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Search: Posts Made By: charles vail
Showing results 1 to 50 of 986
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06-11-09, 12:49 AM
Replies: 80
Views: 5,364
Posted By charles vail

Aluminum or steel

I regularly ride my 25 year old Raleigh Technium Aluminum and steel epoxy bonded road bike frame. Its a converted two speed freewheel bike with high carbon steel (not even chrome moly...wow!) fork...
06-04-09, 07:15 AM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,000
Posted By charles vail

bmx pedals

You just have to try them (BMX pin pedals or the "Bear trap" style) with flat, non knobby sport shoes and to see how much traction there really is. I regularly pedal up to 130 rpm on my single speed...
05-31-09, 11:38 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,000
Posted By charles vail

special shoes

You might want to use large surface area, platform, BMX style, pin pedals and ride with your regular sport shoes or any shoe that fits you and has a smooth rubbery sole. I switched from cleated...
05-26-09, 07:43 PM
Replies: 64
Views: 3,505
Posted By charles vail

touring

I read all the other posts.......why not just use a credit card and stay in hotels etc.? You don't need to camp if you plan well. You would need a saddle bag for some clothing and perhaps a front bag...
Forum: Commuting
04-25-09, 08:16 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 932
Posted By charles vail

numb hands

I had this problem until I made my bars about one inch higher than the saddle. I use a drop bar and ride on the hoods plus I use old school leather cycling gloves. I couldn't ride for 5 miles when I...
03-11-09, 12:13 PM
Replies: 155
Views: 41,346
Posted By charles vail

big boyzzz

My all time max was 283 and I am now down to 255 at 5' 11". I started riding a Bike E recumbent and soon purchased a Rans V2 steel long wheelbase recumbent. Since then I have been riding a Surly Long...
Forum: Commuting
02-19-09, 11:35 PM
Replies: 41
Views: 40,922
Posted By charles vail

tires or tyres

The width of the tires you use should be determined by your weight, both bike and rider. If you are carrying a load, go wide with pride. Air is cheap and weighs nothing. Good 32-35 mm tire can be had...
Forum: Framebuilders
01-21-09, 09:32 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,749
Posted By charles vail

rust converter

I purchased mine locally from NAPA auto parts and you may need to look on a web site and print out the product number,description and a photo of the can for someone over there to see what it is. Many...
Forum: Framebuilders
01-16-09, 09:01 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,749
Posted By charles vail

rust job

This doesn't look too bad. I'd be looking inside the tubing where it is thinner then I'd use a wire brush on a drill if that is all you can get a hold of and maybe some sandpaper. After this, get...
Forum: Commuting
01-16-09, 08:44 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 815
Posted By charles vail

what?

That's weird since after switching from riding a 21 pound 700x25mm tired race bike to Schwalbe 700x42 tires on a Surly Long Haul Trucker at 35 pounds bagged and racked, I don't notice such extremes...
Forum: Commuting
01-13-09, 10:55 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 3,417
Posted By charles vail

right on

Yes...........this is what I had back in the early 80's but I now have more modern side exiting cables so I wonder if the STI version will work. I like my Blackburn mirror well enough...
Forum: Commuting
01-12-09, 04:29 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 3,417
Posted By charles vail

mirror mirror on the wall

I use the Blackburn brake hood mirror and have it on two standard brake lever equipped bikes, one a single speed and one a geared bike with downtube shifters. The mirror is a wide ovalish shape and...
Forum: Commuting
01-08-09, 12:16 PM
Replies: 52
Views: 4,743
Posted By charles vail

fender stuff

You may be able to make an adapter out of thin sheet metal and add spacers. I've seen wine corks and longer bolts used as spacers behind the bottom bracket. Zip ties and Yankee ingenuity might work...
Forum: Commuting
01-04-09, 06:26 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 801
Posted By charles vail

Hmmm

Buy a Surly Crosscheck frame and make it a fg/ss or buy a Salsa Casserole frame and do the same. You want the dropouts to be horizonal for chain tensioning rather than vertical like the Trucker frame...
Forum: Framebuilders
12-23-08, 12:18 PM
Replies: 9
Views: 12,312
Posted By charles vail

don't sweat it

I plan to do this as well. I have an old lugged steel Raleigh Wyoming frame with funky vertical dropout alignment problems and I plan to make this frame into a poor mans Rivendell Quickbeam for...
12-12-08, 09:08 PM
Replies: 32
Views: 3,005
Posted By charles vail

L2d

So far I'm liking my L2D just fine. I like the fact that I can use AA rechargeables. I have quite a few that I use in my photo flashes and cameras so I will cycle them through to my lighting after...
Forum: Commuting
12-03-08, 05:52 PM
Replies: 10
Views: 620
Posted By charles vail

commuter

Pretty much my advice too!

You can convert a frame from any era to a single speed or as I did at www.cyclofiend.com to a two speed freewheeling bike. This gives you an alternate gear for...
12-01-08, 05:27 PM
Replies: 11
Views: 941
Posted By charles vail

fenix l2d

I have my new light but am a little disappointed to learn that the manual states to not use turbo mode for longer than 10 minutes.:( I have a question about the use of 1.2 volt photo rechargable AA...
Forum: Commuting
11-29-08, 10:41 PM
Replies: 53
Views: 3,441
Posted By charles vail

sore bum

I own five brooks saddles and I set them level as most authorities will advise. You might also angle your bars so the hoods allow a straight wrist grip when riding the hoods. Those "ergo" bars aren't...
Forum: Commuting
11-24-08, 10:07 PM
Replies: 143
Views: 4,568
Posted By charles vail

passing

Personally, if you are a athletic type female I would rather follow you or more ideally ride along side for a chat. :innocent:
Forum: Commuting
11-12-08, 10:48 AM
Replies: 60
Views: 2,672
Posted By charles vail

Orygun

Yes........that's the state I did much of my riding in.:crash: :D ;)
Forum: Commuting
11-12-08, 10:43 AM
Replies: 60
Views: 2,077
Posted By charles vail

ha!

You can usually tell the age of someone by what coin they will leave on the ground. As for me, I would stop to pick up a penny.:rolleyes:
Forum: Commuting
11-12-08, 10:40 AM
Replies: 60
Views: 2,672
Posted By charles vail

the old days

When I was a child we didn't have 'fancy pants' for riding a bicycle. Levi's and Chuck Taylor's coupled with any shirt we had on were the norm. Not even gloves or a helmet (imagine that) :eek: and we...
Forum: Commuting
11-11-08, 03:37 PM
Replies: 63
Views: 4,300
Posted By charles vail

Unless you are a total Jock and young

My current half car, half bike commute, is only 8.5 miles one way (17 RT) if I left from the front door it would be 28 miles one way (56RT) I did this twice and once on the way in only and got a ride...
Forum: Commuting
11-11-08, 03:24 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 998
Posted By charles vail

go big

I ride a 27" converted single speed and I just love the wheel size. Kind of like a large volume 700c in diameter but narrower and with those old school, light weight, wide rims, they just seem to...
11-08-08, 09:20 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 951
Posted By charles vail

huh?

Who wears a helmet?:roflmao2:

In winter I wear a wool cap but I do own a helmet and plan to mount my new Fenix L2D on it. If I ever get it!:rolleyes:
11-08-08, 12:28 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 1,364
Posted By charles vail

hmmm

I think a little Yankee ingenuity could have solved the problem. Maybe a shoe lace through the hole and back around the front of the frame with a little tension would have solved it until later....
Forum: Commuting
11-07-08, 03:04 AM
Replies: 76
Views: 8,746
Posted By charles vail

my bike

Can be seen at www.Cyclofiend.com in the single speed updates on the left side of the page.

Basically its a mid 80's converted Raleigh Technium 27x 1 1/4" wheels and a two speed freewheel/chain...
11-02-08, 10:19 PM
Replies: 5
Views: 772
Posted By charles vail

corks

Well....I have access to a few wine corks!!!!:innocent:
11-02-08, 12:02 PM
Replies: 5
Views: 772
Posted By charles vail

fenix...... can't wait

I just purchased a Fenix L2D 6 mode light and will post some photos and give a review when I get it. I purchased the $8 mount also and will use this light on my 17 mile commute. I may however mount...
10-29-08, 09:19 AM
Replies: 46
Views: 1,731
Posted By charles vail

hmmm

I think I'd just loose the 1 1/2 lbs. of 'saddle worry fat' and live with a comfy backside. I equate lightweight, non leather saddles, to wearing flip flops instead of leather work boots on the job...
10-26-08, 10:46 AM
Replies: 196
Views: 11,493
Posted By charles vail

my experience

I had my diagnosis at 42 and just turned 50 a few weeks ago. You are never too young to have anything. Pay attention to your family history of illness (grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, siblings...
Forum: Commuting
10-23-08, 01:30 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 5,056
Posted By charles vail

hmmm

Get a LHT, its more versatile and you can fit it on a bike rack easier, if you ever want to do that. Any good touring style bike will be a versatile machine for nearly any use. You can always get a...
10-18-08, 11:00 AM
Replies: 84
Views: 3,737
Posted By charles vail

my bike for sale

Jim,
I'll sell my recumbent for $1100. You may want to check it out. Its in very nice shape with many extras that you would appreciate. :innocent:
Forum: Commuting
10-14-08, 10:19 PM
Replies: 23
Views: 908
Posted By charles vail

babe magnet

I wouldn't buy a four figure car........I have been driving a 1981 Isuzu diesel and it has 200,000 miles on it and is still going strong. You can buy a decent car in my area for $1500 and even less...
Forum: Commuting
10-12-08, 04:11 PM
Replies: 71
Views: 4,048
Posted By charles vail

saddle time

I use a Brooks Champion Flyer on my Long haul Trucker. On my single speed, mustache bar bike and my vintage racer, I have standard B17's. My mountain bike has a B66. I've tried various plastic/man...
Forum: Commuting
10-12-08, 04:00 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,544
Posted By charles vail

drops

There won't be any difference in the height of a drop bar and a flat bar unless the flat bar has a rise in it. When riding on the hoods or the top of a drop bar, it will be as high as a flat bar at...
10-08-08, 10:33 AM
Replies: 84
Views: 3,737
Posted By charles vail

my Rans V2

I have a Large size Rans V2 long wheelbase recumbent made with chrome moly tubing that includes quite a few improvements and accessories. Rans no longer makes this model and its a shame since its...
10-07-08, 10:49 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 3,558
Posted By charles vail

my gear

I ride a 65 inch gear on my freewheeling single speed although I have a second gear that is 50 inches for steeper climbing routes or headwinds. I use a two speed White Industries freewheel (16-19T)...
Forum: Folding Bikes
10-07-08, 12:52 AM
Replies: 2
Views: 780
Posted By charles vail

weight limits

Why do all these folding bicycle companies have a 230 pound weight limit? I weigh 250 now and need a bike that will hold up to my weight and some extra baggage. I don't want an aluminum frame that...
Forum: Commuting
10-07-08, 12:39 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,423
Posted By charles vail

sweating hard

This is the problem with cyclists............we think that having a bike that weighs 2 pounds less will make us fly up hills and that if we pedal hard we will magically go so much faster that we...
10-04-08, 09:07 AM
Replies: 160
Views: 23,383
Posted By charles vail

dang dogs

I have to agree here.........some dogs are very aggressive and territorial. I've had to resort to going on the offensive with one dog and it didn't back down. I had to raise my pump over my head...
10-03-08, 10:53 AM
Replies: 11
Views: 473
Posted By charles vail

big 50

I just officially made it to the half century mark so now I feel I can participate in the discussions. I hear 50 is the new 30, at least that's what I want to believe!:D
Forum: Folding Bikes
09-30-08, 12:58 AM
Replies: 17
Views: 3,273
Posted By charles vail

bah! humbug!

You don't get to work folding a bike, you get there by riding it! Who cares how fast it folds.......leave 30 seconds earlier. I want a bike that rides well and holds up. To me folding fast is not...
Forum: Commuting
09-24-08, 01:05 PM
Replies: 14
Views: 818
Posted By charles vail

Madness and money

I am exactly the same height and I ride a 58 cm Long Haul Trucker. The LHT is perfect in stock configuration for riders in the 250-300 pound range for under $1000. I started out weighing 268 and now...
Forum: Commuting
09-24-08, 12:17 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 792
Posted By charles vail

yes

The sexiest thing I ever saw was a nicely figured lady, riding a drop bar road bike in Seattle, wearing business attire (blouse, skirt and high heels). It was simply a awesome thing to see, being a...
Forum: Commuting
09-23-08, 09:42 AM
Replies: 33
Views: 2,056
Posted By charles vail

nutty

I wonder if she would have been treated the same had she weighed 350 pounds? Technically she isn't breaking the law but she is breaking the spirit of the law which is, to avoid offending anyone (i.e....
Forum: Commuting
09-22-08, 04:50 PM
Replies: 32
Views: 2,525
Posted By charles vail

right on

Smart gearing choice for a one speed. My own bike sports about the same gear (65 inch) and its nice for commuting on flat to slight rollers. I like the way you've set your bike up, very...
Forum: Commuting
09-22-08, 08:18 AM
Replies: 71
Views: 5,843
Posted By charles vail

commuter

Contrary to some of the comments so far, I'd buy one if I were loaded. That frame may in fact be made in Taiwan but who cares. The integrated rack is not something standard so I'm sure that adds to...
Forum: Commuting
09-19-08, 03:31 PM
Replies: 179
Views: 5,964
Posted By charles vail

hmmm

Turning 50 in a few days. I commute three days per week from about April through October. As it gets darker, I will probably only commute on my short day (Saturday) to avoid riding at night. Its nice...
Showing results 1 to 50 of 986
 


 
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