[XxATOLxX]

Just thought I should post some photos of yesterday's ride. I took the Red Rock canyon loop and almost died trying to climb. The headwinds didn't help much either.

 

[Philimon]

That is what sucks about living in the desert - it is too windy too often! I would prefer to ride in the rain, than ride in the wind.

Nice pics by the way XxATOLxX.

 

[iriverdude]

Remove those wheel reflectors, it knocks your wheel balance out!

 

[XxATOLxX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philimon /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is what sucks about living in the desert - it is too windy too often! I would prefer to ride in the rain, than ride in the wind. Nice pics by the way XxATOLxX.

Thanks

Now we have heat and headwinds

Quote:

Remove those wheel reflectors, it knocks your wheel balance out!

Will it make a noticeable difference in the performance? Las Vegas drivers suck and I would like to be as visible as possible.

 

[Old Pa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxATOLxX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Will it make a noticeable difference in the performance? Las Vegas drivers suck and I would like to be as visible as possible.

For visibility, I wear brightly colored clothes and make sure I make eye contact with cage drivers heading my way; otherwise they are untrustable. The main reason I remove wheel and pedal reflectors is because they are cheap tacky eyesore mandated arbitrarily by Big Government's regulatory nazis as having to be on my bike at delivery (and guess who gets to pay for them?).

I do make sure my shoes have reflective panels, as that pedal motion reflectivity is an eyecatcher in headlights at the dusk and dark. And I use a bright blinking tail light at dusk and in the dark because who wants a Detroit suppository.

 

[iriverdude]

XxATOLxX no clipless pedals? They're far more efficient. Good starter are touring SPD's, you can still walk with the shoes, and the pedals are also flat.

Shimano M647 DX pedals - BIKEmagic BM reviews

Buy Wellgo WPD-95B Half/Half Pedals in Canada - 5007-899 - Canoe Shopping

http://www.woollyhatshop.com/varimg.php?id=1505

 

[shigzeo]

i will be switching from shimano pedals that pick up mud like nothing else to CrankBrothers which can be used even in wet, muddy conditions. I have the XT from shimano and they are great on the road and for light cross-country stuff, but for off roads in cyclocross conditions, are the worst.

 

[dgbiker1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i will be switching from shimano pedals that pick up mud like nothing else to CrankBrothers which can be used even in wet, muddy conditions. I have the XT from shimano and they are great on the road and for light cross-country stuff, but for off roads in cyclocross conditions, are the worst.

Good choice. I have the mallets on my Specialized, I love Crank Bros' mechanism.

 

[dgbiker1]

I just (mostly) finished building up my single speed. This thing started life as a Giant Boulder, now the only original Boulder parts are the headset and handlebar (soon to be changed). It needs a seatpost though, the first ride wasn't very comfortable!

Of course, I can't post bike pictures without throwing in my true love, the SX Trail.

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

It needs a seatpost though, the first ride wasn't very comfortable!

Seat posts aren't comfy either

 

[Skorpitarius]

get a carbon fiber seatpost . I did , much less butt-rumble

)

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skorpitarius /img/forum/go_quote.gif get a carbon fiber seatpost . I did , much less butt-rumble )

I guess you've never heard of seatpost splitting in two and resulting razor sharp going where things aren't supposed to go.. you get the point

No problem for roadies but for off roaders seatpost may take some knocks.

 

[singular]

ATOL - what on earth is going on with your bars/stem/barends? I'd be more concerned about that than reflectors or clipless pedals!

 

[iriverdude]

Rotated cow bars to lower ride height? I'd look into a proper road bike with drop bars..

 

[singular]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Rotated cow bars to lower ride height? I'd look into a proper road bike with drop bars..

Probably would just be a lot simpler to just use a stem with a normal amount of rise and a flat bar - plus orientate the bar ends in a more usable direction. Kinda like this...

Wheel reflectors are a good idea, they work very well for cars which may be approaching from the side. As for wheel 'balance', the valve stem and rim join will also impact this, a 5g piece of plastic isn't going to make any difference. If it really bothers you put another one on the opposing side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo i will be switching from shimano pedals that pick up mud like nothing else to CrankBrothers

Crank Brothers' pedals are notorious for premature bearing failure, often resulting in the whole body sliding off the pedal spindle. Yes, they are a nice design and very resistant to clogging with mud, however there are other designs around with similar virtues. Check out Time or the new Look mtb pedals. Having been a Time user for >10 years I've now been using Looks the past few months and am very impressed with them - extremely light, resistant to clogging, good engagement, bearing quality and durability seems fine but we'll find out over the next few months...