Frets
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PATRICK MOORE
Dec 4, 2012, 9:23:46 PM12/4/12
to rbw-owners-bunch
Frets resolved, frets remaining, but all frets. Fretting involves
issues that, in the cosmic scale, make no difference at all, but that,
contracted to quotidian pettiness, makes life, and cycling in
particular, so much more fun.
1. Where to fix a rear blinky. Problem: with rear rack as well as
saddlebag -- you understand. Solution: get rid of the damned saddlebag
-- wtf, you can always use a small pannier. The green stuffsack on top
of the rack contains the offroad repair kit that can be quickly and
easily swapped between panniers, the latter chosen according to
carry-volume needs.
2. Desire for a fat (but not too fat) and skinny (but not too skinny)
tire. Problem: the **&^ Big Apples weigh 800 grams even in their
(ironic quotes) "Liteskin" version. Solution: Kojaks! 35 mm is all one
needs for decent pavement with loads, and don't let any one tell you
different. The fat wheelset is always an option. At 60 psi or so, they
handle me and groceries just fine.
3. That unfortunate juxtaposition of top tube, bar end shifter, bar
height, bar tilt, and the need to turn the bar 90* when shoving it
into the back of a PT Cruiser. Problem: the BES **just** scrapes under
the top tube, scraping the paint; elec tape is quickly worn
through.Solution: a handily-sized portion of milk carton taped
strategically with elec tape in your color choice.
4. Neck cold, but fleece neck gaiters too hot and bulky. Problem:
either cold neck, leading to sore throat, sinus infection, severe
cold, pneumonia, and early death; or with the fleece gaiter, sweat and
dorkiness. Solution: silk mock-turtleneck dickies.
5. Triple versus wide range, compact double. Problem -- none really,
for a rational person, but every gearing choice is a compromise of
some sort. In this instance, the problem -- if problem it can be
construed -- is that although the ratios on the outer are fine for
pavement and firm dirt, when you hit sand (common here), the middle is
better, and this involves a ring shift. Solution: very compact,
wide-range double: 38/24, 13-34 8 sp (for off road wheelset). The 38
gives me all I need from 85" down to 32", which is fine for most of
the off road riding I do as well as for all the pavement.
6. Wide range double. Problem: With the standard 110/74 mm bcd, you
can only get a decent WRD using the two inner ring positions; and this
leaves the "shoulders" for the outer ring in full view of the public.
Solution: bash guard. That shown is very obviously a cut-down and
polished ring, but at $20 shipped, it looks good to me.
7. Tubus Duo's lower legs support bike when front wheel removed, as it
often is for fixing flats. Problem: gritty surfaces (no grass here
unless cultivated as an exotic) scuffs bottom of rack.Solution: bolt
with column washer, that has secondary function of securing bungee
hook for Jandd-type pannier system. (Odd paint is just that: slapped
on to cover scuffs.)
--
-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------
issues that, in the cosmic scale, make no difference at all, but that,
contracted to quotidian pettiness, makes life, and cycling in
particular, so much more fun.
1. Where to fix a rear blinky. Problem: with rear rack as well as
saddlebag -- you understand. Solution: get rid of the damned saddlebag
-- wtf, you can always use a small pannier. The green stuffsack on top
of the rack contains the offroad repair kit that can be quickly and
easily swapped between panniers, the latter chosen according to
carry-volume needs.
2. Desire for a fat (but not too fat) and skinny (but not too skinny)
tire. Problem: the **&^ Big Apples weigh 800 grams even in their
(ironic quotes) "Liteskin" version. Solution: Kojaks! 35 mm is all one
needs for decent pavement with loads, and don't let any one tell you
different. The fat wheelset is always an option. At 60 psi or so, they
handle me and groceries just fine.
3. That unfortunate juxtaposition of top tube, bar end shifter, bar
height, bar tilt, and the need to turn the bar 90* when shoving it
into the back of a PT Cruiser. Problem: the BES **just** scrapes under
the top tube, scraping the paint; elec tape is quickly worn
through.Solution: a handily-sized portion of milk carton taped
strategically with elec tape in your color choice.
4. Neck cold, but fleece neck gaiters too hot and bulky. Problem:
either cold neck, leading to sore throat, sinus infection, severe
cold, pneumonia, and early death; or with the fleece gaiter, sweat and
dorkiness. Solution: silk mock-turtleneck dickies.
5. Triple versus wide range, compact double. Problem -- none really,
for a rational person, but every gearing choice is a compromise of
some sort. In this instance, the problem -- if problem it can be
construed -- is that although the ratios on the outer are fine for
pavement and firm dirt, when you hit sand (common here), the middle is
better, and this involves a ring shift. Solution: very compact,
wide-range double: 38/24, 13-34 8 sp (for off road wheelset). The 38
gives me all I need from 85" down to 32", which is fine for most of
the off road riding I do as well as for all the pavement.
6. Wide range double. Problem: With the standard 110/74 mm bcd, you
can only get a decent WRD using the two inner ring positions; and this
leaves the "shoulders" for the outer ring in full view of the public.
Solution: bash guard. That shown is very obviously a cut-down and
polished ring, but at $20 shipped, it looks good to me.
7. Tubus Duo's lower legs support bike when front wheel removed, as it
often is for fixing flats. Problem: gritty surfaces (no grass here
unless cultivated as an exotic) scuffs bottom of rack.Solution: bolt
with column washer, that has secondary function of securing bungee
hook for Jandd-type pannier system. (Odd paint is just that: slapped
on to cover scuffs.)
--
-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------
Mojo
Dec 4, 2012, 11:01:23 PM12/4/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Goodness Patrick! I've got nothing to add to all that. But I do enjoy your posts. Whatever wine you are drinking, may I buy you a bottle? I will be in ABQ 19-22 December.
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