Needed: Recommendations on most bulletproof 26" tire/tube combo...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Needed: Recommendations on most bulletproof 26" tire/tube combo...
Really, compared to the price of gas and auto maintenance, bike tire/tube cost is no object.
I have a five-mile commute through the lower income neighborhood of the big city school where I teach. Bike also gets used to shop/run errands when I can. Route includes much hopping up and down curbs, old uneven sections of pavement, short cuts through unpaved alleys, and sections where I have to ride on and off of the pavement alongside the highway.
Continental Town and Countries have answered well for this in the past. Looking for a general equivalent in terms of low rolling resistance/some off road tread, but one with kevlar protection.
Thanks,
Mike
I have a five-mile commute through the lower income neighborhood of the big city school where I teach. Bike also gets used to shop/run errands when I can. Route includes much hopping up and down curbs, old uneven sections of pavement, short cuts through unpaved alleys, and sections where I have to ride on and off of the pavement alongside the highway.
Continental Town and Countries have answered well for this in the past. Looking for a general equivalent in terms of low rolling resistance/some off road tread, but one with kevlar protection.
Thanks,
Mike
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks, and thanks for the quick response.
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
Last edited by Sharpshin; 10-07-13 at 12:47 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: South Austin, Texas
Posts: 919
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times
in
12 Posts
Conti Travel Contacts, non reflective.
#5
xtrajack
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,058
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, and thanks for the quick response.
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
#6
The Drive Side is Within
Yes,I ride Town and Countries through lower income neighborhoods to my big inner city High School teaching job. Haven't needed Kevlar...
__________________
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
#7
The Drive Side is Within
(sketch was one of my students)
__________________
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
#8
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 356
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
well seems like your safety is at high risk so i don't want to steer you wrong . i use pasela tourguide , kevlar lining tires. i get them mail order from harris cyclery in mass. near your area. anyway they have them in various sizes and i believe 26" is one of the sizes-worth a look.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks, and thanks for the quick response.
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
At 26" by 1.9" the Top Contacts sound perfect except for the refective sidewalls.
I often ride home after dark.
There are no lights or reflectors on my bike, nor do I wear a helmet. Without meaning to make too much of it; the option of travelling in stealth mode after dark around these parts far outweighs any concerns about "being seen by cars". Likewise wearing a helmet while riding a bike, especially after dark just spells "V-I-C-T-I-M".
Bummer, ideal otherwise.
Do you have any other tire suggestions?
Regards,
Mike
I've had really good results with Vittoria Randonneur Pros, like maybe one flat a year, and I'm about 280 pounds and ride over pretty rough streets (although probably not as rough as yours). Used to get flats all the time with lower quality tires. Not much tread to speak of though. I used to love the Town and Country's until they discontinued the smaller size. Now they feel squirrelly to me in the larger size.
If I were you I'd be tempted instead of going with thorn resistant tubes which are kind of awful, to use a Mr. Tuffy tire liner. Pretty sure it weighs less and a Mr. Tuffy pretty much turns any tire into a near bullet proof tire. Also, no mess all over the inside of your tire like when a slime filled tube does get punctured. Pretty sure a Mr. Tuffy and a Town and Country would be a great combo for you.
Good luck, and kudos to you for perservering!
#10
Rocketship Underpants
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 328
Bikes: '94 RS Bikes Stampede (commuter), Scattante XRL Team road bike (formerly '05 Cannondale R5000), '05 Cannondale Prophet 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I would recommend a set of Schwalbe Big Apples, the largest size you can fit (I use 2.15", my old steel hardtail MTB with fenders won't fit the 2.3"). Yes, they have a reflective strip on the sidewall, but it can be pulled off since it's only adhesive, leaving you with a black tire. I have 6500 miles on mine, regularly ride bad pavement, up and down curbs, down stairs, etc, and they're perfect. They're not an off-road tire obviously, but they do ok on unpaved surfaces.
#11
Senior Member
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: South Austin, Texas
Posts: 919
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times
in
12 Posts
Schwalbe Big Apples
Continental City Ride 2
Continental Travel Contact
Schwalbe Marathon Green Guard
Continental City Ride 2
Continental Travel Contact
Schwalbe Marathon Green Guard
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
West Side of San Antonio Yo
Don't get me wrong, San Antonio is about the friendliest major urban poverty center there is.
But.... on the days when I don't leave my high school until around 10pm (more often than you'd think)... being visible in advance like with reflectors gives potential miscreants a few moments for premeditation as in.... "hey, lets knock that guy over and take his bike" etc etc....
Towards that end, being older (mid-fifties) having a beard helps. What I do is bag up my dress shirt for the ride home, wear an old t-shirt and especially a cotton knit or wool watch cap. I'm commonly taken for homeless, as indeed most older bearded Anglos in my neighborhood are
Been teaching here for twenty-five years, bicycle commuting on and off, getting to an age where I take the bicycle while I still can.
This area seems pretty safe, and most times it is, but occasionally something awful happens. For example, been two drive-by's and one fatal shooting on my street in the last ten years (or one incident of catastrophic violence about every three years), yet kids play in the streets and we can and have left our car doors unlocked in the driveway, even with valuable stuff inside, for years.
I carry a 9oz can of bear spray in one saddlebag, mostly for dogs, never had to use it (though have successfully resorted to bear spray against pits and such several times while walking my dogs, only downside is its $50 a can). Prob'ly wouldn't violently resist an attempt to take my bike. This IS Texas, but packing a discrete firearm ain't an option given my workplace.
My favorite commuting bike is a 15 year old Kona Blast 8sp mountain bike with a Marzocchi fork. I bought it for my then 14 year-old son as a reward for doing the 50 mile loop on the Lance Armstrong charity ride in Austin. Any smaller and I wouldn't fit, but the near BMX proportions work well to lend manouverability on the "urban technical" sections I have to navigate en route.
Mike
Last edited by Sharpshin; 10-08-13 at 11:19 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Standalone,
Thank you for understanding
But I gotta say, compared to friendly ol' San Antone, where you ride looks scary.
Regards,
Mike
Thank you for understanding
But I gotta say, compared to friendly ol' San Antone, where you ride looks scary.
Regards,
Mike
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
First off, thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
#16
Senior Member
First off, thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
#17
Rocketship Underpants
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 328
Bikes: '94 RS Bikes Stampede (commuter), Scattante XRL Team road bike (formerly '05 Cannondale R5000), '05 Cannondale Prophet 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've had one flat on the rear in the 6500 miles on my BAs, but that was partially my fault after not cleaning up the garage floor after a metalworking project, very fine, long metallic splinters all over the place. They laugh at anything I've seen on the road here in the city. And they tour just fine. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...iles-in-3-days
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
First off, thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
What's REALLY going on here is that long distance on a bike has always been on my bucket list. Tho I have crossed the continent more times than I can easily recall on a motorcycle, never done it on a bicycle, which is a whole quantum leap upward in difficulty of course.
Getting to age where I gotta do it while I still have the knees for it (IF I still have the knees for it). Towards that end I've been taking the long way home, and planning some all-day expeditions soon as I get a free Saturday just to see how far I get.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Actually I really like Town and Country's, near perfect for my application. In reference to another post in my case I prefer the larger size (2.1??) on account of all the times that rear wheel drops off-of tall curbs.
No pinch flats with tire liners?
Thanks,
Mike
#19
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I had the same experience with the T&C's that came on my Safari. Apparently they used to be made better and were the standard for cop bike fleets,but not today. I later ran a set of Serfas Drifters that had almost the exact same pattern,but never had a flat.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Okay, here's the thread I was thinking of. Yes, some people report problems with pinch flats, a bunch of other people say they don't have problems with pinch flats and swear by Mr Tuffy's. What I gleaned from the thread was:
* make sure the liner has a rounded edge not a square cut
* maybe tape the ends down or sand the ends so they're not sharp (although lots of people do neither)
* get them a little larger than your tire size for best coverage and to minimize possibility of pinch flat so you can:
* make sure they are centered when you inflate the tire
If I were you I'd definitely give them a try, given your situation. As long as they are seated properly they should massively increase your flat protection at the increase of a little rolling resistance, and they'd make your favorite tires suitable for your situation. Heck, in your situation, I'd be tempted to put Mr. Tuffy's in Marathon Duremes, Gatorskins, or what's that other skinny slick with the infamous harsh ride? Boots and suspenders if you will.
Your determination to keep riding is inspiring!
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...y-s-Tire-liner
* make sure the liner has a rounded edge not a square cut
* maybe tape the ends down or sand the ends so they're not sharp (although lots of people do neither)
* get them a little larger than your tire size for best coverage and to minimize possibility of pinch flat so you can:
* make sure they are centered when you inflate the tire
If I were you I'd definitely give them a try, given your situation. As long as they are seated properly they should massively increase your flat protection at the increase of a little rolling resistance, and they'd make your favorite tires suitable for your situation. Heck, in your situation, I'd be tempted to put Mr. Tuffy's in Marathon Duremes, Gatorskins, or what's that other skinny slick with the infamous harsh ride? Boots and suspenders if you will.
Your determination to keep riding is inspiring!
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...y-s-Tire-liner
Last edited by Medic Zero; 10-08-13 at 03:47 PM. Reason: forgot the link!
#21
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I use Panaracer Ribmos - I think they're a great tire for puncture resistance, yet aren't as dead as the Schwalbes and Armadillos. Narrower contact point than Paselas and I like them far more. Standard tubes - if it gets through the tire I don't think a thicker tube is saving you. I don't like the added material.
I got CONSTANT pinch flats with mr. Tuffy.
I got CONSTANT pinch flats with mr. Tuffy.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Yeah, I used to really love mine, and I had forgotten that about them, but I do remember that they were what the Seattle PD were running on their fleet at the same time I was using them. I really liked the way the tread pattern handled the occasional off-road section I might end up doing, but was smooth and fast on city streets. IIRC, I was running them in 1.75" and then they discontinued that size and started only offering them in 1.9 or 2.1 and IIRC another, larger size. I tried a set of the larger ones and they felt totally different. Rumour had it that Continental had changed the rubber content of their tires as well (not just T&C's), I don't know if that had to do with it, or they just handled differently because of the larger size, but I've got a virtually brand new set of them sitting at the back of my cache now that I'm baffled as to what I'm going to do with.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use Panaracer Ribmos - I think they're a great tire for puncture resistance, yet aren't as dead as the Schwalbes and Armadillos. Narrower contact point than Paselas and I like them far more. Standard tubes - if it gets through the tire I don't think a thicker tube is saving you. I don't like the added material.
I got CONSTANT pinch flats with mr. Tuffy.
I got CONSTANT pinch flats with mr. Tuffy.
#24
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
That's why I went with the Drifters. They actually did pretty well in snow,so I could run the same tires all year unless there was ice,then I swap on the studs. But then I tried Marathon Supremes,and they became my 3 season tires.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 799
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks for all the helpful replies.
Found a pic of my bike, this from when I was running my dogs a couple of years back.
Off topic, but the bigger one is a heeler/stumpy-tailed cattle dog mix, the smaller a heeler/sheepdog mix. My experience has been that a dog that will walk/run reliably off-leash at heel will do the same with a bicycle and I have often run them through town early in the mornings. Herding breeds are probably best for this, and in Texas unspoiled examples (as in not AKC) are pretty cheap. But I digress.....
As mentioned, the bike is a Kona Blast, 8sp cassette, the fork a Marzocchi Bomber, air adjustable but not lockoutable. Deore shifters, Truvati triple crnakset, Blackburn mountain bike rack, Jannd Mountaineering bags, T/C tires. Dunno the make of the pedals (Truvati?), steel with carbon (??) clips, big enough to fit regular shoes with the straps removed.
Pretty much state-of-the-art for a decent bike fifteen years back IIRC we paid $600 in 1998 (??) dollars for it at the Ozona Bike Shop in Austin. Only thing I'd fault for my own use is the color, flame orange ain't really stealthy.
I have found front shocks to be essential when riding broken sidewalks and alongside the roadway off pavement, especially at night. They save a large amount of wear on one's hands and wrists, safer too. I recently switched from the original thumb shifters to Schramm Grip shifters, I have an old injury (from a bicycle wreck) to my right thumb and I find the grip shifters to be less painful to use.
Again off topic, I traded a classic S&W Mod 63 for a pristine F-series Cannondale (headshock era) hanging on a buddies garage wall some years back, but that ended up going to my son too. He still rides it, loves the bike.
An REI just opened up recently in this town and based on the reviews I'm thinking a pair of Drifters would be an ideal and not too expensive replacement, some off-road sections alongside the roadway can actually be fairly technical. And since my current T/C's have wear left on 'em, I can slap some Mr Tuffy's in 'em and put them on my wife's comfort bike. Two birds with one stone and all that
Thanks,
Mike
Found a pic of my bike, this from when I was running my dogs a couple of years back.
Off topic, but the bigger one is a heeler/stumpy-tailed cattle dog mix, the smaller a heeler/sheepdog mix. My experience has been that a dog that will walk/run reliably off-leash at heel will do the same with a bicycle and I have often run them through town early in the mornings. Herding breeds are probably best for this, and in Texas unspoiled examples (as in not AKC) are pretty cheap. But I digress.....
As mentioned, the bike is a Kona Blast, 8sp cassette, the fork a Marzocchi Bomber, air adjustable but not lockoutable. Deore shifters, Truvati triple crnakset, Blackburn mountain bike rack, Jannd Mountaineering bags, T/C tires. Dunno the make of the pedals (Truvati?), steel with carbon (??) clips, big enough to fit regular shoes with the straps removed.
Pretty much state-of-the-art for a decent bike fifteen years back IIRC we paid $600 in 1998 (??) dollars for it at the Ozona Bike Shop in Austin. Only thing I'd fault for my own use is the color, flame orange ain't really stealthy.
I have found front shocks to be essential when riding broken sidewalks and alongside the roadway off pavement, especially at night. They save a large amount of wear on one's hands and wrists, safer too. I recently switched from the original thumb shifters to Schramm Grip shifters, I have an old injury (from a bicycle wreck) to my right thumb and I find the grip shifters to be less painful to use.
Again off topic, I traded a classic S&W Mod 63 for a pristine F-series Cannondale (headshock era) hanging on a buddies garage wall some years back, but that ended up going to my son too. He still rides it, loves the bike.
An REI just opened up recently in this town and based on the reviews I'm thinking a pair of Drifters would be an ideal and not too expensive replacement, some off-road sections alongside the roadway can actually be fairly technical. And since my current T/C's have wear left on 'em, I can slap some Mr Tuffy's in 'em and put them on my wife's comfort bike. Two birds with one stone and all that
Thanks,
Mike
Last edited by Sharpshin; 10-08-13 at 07:16 PM.