Just out of curiosity did you try the 33? I'm wondering if it's too much for me.

Sorry, I'd be a S/M too, or I'd consider your larger one.

Stanley

Hi Stanley- No, I haven't used the 33.  The 22 seems plenty big for my needs and personally I think the 33 might be too big for technical riding.  And, if it's not technical I'd want the bulk of the weight on my bike.

It looks like Rob and I have a trade!

Gary

I'm surprised nobody has praised the Flow.  I'm 140 lbs and ride SS hardtail.  I've become a fan of the wider rim, more volume, less chance of pinching and I swear I can feel a difference in traction/stability over a 23 mm wide rim.  Well worth the extra weight, IMO. 

Didn't I see somewhere that the actual weight difference between the Arch and the Flow was less than what Stan claims?

My wife and I are both using Lake MXZ 300 shoes.  I can't say whether they are the warmest shoe out there but they have made a big difference in our cold riding comfort.  I have Raynauds Syndrome and keeping feet and hands warm is an ongoing problem.  Whatever you buy you might want to try these ideas.  I bought two sizes bigger than I normally wear,  45 vs. 43.  I wear a thin polypro liner sock with a thin plastic bag over that.  Then I top it off with the thickest Smartwool sock made.  Recently I've been putting cream on my feet and hands meant for sore muscles before I ride.  It has menthol and is supposed to stimulate circulation, I think the brand I have is Icy Hot, unfortunately it stinks, but it does seem to help.  Another thing I do is prewarm the boots by the woodstove before heading out.  I've found if they are in my unheated closet when I put them on, my feet never overcome the chill and my feet stay cold.  An hour long ride is easy in single digit temps, 4 hours and I take along some chemical warmers.  Getting off and walking for just 100 yards or so can get the blood flowing again.  I live at 8,000' in CO and often ride in single digit temps with an occasional below zero (F) ride.

Curiak had a post on his blog a while back describing what he used on his epic Alaska ride for his shoes.  He used felt Liners for Sorel type boots in his Lakes.  You need to go quite a bit larger than two sizes to make this work, I think.

Gary   

Hey Scott,

How would you feel about doing book trades here on the list?  I have quite a few, not so much bike related but at least adventure related, or how to related, ultralight backpacking, etc.  These long winter nights are for reading!  Any interest?

Gary

Here's my GPS mounting set up (I hope).  I'm trying to figure out how to post photos.

Anyone who wants to give advice on posting photos?  It looks like I could have gone larger?

Gary

I got a Talon 22 (orange) on sale this summer.  I didn't realize they were sized when I grabbed it    I have a med/large and it's a little too big for me.  If by chance anyone has a small/med and they would rather have a med/large maybe we can work out a trade.  The pack has around 20-25 hours use with no bushwacking (yet).

Gary
gcblakley(AT)gmail.com

A kitchen scale, if accurate, would be great.  I used one for awhile till I found out it was off over 10%.  I found a digital scale on ebay that was affordable and have been using that for a couple of years.  Maybe you could take something you know the weight of and try it on a dial type kitchen scale before you buy it to be sure of it's accuracy.

I highly recommend having a scale, they're fun, and it surprises me what different items weigh.  It changes what I choose to carry sometimes.  You don't need to be a weight weenie to have one, it helps to choose item A over item B based on weight vs. performance/comfort.

Gary   

Gary,

Can you post pictures and links on what you use?

Thanks
Kev

Here's a link to the mount:
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2389

If I have time tonight I'll try to get some photos.

Gary

Cool!  Scott, I was actually going to email you asking if we could list buy/sell/trade stuff. 

I'm using an Etrex Vista and I've had it pop off a couple of times.  The latch that holds the battery cover can let go.  Not only do I have a tether around the stem but I now use a large rubber band around the unit and the mount.  I played with it a bit and have it so I can still see all of the screen and access the buttons.  I've not had it come loose since I started doing this about a year ago.

I also added one of those light mounts for a fork, and mounted it to my stem, the GPS is mounted to that.  This keeps the unit a bit more protected in a fall, it's not sticking so far out ahead of the bars.  I can get the brand name of the mount if anyone wants to know.

Gary

Thanks, Amy.  As usual your reply was very thorough and well informed.  I am a member of BPL, maybe I should read more of the articles.    It looks like the Clearview may be the way to go for me, at least for now.  Maybe when it's cold I could add one of those reflective windshield screens, that Curiak pioneered, between bag and pad to help with the heat loss.  One problem with the Clearview is that my hiking pack (Breeze) uses a pad as a stiffener, so it may not be the best option for that.  I could use a very light ensolite pad as a stiffener and for sittin' around camp but then there's the weight issue.  I did decided after my last backpack a few weeks ago that a good nights sleep is worth whatever weight it requires.  I do OK with the Ridgrest when it's new but they don't last long at all before the foam gets soft, maybe a dozen nights.

Gary

I've been using a cut down Ridge Rest for backpacking and some bikepacking.  I also have an older Thermarest Ultralight pad that's getting too many leaks/patches to be reliable.  It also is NOT ultralight.  The Ridge Rest works pretty well when new but the foam packs down too soon and I wake with numb side and hips which keeps me rolling from one side to the other all night.  It's also too bulky on the bike.  It seems many of you are using the new Thermarest Prolite.  I'm looking at the Bozeman Mountain Works Pad- 

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/torsolite_inflatable_sleeping_pad.html

It's weighs 10 oz, lighter than the Prolite and seems like a better option.  Anyone used them both and have any input?  I see Scott is using a Clearview (?) plastic inflatable pad, no insulation and it appears fragile, but I'm listening to any input.

Gary

Scott wrote:
"I was ready to go to tubes, but Lee pulled out a sticky plug and special installation tool.  Bingo!  The tire held for the rest of the trip."

Scott or Lee, could you elaborate on this?  Is it the sticky rope and insertion tool made for tubeless car tires from any auto parts store?  It sounds like a good thing to carry, do you usually carry extra Stan's to add also?

Great photos and write-up.  This is the area I grew up in and started MTBing way back in the 80's.  I've been on many of those trails from Water Canyon to ABQ.  You guys seem to prefer hike-a-biking as much as riding... 

Gary

Great photos Scott!  It's cool that Paula is into it too.  She must have enjoyed the OR trip to go bikepacking again.  I've got Patti out ultralight backpacking a few times and she's a convert.  Gotta get her out on the bike now, maybe AZ this winter. 

Hey, nice shoes... how'd you like 'em?

Gary

I wear a 43.5 in my old Sidis.  I wear a 42 in four year old Pearl Izumi, I think my Lakes were a 42.  My Pearl Izumi X- Alps are a 43 and they fit great.  I have room to wear a thicker sock for cold weather, I think.  PI shoes from three to four years ago were smaller than they are today.  Weird!  So, I'd guess if you are wearing Lakes go up one size. Worst case scenario you'll have to trade 'em for one size up or down, let us know what works for you compared to what you now use.

 Why can't ALL shoe companies make their sizing the same?

Gary 

I recently picked up a pair of Pearl Izumi X-Alps.  It's a lace up shoe with a velcro strap at the top where the shoes tie.  They are higher than normal shoes and give your ankles a little extra rock protection.  A side benefit of the higher top as well as the foam around it is that my shoes fill up with debris much less than before.  I've worn the racer type shoes for years, Sidi, Pearls, Lakes, etc. and got tired of the slick soles and sketchy feeling when hike-a-biking.  I'm really impressed with these shoes.  The soles seem plenty stiff ( I weigh 140) and as soon as I put my foot down in a sketchy section I notice a difference in traction and stability.  They look like light hikers and the sole is pretty similar too.  I'd recommend them if you do a fair amount of hike-a-biking.  On a longish tour this would be the only pair of shoes you'd need.  I won't be hauling my Crocs anymore unless it's a road tour.  Nashbar is (was) blowing them out for 50.00.

Gary

I booked marked this post quite a while ago.  I like to go read it when I get the urge to order some high dollar thing I feel I just have to have.  The post is aimed toward backpacking but the camping stuff carries over to biking too.  If you're new to ultra light travel and want to give it a try without spending tons, or you're just cheap,   I think it's worth a read.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15329

One thing I like to use are those plastic type bags meant for baking turkeys (grocery store) as a water proof stuff sack.

Gary

Hi Scott!

Congratulations and thanks for the forum!  There has been a void that needs to be filled, this should be a great success. 

Gary Blakley