsa to the shop (Plug: Hello Bicycle on Beacon.) Sam helped me gear it much lower. He replaced the 12-24t cassette with 12-36t + MTB RD to help me spin up some hills. It's made it much easier on my back, since there is less power/muscle/leverage involved in schlepping myself up some of the steeps in the area. They set me up with a stubby stem that moved the handlebars back toward the seat by about 3 cm and up a bit. Big difference - I can comfortably use the drops again. Under $250 turned the bike from a Cadillac feel into more of a Mac Truck. I'm up high and geared low.
I've been riding 10-20 miles / day the last few days, enjoying some of our great regional trails, and regaining some stamina. My goal is to ride a century this year, and do a bit of bikepacking.
This site has been a great resource for getting myself geared up... and geared down. Thanks!
I've always loved bikes. I was raised on Freestyle BMX in the '80s, and moved on to road bikes and single speeds in the early 2000s. I bought a Casseroll in 2007 with the intent of doing some longer rides and light touring. The geometry is great - like a Caddy, but I had trouble getting the bike comfy ~ I have a broken back and some disc issues, so it's been tricky getting a more upright/flat lumbar position.
Last week, I took the Salsa to the shop (Plug: Hello Bicycle on Beacon.) Sam helped me gear it much lower. He replaced the 12-24t cassette with 12-36t + MTB RD to help me spin up some hills. It's made it much easier on my back, since there is less power/muscle/leverage involved in schlepping myself up some of the steeps in the area. They set me up with a stubby stem that moved the handlebars back toward the seat by about 3 cm and up a bit. Big difference - I can comfortably use the drops again. Under $250 turned the bike from a Cadillac feel into more of a Mac Truck. I'm up high and geared low.
I've been riding 10-20 miles / day the last few days, enjoying some of our great regional trails, and regaining some stamina. My goal is to ride a century this year, and do a bit of bikepacking.
This site has been a great resource for getting myself geared up... and geared down. Thanks!