nlerner

Did he drop some coal in your pannier, Roger?

Roger M

No coal for me, but this girl was sure to get a stocking full of it. Santa doesn't pull the sleigh..

ThermionicScott 

Here I am on PBP this summer. In Fougeres on the return leg, with my sweetie, with roughly 300k to go. I wasn't looking so happy and energetic at the finish!

velofinds

Nice bike 650b conversion?

gomango

Great pic!

Congrats on your finish.

May I ask what bag you were using on the bars?

How do you like it?

ThermionicScott 

Thanks, guys!

I went kinda cheap on this conversion. I got a good deal on some Sun 650A (aka 26x1-3/8, ISO 590, etc) rims and used Panaracer Col de la Vie tires on it. Everything works well mechanically and the ~38mm tires are comfortable, but the rolling resistance is noticeable after a while. I'm gathering the parts for an honest-to-goodness 650B conversion (on which I plan to use the Compass Loup Loup Pass tires) now.

Yep, it's a KlickFix "Daypack Box": Amazon.com: KlickFix bike bags handlebar Daypack Box handlebar bag

Here again, I couldn't commit to the legit French rando setup, which would have included a mini-front rack and decaleur. The KlickFix system works well enough and is fairly lightweight. I think there's a weight limit of 10 lbs or so, but I don't put that much in.

Mumonkan

gj on PBP! i hope i get to do it some day

CDV's are nice and cushy, though i can feel the tread squirm in hard cornering on tarmac which isnt a great feeling, riding them on anything broken up like gravel or dirt they feel better. they were more of a cheap test tire for me too, i want to get the babyshoes but i might be pushing it with tire clearance

my lil swift rando on the klickfix is great, my only complaint is the way it tends to bounce around, not sure if your bag does the same thing

RobbieTunes

sloar 

Nice jersey, no go shave Marine!

ThermionicScott 

Thanks, you should! It's the only 1200k I've done so far, and the logistics of flying to another country where I couldn't really speak the language added complication, but the people were really supportive the whole way.

I've wondered about the Babyshoes and Hetres, after reading so much praise here. But I think I'd be cutting it close on my frame as well, and I'm not sure the extra air volume would do much for me. (Truth be told, I think a nice pair of 32mm tires would do everything I need.)

Interestingly, I stumbled onto an old bikelist.org thread where Jan Heine mentioned that the Hetre was actually an attempt to replace the 38mm Mitsuboshi Trimline, but the calculations were off and it turned into a 40-41mm tire.

My bag will bounce up a little on bumps, since there's a little flex in the fabric and plastic structure of the bag, but it's not too bad. When I'm adjusting the cable, I'll attach a heavy pair of vice grips on the end I'm adjusting, which helps pull the whole thing downward into its final position while taking the slack out of the cable. Then I give the four bracket screws a good tightening so that the bracket won't move easily in use.

Mumonkan

this is really my only concern, i have no doubt id be able to finish on time, lol

what would you say the cost of the trip set you back (just flight and staying for the race itself, not extraneous adventures/tourism before/after)

ive been on 32's for the longest time and the switch to 38 was definitely noticeable, im confident a 43 would be even better

pretty sure my next rando machine will have 26" wheels with the new 2.3's compass just came out with, then maybe ill be happy haha

the bounce isnt really in the mount, its just the bag itself on the bracket jostling around with junk inside. i think if i figure out something like a cord tied to the brake post to the bottom of the bag would help. either way im not worried its just one of those things thats i wish wouldnt be a thing

ThermionicScott 

Let's see... my plane ticket was about $1600, since I waited until about two months ahead of the trip to book it... bringing the TriCo Iron Case containing my bike on the plane cost an extra $150 each way but was pretty well worth it. The hotels were spendy, but probably wouldn't take a big bite if you did PBP as a lot of people do: flying in the day before, sleeping in a hotel room the nights before and after the ride, flying out the next day. I lost track of how many Euros I burned through on the ride itself, buying food and water and the occasional dorm nap. Not a very Mustachian trip, but we were able to make it work.

Hehe, I think even Jan is skeptical of using 2.3's on long brevets, but we'll see how people like them. You'll be getting the EL's, right?

Yeah, me too. I'm pretty sure that bounce is how I lost my 18-Euro burner phone during the last stretch from Dreux to SQY. I was annoyed to find it missing when I arrived, but thankfully I didn't end up needing it again.

Mumonkan

ill estimate 3k and have a safety net above that for while im there, and of course the EL's

thanks for the info @ThermionicScott much appreciated

ThermionicScott 

You bet. You should be able to save a significant amount by getting your plane tickets earlier than we did.

seedsbelize 

What caste does your gf belong to?

velofinds

I see what you did there.

ThermionicScott 

I don't get it...

seedsbelize 

Look at the pic. The positioning of your mirror.

ThermionicScott 

Ah! A higher caste than a "PBR" dot would suggest.

Lumpy Jones

Helping out around the house between rides, frsh noodles anyone??

gaophs77

I'm Greg I have a 1975 Raleigh sports bike made in Nottingham with all the original parts. unfortunately I can't figure out how to post a pic of it.

gaophs77

hi I'm Greg I can't figure out how to post a pic but I have a 1975 raleigh sports bike I'm looking to maybe sell but first I'm trying to get a value on it.

non-fixie 

Hi Greg! Have a look here: how to post pics. Hosting a picture elsewhere, and then publishing it here gives the nicest, full-size results. Click the picture icon (the third from the right above the 'quick reply' box) and insert the URL for the picture.

BTW, would that be a Raleigh Sports, as in 60 lbs of indestructible British steel?

Doohickie

Just got back from a quick 15 mph 15 mile ride on my 1983 Raleigh Super Course.


This is me, on Saturday, during a trail cleanup. The Lone Star was not mine; it was an old can I picked up off the trail... and a group shot of all of us (except Yo Spiff who took the pictures).

ThermionicScott 

Nice to see you again, @Doohickie.