None really. I just found them cheap, probably because they have a reputation for being real squealers.
I managed to quiet mine down by shoe adjustments, but before that I really announced my arrival at intersections.

I have Shorty 6's on the Airborne -- a little extra toe-in solved the problem for me, but they do have a godawful shriek otherwise!!

I'm interested in the U.S.-made pannier question, too, I'll be keeping an eye out for any responses. I'd like to get a set of panniers this year (soon) and I'd love to support the home team if I could, but I'm not sure how many options there are for that. I think I prefer the Arkel approach (lots of pockets) to the Ortlieb (throw-it-all-in-one-big-bag) method, but of course, never having toured, I'm not sure! (Maybe I should get one of each; different sets for front and back. ) On the other hand, I'm not real keen on zippers -- I know they're beefy, but still, it's a pretty obvious failure point.

I have a full set of Arkels and even though haven't taken them thousands of miles I like them. the zippers seem pretty stout, you can tell right away if zippers are weak, these are not. The only flaw I've had is the outside mesh pocket coming away from the seam after my son and I traveled in France, but I crammed those things. I called the company and they were happy to fix them, but I never sent them.
As for supporting US made, I say but what's best and buy what you want.

Here's a link to a quick report I did on my trip and a photo page. All in all a good trip, took a bit of doing to get the lay of the land so if I go back again I'll be able to head right out and ride, still got in some memorable riding. It can be done very cheaply with Southwest Air and camping. I did miss my kids, I suppose it's a paternal thing and I should worry if I didn't feel that way. The weather was amazing-almost unbearably hot at mid day for my winter skin. SPF 50

https://web.mac.com/harrycampbell1/iW...559ED88AF.html

https://web.mac.com/harrycampbell1/iW...%20Riding.html

We passed the Senate but we got an Unfavorable Report by the House Environmental Matters Committee.

You could say this is progress over last years result where we did not even make it out of committee.

I'm working on getting more information so stay tuned.

Thanks harry. Nice report and pics.

Environmental Matters committee, Is that the one Malone sits on?

As a government worker I kinda feel obliged to return my money to the citizens that pay my salary, especially in these times. Not a flag waver, just a guilty citizen

Harry, nice stuff!

----
Well, near future on the bike looks tenuous. I didn't go to work today and have a doctor's appointment later today.

I suspect I have a hernia. We'll see what the doctor says and whether or not there's a way to keep riding or whether I'll have to stop for a while. or... or... or...

Yes.

thats what they make trusses for NoRacer! Or just wear your bike shorts a size smaller.

(you might owe NR a beer for that)

eRRR! You mean I have to switch to junior's size? (already in a men's small)

oh... forgot to follow-up:

Doc says it "looks like trauma from bicycle seat". I told him that I only do ~28 miles per day and 200 on weekends...

Actually, I'm one of his healthiest patients. I haven't seen him in about 6 years and he still remembers when I came to see him about my broken knee when I was a runner. And, that's why I became a cyclists.

He also said to give it a couple weeks rest. I said I've been wanting to, but there's the SPP Mileage Challenge and commuting to work and I have $200 invested in the Jefferson Cup Road Race this coming weekend and... and... and...

I have a few questions that you Baltimore folk may be able to help with.

Right now I ride a cross bike with road tires (unless I am doing some off road riding). Its a Kona Jake with a triple (52/42/30). I am looking into buying a road bike that has a bit of a smoother ride and I can leave my Jake as a commuter.

I am wondering about the Triple vs Double vs Compact. I know there are tons of stuff on here about that whole debate but I was wondering what you guys think works well in the Baltimore area. I use the granny gear on my triple, but I dont HAVE to have it, it is nice though.

I just test rode two bikes - one with a compact 50/34 and one double 53/39. The compact certainly seems nicer up those hills. Will I lose a lot of top end speed with the 50 vs the 52/53? I am not into racing, I am fine with my triple, lower weight would be nice but is not really a factor for me. Going from a 25 pound bike to an 18/19 pound bike - so it will be plenty of shock for me

Ok, second question - when you guys stop off at Royal Farms or some store like that to refuel do you lock up your bike? Or just roll the dice and leave it outside. I find myself just leaving it outside and then watching it like a hawk while I am in the store. I just feel like there will be a day when I come out from the store and my bike is gone though.......

I suspect you'll get two distinctly different answers here about gearing.
NR, do you want to go first? cause, I'd probably start off with something like this...

"if you want to give yourself a hernia, then definitely consider the 53"
otherwise...


As far as the Royal Farms question: I make some loose guesses on the risk, usually leaving the bike, but keeping it within sight from inside the store. There are a couple of little theft prevention things you can do that will slow down a thief: after stopping move your shifters several clicks out of wack making it likely that a thief will throw the chain, loosen the seat post bolt, or NR's trick- tie a strap around one brake lever.

BTW welcome to the thread nbac23

I have a compact and miss some of that high end big gear. On my recent trip I maxed out my big gear, though there's is something to be said for moving the legs faster. As for going uphills, compact, double, or triple, it's all work for me. It's about weight.

I had to bring back the recent bib shorts I bought, most PI stuff I wear a large but these were total nut-crunchers, had to get x-large!

If I was drinking a beer it would have shot out my nose

Sorry NR, hope you feel better. Sounds like a brooks AND a triple up front is in your future. Maybe you can wear one of those weight lifting belts.

nbac23 hey, I live in Catonsville and really like the triple for the extreme hills around here, though some of the BF youngsters will ride them on a fixie. My next bike will have a compact. Most of the city ridingN to S is fairly flat so any speed will work BUT if you ride E to W then you got some rather stiff climbs(Jones FAlls river valley) You will lose speed w/out a 52/53. Not much tho'. Ask yourself: Do I want to fly as fast as possible OR have decent knees when you're an old curmudgeon fella like me.
Royal farm: Depends which RF. i leave mine unlocked at some grocery stores but will lock it in certain areas for a quick stop.

NR: I would eat the 200 for the Jeff cup. You don't want your 'junk' hangin' out your trunk.

MAx: still working on the panniers. Check out Beckmans. Some say the best there are, ain't cheap.

I will try to contact him to see what's up. I never like the way he left our last discussion. He wouldn't commit. He acted like a politician
He was excellent when dealing with MARC train I kinda figured him to be behind alt transportation. Guess I was wrong.

Thanks Balt Charlie-
I think I SHOULD get either a compact or a triple. I am much more concerned about my health and the level of enjoyment I get out of riding than my speed. Besides, I need to work on keeping my cadence up as it is.... I was thinking as I was riding today "It isnt like I am afraid of a challenge, but if those hills become too much of a pain then I am much more likely to take the car instead." When the time is right I will probably test ride the compact again and see how much speed I lose on flats or descents with the compact vs. the triple.

nbac, you are absolutely on the right track. If you make the ride as easy and enjoyable and uncomplicated as possible- you are MUCH more likely to keep it up every day.

To muddy the waters about gearing- keep in mind that double/triple/whatever does not imply gear range, only increments within a given range. Here's 2 of my bikes: a Trek 1600 roadie which goes from a high of 110 gear inches (the number of inches you go forward from one rotation of your pedal) to a low of 32 gear inches. It has a triple in front and a 10-speed cluster in the rear, so, a range of 78 inches in 30 gearing options. My Kogswell is basically a single 44 tooth front ring and a 9-speed in the rear. It goes from 107 to 34. Almost the same range, BUT in only 9 steps. The increments between gears is much larger.

Is more gears better? Not necessarily. I find I'm having to "shift through" many gears on the Trek as I crest a hill. Then again, more gears allows you to "dial in" on the perfect gear if the wind picks up a little bit. Most importantly is for you to have a gear range (whether it be 9 or 30 increments) that allows you a level of comfort when climbing and descending. I like lower gearing ranges and believe in the physics that after 30 mph you are better off getting into an aerodynamic tuck and coasting rather than mashing the pedals in a big gear.

Then again, if you can push the big gears (read: NoRacer) then you by all means, should.

What part of MD you from?

I live in Baltimore - between Harford and Bel Air Rds, just around Moravia. Thanks for the welcome - I have been around the forums a bit...mostly just soaking in some knowledge. I read this thread everyday and a few days ago I started from the beginning. (I am on page 56 now!) I am learning a lot about popular routes in the Area. One day I hope to pile up the mileage like a lot of you do!

I actually met Barry one day, which I am sure he doesnt remember. Kind of makes it funny to have found him on the forums though - I know its him because he told us about his website. I was riding with my Girlfriend on the Gwynns Falls Trail and it was getting pretty dark. She just got a bike and we were on our way back to the Rt 70 parknride. It was getting dark and we were really tired at the time. Barry was very nice and rode with us for a mile or so before he peeled off around Windsor Mill Rd. I remember just being amazed that he rode all the way to Annapolis that day and that he just seemed like it was a normal day! (also amazed by his bike....)

Anyway, you guys keep me motivated, thats for sure.

This is funny meeting two people on BF in two days from my rides from the past (the other one is here.) I do remember that meeting and thinking you two made a great couple.

Sounds like you should be looking in to a triple, a real nice component for a can handle just about anything bike. As GB noted look at the gear inches (https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ ) as you are after a larger range. The steps in between IMHO are bit of a nit picky thing and is more something of consideration as you advance.

Let's get one thing straight--it's a 54T, not 53. j/k

Approach cautiously! He has shown a lot more angst against cyclists this year then in years past (where he was the more typical non-committed politician.) He blew up at Bill Kelly just at the mention of the word bicycle and if you know Bill, you know that it has to be totally uncalled for. I am seriously thinking of editing Malone's Wikipedia entry to include being anti-bicycling, I just haven't thought of good wording yet (any ideas?) Malone is the only politician that I have heard of that gets upset when his constituency contacts him, not a good thing at all!

Some bicycling advocates are thinking about doing a fund raiser for Malone after the legislative session in the hopes that he will get it for next year, but personally I think politicians need to live or die (politically) by their position on issues, support an unfavorable position and pay the price next election. That will make a point to not just Malone but to others who think being anti-bicycling is good for Maryland.