July 2014

Bike Racks…

Bike Racks

I drive a Suburban.  I drove a Jeep Cherokee when I bought my bike and then bought a Suburban (not this one).  Getting a bike in the back of the Cherokee was a struggle – it fit, but created luggage challenges. Thus, I bought a bike rack.  I have a four bike, hitch receiver bike rack.  It is ugly, well worn, but has been on my RV and vehicles.  It works great.  It weighs a ton though and is not sexy.

My first bike rack was an old-school 1980s version on the back of my Volkswagen Bug.  That rack taught me an important lesson – make sure there is plenty of wheel clearance.  With my Schwinn on the back of the VW at my parents’ house in Minnesota in August 1985 I backed out of their driveway to head to college. This was the maiden journey of the bike rack and sure enough when my car came out of the driveway into the street gutter the bike extended far enough, the wheels were low enough, and the contact made bent my rims.  Always, make sure there is plenty of clearance between wheels and road!

I recently purchased a new rack system.  I have a 1992 Corvette and wanted to take it to my cabin in Georgia.  However, I always wanted to take my bike so I do not lose a week of training.  I started searching the web for Corvette bike racks and could not find a strong recommendation of any kind.  Along the way I came across the Saris Bones rack.  However, I had two concerns: (1) scratching my paint as the car is black, and (2) my wheels bottoming out as learned from prior experience.

In a car forum somewhere on the web someone made a reference to a product called “Seasucker.”  Curious, I checked it out.  I found this was a marine oriented product that had adapted to new markets for kayaks, boards, skis, and bikes.  There is not a huge amount on the web, but everything I found was favorable regarding performance.  A lot of older postings talked about product failures but these were based on speculation, not use.  At $270 though the pricing seemed high to me, but yet the product was perfect. I managed to search eBay and Craigslist and found a “Talon” in need of one new pump and I found a mini bomber that was nearly new.  I gambled and went the Talon route.

So far the rack looks perfect and should perform.  Yesterday I ordered the replacement pump and will take the maiden journey, a short trip locally before making an eight hour trek to North Georgia.  I will report back on how it does.  My worst fear is my bike blowing off the roof at 80 mph on I-75.

C4 Corvette with Bike Rack

C4 Corvette with Bike Rack

July 29, 2014 by Uncategorized

Bike Upgrades – Part II

Bike Upgrades-Part II

After hurting my knee in the most recent quest I took my bike in to adjust the stem.  This led to more money being spent than planned, but I was able to make some great improvements that I am really enjoying.

First, I went in to get some assistance turning the stock Bontrager stem upside down (although it is proper either way).  I realized I needed a shorter stem too and finally settled on an adjustable stem.  This has brought my handlebar height up even with my seat for a less aggressive position but much better for long distance riding.

Second, I was having some tingling in my hands within 15-20 minutes on every ride. I attributed this primarily to my riding position.  However, I was shown a bike at the LBS that had a double wrap with Lizard tape and love it.  I am riding for enjoyment.  Thus, anything to ease pain, create comfort, and improve my experience is worthwhile.  I had the bike handlebars double wrapped and it is a great improvement.

Third, during the stem retrofit I asked the LBS to go through the bike and check all of the components.  Two items were critical. First, the chain needed to be replaced.  I had about 2,500 miles on the chain and it was stretched. This had led to wear of the rear cassette teeth and I had to have it replaced.  So, a new chain and cassette were installed.

Finally, I bought a three way multi-tool.  This is too make sure I do not have to look through my tool chest for an Allen wrench that does not fit well.  It now resides in my under seat bag.

After these improvements I have ridden nearly 100 miles during several post-knee recovery rides.  I feel like I am on a new bike.  It is amazing what small changes can make.  More so, because I started wondering if I needed to buy a new frame and build up a new bike.  I think, in a sadistic way, this Trek is good for another 2,500 miles.

July 28, 2014 by Bicycling

Bike Upgrades – Part I

Bike Upgrades-Part I

Over time, as I trained more the Trek has had some improvements.  First, I have two aluminum water bottle cages.  I can’t remember if these came with the bike or I purchased them.  However, they are a must have.

Second, I used to train primarily on U.S.1 in Edgewater, Florida.  The road had a decent shoulder but it also had a lot of debris.  I would see glass, nails, pieces of metal, broken ceramic tiles and much more. No matter how much I worked to avoid debris I seemed to have a flat every 50 miles.  I started buying three and four tubes at a time and just expected to change a tire at least once per week.  The worst experience was during my first century.  An hour into the ride and I had a flat.  Suddenly I watched the group ride by and I was on the side of the road.  It sucked.  Thus, I searched for a solution and found the single best piece of gear I have ever put on my bike.  I now run Michelin tires and have Kevlar tire liners. I do not think I have had a flat in over 1,000 miles. If you ride on roads the Kevlar liners are a must have.

Third, I have two ways I store gear on my bike.  The first is an under seat bag. This is primarily for tools and tubes (see prior paragraph).  I keep two tubes, and the right wrenches to work on the bike.  I just bought a three way multi-tool to help with adjustments.  Tucked away, I forget the bag is there but it is a must-have.  My second storage bag is a “bento box.”  My buddy Jim Burt gave this to me for my 40th birthday (2007) and I cannot imagine a ride without it. I store my phone (MP3), glasses, an ID, and some cash in it.

Fourth, I had ride with Speed Play pedals and Sidi shoes.  When I went looking for pedals to get out of the standard toe clips I explained to the LBS (The Bike Shop, Ormond Beach) I had knee surgery and this was the recommendation. I have never ridden with anything else.  Thus, these are just part of my everyday ride. I will offer, because I am clipped in and getting out of the SP’s takes a twist of the foot to the outside I have fallen off my bike. These are always the slow motion, I hope no one is watching, easy falls.  Nothing gets hurt but my ego.

Finally, lighting.  As rides get longer and longer for centuries or other distances I found myself competing with family, time in my day, and of course daylight.  I have a light on the front and rear of my bike. Honestly, I purchased these in 2007 only for the purpose of being legal.  I recently observed a rider with a much brighter headlight and am considering looking at the latest LED options to allow me to ride in the off hours.

July 28, 2014 by Bicycling Self Improvemet

The Bike (Trek 1000SL)

The Bike

In 1984 I bought my first good road bike, a Schwinn Super Sport for which I paid $399.  That bike and I remained together until I bought my current bike in 2006.  I rode the Schwinn in college, from 1985-1990, at the University of Florida from Gatortown Apartments to campus.  I jumped off curbs, ran through potholes, and beat the hell out of that bike.  In 2005 I started riding again, and jumped on the Schwinn.  I have always had a sadistic side to myself, one of denial when it comes to purchasing good gear. Whether it is golf clubs, computers, or even a GPS for an airplane I have felt I did not deserve to buy what I need and had to make do with what I had.  However, for my kids and wife I take the opposite approach and ensure they have the best. Yeah, it’s messed up.

Another part of my sadistic side though is a test of my commitment.  In this case, in 2005, told myself if I rode 300 miles I would get a new bike; thus proving my determination.

I bought a Trek 1000 from my local bike shop (LBS) Fox Firestone in New Smyrna.  A quick fit and I ended up with a 63cm bike.  For this article, I will discuss what I have and basic gear on the bike. Future articles discuss the fit.

The Trek is both criticized and praised.  Again, I could have spent more money but wanted to test my commitment.  At $800, the Trek had/has a carbon fiber fork and seat post.  My bike came in “Flare”, a dazzling paint job.  Combined with some Bontrager parts, Alexis rims, and several other decent components for a mass-produced bike it hit the mark.

I remember my first rides on it, the biggest change was the width of the handlebars versus my old Schwinn.  Also, the shifters were now integrated with the brakes near the hoods.  The bike came with standard pedals and toe clips and I continued to ride in tennis shoes.  It felt great and I was moving faster.

July 23, 2014 by Bicycling