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Post by nate001 on Jun 30, 2016 18:07:18 GMT -6
I ended up getting the Haskell shorts from kitsbow. These things are great. I had to exchange the 36 I originally ordered for a 35, but now the fit is spot on. The shorts fall at my knee, which I like, are well tailored and the fabric is substantial but with a bit of stretch. Also, very wearable for non biking stuff. I also got the ibex liner which has been working well. I'm styling on my bike now.
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Post by nate001 on Nov 21, 2016 8:21:55 GMT -6
Any tips for cool weather tight/pants? I'm thinking something for the 20-60 degree range. I don't think I'm going to be a full year biker here in Minnesota (don't really want to buy a fat tire and/or studded tires and all the other gear to keep warm), but I think I'd like to do more biking to work in the fall and spring. I haven't biked to work since September and I find that I really miss it. I've looked at Ibex and the El fito looks good, but it's sold out in my size. As usual, MiUSA preferred, OK with Made in Canada.
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Post by bentin on Nov 21, 2016 10:05:32 GMT -6
My circulation sucks. My feet are cold in the summer, and downright scary in the winter. So I tend to just try to keep my knees and jewels warm. I have some Capo Roubaix knickers that work great for me right down to freezing. I'll wear knee warmers over them when it's windy. They're MiItaly though.
I also have some Assos 607's that are maybe just a bit warmer, but made in the land of Gruyere.
For truly cold days and rides in the mountains, I have some Sugoi Firewalls, that are super warm, like put them on and run outside before you combust sorta warm. I think they might actually be MiUSA. Their cold weather stuff is some of my favorite and Performance frequently has it on super sale. Competitive Cyclist currently has the Firewalls on sale too.
I've had good luck with Vittoria Paves in the slush and ice, the 27's are great if you can fit them. Competitive has them on sale for $35/ea, I may order a backup set.
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Post by nate001 on Nov 21, 2016 10:51:19 GMT -6
My circulation sucks. My feet are cold in the summer, and downright scary in the winter. So I tend to just try to keep my knees and jewels warm. I have some Capo Roubaix knickers that work great for me right down to freezing. I'll wear knee warmers over them when it's windy. They're MiItaly though. I also have some Assos 607's that are maybe just a bit warmer, but made in the land of Gruyere. For truly cold days and rides in the mountains, I have some Sugoi Firewalls, that are super warm, like put them on and run outside before you combust sorta warm. I think they might actually be MiUSA. Their cold weather stuff is some of my favorite and Performance frequently has it on super sale. Competitive Cyclist currently has the Firewalls on sale too. I've had good luck with Vittoria Paves in the slush and ice, the 27's are great if you can fit them. Competitive has them on sale for $35/ea, I may order a backup set. Any experience with aerotech or kucharik? Look like OK options. Fairly inexpensive. |
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Post by nate001 on Jan 5, 2017 12:24:37 GMT -6
My folks got me a pair of kucharik wool tights for christmas. They're a little too big, so I'm exchanging them, but the fabric is unbelievable. 100% Merino, super thick with a good stretch. I'm really looking forward to wearing these.
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Post by drewcandraw on Jan 9, 2017 12:14:53 GMT -6
just googled them, might have to get some knickers when i get a bike again. Ended up selling my cx bike a month ago. All I have left is a single-speed bike.
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Post by scooter on Apr 20, 2017 9:05:56 GMT -6
I'm planning my return to the cycling world, after a 27 year hiatus. The last bike I owned was a steel framed Bianchi, Dura-Ace groupset, Wolber TX rims. I sold it in 1990. Carbon/composite frames were only in there infancy, at the time. I still remember coveting a Kestrel 4000, in the late '80s. Though, having considered all the technical advances, I'm still leaning toward a steel frame, for my return. It's what I cut my teeth on, and what I think I'll be most comfortable with.
I do have a question about groupsets, though. In my riding days, Shimano and Campy were the parts to have. But, many of the bikes I've been looking at lately have SRAM groupsets. Having no familiarity with them, I'd like some opinions.....
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Post by bentin on Apr 20, 2017 9:36:00 GMT -6
I'm planning my return to the cycling world, after a 27 year hiatus. The last bike I owned was a steel framed Bianchi, Dura-Ace groupset, Wolber TX rims. I sold it in 1990. Carbon/composite frames were only in there infancy, at the time. I still remember coveting a Kestrel 4000, in the late '80s. Though, having considered all the technical advances, I'm still leaning toward a steel frame, for my return. It's what I cut my teeth on, and what I think I'll be most comfortable with. I do have a question about groupsets, though. In my riding days, Shimano and Campy were the parts to have. But, many of the bikes I've been looking at lately have SRAM groupsets. Having no familiarity with them, I'd like some opinions..... Haha, my dad still has my Bianchi. I also coveted a Kestrel but never bought one. I have a ti road bike, but will probably go back to steel when I build a road disc bike. Steel's great. My 29er is a blend of Columbus Life and Spirit and is just a great riding rig. I've always run Campy, but the current DI2 and Red Wireless stuff is really cool. Now that Shimano fixed their cable routing I find it harder to hate. Campy seems lost in the woods these days. Custom builder or off the shelf? I've had three DeSalvos and would gladly give you Mike's number if you want to talk. |
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Post by scooter on Apr 20, 2017 14:18:46 GMT -6
I'm planning my return to the cycling world, after a 27 year hiatus. The last bike I owned was a steel framed Bianchi, Dura-Ace groupset, Wolber TX rims. I sold it in 1990. Carbon/composite frames were only in there infancy, at the time. I still remember coveting a Kestrel 4000, in the late '80s. Though, having considered all the technical advances, I'm still leaning toward a steel frame, for my return. It's what I cut my teeth on, and what I think I'll be most comfortable with. I do have a question about groupsets, though. In my riding days, Shimano and Campy were the parts to have. But, many of the bikes I've been looking at lately have SRAM groupsets. Having no familiarity with them, I'd like some opinions..... Haha, my dad still has my Bianchi. I also coveted a Kestrel but never bought one. I have a ti road bike, but will probably go back to steel when I build a road disc bike. Steel's great. My 29er is a blend of Columbus Life and Spirit and is just a great riding rig. I've always run Campy, but the current DI2 and Red Wireless stuff is really cool. Now that Shimano fixed their cable routing I find it harder to hate. Campy seems lost in the woods these days. Custom builder or off the shelf? I've had three DeSalvos and would gladly give you Mike's number if you want to talk. Though I wasn't a homer for the brand, growing up in Wisconsin, Trek always seemed to dominate the conversation. When some of their employees made good with Kestrel, it was a big deal around here. I'd love to have one of the early 4000s, if for nothing more than nostalgia. Until I develop a better sense of what kind of riding I will be doing, I'm going off the shelf. Used, more than likely. 30 years ago, I was in an urban setting. If that was still the case, a straight road bike, or fixie would do. But, I'm in a far more rural area. I can envision the possibility of some smooth dirt/gravel road/trail riding in my future. How much is the question. A less aggressive geometry may be in order, as speed won't be as much of a factor as endurance. Budget is also a concern. I don't want to stick a ton of money in, until I'm sure I'm committed to it. I did explore some of the carbon optional adventure bikes, like the Giant Anyroad and Specialized Diverge. But, as I said, steel is for me. I love the Niner RLT. But, even the steel version is a little more than I'd like to spend. I have no love for Aluminum, either. I have found a lightly used bike I really like. It's a Salsa Colossal. I think it may be a good place for me to start. It's primarily an all-day road bike. But, it can accommodate a 30mm tire, and I've seen mention of it being used for back roads, as well. If it turns out I stick to the main roads, I'll be just fine with it. If I'm hitting the back roads more, I'll get another to suit my needs. Ultimately, if my dedication to it is half of what it was, when I was 17, I will certainly consider going custom. If I'm in the mood to build around a frame, Waterford Cycles is essentially in my backyard. If I want to take a more hands-off approach, the closest shop to me is an authorized retailer for Seven Cycles. Either way, my wallet will likely explode. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 20, 2017 14:33:26 GMT -6
I read all that thinking "Waterford". Glad you got there on your own. I had a Gunnar when 26" wheels were still a thing.
Salsa does some cool stuff for the money. The Colossal is a good rig. A number of my friends do the Dirty Kanza and other gravel grinders and seem to like the Salsas. Can't hurt to start on the cheap and sort out what you'd want to change.
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Post by davelewis on Apr 20, 2017 17:39:44 GMT -6
I haven't kept up with bike technology for decades, as I'm just an old school rider who still has to pedal the thing to get the job done, lol. I've owned a 95 Torelli Countach that I built up new to celebrate my divorce from my first wife. I'm positive the Campy has improved drastically since then, but the bike still rides and shifts good enough for my old ass, especially paired with a vintage Eddie Merckx wool jersey and shorts.
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Post by bentin on Apr 20, 2017 17:52:53 GMT -6
I haven't kept up with bike technology for decades, as I'm just an old school rider who still has to pedal the thing to get the job done, lol. I've owned a 95 Torelli Countach that I built up new to celebrate my divorce from my first wife. I'm positive the Campy has improved drastically since then, but the bike still rides and shifts good enough for my old ass, especially paired with a vintage Eddie Merckx wool jersey and shorts. Haha, my ti DeSalvo with Campy Chorus was a divorce celebration bike too. Replaced the swankier, but cludgy Fausto Coppi Campy Record bike that even had Deltas. |
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Post by nate001 on May 7, 2017 8:25:40 GMT -6
Been riding again. I got some wool tights from kucharik for Christmas and they've been working great down into the 30s in the morning. My next acquisition is shoes. I don't have clip in pedals and I want a pair of shoes that I can wear during the day at work. I've looked at chrome, dzr and quoc pham and they all have options that would seem to work. They are all made in Asia as far as I can tell. Anyone with any experience with these brands? Any other brands I should be looking at?
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Post by bentin on May 7, 2017 9:05:00 GMT -6
Five Tens? I just roll Vans with flat pedals. No reason to overthink it. I run Specialized shoes with clips, they're super comfy and last longer than Sidis.
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Post by scooter on Jun 4, 2017 20:43:40 GMT -6
The new ride.....  |
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Post by nate001 on Oct 4, 2018 9:46:37 GMT -6
Lots to update on the biking front (as you my be able to tell from my flurry of posts, I don't have a whole lot going on at work today).
First of all, my bike (Kona Jake, a great all around bike) was stolen when I rode it to a Twins game in April. That really sucked. The other crappy part was it was impossible to find a replacement in stock with any bike shop since I need a 60 cm frame, and they don't make a lot of those. While waiting for a backordered bike that would fit me, I ended up borrowing a vintage Bianchi racing bike (circa 1983?) from a friend who had converted it to a single speed. He'd put bullhorn handlebars on it...I looked like a real hipster. It was a fun bike, though it was a pretty jarring ride. My friend needed the bike back, so I borrowed another bike from a different friend. He'd just upgraded to a Surly steamroller single speed, so he gave me his old single speed, a Bianchi San Jose from 2006 or so. He's letting me keep it, which is awesome. I love it. It's probably a bit small for me, but since it was free I can't complain. Its got 41mm tires on it, so I can take it on easyish mountain bike trails with my kids and ride it when there's slush and salt and crap on the roads here in the winter. I don't think I'll ride it all winter, but it will extend the time I can ride it into the late fall/early winter and early spring.
After waiting for about 4 months on a backorder, I finally got my new bike too. I ended up with a Marin Gestalt 2. Its classified as a gravel/endurance bike. Its a little bit more upright than my Jake, which was classified as a cyclocross bike. I like the more upright position. I basically just use it to commute to work a couple of times a week, about 12 miles each way. Rode it in to work today. First really cold day of the season.
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Post by bentin on Oct 4, 2018 9:55:48 GMT -6
Nice. I'm watching Defensive Driving at work today.
It's 90 here, so not feeling your cool weather talk, but looking forward to jacket weather.
I rode a bunch of road miles at the start of summer, but lost momentum. It's hard to get out as much with the kid, especially when it's 90 by 10:30a. Hence the desire to move up your direction. Wife's back on the hunt for a good lawyerly gig in Chicago.
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Post by nate001 on Oct 4, 2018 10:12:10 GMT -6
Nice. I'm watching Defensive Driving at work today. It's 90 here, so not feeling your cool weather talk, but looking forward to jacket weather. I rode a bunch of road miles at the start of summer, but lost momentum. It's hard to get out as much with the kid, especially when it's 90 by 10:30a. Hence the desire to move up your direction. Wife's back on the hunt for a good lawyerly gig in Chicago. Good luck. I love Chicago. I am very lucky to live in a metro area that has heavily invested in bike trails. My ride to work is 12 miles, an less than a mile of that is on city streets. Everything else is a dedicated, paved bike path. Now that I'm an old man of 40, I don't really like riding on streets with a bunch of traffic. Didn't bother me back in the day. With so many trails, there's a ton of stuff we can bike to really easily. If my wife and I are going out for dinner, we usually just ride if the weather is decent. My kids are usually game for a ride of 6 or 7 miles. I've pushed it to 10, but then we get more whining than its worth. My kids are on their own bikes now though, so its much easier. |
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Post by bentin on Oct 4, 2018 10:54:41 GMT -6
Yeah, my kids being stubborn about his balance bike, I think I need to just cave and get him one with pedals. He's a bigger fan of his scooter at the moment.
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Post by nate001 on Oct 4, 2018 11:32:51 GMT -6
Yeah, my kids being stubborn about his balance bike, I think I need to just cave and get him one with pedals. He's a bigger fan of his scooter at the moment. I can't remember how old your kid is, but when he's 4 or so, I'd highly recommend a tag along. I think we got one from Amazon for about $100. So much better than a trailer. |
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Post by bentin on Oct 4, 2018 12:48:24 GMT -6
Yeah, my kids being stubborn about his balance bike, I think I need to just cave and get him one with pedals. He's a bigger fan of his scooter at the moment. I can't remember how old your kid is, but when he's 4 or so, I'd highly recommend a tag along. I think we got one from Amazon for about $100. So much better than a trailer. Thanks. His birthday is this month. He likes the Burley, and its solid enough I take it offroad on wider trails. But a tag along is probably the right next move. |
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