Couple of BikinHowd pics

Surly Front Nice Rack Cromoly

I just installed the Surly Nice Front Rack on my 2010 Trek 7500 hybrid… The instructions were good, and installation took about 2 hours, though I’m slow the first time through on stuff like this, reading, and re-reading the instructions… It’s really very simple if you have the fork eyelets at the bottom of the front fork and mid-fork like Trek builds in to many models… What really impressed me was the amount of hardware that Surly included with the rack… There’s so much left over I could probably install a second rack with the extras…. Nonetheless, this consideration on their part should save one a trip or two to the hardware store regardless of the bike’s design and fork… They’ve included such items as hose clamps (needed when you don’t have the eyelets I believe), and extras of every bolt size, and extra sliding clamps to fit different width of forks… BTW, this rack is the sturdiest I’ve come across, holding up to 70 lbs, though I’d never put that much weight there! A really nice option with this rack is that you have two levels to hang panniers from, and from what I’ve discovered with another not-so-well designed rack, you’ll probably want to use the lower tubing, but both options give you some freedom to play with it depending on the road/trail conditions. BTW, the lower down position provides better steering control and handling if you’ve not experienced this before… anywho, this is the Cadillac of racks from my research, and I see why now… Any other brand is just likely to make you wish you had spent the bucks on a Surly… Any how, if you’re going to be doing some bike touring the Surly rack goes well with a set of Ortlieb waterproof panniers… Ride On!

My Review of Brooks England B-17 Saddle – Men’s

Originally submitted at REI

The sporty Brooks B-17 saddle is an excellent choice for touring, century rides, ultra-marathon rides and other demanding types of cycling.

Brooks England B-17 Saddle – Men’s

The best saddles on this planet…

By Zowie from Richardson, TX on 4/24/2011

 

5out of 5

Pros: Comfortable

Best Uses: Commuting, Long Rides

Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist

Was this a gift?: No

OK, I have a wall of saddles, those that come on my Trek bikes, and many others that I’ve bought over the years looking for the ‘right’ saddle for my sore butt… a buddy I was riding with from D.C. to Pittsburgh last fall suggested Brooks as ‘the’ saddle to ride… When I got back home I bought my first… which after breaking in got appropriated by my spouse for her saddle on the tandem… so, I bought the B-17 Special and am nearly through a good break-in period, after 500 miles… Please note that I’ve used the Proofide leather treatment to help with the break-in… However, right out of the box the saddle is still better than anything else I’ve ever tried… I used to end up riding almost side saddle after 50-60 miles, and I’ve not had a single such experience since… Brooks saddles eventually conform to your sit bones and put the pressure right there where it should be, unlike many of the gel saddles that feel so good on the salesroom floor and end up hurting your soft tissue on a long ride… I know that these aren’t cheap, but I ride 5000 miles a year and expect to ride my Brooks for the rest of my life… Do yourself (and your butt) a favor and go with one of the best saddles out there…. Brooks!

(legalese)

Hello world!

This might be a very appropriate title for my first blog… Being a programmer and a biking nut!