Hello bike commuters, I am new to your ways. Have been rehabbing a back injury and I think my running days are now gone. I enjoy a bike ride but never have I been 'a cyclist.' 53M.
So I picked up a '13 Salsa Vaya, my commute is 12 mi one way and a pretty pleasant one at that, about 70% of it on a bike path and a ride across a University campus.
Looking for some tips/feedback on my setup for nice ergonomic pleasing rides. If things go well I may try some touring but let's see how things go with 2-3 rides per week.
Pictured is the steer station, Qs: recommended grips for sweaty hands? Looking for a Sram X9 10sp compatible index shifter (the twistie is garbage). What do people like for compact little GPS units?
by VaccinesAndDentistry
1 Comment
That looks like a great commuter bike already!
> Qs: recommended grips for sweaty hands?
You might like cork grips. Several companies make them. I like the Ergon grips because the shape and the material are very comfortable.
> Looking for a Sram X9 10sp compatible index shifter (the twistie is garbage).
I don’t have a recommendation. I think that twist shifters are great for IGHs, but not so much for derailleurs. I have the stock Shimano click shifter.
> What do people like for compact little GPS units?
I have a Garmin 530. I think that anything with a tiny touch screen would be foolish in the bicycle environment (i.e., wet and jiggling around).
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Also, if you are open to some unsolicited advice:
* It looks like you have a Jones H-bar. I really like mine because it has many comfortable hand positions (i.e., great for longer rides) and many places to install accessories.
* If you plan on commuting regularly – even on days when there is a chance of rain, then I recommend full fenders. They will keep your drivetrain, your cargo, and yourself clean and dry.
* If you ride in fog, then your headlight could create a wall of white glare. The closer to the ground you can get it the better. I have mine installed on the crown of the fork – through the bolt for the fender.