Windsor "The Hour" economy track bike Selle Italia FLX Gel Flow Eleganza (500 grams of pure comfort!) Profile Designs 47cm wide stoker bar Cane Creek 200TT brake lever Campagnolo Chorus brake (I wish it were a cheaper black Xenon or Mirage, but I had the Chorus lying around) Michelin Pro Race 700x25 tires and tubes 18T Surley cog Tacx Tao bottle cage
This bike is to be my fun/commuter bike. I am recovering from illness, so I haven't actually commuted with it yet, but I have taken it for a few short spins, and it seems like it will be quite suited to the task. The super-wide bull-horn stoker bar is great for wide shoulders and big hands.
Windsor "The Hour" economy track bike Selle Italia FLX Gel Flow Eleganza (500 grams of pure comfort!) Profile Designs 47cm wide stoker bar Cane Creek 200TT brake lever Campagnolo Chorus brake (I wish it were a cheaper black Xenon or Mirage, but I had the Chorus lying around) Michelin Pro Race 700x25 tires and tubes 18T Surley cog Tacx Tao bottle cage
Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front?
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This bike is to be my fun/commuter bike. I am recovering from illness, so I haven't actually commuted with it yet, but I have taken it for a few short spins, and it seems like it will be quite suited to the task. The super-wide bull-horn stoker bar is great for wide shoulders and big hands.
Bullhorns are nice. I like multiple "hood" positions that you can have on them. Sometimes I wish I had drops too though. Just a thought: if I'm riding clips/straps on a fixie, they have to be metal straps. I get most of my stopping power and track stand control from pulling up on the pedals. Plastic clips just make me nervous. -- Paul M. Hobson Georgia Institute of Technology ..:change the f to ph to reply:.
Windsor "The Hour" economy track bike Selle Italia FLX Gel Flow Eleganza (500 grams of pure comfort!) Profile Designs 47cm wide stoker bar Cane Creek 200TT brake lever Campagnolo Chorus brake (I wish it were a cheaper black Xenon or Mirage, but I had the Chorus lying around) Michelin Pro Race 700x25 tires and tubes 18T Surley cog Tacx Tao bottle cage
Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front?
I had to mail-order everything, so I went with the Surley which was what was available from my "local" mail-order place. It's 48t up front. So far the 48x18 seems to be pretty good, but in my weakened state it is hard to tell. It might end up being too light a gear once I get back into the swing of things.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
This bike is to be my fun/commuter bike. I am recovering from illness, so I haven't actually commuted with it yet, but I have taken it for a few short spins, and it seems like it will be quite suited to the task. The super-wide bull-horn stoker bar is great for wide shoulders and big hands.
Bullhorns are nice. I like multiple "hood" positions that you can have on them. Sometimes I wish I had drops too though. Just a thought: if I'm riding clips/straps on a fixie, they have to be metal straps. I get most of my stopping power and track stand control from pulling up on the pedals. Plastic clips just make me nervous.
Most of the time I have my hands on the tops at the center with my fingers wrapped around the stem. I use the bull-horns when out of the saddle, and during "maneuvers". On my road bike I only ever use the drops when I am in a group and/or really hammering. A situation that isn't going to happen on this bike, so I don't think I'll miss the drops.
Metal XL clips are on order, and I have a double set of laminated straps on the way too!
Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front?
Quoted message said:
I had to mail-order everything, so I went with the Surley which was what was available from my "local" mail-order place. It's 48t up front. So far the 48x18 seems to be pretty good, but in my weakened state it is hard to tell. It might end up being too light a gear once I get back into the swing of things.
48x18 on 25 mm Continentals is what I ride. I really like that gearing. Being a student forever trapped in the cycle of procrastination, my nutrition varies from day to day. Sometimes that gear plus the headwind is really tough. Sometime I want to swap the 18 out for the 17 that's just sitting in my toolbox. I have short dropouts though, so I need a half-link but can never seem to find one locally (they're always out and I refuse to mail order for one $5 part). Also, forcing myself to spin faster and be easier on the knees is a good thing, right?
Get well soon,
\\paul -- Paul M. Hobson Georgia Institute of Technology ..:change the f to ph to reply:.
Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front?
Quoted message said:
I had to mail-order everything, so I went with the Surley which was what was available from my "local" mail-order place. It's 48t up front. So far the 48x18 seems to be pretty good, but in my weakened state it is hard to tell. It might end up being too light a gear once I get back into the swing of things.
48x18 on 25 mm Continentals is what I ride. I really like that gearing. Being a student forever trapped in the cycle of procrastination, my nutrition varies from day to day. Sometimes that gear plus the headwind is really tough. Sometime I want to swap the 18 out for the 17 that's just sitting in my toolbox. I have short dropouts though, so I need a half-link but can never seem to find one locally (they're always out and I refuse to mail order for one $5 part). Also, forcing myself to spin faster and be easier on the knees is a good thing, right?
Georgia is hilly right? Do you need the 18 for hills or headwinds? I decided on the 18 due to the short hills around here, but that was before I got sick and lost 14kg. Even in my weakened state, purposefully taking it easy, I have zero problem on even the steepest of the hills that influenced my decision to go with an 18. 14kg (31 lbs) makes a HUGE difference up hills.
Part of the reason I got the bike was to help myself develop spin. I'm sort of a masher and I would like to wean myself of that habit a bit while my knees are still good. Not that I think they are going south, but it would be a pisser to find out too late, right?
> [email hidden] wrote: >> 18T Surley cog >> Tacx Tao bottle cage Paul Hobson wrote: > Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but > Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front?
Quoted message said:
I had to mail-order everything, so I went with the Surley which was what was available from my "local" mail-order place. It's 48t up front. So far the 48x18 seems to be pretty good, but in my weakened state it is hard to tell. It might end up being too light a gear once I get back into the swing of things.
48x18 on 25 mm Continentals is what I ride. I really like that gearing. Being a student forever trapped in the cycle of procrastination, my nutrition varies from day to day. Sometimes that gear plus the headwind is really tough. Sometime I want to swap the 18 out for the 17 that's just sitting in my toolbox. I have short dropouts though, so I need a half-link but can never seem to find one locally (they're always out and I refuse to mail order for one $5 part). Also, forcing myself to spin faster and be easier on the knees is a good thing, right?
Georgia is hilly right? Do you need the 18 for hills or headwinds?
Both. My 18 is fine up Atlanta's short, but steep hills. In Atlanta, whenever the temperature humidity is nice, the wind kicks up. When I've skimped on breakfast, I can struggle with either. Keep in mind, I'm 178 cm tall and 61 kg, not exactly a powerhouse (5'10"-135 for no SI folk). But on a good day, I can get moving.
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I decided on the 18 due to the short hills around here, but that was before I got sick and lost 14kg. Even in my weakened state, purposefully taking it easy, I have zero problem on even the steepest of the hills that influenced my decision to go with an 18. 14kg (31 lbs) makes a HUGE difference up hills.
Part of the reason I got the bike was to help myself develop spin. I'm sort of a masher and I would like to wean myself of that habit a bit while my knees are still good. Not that I think they are going south, but it would be a pisser to find out too late, right?
I had knee issues from growing too fast between 13 - 16. That's always in the back of my head too. \\paul
>> [email hidden] wrote: >>> 18T Surley cog >>> Tacx Tao bottle cage > Paul Hobson wrote: >> Those Surly cogs are really nice. I'd probably like Soma cogs too, but >> Surlies are readily available around here. How many teeth up front? [email hidden] wrote: > I had to mail-order everything, so I went with the Surley which was > what was available from my "local" mail-order place. It's 48t up front. > So far the 48x18 seems to be pretty good, but in my weakened state it > is hard to tell. It might end up being too light a gear once I get back > into the swing of things. > 48x18 on 25 mm Continentals is what I ride. I really like that gearing. Being a student forever trapped in the cycle of procrastination, my nutrition varies from day to day. Sometimes that gear plus the headwind is really tough. Sometime I want to swap the 18 out for the 17 that's just sitting in my toolbox. I have short dropouts though, so I need a half-link but can never seem to find one locally (they're always out and I refuse to mail order for one $5 part). Also, forcing myself to spin faster and be easier on the knees is a good thing, right?
Georgia is hilly right? Do you need the 18 for hills or headwinds?
Both. My 18 is fine up Atlanta's short, but steep hills. In Atlanta, whenever the temperature humidity is nice, the wind kicks up. When I've skimped on breakfast, I can struggle with either. Keep in mind, I'm 178 cm tall and 61 kg, not exactly a powerhouse (5'10"-135 for no SI folk). But on a good day, I can get moving.
I'm sure your hills are steeper than anything around here that I plan to attempt on this bike. Sometimes it's windy, but headwinds are my specialty. Even in my emaciated state, I'm still 195 lbs (6'3"😉 so there should be some power lurking in there someplace! Yesterday on my ride I saw a riding buddy I haven't seen for several weeks. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Oh my god! What happened to you!? You look like a twig!" I don't know what the moral of that story is, but maybe it is: Don't skimp on breakfast. (?)
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I decided on the 18 due to the short hills around here, but that was before I got sick and lost 14kg. Even in my weakened state, purposefully taking it easy, I have zero problem on even the steepest of the hills that influenced my decision to go with an 18. 14kg (31 lbs) makes a HUGE difference up hills.
Part of the reason I got the bike was to help myself develop spin. I'm sort of a masher and I would like to wean myself of that habit a bit while my knees are still good. Not that I think they are going south, but it would be a pisser to find out too late, right?
I had knee issues from growing too fast between 13 - 16. That's always in the back of my head too.
I had knee problems at that age too, but they receeded with time, to the point where I don't consider it an issue anymore. How old are you?
Part of the reason I got the bike was to help myself develop spin. I'm sort of a masher and I would like to wean myself of that habit a bit while my knees are still good. Not that I think they are going south, but it would be a pisser to find out too late, right?
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Paul Hobson said:
I had knee issues from growing too fast between 13 - 16. That's always in the back of my head too.
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I had knee problems at that age too, but they receeded with time, to the point where I don't consider it an issue anymore. How old are you?
I'm just shy of 24 now. 99% sure that my knees are perfectly fine now. Right one can feel funny at times, but it's no big deal/in my head. When I was 13, my left knee got so bad, that over night it went from a nuisance to being so painful that I couldn't walk up or down stairs. I ended with it immobilized all summer. As such I never got to play on the all-star baseball team 🙁 I'm just paranoid. \\paul -- Paul M. Hobson Georgia Institute of Technology ..:change the f to ph to reply:.
48x18 is about 70" gear. I run little lower gear - 39x15 = 68". it is a lot of fun going up not-so-steep hills and even more fun is going downhills. Sometimes when i ride with my friends, i would ask for a rest-break at the bottom of the hill rather than on the top of the hill 😉
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This bike is to be my fun/commuter bike. I am recovering from illness,
just be careful of stupid thefts when locking up... it is so nice that it will catch the wrong eyes...
Quoted message said:
The super-wide bull-horn stoker bar is great for wide shoulders and big hands.
some folks with large have double wrapped their handlebars - may be you can consider if it helps...
enjoy your new ride, definitely it will cure all illness 🙂 get well soon...
perfect fit for me 🙂 now, where did you say you park it overnight 😉
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Bullhorns are nice. I like multiple "hood" positions that you can have on them. Sometimes I wish I had drops too though. Just a thought: if I'm riding clips/straps on a fixie, they have to be metal straps. I get most of my stopping power and track stand control from pulling up on the pedals. Plastic clips just make me nervous.
i have been riding on plastic clips and haven't had much trouble. Unlike you both i have drop bars and i like the hoods so much that i have both of them. my rear brake lever broke when i dropped it when practicing track-stand and i have never bothered to fix it...
did you lace up the wheels yourself ? I am guessing it 32-spoke wheels. any reason for going 32 as against 36 ? What kind of hubs do you have on them ??
i have found that it not always possible to go off-saddle when dodging potholes - especially during fast runs or downhills. i have found it almost impossible to spin fast off the saddle - more because i am afraid.
[email hidden] wrote: > Part of the reason I got the bike was to help myself develop spin. I'm > sort of a masher and I would like to wean myself of that habit a bit > while my knees are still good. Not that I think they are going south, > but it would be a pisser to find out too late, right?
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Paul Hobson said:
I had knee issues from growing too fast between 13 - 16. That's always in the back of my head too.
Quoted message said:
I had knee problems at that age too, but they receeded with time, to the point where I don't consider it an issue anymore. How old are you?
I'm just shy of 24 now. 99% sure that my knees are perfectly fine now. Right one can feel funny at times, but it's no big deal/in my head. When I was 13, my left knee got so bad, that over night it went from a nuisance to being so painful that I couldn't walk up or down stairs. I ended with it immobilized all summer. As such I never got to play on the all-star baseball team 🙁 I'm just paranoid. \\paul
Sounds like you are fine. But still sounds like you are best suited to cultivating spin!
did you lace up the wheels yourself ? I am guessing it 32-spoke wheels. any reason for going 32 as against 36 ? What kind of hubs do you have on them ??
The wheels came with the bike. When this bike dies or I get bored of it and decide to build my own, I'll go with 36 probably.
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i have found that it not always possible to go off-saddle when dodging potholes - especially during fast runs or downhills. i have found it almost impossible to spin fast off the saddle - more because i am afraid.
I haven't tried anything crazy yet, but in the old days when I rode a track bike around I would do anything. The key to standing is making sure the crotch of your pants doesn't get stuck on the seat when you sit again. That can be bad. I didn't have a brake in the old days, but I do now. But I still haven't used it!
48x18 is about 70" gear. I run little lower gear - 39x15 = 68". it is a lot of fun going up not-so-steep hills and even more fun is going downhills. Sometimes when i ride with my friends, i would ask for a rest-break at the bottom of the hill rather than on the top of the hill 😉
Quoted message said:
This bike is to be my fun/commuter bike. I am recovering from illness,
just be careful of stupid thefts when locking up... it is so nice that it will catch the wrong eyes...
I own a lock, but I don't even know where it is. My bikes live in my garage, and this one will get to rest in the back room at work when I commute. I suppose I should dig out the lock in case I decide to ride somewhere fro lunch or something...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
The super-wide bull-horn stoker bar is great for wide shoulders and big hands.
some folks with large have double wrapped their handlebars - may be you can consider if it helps...
enjoy your new ride, definitely it will cure all illness 🙂 get well soon...
