Category Archives: Equipment
My Equipment
After four years of riding my bike, a 2008 Specialized Allez Elite Compact, it hasn’t changed, but some of the accessories have. I got to thinking on yesterday’s ride about what’s different on the bike than when I bought it. … Continue reading
Filed under Accessories, Components, Equipment
How Much CO2?
One of the A riders in the club posted on the Yahoo group that he was making the move to CO2 cartridges, after many years of resisting them. That started online discussions that took two separate tracks. Another member asked, … Continue reading
Filed under Accessories, Equipment
Moisture Wicking Base Layers
During warm weather here in Texas (which is about eight months out of the year) I like to wear just a cycling jersey next to my skin. But if the temperature gets below 70 degrees (21C), I add a base … Continue reading
Filed under Cold weather, Equipment
Minor Adjustments
Over the past week, I’ve had occasion to make adjustments to the saddles on both my and Pat’s bike. Her bike, of course, needed a replacement saddle after hers fell apart on New Year’s Day. In my case, I got … Continue reading
Saddled With a Problem
At the end of our New Year’s Day ride, Pat pulled into the grass/dirt/mud parking lot ahead of me. I walked the skinny-tired bike. When I caught up to her, she had a perplexed look on her face. “Look at … Continue reading
Filed under Equipment
The New Old Crank Set
As we neared the end of the year, some issues with my bike started cropping up. Because I am me, I immediately diagnosed them as problems with the front derailleur. Because I am me, my diagnosis was 100 percent wrong. … Continue reading
Filed under Accessories, Equipment, Maintenance
“I Need a New Bike”
A little scene happened on our Sunday club ride that I think lots of riders can relate to. (Names have been changed to protect the writer of this blog). I sat down at one of the tables outside the Starbucks where … Continue reading
Another New Saddle
After being reasonably happy with my WTB Speed V for about a year, it went and fell apart on me. I decided the quick and easy way to repair it was to wrap it with duct tape. Great in theory, … Continue reading
Saddle Update – Use #253 For Duct Tape
Back in May, I reported the one-year results of my experience with my WTB Speed V saddle. While I thought the saddle offered more or less the comfort I was looking for, I was dismayed that the vinyl covering the … Continue reading
Filed under Equipment
Being Visible
I’ve been riding along some pretty busy roads lately. Most of the time, they have shoulders. Sometimes, they don’t. And shoulders and bike lanes usually end at intersections. So being seen is something I’m always aware of. It seems whenever … Continue reading
Filed under Accessories, Equipment, Safety

