[JustinW]

What I have heard in discussions is that, for some, it is perceived as being too much trouble. I think it has to do with a fatigue factor – if you are out on a longer ride at a higher speed, you pass a lot of people and the volume of “On your left”s gets numbing, thus they quit doing it.
On the other hand, if trail users remember that they are on multi-use trails, they, too, have some responsibility for being aware of their surroundings including approaching traffic (from the front and the back). Far too many trail users are oblivious of what’s happening behind them, and sometimes a verbal announcement is too late anyway.
A compounding factor – some trail users don’t like verbal announcements. For whatever reason, I’ve been offered middle digits and various curses when announcing a pass. Curious.
I’ll alternate between verbal announcements and bell ringing. The bell works better over longer distances or with larger packs of trail users. Either way it is hardly foolproof – which may be another reason people don’t warn. Sometimes warnings as simply not heeded.

[JustinW]

I commute with my laptop and various other bits (clothes, lunch, etc.) and find no balance issues at all even if just one pannier is used. Low CG plus location close to the centerline must somewhat negate any ill effects, balance-wise.

If I commute on my road bike(sans rack) then a backpack is my only option. Don’t like the heat factor at all, and I am leery of putting the laptop in the backpack due to aeries … Perhaps needless … Over having my center of gravity much higher.

Short answer: try both ways and see what works best for you.

[JustinW]

Doesn’t Papillon Cycles sell used bikes?

Yes, although the inventory fluctuates, so it is best to call and ask what is on hand.

2nd ups for Phoenix Bikes, too.

[JustinW]

Stopped @ the Conte’s pitstop / Ballston – just down the street from work. Lots of bikers there @ 8:30-ish, lots of happy and agreeable staff to distribute goodies to the boys and girls, and even the Chik-Fil-a (?) cow suit dude. Plus coffee and bagels from Java Shack. Jay Fisette was pressing the flesh and aiming for biking cred. Compared to previous years, the range of ages of attendees was notable (makes me not feel *so* old anymore). Great event, and really nice to see even more folks out on bikes than usual. Barvo WABA + BikeArlington!

[JustinW]

Yup, tend to see him (?) most frequently during the AM commute. Trying to decipher his glare – am I friend or foe? So far he has not moved as I go by, so I suspect he’s looking for something else like field mice….

[JustinW]

One thing that helps is the availability of the What’s New button in the upper left. That shows the visitor which threads have new content since the last visit. Tidy!

[JustinW]

Am in the process of looking at used bikes to purchase, and have mixed feelings about going with a triple (increased complexity that may require more frequent adjustments, etc.). Have a triple on my urban assault bike and love it in that context. Just not sure if my eventual road runner will need that gearing flexibility as well….

[JustinW]

@DaveK 1548 wrote:

… what sets bikes apart in this range more than any other factor is the sales, service, and support you get from the local bike shop where you make your purchase. The right shop is more important than which stickers are on the frames (that were likely built in the same factory as each other).

Ok, interesting point. How much badge engineering exists in the bike marketplace? As common on bikes as with cars?

Does anyone know what the “families” (brands made by a common manufacturer) are in the bike world?

[JustinW]

Thanks for the input. I see that pedals and the saddle are places to spend $$. How about the drivetrain? How much does one gain by getting something *above* Sora or Apex, for instance?

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