TMonk

I usually don't bother taking or renting bikes on trips that require a flight. But 2 weeks is a long time... Bummer about the rental location. I assume it's close to USC at least?

datlas 

We will be in LA "only" for 9 days, the trip is in 2 weeks. Staying relatively close to USC.

TMonk

oh, oops. reading comprehension, how does it work.

9 days is still a lot of time off the bike, esp for someone who rides as much as datlas

genejockey 

Yeah. I'm at 10 days and looking at at least another day or two, and then a gentle reintroduction.

TMonk

Over here I'm getting past peak cold symptoms, was sneezing, coughing and blowing my nose a lot yesterday. So more working from the comfort of my garage. I rode the TT bike on the trainer for a light hour, spending about 45 min in position, just nose breathing and aiming for lower than normal targets. Again, my legs had more power than what I wanted to do on the day, being sick and all. So weird. Like I'd expect my legs to feel sluggish or something? IDK

Still kept the tiger under the hood though.

MoAlpha

Question: I'm down to zero spacers on the road bike and feeling better than ever in the drops. Should I trim the 3 cm of smokestack or keep them for resale or a sudden attack of decrepitude?

datlas 

Depends on the chances you would want to sell it.

Are you going to timtak it eventually??

BillyD

I don’t have much problem with it.

Yeah, I’m a little past that.

terrymorse 

I've been at zero spacers for a couple of years. Keeping the smokestack for now, for who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Some may say that you need to cut the steerer tube down to move the expander plug to where the stem clamps the tube, but I'm not convinced that's an issue with a properly torqued stem.

LAJ

Not hot. 3 cm is a lot.

If decrepitude sets in, it's time for a new sled anyway.

genejockey 

I've been looking into rebuilding those wheels, the old Dura Ace-hubbed ones that came on the Ritchey back when it was new. I just did a spin test on them, and the bearings are running super smooth, even after 28 years, so it's a shame not to!. Choosing Sapim Race spokes, and brass nipples, it's $100 just for those. I already have a pair of Velocity A23 rims. I need spoke prep, a cheap cordless screwdriver, and a tension meter. That all adds up to ANOTHER $100. And that's about what the rims cost. Now I remember why I bought the Fulcrums that I ended up putting on the Litespeed. They cost less than rebuilding on those hubs!

Right now, the Ritchey's running a pair of old Performance "Titan" wheels which I think cost < $200 BITD. I believe they're actually Neuvations. They're okay. But I feel like the Ritchey really deserves those Dura Ace hubs.

genejockey 

I think they make extra-long expander plugs.

MoAlpha

New bike planned tentatively for next season, assuming no terrible boat expenses. And yes, of course, timtaking is the only way to go fast efficiently.

I haven't moved the plug, but would if I "moyeled" it.

Agree, it's too much and people are trying to fondle it. The second is an excellent point: Nothing more not-hot than a flipped stem and a bunch of spacers on a sporty bike with an uncomfortable looking rider.

genejockey 

Just for grins, I measured HRV just now with HRV4Training. HR = 56, which is a little higher than the baseline 51-54 it has, and HRV is 7.5, which is below my "green range" of 8 - 8.6. So, that's better than I'd expected.

My idea is to rest up today, take another COVID test tomorrow, and if that's negative, probably go back to work. I'll also test HRV daily and if it's back in the green by Friday, I'll do a nice, gentle ride of no more than 20 miles and see how that goes.

It gives me a nice to not do the Mt Hamilton C&V ride scheduled for Saturday. I was flirting with the idea, and whether the Ritchey or the Battaglin, which both have 39x30 low gears, would be both C&V enough and low-geared enough. Hamilton is not really steep anywhere, but it is LONG. And there's a 300 foot descent in the middle of the climb, so you have to pay for the same altitude gain twice. Indeed, one guy (named Guy, as it happens) suggested starting from that low point. Well, anyway, the debate has been settled! No Mt Hamilton for Mrs. Smith's baby boy.

LAJ

Nailed it.

Everything else on BF is now just fluff.

LAJ

It seems Stages has laid off the whole staff.

TMonk

OMG... drama! I had never used any of their products... Was a Powertap (Saris) hub user for 10+ years before switching to the Favero pedals. And my smart trainer is Saris too.

genejockey 

Never a good sign.

seedsbelize2

Helmets in 1968

seedsbelize2

Which reminds me to ask(begs the question when addressing anyone else :-)) Can the part of the stem that’s in the steerer tube be raised at all? Or is that all fixed?

seedsbelize2

Well you know you don’t have to be so hoity toity. You could use straight gage spokes, and even galvanized, to keep the price down.

LAJ

I was never a fan either, as their initial offerings were full of issues.

I went with Quarq, and though it seems some had issues, mine were nearly bombproof. Swapping out the 2032 batteries seemed to cause the biggest issue, due to handling of the battery itself. From the get-go, I've always used nitrile gloves when handling them, and would dab a little alcohol on the contacts points after bending up the tabs. I did run Favero on my TT bike, but they're now moved to my commuter.

seedsbelize2

Thanks all, for talking me through the hydraulic brakes particulars. I might not have figured it out on my own. Who knew Shimano has a kit? Why would they? There’s only millions of bikes out there with hydraulics on them.
A prime example of the caliber of my google fu

genejockey 

Well, yeah- I COULD, but I WON'T.

DougRNS

Don't do anything that you will regret later.
#Wisdom