[NicDiesel]

@hozn 128235 wrote:

I love not having the FD and love not dropping my chain when riding singletrack.

This. I’m running a triple(!) on my road bike (I’m super fat so hills == pain) but on my fat bike I’m switching it over to a 1×10 just to get away from the chain drop. The biggest issue you might run into is tire rub but I doubt you’re planning to run tires wide enough for that to be an issue.

[NicDiesel]

@Steve O 128135 wrote:

If you’re planning to spend $100/year on one light, then get a dynamo hub and light system that will last 15 years.

Dynamo doesn’t make a hub strong enough for me. Besides, depending on the weather conditions and where I’m going I like being able to take the light off the bike instead of leaving it exposed to the temps and theft.

[NicDiesel]

@ian74 128220 wrote:

I asked him to comp me at least on the labor for the cost of a new wheel and then he got noticeably agitated and said ” No! NO!” I mentioned how it wasn’t like this this morning when I came in, and it happened after you trued it. He (and now a second employee also came over to chime in) tells me, they can’t be held responsible for what happens after you leave the shop, and told me that the rim was probably already cracked at that spot. There was no way to know if that was their fault or not I was pretty pissed, but they were not budging on cutting me any deal and pretty much washed their hands of the issue.

I’m pretty sure that’s the policy of all shops. If you’re happy when you leave that’s the end of the transaction, especially with non-warrantied work. Don’t blame you on skipping Freshbikes, that shop sucks.

[NicDiesel]

@Tim Kelley 128096 wrote:

The batteries in the Urban’s don’t seem to hold up after a couple years of heavy use, but the Taz’s and the Seca are still amazing.

For $100 if it lasts a year it’s money well spent.

[NicDiesel]

@wheels&wings 128093 wrote:

Do people have any techniques so that the aggressive encounters don’t wreck the rest of the ride?

I find asking them about their day at the red light (during warmer weather) to get most of them to drop the aggro. Of course, I now live in the Land of Lutherans where everyone is passive aggressive so it’s pretty rare, but it does happen.

[NicDiesel]

@Tim Kelley 128092 wrote:

I personally have 4 of their lights, and have purchased a couple more for friends and family. I think they make a great product, and if the need ever does arise, their costumer service is top notch.

That’s what I’ve heard, but I was curious how they’ve done over years of use.

[NicDiesel]

So, I replaced my old NiteRider 750 with a Light and Motion Urban 800 and so far so good. Much easier to transport and the lockout is nice. Just curious if anyone else has any experience with Light and Motions.

[NicDiesel]

@SolarBikeCar 127789 wrote:

Should there be width limits is a good topic to discuss. The elf fits one lane of the trail nicely for the section I use but I have learned I need to exercise caution around these activities:

1) Cyclists who pass traffic going in both directions by slicing down the yellow line. When I see cyclists approaching who might be tempted to pass I pull over so that one wheel is on the adjacent unpaved path to provide half of my lane for aggressive passing.
2) Cyclists who bunch up into a group that is two or three across and meandering slowly across both lanes.
3) Pedestrians who walk three abreast with dogs and take up both lanes.
4) Inline skaters who go really fast down the center line.
5) Race walkers who walk down the center of the trail with arms flailing back and forth.
6) Cyclists who draft inches from my rear tire for miles and won’t pass when given the opportunity. Tailgating to reduce wind resistance and then complaining that one can’t see around an ELF is bogus.

So basically anytime you’re on the trail, right?

[NicDiesel]

I ride the Greenway and River Road pretty extensively here and the number of clowns looking to set records on CF with aerobars and bumblebee helmets I’ve encountered over the past two years here I can count on one hand. Even the Wednesday night hot dog guys (paging Dickie) know when and where to push it during the summer months when the Greenway is a touch crowded so this is really a lot of handwringing over nothing. Besides, everyone here that wants to really push it can go to the velodrome in Blaine or out to Minnetonka and really light it up with no fear of running into the warm weather crowds.

The really cool thing about MPLS (I can’t and won’t speak to St. Paul) is that regardless of where you are in the city there are a ton of public parks and miles and miles of protected to semi-protected bike lanes and bike paths to ride on year round. In my neighborhood (down by Lake Nokomis) I can ride a bike blvd down to the Minnehaha Trail and then ride on the relatively empty bike-only lane to Lake Nokomis where, again, there are separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Nothing like the nonsense you encounter on the MVT and, to a lesser extent, the W&OD, which this article all the more comical.

[NicDiesel]

After crashing out due to wind getting under my Chrome bag last week, I broke down and got a Revelate Design Frame Bag. A little pricey but easily one of the best purchases I’ve made in a long time. Here’s my lazy cat trying to get into last night:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7444[/ATTACH]

[NicDiesel]

Went out and did a little riding last night in the fresh snow. if you want a serious workout I highly suggest spending 90 minutes out in -10 degree windchills rolling around on 3.8″ tires in four inches of snow. If the wet snow doesn’t wear you down the 25 mph winds will. Here’s a little video I took last night when the wind gusts were up to 30 mph – wind guts off of Lake Nokomis.

[NicDiesel]

Since you don’t deal with super cold temps there this might be overkill, but I use an Outdoor Research water bottle parka that keeps my water from freezing solid since I’ve actually had that happen on a -10 degree ride before. You can get these on Amazon for like $20 but if you don’t have a “anything” mount it’s tough to fit it on the bike and will have to go in a bag.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7316[/ATTACH]

If you’re a fan of Skratch Labs the Apples and Cinnamon mix is really good hot but also decent cool. I’ve also had success using the Pineapple and Lemon-Lime in warm water without it gumming up, by your mileage may vary. I try to drink at least 1L of water for every half hour I ride but in the winter time here the water fountains are turned off so you have to be judicious with your water intake if you’re not on the Greenway.

Have you considered using a Camelbak under your jersey?

[NicDiesel]

@americancyclo 103143 wrote:

those are as insane as these Dogwood Designs pogies. how warm are they? My Moose Mitts are good for an additional 20 degrees of warmth.

I only wear a liner glove with those and only when it’s below 10 degrees. If it’s above 10 degrees I actually don’t wear gloves with those and usually have at least one of the vents open. The Dogwood pogies are ok but they don’t have vents and, to be honest, are way too warm. The goal is to keep the cold and wind out, not stay warm. My hands sweat like crazy with lobster mitts or any heavy gloves, even those with breathable material, so pogies that aren’t super insulated with vents are perfect.

[NicDiesel]

@Harry Meatmotor 103039 wrote:

That thing is AWESOME!

Thanks. It’s a total blast to ride but it’s also a really serious work out. What I can’t wait for is to put Black Floyds on it (slicks) and use it as my main bike this spring, summer, and fall.

[NicDiesel]

Got a set of the 45NRTH Cobrafist pogies from my boss, which are totally awesome.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7276[/ATTACH]

Now that it’s actually cold here (sub-20 degrees) these are a godsend.

[Author]

Posts