I don't think anyone saw my fall yesterday, but this morning I hit another big ice patch right in front of where dozens electric utility workers were transferring from their personal vehicles to company vehicles. This time I landed on my back and helmet, so no damage to the bike. It looks like I will have to switch back to the studded tires for another few weeks.

Long day in the saddle. The glass shop wants to keep the truck another night because blah blah whatever I stopped listening. So I did the daycare ride both ways. Kiddo had a good-behavior report and that's been a problem so we went for ice cream again. I started for the nearest Baskin Robbins and he requested a different shop. That was easy, on we go. We get to the front of the other one and he says BUT I WANTED BASKID ROBIDS and I tell him no, it's miles back and up a steep hill, provoking a mini meltdown. I talk him down and we have ice cream at this new place that is selling what are basically cronut cones.

My son has bike commuted home three times now from his Thursday volunteer job. I've been giving him a ride to the place because it is still dark and he doesn't have any lights.

I had a decent little tailwind helping me home last night. I was also motivated to get home quickly because I had to take a daughter to dance practice. I averaged 18.1mph.

And I got to fight against that same wind this morning. Traffic was light though and I didn't have to stop at the couple of stop signs I usually have a short wait at. Quiet day at the office too as probably more than half are off for the holiday.

Schools are closed today...

So my commute was WONDERFUL!!!!

Schools being closed means at least 60% less traffic. And it means 99% less traffic on the 1 spot where I pass an elementary school.

I swear it's like living in a small town with deserted streets when schools are closed. I love it!!!

Summer vacation can't come fast enough! (My wife, who stays home with our 2 kids, has a different opinion on this matter hahaha)

Ouch! My ride home yesterday was almost as eventful. Raining (of course) and threw the chain, broke a spoke, ripped derailleur cage off. That's my 2nd derailleur in a month! I was on my way to a chiropractor appointment so walked the mile or so there, uber'ed home, drove back and picked up bike.

Not working today so no ride... good thing

It's crazy, how many parents drive kids to school in private cars. It's a waste of resources, and it contributes to traffic congestion and collisions. It wasn't always like this. And parents think they're keeping their kids safe, when actually, they are the danger they think they're creating.

My commute was uneventful. I'm getting into the swing of this commute, as it's been about a month now. I believe this is the first week I've ridden in every single day. I hope to have many more five-day bike-commuting weeks.

It rained lightly for over a day. I think it stopped after I arrived at work, and I think we're not due for more rain now. It's light enough that I don't really get wet. The fog sat low on the ground and river, and it was pretty.

Sucks you hosed up your rear derailleur. Does your RD hanger need replacing? Hopefully, you can find a fairly cheap replacement. I recall replacing my old Shimano Ultegra 6500 9spd RD for around $40 or so used. One good reason to stay a little behind the new part curve.

It was a good ride in today ~50F. I was able to dress for 50's and got away with barely perceptable rain this morning. Also met Bob on the Ft Lee Rd hill and rode in with him. Always nice to have a someone to chat with on the bike. I also noticed that the roads were pretty clear (even for a Friday). So a nice bonus for me. I'm off work next week for my son's spring break from school. We hope to do a mini trip. We're thinking of going to Washington DC for two days or so and see some of the museums. Would be super cool to see the Smithsonain center at Dulles airport:

https://airandspace.si.edu/collections/collections-on-display

Its one of the places that I've never been to. They have a space shuttle and Lokheed SR-71 there among other things. I'm sure that my 5yr old would like those exhibits. If you guys have any road trip ideas, then let me know. Have a good weekend and a happy Easter!

No, fortunately it's a steel bike and hanger is part of the frame. I picked up a couple rd's for $25 so back in business as soon as I fix the wheel!!

Ah, cool beans.

That's not what happens around here at all.

It's not that less people are driving when schools are closed. Its that when they are open more people are driving at the same time.

When schools are closed the same number of people are driving to work, they are just spreading it out more since they aren't confined to dropping their kids off at a predetermined time on the way to work.

I gotta figure out some sort of solution to the front brakes on my hybrid squealing. And I don't mean a minor squeak. They've gotten nearly as loud as my Airzound, and at about the same pitch. I've tried new pads (currently using Koolstop salmon with about 200 miles on the set) and adjusting them. Toe-in, toe-out, up, down, etc. but nothing seems to help.

The brakes on this bike have always squealed since it was new, but seem to be getting louder as the bike gathers miles (now around 8,000). This afternoon on my ride across town I've noticed that I wasn't using them because they draw so much attention and drivers think I'm honking at them. That's not a good situation when you start avoiding your best method of stopping.

I suggest giving the rim a good cleaning, rubbing alcohol and scrubber. also check tightness of the bolts, in case vibrations are coming from there.

What type of brake caliper do you have? I recall reading in another thread about the same issue. Someone recommended to try a different brake pad type. Ah, here it is:

Brake squeal on cantilever brakes, cross bike

Saw one rec for Kool Stop Tectonic and another for Velo Orange Squeal Free. FWIW, I've not had much squeal probs with Kool Stop Salmon, Swissstop black, and Shimano black pads. This is only on my two road bikes with Shimano Ultegra 6500 and early 2000's Campy Chorus brakes. Both are dual pivot on the front. But the Campy is single pivot on the back.

Actually just cleaned the bike from head to toe a few weeks ago getting it ready for the season, and tightened every bolt on the bike.

I've just got the stock V-Brakes that came with my Diamondback. I'm guessing they're Tektros as that's what the levers were.

I may wind up going with a completely different kind of pad. I've been running Koolstop Salmons for years but if that's what it takes to get rid of this issue I suppose it's an easy fix.

An easy mostly-round trip to end the week.

Here's a funny thing. If I get a late start I have to drive and that puts me in the school traffic, inching along.

WD-40?

Gee, I wonder why your number is so low. Mine is 31364 that I got about 4 years ago. I see from their location map that they are mostly west coast with a couple other locations. As far as actual usage my biggest location is the bike locker in front of Walnut Creek city hall. Meetings with the city traffic engineer and our neighborhood group. I think it's only right to advocate against excess traffic by arriving by bike.

That would quiet the brakes, but then I would start squealing!

After work I sold my full-suspension bike. So for the first time in about 16 years, I'm mountain bike free. It's temporary! I've got two different Krampus lined up to look at. One is a bare frame in KC, freshly powder coated, and the other is a complete here in SAC. I really would prefer a new-model Karate Monkey if I can find one. The Krampus is kind of enormous.

I thought the rain had stopped yesterday at midday, but I was wrong. It got heavier, and it was what I'd call a moderate rain by the time I headed home. But I had a tail wind, and that made it perfectly tolerable. The range of weather that doesn't bother me has widened. There are still conditions that keep me off the bike, but not as often. But my pants sure were dirty by the time I got home, and my butt was wet.

Looks like you can fit pretty big tires on the Krampus:



What size do you select for fit? Do folks still buy a smaller frame for MTB as compared to road?

Edit: Looks like I would still use effective top tube length: https://surlybikes.com/info_hole/spew/spew_bike_fit
But if I go by my 56-57cm ETT length then that means I would select a small (S) at 58.5cm?

A theory is that residue of cleaning agents can cause a squeal, in addition to oils from the road. So the first try IMO should always be cleaning the rim and pads with something that won't leave any. I'd probably scrape the pads though that may be excessive. After that, vibrations can be the culprit which can be due to type of pads, mounting, or I'd say even if the rim is wavy from wear or being out of true. In the latter case I think you'd feel the brakes "shudder" as well as hearing the squealing.

It comes with 29x3. That’s why I’d still rather have the KM, I could fit it with some pretty fast and light tires like Racing Ralph. If I built one up from a frame though either would be ok, they are really similar except for a CM more chainstay and drop on the Krampus. Added on edit: checked out a Krampus, the rack required for my kid seat won't clear the tire. I could still build one up from a frame but a complete is out.

In re sizing, that’s for road bikes. Road bikes come in more sizes. They have a different graphic for MTB sizing, there are Xs S M L XL and you can already reasonably guess what you need. I know I’m a medium. Trek makes an additional size between M and L on some of their mountain bikes but I don’t know if anyone else does.