As the summer winds down, cool air and cool thoughts blow in from the west. Just had biking buddy CJ from OR here with me for a week. We biked, hiked, and raged. VT was good to us. Most of our plans worked out just right.
One broken water filter. That was the downside. Well, we got a little wet too.
He gave me some great interview clips for the upcoming feature video.
I’ve been out of the loop for a week as a result. I’ve been trying to get an update on the production of my new 26″ Vulture fix/free MTB…I’m hoping to get it built and have a few rides on it before mamma nature takes the trails to winter mode. Rock on Wade, but don’t rush it. I can wait….at least a few more minutes.
Scorcher: I’ve been contemplating lowering the 40/21 to a 39/21. Most likely I’ll wait until the current cranks (SR 170mm Road) break, then replace them with a newer 130mm BCD road crank. That will give me 38-42T options. The 40/21 works for a couple of the places that I ride, but makes for a lot of hike a bike in most of VT. Unlike a coasting single speed though, every gear change has to be evaluated in terms of its effect on downhilling. And it gets expensive and time consuming to test the different ratios.
REK shredder: The commuter continues to impress me and everyone else. It’s “loctite” brand lockring wins all aesthetic comparisons, and in commuter use it’s strength is rarely tested. That said, I wonder when/if it will ever slip. It’s been 2 months so far and not a hint of slip. The 46/18T set-up has been fine for Burlington and even with a loaded pannier I can monkey up all the hills. Looking to eventually replace the chop/flop bars with some upright albatross bars from Nitto/Rivendell.
My Feet: The newest “fixed” transportation in my quivver. Of course, they are the OLDEST equipment I have for transport. But the joy of their utility is rekindled. Walking rocks. Walking with a friend in the VT woods is killer. Try it.
OK. That’s it. I’m out of the woods figuratively.
More to come.
G