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@cvcalhoun 121670 wrote:

In Maryland, e-bikes are treated as bicycles, not “motor vehicles,” and thus are permitted on bike trails. The same is true in Virginia. In DC, however, “motorized bicycles” are prohibited on bike trails, even if in fact being pedaled.

The virginia code just says that e-bikes under 1000 watts are considered bicycles when operated on roads. It doesn’t say anything about paths, most of which are not roads in the traditional sense (the W&OD is a park, for example). Most of the paths around here have clearly posted “no motorized vehicles” signs.

EDIT: See: https://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/NVRPARegulations.pdf Notably section §1.14 section B, subsection (3): “Motor-assisted bicycles (commonly referred to as “mopeds”) are permitted only in areas where motor vehicles are permitted”. No motor vehicles on the W&OD, no motor assist bicycles.

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@mstone 121660 wrote:

When did 66 become gravel?

Someone mistakenly put that on there, obviously. Note this isn’t DKegs site, he just added his Loudoun database stuff to it since the old google database was dead.

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Its been discussed several times here, and we do have some forum regulars who commute (at least part time) on e-bikes. Its technically not allowed (the rules are “no motorized vehicles”) but its one of those things that I tend to ignore as long as the rider isn’t being a dick. I have an e-board (a sector 9 longboard with two 2 watt motors on it) that I sometimes ride around reston, including on the WOD.

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Just to update, DKeg got tired of futzing with google maps and moved things over to gravelmap.com:
http://gravelmap.com/#@39.08262504456289,-77.63853316116331,11,roadmap

Associated blog post:
http://grindinggravel.blogspot.com/2015/08/new-loudoun-gravel-road-database-plus.html

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@creadinger 121511 wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys.

It’s a Thomson, which was a free replacement after the last one cracked in December. I’m open to suggestions for a new stem. Do you guys like Thomson as a brand or is there something else you like in similar or lower price range? Keeping in mind, my primary PRO for the stem is durability and strength over low-weight, etc…

The stem I had that slipped like a mofo was a Thomson X2. IMO while Thomson usually makes great stuff, their X2 stem doesn’t work that well because of the 2 bolt clamp. If you want to stick with Thomson just get the X4 (their mountainbike version, which has 4 bolts and is ~20 grams heavier).

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For me, I find knee soreness is mostly a flexibility issue. It pops up more when I run, but sometimes is an issue riding as well. For me, 5 minutes of stretching a few times a day helps a lot. My main issue is tightness in my hips that cause me to run or pedal slightly weird.

I’ll add the caveat that my body is used and abused. I work around a lot of old injuries. Your body is different, so getting a professional opinion might be a good idea.

Obviously this assumes you’ve covered the main stuff like bike fit and nothing is injured and all that.

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2 bolt stems suck. I had one on my old commuting bike and could never get the bars to stop slipping. Carbon paste helps (it increases friction) but the problem never went away. I learned my lesson from that bike: 4 bolt stems only.

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SRAM has had the HammerSchmidt around for a while now. https://www.sram.com/truvativ/family/hammerschmidt

It achieved some success in the DH/FR world. Never seen one on a trail bike. With the advent of wide range 1×10 and 1×11 systems it doesn’t seem as useful anymore. I agree with what others are saying. If you want wider range than get a wider range IGH. If you just want to shift your range up or down change the chainring.

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I’ve owned a few sets of fancy lights over the years, but eventually the batteries or lights died. These days I just get whatever cheap chinese LED is available on Amazon. Typically systems are ~30 bucks, work fine and last a few years before the battery goes.

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Those fancy VO pedals are very similar to several of the pedals I’ve run on DH bikes over the years. You really don’t need to go fancy for flats, BMX pedals are usually available in standard threadings that fit normal bikes and they are cheap and bombproof. Wellgo MG-1s are popular and can be had for like 35 bucks.

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@dplasters 120680 wrote:

There is no answer to the question. Both are great ways to enjoy a bicycle. But whenever I get to try and convince a clipless person to try platforms I’m all in.

Having done both, I’d certainly have a difficult time going back to flats on anything but very short distance utility riding. Even on the DH bike I start missing clips on more pedally trails like Bryce. Run what ya like, but I think that unless you really want the convenience of using normal shoes, there is very little reason to run flats on any bike ridden more than a mile or two.

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@dplasters 120672 wrote:

I’m not sure I entirely get the whole clippless pedal thing as a commuter. Even as a commuter who rides for a workout and rides fast I don’t get them. I have 15 stop lights and 6 stop signs in my six mile ride. You can go plenty fast (Just #3 in avg speed on the BAFS 2015 board is all. Of course it means nothing, but let me hold onto my glory.) and know that you can comfortably and easily stop whenever the laws, regulations and safety dictate. And don’t tell me that people don’t use being clipped in as a reason to not stop because there was a topic on this forum about it recently.

I think it depends on what sort of commuting you do, and what you use your bike for. Flats have advantages when it comes to convenience (wear whatever shoes you want, don’t worry about walking around in cycling shoes at your destination). Clipless pedals/shoes are vastly superior on the bike though, and I say that as someone who has done a fair amount of riding on flats (my DJ/urban bike and DH still have flat pedals). I commute out in suburbia and wouldn’t even consider flats, even though my commute is short (5 miles), because I’m used to the pedaling efficiency. I do run MTB pedals/shoes though, which are a bit more pleasant off the bike.

If I lived in a more urban area with more short distance utility riding I might do flats purely for convenience sake.

Its not like its an expensive swap, especially if you just grab a cheap pair of BMX-style cage pedals. If you’re wondering if it would work better, grab a pair and swap them and see what you think. I keep a few pairs of flats on hand because I loan my bikes to new riders sometimes.

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@KelOnWheels 120423 wrote:

It comes in PINTS… err… PINK!

Do they even let Portland hipsters like yourself buy geared bikes?

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@KWL 120330 wrote:

I love how Pastis tweeks Jef Mallett every once in a while.

Yeah, my understanding is the “jeff the cyclist” character is based on Jef (an avid cyclist), and they have a friendly rivalry (Jefs comic “Frazz” has made fun of Pastis on a few occasions).

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@Steve O 120134 wrote:

You can actually cut off Wiehle even earlier, at Chestnut Grove condos, and take the trails up to Ring Road. I did this in reverse last fall after watching the cyclocross races, and the trails were fine, although “topographical” in nature.

Oh yeah, there is a path there. I’ve never ridden it. I just cut over from tall oaks. Wiehle isn’t as bad as it would seem, especially as you approach the toll road, since traffic is usually heavy enough that people don’t try to drive very fast. I’ve only ridden the path when I’m riding with people who are completely unused to riding in traffic.

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