[Rod Smith]

Thanks, but I’m not in his league. I can carry bigger stuff than he can, but only because he doesn’t have a huge trailer.

[Rod Smith]

A better picture of mine. :p

[Rod Smith]

I would advise against setting cleat angle to accommodate the bike’s design rather than to accommodate the rider’s anatomy. Forcing the foot into an unnatural position can lead to knee problems.

Pete, I assume your feet are big. Do you ride with heels out? If so, is this your feets natural position? For instance, if you sat on a table with your feet hanging free, do your toes point in a little bit?

Is there any reason to run the brake line along the chainstay/downtube other than aesthetics?

[Rod Smith]

For the cyclist on a budget, a nylon windbreaker and a pair of nylon wind pants provide a lot of bang for the buck. Less windproof but more breathable than Goretex Windstopper. With sufficient insulation underneath, it will get you through cold dry conditions. Cold and wet is another story. I save my good stuff for harsh weather. It lasts longer that way.

[Rod Smith]

If knocking on someone’s window means I’ve been in a hit and run collision, fine me, put me in jail and make me pay for the damages. Fair enough.

A lot of people are talking about slapping cars which could be construed as an act of violence. Mine is usually more of a polite knocking with knuckles. Knocking on windows is probably better than painted surfaces as far as perceived ‘damage’ and to make a noise that’s easier to hear inside.

Fist slammed hard on the car roof directly above the driver’s head is sometimes necessary in extreme cases of negligent or aggressive driving. That gets their attention! Love to see them jump. “Oh did I scare you? OK, we’re even. Now how about safe driving? Would you like to try some of that for a change? I hear it’s quite relaxing.”

Oops, sorry for the rant.

[Rod Smith]

“Do not touch my private property!” Overreact much? I do that regularly. Knocking on the side of a car is akin to knocking on the front door of a house and it’s done for the same reason, to let people inside know I’m there. If you’re cutting me off, I assume you didn’t see me. Generally the knock is appreciated. Drivers who get irate over a knock on the door or rear side panel are kooks looking for an excuse to get angry.

[Rod Smith]

My other work bike

Weekend ride

[Rod Smith]

@Tim Kelley 35203 wrote:

Tell us more about your flatbed trailer…

Bikes@Work 64A

[Rod Smith]

Five broken spokes!? Felt a little wobbly, eh? At least the brake wasn’t rubbing! The stock rear wheel on my disc brake bike was sort of defective. I broke about six spokes, but I never rode with more than three broken at the same time. I should have tried to warranty that wheel. A good reason to buy from a shop that cares about it’s customers.

It’s much more common to break drive side spokes on rear wheels (vs. non-drive side) and they are usually harder to replace. Disc brakes complicate changing non-drive side spokes and perhaps because of that, most of the broken spokes on this wheel were non-drive side. In fact I did not have a Torx wrench that provided sufficient leverage to break the rotor bolts free (brake rotor bolts are installed with Loctite). I recommend the Park Tool T-handle Torx wrench.

[Rod Smith]

A single speed is better than none at all!

[Rod Smith]

Current work horse.
[URL=”[IMG]http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/trailer/DSC03031.jpg[/IMG]”][/URL]

[Rod Smith]

I like it. Sure beats riding in the door zone on the right side as most bicyclists still seem to prefer. I do change lanes when there’s someone parked in the bike lane. It would be easier to change lanes without those flexy bollards, but that would also make it more easier for motorists to get into my lane so advantage bike! I got a PR on the L Street Strava section today without running lights or splitting lanes. Express lane! I like it!

[Rod Smith]

@Greenbelt 34606 wrote:

I’d be scared to weigh my commuter bike fully loaded — I’d bet it’s heavier than Certifried’s with my super heavy new tires! Fortunately, my route is mostly flat.

You replaced the Marathons with something heavier!? When I read Cert’s post, I thought disc brakes, Schwalbe Marathon tires. I’ve read that disc brakes require beefed up (heavier) frame/fork to resist the braking forces. I’m running Marathons on my disc brake equipped bike and it’s not light! I guess the Mararthon Plus is even heavier… While the Plus is more flat resistant, the regular Marathon is pretty robust. I’ve only flatted twice and one of those was the result of a UPS truck running into my bike in a loading dock.

[Rod Smith]

Toe-in will usually stop rim brakes from squealing. If you adjust the alignment and distance of pads to rims as they wear, you shouldn’t see significant loss of performance.

[Rod Smith]

Sounds like fun. Personally, I have no problem with a top gear that will go 14mph. Just curious why the decision was to take Metro rather than drive?

[Author]

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