Category Archives: Bikes to Like

New Bike Day! Rawland Nordavinden

Posted on May 14, 2013 | 25 Comments

Felkerino and I celebrated New Bike Day at the Dining Room Bike Shop this past weekend. New Bike Day New Bike Day!

This edition was particularly exciting, as 1. the bike was for me; and 2. I purchased the frame and fork in June of last year, but took another ten months to get the parts for the bike in order.

The bike I purchased is a Rawland Nordavinden, designed by Rawland Cycles out of Danvile, California. Unlike the Rawland dSogns that Felkerino and I own which are a mix between a mountain and cross bike, the Nordavinden is meant to be a fast-ish touring “all road” bicycle.

Rawland Nordavinden

Photo by Felkerino

While I think it could be a little duplicative of my Rivendell Romulus in some ways, the Nordavinden appealed to me for several reasons.

I wanted an attractive steel bike with a responsive feel that I could use for commuting, century bike rides, and the occasional 200K brevet. The Nordavinden is an icy blue-gray color with attractive decals and a little lug work on the fork and rear dropouts. I’m not a huge fan of lugs, but I find the lugs on this nice looking. As for the bike’s feel, I have only ridden it a total of four miles so I will get back to you on that.

Unlike my Rivendells, the Nordavinden is designed to eliminate toe overlap. That has not been a big deal on my Rivendells, but it can be annoying, particularly when riding in the city and do a lot of inevitable stopping and starting.

Rawland Nordavinden

There is versatility in the tire widths I can use on this bike, with the maximum tire width being 35s. I could take this bike on dirt if I wanted, or keep it on the road. It’s nice to have choices. I am still deciding on what tires (both type and width) I will use. I don’t like spending a lot of money on tires, but I also want the ride to have a good feel. Suggestions?

The Nordavinden is also made to take fenders. Yippee! Even though I sometimes dream of riding a fenderless road bike without a care in the world about a little rain, I know how I am. If I can avoid a rooster tail by applying full fenders, I will do it.

The bike’s price point suited my budget, with the frame and fork retailing for $725. Felkerino and I used as many parts as we could from the Dining Room Bike Shop to help with the overall cost of building up the bike.

Another preliminary shot of the Nordavinden

Another preliminary shot of the Nordavinden

The Nordavinden will take a light load. It’s not a touring bike, though. In fact, it’s designed to take a front load. I’ve never been a huge fan of the big porteur bag, but I will likely use one on the Nordavinden. I’m still working through my front bag options. Do you have any ideas? For the moment, the bike has a small Carradice seatpack on the rear.

College Park Bicycles did a great job taking all of the parts and getting the bike to where it is now. I will go into the parts spec some other time; I don’t have the bike finalized yet so explaining it would be premature. Also, I’m not a huge gear head so keep your expectations in check. It was a fun group project to put this bike together, though, so I will do a build post at some point.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be dialing in the fit of the Nordavinden and getting a feel for how it rides. I’ll keep you posted.

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Posted in Bikes to Like, Dining Room Bike Shop, Rawland

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Sunday Joy Ridin’ on the Rivendell Romulus

Posted on March 10, 2013 | 3 Comments

Felkerino and I decided to go on a post-200K brevet joy ride today to bask in the recently arrived warm weather and pay a visit to family out in Northern Virginia.

Vienna with the Rivendell Romulus

Because of all the stop-and-go movement of the urban environment, we left the tandem in the Dining Room Bike Shop and opted for single bikes on our 50-mile outing. Felkerino rode his Rivendell Bleriot, and I chose my Rivendell Romulus.

Felkerino on the Bleriot

Felkerino on the Bleriot

The recently-arrived spring weather made for beautiful riding. Bright sunshine and warm temperatures– how could anyone resist? I think most of D.C. was out enjoying the day. The Custis and W&OD Trails were heavily trafficked with runners, recreational cyclists, sport cyclists, children on training wheels, and walkers.

Even with all the congestion, we had a great day. Yesterday’s brevet had sucked most of the pop out of my legs so I rode at a slow but steady pace.

The Rivendell Romulus is the first “brevet bike” I ever purchased, and the most money I had ever spent on a bicycle. At the time, I was not sure what I was doing or if my investment would pay off, but Felkerino encouraged me to make the purchase. Thousands of miles later I still take great pleasure in riding (and taking pictures of) this bike.

Romulus in Falls Church

During our outing, I found myself reminiscing about a Sunday drive in Iowa from many years ago. Myrle, one of the retired farmers in our area, had a vintage 1960s cherry red Ford Thunderbird and he had invited his granddaughter and me to go out on a Sunday drive with him.

We meandered over county highways enjoying the sheer experience of being in the car. Corn fields passed by as country music played on the AM radio. As we drove I remember inspecting the carefully designed details of the dashboard. The white upholstered seats were large and luxurious (at least in my memory).

The Thunderbird felt grand and awesome, and I felt totally cool to be getting a ride in it. It’s the only time I’ve been in a car like that and one of the rare occasions where I’ve gone for a drive just to go for a drive and watch the corn grow.

Today’s ride on the Romulus evoked a similar sensation, only better in so many ways. Instead of watching the world go by in front of the windshield while encased in a vehicle, I was immersed in the elements with my bike.

Rivendell Romulus

I reveled in the feel of my hands on the bars; they felt so well-placed, aligned just right with my shoulders. The reach from the saddle to the bars allows an optimal stretch for my back. I feel like the bike was made for my body. It rides smoothly as I  pedal over the pavement.

The handling and responsiveness of the Romulus is lively. Perhaps this is relative to my Surly Long Haul Trucker, a bike I also love, but that has a heavier feel overall. I push the pedals of the Romulus and we’re off. It happily responds to any instructions I give it. The Campy Ergo shifters are a fun change, making for easy adjustments during a standing climb, although for long rides I am still a fan of bar ends.

The leather mud flap on the front fender adds a refined look to the bike. I suppose the lugs do, too, but frankly I am not a huge lugs person. Give me a clean weld and I am equally happy.

When I initially purchased the bike, I felt the light blue of the bike was too pearly and flashy. Over time, I’ve grown to love it and can’t imagine ever tiring of its bright hue.

Romulus by the Potomac

The Rivendell is a beautiful steed and it was wonderful to take it out for a leisurely sun-filled Sunday joy ride. I didn’t have any country music playing in the background, but the chirping birds and the sound of the spring peepers more than made up for that. And Felkerino’s company wasn’t bad, either.

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Posted in Commute Reflections, Rivendell

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Dialing in our New Co-Motion Java Tandem

Posted on February 26, 2013 | 14 Comments

Earlier this year, Felkerino’s and my new tandem arrived from Co-Motion. Some of you may remember that  a crack developed in the stoker seat tube of our previous tandem, a Co-Motion Speedster, which required either a mend or a replacement frame.

We ultimately chose to replace the frame and, rather than another Co-Motion Speedster tandem, Felkerino and I decided on a Co-Motion Java, which is their 29-er frame.

Co-Motion Java on Whites Ferry

Co-Motion worked out an arrangement with us for the new bike which was primarily financed by the sale of my 1996 Nissan Altima.

That’s right. I sold my car to buy a tandem. Righteous bicycle purchasing!

Co-Motion describes the Java as an “ultra-rugged” bike, and its tubing is beefier than the Speedster with clearance for larger tires. When I first laid eyes on the bike, its ultra-ruggedness intimidated me.

The crazy clearance on the front fork reminded me of the jaws of an alligator. The tubing had me wondering what type of riding Felkerino had in store for us.

Co-Motion Tandem at Sugarloaf

Since that time, we’ve (alright, Felkerino has) been meticulously building the bike up and dialing it in to suit the kind of riding we plan to do– primarily randonneuring, touring, and dirt road riding.

The past three weekends we’ve taken the bike out for longer training rides on hilly terrain (106, 92, and 93-miles, respectively) not just to shake down the bike, but also to build our base fitness and prepare for the upcoming spring bicycling events we hope to do. And because tandeming is fun. Most days.

There’s a lot that goes into dialing in a bike. First, the fit. Saddle height, setback, and handlebars must be tweaked just so.

Fenders must be installed. At least, if you’re Felkerino or me, that is something you must do.

Pink fenders on the Co-Motion? No

These pink fenders got the thumbs down from the captain, as Felkerino insisted on metal fenders that were not pink.

Operation Rattle Battle 2013 with the Co-Motion

Persistent fender rattles have to be fixed or no one will want to ride with us and I will eventually lose my mind.

Custom mudflap and a fender solution!

Custom mudflap and a dual bolt rattly fender solution

The fender rattle battle waged on and on in the Dining Room Bike Shop until Felkerino finally drilled a hole for two bolts on the stay, as you can see in the photo above. Rattle battle over!

After you add fenders, you also want to be sure to affix any custom leather mudflaps your friends have made for you. Thanks, Alec.

The ideal front bag should be installed to coordinate aesthetically with the bike and, more importantly (I suppose), to allow the captain to easily access all the essentials he wants at the ready.

Gilles Berthoud

Gilles Berthoud

He says Gilles Berthoud.

Sackville = like

Sackville = like

I say the Berthoud is too little for our burly new bike. How about this Sackville?

Other miscellaneous wrenching must occur at various points during a tandem ride.

Wrenching the Co-Motion

Ideally, said wrenching will occur in a sunny spot.

The initial hesitancy I felt about the Java’s rugged look has dissipated and when I ride it, aside from still being impressed by the size of the top tube, I don’t detect a particularly slower feel from it. If anything, the Java is a lively ride and DEFINITELY far more responsive than the dear old Lead Sled we used during the interim.

I still miss our Speedster, as it was a beautiful bike that was also the first tandem to fit me perfectly. However, I am pleased with how the Co-Motion Java is shaping up, and have no reason to doubt that the Java’s fit will be any different, as it was also custom-sized for Felkerino and me. I’ll report back more fully after we’ve put some brevet miles on it.

Co-Motion tandem

In the meantime, I’m going to check on Felkerino to see if he has changed out the front bag again.

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Posted in Co-Motion, Tandeming, Tandems

A Return to the Single Bike Lifestyle

Posted on December 16, 2012 | 11 Comments
A weekend century on the Rivendell Romulus (c) Felkerino

A weekend century on the Rivendell Romulus (c) Felkerino

This past year, we retired our custom-fit Co-Motion tandem. It wasn’t by choice. Over the six years we had owned it and an estimated 25,000 miles, it gradually developed a crack in the area near the stoker seat tube. Felkerino wrote a post about it complete with a photo of the crack, here.

As you can see in the post’s photo, the crack was located right at the stoker seat tube weld. I’ve been trying not to take that too personally. Co-Motion diagnosed that the crack emerged because the weld was not strong enough and we have since been working with them on a replacement tandem.

For a while we rode our back-up tandem, a Cannondale mountain frame also known fondly as “the lead sled.” I wrote earlier this year about the differences between the Co-Motion and the Cannondale. Aluminum versus steel, 26-inch versus 700C wheels, and a significantly shorter reach for me on the Cannondale.

The Cannondale tandem on tour this summer

The Cannondale tandem on tour this summer

This short reach became a problem on rides over 80-90 miles, primarily in my shoulder zone and lower back. I felt hunched and as though my shoulders were squishing my pectoral muscles. I called it the Quasimodo effect.

Additionally, as rides exceeded 70 miles or so, I would begin squirming in the saddle, as my lower back sent me signals of discomfort. Because of the shorter reach, I could not stretch out enough over the bike to distribute my weight well, and I think these two areas of my body were doing more than their share to support me.

The lead sled works well on gravel road rides, and the fit is fine for rides less than 80 miles or rides where we will do a lot of standing. However, it is not suited to being a brevet bike, especially when Felkerino and I both have single bikes that are extremely comfortable and carry us over brevet distances in a pain-free fashion.

The Rivendell Romulus

The Rivendell Romulus

Enter the Rivendell Romulus, which has now become my primary weekend bike. I had mixed feelings about this at first. I’d become accustomed to riding tandem on weekends. While I ride a single bike almost daily, it is usually for rides shorter than 50 miles.

Almost all long rides (centuries and longer) over the past few years have been on tandem. As a stoker, I like having someone to block the brunt of the elements. I could take both hands off the bars and reach freely into my jersey pockets. If I wanted to delayer, I could easily do so since I wasn’t steering.

Mostly, though, I just missed our sleek and elegant Co-Motion. It fit me so perfectly. I missed putting my head down on rides and gazing down at the beautiful burnt orange top tube. Felkerino and I had gone on many spectacular rides and tours with that bike.

The Co-Motion Tandem

The Co-Motion Tandem

It was harder than I ever imagined to say good-bye to the Co-Motion. Riding my single served as a reminder that I would never ride that bike again, and that initially bummed me out.

Am I being melodramatic? Yes, a bit, although I now see how people become attached to material objects. A tandem that I thought was beautiful, fit so well, and represented so many good memories has been a tough thing to leave in the past.

Riding the Co-Motion (c) Bill Beck

Riding the Co-Motion (c) Bill Beck

A couple of months have gone by since Felkerino and I started riding singles again on weekend rides, and I’ve since adjusted to and embraced my return to the single lifestyle.

The Rivendell Romulus is a beautiful bike, too. When I settle into the saddle and reach for the bars, my back stretches out happily and I feel at ease and confident.

I have total control of the bike, and don’t have to worry about synchronizing my movements with Felkerino (although he reported that we do stand simultaneously, even on single bikes). Steering, shifting, and braking are all in my hands now.

Weekend century on the Romulus (c) Felkerino

Pedaling away on the Romulus (c) Felkerino

Climbing hills is a treat, as it’s just me and my little single on the grade, as opposed to Felkerino and me hauling our cumulative weight. The Campy Ergo shifting is smooth, and comes in handy if I want to shift while standing. I do have to take the brunt of the cold, but I’ll take cold skin and watery eyes over back and shoulder pain any day.

With the exception of figuring out how to dig into my rear pockets and unwrap my food while wearing gloves, read a cue sheet, and keep the bike moving forward in a straight line all at the same time, I’m doing pretty well.

I can also see Felkerino’s face, as opposed to looking at his Camelbak all day. We can ride a few pedal strokes beside each other, or take turns being in front of each other. I find that a refreshing change.

Felkerino and the Atlantis

Felkerino and the Atlantis

When I ride tandem, it’s difficult for me to discern how much of my effort translates into the tandem’s movement. Riding a single bike gives me an opportunity to assess my conditioning and effort, as 100 percent of the bike’s forward momentum comes from my pedaling. I can see improvement in my leg strength and endurance over the last two years and that boosts my confidence as a rider.

(c) Felkerino

(c) Felkerino

I can’t wait for our new tandem to be built up and road ready, but in the meantime I’m reveling in the new-found freedom and routine of my single bike lifestyle.

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Posted in Cannondale, Co-Motion, Rando Reflections, Rivendell, Tandeming

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Grant Petersen’s Just Ride, the Rivendell Reader & an E-Less Stanza of “The Raven”

Posted on September 28, 2012 | 8 Comments

Grant Petersen, of Rivendell Bicycle Works, appeared at College Park Bicycles last night to talk about his book, Just Ride. I had a great time seeing familiar faces of the #BikeDC community AND meeting the man behind Rivendell Bicycles. Woo!

I won’t rehash the evening too much, as I think he covers much of the material he talked about with us in his book. 

Surprisingly, I found Grant to be quite gracious, friendly, and relaxed. I had worried that the opionated nature I saw in some of his writing might translate into a formidable bike guy. Not true. Thank you, Grant, for visiting our area AND for talking to me despite the fact that I was wearing Sidis!

After discussing the evolution of his book, themes Grant touched on included:

  • you don’t need special clothes for cycling,
  • ride a practical bike that’s comfortable,
  • you don’t need to use cycling as your primary form of exercise because you can get your heart rate up higher by doing other more vigorous activities for shorter periods of time than a bike ride takes,
  • bike advocacy is tough stuff (though he is not an expert in this area), and
  • cycling shouldn’t be approached as work. Rather, it’s something to enjoy. With friends, even.

At least, that is my abbreviated version of the evening’s topics.

Rivendells at Swings Coffee

Grant’s appearance reminded me of several Rivendell Readers back when he discussed the prevalence of the letter “e” in our vocabulary and invited people to submit e-less stanzas of Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven.”

It sounded like a fun exercise and I sent in an e-less stanza I wrote. Mine did not make the cut of those that were published in the Rivendell Reader, but I did receive a nice Rivendell gift certificate that helped to offset the purchase of a Nitto Campee rack I bought from them.

Below is the original stanza (which is the third of “The Raven”) followed by my e-less version.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me– filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
‘Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door,
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door.
This it is, and nothing more.

E-Less Version

Tragic silky sighs from rustling curtains of dark orchid stain
Disturbing sounds do thrill my body with ’til now unknown fantastic horrors;
So that now, to halt such soul-dizzying strain, I stand continuously saying,
‘Tis a visitor wishing to pay a visit rap tap tapping at that room’s door
A nocturnal individual who prompts admission at that door;
This is all, and not a myriad of crazy thoughts that in my brain do war.

That was a fun activity. Not a bikey post, really, but certainly inspired by a bikey person.

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Posted in Rivendell

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Riding the C&O Canal on the Rawlands

Posted on September 16, 2012 | 3 Comments

This weekend, Felkerino and I took advantage of the spectacular mild weather and busted out our Rawland dSogns for a day ride along the C&O Canal.

Rawland dSogns on the C&O Canal

Our destination? Homestead Farm, a pick-your-own produce place just outside of Poolesville, Maryland.

Homestead Farm makes for a perfect fall ride from home. The one-way trip is about 29 miles, the route along the C&O is quite pretty (particularly the spots near Great Falls), and the reward for our efforts is tasty fresh fruit (or maybe even a piece of pie or a caramel apple if we want to get something extra special).

Picking out a gourd at Homestead Farm

The Rawlands are great for terrain like the C&O. 650B wheels make for a comfy ride with no toe overlap. Fatty Rumpkin tires tolerate the bumps and dips well. My Brooks Flyer S saddle smooths out any uneven ground. The grippy disc brakes offer ready assistance to deal with weaving pedestrians or any other untimely obstacles thrown in my path. Oh, and my Carradice Nelson longflap is perfect for hauling home any fresh produce or treats we pick up along the way.

I love my Rawland dSogn and the C&O (and my NC Randonneurs jersey)!

We departed around 8:30 in the morning with hopes of avoiding any big crowds, but our plan resulted in us crossing paths with a half-marathon going on in D.C. and a 20-mile run going off on the C&O. How about that for our plan totally backfiring? Oh well, we were in no hurry, our disc brakes came in extra handy, and it was fun to cheer on the runners. We even got a “Go bikers!” from somebody. Yeah!

Felkerino and the Rawland

My Rawland is a bit stodgy on paved surfaces, but it thrives off-road. Every time I ride it I’m glad Felkerino picked one up for me, and I thank Rawland for the reasonably priced yet sturdy and responsive bikes that set up well for away-from-the-pavement adventures.

Despite the fact that Felkerino and I rode the whole way together, my computer showed 57 miles door-to-door compared to his 56. What does it mean? I’d say it means I win the mileage challenge.

Want to see more from our Sunday ride? Felkerino’s pics are here and the few I snapped are here.

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Posted in 650B, Rawland, Training & Fitness

Bikes to Like: Felkerino’s Cannondale T700 Tourer

Posted on August 22, 2012 | 12 Comments

Some people have inquired about the various steeds that call the Dining Room Bike Shop home. You can check out most of mine on the “My Bikes” page. Over the next few weeks (or however long that actually translates in terms of time I have to blog) I’ll be featuring the bikes Felkerino rides.

These reviews will not be uber technical so if spec description overload is what you seek, best go check out some other blog. Rather, they will be descriptions through my eyes, my eyes being those focused on the practical and other aspects that catch my attention.

First up is Felkerino’s aluminum, made in the USA, Cannondale T700 tourer. This bike, of 1992 vintage, is one of the first road bikes Felkerino ever owned as a grownup, and serves as his primary commuter.

Felkerino and the Cannondale T700

Shimano A530 pedals allow Felkerino to ride in his business shoes to any meeting.

A sturdy Tubus Cargo rear rack easily accepts the load of commute necessities contained in his Ortlieb Downtown Pannier, and his extra-long Kryptonite U-lock rests tightly on top of the rack, thanks to a strategically placed bungee cord.

A front Wald wire basket provides the perfect space for him to stash his suit jacket so he does not sweat up riding around town on warm days. Felkerino’s not worried about the anything popping out of the basket at the first pothole he encounters. He bought some netting from BicycleSPACE to prevent any untimely suit jacket escapes.

A good look at the T700. Flat pedals, Ortlieb rear pannier, front Wald basket (with suit jacket inside!)

The ever-important bike tools are stashed snugly in a Velo Orange Croissant bag, which fits just under the saddle.

Felkerino doesn’t ride this bike around much in the dark, but just in case, he’s set the bike up with a rear Spanninga taillight (oo la la, I love those lights) and an easy-on easy-off battery-operated LED front light from CatEye. That light doesn’t cast a big bright throw, but it does just fine in the street-lit city. He is able to see the road immediately in front of him, and his front light makes him visible to others.

SKS fenders protect him from the puddles. Yeah, they don’t match (one is black, one is chrome), but they both work equally well at keeping him dry.

The bike is currently set up with drop bars, but there’s been discussion among the Dining Room Bike Shop staff about switching those out for bars that sweep back to allow a more upright ride. That might do a better job of keeping the shirt from wrinkling and reducing any pull on shirts’ shoulder seams.

The Cannondale’s rear Tubus rack, Spanninga light (oo la la), and Velo Orange Croissant saddle bag, Kryptonite U-lock

This is a perfect commuter bike. Not too priceless or dear to be ripped off, dinged up, or locked to a post, but carefully set up to comfortably manage the daily commute.

Hope you enjoyed this summary about Felkerino’s Cannondale T700 Tourer and the introduction to the first of a few of the bikes I’ll feature from the other half of the Dining Room Bike Shop.

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Posted in Bikes to Like, Dining Room Bike Shop

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Bikes to Like: Rick R.’s Trek Elance 300 (650B Conversion!)

Posted on August 15, 2012 | 8 Comments

It’s all about bikes this week, and today features a guest post from Rick R. about his Trek Elance 300.

A North Carolina rider, Rick completed a full Super Randonneur series with the D.C. Randonneurs. Felkerino and I rode many miles with Rick (and Christian) on this spring’s Warrenton 300K. Felkerino and I joked that we were under attack by the 650B brigade, as both Rick’s Trek and Christian’s Terraferma are set up with 650B Grand Bois Hetre tires.

Riding similar paces allowed me to thoroughly admire Rick’s bike, and I’m so glad he agreed to be a guest contributor for Bikes to Like.

1. What kind of bike do you ride?

My bike is a 1986 Trek Elance 300. I purchased it over the internet, complete & original for $125. Then I converted it to 650B.

Rick’s Trek Elance 300

2. Where do you ride it?

I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, and do a lot of riding locally. I also do training rides in the Raleigh-Durham area to get in some hills.

My main purpose in building this bike was to ride brevets in comfort.

3. What do you like about your bike?

I like the comfort level I have on long rides. With the steel frame, wide tires, fenders, and Brooks saddle, I’m living the good life. Plus, I have a place to put my stuff with the two bags.

4. If you had to describe your bike in one word, what would it be?

Suave!

5. Fenders or no fenders?

Definitely fenders. In 2010 I rode for four days in the rain with no fenders. That experience made me realize fenders are good!

Riding some wet roads on the Warrenton 300K

6. What is one of your favorite memories with this bicycle?

My first “hill ride” on the bike was at Morrow Mountain State Park. Ride 30 miles of rollers, climb Morrow, then ride 30 miles of bigger rollers back to the start.

At the top of Morrow, a young guy pointed at me and said to his friends, “This guy is my hero for riding that heavy bike up this climb.” He and his friends were all riding lightweight carbon bikes.

7. Does your bike have a name? If so, what is it?

Yes, his name is KERT.

Editor’s note: It took me a minute, but I get it.

8. What is one of your favorite accessories with this bicycle?

I like all of my accessories but the one that gets you the biggest bang for your buck is definitely the Velo Orange front bag. Everthing you need while your rolling is at your fingertips and it holds the cue sheet.

The bell gets a lot of attention, and it’s really useful.

Storing the essentials in the front bag. The bell just peeks out below the handlebars.

9. If your bike could talk, what is one thing it would say to you?

Why did we stop?

10. What did I forget to ask you that you want to tell me about your bike?

“If you had it to do over, would you build the same bike?” The answer is, yes I would.

Thank you so much for being part of Bikes to Like, Rick. Your Trek is a great bike and you have definitely put it to the test this year with all the brevets you have ridden. Well done!

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Posted in Bikes to Like, Trek

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Summer Commutes on the Velo Orange Mixte

Posted on August 13, 2012 | 4 Comments

I tend to have an overall preference for diamond frames, and never considered myself a mixte sort of person. However, a couple of years ago Velo Orange was selling off a batch of their mixte frames at the attractive price of $300 so I mixed up the bike stable by adding a mixte to it.

Velo Orange Mixte, acquitting herself well after climbing a steep hill

Over the next year Felkerino and I (okay, mostly Felkerino) built it up with a variety of parts from the Dining Room Bike Shop, including the front Rivendell Mark’s rack by Nitto, Nitto S83 seatpost, gearing, pedals, Tektro brakes, handlebars, and the bags.

I also purchased a couple of things especially for the mixte, including matte Velo Orange fenders, VO saddle, and a Pletscher kickstand.

I love that we were able to build up the Velo Orange mostly with things we already own. One of my favorite parts on the bike are these double-sided Shimano A530 pedals. Good for wearing with street shoes or SPDs.

Shimano Double-Sided Pedals

Also, it may go without saying, but I am especially proud of the bags on this bike. They’re just delicious. The front Berthoud bag was a gift from Felkerino. It’s big enough to carry my lunch and a few personal items, but not so large that it feels bulky or weighs the bike down in front.

Front Small Berthoud Bag

Nitto Front Rack for the Bertoud. Securely affixed.

The tan Acorn bag, which I purchased on a whim, is made by a couple out of California. Sadly, they no longer make this rear saddlebag, which I find to be the perfect size for a bike like the Velo Orange. Not too big, not too small… just right.

Rear Acorn Saddlebag

After the build was complete, the mixte spent a lot of time languishing in the Dining Room Bike Shop. For some reason, I convinced myself that I wasn’t stylish enough to ride it. I also wasn’t sure about its carrying capacity.

I needn’t have worried on either front. First, I may not be stylish enough for it, but I don’t care. There’s no requirement that a person has to be stylish for a commute around town. A regular shirt and shorts work just fine.

No fashion police arrests. A shirt and shorts work just fine for commuting on the mixte.

The Velo Orange mixte is a great getting-around town bike. It’s carrying capacity is somewhat reduced compared to my Surly LHT (which is set up for panniers in addition to a Carradice bag). I can pick up a little something at the store after work if I need to, but the Velo Orange is definitely not well-suited to a big post-work grocery run.

Nevertheless, there’s still ample storage in the Acorn saddlebag and the Berthoud. The bags easily stow my workout clothes, lunch, U-lock and tools, as well as any other daily essentials.

The upright position and handling make it lots of fun to ride. The bike is quick to respond to any turn I make, and the wider hand positioning compared to drop bars is a refreshing change.

With the exception of the more upright handling, the Velo Orange does not feel much different than my other bikes. For some reason, I thought sloping top tube would make it feel stodgy or noodly or something, but I have not found that.

The bike accepts a small front load easily, and it still handles well. It even passes the no-handed test. See?

No hands? No problem. Going no-handed on the VO mixte.

As I mentioned, I do sit more vertically on this bike than others in my stable, and it makes me feel like I’m just tooling around, seeing the sites, taking in the tourists. There’s no pressure AT ALL to ride fast. Just ride my pace and get there when I get there.

Even so, the bike feels responsive and zippy. I push the pedals and they go. I turn the bars and we’re off and running. I don’t know if that’s because I am forced to not haul a bunch of stuff around or if that’s the natural feel of the bike. I tend to think it’s a little of both.

With the Pletscher kickstand, I can park the bike anywhere. No leaning! That’s a great convenience, especially when I’m overcome by the need to take a bike glamour shot.

VO Mixte glamour shot in front of the World War II Memorial

Last week, I finally put the Surly LHT back into service after a full month of nonstop mixte commutes. I needed to haul more than the mixte was able to carry. It was nice to be back on the Surly and to have its extra carrying capacity, but this past month has been great for solidifying my appreciation of the Velo Orange mixte.

The mixte is a perfect bike for days when I don’t plan to do any post-work grocery shopping or general hauling of stuff. On a day-to-day basis, I require less storage space than I’ve grown to think I need.

The Velo Orange also reminded me of the “just ride” principle. Just get on your bike. Wear whatever clothes you want. Ride your bike. Commuting is not a fashion show (though I do like to get a little bike love now and then). It’s about getting around town on whatever you choose to ride and meeting your transportation needs under the power of your own two feet.

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Posted in Bikes to Like, Dining Room Bike Shop, Velo Orange

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Reviving the Lead Sled: our Cannondale Tandem

Posted on August 5, 2012 | 5 Comments

Due to unforeseen circumstances (to be discussed in another post), our Co-Motion tandem will not be around for a while. In the meantime, Felkerino and I still want to tandem together so we decided to put our original brevet tandem, a Cannondale mountain frame, back into service for some summer rides and any upcoming fall brevets we do. Because of its industrial dark gray hue and bulky aluminum tubing, Felkerino nicknamed it the “lead sled.”

Cannondale tandem, back in service

Felkerino invested some serious time this past week to make the Cannondale rando ready. He put on new tires, transitioned our saddles and handlebars over from the Co-Motion, and measured and remeasured to mimic our Co-Motion measurements as much as possible.

This weekend we took the lead sled out for a 73-mile shakedown ride to see how it- and we- would fare. While it’s quite a switch to go from riding a steel tandem that’s been made especially for you to a stock Large-in-front, Medium-in-back aluminum-frame tandem with 26-inch wheels, our ride went better than I expected.

There is no doubt that the Cannondale has served us well. We rode it through our first two seasons of randonneuring together, and we put it through its paces on the Cascade 1200K in 2006. Since Co-Motion built our tandem, though, the Cannondale has not seen much use.

Having grown so accustomed to the fit and feel of the Co-Motion, I was apprehensive about reviving the Cannondale. I was also bummed that riding the Co-Motion was not an option.

I love tandeming with Felkerino so I had to get over being bummed out and get my bum in the stoker zone. Once we dialed in each of our fits as best we could and made it out on the open road, I have to say I enjoyed riding the bike again. It was like rekindling a relationship with an old frenemy. I mean, an old friend. We’ll have to see how we all get along on longer rides, but for 73 miles the Cannondale felt good, albeit distinct from the Co-Motion.

Cannondale tandem, i.e., the lead sled

  • Stiffness. The Cannondale is a much stiffer ride than the Co-Motion. It’s hard to explain, but when we stood up on the pedals for some standing climbing I felt the stiffness of the Cannondale radiate from the balls of my feet. The Co-Motion, in comparison, has a little more give to it and does not feel so rigid when we climb.
  • Tire Size. Being a mountain tandem, the Cannondale is ideally suited for 26-inch wheels (unlike our Co-Motion which takes 700Cs). For this go-round with the lead sled, we decided to use wider tires than we did in the past, as we found the ride rather unforgiving. This time, we’re riding 26 x 1.5-inch tires and it has made the ride smoother. Bumps don’t cause as much of a jolt as they did with 32s. The slightly smaller and wider tires add some rolling resistance, which is noticeable on the downhills as we give up one or two miles an hour, but the added comfort is worth it.
  • Handlebar Reach. The Cannondale is over two inches shorter in the stoker zone, making the fit somewhat of a compromise. The space in the stoker zone of the Co-Motion is ideal; it’s like having my own studio apartment. I can ride easily on the top of the bars as well as the hoods. When riding the Cannondale, I much prefer to spend my time on the hoods so that I can get a little more stretch. The handlebar reach will never be perfect on this bike, but it works alright for now.
  • Setback. I found the setback on both bikes to be comparable thus far, thanks to the Velo Orange Grand Cru seatpost I’m using on the Cannondale. I did not find myself pushing back on the saddle this weekend, as I had during previous rides on this bike. We’ll see how it goes on longer rides. Knowing that the overall stoker zone is a couple inches shorter than the Co-Motion, I’m a little apprehensive about how the reach and setback will be on rides of 100 miles or longer.
  • General Size. As I mentioned, the Co-Motion is one large bike, with a much higher top tube than the Cannondale. Felkerino said that the Co-Motion practically requires him to be a Rockette to step over it. I actually do not recall the standover height of the Co-Motion and since it is in the bike hospital, I cannot take any measurements. In contrast, the Cannondale top tube is much lower. That also means that the fistful (in this case, four inches) of seatpost that is visible on the Co-Motion is 7 inches of visible seatpost on the Cannondale. When on the Cannondale, I’m looking way down at the top tube on that bike. It will take time to readjust to the feeling of a slightly smaller and shorter frame.

Felkerino and the Cannondale tandem. See what I mean about the top tube?

Thankfully, the Cannondale felt pretty good for the duration of our ride. There are kinks to be ironed out, as to be expected with any bike that has not been ridden for a while and that you want to put back into service for more rigorous riding.

This weekend our 40-spoke rear wheel popped a spoke at the head and now needs to be rethreaded. Great. (Better now than in the middle of nowhere, right?) We need to install fenders. The 26-inch tire stash needs to be inventoried and reviewed. Felkerino and I will tinker with our positioning until it feels as optimal as we can get it.

I’m heartened. After almost a month off of the tandem, we’re back at it. We’re not on the tandem I expected, but given that the Co-Motion is unrideable I feel fortunate to have a reserve tandem that’s performed solidly for us in the past. We are determined to make the Cannondale a solid touring and randonneuring bike that will once again meet our tandeming needs.

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Posted in Bikes to Like, Cannondale, Dining Room Bike Shop, Tandeming, Tandems