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TRaffic Jammer 02-25-08 05:43 PM

ok Zippered..don;t hold your breath.. :lol:
She'll let me know in the next little while.. Smarty Pants

cavernmech 02-25-08 06:21 PM


Originally Posted by TRaffic Jammer (Post 6230076)
ok Zippered..don;t hold your breath.. :lol:
She'll let me know in the next little while.. Smarty Pants

I won't need one this year as I am working it for the first time ever. I will be in there from early Thurs Am so I will try and have a look around and scope out some early bird deals.

operator 02-25-08 06:42 PM

I have a beer belly, ****!@

TRaffic Jammer 02-25-08 06:53 PM

So you look like a pipe cleaner with a knot in it? Oh the horrors when a young mans metabolism changes.
Or have you just been drinking way too much beer this winter?

Sirrobinofcoxly 02-25-08 07:28 PM


Originally Posted by I_bRAD (Post 6214360)
Got my Ionos today! Really nice helmet :)
They even throw in a special insulated pad that covers the front vents for cooler days! No cases on the high end models anymore though unfortunately.

How is yours, quality wise? I ordered one about 2 months ago, but it was back ordered. When I finally got it, the shell was separating from the foam, so I sent it back. They were on back order again. Finally arrives, and this one has the same problem, so I send it back. And guess what? It's on back order again! Sonofa*****. If my next one has the same problem, I'm going to say forget it and get a Catlike.

somnambulant 02-25-08 08:06 PM

I'll take a show pass if you have any left, but I'm happy to give it up if one of the student and/or child-having folks want it more. I've been blessed! ;)

Flimflam 02-25-08 10:05 PM

Recorded my ride home too tonight, not too bad but not awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHP47OxsEDk

Anyone done any serious pack/peleton riding? How would I learn to get comfortable riding in a peleton/pack (obviously riding in one helps, but tips/whatever) - I still have somewhat of an issue drafting someone, I'm just not comfortable with it - is that because it's on the street vs. closed course and a mental thing? *shrug*

sr20det 02-26-08 12:28 AM


Originally Posted by pyze-guy (Post 6224686)
Thanks. I'm in no rush so that should work out great.

alrighty :)
I'll let you know when I'm back.

on a different note I noticed both my D-A cranks showing hairline cracks :(
Probably due to my beasting on the crank bolts when I first put them on. Now I know better.

LordFoo 02-26-08 05:36 AM


Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6231786)
Recorded my ride home too tonight, not too bad but not awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHP47OxsEDk

Anyone done any serious pack/peleton riding? How would I learn to get comfortable riding in a peleton/pack (obviously riding in one helps, but tips/whatever) - I still have somewhat of an issue drafting someone, I'm just not comfortable with it - is that because it's on the street vs. closed course and a mental thing? *shrug*

As you said, practice makes perfect.. a good place to learn is to go for a nice/easy club ride. It's definitely easier to do when there's a whole bunch of people in the paceline & when it's quiet enough that you don't have to worry about traffic (i.e. Sunday morning rides). If you ask this question in the road cycling forum you'll get all kinds of annoying responses, but etiquette comes down to being predictable -- holding your line / no sudden moves or braking. Having a geared bike (*gasp*) might help to keep your spin constant while in the pack, and most frown on bullhorns/aero bars/anything pointy facing forward.

operator 02-26-08 06:50 AM

Never draft closer than you are comfortable with. Especially with people of unknown quantity. I usually start off at about a meter or more until I know the people i'm drafting aren't newbs. 99% of the time your drafting is going to be on the road. You should probably get used to it.

Someone more experienced on friendly group rides can probably show you the ropes and give you some pro-tips. Don't expect any of this on the donut ride.

I_bRAD 02-26-08 07:56 AM


Originally Posted by Sirrobinofcoxly (Post 6230672)
How is yours, quality wise? I ordered one about 2 months ago, but it was back ordered. When I finally got it, the shell was separating from the foam, so I sent it back. They were on back order again. Finally arrives, and this one has the same problem, so I send it back. And guess what? It's on back order again! Sonofa*****. If my next one has the same problem, I'm going to say forget it and get a Catlike.

Can't say I've spent a lot of time going over it with a fine tooth comb, but I did check it over and had it in my hands long enough to adjust the straps and it looks good. Mine took about 3 weeks to arrive, which is still longer than they said it would be but it's for the summer so I wasn't in a big rush. I guess it's just the luck of when you get your order in.

Edit: What part was the problem? I'm gonna take a closer look.

LordFoo 02-26-08 07:58 AM


Originally Posted by operator (Post 6233160)
Never draft closer than you are comfortable with... I usually start off at about a meter or more until I know the people i'm drafting aren't newbs.

Agreed.. I forget exactly how far behind you can be + still be in the draft, but there's definitely some room you can leave off the person's wheel without affecting efficiency too much. Also, remember that in the event of a "bump", the guy in the back is going down -- front wheel + fork get turned very easily compared to the fixed/straight rear + inertia from weight on the saddle of the guy in front.

I did a quick google + came up with this... it seems like a reasonable set of guidelines. One of the most important ones I didn't mention before is "not overlapping wheels".. and don't spit/farmer snort unless you're on the back ;)

somnambulant 02-26-08 08:16 AM

tip #23948: if you see some sort of major obstruction (big pothole, roadkill, etc) ahead (especially if you're taking a pull at the front) call it out, or at the bare minimum use some sort of hand gesture (even better: do both)! And don't make any sudden moves.. swerves, sudden braking, etc are going to get amplified as they move back through the line.

But yeah, I wouldn't get too close to someone whose skill level is unknown. I'm quite comfortable riding 6" off Mike's wheel at speed, but that's only because we've ridden a lot together for extended periods of time.

As for Lordfoo's howto, it's a pretty good starting point. "Go easy on the brakes": I would actually advise trying not to use your brakes at all. I'm quite comfortable modulating my speed just by using wind resistance... just sit up a bit or pull out of the line slightly for small speed changes.

I_bRAD 02-26-08 08:18 AM

Hey, where was my pothole warning on Sunday! :p

somnambulant 02-26-08 08:25 AM


Originally Posted by I_bRAD (Post 6233462)
Hey, where was my pothole warning on Sunday! :p

Ask whomever I was following.. I didn't get a warning either, but clearly your hungover ass didn't have the same reaction speed as me. :)

ps. I've said it before and I'll say it again, once you go full fenders you never (want to) go back. My front fender cracked last week so I had to remove it, but it didn't bother me too much until the sloppy ride in this morning. My feet got all wet.. :(

kylehutton 02-26-08 08:36 AM

i came pretty damn close to catching a right hook from a garbage truck this morning.
he had his four ways on as he was in the middle of a route, i got to his door when i noticed that the front wheel was starting to turn. yet another reason why i hate getting close to the front of a line of cars when the light is in the process of going green.

somnambulant 02-26-08 08:56 AM

From the Bikechain mailing list:


Thursday, February 28: Bikechain Presents Klunkerz and Still We Ride

The screening takes place in the Cumberland Room on the main floor of the International Student Centre (upstairs from Bikechain) at 7 PM. The event will last roughly two hours.

Just to clarify, even though we said we were showing Still We Ride at the last movie night, it didn't arrive in the mail until afterwards, so this time it will actually be shown.

Still We Ride: On Friday August 27, 2004 just days before the start of the Republican National Convention, a massive police operation was underway. By the end of the night 264 people were arrested. It marked one of the largest mass arrests in New York City's history - and the arrested had done nothing illegal. For many New Yorkers, August was the first time they heard of what has become a monthly ritual for New York City's bike community; a free-forming ride called Critical Mass.

Still We Ride is a documentary that captures the joyous atmosphere of this August ride before the arrests began and the chaos that followed. It recounts how this ride first started in San Francisco over 10 years ago and chronicles the police crackdown and resulting court battles in New York over the last twelve months. The movie takes on issues of civil liberties, surveillance, the power of mainstream media, and the benefits of alternative means of transportation. http://www.stillweridethemovie.com/

Klunkerz: In the late 1960's and early 1970's a handful of hippie cyclists literally reinvented the wheel. These early pioneers scavenged frames from dumpsters and junkyards and lifted parts from road bikes and motorcycles to build a better way down the mountain. Little did they realize that their obsessive tinkering would ultimately lead to the birth of a multi-billion dollar industry and an Olympic sport. These modified biked became affectionately known as "Klunkerz". For anyone who loves the sport and wants a taste of the history, personality, and spirit of the first mountain bikers from back in the day, this DVD will be extremely entertaining and informative. Great footage never before seen anywhere. Link: http://www.klunkerz.com/

I_bRAD 02-26-08 09:00 AM


Originally Posted by somnambulant (Post 6233484)
Ask whomever I was following.. I didn't get a warning either, but clearly your hungover ass didn't have the same reaction speed as me. :)

ps. I've said it before and I'll say it again, once you go full fenders you never (want to) go back. My front fender cracked last week so I had to remove it, but it didn't bother me too much until the sloppy ride in this morning. My feet got all wet.. :(

Haha. I was more tired than hungover but point taken! I'm still surprised I flatted on that, I didn't hit it that hard.

AND once you go full fenders and mudflaps you definitely never go back! Days like today make it worth the extra bulk.

iherald 02-26-08 09:10 AM

Question for y'all mechanically minded set: A friend is doing the half iron-man this year and I'm going to let her borrow my carbon wheels. But, her bike is 8 speed (in the back) and the my setup is 9 speed. Are they compatible or do I need a spacer?

I_bRAD 02-26-08 09:16 AM

I'm gonna say you'll likely need a spacer.

jeremywhitehorn 02-26-08 09:38 AM


Originally Posted by Flimflam (Post 6231786)
- I still have somewhat of an issue drafting someone, I'm just not comfortable with it - is that because it's on the street vs. closed course and a mental thing? *shrug*

if you're talking about drafting someone on the street vis-a-vis on your commute around the city i'd say never do it, that is, never draft someone who doesn't know you're back there. as for learning just find yourself a friendly pack who can show you the ropes. i think i learned on some early season randonneur rides when the weather was awful...

Flimflam 02-26-08 10:19 AM


Originally Posted by jeremywhitehorn (Post 6233841)
if you're talking about drafting someone on the street vis-a-vis on your commute around the city i'd say never do it, that is, never draft someone who doesn't know you're back there. as for learning just find yourself a friendly pack who can show you the ropes. i think i learned on some early season randonneur rides when the weather was awful...

Nah I never draft anyone I don't know - it's only ever with my buddy, and I usually end up pulling most of the time as I just don't like following him on the streets (he rides too erratically for me to feel safe 1' off his wheel).

I'm thinking of doing some randonneur rides this year, good idea. I want to ride the donut, but fear the roadie pace and want to improve/learn to ride in a group at speed better anyway.

Thanks for the tips, that URL was great reading LordFoo - I did take a look in the roadie forum but a lot of their FAQ thread lists start with "Learn to use the search feature" type responses, heh - I got down to the info on there too though, not quite as bad as I thought and perhaps still better than BFSSFG attitude-wise :p

tuz 02-26-08 01:17 PM


Originally Posted by iherald (Post 6233683)
Question for y'all mechanically minded set: A friend is doing the half iron-man this year and I'm going to let her borrow my carbon wheels. But, her bike is 8 speed (in the back) and the my setup is 9 speed. Are they compatible or do I need a spacer?

If it's a shimano freehub, swapping the cassettes should do it.

kergin 02-26-08 01:44 PM

Hey, does anyone here have experience with P-Clamps to hold fenders on a frame that wasn't designed with eyelets?

I_bRAD 02-26-08 01:46 PM

You've got eyelets on the bottom right? If so, then they work just peachy for the seatstays


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