[jwfisher3]

Like Bilsko, I use one of three locks –
– A Kryptonite NY Faghedabboudit U-Lock – super-solid, very heavy. Don’t usually want it in my panniers, messenger bag, etc. High threat environs lockup only
– A Kryptonite Evolution Mini U-Lock 0 – favorite of bike messengers everywhere. My go-to lock to carry in my back pocket or bags. Mini means less vulnerability
to leverage attacks. Used in conjunction with an OnGuard Cable for the front wheel and bike seat.
– An (older) OnGuard Bulldog Mini U-Lock – I work at a very secure location, so while I think this is the weakest of the three (though still a very good lock) I can
carry this (the lightest of the three) if I know I’m only going to/from work and home.

Where to buy? I bought the NY lock in, yup, NY (Brooklyn, actually, at R&A Cycles, and didn’t even get any attitude to go with it.) Bought the other two locally, one at REI, and one at an LBS. And I feel for poor KelOnWheels, my complaint with the OnGuard is that it can be a #U&()$ to get the key to work the lock when it’s cold, and sounds like OnGuard sure didn’t improve things with the new aesthetics.

[jwfisher3]

I had a NuVinci n360 on a Breezer Uptown Infinity. Wow – was that hub ever heavy, even for an IGH. My bike (with empty panniers) weighed 49 lbs, and this was keenly felt whenever the terrain went towards the sky, however slightly, and severely taxed my mediocre fitness. On the positive side, the gearing range was decent (though not as wide as an Alfine 11 or a Rohloff) and I didn’t have any trouble with the maintenance on my NuvVinci (full disclosure – only about 200 miles total before I sold it.) The Novara Gotham is also a very heavy bike, and is fine for leisurely level ground riding, but does have the Gates belt drive, which is a plus. Breezer has now introduced the Beltway, which is available with Alfine 11 or NuVinci hubs, along with a Gates belt drive. I found the chaincase on the Uptown Infinity was a problematic maintenance issue – difficult even for the bike shop to remove, and prone to going out of alignment and rubbing. The idea of a commuter with dynamo hub and IGH is a fine one, it’s just better for short, level commutes and urban cycling IMHO.

[jwfisher3]

@eminva 45401 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2481[/ATTACH]

About an hour ago on the W&OD at Vienna Community Center

Liz – do you have studded tires on that bike? If so, which ones?

[jwfisher3]

@mstone 45287 wrote:

I’m an idiot–the choice is obvious: find a deal on a cannondale bad boy!

I have a Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra (with the Headshok suspension fork) – it’s a great bike – fast, adaptable to road or mountain disc wheels. I’ve logged a few thousand miles commuting on it. But – it can’t take fenders, at least not on the front suspension version (the air valve prevents it) and the CL market has them going at an inflated price point – the blacked out urban bike hipster factor is still operative, apparently. I’d go with a CX bike, and I’d bet Proteus has some sweet ones, if the CL search doesn’t work out. Good hunting!

[jwfisher3]

@KelOnWheels 42836 wrote:

Whoa! I just discovered that Twin Six jerseys have secret messages in the pockets!

[ATTACH]2376[/ATTACH]

And from one of my favorite movies “Breaking Away”

[jwfisher3]

Here’s something I discovered (maybe on Belgium Knee Warmers? Or a CX race?) is a simple, elegant way to wash the salt and other crud off your bike – get a pump garden sprayer from your favorite purveyor of gardening gear, and fill it with a warm water/soap solution – spray, scrub and rinse. This solves the do I use my bathroom shower (bad for household comity) or do I turn an outside spigot back on (unless you are my neighbor, who actually piped one of the spigots with cold/hot, the better to wash the dog in winter.)

[jwfisher3]

@acc 40602 wrote:

PPS: Rice cakes were abused. But not as much as McCoffee. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2284[/ATTACH]

Next time the two of you decide to do another epic ride, give us a head up, and we’ll keep you fueled with some decent cappuccinos

[jwfisher3]

@eminva 40571 wrote:

Pete, do I remember correctly, or did you once extol the virtues of the Rapha rain jacket? I guess it is a little more expensive than the ones you mention above (though less expensive than the Assos, possibly). If so, did you change your mind?

Without researching any of the models mentioned in this or the similar thread, one of my pet peeves is that oftentimes the selection is much more limited for women, and certain models just aren’t available for women.
.

Liz

Liz – I have several rain jackets, and a Rapha rain jacket is one of them, though it is not the City Rain Jacket (which is supposedly crafted more for urban riding, vice road cycling) – the Rapha is typically well constructed, and quite waterproof, very form fitting, and expensive. I think the women’s model is quite similar, and agree with you that gear crafted for females is generally lacklustre, Rapha is a conscientious exception. I don’t think the Rapha lends itself well to layering, and I’d say the same about my Rapha softshell jacket, which is very water resistant, so I carry/wear these only on “roadie” rides, not commutes. When I commute, I use either a Showers Pass Transit jacket (lots of room, great for layering, tough, and easy to ventilate – construction is just a bit sketchy) or my Endura Flyte, which is sort of close fitting without leaving me no room to layer for fall/winter. I only bemoan its lack of ways to vent (pitzips, etc.)

[jwfisher3]

Liz – I’m sure that commuters more articulate than me (e.g. eminva, Greenbelt, Dirt, MG, to name a few) will have lots to share with you, but here’s a few thoughts – you’ve arranged to get fenders, and these will keep you remarkably drier than going without, and will be the best investment in all-weather cycling you could imagine. For gear – the important thing to keep in mind is the worst thing is to be cold AND wet simultaneously, that will lead to problems. Your usual gear to keep warm are the layers underneath some sort of water-resistant or water proof shell. You’ll be surprised how often you can get by with just a water resistant/repellent shell over your warm layers, esp. if you have fenders, even with commutes of an hour or so. If it’s really raining, then a waterproof shell is called for, and the main issue there is breathability. The cheaper the waterproof shell, the less it breathes, and you’ll get surprisingly warm (read clammy) even in temps below 40. Look at shells with vents, pitzips,etc, I’d suggest shopping sales. Many commuters don’t pay as much attention to shorts/tights/pants being weather proof, but there are lots of options there, too. Lastly, your hands and feet must stay as dry as you can make them in this “winter” weather, here GoreTex, WxB Barrier, etc. are necessary, but the good news is booties and weatherproof gloves are affordable, esp. if you have some from skiiing or some other winter sport that wants waterproofing. Be mindful that you’ll see lots better in the rain than will anyone driving behind the windshield of a car. Be highly visible – reflective, screaming yellow, well lighted, etc. The bike maintenance issue is – make sure your bike gets a going over when you get home to clean off the grit, etc. (once again, fenders are a big help) and your chain will need wiping clean/lube. Lubes that stand up to wet weather also tend to attract dirt/grit – your bike shop is a great source of advice on lubes. You riding on in the face of wet winter weather is a demarcation that you’re hard core. Congratulations!

[jwfisher3]

@eminva 30182 wrote:

I am also interested, and have a broader question. My old bike had pedals that were SPD on one side and flat on the other. In the winter, I just wore regular winter boots which were compatible with the flat side of the pedal. When I got my new bike, I switched to Look Keo pedals. These pedals are not compatible with street shoes. So I assume my options are:

1. Shoe covers (probably not a great option for my sensitive feet).
2. Switch the pedals so I can wear my own winter boots.
3. Lake boots (am I right that this would also involve a pedal switch because they would only be compatible with SPD?)

Am I missing anything?

Liz

Liz – I run Shimano SPD/flat combo pedals on my commuter, and the only solution I landed on as a possibility if I wanted to stay away from shoe covers, was to go with winter shoes, something like the Sidi Diablo GTX (mountain) or its equivalent, the Hydro (3-bolt) – the only problem is that they are expensive and hard to find. Colorado Cyclist used to sell them, but now carries Northwave, which have a nice price point (<$200) but are only available in "mens" sizes (does that matter?) I've punted, and stayed with my Sidi Dominators, until it gets too cold, and then I go over to my Merrell Goretex running shoes, which are very warm.

[jwfisher3]

@brownnugen 38442 wrote:

Some of the advice from other (non biking) forums are strongly urging me to not attempt to bike in Anacostia because it is just not safe. Does anyone here have any experience biking around Anacostia?

Thanks,
-Nick

Nick – I’ve been working in SE DC (JBAB) probably before you were out of short pants (yeah, I’m that old) and been bike commuting on an irregular basis for years and years. Biking through SE is fine. NO PROBLEMS. I’ve had worse experiences with pedestrians and neighborhood denizens in Georgetown, Somerset, Kenwood, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase (where I start my commute) than I do coming in along the SW waterfront, down P street (and past Buzzards Point.) REALLY. Yup, every once in a great while, I’ll hear something from somebody out early who’s been hitting the Mad Dog Twenty-Twenty too hard, but I wave as I ride by, and it’s FINE. A couple of dynamics are operative – you are moving, moving, moving, and are past most people before they even realize you’re there. You’re also (pretty obviously) a military-government type clad in screaming yellow clothing and other technical gear, so it’s known if you’re hassled, the MPD is going to make everyone’s life uncomfortable. I agree, too, with the forum members who point out that crossing in to SE DC from DC rather than Virginia is easier. Coming over the Wilson Bridge and proceeding up to JBAB takes you through some residential areas that aren’t used to seeing people on bikes – it’s a car safety issue more than a crime issue. The only hassle you encounter coming over the South Capitol Street (aka Frederick Douglass) bridge is lots of glass from the foot traffic (see MD 20-20 or Heineken from the Nationals Ballpark?) Those of us who ride the Bridge sweep it periodically, but be sure to get flat-resistant tires (not a bad idea anyway). Good luck with your search, and welcome to MDW.

[jwfisher3]

I rode the Raleigh Furley a couple of days ago, and noted that while it is configured as a SSCX, with an eccentric bottom bracket, it also comes with a derailleur hanger, and vertical dropouts. To convert to gears, I’d guess you’d just change out the BB, hang a derailleur, etc. and go. The gearing on the bike as sold is pretty easy – it’s a 39×17, you could pull a trailer (on the flats) if you’re strong. I’ll admit you can spin out going downhill, but it’s a pretty nice steel ride, and comes with decent parts. The 2013 model still has Tektro (yuk) disc brakes, but a much improved caliper over the 2012 junk. Good luck on your search. Maybe just go with a Bianchi or Jamis CX bike with gears – those are pretty sweet.

[jwfisher3]

@dcv 37361 wrote:

55cm Bianchi San Jose, I don’t know what it costs new…
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/3432308620.html

I saw this one, and even emailed the CL seller, asking whether he’d changed out the OEM chainring, since the one on the bike looked more like 47, and heard nothing.

I also winced when I saw the word “beater,” and thought that anyone who rides on worn out canti pads has a quest for danger that exceeds mine.

[jwfisher3]

@dcv 37341 wrote:

Yes, it has fender mounts and rack eyelets. It’s sold by BikesDirect, and on-line dealer:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

Hmph – well it’s sold out in my size/color (black 58cm) so no impulsive decisions today. I worry, though, about the really short chainstays. My San Jose had 425mm stays, and this bike is 405mm. Too twitchy, I’d suspect. I like relaxed geometry, and the attendant handling – I’m no bike messenger

[jwfisher3]

@dcv 37331 wrote:

Thanks, I should have pointed that out. I got too excited trying to lure others to the dark side.

I was seduced by a Bianchi San Jose, but it’s gone. Does the Motobecane have fender and rack mount eyelets? Who’s a local dealer?

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