[Joe Chapline]

@Jsnyd 4404 wrote:

Looks as if there is some sort of shimano sxt parts package on it, but i have trouble finding it online. Do they not make SXT anymore?

It’s STX — you’ll find that online. I don’t know anything about it, but hopefully other forum members can help.

[Joe Chapline]

@Jsnyd 4404 wrote:

Looks as if there is some sort of shimano sxt parts package on it, but i have trouble finding it online. Do they not make SXT anymore?

It’s STX — you’ll find that online. I don’t know anything about it, but hopefully other forum members can help.

[Joe Chapline]

I did my short bike commute to-from the train station today. As usual, no problem going in at 7 am, temperature in the 70’s, not uncomfortable in long-sleeve shirt, slacks, and tie. Coming back at 5, temps in the high 90’s, I made concessions by taking my tie off, unbuttoning my collar button, and rolling up the sleeves of my shirt. It was fine. When I got home, I made a point to sit in the chair with the washable slipcover.

If you commute by bike, you quickly get in shape to do your commute, whatever it is. That’s a great benefit of it. If you commute on a heavy bike in clothes that create plenty of drag, like I do, you get extra fitness for no extra charge.

A bike commute also gets you out often enough to keep you acclimated to heat in the summer and cold in the winter. There aren’t many perfect weather days each year; it would be a shame to be limited to going out only on those few days.

[Joe Chapline]

I did my short bike commute to-from the train station today. As usual, no problem going in at 7 am, temperature in the 70’s, not uncomfortable in long-sleeve shirt, slacks, and tie. Coming back at 5, temps in the high 90’s, I made concessions by taking my tie off, unbuttoning my collar button, and rolling up the sleeves of my shirt. It was fine. When I got home, I made a point to sit in the chair with the washable slipcover.

If you commute by bike, you quickly get in shape to do your commute, whatever it is. That’s a great benefit of it. If you commute on a heavy bike in clothes that create plenty of drag, like I do, you get extra fitness for no extra charge.

A bike commute also gets you out often enough to keep you acclimated to heat in the summer and cold in the winter. There aren’t many perfect weather days each year; it would be a shame to be limited to going out only on those few days.

[Joe Chapline]

@Tim Kelley 4113 wrote:

Depending on the geometry of how you have your bike set up, both me and a female friend of mine have done 80-100 mile rides on this seat with good results. They make it in two different widths to suit various body types.

The link Tim posted is showing as “out-of-stock” on the Specialized site. I think it’s because Specialized has changed the models they offer, and that exact saddle may not be available any more. But if you go through the website menu, or through a Specialized dealer, there are three TriTip Gel models: Comp, Expert, and Team. I’ll probably go for the Comp. (Save $25, dealer says the difference is chro-moly rails instead of titanium.)

[Joe Chapline]

Here’s a thread from last March on this subject.

[Joe Chapline]

@OneEighth 4240 wrote:

On a related note, how many non-registered users visit this forum? I wonder if many of the strings on etiquette, etc., are just a case of preaching to the choir.

Google Analytics says there were 2781 unique visitors to the forum in the last 30 days. There are 539 registered users, many of whom probably have not visited the forum in that time period. So it seems that there are lots of non-members that visit. When I log in, there are always more “guests” than “members” viewing the forum, although members who aren’t logged in will also be counted as guests.

[Joe Chapline]

@GreyBear 4230 wrote:

I think the answer is similar to the answer to the question, why don’t drivers use turn signals? Why wouldn’t you? Once in the 30 some years that I’ve been cycling, I’ve had a runner say F*** you when I said passing on the left. Besides him, I think most people appreciate a warning. A lot of people even thank me for warning them. I use a bell on my commuter bike. It took me a long time to realize that a bell is the best warning device–most people recognize the signal as a bike passing them, I don’t have to announce that I’m female, I don’t have to wear my voice out yelling, and I don’t have to deal with the people who don’t know left from right.
But people just don’t give a warning or they do so when they’re right next to you (OK, I can see you once you’re right there).

I find the bell to be most effective, too. People can hear it from a distance, and usually move over. If I get close enough to shout (I’m not a great shouter), I find that a lot of people turn in my direction when they hear my voice. This is not an excuse for not giving a warning, I’m just saying that pinging the bell from a ways back works best for me, and I think it’s less startling and confusing for the person I’m passing.

[Joe Chapline]

@DaveK 4162 wrote:

Okay, okay. I’m going to hit every bike event this year if it kills me. I’m in. And by June 11th of course I meant June 12th (if a mod would be so kind as to change the title…).

Title has been changed.

[Joe Chapline]

@eminva 4132 wrote:

This whole thread, especially Dirt’s photo, is making me flash back to middle school when my brother had a paper route and I had to do it for him on the weekends when he went off camping. There were racks and panniers on the front and rear. If I remember correctly they were made out of two by fours and canvas. There was also a messenger bag, but not a cushy Chrome bag, but a huge, flimsy muslin affair. I remember one day when the rig was so heavy I could not get it going, so I had to keep coming back to the house for a refill of newspapers.

@Eminva: Thanks, that takes me back to similar experiences on my paper route. We didn’t have Spandex in those days; that must be why the bike wouldn’t move.

[Joe Chapline]

@StopMeansStop 4144 wrote:

So what do yall suggest for carrying groceries? Right now I have an old school rear rack, the kind with the spring loaded flap fornholding books.

I haven’t tried these Novara panniers, but they’re getting good reviews on the REI site. The reviews touch on some of the issues that have been mentioned here.

[Joe Chapline]

@Riley Casey 4155 wrote:

Not sure this really rises to a picture-able offense but I enjoy a bit of low budget bike porn when the opportunity arises. The bungee & the carabiner are just to add some flexibility in load control and to restrain the grocery bag since I long ago broke the snaps that held it closed when not in use. The hooks are visible in the pic but the tension cords at the bottom are not. One nice thing about the whole arrangement with the hooks and carabiner is that when parking in a less than safe area I can, in less than a minute, remove both panniers and carry them over my shoulder in true John Wayne western style like saddle bags.

“Like.” I want a “like” button on this forum, like Facebook.

[Joe Chapline]

@Mark Blacknell 4149 wrote:

I use this. The best part of it is that I can just drop my bags (reusable, plastic, paper – whatever) in without the repacking action that my other panniers require. It’s not perfect, though. I need to source an extension for the strap that keeps it closed/in the upright position so that I can use it as an additional load support when it’s really full/heavy (okay, for when I’m carrying a case of beer and a couple of bottles of wine). And I just *barely* have a foot clearance issue (probably not an issue for most, as my feet are, uh, big.). Even with those issues, this is probably the single most useful utilitarian accessory I’ve ever gotten for my bike. Been using it since 2005, I think.

I have Loan Peak Grocery Panniers, which are kind of similar. They have a long enough strap, but I also have to be careful to avoid kicking them with my heel. I have something I like better, although most people won’t want to do it: I keep a collapsible wire mesh basket on one side all the time. I only use one because I need to keep the other side open for my commuter pannier. Upside: the wire mesh baskets are cheap, they ride higher than the bags, so there’s plenty of clearance, and they completely support any grocery bag from the bottom. With it on the bike all the time, I don’t have to know ahead of time if I’m going to stop to buy something. Downside: the baskets are not very easy to take on and off; they rattle some; and I don’t think anyone would consider them cool.

[Joe Chapline]

I Googled the Chrome Citizen messenger bag that CCrew mentioned, and it DOES look very cool. I found a video about it, and the guy said you can put ice and beer in it, no problem. My interest is piqued. @CCrew: thanks for the details about what makes a good messenger bag. @Dirt: another great post. Now I want a front rack.

[Joe Chapline]

@jrenaut 4104 wrote:

To be fair, for the most part I’m all about the most efficient/convenient method of transportation. Often walking is easiest. Sometimes it’s the bus, occasionally it’s the Metro, regrettably it’s sometimes the car. But the more I bike, the more often it looks like biking is the most efficient/convenient. CaBi was definitely my gateway drug, though. That and having a boss with 10 bikes in his basement who rides one of them to work every day.

I’m with you on that, jrenaut. In the U.S., most adults drive almost everywhere they go, but not because everyone actually loves cars or driving. They drive because they think that’s their best option to get where they need or want to go. In countries with much higher percentages of bike trips, it’s not because everyone loves bikes or cycling. It’s because more people see cycling as the best option for more trips.

[Author]

Replies