[kingman762]

Based on the research I did when the Alfine Di2 was annonced I don’t think you can run Di2 with a belt drive. At least without a specially machined carbon drive cog.

This conversation rreminded me of the coolest aline/best bike I’ve seen. This guys works inmy building, its a really great looking ride: http://www.englishcycles.com/custombikes/julians-winter-bike/

[kingman762]

@cyclingfool 99416 wrote:

Speaking of REI, they just sent out their pre-holiday sales brochure doohickey* today. I leafed through the virtual version, and there are some decent markdowns on some cycling items, including 25% off Ortlieb panniers, fenders, and some other things I’m blanking on already. Sadly, REI doesn’t seem to offer the Ortliebs in orange (not that they’re a high priority at the moment). Anyway, FYI, tout le monde.

*That’s a technical term.

REI also has the excalent Gore Bikewear Phantom on sale. Its windstopper and is the only cool/cold weather jacket I need. It covers allmy requirments through the winter (with an added layer or two). Also REI is clearancing some of their other Gore Bikewear items http://www.rei.com/search?query=gore+bikewear.

[kingman762]

Windstopper. This is the anwser, in my view, to all cold weather questions. I use Gore Bikewear Alp-X windstopper gloves down to about 20 degrees. Below that I put on a pair of old Pearl Izumi insulated gloves (which I don’t like veyr much but still work). the gore bikewear gloves are great.

Also, REI seems to have a number of gore bikewear items on clearance http://www.rei.com/search?query=gore+bikewear.

Just buy something with windstopper. Your hands will thank you.

[kingman762]

So, as an actual Bryant owner, I guess I’ll add my voice to the discussion…

First, on the Versa Brifters.. you can’t use standard brifters because the cable pull is different. You’d need to use the Versa Brifters (which are ok… but not great) or the JTek bar end shifter (which I have not tried).

Second, there have been a couple comments on the carbon drive, questioning its utility. Personally, I no longer use the carbon drive on mine for a couple reasons. Primarily it was a pain to get properly tensioned and was often very creaky. Also, I think a lot of the bryants may have an older version of the carbon drive with weaker cogs. I spun two cogs with that system before I gave up on the carbon drive. Both broke at 1,000 miles, the little nubs that hold the cog in place wore off and they spun. Gates was good enough to send me replacements both times (progressivly newer versions) but I gave up in the end.

Third, the alifine was also good, but not great. I found it that it felt very inefficient (whether it was as inefficient as it felt I don’t know). It was low maintinance, but not maintinance free there was still cable strech that had to be dealt with.

Lastly, the civia crankset broke last week. Catostropic crankset failure (though I don’t hold that against the bike).

So at this point I’m riding a Bryant that’s set up as a chain driven singlespeed. I personnally like it better that way. It’s a good bike and comfortable but not amazing. But perhaps I’ve had a run of bad luck with the drive train on mine.

[kingman762]

@mstone 98909 wrote:

Almost certainly at least one has been broken for a while leading to progressive failure. It’s hard to tell from the picture but it looks like the lower left fracture is partially shiny and partially corroded, as it would for an old developing crack.

I think this is right. The last couple of days I’ve been hearing some light creaking and it was much louder last night on the way home. I had assumed my BB was creaking and was going to look at it over the weekend. I guess it wasn’t the BB.

[kingman762]

@jrenaut 98894 wrote:

Hope there was no injury involved.

Thankfully no, no crash, no injury, just a broken crank.

[kingman762]

Three blocks from my office, after a very nice ride in, catostropic crank failure!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6970[/ATTACH]

[kingman762]

@dkel 98742 wrote:

Seriously, though, I’ve been thinking of the possibilities that would come with even a small trailer. Phatboing has told of his mighty deeds with one…I think you could put a full-size cooler in one and pack all your groceries in.

Two words, Burley Travoy. If I could fully justify it, I would buy one.

[kingman762]

@Ben 98727 wrote:

Does anyone have a recommendation on the garment bags that attach to racks? I’m planning to become a daily bike commuter, and I’m trying to decide between buying a suit bag or buying regular bags, so any advice or specific bags that you use would be helpful!

I’d reccomend buying a real set of (Ortlieb) panniers and an Eagle Creek Pack-It folder. I’ve been using one of these for years and they work great for eliminating (or at least very much limiting) wrinkles. I generally keep my shoes in my locker and suit jackets in my office to cut down on the bulk. I’ve also used these on work trips to keep a suit nicely folded. The folders work really well. If you are unsure, buy one from REI, try it for a month, and return it if you don’t like it.

[kingman762]

I’ll throw my vote to the Ortliebs waterproofness. I use a pair of Ortleib Frontrollers (on my rear rack). If you need a lot of space you could get the backrollers, but they were too big for my needs.

I would add that, in my opinon, rolltop bags made from a waterproof (drybag like) material are superior to any style of pannier that requires a rain cover for waterproofing. I had a pair of panniers of that style fail on me after one year, while my Ortleibs are going strong after 3 years now. They don’t have pockets… but personnaly I have not felt the need for external pockets. If that is important to you Ortlieb does sell a line of addons, that inlcude a seperate mesh pocket and accessory pouch.

[kingman762]

While the Pike is not ideal, I presonnaly don’t think it’s that problematic. It’s not great but if the option is not riding or taking Columbia Pike, I’d ride the Pike.

If you are coming from the pentagon your best bet is to go up southgate rd (between what used to be the navy annex and ANC) up to Ft. Myer and then taking the left on Orm to go to the Pike. Take the Pike up to Courthouse and then get on the 8/9th streek bike blvd. Or go through Ft. Myer. I wouldn’t let the Pike’s traffic stop you from riding. Particualry as you only need to be in it for a short time.

[kingman762]

@dasgeh 98103 wrote:

South Arlington tends to be cheaper than North. I think Penrose is undervalued — especially if you bike, as you can bike through Fort Myer/ANC, which forum regulars know is the best commute in the area

Agreed. I live in Penrose and ride in daily, most of the time through Fort Myer and the Cemetary. It’s a good commute, ~25 minutes to Federal Triangle, going to union station would make it 30 minutes or so I think. Freinds of mine whoes kids are in Patrick Henry like it, but I can’t personnaly opine so take hearsay for what it’s worth. Penrose also has the advantage of having a lot of walkable amenaties and rents are generally lower than in N. Arlington.

[kingman762]

@rcannon100 96800 wrote:

Except he has a JD :p

Perhaps he should change it to ConsularCounselor.

[kingman762]

@cyclingfool 96771 wrote:

Except in this case, it is: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/member.php?64-consularrider

Fair enough!

[kingman762]

@cyclingfool 96740 wrote:

Foreign Service Officers and spelling nerds scream in unison, “It’s Consular!”

Unless the rider in question is a lawyer, in which case its not.

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