Search
Notices
Rides and Races A place for posting group rides, races, and regional threads for the fixed gear and single speed forum.

Toronto Fixed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-29-08 | 08:12 PM
  #41001  
Danhalen's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Urbanite Road Bike, Mielle Fixed Gear Conversion, Vintage Lejeune Track Bike

Originally Posted by operator
Why wouldn't you want 3x? That's all you ever need for non-competition wheel builds anyways.
He is asking about the difference between the two. He doesn't know why someone would choose one over the other and is asking what the difference is.

Originally Posted by ~Stuart~
why would someone want a 3x over a 2x laced wheel?

Is the difference just stiffness and strength? (i would guess 2x would be slightly lighter, but not noticeably)


2X = Stiffer
3X = Stronger

Generally speaking something that is stiffer will not be as strong because it will be more brittle. The reason that 3X is stronger than 2X is that the wheel is allowed to "spring" a bit more. The weight is uneffected because all that is different is the lacing pattern of the spokes.

It's one of those things that doesn't really matter all that much under normal conditions, with good quality equipment. A 2X wheel will probably be fine (unless it is an old hub/rim or crappy quality hub/rim etc.) and a 3X wheel probably be stiff enough for general use. A more noticable difference would be 3X versus 1X or radial... A larger rider or a "monster" rider may have a stronger opinion about this I don't know.

Last edited by Danhalen; 06-30-08 at 08:52 AM.
Danhalen is offline  
Old 06-29-08 | 10:05 PM
  #41002  
cupcrazy4's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON

Bikes: '08 Kona JTS & Riviera (?) Sport converted Fixed Gear

Originally Posted by somnambulant
I run a 42x16 as my street gear on my SS CX bike, and I find it plenty fast for regular riding around the city... and it's low enough to not be a chore for climbs/headwinds/laziness/etc. And my fixie (that's right, I said it) is geared 47x18.

But yeah, your seat might have to come up. Knee injuries are horrendous to deal with, so please, get it sorted asap, so you don't regret it later. Quick rule of thumb for seat-height: when seated on your saddle your heel should just graze your pedal at it's lowest (ie. 6:00) point. That should get it in roughly the right area... obviously it's just a rule of thumb and not an exact science.
So looks like I'll probably change my ratio to 48x18 and see if that's better. Never done it before though, how do I take the lockring off?\

About the saddle: when I'm clipped in, my leg has got a slight bend in it @ 6 o'clock.
cupcrazy4 is offline  
Old 06-29-08 | 10:58 PM
  #41003  
jet sanchEz's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,192
Likes: 1,130
I run a 48X15 and I like it but I don't skid much. I was thinking of going down to 45X15 but I feel like I would be spinning like mad at times. Hrmmmmmmm....
jet sanchEz is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 12:21 AM
  #41004  
ctfinnigan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Trek 330 conversion 44/15

I was running a 40/15 for a few weeks but just switched after my knee was bothing me. running 40/16 now and spinning a lot more. tons of pressure off of my knee but it's still aching a little after riding. i can't put my saddle any higher, though. could it be that my saddle is too close/far with the handlebar stem?
ctfinnigan is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 07:15 AM
  #41005  
fixedude's Avatar
Fix Turns My Crank
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Land of the Rising Sun
again... https://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...-cyclists.html
fixedude is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 07:27 AM
  #41006  
iherald's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cupcrazy4
So looks like I'll probably change my ratio to 48x18 and see if that's better. Never done it before though, how do I take the lockring off?\

About the saddle: when I'm clipped in, my leg has got a slight bend in it @ 6 o'clock.
Where is your knee pain? outside, bottom, etc?
iherald is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 08:17 AM
  #41007  
kergin's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON

Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU

Originally Posted by fixedude
At least the comments have some semblance of understanding/sympathy.
kergin is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 08:21 AM
  #41008  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

Yes they seemed to be a bit more mixed as opposed to what we read in previous postings. Still damned sad. A civic? Not even a lane filler, not even close.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 08:55 AM
  #41009  
Danhalen's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Urbanite Road Bike, Mielle Fixed Gear Conversion, Vintage Lejeune Track Bike

Originally Posted by ctfinnigan
I was running a 40/15 for a few weeks but just switched after my knee was bothing me. running 40/16 now and spinning a lot more. tons of pressure off of my knee but it's still aching a little after riding. i can't put my saddle any higher, though. could it be that my saddle is too close/far with the handlebar stem?
Saddle too high/too low/too far back/too far forward/cleat position (if you are riding clipless) can all cause knee weirdness/problems. A difference of a couple of mm can make a difference. Where the pain is usually is an indicator of where you should make an adjustment (as Dave alluded to).
Danhalen is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:02 AM
  #41010  
cupcrazy4's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON

Bikes: '08 Kona JTS & Riviera (?) Sport converted Fixed Gear

Originally Posted by iherald
Where is your knee pain? outside, bottom, etc?
it aches on the inside of my right knee, still after not having biked for 3 days...
cupcrazy4 is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:10 AM
  #41011  
~Stuart~'s Avatar
oOooo, five bucks
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On

Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)

all these cycling related deaths recently really suck.

I don't get why drivers don't give us more room the one time i came close to a cyclist i almost punched myself, haven't done it since. Hitting 4 cyclists, killing 2, really? how the **** can you do that with out lining it up first. But I kinda agree with some of the comments about not letting bikes on the hard shoulder of the TCH. I have ridden on it and it was the second most scary thing i have ever done (18 wheelers passing you at 150km/h with 5-30 cm room) I think they should put up a path off to the side for bikes (it would cost a lot i know, but you would only need it for the stretches of the TCH where there parallel side roads)

i am new to driving (not an excuse, just a statement) and i cut off a cyclist once and i still feel bad. he was about 20ft from me when i made the turn, but i still feel i was too close (he had to slow down a bit).
~Stuart~ is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:22 AM
  #41012  
ctfinnigan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Trek 330 conversion 44/15

I think being aware generally, and being aware of faults/close calls/near misses is one thing sorely lacking for a lot of drivers. Kudos to you for actually noticing the 20ft cut off. I've had drivers come a lot closer to me, close enough that I could clearly see their faces in their mirrors and not even notice my existence.
ctfinnigan is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:28 AM
  #41013  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

It was always hammered home to me that the overtaking vehicle is the responsible party, period. I've always kept that in the front of my mind not matter if I'm riding and passing other cyclists, or when I'm driving. If one can't pass safely at that moment, just wait a couple seconds. It boggles the mind that cars need to be wherever so quickly they can't give up a few heartbeats for another person on the road. This also applies to the way I've noticed them treating peds in the intersection and on cross walks, let them pass for cryin' out loud.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:33 AM
  #41014  
LordFoo's Avatar
Grad Student for Hire
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: 2006 Lemond Tourmalet; 198(?) Gardin mid-fixie conversion

I haven't done the cross-canada drive myself, but I'm guessing that there are a lot of zoned out/exhausted drivers on the long stretches through the prairies. The article says that alcohol wasn't a factor, but I'd argue that a driver that is tired enough to fall asleep at the wheel is just as impaired as one who is drunk. Unfortunately, I don't think the Criminal Code feels the same way..
LordFoo is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:41 AM
  #41015  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

I know the TCH seems to turn into a goat path in some places, but to wipe out a group of cyclists....... seriously a heads up is all that's needed. The prairies indeed have incredible stretches of nothing at all, it's not hard to zone behind the wheel. Hence the need to be aware when driving. The speeds we drive at one these roads, gotta be on top of the game as it were. When I drive onto a two laner with a gravel shoulder I, by default, slow down, as my escape/trouble avoidance vectors are severely reduced with the lack of lane choices, brakes become the main option.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:42 AM
  #41016  
krusty's Avatar
Successful alcoholic
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I have done the cross-Canada drive many, many times. I usually drive to Winnipeg in one go (24hrs), then Calgary or as far as Golden the next day, making the coast the following day. Once, I was driving through Rogers Pass late at night. You know how sometimes your subconscious picks up things you don't notice consciously, like animal movement in the ditches? My subconscious saw one of the black/yellow striped avalanche control road barricades, tipped up (road open) and screamed at me "Look out for that giraffe!!". I pulled over and had a nap.
krusty is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:44 AM
  #41017  
cavit8's Avatar
Shiftless bum
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario

Bikes: Apollo fixed winter bike, Gazelle Cross, Baboe Cargo bike, Linskey Rouleur Road, Bridgestone Picnica, Tern C7, 2nd gen Strida

Less easy to demonstrate impairment in the case of a sleepy driver, certainly.

Unfortunately people in cars are always killing others in cars or themselves whether they are in a rush, inattentive, or outright impaired. Sometimes you hear about it and wonder how the hell it happened but unfortunately bikes are traffic too and so aren't immune to these predations.

Most of the transcanada is lightly travelled, certainly by 401 standards, so there's often no excuse for not moving into a passing lane. In the prairies there's absolutely no excuse. Have driven there a lot, I know how the road can paralyze you after driving straight for an hour or more, but you're rarely pressed for lane space and can see long distances in advance.

I wish I had a magic solution. But I don't so once again my thoughts to the friends and families of these cyclists.
cavit8 is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:48 AM
  #41018  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

I don't think I could drive for 24 hours. If I did I know I'd certifiably impaired long before 24 behind the wheel. I think my best is 16hrs. I'd rather try 24 on my bike before doing it in my car. Least that way hopefully I'd only fall asleep and roll into the ditch. Even then if I doing a road 24, I'd love to have a support car.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 09:58 AM
  #41019  
krusty's Avatar
Successful alcoholic
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
In the last 23 years since University, I have been a shift worker most of them. My body has always taken quite readily to it, and hence I can stay awake and alert longer than most people. I actually hate working straight days. I find that when I'm tired of driving, a stop at a truck stop for a shower and a shave always helps. That, and drinking coffee only in the hours before I reach a planned destination, not when I first start out that day. No large meals on the road, just a frequent sandwich or V-8. No fruit juices.

A really strange thing I have noticed is that if you get off the beaten path, you frequently will lose all radio stations, even AM, except for French CBC. Its coverage is absolute.
krusty is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:01 AM
  #41020  
iherald's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cupcrazy4
it aches on the inside of my right knee, still after not having biked for 3 days...
individual cyclist anatomy may contribute to knee and hip pain. Cyclists with leg length discrepancies may develop knee pain as only one side is correctly fitted to the bicycle. This leads to increased stress inside the knee and hip joints on the improperly fitted side. Cyclists with flat feet may be more prone to excessive pronation (internal rotation) of the lower extremity causing greater stress on the IT band at the knee. Orthotics (anatomic shoe inserts crafted by podiatrists) may correct the alignment of the knee and decrease or prevent medial or lateral rotational stress on the connective tissue of the ankle, knee or hip, thus reducing the pain.

from: https://www.roadcycling.com/training/kneepain.shtml
iherald is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:06 AM
  #41021  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

Hmm from flat feet you say, that would explain some of the inner knee twinges I feel when I've been over doing it on the pedals.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:20 AM
  #41022  
~Stuart~'s Avatar
oOooo, five bucks
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On

Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)

ps: you know you have ****ed up when your sitting in your apartment in milan eating reheated pizza, and looking at your shelf of small change wondering what your gonna do for laundry tomorrow. the microwave burned my pizza.


a well i got like 20 66cl bottles of beer (works out to $2 per 66cl bottle)





pay day is tomorrow night
~Stuart~ is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:29 AM
  #41023  
TRaffic Jammer's Avatar
Dances With Cars
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,527
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada

Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)

IS it still hot like hell in Italy generally? I'm in Rome in a couple weeks.
TRaffic Jammer is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:37 AM
  #41024  
Raving looney
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada

Bikes: 70s Leader Precision w/Shimano 600 (road), IRO Rob Roy (Fixed)

Folder on CL: https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/737805184.html

Really sucks to hear of more cycling accidents resulting in death. People just take their driving for granted so much that it becomes almost a second nature habit, and so sometimes is perhaps prone to bad attention lapses / judgement lapses.

I've not been able to find anything about the accident I saw on College, so I assume the cyclist (girl I was told) was OK.
Flimflam is offline  
Old 06-30-08 | 10:45 AM
  #41025  
shapelike's Avatar
Don't smoke, Mike.
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,295
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Devinci Tosca, IRO Rob Roy

I saw this on the HTATBL blog ... oh my god: https://www.freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005144
shapelike is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.