tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.comments2023-11-24T11:39:17.055-05:00The BlayleysFixie Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comBlogger879125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-55428086140585067292022-02-13T22:25:24.132-05:002022-02-13T22:25:24.132-05:00This was a wonderful video, thank you for taking t...This was a wonderful video, thank you for taking time to share the road with all who tune in now and then. Ephrata WA Cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928648762505701864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-67088986545467431392020-05-05T18:06:41.601-04:002020-05-05T18:06:41.601-04:00Part of Nigel's group. Found randonneuring f...Part of Nigel's group. Found randonneuring from your site 1991.<br />Thomas Keenanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12206830009312417431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-13777004955797765372020-01-14T22:48:42.412-05:002020-01-14T22:48:42.412-05:00Not only Busch & Müller lights have the good b...Not only Busch & Müller lights have the good beam pattern; others that meet the German standard do. There is more detail on the topic at https://sheldonbrown.com/LED-headlights.htmlJohn S. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731232655773487676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-10511744240777895642020-01-07T06:55:44.741-05:002020-01-07T06:55:44.741-05:00Thank you very much for your time.
I'm back t...Thank you very much for your time.<br /><br />I'm back to work after a full semester sabbatical. Will commute with my girlfriend'S rusty 3x7 gripped front suspension. It's -6° with 10 km/h wind. Perfect day to start.<br /><br />The only thing I would like would be the sun to rise at 6h rather than 7h30...<br /><br />Also, I honestly don't want to repair a flat on winter while commuting. The road I use is pretty busy so if anything goes wrong, taxi or public bus. Nicolas Boisverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08707784505331086938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-46153919284017098942020-01-04T11:33:24.524-05:002020-01-04T11:33:24.524-05:00Finally figured out issue with old cookies that ke...Finally figured out issue with old cookies that kept me from posting replies!Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-30378347242584191892020-01-04T11:31:03.897-05:002020-01-04T11:31:03.897-05:00The rack was custom made by Seven. It comes apart ...The rack was custom made by Seven. It comes apart to pack flat.Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-68933913010893079972020-01-04T11:22:47.978-05:002020-01-04T11:22:47.978-05:00There is a separate article on commuting that addr...There is a separate article on commuting that addresses some of this<br /> <br />A single bike for summer and winter or two separate ?<br />- A multispeed or a fixie ?<br /><br />First let me admit to having retired. I also moved out to the boonies up in the hilltowns of western Massachusetts. I no longer commute to a job, but I do still use my bike for errands, food shopping, doctor appointments and the like. I have one dedicated commuter. Up until a year ago, it was setup as a fixie, for all the reasons I talked about here and in the commuter article - ease of maintenance being the primary reason. After we moved to the hilltowns, The dirt roads that seemed to get graded every time I went to the CSA, the snow and hills finally had me put on a derailleur and some gears. I kept it simple though, it's a 1x 10 using parts I had in the spares bin. For your commute, *I* would use fixed.<br /> <br />- A derailleur or an internal hub ?<br />I have had a few internal hubs over the years. I had an early generation Rohloff on an adventure bike, but just had too many problems with it and sold the bike. I also had an older 7 speed internal than wasn't terribly efficient. An internally geared hub has many of the advantages of SS or fixed as far as chain wear and such, but still has a cable to get iced over and if you don't have one lying around, is more expensive than a standard derailleur setup.<br /><br />When I did convert my bike last year, I had old 10 speed parts from a bike I'd converted to 11. So I used them.<br /><br />- A chain or a belt ?<br /><br />A belt required a modified frame to get the belt through the seat stay. I've seen inexpensive belt bikes in shops (that have the break in the seat stay), but if you are starting with an existing frame, you'll want a chain.<br /><br />- Disk or caliper brakes ?<br /><br />Depends on whether you are buying new or not. If you are converting something you already have, use whatever brakes you've got. Disk or cantis will eliminate some clearance issues with fenders. Disks are great for keeping hands cleaner when repairing a flat. <br /><br />- Anything else relevant to 2020 ?<br />At this stage, there are numerous inexpensive *gravel* bikes that are a great starting point for a commuter, because they have clearance for wide (studded) tires and fenders. Just make sure they have mounting points for rack and fenders. <br /><br />Again, sorry for the lack of response and the lack of updates on the blog. We've had a busy couple of years with our latest move. I have two years worth of Irish tours to get posted and will try to start doing that soon, with less than ideal weather outside.<br /><br />- Pixie<br />Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-26662435484566822752020-01-04T11:00:35.266-05:002020-01-04T11:00:35.266-05:00Hi Nicolas,
Blogger changed comment moderation a...Hi Nicolas, <br /><br />Blogger changed comment moderation and I haven't been getting notifications about comments. Then after that something went weird with safari and I wasn't able to reply. I typed a big long response to this that disappeared. So I will try again...Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-17474632411205544992020-01-04T09:34:25.391-05:002020-01-04T09:34:25.391-05:00What is the pannier rack with a tailight (grey)? ...What is the pannier rack with a tailight (grey)? Is it a custom that came with the bike? Nicolas Boisverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08707784505331086938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-90209840173842946212020-01-01T22:18:14.633-05:002020-01-01T22:18:14.633-05:00Nice work.Nice work.Haw Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01609641227716726308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-14813473369776955502019-12-26T22:07:11.050-05:002019-12-26T22:07:11.050-05:00I left a rather large message a few days ago that ...I left a rather large message a few days ago that has not shown yet. Was it filtered out by blogspot or it's a holiday delay? Just posting something shorter.Nicolas Boisverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08707784505331086938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-85843633421385274362019-12-23T18:08:01.398-05:002019-12-23T18:08:01.398-05:00Dear Pamela,
I got on your blog from a link from ...Dear Pamela,<br /><br />I got on your blog from a link from Sheldon Brown's own page.<br /><br />Since the last post is dating from 2017 and it's almost 2020, maybe you can guide me in fulfiling my needs.<br /><br />I live in Quebec province where the pavement looks like there was a war around here and it took some mortar shell... In my younger years, I used to ride longer distances (about 100 km). But age gets me fearful and since the local roads are so bad to my tastes, I lost appetite for road biking long distance. <br /><br />I have a 2012 carbon road bike that came with 700x23c slick tires. For a few years now, I have been using the carbon bike to commutee to my job, a 22 km x 2 ride on a fairly flat road. The only road to get at work is so damaged that I replaced the slick with the largest tire I could fit, a Schwalbe Marathon 700x28c. I feel more secure.<br /><br />Then, this fall, I decided to try winter cycling with my girlfriend's old rusty hybrid bike on which I installed studded tires. Jeeezzzz I love it!!! 4 days ago, I did a 20 km ride at -16°C. That's when I decided I needed a serious bike.<br /><br />I know you have a lot of bikes but, initially, my intent would be to get rid of the carbon road bike and get ONE new bike to commute all-year round... Is this a good idea ?<br /><br />I started my reading and stumbled on a "new technology" that was in all our parents bikes back then but 3-speed version: internal hub like Alfine 8 or 11. Then I found about belt drive instead of a chain....wow!!! And finally...<br /><br />I got here and saw your avatar is Fixie Pixie... And then I remembered my youth when I had a fixie and me and my friends used to climb a short but fu****g steep hill without even dreaming of near future multispeed bike.<br /><br />And now I am confused because now I have read a few of your posts, I wonder: as my IMMEDIATE need is to do a 22 km commute and workout allyear long, maybe I could consider a fixie as well, instead of paying a premium for an 11 speed Alfine...<br /><br />So, at the eve of 2020, what are your thoughts ? <br /><br />Keep in mind I have the carbon road bike I am willing to get rid-of, if it's a good option. If not, I will keep it. My MAIN goal in to get in possession of a DURABLE winter bike but I would be happy to have only one bike.<br /><br />- A single bike for summer and winter or two separate ?<br />- A multispeed or a fixie ?<br />- A derailleur or an internal hub ?<br />- A chain or a belt ?<br />- Disk or caliper brakes ?<br />- Anything else relevant to 2020 ?<br /><br />Thank you very much. I love this blog, so much information in a few hours of reading.<br /><br />NicolasNicolas Boisverthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08707784505331086938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-23937060951477935672018-07-07T06:36:47.768-04:002018-07-07T06:36:47.768-04:00Thanks for sharing such a useful post.Thanks for <a href="https://hamesheron.portfoliobox.net/everythingyoushouldknowhardtailvsfullsuspensionmountainbikes" rel="nofollow">sharing </a> such a useful post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614457707209592303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-86175388355734429692018-07-07T06:36:00.020-04:002018-07-07T06:36:00.020-04:00This article help me. Thank your for sharing .This article help me. Thank your for <a href="https://hamesheron.portfoliobox.net/everythingyoushouldknowhardtailvsfullsuspensionmountainbikes" rel="nofollow">sharing </a>.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614457707209592303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-29912059521154246282018-05-13T07:45:06.251-04:002018-05-13T07:45:06.251-04:00You are one tough lady, to be sure. I have a shoul...You are one tough lady, to be sure. I have a shoulder that has gone from stuck, to just really painful. It takes 5 go 10 miles of riding these days for the pain to ease. I don't think it's a cycling-related injury, but I'm going to use you as inspiration when I get hit with a pang of pain.<br /><br />My wife and I have ridden the Prouty cancer fundraiser several times, and when when we're worn out, bucking a headwind with 75 miles down and 25 left to go, we start reminiscing about my sister Sue, whose active life was ended early, due to breast cancer. It's an instant tailwind to think about the energy and attitude that she brought to every challenge. There will be an extra yellow ribbon streaming from our bike this year, with your name on it.Steve Barnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141738452735566462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-9422093724071603702018-05-13T07:20:09.902-04:002018-05-13T07:20:09.902-04:00I have a mile-long, very steep descent to ride nea...I have a mile-long, very steep descent to ride near the beginning of my commute, and last winter I grew weary of talking to my brakes, trying to convince them that any time they wanted to start actually slowing the bike down was fine by me. Since the fork I had instslled had both cantilever studs and disc caliper mounts, I built up a disc wheel for it, installed a TRP Spyre caliper, and experienced a real difference in braking reliability. I went with the all-mechanical brake because it was less than half the cost of the partially-hydraulic version. Proper setup is key, but it works well, with no rubbing. Eventually, I swapped out the frame so I could run a disc in the rear, as well.<br /><br />I had resisted going with disc brakes in the winter out of concern that they might increase braking to the point where the tires lose traction, but this hasn't proven to be a problem. I'm using 160mm rotors and the braking under dry conditions is only marginally better than that of decent rim brakes. The brake modulation is good, and I've yet to have an unexpected lockup.<br /><br />I chose a disc-specific rim, and since all of these are tubeless-ready, I decided to try eliminating the tubes, as well. I've had winter flats at 10 degrees F and it's no fun getting a stiff winter tire off the rim while perched on a snowbank. Even though the Nokian studded tires are not designed for tubeless use, I had excellent results with OrangeSeal sealant. Of course, I still carry spare tubes, just in case. My commute is 18 miles, each way, and much of it it lacks cell phone service, so I need to be prepared for the unexpected, especially in winter.Steve Barnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141738452735566462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-59969398878212045322018-05-01T10:08:08.173-04:002018-05-01T10:08:08.173-04:00Hi Emily,
Thank you for your kind words. You hav...Hi Emily, <br /><br />Thank you for your kind words. You have had your fair share. Pedaling a bike is in our blood! Indeed!<br /><br />PamelaFixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-26786694705542341352018-04-30T20:14:47.873-04:002018-04-30T20:14:47.873-04:00You are an inspiration, Pamela. From cycling cras...You are an inspiration, Pamela. From cycling crashes, I have fractured my pelvis in three places (still have a plate and four pins in my right ilium) and my jaw also in three places (in braces now after having it wired shut for awhile). I guess I should consider myself lucky compared to what you have been through! But pain is a constant companion, and like you, I have lost muscle and don't want to be on prescription painkillers. I am stubborn as I am still riding upright even when scar tissue from my pelvic fractures tell me I should probably be on a recumbent. After I broke my jaw last year from an endo, my 82-year old mother urged me to stop riding; she said that two bone-breaking injuries should be enough. On the one hand, I can understand how a non-cyclist would think that. It's completely logical. But as a cyclist for several decades now, it is hard to explain the impossibility of giving it up as long as I am still able to do it. I'm back at it and have over 1700 miles on the odometer so far this year. I hope and pray I am through with injuries for awhile -- and that you are too. And I also hope we can both find that balance you speak of. I love to read and cook and write and do other things besides cycling, but pedaling a bike is in my blood.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15572905521059358017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-62921259651491985522018-04-25T18:29:15.064-04:002018-04-25T18:29:15.064-04:00Jim,
Thank you for the kind words. Shoulder stuf...Jim, <br /><br />Thank you for the kind words. Shoulder stuff is brutal. As cyclists, we already have a hunched over posture from spending our days grasping drop handlebars. Combine that with a tendency to break collarbones and we are set back even more. I blame my first broken collarbone and lack of surgery, meaning 3 months of immobility for the frozen shoulder that morphed into osteoarthritis that resulted in my cyborg shoulder. Chemo and a year of cancer treatment wasted away a lot of muscle. Then the surgery went after more upper chest muscle. Not to pat myself of my sore back, but every time I see a new medical provider, they comment that my body has had more than its share of abuse. Yet at the same time, I know how lucky I am because things could have been much worse. This was driven home after the bone graft left me barely able to walk for a week. Now that was pure agony, couldn't ride, couldn't walk! That's when I realized what a motion junkie I am. <br /><br />I love that running is something you view positively. So it's great that you have it and enjoy it. But here's to better days for both of us going forward.<br /><br />Pamela<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-45058184123381916912018-04-25T15:23:24.008-04:002018-04-25T15:23:24.008-04:00I hear ya, Pamela! I'm off pain killers compl...I hear ya, Pamela! I'm off pain killers completely but still struggle with shoulder year after surgery although WAY BETTER. It is a conundrum that one needs to strengthen wasted muscles and ligaments through rehab to get better but hitting the wall on pain can back flip you to lost ground. Doesn't seem that medicine has come up with a decent solution for chronic pain while rehabbing because of toxicity and side effects of meds. I've come to accept that shoulder injuries are agonizingly slow to heal but have made great progress from where I was a year ago prior to surgery and rehab. Rode my vintage bike today with its new semi-upright cockpit and hit some satisfying speed on short ride and pleased that I can ride two wheels again. This ride today is only second upright ride this year. Last 12 months hardly any riding including trike because of pain including cervical pain because neck muscles were grossly overloaded to assist shoulder movements. Surgery and rest and rehab have made a big difference and I'm lucky that I have running to fall back on during my cycling abstinence which would have been even harder without that fix. I'm experimenting with the new semi-upright cockpit to see whether this is a partial solution and if so may change out cockpits on other bikes. My takeaway from the past several years of fighting the shoulder pain is that the body is amazingly resilient but that shoulder injuries are excruciatingly slow to heal and will exact rest and recovery from me. I have made progress though but am coming to understand as you point out that there's a balance. For me, maybe a new normal. Still it's progress. You're still inspirational and I really feel for what you've gone through. Be kind to yourself! Jim DuncanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-61364143923096894822018-03-11T11:02:57.831-04:002018-03-11T11:02:57.831-04:00I run into these sorts of conditions often on my c...I run into these sorts of conditions often on my commute. The first 4 to 5 miles are on dirt, which can be quite enjoyable even right after it snows, as the snow tends to indeed be that ribbon of hard-packed white. Reaching the pavement is when things get messy. If the plow trucks haven't had time to come through for their second run with the wing blade down, the shoulders will be filled with several inches of a slimy mess of salty slush with the consistency of cake frosting. The prospect of 10 miles of cycling through this slop typically leaves me competing with the cars for their right rut. More often, I simply skip riding the day immediately following a snowfall and drive, instead.<br /><br />In terms of lighting, I'm solidly with the Pixie. I'm not a fan of the asymmetrical beams, as they leave me feeling like I have no idea what's ahead, especially at speeds over 30 km / hour. Instead, I mount the light at least as high as the forkcrown (I'm not a fan of low-mounted, raking lights, either), and aim it down at the steepest angle that works for me. I rarely get flashed by cars, and given the number of vehicles that blind me with their overly bright halogens, or who refuse to flip to low beam (and experience has shown that this frequency has nothing to do with what light I am running), I can't say as I hold any concern for drivers who may experince some annoyance at my headlight. Those folks are likely annoyed at the fact that I'm on the road, at all. In the winter, a lot of my riding is at night, and I often have both a generator and battery light. In spite of what many say, I can tell when I have the lights on, even with the best dynamo hubs, so I will often use the battery lights. The dynamo comes on when it's tough to see the road, or when I'm not in a rush.<br /><br />Anyone who hasn't ridden in rain or snow with an LED light has missed an amazing light show. High-output LEDs use a circuit to boost and regulate the DC voltage that creates a strobe effect which can be quite beautiful.<br /><br />What I miss most on the dynamo lights is the ability to easily switch them on or off from the bars. When I'm out in the country, there's a bright moon, and no cars, I find that switching all the headlights off creates an almost magical experience, especially in the snow.Steve Barnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141738452735566462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-45695292571458670552018-01-06T17:14:35.676-05:002018-01-06T17:14:35.676-05:00Emily, Oh boy. Your misadventure sounds quite unpl...Emily, Oh boy. Your misadventure sounds quite unpleasant. I know the pleasure I get from food and a wired jaw has to be brutal. Tell you mom, you could slip in the bath. My philosophy is I can't live in bubble wrap. And seize the day.<br /><br />And Happy New Year to you as well. <br /><br />Pamela<br /><br /><br /> Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-85809225202268570232018-01-06T16:56:14.121-05:002018-01-06T16:56:14.121-05:00You are a warrior! I can't believe all you ha...You are a warrior! I can't believe all you have been through and your adventurous spirit! Reading about it all, though I feel terrible for you, makes me feel better about my year. I endo'd over a little girl on a push bike who pulled out in front of me on a blind curve on a fast descent this past spring, fractured my left thumb, and more importantly, my jaw in three places. Our summer plans of driving out west in our RV were cancelled; and in their place, I got to have my jaw wired and ultimately get braces (for the second time in my life) at age 56. I took 3 months off the bike but am back to riding now, much to my mother's chagrin. She keeps hoping I'll wise up and stop one day, but like you, I refuse to let a few little bumps and fractures keep me down. LOL! Hope the shoulder will heal up for reals this time. Happy New (fracture-free) Year!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15572905521059358017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-87252278033503819212017-12-24T18:00:20.590-05:002017-12-24T18:00:20.590-05:00Sometimes I think John only rides so he can have n...Sometimes I think John only rides so he can have new things to photograph Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3739147624979162869.post-45396859794756400452017-12-24T17:55:38.594-05:002017-12-24T17:55:38.594-05:00Credit to John for knowing how to operate a camera...Credit to John for knowing how to operate a camera and having such a good eye, the country for providing such a great back drop and the long suffering model, who sometimes gets to ride back and forth for the perfect shot ;-)Fixie Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932022188247682078noreply@blogger.com