My oddball bike setup

"David Kerber" <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and when I went out for a ride,
I realized that I must have one of the more unusual set ups out there. It's a Fuji Touring, which
comes with a rack. I put a big amber reflector on the back of the rack, full fenders, an
under-seat bag, a blinky on the back of the bag, one of those bungee-cord nets to hold stuff on
the rack, my cable lock on the rack, a mirror on the left bar-end, a mini-pump on the seat-tube
water- bottle mount, a set of Profile Design air stryke aerobars which my LBS was unloading for
$30, a light out on the end of the aero bars, and my computer is mounted on a home-made mount
between the bars a few inches in front of the stem. Oh, and a kickstand.

Total weight about 35 lb. The fenders will come off next spring when the roads dry out again, but
I expect the rest to stay there most of the time. When I set it up for the race a couple of weeks
ago, I took off the rack, kickstand, seat bag, pump and light, leaving just the computer and the
mirror; I didn't have the aero bars yet. I wish I had weighed it while it was stripped down, but
didn't think of it in time.

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

David Kerber said:

I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and when I went out for a ride,
I realized that I must have one of the more unusual set ups out there. It's a Fuji Touring, which
comes with a rack. I put a big amber reflector on the back of the rack, full fenders, an
under-seat bag, a blinky on the back of the bag, one of those bungee-cord nets to hold stuff on
the rack, my cable lock on the rack, a mirror on the left bar-end, a mini-pump on the seat-tube
water- bottle mount, a set of Profile Design air stryke aerobars which my LBS was unloading for
$30, a light out on the end of the aero bars, and my computer is mounted on a home-made mount
between the bars a few inches in front of the stem. Oh, and a kickstand.

Total weight about 35 lb. The fenders will come off next spring when the roads dry out again, but
I expect the rest to stay there most of the time. When I set it up for the race a couple of weeks
ago, I took off the rack, kickstand, seat bag, pump and light, leaving just the computer and the
mirror; I didn't have the aero bars yet. I wish I had weighed it while it was stripped down, but
didn't think of it in time.

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

Nice KHS mountainbike. Rear rack with red expandable trunk containing cable lock, TWO Zefal pumps
(one Presta, one Schrader), some small pruning shears (I like to collect plant cuttings), some
bungee cords and one of those nets, and some other misc junk. You never can tell when you're going
to find a potted plant or two sitting on top of somebody's trashcan, but it's more likely to happen
after Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Smallish blue underseat bag containing tire-repair stuff and a spare tube.

Green triangle bag containing other tools and some cash. Water bottle.

Blue-green handlebar bag containing god knows what -- spare change and junk picked up along the
road, paper towels, a pen, a notepad, and my jacket when I take it off.

Cateye computer (no cadence counter).

Mirror on the left that sticks into the end of the bar whose rubber-thing has been replaced by a
succession of rubber grommets and which doesn't work very well, requiring me to lean way out to the
left to see what's behind me.

One of those little single-ding bells, but the damn thing is useless.

Whole thing probably weighs 40 pounds, but isn't the whole point of the exercise EXERCISE?

--
Cheers, Bev
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Rats cry when they hear about my life." -- Dilbert

David Kerber said:

I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and when I went out for a ride,
I realized that I must have one of the more unusual set ups out there. It's a Fuji Touring, which
comes with a rack. I put a big amber reflector on the back of the rack, full fenders, an under-seat
bag, a blinky on the back of the bag, one of those bungee-cord nets to hold stuff on the rack, my
cable lock on the rack, a mirror on the left bar-end, a mini-pump on the seat-tube water- bottle
mount, a set of Profile Design air stryke aerobars which my LBS was unloading for $30, a light out
on the end of the aero bars, and my computer is mounted on a home-made mount between the bars a few
inches in front of the stem. Oh, and a kickstand.

Total weight about 35 lb. The fenders will come off next spring when the roads dry out again, but I
expect the rest to stay there most of the time. When I set it up for the race a couple of weeks
ago, I took off the rack, kickstand, seat bag, pump and light, leaving just the computer and the
mirror; I didn't have the aero bars yet. I wish I had weighed it while it was stripped down, but
didn't think of it in time.

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

What do you mean "over-done" ?? Your bike sounds like a perfect commuter. The Fuji tourer is high on
my list of future bike purchases. My current "fast" commuting bike is a Marin Larkspur. Aluminum
frame, rear rack, flat bars, Planet bike fenders, rigid front fork has threaded mounts for fenders
and rack, same on rear. No kickstand (don't want one), pump mounted on bottle mount, bottle also,
aluminum Wellgo pedals with Mt Zefal toe cups, usually a rack trunk on the rear rack, amber blinky
on the head tube, red blinky on the rack trrunk or the seat tube. Head (skull) mounted light when I
need to actually see the road. What else? Tires are Cheng Shin Nylon, with reflective sidewall. It
really works. A car at 90 deg to the bike sees a pair of brilliant hoops. No doubt it is a bike.
Wish it was mandatory in this country. Anyway, my bike is hardly "overdone" I expect you will get
posts from ovedone cyclists about their bikes. Best regards, Bernie

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 20:46:43 -0400, David Kerber <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

Overdone, underdone, the important thing is to get it to suit you.

My all round bike is a 13 year old Mongoose Dynametric hybrid. Took off the old high-rise stem and
flat bars, put in a road stem and drop bars. 700x35c inverted tread tires. Because my handlebar bag
sticks up a couple of inches above the bar when fully loaded, I added a Minoura space grip, a gizmo
that sticks up about 4 inches above the bars and lets me point my headlight over the top of the bag.
A seatpost mounted gizmo and a quick-release beam rack let me use a Carradice transverse saddle bag
instead of panniers, when I have a lot to carry. I use quick release fenders that don't have the
side support struts. The authorities suggest full fenders with home made mud flaps, but what I've
got suits me.

And, of course, I have a big brass bell on the stem. It's all rather ugly to most people, but it's
highly functional, and I like it.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

...

Quoted message said:

Nice KHS mountainbike. Rear rack with red expandable trunk containing cable lock, TWO Zefal pumps
(one Presta, one Schrader), some small

That seems like a bit of overkill, but I guess that was the point of this thread <Grin>.

Quoted message said:

pruning shears (I like to collect plant cuttings), some bungee cords and one of those nets, and
some other misc junk. You never can tell when you're going to find a potted plant or two sitting
on top of somebody's trashcan, but it's more likely to happen after Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Smallish blue underseat bag containing tire-repair stuff and a spare tube.

Green triangle bag containing other tools and some cash. Water bottle.

Blue-green handlebar bag containing god knows what -- spare change and junk picked up along the
road, paper towels, a pen, a notepad, and my jacket when I take it off.

Cateye computer (no cadence counter).

Mirror on the left that sticks into the end of the bar whose rubber-thing has been replaced by a
succession of rubber grommets and which doesn't work very well, requiring me to lean way out to
the left to see what's behind me.

One of those little single-ding bells, but the damn thing is useless.

Whole thing probably weighs 40 pounds, but isn't the whole point of the exercise EXERCISE?

That's my justification, too; then when I decide to enter the occasional citizen's race and pull off
all the extra weight and air resistance, the pedaling feels effortless and I can fly!

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber said:

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

I agree with several others, that you haven't described an over-done bike. You've described a good
commuting machine.

I don't have an aero bar on my commuter, but I do have one on my touring bike. It's a good place to
hang a headlight, all right. And when touring with my family, I've tied a thread to it's highest
point to indicate the relative wind direction, so they can draft me better!

But my commuter is much like yours. The differences: I've got a very big handlebar bag (homemade).
My generator takes the place of your kickstand. I've got the legally-mandated bicycle bell. And my
light system is a bit elaborate: two generator headlights mounted on a homemade support below and in
front of my handlebar bag. I can switch one of them on and off, and I can switch the generator
taillight on and off. My bike's the only one I've seen that needs a wiring diagram! ;-)

I've also got a front and rear blinky, and various reflectors. I ride with an eyeglass mirror, so
there's no mirror on the bike. My fender has a quick-release mudflap with it's own special storage
slot in my handlebar bag. And I've got a homemade version of the old Blackburn Brake Block that gets
used as a quick, low-security parking brake when I don't want to unfurl the cable lock.

--
Frank Krygowski

In article <[email hidden]>, bmcilvan@mouse- potato.com says...

...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

What do you mean "over-done" ??

However you want to define it; "'overdone' is in the eye of the beholder" ;-)

Quoted message said:

Your bike sounds like a perfect commuter. The Fuji tourer is high on my list of future bike
purchases. My current "fast" commuting bike is a Marin Larkspur. Aluminum frame, rear rack, flat
bars, Planet bike fenders, rigid front fork has threaded mounts for fenders and rack, same on
rear. No kickstand (don't want one), pump mounted on bottle mount, bottle also, aluminum Wellgo
pedals with Mt Zefal toe cups, usually a rack trunk on the rear rack, amber blinky on the head
tube, red blinky on the rack trrunk or the seat tube. Head (skull) mounted light when I need to
actually see the road. What else? Tires are Cheng Shin Nylon, with reflective sidewall. It really
works. A car at 90 deg to the bike sees a pair of brilliant hoops. No doubt it is a bike. Wish it
was mandatory in this country. Anyway, my bike is hardly "overdone" I expect you will get posts
from ovedone cyclists about their bikes.

Yes, yours sounds like a typical commuter set up. What seemed odd (to
me) about mine is the fact that I have a computer with cadence, drop bars, and aero bars (which
would be typical for a training or performance bike), as well as fenders, rack and kick stand
(typical commuter/utility bike stuff).

Quoted message said:

Best regards, Bernie

Thanks for the description!

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber said:

In article <[email hidden]>, bmcilvan@mouse- potato.com says...

...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

What do you mean "over-done" ??

However you want to define it; "'overdone' is in the eye of the beholder" ;-)

Quoted message said:

Your bike sounds like a perfect commuter. The Fuji tourer is high on my list of future bike
purchases. My current "fast" commuting bike is a Marin Larkspur. Aluminum frame, rear rack, flat
bars, Planet bike fenders, rigid front fork has threaded mounts for fenders and rack, same on
rear. No kickstand (don't want one), pump mounted on bottle mount, bottle also, aluminum Wellgo
pedals with Mt Zefal toe cups, usually a rack trunk on the rear rack, amber blinky on the head
tube, red blinky on the rack trrunk or the seat tube. Head (skull) mounted light when I need to
actually see the road. What else? Tires are Cheng Shin Nylon, with reflective sidewall. It really
works. A car at 90 deg to the bike sees a pair of brilliant hoops. No doubt it is a bike. Wish it
was mandatory in this country. Anyway, my bike is hardly "overdone" I expect you will get posts
from ovedone cyclists about their bikes.

Yes, yours sounds like a typical commuter set up. What seemed odd (to
me) about mine is the fact that I have a computer with cadence, drop bars, and aero bars (which
would be typical for a training or performance bike), as well as fenders, rack and kick stand
(typical commuter/utility bike stuff).

Quoted message said:

Best regards, Bernie

Thanks for the description!

I'm always interested in checking out other people's rides. It inspires me to have a more efficient
machine. BTW I neglected to mention: computer - I reset the trip meter weekly - barends, small tool
bag on seatpost.... bye Bernie

David Kerber said:

What seemed odd (to
me) about mine is the fact that I have a computer with cadence, drop bars, and aero bars (which
would be typical for a training or performance bike), as well as fenders, rack and kick stand
(typical commuter/utility bike stuff).

Well the bars sound practical, as long as the aero bars are not in the way of anything else. There's
probably times when they are pretty relaxing on a long commute? (I've never used aero bars yet).

In article <[email hidden]>, bmcilvan@mouse- potato.com says...

Quoted message said:

David Kerber said:

In article <[email hidden]>, bmcilvan@mouse- potato.com says...

...

Quoted message said:

>I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad
>with black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.
>
>Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?
>
What do you mean "over-done" ??

However you want to define it; "'overdone' is in the eye of the beholder" ;-)

Quoted message said:

Your bike sounds like a perfect commuter. The Fuji tourer is high on my list of future bike
purchases. My current "fast" commuting bike is a Marin Larkspur. Aluminum frame, rear rack, flat
bars, Planet bike fenders, rigid front fork has threaded mounts for fenders and rack, same on
rear. No kickstand (don't want one), pump mounted on bottle mount, bottle also, aluminum Wellgo
pedals with Mt Zefal toe cups, usually a rack trunk on the rear rack, amber blinky on the head
tube, red blinky on the rack trrunk or the seat tube. Head (skull) mounted light when I need to
actually see the road. What else? Tires are Cheng Shin Nylon, with reflective sidewall. It
really works. A car at 90 deg to the bike sees a pair of brilliant hoops. No doubt it is a bike.
Wish it was mandatory in this country. Anyway, my bike is hardly "overdone" I expect you will
get posts from ovedone cyclists about their bikes.

Yes, yours sounds like a typical commuter set up. What seemed odd (to
me) about mine is the fact that I have a computer with cadence, drop bars, and aero bars (which
would be typical for a training or performance bike), as well as fenders, rack and kick stand
(typical commuter/utility bike stuff).

Quoted message said:

Best regards, Bernie

Thanks for the description!

I'm always interested in checking out other people's rides. It inspires me to have a more
efficient machine.

Me, too; that's why I asked. It looks like mine isn't so oddball after all, though.

Quoted message said:

BTW I neglected to mention: computer - I reset the trip meter weekly - barends, small tool bag on
seatpost.... bye Bernie

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

In article <[email hidden]>, bmcilvan@mouse- potato.com says...

Quoted message said:

David Kerber said:

What seemed odd (to
me) about mine is the fact that I have a computer with cadence, drop bars, and aero bars (which
would be typical for a training or performance bike), as well as fenders, rack and kick stand
(typical commuter/utility bike stuff).

Well the bars sound practical, as long as the aero bars are not in the way of anything else.
There's probably times when they are pretty relaxing on a long commute? (I've never used aero
bars yet).

I don't commute on it (can't ride on the bridge), but the primary reason I put them on is for the
wind on my regular rides, especially the sea breeze in the summer. I need practice on them to get
more stable holding a good line, but they are definitely relaxing, and it's nice sometimes to be
able to get the weight off my hands.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote:
: I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and when I went out for a ride,
: I realized that I must have one of the more unusual set ups out there. It's a Fuji Touring, which
: comes with a

It's not overdone, sounds quite normal for a person who's heavily into cycling.

It's recumbents that turn more eagerly into a larger-than-life upgrade project. Mine has pannier
bags (had to work some aluminium profile to attach the rack myself), side/handlebar bag, rack box, a
seat cover and now I'm building lights with a motorcycle battery (in total 50 W of halogen bulbs
reserved)... it's not overdone because I barely started yet 😉 No aerobars, though - not even an
aerodynamic fairing, yet... Two computers, the second one for cadence.

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

David Kerber said:

Quoted message said:

Well the bars sound practical, as long as the aero bars are not in the way of anything else.
There's probably times when they are pretty relaxing on a long commute? (I've never used aero
bars yet).

I don't commute on it (can't ride on the bridge), but the primary reason I put them on is for the
wind on my regular rides, especially the sea breeze in the summer. I need practice on them to get
more stable holding a good line, but they are definitely relaxing, and it's nice sometimes to be
able to get the weight off my hands.

Hmmmm... I don't want more stuff on my bike(s), but I might like to lay out on my elbows/forearms to
take weight off the hands and also to get under the wind. I often have a light headwind both morning
and evening.

David Kerber said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Nice KHS mountainbike. Rear rack with red expandable trunk containing cable lock, TWO Zefal
pumps (one Presta, one Schrader), some small

That seems like a bit of overkill, but I guess that was the point of this thread <Grin>.

I have presta tubes, husband has schrader. I've always carried the tools because I'm the only one
who figures that if I carry it I'll probably never need it. Pretty much true -- I hardly ever need
to use one, but others I ride with do. When we went MC riding back in the hills I carried enough
tools for my son to tear down his transmission, fix the problem, and put it back together again. We
drained the oil into a plastic bag lining HIS helmet (not mine, for a change).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Whole thing probably weighs 40 pounds, but isn't the whole point of the exercise EXERCISE?

That's my justification, too; then when I decide to enter the occasional citizen's race and pull
off all the extra weight and air resistance, the pedaling feels effortless and I can fly!

I should take my road bike out for a spin again -- before I load it up with useful stuff :-(

--
Cheers, Bev
***************************************************************
When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a thumb.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

David Kerber said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Nice KHS mountainbike. Rear rack with red expandable trunk containing cable lock, TWO Zefal
pumps (one Presta, one Schrader), some small

That seems like a bit of overkill, but I guess that was the point of this thread <Grin>.

I have presta tubes, husband has schrader.

I made sure when I bought my mini-pump that it works with either kind of valve; when one of yours
gives out you might want to go that route...

Quoted message said:

I've always carried the tools because I'm the only one who figures that if I carry it I'll
probably never need it. Pretty much true -- I hardly ever need to use one, but others I ride with
do. When we went MC riding back in the

I didn't mention it in my OP, but the seat bag is mainly for carrying a few tools, a spare tube and
a can of Halt. I have needed the tools, but so far not the tube or the Halt. I may stop carrying the
Halt; I've never had a problem with a dog in 2 years of riding.

...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Whole thing probably weighs 40 pounds, but isn't the whole point of the exercise EXERCISE?

That's my justification, too; then when I decide to enter the occasional citizen's race and pull
off all the extra weight and air resistance, the pedaling feels effortless and I can fly!

I should take my road bike out for a spin again -- before I load it up with useful stuff :-(

It's fun occasionally to go back to a bare-bones set up to see what the difference is.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Quoted message said:

though - not even an aerodynamic fairing, yet... Two computers,

How about a road bike with a Zzipper faring? My commuter has one. It also has bar-cons, Campy Mirage
levers with the Ergo guts removed to serve as brake levers/faring mount points, a home-brew lighting
system that combines two NiteHawk heads mounted 8" apart on a section of handlebar mounted to the
fork crown, Planet Bike freddies, a purple anodized stem, black spray paint, 105 derailers (rear is
long cage) and whatever wheels happen to be lying around at the moment (currently 36-spoke, 7-speed
freewheel with Ritchey 'cross tires). Oh yeah, a Blackburn rack with panniers for carrying stuff,
and a Zefal pump to stay on the safe side.

I figure the whole thing weighs 40# or so--about twice what my "nice" road bike weighs.

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and

<snip>

Sweet! I gotta see this...

Quoted message said:

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

I can come by and shoot some pictures, and throw them up on my site if you like. It'd be a great
excuse to see your bike...

Quoted message said:

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

I don't have an overdone one yet.
--
Rick "Where did you get $30 aerobars, anyway?" Onanian

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

I just finished getting my bike set up with all the junk I wanted, and

<snip>

Sweet! I gotta see this...

Quoted message said:

I just wish I had a digital camera to take a picture of it; it actually doesn't look too bad with
black fenders and aerobars on the maroon and black paint job.

I can come by and shoot some pictures, and throw them up on my site if you like. It'd be a great
excuse to see your bike...

Sounds good if we can figure out a time which will work.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyone else want to describe their over-done bike?

I don't have an overdone one yet.
--
Rick "Where did you get $30 aerobars, anyway?" Onanian

The LBS where I bought the bike (Pedal Power in Middletown) has a basket of NOS, discontinued and
damaged-packaging stuff; most of the packaging on this was gone, but all the parts were there and
seemed to be in good condition, so I bought it. It even still had the warranty registration card and
Profile Design advertising flyer. The sticker on what was left of the box said $79.99, but they are
at least two model years old, maybe more: the copyright on the package says 1999.

It pays to get to know your LBS: at various times he has also given me a free handfull of hardware
for mounting the fenders, and he trued up and tensioned my rear wheel for free after I warped it a
bit in the Jamestown race when I hit my pedal going around a turn and bounced sideways.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber said:

It's fun occasionally to go back to a bare-bones set up to see what the difference is.

It's great to ride when your bike is "naked".