[Phatboing]

@cyclingfool 78160 wrote:

Inspired by a thread here earlier today and other similar ones I’ve seen on other cycling-related internet forums, I thought it would be fun to get a first person POV perspective on what people see from their bikes as they ride. It’s interesting to see what kind of handlebars people use, color of tape or grips, bells and of course all the lighting and GPS/bike computer gadgetry mounted on handlebars. Let us see what you see.

Here’s my view on my old Trek 830 drop bar converted MTB with a few generally superfluous labels added.

How does the eTrex work as a bike computer? I keep waffling between getting an Edge or eTrex (the latter being the cheaper and more attractive option, natch).

[Phatboing]

@dasgeh 78123 wrote:

So join me in insisting that APS integrate transportation education into the curriculum at every grade level. Join me in insisting that ASP recognize that getting around our community safely – by foot, by bike, by transit and by car – is an important life skill. Join me in insisting that APS commit to giving every student the opportunity to learn to ride a bike.

I don’t remember where I read this, but in a reader poll of … something, someone suggested that one part of driver’s ed (and then driver’s tests) should be spending a day as a bike commuter, to hopefully build some sympathy, or at least get an idea of the challenges that cyclists face while mucking about on the roads. I like that idea too.

[Phatboing]

@TwoWheelsDC 78018 wrote:

Oh yeah, there’s a turn lane, but don’t think they put it there for cyclists!

http://goo.gl/maps/CKWia

Oh, green stuff and clear pavement. I’m all choked up right now.

(I’ll be crying about sweating out a small ocean in summer, but still)

[Phatboing]

@eminva 78012 wrote:

They seemed receptive to my suggestion that they start a Friday Coffee Club out that way. They have the advantage of a budget so those cyclists might not have to pay for their own java like rest of us. ELITE!

Liz

Sold!

[Phatboing]

@jabberwocky 77955 wrote:

I’ve never heard the “pulling wheels out of dropouts” thing before. Sounds urban-legendish.

That link sent me into an internet vortex of doom, and after all of that, the big lessons are (a) make sure your QR skewers are not crap, and (b) keep em tight.

Back on topic:
The BB7s on my Troll honk like dying geese when I get them even slightly wet. I can still stop on a dime, but I sound like a clown car while doing so. So one more vote for discs!

Really back on topic:
If you want to build a custom bike, you could start with a Pompetamine, put an IGH, disc brakes, trekking bars (why not), etc.

[Phatboing]

@peterw_diy 77935 wrote:

Re: Straggler: disc brakes tend to pull wheels out of forks & frames. Surly’s frames seem especially vulnerable, with even happy Disc Trucker and Straggler owners reporting wheel slippage if they don’t get the QRs really tight. Oh, yeah, disc brakes also tend to loosen QRs: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/julesandjames/home/disk_and_quick_release/ All Surly’s forks have ends that open the wrong way for disc brakes, and Straggler’s funky rear dropout means when the wheel is in the “vertical” part of the dropout, the skewer seems to have about 2/3 as much frame to hold onto as with a real vertical dropout. Salsa’s frames look much better IMO.

Huh. I have about eleventy thousand questions about this. It may warrant a thread of its own.

[Phatboing]

@Greenbelt 77914 wrote:

According the manufacturer propaganda, I think so, but I haven’t ridden this one.

“Over the barriers, through the mud, to the podium we go. On a Supernova of course. The carbon fiber Team and Elite versions of this perennial CX winner are guaranteed to have you reigning in the wet and muddy stuff. Then there’s our aluminum Nova Pro, Race and Sport, possibly some of the most versatile bikes we’ve ever built. They’re as ready for Monday morning’s asphalt commute as they were at the local gravel race last Saturday. And they’re just as ready to be loaded up with panniers for next month’s adventure tour.”

Even if there aren’t any braze-ons, this exists: http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/luggage-and-bags/bike-bags-and-racks/racks/thule-pack-n-pedal-tour-rack-_-pp_100016

(and is rather nice)

[Phatboing]

@consularrider 77874 wrote:

I’ve been using the Rock N Roll brand (gold on the road bike, blue on the commuters) for a couple years now. Put lots on and wipe off pretty much cleans the chain. I haven’t noticed much difference in performance or wear over using chain cleaner and lube separately.

Ditto.

The only thing that bothers me about Rock N Roll is that it dribbles all over the place when applied in the recommended quantity.

[Phatboing]

@Rando Guy 77839 wrote:

Trying to figure out the trail condition from Shreve Rd into Vienna.

Going west from Falls Church:

The section from the Shreve intersection to Virginia Ln is clear.

The Virginia lane climb has some icy/slushy patches. Not bad, but they surprised me because I was in too high a gear and spun out immediately. You’ll likely be happier just using the road.

From Virginia lane downhill until Gallows is nearly all clear. There are some totally avoidable patches of slush, but they’re in full view of the sun and will hopefully vanish today.

I took Gallows up to Tysons, but looking across from the intersection, it looked like Gallows to Cedar was pretty clear too.

Yay NVRPA and rain and sun!

[Phatboing]

The W&OD is plowed until Shreve, apparently, because I could get on it, and then right after Shreve comes a hundred feet or so of terribleness. Then it’s ok until citizens bridge, after which I got off.

[Phatboing]

@dasgeh 77821 wrote:

I didn’t know where to put this (in my brain or on the forum), so here you go:

http://www.cannondale.com/2012-hooligan-1-20415

I have random binges when I decide that I’m either going to get one of those, or one of these: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/mini-velo

My girlfriend says that watching me covet bikes is a spectator sport.

[Phatboing]

@jrenaut 77613 wrote:

How do you form a church? Can we form one and declare all DC bike infrastructure to be part of the church? Then maybe they’d listen.

I thought we were already congregating in The Church of the Frozen Saddle. No?

[Phatboing]

@Dirt 77558 wrote:

Because it couldn’t climb over the 4′ wall of ice to get onto the W&OD at Gallows Road!!!!

New blog entry to go with that: http://lovemycommute.blogspot.com/2014/02/crosswalks-and-snow-on-w-trail.html

Thanks Arlington for being AWESOME about plowing. Keep it up!!!! Y’all are leading the pack.

Love,

Dirt

How do we get Fairfax county (or the NVRPA?) to plow trails here, too? The NVRPA’s “skiers” argument is a buncha hooey, because if that were the case, the entire W&OD should remain un-plowed, right? Or is Arlington County trampling all over the rights of the XC skiers?

(to be fair, I did see one skier on Thursday morning. First one in four years.)

[Phatboing]

@americancyclo 77581 wrote:

At least you didn’t get hit by the overhanging ice chunk on Gallows!

There was an overhanging chunk?

Gallows is slushy, and there are at least two spots where the snow bank nudges you into traffic. Unsettling, at best.

[Phatboing]

@hozn 77502 wrote:

I was considering upgrading to some larger tires, bit I decided this winter that 32mm studded tires work just fine on the worst that the w&od has to offer in the way of ice ruts. And roll a bit faster on the pavement.

How do they (you?) deal with a mix of snow and ice? That’s the worst that the W&OD has offered me, and my 37mm Nokians have caused me some fishtailing in the snow.

[Author]

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