[GuyContinental]

@pfunkallstar 25549 wrote:

REI at Bailey’s Crossroads – Prices tend to be a bit high except during their attic sales, service is good, and the mechanics are excellent. I never worked there but kinda wish I had.

I think that this one surprises people- I did w/e bike shop work at this REI years ago and was very impressed with the mechanics. At least at the time (early 2000’s) they were sent to Barnett for multi-week training which is far from cheap. It’s also telling that the owner and Ops manager of TBSFKAC (Freshbikes) both came from that REI.

Freshbikes is my go-to, partially because of the above but also because of Greg (formerly at Bike Pro Shop in Georgetown). That said, they are often backlogged and are not cheap. Regardless, it’s worth it for me as a owner of 4 Cannondales and their mountains of proprietary parts (in my case 3 Lefty’s and two sets of hollowtech cranks) to go to a shop/mechanic that knows those bikes and those parts inside-out.

[GuyContinental]

I think that a use case might be helpful- if you have a short commute (under 10 miles) and want something just to kick around on there is nothing wrong with a hybrid. If you have a longer commute or want to do longer weekend rides then a road bike might be in order. If you want to do longer rides AND the towpath AND some light dirt trails then Greenbelt’s versatile suggestions are fantastic.

My only issue with “hybrids” is the weight from cheesy components and unnecessary suspension forks- a lighter bike is usually more fun and easier to ride. FWIW I was on the D&D Espresso ride several years ago (it’s a often huge 50-70 mile Sunday winter ride) and mid-way along a 50ish guy on a mid-range 700cc hybrid joined the paceline and held with it for probably 40 miles. At the end of the day it’s not the bike, it’s the rider.

[GuyContinental]

@ShawnoftheDread 25483 wrote:

I may have done some gratuitous calf extensions in front of my wife the past few weeks.

I did that over the weekend… would have been all good if I hadn’t then whined about how I lost 7 pounds during the week… She. Was. Not. Amused.

[GuyContinental]

@consularrider 25395 wrote:

That was my first 100 mile ride day back in 2008. Should we take a survey?

It was my second and just a few weeks ago- got to my turn-off to work and just kept going until the WO&D ended… had no intention of doing a century that day.

My first was on one of the Wounded Warriors rides to/from Annapolis… they did it with hand bikes, single cranks and in one case, blind (on the back of a tandem)!

[GuyContinental]

@Bilsko 25429 wrote:

I just came across Bishop’s work the other day. This CX bike he made is stunning:
http://www.cycleexif.com/bishop-bikes-cyclocros

Wow. The details on that thing are amazing- super pretty, super classic… it’ll look even better with a patina from some use.

(and I want to know where I can get a kickstand that looks like a stick… oh wait… that IS a stick!)

[GuyContinental]

@JustinW 25420 wrote:

Reviving this thread to seek recommendations for shoes, specifically shoes for wide-footed sorts like me. Any brands reliably comfy for wide feet?

I accidentally* bought a pair of Specialized Carbon Pro MTB shoes in a “wide” size and can attest that they have some serious girth. Also amazing stiff all-around shoes.

*Someday I’ll learn to READ the dang ebay listing before bidding

[GuyContinental]

Yup- she rules:

“I have literally bungee-corded my 5-year-old to the back of the bike. He wouldn’t get on. He was screaming and everyone was staring, so I stuck him on the seat and bungee-corded him in and just started pedaling really hard… He screamed all the way home.” I so need to include bungee cords in my trailer kit… how long would it take in up-tight Arlington to get reported to CPS?

Anyone know what that bike-trailer wheel holder contraption is? I love the idea of being able to use an existing bike as a stoker and then take it off at a destination to let my little dude roam (when he’s old enough TO roam…)

[GuyContinental]

You: shambling trail zombie with a broken piece of pipe and over ear headphones on the WO&D heading towards Hunter Mill- first, good for you for getting out postmortem, dragging leg, loose jaw and all but brandishing your crazy pipe at passing riders isn’t a way to make friends.

[GuyContinental]

@Dirt 25123 wrote:

Probably. Happy Friday to you!

Dang, I missed you by about 5 minutes- hid in the bushes near RT 29 for at least 8 seconds, camera at the ready…

[GuyContinental]

@DaveK 25036 wrote:

Ditto. I’m much more comfortable in the drops with SRAM. They also have independent reach adjustment on the shift and brake levers. I’ve grown to really prefer the shift action to Shimano as well – there’s something more secure to me about a brake lever that only moves the one way.

Bit of irony here for me- on the CX off-road I totally agree with the “lever only moving one way” thing but the hoods are a bit small and I tend to bounce off in technical terrain (which often ends poorly). I need the bigger Shimano hoods and the SRAM doubletap/mono directional brake on the CX and the SRAM reach adjustment on the road bike. I also need to stop trying to break off my SRAM lever trying to shift Shimano-style

[GuyContinental]

I’m with Dirt- we don’t know enough about your planned use or style or riding to make a great recommendation. Still, you have several great bikes picked out-
I like both of the Specialized but would go for the Roubaix hands-down for everyday everything riding. If you need a race-day beast then the Tarmac. If you want a Specialized and want to race, NCVC has some sort of reasonable Specialized pro-deal for members. Lot’s of Tarmacs on that team.

Also, you seem to be vacillating between SRAM and Shimano on your groupo- IMO Rival doubletap wins if you live in your drops because of the floating shifter but I don’t really like the way it downshifts- Shimano always feels crisper down to me. (I have Force/Rival on my CX and Ultegra on my roadie- switching between the two can be confusing).

[GuyContinental]

@vvill 24606 wrote:

Bells are now totally pro!

thank you Peter Sagan

Bummer, they made him take it off before S11 as an “extraneous fitting.” Seems like it would be a good tool for a domestique on a water run to have…

[GuyContinental]

@off2ride 24955 wrote:

I’ve met a few reps from Michelin and Dunlop through the years and they have never said NOT to put tire shine on the side walls. I’m not sure where you get your info from but on that note, I’ve also seen severe dry rotting from tires that never had the conditioner put on it. Car tires are tougher than you think. Bike tires on the other hand are not as tough. That’s why your local LBS uses the mildest cleaner to scrub them clean.

Odds of this are indeed slim given that I prefer bikes to cars, but I (currently) happen to run a tire company.

Guidance from the Tire Industry Association is clear: “Don’t use petroleum- or silicone-based tire shines/cleaners. Most people don’t realize that some of the most popular tire shines and cleaners on the market have a negative effect on the additives that tire manufacturers use in tires to help prevent ozone damage or dry rot.” As a matter of corporate policy we won’t sell or advise customers to use anything but water-based shine (it’s also dangerous for my technicians because it makes the sidewall of the the tire extremely slick). Additionally, the rep that you talked to was ill-informed- use of tire dressing with petroleum distillates will absolutely void many manufacturer warranties (where the damage is related) including Michelin. LINK to Michelin Manual

[GuyContinental]

@ShawnoftheDread 24898 wrote:

I just signed up for Strava after using mapmyride for the past few months. What’s the etiquette on following people, especially those you only know online?

There is a privacy setting for approving followers- unless someone has that on I feel that they are up to being followed. Regardless, it might be a good idea to add the .5 mile zone of privacy around your frequently used addresses.. you are after all declaring to the world when you are predictably out of the house…

[GuyContinental]

@off2ride 24838 wrote:

I was gonna say…the only way to get rid of the reflective strip is to get rid of those tires. Sanding and chemicals is not the way to go since bike tires are not as durable as car tires. They don’t have to be.

FWIW- don’t ever sand or apply chemicals to a car tire either (including any petroleum or silicone-based “tire shine”) Really. Don’t do it.

[Author]

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