limbot

Sorry, can't tell you . If you look above at one of my posts, my DS is sadly no more and is a real gravel bike ( under 5 foot of gravel). I'd actually put the OEM LT3s back in for use in Vietnam so still have the Small Block 8s in storage...somewhere.... That picture was with 50psi in them if I remember rightly.




Thought it looked pretty good with them on

308jerry

That was a very sad shot of your 8.4, was it up that hill farther or did that **** just flow over the top of it... We can get wet and we can get muddy, but we're flat as flat can be.

Woodstock1780

Hi all, I am trying to get back into cycling after being forced to leave due to back injuries 10 years ago. After reading a lot about Hybrid's here I got pumped and thought that riding rail trails might be a way back into cycling for me. So, I zeroed in on a DS 2 at my LBS, but they didn't have the frame size that I need. Long story short I ended up ordering a DS4 & am expecting delivery sometime this week or next. If all goes well for me...meaning that my back can handle the stress. Is there anything that I should be aware of with the DS4 in particular? Also, I will be transporting my ride to various sections of the Airline Trail in CT 2-3 times/week weather permitting. I thought that rather than tossing my new ride in the back of my F150 that a hitch rack would be good. Boy, have things changed since I left!!! Racks are pretty pricey. Looked at the old standby's....Thule & Yakima...and didn't think that the quality of build matched the prices being asked. Then I bumped into the 1up USA single rack and it looks like the way to go. So, my question now is ....is it worth it to go with the heavier 2" hitch model or is the 1 1/2" to 2" model good enough?

travbikeman

Make sure that you have a great fit with the DS4, your LBS should be able to help you on this. Otherwise it may take a little while for you to figure out how to set the bike up for a good fit.

Lots of great bike racks. but if you are only using one bike for the rack, save yourself some money and weight by getting no more than a 2 bike rack. Which means 1 1/4 inch should be fine. You could be flooded with what people like and dislike on racks. Check the racks out within your price range and just get what makes you happy.

My personal opinion, SARIS makes great racks that are not too heavy, well constructed, sturdy and made in U.S.A.

Woodstock1780

Thanks for the response. I initially was looking at a FX2, but being that I will be doing very little road riding I opted for the DS. I did have the LBS put a L framed FX on a trainer to check for fit and it became quickly apparent that I needed an XL frame. I am 6'1" & 183lbs with a 34" inseam. While I could make do with the L frame it was only doable with adjustments made to the limits and the salesman thought that I would probably need a longer seat post. I checked out the Saris, but unless I am missing something they only have 2 up racks and I only need one. The 1up has a single rack and seems to be built well for $299 shipped. Also looked at a Kuat Transfer 1....no feedback on that one yet, but it is only $220.

Woodstock1780

Thanks for the reply. Originally, I was shopping for an FX3 Disc, but being that I will do very little road riding I though that the DS would be a better option for me. During my LBS visit I rode an FX large frame on a trainer and it quickly became apparent that I needed the XL frame. I am 6'1" 183lbs with a 34" inseam. I took a leap of faith here as I have not even seen a DS4 let alone ridden one. Saris....I checked them out but unless I am missing something they do not have a single bike rack. The 1UP single Quik Rack sells for $300 shipped in silver and seems to be very well built. I also looked at a Kuat Transfer 1 for $220, but have not gotten much feedback on that rack. So many options!!!!!

308jerry

You'll have a great time on your DS... As for racks, I went the cheap ama**n route for four bikes. Don't do that.... The wife and I have a business that we have to work sometime up to 30 miles away. If I'm ready early enough I take off on my bike and peddle till she catches up with me and then I load the bike on the rack and off we go. I went about ten miles one morning, she caught me, put the Trek 4300 mtb in the rack and away we go. Get to where we're going get out and look back...... No fn bike. The back of the pickup is loaded with work related things so we couldn't see behind us. I traced our route and it was a goner ..... It probably would have been trash anyway.... But it was gone . It's how I ended up with a DS
Funny now but not so much when it happened.

Woodstock1780

Now that story is a cause for pause when thinking about skimping on a rack!!! The more I read and discuss the more convinced I am becoming that the 1UP USA single rack is the way for me to go. First, however, I need to actually get my DS4 and see if I am going to bond with it. With winter coming quickly, my riding time will be quite limited so, it will have to be love at first sight, LOL.

308jerry

Got some measurements this evening. It has the original 700 x 38s on it now which are 1 1/2 inches wide. From the sidewall there's another 3/8ths inch per side to the chsinstay. The Schwalbes that are 50mm should fit wit no problem, and two inches may fit fine also if there not to tall ... Might just bite the bullet and try a set ... Thanks

LesG

Besides a hitch mount bike rack, maybe try one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or one like it. We have a Honda CR-V that we haul two bikes inside the car. I screwed the mounts onto a board and then secured that board to the car with tie down straps to keep it from sliding around. The rear wheels are simply velcroed down to prevent them from sliding left to right. You'll need to take the front wheel off the bike but that's a pretty easy and fast thing to do. We've hauled them many times over the last 6 months without any issues and I like the fact they're inside the car.

Woodstock1780

Thanks for the heads up...this would be a great solution for a truck bed carry were it not for my hard tonneau cover. So, I bit the bullet & ordered a 1UP USA single rack.

Woodstock1780

Bike shop called this afternoon.....my DS4 was ready so I went and picked it up. This was a leap of faith purchase for me and I am happy to report that my first impressions are all good. The only bad thing that I can relate is that 10 years of not riding and this on going growing old problem sent me some not so nice messages! But, I am hoping that I can regain a lot of what I have lost and have some fun at the same time. My last road bike was a Lemond Arrivee and the DS4 is a lot heavier so I thought that the DS4 would feel cumbersome. It actually feels quite nimble unlike the rider, LOL! Hoping for a warm winter!!

drcharper14

I was thinking that 375 was a great price also.... would 450.00 be to much for this bike?

308jerry

If it's hardly been ridden it might be. According to bike blue book one in excellent shape is at 410. 00 tops.

Woodstock1780

The 1UP USA rack arrived soon after my DS4....FWIW, this is one of the best built racks that I have ever seen and well worth the price. Now I just need a sunny day and some warmer temps!

travbikeman

Pictures would be nice!

Woodstock1780

I agree, they would be nice, but I fall into the less than 10 posts category!

308jerry

No time like..... now...... Lol. Be getting some pics so when #10 happens we all can see it.....

Woodstock1780

Be careful what you ask for, LOL! Just a couple more then showtime. Then I guess I will be posting over on the broken body forum.

Woodstock1780

Weather isn't cooperating for me...just to cold....less than 30 degrees most days. So, I am ogling my DS4 and have a question on the pedals. It came with some Wellgo platform composite pedals. I have yet to learn how to ride with platform pedals, but one thing caught my eye and that is that these pedals do not have the traction screws (?) like many other pedal systems. They are molded protrusions and it would seem that they are less aggressive that those with the metal screws. Proof will be in the riding of course, but I was just wondering if it really makes that much of a difference.

Woodstock1780

Pics of the trail that motivated me to get back into cycling, new DS4 and 1UP USA rack to get me to the trails.

308jerry

Not even sure what pedals are on mine. I just enjoy riding it.......
Nice bike. And very nice rack I might add.. 🤔

coffeesnob

You sure that Ford gonna be able to handles that load?

badger1

Where is that? Looks a really pretty place to ride, and good choice of bike!

Woodstock1780

Badger1, that is the Pomfret, CT section of the Airline Trail.....the trail is 54 miles long and the majority of the trail is as nice as this. My way back to fitness!!!