BlastRadius

I've had Thomson's in the past but needed to change to a post with setback.
I like their stiffness and lightness but while the two-bolt clamp allowed awesome adjustment tuning, changing the saddle fore-aft would be a pain since loosening the bolts changed the tilt as well. The first generation American Classic design allowed fore-aft to be adjusted without altering the tilt adjustment. I'm not too sure the latest ones do, not to mention they're now charging $120 instead of $40.

BlastRadius

I just ordered a 3-rail Cetma rack. Should be useful for transporting lots of stuff.
https://www.cetmaracks.com

Siu Blue Wind

On another biking forum (you didn't see me type that) there were pics of cracked - and I mean CRACKED/SPLIT posts that were damaged from over tightening. Hoo boy that was enough to convince me! I can just imagine it suddenly folding in and surrendering it's load.

alainp

So, one would be riding along then, SNAP , impalement beyond belief? Oh my!!!

BigSean

Carbon is plenty reliable. Just like any other bike, you need to be aware of torque specs when tightening bolts.

alainp

Yup. Makes me wonder what people are using to tighten their seatpost clamps. There's no way I can over tighten mine with the 1.5" minitool I've been using (actually, I do use a torque wrench and tighten them to spec). Maybe they got inch*lbs confused with ft*lbs and were off by a factor of 12 .

SaiKaiTai

What have I bought? Oh, goodness, I've been stocking up.
Some Cannondale Monaco shorts, Pearl Izumi Ultra Attack shorts, some knit gloves, a couple of Grateful Dead jerseys, a GoreWear jersey, a few spare tubes and -the biggie- a Brooks B-17N. And some other stuff, too

jinws

let's see. needed a new helmet. red/white/black Bell sweep R.

got a red/black arrogant ******* jersey to go with it. and topped it off with a pair of Assos FI 13 S2 bibs. I may be slow, but I am comfortable as hell.

cantdrv55

I bought a 10 speed chain and had it installed the day before Napa. Bad decision as it came off 4X during the ride.

Gee3

Bought some Sidi Genius 5 (non-carbon ones) shoes! I like the fact that you can change out the heal pad. I'd still be riding my Specialized ones but the heal pad is wearing thin and it's not replaceable.

BTW Siu... I really liked the Polar water bottles. I did the freezing thing as well. And if it keeps water cool for a long period of time in TX then I'd say it should work fine in Cali heat! Although I lost the cap so I need to buy a new one, or two!

BlastRadius

That shouldn't happen. Is the chain the same length? Do you have a 10speed drivetrain?
Was the old chain and cassette really worn? If so, the chain and cassette should be changed at the same time.

UmneyDurak

Two Conti GT4000. Now my tires match, the horror! Also sun glasses with interchangeable lenses. Will see how long they will last. Hammer bibs. Those thing rock! They cost 45 bucks, have the same padding as those ultra 105 dollar bibs from velowear. Heck I suspect they are same bibs just with Hammer logo and less then half the price.
Oh this is a few weeks old purchase, but I bought a Langster for commuting.
Next I need to buy a tubular tire for my rear wheel, and a tape. I used to glue them on, but I think I will give the tufo extreme tape a try.
I also want to get new shoes, some sidi with carbon soles, but my current sidis just refuse to wear out. Which is kind of a good/bad thing. he he.

tt1106

edge 205.

jinws

that reminds me, I picked up a Edge 305 with HR.

anyway, so you guys are saying the Polar water bottles do work? I need something to keep the Accelerade cool on those long rides, it taste soo nasty when warm.

cantdrv55

The cassette is brand new, the chain had only 600 miles on it but the LBS says it's 75% worn, so I had it replaced. I do have a 10 speed drivetrain and, here on BF, there's talk about how 10 speed chains don't last very long.

jonathanb715

I'm a pretty big guy (between 190 and 200 pounds), and have been doing a lot of climbing. Even so, my chains have been lasting over 2,000 miles (ok, except for the one that imploded on the Death Ride and took out the RD - it looks like that one had a weak link). 600 miles just isn't acceptable - that's like 3 weeks with the riding I've been doing.

Something else is going on there - chains just shouldn't wear out that fast. Do you cross chain a lot? Another tip is to ease off the pressure on the pedals as you shift - just for a second. The shift will happen more quickly and smoothly (especially if you're going for an easier gear while climbing), and reduce the shock to your chain.

Finally, I bought an inexpensive chain stretch guage https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4204
which lets me decide when to replace the chain. It won't tell you it's x% stretched, but it does tell you when it is time to replace it.

JB

twocoasttb

Oh, I also got a Park Tool bike stand for doing basic maintenance. I got tired of making derailleur adjustments with the bike in a trainer on the floor.

cantdrv55

Thanks for the tip on the chain gauge, I'm definitely going to buy one.

I'm a big guy as well, just not tall (5'8" and 215lb). I don't let off the pedals when I shift and that is exactly what the mechanic told me I should start doing to increase the life of my drivetrain parts. He did say a worn chain at 600 miles is abnormal.

Siu Blue Wind

Ooooooooooo which one???

jonathanb715

OK, I finally got around to taking a pic of the new car with bike rack and bike:



JB

twocoasttb

This one:

https://www.parktool.com/products/det...&item=PCS%2D10

Pretty basic, but it's stable and easy to put away...

Siu Blue Wind

Thanks for the linky. I need to get a stand one day.

uspspro

Heh you guys are gonna hate me

Well I bought a nice 2007 Black/raw Al (silver) CAAD 8 a couple of months ago, and it has sat in my room up until last week.

In the past couple weeks I have bought:

- 2007 Campagnolo Chorus Groupo, but with Cantaur UT Compact Cranks and FD for aesthetic reasons (and saved $250), and Mavic SSC brakes (for better braking, and aesthetics ).

- Custom Wheels (not here yet): 30mm Niobium Rims (Black with mach. braking surface), White Industries hubs (polished silver), Sapim CX-Rays (silver w/ silver nipples). Triplet laced rears (24 spoke, 16 - 3x drive side, 8 - 1x non-drive side), 20h 1x fronts.

- Deda Newton Anatomic in Dark Metal Polish and black Fizik bar tape to continue the black/polished metal scheme

- Michelin Pro Race 2s in black (black/dark gray)

- Cateye CD300DW (again black/silver everywhere )

- Look Keo Carbons

- Thomson X-2 Stem

- King SS Bottle Cages (x2) (polished raw metal)

- Plus all other assorted little things needed when building a new bike

PS - I also got a tail light for my CAAD 4, since it is now my rain/commuter bike.

cantdrv55

OK, I guess I am the cheapskate of the group.

SaiKaiTai

Nah, I don't hate you at all. Why would I?