Post Your Pearls That "Most" Others Don't Know or Do
#126
Member
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.
#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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#128
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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.
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.
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#129
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#130
Senior Member
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.
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.
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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#131
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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.
#132
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#133
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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.
#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.
I've been riding in Death Valley for years, there's no way out.
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#136
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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.
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.
#137
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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.
#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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Keep the chain tight!
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#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!
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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#142
Senior Member
Don't follow a rider in front of you through a stop sign. You might get t-boned by a car going 40 mph.
#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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#144
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#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.
This should also make it less likely to break in a mishap.
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#146
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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.
#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.
#148
Should Be More Popular
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#149
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#150
On Your Left
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