Long Island: Good Ride Today?
10-01-17, 08:49 PM
#1551
Senior Member
Yes, I just keep grabbing this one....a Soma DoubleCross. Best bike money I ever spent, hands down. Very stable and comfy with Bontrager R2 700x32 tires. It really does not seem at all slow. Not V brakes, even more backward XT cantilevers. Bar-cons, except the left side lever died and I stuck an old Shimano 600 down-tube shifter into the bar-end pod; it works great. With 46x36x24 triple and 11-28 cassette, if you can pave it, I can climb it. I think you know Joe Amadio; he calls this "that geek bike"
I do have a Trek 5200 "Plastic Fantastic". I use it (sometimes) on club AA rides in winter when the tandems are hibernating. Yes, the 5200 is a bit lighter and more sprightly but not yuuugely so. I like my Geek Bike.
Last edited by kaos joe; 10-02-17 at 09:20 AM.
10-01-17, 08:52 PM
#1552
Senior Member
10-02-17, 05:00 PM
#1553
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,087 Times
in
1,182 Posts
STEEL IS REAL, BABY!!!
Yes, I just keep grabbing this one....a Soma DoubleCross. Best bike money I ever spent, hands down. Very stable and comfy with Bontrager R2 700x32 tires. It really does not seem at all slow. Not V brakes, even more backward XT cantilevers. Bar-cons, except the left side lever died and I stuck an old Shimano 600 down-tube shifter into the bar-end pod; it works great. With 46x36x24 triple and 11-28 cassette, if you can pave it, I can climb it. I think you know Joe Amadio; he calls this "that geek bike"
I do have a Trek 5200 "Plastic Fantastic". I use it (sometimes) on club AA rides in winter when the tandems are hibernating. Yes, the 5200 is a bit lighter and more sprightly but not yuuugely so. I like my Geek Bike.
Yes, I just keep grabbing this one....a Soma DoubleCross. Best bike money I ever spent, hands down. Very stable and comfy with Bontrager R2 700x32 tires. It really does not seem at all slow. Not V brakes, even more backward XT cantilevers. Bar-cons, except the left side lever died and I stuck an old Shimano 600 down-tube shifter into the bar-end pod; it works great. With 46x36x24 triple and 11-28 cassette, if you can pave it, I can climb it. I think you know Joe Amadio; he calls this "that geek bike"
I do have a Trek 5200 "Plastic Fantastic". I use it (sometimes) on club AA rides in winter when the tandems are hibernating. Yes, the 5200 is a bit lighter and more sprightly but not yuuugely so. I like my Geek Bike.
10-02-17, 06:15 PM
#1554
Senior Member
. The Smoothie unicrown fork seems really heavy; I might sub another fork when I DO build it. Give me a prod, will you?I had seatpost slip issues on both Soma frames, not sure why. The seat tubes are externally butted so the internal dia. should be consistent and prevent slip. I stopped it on both frames by taking a very sharp punch and lightly, very lightly, stippling the top inch or so of the inside of the seat tube with a few dozen TINY punch marks. Downside is, this will scratch the seatpost, if you sink it in too far and then need to withdraw it. It worked for me; YMMV.
10-02-17, 06:42 PM
#1555
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,087 Times
in
1,182 Posts
I have a Smoothie ES frameset I still have not re-built up, mostly 'cause I'm cheap. The Smoothie unicrown fork seems really heavy; I might sub another fork when I DO build it. Give me a prod, will you?
I had seatpost slip issues on both Soma frames, not sure why. The seat tubes are externally butted so the internal dia. should be consistent and prevent slip. I stopped it on both frames by taking a very sharp punch and lightly, very lightly, stippling the top inch or so of the inside of the seat tube with a few dozen TINY punch marks. Downside is, this will scratch the seatpost, if you sink it in too far and then need to withdraw it. It worked for me; YMMV.
. The Smoothie unicrown fork seems really heavy; I might sub another fork when I DO build it. Give me a prod, will you?I had seatpost slip issues on both Soma frames, not sure why. The seat tubes are externally butted so the internal dia. should be consistent and prevent slip. I stopped it on both frames by taking a very sharp punch and lightly, very lightly, stippling the top inch or so of the inside of the seat tube with a few dozen TINY punch marks. Downside is, this will scratch the seatpost, if you sink it in too far and then need to withdraw it. It worked for me; YMMV.
The ES steel fork (is that what you have ?) from Soma has the best clearance as I understand it. The carbon forks they offer don’t take the larger tires. But since you are riding a Double Cross, I could see where it might not matter as you could run 28’s or so as the “other steel”.
As curiousity, what frame size is the ES ?, in case I make an offer !.
10-02-17, 07:35 PM
#1556
Senior Member
Good suggestion on the seat tube.
The ES steel fork (is that what you have ?) from Soma has the best clearance as I understand it. The carbon forks they offer don’t take the larger tires. But since you are riding a Double Cross, I could see where it might not matter as you could run 28’s or so as the “other steel”.
As curiousity, what frame size is the ES ?, in case I make an offer !.
The ES steel fork (is that what you have ?) from Soma has the best clearance as I understand it. The carbon forks they offer don’t take the larger tires. But since you are riding a Double Cross, I could see where it might not matter as you could run 28’s or so as the “other steel”.
As curiousity, what frame size is the ES ?, in case I make an offer !.
I certainly don't "need" another bike......The DoubleCross has acres of clearance, I could probably fit 700x40 in there. The Smoothie ES will fit 35mm tires but not with fenders. It uses long reach caliper brakes. I could also build the Smoothie and sell the 'Cross.....first world problems! Of course my buds tell me to build it up and use both. I would do so instantly if I cracked the Trek road bike and I'd be plenty content.....
10-03-17, 05:36 AM
#1557
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,087 Times
in
1,182 Posts
Too small, it was a thought anyway.
10-05-17, 07:06 PM
#1558
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Another windy ride to Tobay.
10-07-17, 11:46 PM
#1559
Senior Member
Nothing like a crisp October day.......NOT! Humid...as...heck.
29 round trip miles of "utility cycling" yesterday to daughter's place by Hofstra to do some work on her car. I used my Brenner/Farmedge/Constellation/Orchid/Carnation/Salisbury Park route across central Nassau Co., and then the rather abysmal "bike paths" around the Colosseum complex. I was surprised to see, when I later checked the Google Maps bike option, that it closely matched my route.
We slept in today as most of our riding companions were away, and took a late morning tandem ride across the Island to Cold Spring Harbor for lunch & then back, 35 sweaty miles even though we were just doodling along at a comfortable pace. I'm ready for fall.
29 round trip miles of "utility cycling" yesterday to daughter's place by Hofstra to do some work on her car. I used my Brenner/Farmedge/Constellation/Orchid/Carnation/Salisbury Park route across central Nassau Co., and then the rather abysmal "bike paths" around the Colosseum complex. I was surprised to see, when I later checked the Google Maps bike option, that it closely matched my route.
We slept in today as most of our riding companions were away, and took a late morning tandem ride across the Island to Cold Spring Harbor for lunch & then back, 35 sweaty miles even though we were just doodling along at a comfortable pace. I'm ready for fall.
10-10-17, 04:45 PM
#1560
Senior Member
What a beautiful day it was today, and what a gift to have it so late in the year.
I visited my mother in Westbury, paid a visit to a favourite hat store in Washington Heights, and then came home to Woodhaven, for a total of 70 miles.
I visited my mother in Westbury, paid a visit to a favourite hat store in Washington Heights, and then came home to Woodhaven, for a total of 70 miles.
10-12-17, 03:03 PM
#1561
Senior Member
I had no choice but to sleep through most of this gorgeous day, dangit......
I did some more utility cycling Tuesday, took the Mrs' car in for service with bike in trunk so I could ride home. Somehow I got lost between Bethpage and Massapequa Park and turned a 6 mile ride into 46. I knew things had gone terribly wrong when I ran out of dry land and could see Connecticut across the water.
This was parked across the road from the service center although I don't think they can work on this model of vehicle.
I did some more utility cycling Tuesday, took the Mrs' car in for service with bike in trunk so I could ride home. Somehow I got lost between Bethpage and Massapequa Park and turned a 6 mile ride into 46
. I knew things had gone terribly wrong when I ran out of dry land and could see Connecticut across the water.This was parked across the road from the service center although I don't think they can work on this model of vehicle.
10-12-17, 05:12 PM
#1562
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,087 Times
in
1,182 Posts
Why do I think you have a Subaru and the plane - an F14, is parked outside the Grumman plant.
Either that or you were really, really lost and out at Calverton, which is where the other display F14 (that I’m aware of locally) is located.
Either that or you were really, really lost and out at Calverton, which is where the other display F14 (that I’m aware of locally) is located.
10-12-17, 08:45 PM
#1563
Senior Member
Bike content; our red tandem is made out of Aer-Met, an extremely high strength steel, which, IIRC, was originally developed for use in the landing gear of naval aircraft such as this, which slam down onto carrier decks rather violently. For a time it was withheld from the civilian market lest The Other Guys get it. Steve Bilenky told me no bike frame builders use it anymore, as it is difficult to work with and was judged to be not worth the trouble.
10-15-17, 02:08 PM
#1564
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Went out in the wet and it didn't disappoint. I got plenty wet and dirty... but it was great to be out today.
10-15-17, 05:32 PM
#1565
Senior Member
Not dirty, FILTHY!!! We slept late and waited until about 1pm, did "the lunch ride" to Cold Spring Harbor, 36 miles. We dined outside in sun, mostly, but it looked like we dodged some showers judging by the very wet roads in places.
10-18-17, 06:38 PM
#1566
Senior Member
I need someone to come over and slap me upside the head once for every time I hit the snooze button today. I got home from work, decided to sleep for 3 hours and then get up & out. AAAAARGH....ten blows should suffice.
Eventually got a grip on myself & enjoyed 30 miles worth of this lovely afternoon.
I did take a short detour onto the Subcontinent. Remarkable architecture.
Eventually got a grip on myself & enjoyed 30 miles worth of this lovely afternoon.
I did take a short detour onto the Subcontinent. Remarkable architecture.
10-21-17, 03:37 PM
#1567
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Did a coast to coast, Massapequa - Cold Spring Harbor - Tobay - Massapequa.
10-22-17, 07:08 AM
#1568
Senior Member
Almost freakishly beautiful weather continues! We did a couple of particularly enjoyable rides past 2 days with smallish groups of 6-12, all of us friends of 20+ years. Cycling at its best.
10-22-17, 12:02 PM
#1569
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Yup.. a great day. i got up early and cleaned the bike since its pretty filthy. Then headed out for 40 miles.
10-22-17, 02:03 PM
#1570
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,087 Times
in
1,182 Posts
Bad luck today heading east from JB.
2 riders side by side in our group bounce together, left riders pedal into right riders wheel, both go down. Both hit asphalt.
911 called, both riders stayed down for the count, left rider has a separated shoulder and he’s a relative of the right rider, who was visiting from Germany, now with a separation and broken clavicle. Unfortunately he was an inexperienced rider in a group, marathon runner so fit and kept up otherwise.
A LONG time waiting for ambulances, State Troopers, Nassau PD, etc.. easily 20 or more minutes. First response actually was some lot attendants from TOBAY, apparently fetched by a cyclist. But all the PD’s and NCPD ambulance and NCPD guys were super. The TOBAY guys very graciously took the 2 bikes back to their place and waited till I could ride back to BP to my car and drive down to recover, before they went home for the day.
Lesson learned, don’t get hurt down there, especially this time of year.
2 riders side by side in our group bounce together, left riders pedal into right riders wheel, both go down. Both hit asphalt.
911 called, both riders stayed down for the count, left rider has a separated shoulder and he’s a relative of the right rider, who was visiting from Germany, now with a separation and broken clavicle. Unfortunately he was an inexperienced rider in a group, marathon runner so fit and kept up otherwise.
A LONG time waiting for ambulances, State Troopers, Nassau PD, etc.. easily 20 or more minutes. First response actually was some lot attendants from TOBAY, apparently fetched by a cyclist. But all the PD’s and NCPD ambulance and NCPD guys were super. The TOBAY guys very graciously took the 2 bikes back to their place and waited till I could ride back to BP to my car and drive down to recover, before they went home for the day.
Lesson learned, don’t get hurt down there, especially this time of year.
10-22-17, 03:18 PM
#1571
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Sux.....
Yesterday I was heading east to Tobay and had a guy coming west when he suddenly got blown off the path, onto the grass and crashed. The guy was on a Cervelo P3 TT bike with a disc wheel and deep front. The wind caught him and knocked him over. What's worst the guy wasn't wearing a helmet. Luckily he was only banged up but his front wheel was toast. I'm sure he had a long walk back to his car at Cedar Creek.
Yesterday I was heading east to Tobay and had a guy coming west when he suddenly got blown off the path, onto the grass and crashed. The guy was on a Cervelo P3 TT bike with a disc wheel and deep front. The wind caught him and knocked him over. What's worst the guy wasn't wearing a helmet. Luckily he was only banged up but his front wheel was toast. I'm sure he had a long walk back to his car at Cedar Creek.
10-25-17, 09:46 PM
#1572
Senior Member
After last nights thunders and tempests, I was surprised to see a nice sunrise this morning. I had to be in Brookville at 10am for a 4 hour work related thingie, so I joined the bike commute crowd for a day, quickly loaded up a Carradice Barley with a change of civilian clothes and a fresh set of shorts & jersey, & set out at 815am for the 20 mile trip (19.99 according to my gizmo). Plenty of time to get cleaned up, changed and (semi)presentable by 10. There were LOTS of wet leaves and debris especially on the Bethpage MUP. Beautiful morning!
It was much more threatening when I set out for home at 230 so I picked up the pace, getting some rain the last 3 miles or so. No biggie.
Still beats driving.
It was much more threatening when I set out for home at 230 so I picked up the pace, getting some rain the last 3 miles or so. No biggie.
Still beats driving.
10-28-17, 12:00 AM
#1573
Senior Member
Oh boy, another gift of a day on the brink of November. Mrs Kaos took the day off, & we and another couple of tandem heads rode up to Northport for an early lunch. Northport Sweet Shop on Main Street is a dandy time capsule of soda fountain/ luncheonette right outta 1956 or so. One expects Laverne and Shirley to come in the door, gushing because The Fonz gave them a wink.
47 miles, one Triple Decker sandwich (we split it). Good ride today.
47 miles, one Triple Decker sandwich (we split it). Good ride today.
10-28-17, 03:49 PM
#1574
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Another windy day... 20mph out of the south.
I only had time for 30 miles and i'm tired fighting the wind.
I only had time for 30 miles and i'm tired fighting the wind.
10-28-17, 09:51 PM
#1575
Senior Member
Went up to Old Dock, oddly enough another 47 miler. Much larger group today, faster, and coming home southbound sure was some serious work.
Had a scary front flat today, at the front of the group at some speed.....it went flat fast! I didn't dare deviate from a laser straight path while pulling the tandem to a stop with only the rear brake. Rather than panic stop everyone went skillfully around us on both sides as we decelerated. Nobody hurt....whew!
Had a scary front flat today, at the front of the group at some speed.....it went flat fast! I didn't dare deviate from a laser straight path while pulling the tandem to a stop with only the rear brake. Rather than panic stop everyone went skillfully around us on both sides as we decelerated. Nobody hurt....whew!
Last edited by kaos joe; 10-28-17 at 10:00 PM.