The Bicycle Thread - October 2019

October 1, 2019 | The Bicycle Thread

[Berlin_Freeper]

Welcome to the Bicycle Thread. A monthly PING List for bicycle enthusiasts to share experiences, information and ideas.

[Berlin_Freeper]

These Guys Mapped Out Every 3-Meter Square on Earth with a Unique Three-Word Phrase
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/a28912218/three-words-coordinates/

Personal safety app WanderSafe teams up What3words
https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/personal-safety-app-wandersafe-teams-up-what3words/news-story/1641a797fad500eee1286b2c40e478f0

I did a 12.9 mile ride today after dinner, testing What3words app while being on two bridges...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48827963257_c3b2c72169_o.jpg
https://w3w.co/include.chart.level (you might like to click the satellite view in the upper left)
///include.chart.level
This 3 word address refers to an exact 3m x 3m location. Tap the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48827428453_9004c97095_k.jpg
https://w3w.co/fairy.simple.rattler (you might like to click the satellite view in the upper left)
///fairy.simple.rattler
This 3 word address refers to an exact 3m x 3m location. Tap the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.

[fireman15]

So I have been on the low carb diet threads and some of them believe that low carb diets would be helpful for bicycle road racers. I basically told them that they didn’t know what they were talking about. Maybe in the winter... to keep from gaining too much weight, but I have never known a competitive rider who could keep up a full training schedule while avoiding carbs. Has anyone who races or rides 200 to 300 miles a week at a fast pace, participating in this thread ever tried?

[fireman15]

I think they are a case of technology for technology's sake, not that they are an actual improvement over Schrader valves.

Presta valves are lighter and more aerodynamic than Schrader valves and they let less air escape when you pull the pump head off of a high pressure tire. They also restrict the flow of air less than a Schrader valve when you are pumping them up. You can also put a simple and cheap adapter on them that basically turns them into a Schrader valve

[minnesota_bound]

Happens everyday. Freeway pileup.

[minnesota_bound]

MOUNTAIN OF HELL 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pltY5vS-aOY

[Disambiguator]

I have a tool for taking the tops off Presta valves so I can put sealant in my tubes. It is specific to the task, so it’s a special tool.

[Disambiguator]

I really am not concerned about the weight and aerodynamics of my valve stems. That seems like an almost esoteric concern. My bikes are used to haul my gear and my 200 lb. carcass around, and I am more interested in utility than weight. I’ve hauled 40 lbs. of groceries home on my bike. A few grams of difference in a valve stem is not going to make a difference for me.

[daniel1212]

Presta valves are lighter and more aerodynamic than Schrader valves

Which makes a minute difference for most.

and they let less air escape when you pull the pump head off of a high pressure tire.

Not in my experience if you use the standard flip nozzle for Schrader valves, and you can easily tap the top of the Presta valve when removing the nozzle, or in screwing the nut back down, and in which case a whole lot more air than with a Schrader.

They also restrict the flow of air less than a Schrader valve when you are pumping them up.

True. And less likely to get sand and dirt in them. And if you want to take a air out, then its real quick.

ou can also put a simple and cheap adapter on them that basically turns them into a Schrader valve

10Pcs Presta To Schrader Valve Adapter$1.20 From Hong Kong Free Shipping

Or a Universal Bicycle Bike Tyre Tube Presta Dual Head Air Pump Adapter nozzle

1.78

[Paal Gulli]

You really should close this thread ....

... before someone writes something intelligent.

[Berlin_Freeper]

esad

[golux]

Oh! Got it.

[qam1]

Presta valves are lighter and more aerodynamic than Schrader valves

The difference is so insignificant it's not even worth discussing. You save more weight by trimming your fingernails before biking than you do with either valve.

and they let less air escape when you pull the pump head off of a high pressure tire.

I never had a problem with air escaping when pulling the pump head off, plus with Presta valves whatever you "save" you lose more in beginning because before you put air in a Presta, you 1st have to let a little out.

They also restrict the flow of air less than a Schrader valve when you are pumping them up.

No they don't quite the opposite. It often takes 4 or 5 times of putting the pump on then taking it off before air will even go into a Presta, and Presta's easily break which means no air gets in or out.

You can also put a simple and cheap adapter on them that basically turns them into a Schrader valve

The adapter won't make a Presta stronger. They will still break easily.

The only advantage Prestas have is if you own a bike shop, as you will sell/fix a lot more tubes. There's a reason cars, 747s, the space shuttle use good old Shraders and not Prestas

[coaster123]

Thanks for the input, guys, it helps.

Photos/bio solely for self indulgent vanity:

Known locally as the-guy-on-the-bike I enjoyed a small network of asphalt roads interlaced with single track on a 9 mi.² Lake Erie island for a few years. In the winter access was by small plane so the island was nearly deserted. This time in my life was Peak Ride. The second pic is after trading thin ice (the most fun) for goat heads.

[Osage Orange]

I guess...ditto all that.

Ha!!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Excellent!
Would love to be on a deserted island, ha-ha!

[Berlin_Freeper]

17.6 miles Action-Camera Ride today,
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48833954222_56e00468bc_o.jpg
https://w3w.co/nozzle.vitamins.pasta

I bought a cheap Rollei Actioncamera,
for 23 euros (5 euros off because the box was opened).
Attached it to my bicycle basket.
https://youtu.be/iyNAb1—Ja8

23 euros!
GoPro 7 was selling for more than 350 euros.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Short 5.1 mile Germany Reunification Day (30 years) ride,
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48835963643_c610d2ef1d_o.jpg
https://w3w.co/journals.neutron.upset

Completed the Zwift x World Champs Challenge
177 miles in two weeks,
https://www.strava.com/challenges/Zwift-World-Champs-Challenge

Made an actioncam video,
going to remove it from my basket and strap it to my helmet next time,
so the video is not so shaky up and down,
https://youtu.be/lJXJU4JsaUE

[Jonty30]

One idea I should pass to you, is to keep a tile blue tooth tracker attached to your seat, underneath. In case it gets stolen, it can be located within almost 300 feet when you activate the tile on your cell phone.

They are handy things.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Thanks, might be a good option to consider.
Today I saw a U-lock alarm system I am thinking of getting,

Not sure if this is the one but is a good example:
3D Position Detection – detects vibrations and the smallest of movements in all three dimensions and triggers an alarm

[Berlin_Freeper]

Short 2.3 miles Bicycle Repaired Ride today.
Can you see what is new?...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48848419702_03b9ea1a2b_o.jpg

Yesterday I rode my bicycle to get it fixed.
The front fender has been broken for some weeks when a stick (while on a woods trail) rode up with my tire and shattered the back half of the fender.
Luckily I was still able to ride it, but now I got a new front fender.

Also I finally got the beach-cruiser type handlebar I been wanting so I can generally ride sitting up straight (I can always lean down forward when needed).
It took going to three bicycle shops yesterday but I finally found one that fit my bike. Plus I been to two other bike shops in the past looking for the right handlebar.

So, I am really really happy my ride is 99.95 percent perfect for me (nothing is a 100 percent?).

Thing with my new front fender is that the shops wanted to sell me the same type that broke...
A set of fenders (you can’t buy just front or back you need to purchase the set, fine, whatever.) for an “urban bicycle”.
I said I want this type though and pointed to the racing fenders.
I was told “No those are for racing bikes and won’t work”.

OK, thinking back maybe it was my fault because I finally explained the story on how the fender broke and I needed one that has both space and flexibility (plastic instead of... I don’t know, hard plastic). Then finally the shop guy said OK this one and grabbed the racing fender (I said to myself Thank You God!). You see, the thing in Germany is if they think you are out of specifications they will tell you No.

So then I told him: I am also looking for a beach-cruiser type handlebar the rises and sweeps back so I can sit straight.
I been told No from the other shops because it won’t fit my trekking bicycle that came with a handlebar that was just a straight bar.
It was fine when I bought it but, not horrible, but after riding for hours and then the next day and the next day,
I realized I really like the handlebar style of my old bike.

So I explained to the guy with my racing fender in his hand the full situation...
He went into a rear room and came back with a cruiser type handlebar and asked: Like this?

A light shined down from above, Angels were singing, I was going to ask is he had a golden chalice with holy inscription also in the back room!

I said: That looks good.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48848418182_6a8e06424f_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48847865033_d06ae362f7_k.jpg
I kept my original back fender on.

Saw this on the ride home. Someone must have fished it from the lagoon:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48847864528_3a84903a24_k.jpg