Posted By: mperlbergHmm. So I Ragot and I spent a ton of time trying to get a cable through and had no luck whatsoever. We'd get it in the correct hole but it would get stuck.

Went to ride Brooklyn, and the mech slid the cable right through. WTF. It wasn't the same cable we were using, so I'm wondering if that was the difference. I'm tempted to take it out and try again to see, but don't want to pretty my luck so I will be happy to have a cable in there.

Mike

if the cable end was slightly frayed it may have hung up. no chance it was a brake cable was it?

Mike,
SRAM has PDF service manuals. This link should direct you to shifting

http://www.sram.com/service/sram/3,6

I'm faced with paralysis analysis. HELP!!!
Luka is ready for the next size up. My ideas:
Redline MX Mini
Specialized Hotrock 20"
I don't know what after that. Any ideas?

Price isn't that relevant. The Redline weighs about 7 lbs less.
Anyone friends with someone at 9th Street Cycles and can get a discount?

E

another little MTB:

Giant XTC Junior Lite 20: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/cntry-us/giant-xtc-junior-item177858.html

weight might be the most important factor; for a little dude 7 pounds can be a mountain

The big news in my house is that Sarah (daughter age 7) finally got going on two wheels today! Now she wants to do kiddie cross.

Eric, that Redline looks sweet and at 15 lbs is about 15 pounds lighter than the bike she is on now, a 16" with streamers and white tires. I may have hit the "reasonable number of bikes" limit (as if) but I certainly couldn't be looked at askance for suggesting she needs a new steed.

Keep us posted.

Someone needs to tell Edwin to get cracking on a kids line...

"Full Tilt Hokey Pokey"

Yeah. It's a Brew but it , along with all the build parts, were cobbled together from e-bay, so in theory anyway, it was great big ol' bargain.

That Kona MTB is pretty cool. I hadn't seen that before. Ultimately though you're probably right that the Redline makes sense. The only other similar brand I can think of that might be worth checking out for something in that size is Haro.

http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/z-series/z20#

Posted By: WilliamDCanother little MTB:

Giant XTC Junior Lite 20:http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/cntry-us/giant-xtc-junior-item177858.html

XTC Junior, the official cyclocross bike of the Penn State development team.

so gross, jeff . . . so gross

in my Business Ethics class right now, discussing that shit

Does anybody have any experience and or opinions about the Rotor Q-Rings?

I have much experience...been on them for years now. I got one of the first sets...i think the instructions were in Spanish. I find them to be a bit easier on my gimpy knees. I also feel as if hey help me climb a wee bit better. Get some!

cool, thanks!

lol

yacks climbing

tread lightly wee-man...

lolsikenaw!

Nifty bit of kit

http://m.gizmodo.com/5863824/respros-waterproof-backpack-cover-is-an-led-disco

Speaking about lights...


I commute to work on bike and a have a real fear of Soccer-moms squishing me. Mostly because they are arranging their next coffee date on their phone with their equally unproductive friends and are thinking about their next woppa-macha-frappuccino or when they next need to pay their maid for the chores that they can't be bothered to do (BTW I live in upper-middle class white suburbia). Anyway, with several near misses almost getting me splatted I decided that the 5 lights I had for evening cycling were not sufficient. I decided to go nuclear. So, how to do this...I ordered one of these:

http://www.monkeylectric.com/

I strongly, strongly, strongly recommend it. It is massively bright, I am literally a moving light show. It illuminates the road as I cycle over it. Also, it provides incredible visibility from the side and front. You can see the moment when the cars spot you. They instinctively brake. You'll need to ride with one to get what I mean. Basically, all drivers seem to require a double take and they are very confused/courteous and give you loads of time and space. It's like they think about going for that 'space' (I mean the non-existent space between two cars 20 feet apart which you as a cyclist are occupying) but instantly slam on the anchors when they see you coming. I have been riding only for a few weeks with it at night but already it is really noticeable the way people behave around you. Makes me wonder how many people were trying to kill me before!

It cost $65 including shipping. Not even too expensive seeing as a decent simple light will cost 40-60 for what I consider to be much inferior products. Also, they specifically say that it is designed for use in heavy (that's the word they use) rain. This was a nice declaration as it does not look particularly sturdy, but I have had no problems at all.

I have a particular feeling of kinship with all those brave souls who commute by bike and wanted to let you know that I genuinely think this makes the ride safer.

Holy shit! Post a pic of you surrounded by that radioactivity.

Yeah, I commute through manhattan and coming down from 70th at 9pm is pretty horrid on the east side. I used to not want to blind other cyclists with super bright lights, but there's so much ambient, surrounding lighting-noise that I decided to go with the Knog Boomers and they seem pretty effective (and easy to take off so they don't get stolen). I just turn off the headlight over the bridge to not annoy oncoming cyclists. But, I still almost get hit every day. Maybe this is the next step, since it's the holidays you basically look like a rolling xmas tree from planet lite-brite. Much cooler than an orange vest. Maybe I'll get a recumbent flag pole too!

Oh, has anyone used the bar end lights? My mustache handlebars stick out just a little far and I figure it wouldn't hurt. But some of them look kinda cheap.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bar+end+lights&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=18184463828527763810&sa=X&ei=R5XXTsGYDqH50gGI7tn4DQ&ved=0CEsQ8wIwAA

Holy Monkeys

Which graphic did you go for?

j

The version I have has 10 built in graphics or something, you can choose which one you want and which colours it is in (16 luminescent shades to choose from!). It really is quite a good piece of kit. I must admit though, I have never seen the pattern as you can't see it when riding obviously. Apparently other people have and mentioned it though. I think my pattern is a Space Invader at present...

I agree that I don't want to blind other cyclists and drivers but I accept that as long as I am incredibly visible!

I'm not terribly discerning....I just want simple stuff that works. I bought a Sram Red kit when it 1st hit the market. I've never had any real problems. The electronic stuff looks incredible. But...again the red group has shaved another quarter pound off and the der. situation looks much improved...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/sram-red-groupset-2013-details-leaked

i know this is a totally classic chestnut . . . but why would anyone ever need more than 10cogs?!?

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/sites/default/files/stills_events_390_240/startrekkhan390.jpg?1299203508

No more flats! but on the flip side Bridgestone is going to need to expand the color pallet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxIaRw4a7GI

Do I need to worry about riding a carbon frame in the cold in NYC?
J

When it's super cold one's tongue can stick to the top tube of a steel bike. This doesn't happen with carbon frames.

Not sure what happens with Titanium, but I know a man who does .....

anyone have a pic of the redesigned SRAM Red hood shape?

@Jules. I've never had a problem related to cold temps and carbon frame failure. I am quite sure that outside of pouring liquid nitrogen on your top tube, you do not have any reason to be concerned with the cold as it relates to carbon frames.

@Jules - Probably not what you meant - but there is the whole "try not to slip on any ice" and damage your more delicate carbon frame factor (as compared to other materials).

Is Yacks sleeping ? I expected near instant carbon fiber bashing.

here's something I wrote almost two years ago about how I dressed for a 15-degree Fahrenheit ride. Scroll up to find more info.



Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:38:35 -0500
To: kissena@yahoogroups.com
From: mugwump@panix.com
Subject: Re: [kissena] Sunday's Ride
Cc:
Bcc:
X-Attachments:

Kerry,
I have a primer on winter dressing somewhere on the Kissena.info site.

The specifics for yesterday were as follows. wool socks (thin, just like summer socks), Pearl Izumi roubaix-fleece shorts (also have a pair of Kissena fleece shorts), thick Hind long sleeve base layer (feels like a foam sponge on the inside, great for wicking). Then Giordana wind-front bib tights, a Pearl Izumi vest (thin), an Assos Fugujack Jacket, Gore Tex Ski gloves (cheap ones, got them on sale years ago), Capo WindTex booties, a winter headband that covers my ears (hats seem to take up too much helmet space), Rudy Project glasses. I also use a moisturizing cream that has spf15 in it on my face.

I expect that I'll be cold for at least 10 minutes; sometimes it can take over 20. I expect fast downhills to feel as if my face is being sandblasted. I try not to either roll too slowly or totally kill it--unless I'm feeling very cold, then I'll ride hard enough to warm up. Dressing to a level and riding to a level where I'm sweating slightly is the goal. Overheat, and eventually your clothes will soak through.

With a jacket like our Kissena winter jacket, I'd wear one more long sleeve base layer, as the sides and underarms aren't as sealed from the elements (it's a benefit in warmer temperatures; the fugujack can get too hot in the 30s).

I'm not partial to covering my face as the warm air coming out of my mouth and nostrils typically freeze the material covering them. I likewise find two layers of tights makes turning the pedals a bit uncomfortable.

I have in the past used a neck gaiter to further cover my neck.

I have also started using CamelBak's insulated chilljacket waterbottle. The bottle is good not only for the insulation but for the top, which is hard to clog with ice. Turns out Gatorade is not salty enough for yesterday, but in past experiences, I've found PowerBar's Endurance mix to work down to about yesterday's temps.

I dislike using thick socks. For one, they make shoe-wearing uncomfortable. For another, I find they more often than not cause my feet to overheat, and then once the feet overheat, they sweat, which soaks the socks, which, in turn, starts to freeze my feet. Some people put socks on over their shoes and then get a slighlty larger bootie to cover the sock-covered shoe. If you come home from a ride and your socks are cold and wet, your feet might have overheated. I also find neoprene booties overheat my feet--and then when you stop, you get the same chilling; I save the neoprene for rainy rides.

I'm thinking about getting a helmet cover. Something that blocks air from coming in the vents. Back in the day, Giro, when they had many fewer vents in their helmets, made a great cover that had a GoreTex band that covered the vents and did a nice job of adding a little warmth this way. These days, I think only Pearl Izumi and Gore make a helmet cover.

JP