PAC how's the new bike?

[RC Vikings]

Have you had a chance to ride it yet?

[PaloAltoCougar]

Have you had a chance to ride it yet?

They didn't have my wife's bike in, so I decided to wait until both were ready to go. It's just as well, as I've had a weird intestinal bug that past couple of days and haven't been able to ride. I'm waiting to hear from Palo Alto Bicycle as to the bikes' ETA, but I believe it'll be within the next few days.

And I'm asking this too late, but do you have any thoughts about SRAM componentry? Rather than Shimano Ultegra, we're getting SRAM, and saving another $450 in the process. The main guy at the store was great in describing the pros and cons of both, and said he uses both, one on each of the two bikes he rides the most. SRAM is a bit less smooth on the shifting, but is more durable and slightly more reliable, per the proprietor. The shifters work a little differently, but we tried both at the store and determined we were pretty much indifferent. With the savings, we're going to get some good shoes and computers.

And speaking of my wife, she continues to outpace me on certain long climbs. I was mulling this over as I watched her attractive backside from my increasingly distant vantage point, and realized that despite all the riding I've been doing of late, she has ridden that much, plus an additional 70-80 miles each week for the past five months (she did a relatively short 45 mile ride this morning with her pals). At least she's nice enough to hang with me over the long hauls.

[RC Vikings]

I was going to go with the SRAM Red group but they didn't have any 180 crank arms so I went back to Dura Ace. A couple of the guys i ride with put SRAM on their bikes and they really like it. If you're use to Shimano shifting it's takes a little while to get adjusted to the SRAM style but I don't think it's big deal. PAC I bet you could ride away from your wife but it sounds like you enjoy the view so you just stay right behind her and tell us a story about not being as strong as her.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Thanks for the response. Since we've never used Shimano brake lever shifters (I currently have Shimano Nexave thumb shifters) there won't be a transition problem. And these 180 crank arms of which you speak.... are these extra long? I'm 6'3" and haven't had a problem with what I assume are standard crank arms on my current bike; should I care about this?

And I really like this forum and the help you, bg, creek and several others have provided. It's worth all the collateral damage I sustain from good-natured abuse.

[bluegoose]

Is the double-click the only shifter system that SRAM is using now with their higher end components? Since graduating from down tube shifters I've always had the Shimano Ultegra brake lever shifters. I love them, but have always wondered how well the double click system would work in comparison.

[RC Vikings]

And these 180 crank arms of which you speak.... are these extra long? I'm 6'3" and haven't had a problem with what I assume are standard crank arms on my current bike; should I care about this?

And I really like this forum and the help you, bg, creek and several others have provided. It's worth all the collateral damage I sustain from good-natured abuse.

I wouldn't worry about it. I rode with 175's for years and really I don't notice any real difference. I still think the two things that make the biggest difference are to have your chain clean and oiled and to fill those tires up. I try to keep mine at 120 psi so those babies are rock hard.

[PaloAltoCougar]

...fill those tires up. I try to keep mine at 120 psi so those babies are rock hard.

So is it okay to go past the max psi shown on the tire (our road tandem is 105)? I tend to be an obedient lad, thinking twice even before tearing those warning labels off of new furniture cushions. But I realize the importance of well-inflated tires, so I'm curious how far one goes here....

[RC Vikings]

So is it okay to go past the max psi shown on the tire (our road tandem is 105)? I tend to be an obedient lad, thinking twice even before tearing those warning labels off of new furniture cushions. But I realize the importance of well-inflated tires, so I'm curious how far one goes here....

My guess your new bike will come with tires with a 120 psi rating. Even back in the day when they all came with a 105 rating my brother would pump them up to 120 and he never had a problem with them blowing up. I think they have a fudge factor in there.

[creekster]

So is it okay to go past the max psi shown on the tire (our road tandem is 105)? I tend to be an obedient lad, thinking twice even before tearing those warning labels off of new furniture cushions. But I realize the importance of well-inflated tires, so I'm curious how far one goes here....

I think it depends. You are always OK for 10-20% over stated maximum, but I wold never put 120 psi in a tire rated 65 lbs. There was an article a few years back in a magazine by a tire manufacturer rep who claimed it was dangerous, blah blah blah, but every serious rider I have ever known puts extra in and likes the tires rock hard.

BTW, on the tandem I would especially suggest a few extra. If you keep them high you can avoid pinch flats, which can be a problem on tandems if the tires are too low.

[creekster]

I wouldn't worry about it. I rode with 175's for years and really I don't notice any real difference. I still think the two things that make the biggest difference are to have your chain clean and oiled and to fill those tires up. I try to keep mine at 120 psi so those babies are rock hard.

Why did you switch to 180s? Those are pretty long. Of course, I have short legs compared to you two leviathans. If you are having knee problems you should look at crank length.

I wholeheartedly agree with RC about the chain and the tire issue, those are absolutely the two most important things.

[RC Vikings]

Why did you switch to 180s? Those are pretty long. Of course, I have short legs compared to you two leviathans. If you are having knee problems you should look at crank length.

I wholeheartedly agree with RC about the chain and the tire issue, those are absolutely the two most important things.

My neighbor went with the longer crank length and he swears by them but I really haven't noticed a big difference. I was worried about knee pain but I haven't experienced any so far. This year I'm trying to up my cadence and not mash the big gears so that may be helping also.