Frontage Roads » Bikes

Kona Dual Compartment Frame Bag

Errin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:45:07 +0000

I just completed my first dual-compartment frame bag. This is a great option for frames that are large enough to take advantage of this. The two zippers allow you to get access to items at the bottom of the bag without having to empty all of the contents out. Just above the lower zipper is velcro that can be attached to create a shelf if needed or wanted. Also, there’s a small mesh pocket located on the downtube portion.

Looking down into the bag. Tons of space!

Shelf deployed.

Brevet Frame Bag

Errin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:27:59 +0000

This weekend I made a small bag for my Kogswell to be used in Brevets. It’s basically a half frame bag, but really it’s even smaller than that. It will be the spot where I carry my snacks, phone, gloves, brevet card etc. I added some reflective tape to both sides, and of course Jim’s patch.

I used cam-locks and D-rings for both the front and back mounting points. My frame is so small that I couldn’t have the bag go all the way to the seat tube without blocking the water bottle. The cam-locks allow me to get some tension on the straps easier than velcro would.

DIY Reflective Vest Upgrade

Errin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:03:08 +0000

For brevet riding you must wear reflective gear in the dark. I’ve had this vest for a couple years now but it’s always bugged me. The thing I don’t like about it is that to wear it you must pull it on over your head. That usually means taking off your helmet. A time waster.

So I had the idea that I’d install a zipper in the front. It seems pretty simple. Sewing in the mesh was trickier than I thought and the fabric stretched a little. In hindsight I should’ve sewn in some fabric to mount the zipper to, instead of just the mesh. Live and learn though.

The vest with the zipper installed.

I used the vest on this past weekend’s 200k brevet. In all honesty it isn’t much better. The zipper teeth are very small, so they are not the easiest to line up in the dark. I think a bigger zipper would make things easier. However, I no longer have to pull the vest over my head which was the point.

Bikepacking/Packrafting In Scotland.

Errin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:34:07 +0000

Full story here.

Kogswell Kommute

Errin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:07:21 +0000

Today I rode the Kogswell in for the first time in a long time. I can’t remember the last time I rode it to be honest. It may have been June! Damn.

I was reminded that 650b wheels are just right for me. Good stuff.

Commuting Again

Errin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:47:35 +0000

I’ve been off the bike since about the middle of December. I don’t know how it got away from me, but it did. I’m back to commuting though. This is my second day in a row, and only my second day back to work so I’m 2 for 2.

Today also marked my return to training. I did my first set of intervals since May of last year. That seems so long ago. That was back when I was training for the Tour Divide. Now I’m looking to get back into shape and ride some brevets. The first one is this weekend.

I’m looking forward to this year and what it may bring. For now I’m happy with a solid commute and logging some good miles.

New Adventures

Errin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:03:13 +0000

This year some of my adventures are going to be wet.

Cyclocross B&Ws

Errin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:34:06 +0000

Here are a couple shots from this weekends race. These worked better in B&W and there will be some color ones coming soon.

Surly Long Haul Trucker Top Tube Bag

Errin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:47:27 +0000

Over the long weekend I tried to play catchup on some things. Most were unsuccessful, however one wasn’t. I made a pattern for a new top tube bag and assembled it. A specific request for a bag that works well with the tall head tubes of the Surly Long Haul Truckers. It ended up coming out pretty good. I’ve sold my LHT but I was able to use Serbrina’s LHT as my test mule.

Pretty good fit I’d say.

The angle of the front of the bag works better for road bikes than they would on a mountain bike with it’s slanted top tube. I tried it out on my Kogswell P/R and it worked out great there too. The Kogger also has a tall head tube, so the strategically placed front strap fits perfectly.

The bag will easily fit your wallet and cell phone as well as some snacks. If’n you’re interested in one let me know. Thanks for looking!

Swrve Jeans

Errin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:06:28 +0000

It’s been a crazy busy work at week. This thing called “Sweeps” has hit us hard and it’s meant many hours of work. I haven’t pedaled one stroke this week because of it. Damn.

In other news though I just got a pair of the Swrve Jeans. I’d been wanting to try them out for a while, but I’m more of a Dickies guy. I guess the skate punk never left me. Well, I got them last week and I’ve been wearing them non-stop ever since! These things are damn comfortable. Nothing like I imagine denim to be.

They are cut for a cyclist and even include a reflective strip inside the right leg. Just roll it up to reveal it. Pretty slick. Like other Swrve products they are cut slightly lower in the front of the waist and slightly higher in the rear. Don’t worry, people will still be able to see your tramp stamp. Sheesh.

I’ve always been a uniform kinda guy. I wear the same thing everyday. Same Dickies, same jacket etc. I think I’ll be changing that to include these jeans though. Actually my Dickies may get some time off. I don’t think I’ll be going back to them for a while.