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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Post Your Pearls That "Most" Others Don't Know or Do

Old 05-05-20, 10:34 AM
  #126  
notmyke
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Originally Posted by Fiery
How is this different from a saddle bag other than taking up space that could be used for an actual water bottle?
I pointed out the benefits as I saw them (e.g., move it from one bike to the other in <5sec, etc.).
I can easily lose 2-3kg of sweat in a 50km ride and 3 big-size water bottles has always been more than enough for even a 75km ride - usually, I'll just go with two and be fine. When I'm going 100km+ on a hot, humid day and it isn't, there are watering holes available along the route where I can grab a refill.

Carrying almost half the weight of my bike (4 x 750mL) in water, with a 500ft. elevation gain right at the start of my ride....I'd just rather not.
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Old 05-05-20, 11:32 AM
  #127  
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If you're lost, or in doubt, go uphill. It really sucks on a loaded tour to make a wrong turn and realize you have a big frickin' climb ahead of you for no reason.
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Old 05-05-20, 12:03 PM
  #128  
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Originally Posted by SethAZ
I don't get all the hate for saddlebags either. I personally need to be able to carry two water bottles, and as I get into summer months where I'll be riding in temperatures over 100 degrees F even that isn't enough. I'll start with an extra water bottle in a jersey pocket, but if I go far enough I just have to have my wallet with me and plan on stopping at a gas station somewhere and refilling them.

The idea of wasting a water bottle mounting point just to avoid using a saddlebag is bonkers where I ride. And I struggle to understand the motivation for it. "It's ugly!" Says who? Is it uglier than having this huge lump on your lower back because you've shoved all the same stuff into a jersey pocket instead? Or have a tool keg mounted to the frame instead of a water bottle? As far as aerodynamics goes I have a hard time believing a tool keg mounted further forward on the frame and at a lower height is more aerodynamic than a reasonable saddle bag, since the saddlebag is in the lee of your thighs, the seatpost, etc. People are gonna do what they're gonna do, but as long as there's a need to be prepared to self-recover during long solo or group rides without external support, the saddlebag is just about the perfect option for putting the necessaries.
I give priority to water in bottle cages, as well. Between, eventually, a regular 800ml bottle and three 1.1 liter bottles (one in the triangle and two attached to the front rack). I am quite happy with having a bag under the seat for tools and tubes. In the pic, below, I am hoping to mount two more Salsa cages in the triangles of the front rack, using p-clamps.
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Old 05-05-20, 12:36 PM
  #129  
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Originally Posted by Jeff Neese
Are they not designed for different chain widths?
Nope. It will be fine.

If you really want to go down the rabbit hole you can learn about "Shimergo"
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Old 05-05-20, 12:39 PM
  #130  
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Originally Posted by Dave P
When slowing down to a stop, we often downshift, anticipating the need for the correct gear to get rolling again. There was a period of time that I would do this without considering which position my chainring was in. Often times, I was in the big ring, leading to a downshift being in a big-big configuration (ie. cross chaining).

Now, whenever coming to a stop, I simply shift the front derailleur to the small ring. Whatever rear cassette gear I'm in, is not really a big deal.

I know this might sound silly, stupid or obvious, but it really does help.

Pedal On, Brothers.
Most crit racers purposely start by cross-chaining big-big so they don't have to shift chainrings getting up to speed.

Originally Posted by Chinghis
If you're lost, or in doubt, go uphill. It really sucks on a loaded tour to make a wrong turn and realize you have a big frickin' climb ahead of you for no reason.
And if you're bombing a descent you don't know and come to a fork, don't slow down, don't check where you are. Just take whichever way looks most fun and figure it out when you get to the bottom.
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Old 05-05-20, 01:03 PM
  #131  
Jeff Neese
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Nope. It will be fine.

If you really want to go down the rabbit hole you can learn about "Shimergo"
I assumed the cage was narrower on a 9-10 speed derailleur, since the chain is narrower, and you might get chain rub with a big fat 7-speed chain. But you're saying the width of the cage is the same. Good to know. So far I haven't had trouble finding "period correct" derailleurs (Deore mostly) that were made specifically for 7 speed chains, but someday I might.
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Old 05-05-20, 01:07 PM
  #132  
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Originally Posted by Chinghis
If you're lost, or in doubt, go uphill. It really sucks on a loaded tour to make a wrong turn and realize you have a big frickin' climb ahead of you for no reason.
The certainty of riding uphill is more attractive than the possibility of riding uphill?
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Old 05-05-20, 01:23 PM
  #133  
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Originally Posted by tomato coupe
The certainty of riding uphill is more attractive than the possibility of riding uphill?
Yes! Because if you took a wrong turn, then it's easy to roll down. If you were right, then you would have had to climb it anyway. If you're lost and go downhill, I dunno, just kind of sucks to have to grind up a hill you didn't have to.
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Old 05-05-20, 01:25 PM
  #134  
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How about "Never get lost while going downhill."
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Old 05-05-20, 01:33 PM
  #135  
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If you get lost and go down hill, pick a new destination.

I've been riding in Death Valley for years, there's no way out.
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Old 05-05-20, 01:46 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by SethAZ
I don't get all the hate for saddlebags either. I personally need to be able to carry two water bottles, and as I get into summer months where I'll be riding in temperatures over 100 degrees F even that isn't enough. I'll start with an extra water bottle in a jersey pocket, but if I go far enough I just have to have my wallet with me and plan on stopping at a gas station somewhere and refilling them.

The idea of wasting a water bottle mounting point just to avoid using a saddlebag is bonkers where I ride. And I struggle to understand the motivation for it. "It's ugly!" Says who? Is it uglier than having this huge lump on your lower back because you've shoved all the same stuff into a jersey pocket instead? Or have a tool keg mounted to the frame instead of a water bottle? As far as aerodynamics goes I have a hard time believing a tool keg mounted further forward on the frame and at a lower height is more aerodynamic than a reasonable saddle bag, since the saddlebag is in the lee of your thighs, the seatpost, etc. People are gonna do what they're gonna do, but as long as there's a need to be prepared to self-recover during long solo or group rides without external support, the saddlebag is just about the perfect option for putting the necessaries.
All of my bikes have a trunk bag. Always plenty of room for everything I want to take with me.
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Old 05-05-20, 04:37 PM
  #137  
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Originally Posted by Chinghis
If you're lost, or in doubt, go uphill. It really sucks on a loaded tour to make a wrong turn and realize you have a big frickin' climb ahead of you for no reason.


Unless the destination was a mile downhill, but in doubt you went ten miles uphill.

Then it would suck to realize that you have a big frickin' hill behind you.
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Old 05-06-20, 05:22 AM
  #138  
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One person's "pearl" may be different than other person's but valid in their experience. A little discussion is healthy but too much can turn the thread in to a battleground.
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Old 05-06-20, 08:00 AM
  #139  
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Reuseable silicone (pearled) zip ties.
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Old 05-06-20, 03:26 PM
  #140  
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Originally Posted by woodcraft
Unless the destination was a mile downhill, but in doubt you went ten miles uphill.

Then it would suck to realize that you have a big frickin' hill behind you.
That's called "a sense of accomplishment."
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Old 05-06-20, 06:23 PM
  #141  
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A Big Ass Traffic Cone for your garage.

So...

a) your spouse/partner/roomie knows you'd like a brief delay in parking so you can hang/work/use your bike and not cause a minor aggravation to move the car again. (be polite and park the car yourself and score some points maybe?)
b) remind yourself you have a several thousand dollars worth of bike(s) on your roof rack and don't f***ing pull in!


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Old 05-06-20, 06:30 PM
  #142  
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Don't follow a rider in front of you through a stop sign. You might get t-boned by a car going 40 mph.
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Old 05-09-20, 07:18 AM
  #143  
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Post Your Pearls That "Most" Others Don't Know

Went to an amusement park years ago, they had dog tags so I had my name, address, phone# stamped on it. That way I always had an ID on me. Not official or anything but its better than nothing.
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Old 05-09-20, 08:45 AM
  #144  
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Originally Posted by switchblade 327
Went to an amusement park years ago, they had dog tags so I had my name, address, phone# stamped on it. That way I always had an ID on me. Not official or anything but its better than nothing.
You can also get those ID tags online from sites such as www.dogtagsonline.com .
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Old 05-09-20, 07:33 PM
  #145  
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I leave the out-front head unit mount a little loose so it can be adjusted for glare.

This should also make it less likely to break in a mishap.
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Old 05-10-20, 08:44 AM
  #146  
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Originally Posted by switchblade 327
Went to an amusement park years ago, they had dog tags so I had my name, address, phone# stamped on it. That way I always had an ID on me. Not official or anything but its better than nothing.
An amusement park?>>---Sure didn't seem like an amusement park at the time. My dog tags don't have an address because that changes all the time, but they do have my blood type on them.
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Old 05-10-20, 08:51 AM
  #147  
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Chain Patch--A while back I got off my line and scored a rock with my large front sprocket which is also where the chain was on. When I hit the flats and upshifted the rear cogs kept skipping. Turns out my chain got crunched. I pried on it with a screw driver until it somewhat worked and rode out the day. When I got back I took out 4 links with my chain breaker (2 damaged ones and the one before and after) then put in 4 links from an old chain that came off it. Used a hammer to flatten the heads of the pins so they can't crawl back out and all is good. Soon I will replace the entire chain, but until then it works.
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Old 05-10-20, 09:22 AM
  #148  
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One more pearl to add. It’s this place.

In spite of the snarky flavor, there is a wealth of knowledge here in the 41 and I am grateful for it.

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Old 05-10-20, 10:16 AM
  #149  
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Originally Posted by switchblade 327
Went to an amusement park years ago, they had dog tags so I had my name, address, phone# stamped on it. That way I always had an ID on me. Not official or anything but its better than nothing.
Road ID
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Old 05-10-20, 10:20 AM
  #150  
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Originally Posted by cybirr
b) remind yourself you have a several thousand dollars worth of bike(s) on your roof rack and don't f***ing pull in!
My son hangs a bicycle shaped medallion from the rear view mirror when he has a bike on the roof.

Some drive thru have low overhangs.

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