Re: 10 speeds

On Sun, 21 Apr 2024 11:23:03 -0500,
  AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

 On 4/21/2024 10:13 AM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 4/21/2024 9:30 AM, AMuzi wrote:

On 4/20/2024 3:16 PM, Tom Kunich wrote:

I have to admit that my Dura Ace 6800 ten speed certainly
are better than the 12 speed Campy. Or the 12 speed wireless
Di2 or the SRAM.
>
I changed three bikes over now and I carefully put away
another set of levers and forgotten where I put them. As
soon as I come across them I will change over my Tomassini.
>
I don't like the 6900 10 speed levers with their moving the
shifting reel from the front to the back. Also 6900 levers
are rare and the pull ratio of the reel appears to be
different so that a 6800 front and rear derailleur aren't
quite compatable with the 6800 parts.
>
But I like all of my bike groups to match after the hell of
the 11 and 12 speed Campy and the rather meaningless
electrinic shifting that are so popular now.

>
Indeed, sometimes less is more.

+1

Which brings one to fixed gear...

 
I've still never had the opportunity to ride a fixie.

Well that seems like a missed opportunity.

But I'm curious about your capabilities on that thing. How far
can you ride? What sort of terrain?

 
 Normally 2~10 miles, moderate terrain, paved roads. Which for
 me is the most frequent use of a bicycle.

For me, typically 10-20 miles--when the ride gets over an hour, I
start to get less comfortable, in large part because it's harder
to get weight off the saddle (standing and coasting is not an
option).

I also ride on moderate terrain.  I commuted to and from work for
a time in Bloomington, IN, so there were some hills.  That said, I
would not ride the fixed gear out of town where the hill got
bigger (and steeper).  Standing was still required at times to
keep going.  Downhills for me are a harder thing on the fixed
gear, and a bit part of why I always had a front brake.  Here in
West Lafayette, there are fewer hills and they are generally not
as steep.  Moreover, there are greater expanses of countryside
with minimal hills.  Still, I'm not riding the fixie much these
days, mostly because when I'm available to ride my wife usually
expects to get out with me on the tandem.  I don't think she would
go for a fixed gear tandem, though I'm not sure I've ever asked.

--
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA