Gear porn, modded Lake boots, a love/hate relationship

The BOA lacing system replaced. It is simultaneously the best and worst thing about lake winter boots.

Road shifters on a Salsa Fargo?

Going STI shifter, wondering what others think

I've been diligently looking for an alternative to bar end shifters for about two years now and it just so happens I've scored a sweet mismatched set of used Durace / Ultegra STI shifters which should be absolutely perfect for the job. Obviously I'll have to use a cable doubler, but it should be lighter, quicker shifting, no need to take my hands off the bar in singletrack and so many more advantages.

Indeed the only disadvantage I can think of is it will impede bivy roll space a little, but with my bikepacking gear now so well dialed and my frame bags so big (XXL frame) I only ever use a bivy roll in winter.  

Ironically my road bike, a salsa campeon with a compact double has pretty much the exact same setup already! :)

Specifically I was doing a road ride on my Campeon here in Ohio called the CFC (Columbus Fall challenge, 17,000 vertical feet, 200+ miles, 2 days,one of my favorite organized rides) and I needed the extra gear so I put an XT long cage derailleur and a 34-12 on my road bike opposite my compact 50-34 cranks. It worked flawlessly and brilliantly. In fact it worked so brilliantly that I've kept it that way. Indeed I've dialed in the low cogs for road riding cadence and can hang with even the fastest group rides with the local area clubs (avg 21/22+mph). So, I actually know the setup will shift flawlessly. I've already put at least 3k miles on it.

Inversely I have on multiple occasions run rapidfire with ultegra and durace derailleurs with no issues. I should state this is 100% 9-speed. Can't speak for the 10 speed stuff at all.

So... about the only thing I don't know is how well the braking will work with a cable doubler and what cable doublers one might recommend??

Mud? Some people have brought up the mud issue, citing the inability to micro-adjust shifting or turn off the indexing like you can with a bar end shifter. But technically most people run Rapidfire shifters on trips like the great divide which has no friction mode and not even half clicks like the STI triple shifter. I have run rapidfire, STI and bar end shifters for years (albeit STI never off road) and can't think the STI shifting will be anything but a huge plus even in the mud.

Durability? The thought has come to mind that the STI while more protected then the bar end shifters could be susceptible to taking a major hit (i.e. on a tree) and/or be more susceptible to mud/rain/wear long term wear.  I guess only time and experience will tell.

Why not bar end?

Doing technical midwestern singletrack I've come to the conclusion that I hate bar end shifters on my fargo. Love the fargo, love bar end shifters, just not the combination. Indeed on my onroad / backroad Cross Check touring bike bar end shifters are awesome. However the fargo is a singletrack beast capable of even the most technical singletrack and all but downhill, even with drop bars. But my fargo mine as well be singlespeed for the shifting capability of bar end shifters in technical trail riding. One cannot simply remove their hand from the bar in technical riding, reach down and slap the shifter into the exact right gear before returning the hand to the bar. Especially when the left shifter is not indexed. God forbid one should need to shift but left and right shifters at once.

Furthermore with a woodchipper bar with it's flaired drops the bar end shifters are extremely exposed. Indeed on my first major trip with it last year (TransWisconsin) I dropped my fargo on its side and busted the right bar end shifter. When laid on its side or dropped the bike simply does lay/land on the bar end shifter. Even if turning the shifters inward toward the bottom they're still very likely to take a hit if the bike is dropped or falls over. THis is not even to mention the knee issues with bar end shifters and technical singletrack.

So! What do others think? Anyone have any experience?

ultralight cook kit, 2oz stove, 2.3oz pot, .6oz mug/bowl

Touring at 34lbs

Did a quick overnighter (about 140 miles) in about 24 hours this last weekend. For kicks I decided to try getting all my touring gear on my newest toy, my Salsa Campeon.

The trick was doing it with no racks as the Salsa has absolutely no braze-ons.

Not only was it a success but when I threw it on the scale the whole thing came in at about 34lbs.

For a touring bike it's wicked fast and climbs like the devil.

It's a whole new level of freedom.

This could get very addictive.



the ever changing gear list (annotated)

updated post for first Salsa Campeon (ultra-lightweight) overnighter
updated Sunday, 6/21/09

Less stuff, more freedom.

*please note there may be a few missed items or miss-types, the gear list is everchanging.

the bike
Salsa Campeon 62cm (2006/07)
Shimano Ultegra (full groupo, including hubs 2001/2003?)
Velocity deep V front / Mavic Open Pro rear rim
Continental Gatorskin tires 700x25mm
Specialized Ribcages (2)
Ideale saddle (1970s / 80s)
Planet Bike ultra bright LED blinky (2 AAA)


handlebars
wireless computer
Brunton ball compass
south central michigan map (rolled up in plastic map holder)
dry bag (1L Sea-to-Summit for electronics wrapped around stem)
park headband (not enough wicking capability)
bedroll (contents below)


bedroll (handlebar bag)
OR Aurora Bivy
MSR tent footprint
Lafuma 600 45+ synthetic bag
Exped Airmat 7.5
Frog Toggs Dri Ducks rain jacket
two packs ramen noodle
6 aluminum needle stakes
first aid kit
25 ft para cord (around first aid kit)
camp towel
cook kit (more below)


Epic designs stem bag
cell phone
wallet
battery pack for headlamp (4 rechargeable AA)
Browning hat clip light
Bag Balm in tiny tin


Jandd top tube bag
4 spare rechargeable AA (for headlamp)
sunscreen
spare ziplocks (2 for cell phone/wallet)
24oz of denatured alchohol
Topeak Road Morph tire pump
electrolyte / vitamin c water supplement (3-4 packets)
2 spare pens
micro Leatherman + P-38 can opener + keyS
spare tubes (two)
Park multi tool w/ chain tool
Park heavy duty tire lever
generic lightweight tire lever
spare cleat and screws
tiny tube of chain oil
skin so soft (small tube, trying as alt to deet 100)


5L Sea-to-summit dry bag (behind seat)
convertible backpacking pants
smartwool socks
boxer shorts
cotton t-shirt



cook kit
kit bag w/ drawstring
1 quart aluminum pot
1/2 quart aluminum pot
aluminum lid

These contain:
- DIY aluminum windscreen
- citronella / emergency candle
- Trangia alcohol stove
- Sea-to-summit aluminum spoon
- salt
- sugar
- olive oil (small tube)
- waterproof matches
- cheap lighter
- tube Campmor biodegradable camp soap
- instant coffee
- instant grits (2 packs)
- hot pad
- green pad


Wearing

136 lumen / 6 volt / 4AA / River Rock headlamp (on helmet)
Louis Garneu helmet
bike shirt
multi-panel bike shorts
smart wool socks
Lake 165 bike shoes

Review: the Planet Bike SuperFlash

The best kind of review is the one you don't have to give. I 100% agree with the below quoted review. (I even use the exact same technique with a zip tie, but I use a reusable zip tie.) The Planet bike Superflash (Serfas also makes an identical version) is the single most important piece of saftey equipment money can buy for cycling besides a helmet, and it's only $20. The brightness of it's primary LED makes all the difference in the world, the price tag makes it a given. If you commute, this is a must have.

The bottom line is cars will behave differently when you use it.

1) cars will actually slow down

2) cars will actually give you the 3 feet entitled to you by law

I think it's simply because the light is so bright they actualy register you. No more brain dead drivers flying buy at 55+ mph inches away. Or maybe they even think you're a cop or construction workers or something. I don't know what they think, but it works.

Do you have one of these? If not, you need to go straight out and get one - they're about 20-bucks US and are unequaled in the battery operated arena of rear lights. This thing uses a single 1/2 watt LED, backed up with 2 smaller LED's that more than adequately keep you visible to passing cars - not just at night but during daylight hours as well.

Cons to this light? Well, a few times I've had this light fall off my bag, usually with the light arranging itself into its white back, clear red lens, and its 2-AAA batteries rolling around underneath a dumpster or another undesirable location. Fix you say? Simple, take a zip-tie and wrap it around the light such that it grabs onto the back clip - two benefits to this; 1) light doesn't fall apart and 2) light is 'locked' to your bag or quick-attach mount. If you don't use this zip-tie method, people may possibly ridicule you and laugh when you roll by - don't take that chance.

Recharge the batteries when the light fades - this light will continue to function under a reduced battery level but at a much lower light output. Put fresh batteries in this gal and you'll notice the difference immediately.

[...]

My advice - go get at least one of these lights. Even better, put one on your bag and one on your seatpost or seatstay. A few close friends have received this light as a gift from me - I believe it to be the best out there.

One last point. In winter lithium ion batteries last infinitely longer then regular batteries or rechargeables. Rechargeables are particularly suseptible to cold. In the summer any battery will last virtually forever.

Original post: IBIKEMPLS.com, The Planet Bike SuperFlash

The ultimate gear review, Ian Hibell's gear

All I can say is holy crap.

This is an amazing high quality interview with Ian Hibell, famed world bicycle tourist from 1975 as he was headed from Norway to the Cape of Good Hope.

The interviews starts as they ride bicycles around the studio after which they proceed to go through every bit of his gear.

It's just amazing, I simply can't believe how much gear, in particular how much food he carries. Such as a half dozen eggs!? I have no idea how he fits it all in his bags, they must be magical bottomless bags.

Add the fact that everything is simply larger and heavier... pots, stove, sleeping bags. By comparison everything is now much lighter, warmer and more compact, and yet this guy traveled the world with only a couple panniers.

It's also interesting to note that the basic touring bike has not changed all that much since 1975. In fact you could ride his bike down the road today, almost 35 years later, and not many people would even notice the difference.



Via The Epicurean Cyclist

Jeff Oatley's bike for the Iditarod Trail Invitational

Great article on Jeff Oatley's winning gear setup for the 2009 Iditarod Invitational.

From: VeloNews, via epic designs.



Component Highlights:

Frame: Speedway Cycles Fatback
Fork: Speedways Cycles custom steel
Wheels: Remolino 80mm wide rims; Hadley 165mm rear hub, Chris King 100mm front hub
Drivetrain: FSA Carbon Pro Team Issue crankset (22/36/44); Truvativ 100mm ISIS bottom bracket; Shimano E-Type front derailleur, SRAM X0 rear derailleur; SRAM X0 twist shifters; Shimano XTR 11-32 9-speed cassette; Nokon derailleur housing
Brakes: Magura Marta SL
Pedals: Crankbrothers Egg Beater 4Ti
Tires: Surly Endomorph 3.7-inch
Saddle: Sella Italia Flight
Stem: Bontrager 100mm 17-degree rise
Grips: Ergon GC-2
Aerobars: Profile Design Jammer GT

Gear Highlights:

Shoes: Lake MXZ300
Booties: Apocalypse Designs
Headlight: Lupine Wilma
GPS: Garmin eTrex Legend
Seatpack: Epic Designs Super Twinkie
Framebag: Epic Designs
Top tube bag: Epic Designs Gas Tank
Handlebar bags/hand warmers: Dogwood Designs Pogies
Gloves: Pearl Izumi Gavia and RBH Designs Vapor Barrier Mitten

Random bits from the NAHBS

I have LOTS I wanted to post about from the North American Handbuilt Bike Show, so what I'm going to do is post a bunch of random posts focusing on individual builders and products.

First mention goes to, Velo Orange's VO Retro Cage, for most best new old school accessory.



This was not only my favorite, but a favorite of my friends as well. We saw these throughout the show and I personally fell in love with them.

I'm a HUGE sucker for old school designs that still hold their own against the latest materials and designs and this design has been around since the 1940's! It's ability to SECURELY hold a water bottle or even an oversize thermos is obvious. It's lightweight, versatile, flexible and yet durable.

To quote from VO's website.

These cages are based on an old French design from the '40s or early '50. In our estimation they are the best looking bottle cage of all time.

The Retro is a regular one-handed cage; you put in the bottle just like on any other cage; but it holds the bottle very securely due to the spring-like shape. The little tabs allow you to spread the cage for an oversize bottle. You can also squeeze the cage inward for better fit with a metal water bottle.

You may find a better race cage, but $18.50 is a darn good price for the best touring cage ever. :)

This is such a superb design it occurs to me it would work well made out of titanium. Would love to see that. Then again, it is a touring cage and traditionally steel has been the prefered metal for touring.

A word about the company. Velo Orange is definitely on the cutting edge of touring gear employing quite a few innovative production and development practices, hopefully I'll get to blog about the company more but there's so much yet to post.