Olympia MTB Mashup, or How I Kept From Going Bonkers This Miserable Winter
02-28-14, 08:46 PM
#26
multimodal commuter
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Yeah, okay, I've heard that one before, but it still makes me smile.
What I want in a bike is versatility. The ideal would be to get on the bike and go, without having to worry about the quality of the roads. I know I can confine myself to paved roads, or to dirt trails, but what I really want is to put off that decision until I get there. If I have to decide what kind of roads I'm riding before I even leave the house, I've already rejected some roads. That's exactly what I want to avoid!
Oh yeah, and I don't own a car. The Cinquacento is in my wife's name (and bikes don't really fit in it anyway).
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02-28-14, 09:25 PM
#27
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Here was my solution to the problem of paved to gravel to singletrack, and back. There are so many options in 26 tires, that you should be able to find the compromise that works best for your particular terrain. I find that a file tread with more of a block tread on the sides with a very flexy sidewall and high volume doesn't loose a whole lot to comparable slicks on the road, and does well offroad in all but the sandy wash sort of stuff. Does well enough on pavement that when I ride with my friends that are more novice roadies, I ride this thing. Usually wind up going the same pace as they do on their store-bought plastic bikes.
03-01-14, 06:15 AM
#28
Freewheel Medic
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I do like the look of the Croll.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
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03-01-14, 06:34 AM
#29
Cisalpinist
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Fine build, Michael. Very unusual compared to your usual period-correct builds! That fender bolt is a really nifty trick.
Off course, the only way to travel for any Assyriologist worth his salt is by wind-up chariot!
OT on your tire query: I'm currently building a bike with Schwalbe Fat Franks and will have a ride report soon how well they fare on sand/road rides.
Off course, the only way to travel for any Assyriologist worth his salt is by wind-up chariot!
OT on your tire query: I'm currently building a bike with Schwalbe Fat Franks and will have a ride report soon how well they fare on sand/road rides.
03-01-14, 11:01 AM
#30
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OT on your tire query: I'm currently building a bike with Schwalbe Fat Franks and will have a ride report soon how well they fare on sand/road rides.[/QUOTE]
My wife has a set on her Stumpjumper.
Just lower the pressure way, way down and they are fantastic in sand and loose gravel.
My wife has a set on her Stumpjumper.
Just lower the pressure way, way down and they are fantastic in sand and loose gravel.
03-01-14, 11:07 AM
#31
car guy, recovering
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What I want in a bike is versatility.
I think it is wise to have a car that excludes bicycles. If she had a minivan instead of a Cinquecento the temptation might be too much, even for you...
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EuroMeccanicany.com
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03-01-14, 11:20 AM
#32
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I'll do that, thanks Grady. That bike you built for your wife was one of the inspirations for me to pick up a set FF's, after a great deal popped up online.
03-01-14, 11:31 AM
#33
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She just loves it. It really is a versatile frameset with racks.
I just put a Blackburn on the front for her. We use it to haul groceries all summer long.
03-01-14, 01:06 PM
#34
aka Tom Reingold
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How about carrying a spare set of tires. One set is for road, the other for off-road.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
