Until a month ago, our focus in 2020 was moving in May, adjusting to a longer bike commute, and life situation, with my husband transitioning to part-time work. We presume events will still happen - just a little later than expected.
Priorities may look different, of course, with travel likely postponed. Instead, I'm planning to focus my energy on Miss Clementine's makeover this year.
- Explore a new upright bar setup, possibly using a removable face plate (that I bought last year and is shorter reach). I love the svelte look of Albatross bars, but I'm also considering Velo Orange Curvy or Granola bars. Alternative hand positions are just as important as bars with less rise (or no rise) than Rivendell's Boscos currently fixed on Clementine. After 3 years, I need to make a change. With two stems and 2 types of bars (Curvy One and Granola?), I will have options and may put the unused bar on my Peugeot St. Laurent commuter bike. I've found whatbars.com to be very helpful.
- I've been having discomfort using thumbshifters on my winter bike, but once I transitioned to the Peugeot for spring commutes, shifting has been easier/smoother, so for now I'll leave thumbies on the Clem.
- I need to redo racks! After the Racktime Topit failed on a WTF adventure, I'm rethinking how best to setup the Clem for tours by shifting racks between bikes, hopefully saving another expense.
- Less of a priority is switching tires. Although current 2" wide tires are functional and perform well on dirt, they are sluggish on paved roads. Visually, I dislike black tires. I may replace them with 1.75" gumwall Paselas.
What's on your bike agenda in 2020?
Not that my opinion should matter for you bike, but I really love my Albatross bars! I think if you have less of a rise, it may feel a little more like a good distance traveler. It could just be me, but when I have super upright bars on a bike (especially a Riv), it feels a little too city-bike for my liking. Of course, everyone is different, and depending on how a bike is used I can see how the more upright bars make sense. Just thought I'd throw in my two cents (not that it's even worth that!). :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that your move can still go forward. I know a lot of people who were planning to move are struggling at the moment. One of our neighbors' houses went under contract a few weeks ago and when I spoke with them a couple of days ago (at about a 15' distance), they were concerned about the people who were buying it and whether or not they still have jobs so the loan can close. :( It's a sad state of affairs for many right now.
Stay well and I look forward to reading all about your plans coming to fruition in the coming months.
Thanks BE for your comments. By following Pondero I've fallen in love with the Albatross bar's swoopy curves - certainly no other bar like it. Will need to see (at least on paper) whether this style might work for me.
DeleteWe're fortunate, even with me currently out of work, to be able to move. Construction has ceased on new house and in an otherwise hot sellers market my guess is our current home won't sell. Terrible timing but who knew? Just want everyone to be safe.
Annie, are you going to replace the quill stem with an A head conversion stem which will have a big range of handlebar stems to choose from. I did this on my Dawes Super Galaxy and it was comfier. This conversion makes swapping bars much easier. Your post has just reminded me that one of my jobs was to respray my rack. All the best in these troubled times.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave. I had to look up what a stem conversion is and I'm still confused... I bought a Terry quill stem with removable faceplace: http://www.terrybicycles.com/accessories/bike-parts/Terry-T-Stem
DeleteWhether I use it or not depends on the bars I order but having this will give me another option. I've always wanted to try this type of stem.
Annie,
Deletehttps://www.chainreactioncycles.com/deda-elementi-quill-stem-adapter/rp-prod166221?mx01=a&utm_referrer=minicarttest&utm_expid=minicarttest&gs=1&sku=sku614766&istCompanyId=8d42cf00-fc35-44ce-8770-97ae3ffd4c16&istFeedId=c759ee22-6d7f-4501-bd00-f1af47c60490&istItemId=iwxtwpqip&istBid=t&pgrid=60711843258&ptaid=pla-427242312943&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|slebo81oK_dc|pcrid|309840119912|pkw||pmt||prd|614766UK&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_vzBRCIARIsAOs54z7psPyga-z4TANAkOhnJDkwzJejwvTLJ12Bim9s7FNWEpz1JguInskaAoUVEALw_wcB#
Handlebar stems
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/stems?mx01=a&utm_referrer=minicarttest&utm_expid=minicarttest
Does this help? Using an A head conversion stem just gives you more choice of handlebar stem length and angles.
In practice your Terry stem will do the same if the length and angle of the handle bar stem is suitable.
Dave, thanks. I see now, you need two parts to equal a fixed stem like the one I purchased. You have lots of options with angle, etc. I like the elegance of my version - hope it works - as it has a long stem, so it should accommodate a bar with less ride, which is what I'm aiming for. Like many things, there's more than one way to solve a problem. :)
DeleteThat's "less rise" not "less ride".
Delete