This weather...

This weather we're having here in North Texas is starting to suck.
Just about the time we figure it's going to be a nice riding day, the
rain moves in a spoils it.

Today, I got ready to ride and looked at the weather stuff to see what
was moving. I figured with the rain being west and south of us, I'd be
better to head east. I'm getting sick of those roads out there, but
none the less, I decided on my route. I rode from my house in Mesquite
down I30 to 205 and got off there heading for Quinlan and so on. I
started noticing the clouds moving in and didn't like what I saw. Sure
enough, I managed to get walled-in and then the rain started. I knew
what I left, so I turned back and went back west and rode a bit around
the metroplex before deciding it was a wash-out (literally) and came
back home.

I did go up to REI in North Dallas and pick up an order for a
headlight and computer for my bicycle. While I picked out the computer
for the bicycle, I also wondered if it would work on the motorcycle.
It wasn't really an issue of would it fit up, because I seem to make
things work that wouldn't normally. What was bugging me was that this
was a bicycle computer and the speeds might not be up to what a
motorcycle would put out. I researched into this and found out that
the computer I bought is rated at up to 180mph. I'm thinking that
would be in the range of my motorcycle! I'm not really sure why they
would build a bicycle computer to have such sick speeds, but who
knows. Now, the thing that I'm working on now is just a place to fix
the computer itself to and make it look right. Supposedly, these
things are terribly accurate and would be a cool addition to a bike. I
guess once I get the formulas worked out on the wheel size and how to
mount the pickup and magnet on the front wheel, I'll be in business on
it. I was even thinking in the line of mounting a headlight like on my
bicycle on the motorcycle. This thing is insanely bright! It has the
same bulb system as what's on the Lexus' and BMWs (even though I hate
BMWs). What caught my eye about this one though, it's rated high for
brightness and still provides that light for over 30 hours on 4AA
batteries. Pretty cool!

Anyway, I wondered if anyone had any ideas on thin (like credit card
size thin) magnets that were powerful. Also, has anyone here ever
mounted a bicycle computer on a motorcycle before that might be able
to give me head's up on any pitfalls I might get into?

 

Bike "computers" have been in use on motos since long before GPSs got
popular. The Sigma line is particularly popular. Be sure to get one
that reads the speeds that motos can go (some are limited to 60 or 80
mph). Use a rare earth magnet on the wheel since it will be needed to
reach the sensor at the distances needed to safely mount on the bike
wheel (more clearance than on a bicycle). Radio Shack has them. Mount
it to the wheel using that goop used to repair sneaker soles.
Calibrate the speedo by measuring the exact circumference of the tire
as nearly as perfectly as you can. As the tire wears down,
periodically recalibrate the measurement since the circumference
shrinks as the tread wears off. Mark a spot on the wheel. Put a
matching mark on the ground where the wheel-mark lines up, roll the
wheel 2 revolutions and place another mark on the ground, measure the
total length and divide by 2 to minimize any error.

Avoid the wireless style as they are prone to errors on bikes and have
problems with keeping up with the frequencies needed at moto speeds.

The BC800 seems to be the model of choice even though it's not the
top-of-the-line. Part of this is its tops speed limits above triple
digits.

 

MAN! It's raining again today!!!

That's the model I got for my bicycle. When I first saw it at REI, I
asked the bike dude there whether it had a limit of 40mph or
so...since it was for a bicycle. He said he didn't know, and then
after talking a while, he asked why I wanted to know. I told him that
I wanted to retrofit it for a motorcycle because of the top-speed
recall. He showed me on a couple bikes in the shop how they hook up.

When I went online to order my headlight for my birthday present to
myself I figured I'd go ahead and get a computer too. When it came in
and I installed it on the bicycle, I kept thinking about the
motorcycle idea. I went online and got the specs and come to find out
they were rated insanely high for bicycles...almost like they had it
in mind for the motorcycle. I looked around for a good mounting area,
and the place I found for the magnet was next to one of the bolts for
my disc rotor, but below the caliper. I can run the pickup sensor and
wire down my speedo cable. Now the only problem is where to mount the
computer itself. I could put it on the center cap (fuse cover) of the
risers, but it might look cheap. If I mount it to the handlebars,
there's no good angle to view it right where it's square. I'm thinking
of building a mounting bar between the speedo and tach and have it
chromed or powder coated to make it look right.

I'll check with Radio Shack on the magnet. Did you have a problem with
clearance in the space you fit your magnet? With mine, it's a really
tight squeeze to get it in there on the rotor and about 1/8" either
way and I'll be screwed.

 

BTW, for anyone who might need sporting type equipment, I *HIGHLY*
recommend REI (http://www.rei.com).

Anytime I've dealt with the people there, they've always been
courteous and helpful. I had my doubts at first when I started dealing
there. I heard they were the "Neiman Marcus of sporting goods". That
in itself was frightening to me. When I hear something like that, I'm
thinking snotty people with high prices. In fact, they honored an
expired sale on the headlight because they didn't stock it and it
wouldn't be out until a couple weeks after the sale ended...then they
marked down my computer too. Both together (with tax and all) was less
than anyone else wanted for the headlight itself.

Just FYI for anyone who might need to know...'cause you never know.

 

Hmm. The illumination might be a problem. Surely there's some sort of
fix without having to ride with a flashlight shining to see it?
Interesting.

While I was writing this, I surfed over to
http://www.sigmasport.com/index_usa.html and saw where they had a
"nite light" for the computers. I don't know if that might be an
option or not. I can't find where it's sold to be able to look at it.

Nope, I got the HL-EL500 Opticube.

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=17&catId=7&subCatId=2

It gives the most light of the Cateye line. I sorta had to compromise
the hours of run time for the candlepower. Then again, I have
rechargeable batteries and I'm not planning on being anywhere that
I'll see 30+ hours of constant darkness. If I plan that, I'll plan to
take my 1 hour charger and some spare batteries.

All the bike shops that I went into kept trying to sell me either the
HL-EL300 or the EL200, then they'd get rude when I told them I didn't
want those models and I wanted the 500. One (Richardson Bike Mart) at
first said there wasn't a model like that and then told me "we don't
carry junk and this is why"...whatever that meant. A bike shop in
Rockwall didn't know what I was talking about, but said they'd "check
Monday". Monday came around and they called me to say they'd have to
order it and it would be right at $60. I told the guy that REI had it
for half that price on their sale, and the guy told me that I should
buy there and asked why I even bothered with them in the first place.
I swear, I'd love to open a bike shop and show these arrogant snots
how easily they can be put out of business just by me having good
customer service and knowing the products.

 

Over here, where I live, we want rain, so maybe it will get cold, I am
tired of this balmy weather......I wants some of that there cold Riding
weather....I like that mucho more...so let it rain , let it rain, let it
rain! over here....(g) bj

<>haveAgoodDay-Bjay<>

 

Yeah, it was pretty sketchy weather there right before I left. We
flew through the cold front and storms on Sunday and let me tell you,
it was a bit rough on the airplane. ;-)

I don't have any direct experience with what you are doing, but rare
earth magnets seem to be about the most powerful magnets that are not
charged. Maybe someone else has a better answer?


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

Hey BJay!

How are you feeling? All better, now?


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

I put a plenty bumps on this one thus far. I feel I made a good choice
in it by holding off and not buying the first one available.

I've never had good luck with Richardson Bike Mart. As far as I can
tell, the only one's who buy from there are the one's who know what
they want and don't mess with anyone. If someone goes in there wanting
something off-hand or innovative that would require thought or
effort...they can't provide it.

Yup, the only thing I'm in the market for now is a new chainring or
crankset. My top is only a 43 tooth set and that doesn't make for too
much in the top end on the roadways. It's okay on the trails, but if I
"pavement it" it's really SLOW. My top pedal speed (according to the
new computer I mounted... ) is only 25mph. I can maintain 20mph on
the flats. I'm able to go faster, but then I'm just spinning the crank
and not actually doing anything. I'm looking for a good 52 or 55 tooth
setup. The problem I'm looking at on that is I've got the 4 bold
crankset as opposed to the 5 bolt that many of the 52+ comes in. I was
told that I couldn't swap it because "it" wouldn't match up. Unless
I'm mistaken, a frame is a frame and that's where the fitting would
take place at.

Anyway, I've been looking for this setup. Any ideas? BTW, if I change
the crankset, I'm planning for also having to change the bottom
bracket...everything but the crankarms and pedals...and move the front
derailleur up. If you know of any place I might find a good set...

 

Well, Fullstate I am a doing pretty darn well, by george. Shoot, there
wasnt nothing to the Surgery deal, I think every
one should have a little surgery job....
heehee......The Dr. had the nerve to tell me, "Now, you take it easy,
and don't drive for about a week!" But he didnt say I couldnt "
Ride"...smile......but I bet he would say no, If I told him I had a
motorBike, and wanted 2 know if I could Ride? hmmmm? bj (grinning)

<>haveAgoodDay-Bjay<>

 

The only experience I've had with them has been the Garland Road
store. I wasn't impressed in the slightest. Their entire "way" is
messed up. The store in Richardson might be different, but this one is
a mess.

Of all the bike shops around here (east of central expressway), I like
Wheels In Motion. On top of them being professional and helpful, they
are convenient to White Rock Trail where I ride all the time (not the
only place, but I like the trail ride and lake circle).

Give me an idea of what you're talking about with 'Hybrid'. What I've
looked at so far has been in the Shimano line of cranksets. I was
planning on just swapping the entire set of rings. Since most of my
riding is done on the 3rd ring and I use the gearing of the back
cassette to change to loads of uphill riding. Since I ride like this,
I'm figuring that changing to a larger set wouldn't be that hard on
me. The only rings I've found so far though that fit a 4 bolt pattern
are the rings that are only a couple teeth larger. I don't know if
that would give me the results I'm looking for?

Yeah, but when those people pass me like I'm sitting still...it just
pisses me off! And, I'd like to be able to keep up on rides. Then
again, they unload their bikes, spend 30 minutes putting on their
"gear"...ride for 15 minutes at full speed and then stop and drink a
bottle of water for a while. I unload, get setup within a couple
minutes...ride for 3 or 4 hours straight and get my water while I
ride.

Yeah, right! I've looked into that. Something about *$1000* for one
that my wife couldn't understand why with all the money I've dumped
into the bike I have now that I couldn't use the bike I have now
instead. The only alternative is a higher end Schwinn that would need
upgrades. I *did* have a chance to buy a Schwinn a couple weeks ago
for $50. It was an older model and had the suicide shifters. I rode it
out at White Rock for a little ways. I didn't care for the shifters
and the bike would need a complete set-up done before I'd be able to
ride it comfortably. With all considered, I had to pass on the buy.

 

oh, a hybrid bike...I was thinking you were talking about the rings
themselves. I didn't know if there was some sort of alloy or
fabricated ring that you were calling a hybrid.

That might be worth a look to see if I can find some take-offs from
one of those bikes. I never thought about that.

wow! I might need to get over there and check one out and see if it'll
work. Was the Marin a hybrid or a mountain?

I only get about 1 day a week to do that. If I'm lucky, I make a
weekday and a weekend day for two a week...if the weather permits.
Otherwise, I just stay local here in Mesquite and ride about 10 miles
(10.8 to be exact with the new computer <g>) a day when it's nice out.
That makes for about 40 minutes of ride time, then I'm done.

The long ride is confined to White Rock. I go around the lake either
twice or once, then up the trail to Valley View and back down. When I
get back down to the lake, I either go around the lake twice or once
depending on what I did starting off. The trail is 8 miles, the lake
is 11 miles...and I generally do it all in one setting or take a short
get off and walk around at Valley View.

I was reading in the new People magazine where Lance Armstrong took
some celebs on a ride through Austin. They did 100 miles. It sure
would've been nice had someone sent me some notice to it...

Even at those prices, I could possibly still be better off (less
money) doing the mods to mine. Even if I went to new 27" wheels, I'm
thinking I might beat the prices verses going with another bike.

Mine is setup for disk brakes, but I don't have them installed. I
guess I'm waiting until I bend a wheel or something and then I'll
install them.

Yeah, with the topics going on here...I don't care!

That's a great price!

The best I've been able to come up with that would come even close was
a Giant 26" MTB for $65. I was browsing a sale and ran across it. I
don't know why I didn't buy it, but I just never had a "jump out at
me" thought to it. The tires were flat, but still had good tread and
the rear derailluer needed to be adjusted. Other than dirt, that was
really the only things wrong with it. I'm kinda now kicking myself for
not buying it for my wife.

My son just got a new bike for his birthday and now my wife is getting
interested in wanting to go riding. My son has never rode a bike
before, and I'm trying to teach him. He got a new 20" full suspension
mtb that's 7 speed and with the rear, it doesn't take the normal
training wheels. I took a piece of metal and some couplers and made a
mock up for some brackets for the wheels. I sent them over to a shop
to have them finish them out and I'm hoping to have them back today or
at least before the weekend.

Okay.