TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Where the rubber meets the road: What makes cycling tires fast? - VeloNews.com

shlammed

iTrader: (8)

that gatorskin tire is going to ride like you have solid rubber tires, fwiw. if you plan on riding in downtown area where your going to just drive over it because your splitting traffic and don't want to pay attention, that's what I would use them for.

I am still on a pair of Michelin Pro4 Service course tires on my Giant. they are really great tires. they are supple and I have only had a problem when I drove over a pile of metal that was in the road (in front of a metal scrap yard). they do run large.



The biggest question I have is how much space you have for larger tires. I would easily go for a 28c tire if you had space.



though not apples to apples in terms of bike itself, my 32c (measured. rated at 35c) continental cyclocross speed tire'd bike with the same fit I loose ~8km/h over my road bike with smooth 25cs. the notable difference is the 32c and fenders, and im sure the fenders do a little bit for aero, but not 8km/h worth.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

No experience with MTB, but people routinely ignore MFG pressure recommendations on cross wheels. You want to go as low as you can without burping the tire (rolling the tire over so far that the bead unseats and air comes out). Inflate the tires to 15psi and see if you can force the bead off with your hands. If you can't, ride on that, but be a little careful. Online calculators are 100% horseshit, as the burping pressure will depend on how tight your particular tire is on your particular rimset. I would never run a Maxxis Rambler under 30psi, for instance, but I did a race with a WTB Nano on the same wheel that got a thorn early on, deflated from 40psi to 20psi, and lasted until the end of the race without problems.

dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

You can safely ignore the recommended pressures on the sides of the tires. 20-30 psi is a good range for a rider like you- I typically run 5psi more in the rear tire to prevent flats, and also give the front tire a little more traction (relatively) so it will be less likely to wash out.

Basically go as low as you want until the tires start feeling funny from rolling off the rim under cornering or you start pinch-flatting a lot. BTW XR3 kinda sucks as a front tire... you could get a more aggressive front and save the XR3 for rear duties.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Anyone have any strong opinions about kid seats? My boy is 13 months so he's just about ready for some gentle bike rides around the block.

I'm currently looking at this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLW5PTS/

I need something that will fit on my old GT Zaskar hardtail MTB. I don't like the rear-mount seats or the trailers.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

We've used this one from wally world for a long time now and my kid absolutely loves it and works great

WeeRide Kangaroo Carrier - Walmart.com

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Actually I almost ordered that from Amazon yesterday -- they had the deluxe model for $60. But I don't think the mounting bar will fit on my Zaskar frame -- the head tube barely extends above the joint with the top tube, and I don't want to clamp that bar down on the headset itself.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

my bikes are same way, it fit them fine. the little insert inside the clamp is only about 3-5mm wide andshould fit into that tiny space.

At least it did on my cruiser, mtb, and hybrid.

*edit: but you'll likely want to lower the seat when riding with kid, or you'll be hitting his head with your jaw (but I'm short with short arms)

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

$57 for the deluxe model right now: https://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-Kanga...dp/B001DF68MA/

What about clearance for your knees? One thing I liked about the Peg seat is that it seemed to sit a little bit higher and more forward so you don't have to pedal with splayed knees.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I never really had issues with legs/knees, but keep in mind I mostly used it with a beach cruiser, and recently with a much smaller MTB than yours.

On the cruiser I had the seat all the way down, and the handlebar is super wide, it worked flawlessly.

On the MTB it's harder cause handlebar way narrower and further forward, and seat is high like yours. way way more uncomfortable, but still not a deal breaker. you won't be going fast or super far anyway.

I think a rear kid seat is probably more convenient and easier on you, at least I think it is. But this one is cool cause you're basically "hugging" the kid when riding, kinda safer should something happen.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

+1 for the weeride kangaroo. Looks like it won't fit a bike or an adults body, but it does. I don't hit even my 4 year old jammed in there. Yeah you have to spread your knees, but it's not by much. You feel comfortable with it after 20 minutes of action.

Today is my rideafterwork day so I ran out to take some pics IN THE RAIN BITCHES. Like vlad said, it fits even with a little head tube showing above the weld.

EDIT: I did have to source a pair of longer M6 screws (miata valvecover bolts), as the kit only supplied one pair of long/one pair short, and I needed two pair long.

Mazdaspeeder

TurboTim, I forgot that you're a local to me. Where do you ride? If you want to come check out some stuff near Philadelphia, I'll be happy to give you a tour of the trails.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Okay, thanks guys. I'll give it a shot, and if I don't like how it mounts to my frame, I'll return it and order the Peg to see if that works.

Next question -- any recommendations for a helmet for a 1 year old? Normally if a new rider doesn't know what brands fit them well, I'd recommend buying their first helmet at a LBS just so they can test fit before buying, but it's not like my kid is going to tell me what helmet fits and what helmet doesn't. And I'm not sure I believe LBS employees are educated in proper baby helmet selection anyway.

Just measure his head and order one with good reviews?

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Wednesday rides are at Allaire with my mtn bike. Friday rides are either on my road bike around my town or on my cross bike around washingtons crossing/newhope canal path or Clayton Park (off 195 in CNJ).

I haven't had a chance to get on a weekend group ride yet :( The trails around the schuylkill are awesome I hear.

RE: baby helmet. i used a handmedown from an inlaw. In retrospect, that is not a good idea.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Timmah for the winnah

riding in rain like a man.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

This seems to get consistently good reviews, and is one of only a handful of infant/toddler helmets with MIPS.

Scamp? MIPS

Going to measure the kiddo's noggin tonight and then place my order.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

awwright guyths, went shopping yesterday. hopefully this stuff aint too bad

got these tires
Continental Gatorskin Folding Road Tire

got this grip tape
Forte Grip-Tec2 Handlebar Tape

got this helmet
Scattante Volo Road Helmet

got these lights
NiteRider Lumina Micro 250 USB LED Headlight and Solas 30 Lumen USB Tail Light - Performance Exclusive

this pump
Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump - Performance Exclusive


Hopefully this stuff aint too bad and I didn't make a terrible mistake, but lmk if so, they have a decent return policy.

Tomorrow I attempt to ride to work for the 1st time. 430am start time and 11.9 miles.
Really excited

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

The Scattante house brand name always makes me laugh, but that looks fine. Gatorskins will be lower performance than a normal road tire, but it's well worth it for not flatting. I just sold a bike and pulled the Gatorskins off of it so that I could install them on my wife's bike.

Mazdaspeeder

I haven't been to allaire yet, is it any good? I might make it out there to check out if you don't mind me joining you/your group. I'm also pretty close to washington crossing/new hope, was actually looking to take a road ride from new hope south all the way to I95 down river rd and then come back.

I went to performance cycle yesterday and picked up some gear. I got their Elite bib shorts which are pretty comfy, not the most supple feeling padding but for the price, they fit good, and were comfy for a 12 mile ride yesterday.I also picked up an Elite shirt with 3 back pockets and a full zipper. The stuff was on sale, and I got the bib and shirt for $100 total as I had wanted to budget. Amazon was also taking forever to ship my XC-31 shoes, so I picked up the same pair there for the same price, and got to try them on. The "performance exclusive" ones are black and white, I take it the white won't be white for very long once I hit the trails. I'll see how my body feels after a 50 mile ride Tuesday morning.

Also, if I want to use the same shorts or bib 2 or 3 days in a row, but don't want to run the washing machine just for 2 pieces of cycle gear (shirt and bib), is there a good way to hand wash them in the sink or something? I had a short ride yesterday so I just washed them in the sink under cold water and hung them up to dry, and they were totally ready to go by this morning. Might be weird, but has anyone tried to stick feminine pads in there to keep things cleaner? Only reason I ask is they're the right size and shape, and are designed to go against skin anyway.

Yes, I know the real solution is to buy another pair of bibs or two so you don't have to mess around, but I hear that those things should be washed immediately after the ride anyway, and with how quick they dry by the next day, it kind of negates the NEED for a second pair, though it would probably help both items last longer and stay fresher

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

I'll PM you.