Mr. Ray, I almost bought one of the VO polyvalents, but no LBS carried one to try and I was clueless on how to build up a bike.
Reginald, thank you for that tip. Y'all. I took Rubia (hey, look at that, my bike has a name now) out for a rainy commute and it was incredibly empowering. Back in ye olde car days, I'd have 100% opted to drive. And before I figured out what tools would help make me feel comfortable riding in the rain, I'd have called a rideshare for trips that didn't have efficient public transit options. Both me--except for my shoes--and my stuff (including pointe shoes, which are extremely sensitive to moisture) arrived home bone dry. Most importantly, I felt comfortable and safe. Besides my previously mentioned bags from Wizard Works and RBW and the lights and many reflective touches I keep on my bike, here's what made it comfortable for me. 1. Bike poncho (in yellow), but you can see it on a bike in the black color: https://store.moma.org/products/kiu-reflective-bike-poncho. I had the back under my rear end since my saddle had a (quite soaked) cover on. I'm sure any poncho or garbage bag would truly be fine, this just had a lot of features that were v functional for me. I felt like I was in a little cocoon of reflectivity and water-repellent safety. 2. Randi Jo Fabrications saddle cover on my leather saddle kept it d r y despite being locked up in the rain for over an hour. I'm pretty sure I found out about RJF from you fine folx, so many hat tips to you. On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:05:16 PM UTC-5 R. Alexis wrote: > The grips should come off fine. Just stick a slim, long flat screwdriver > under it, then spray some alcohol in under it to loosen it. Should slide > off fine. Can use the same solution or hairspray to slide on new bars. > > Thanks, > > Reginald Alexis > > On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 2:05:28 PM UTC-6 Stephanie A. wrote: > >> @Robb: that's one stout looking front bag! >> >> @Shoji: for me it's my torso--I need to be able to move forward and >> stretch out or sit more upright with my hands farther back. Straight bars >> aren't giving me the versatility I want. I've tried to get the grips off >> and think I may end up taking an exacto knife to them and peeling them off. >> >> @Roberta: thank you! I don't know if I'm pushing what she's meant to >> carry, weight wise. I haven't had any trouble yet, except for maneuvering >> her fully loaded when I'm off the bike! >> >> Here she is, fully loaded today with ballet stuff in the front and the >> too-warm jacket I started with stuffed into the slimsucker. >> >> [image: 4DEAAB68-0D7D-426C-BA65-EC321ACBB5C6.jpeg] >> >> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 9:25:44 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote: >> >>> Love the look of your bike. It’s even so much better when it’s “just >>> perfect”. Dyno- yes, absolutely the best. Enjoy the ride! >>> >>> I’m sending you a PM about tires. I have a barely ridden pair that you >>> might be interested in. Check your spam folder if not in your inbox by >>> midnight. >>> >>> Roberta >>> >>> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 3:08:26 PM UTC-5 Stephanie A. wrote: >>> >>>> Sorry, apparently my posts are too long. >>>> >>>> Here's what I'm still looking to change: >>>> >>>> 1. Handlebars! Maybe Chocos or Albatross for more hand positions and >>>> real estate, but I think that'll also need a different stem. >>>> >>>> 2. Dynamoooo >>>> >>>> 3. I have really small hands, so trigger shifters for the rear have >>>> been a nice change from the brifters I had that were a reach for me on old >>>> bikes. I wonder if any other shifters or brake levers would work even >>>> better? >>>> >>>> 4. I'll get studded schwalbes for snow, but are there any recs for >>>> 700cx38 that are good for road that sometimes becomes mud or sand when >>>> going around people on the greenway? My stock tires are Kenda. >>>> >>>> 5. Paul Motolites >>>> >>>> 6. Generally adding more chaotic color throughout >>>> >>>> 7. Longer fenders >>>> >>>> Anywhooooo. We'll see how this goes! This group has been such a great >>>> place to look up options and read your reflections on biking and gear and >>>> life. I had wanted a Platypus, but I'm having a lot of fun playing around >>>> with this bike to make it my own. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 3:07:14 PM UTC-5 Stephanie A. wrote: >>>> >>>>> Handlebar and basket bags: As great as the basket is, I sometimes >>>>> carry more or oddly sized items that took forever to lash down securely >>>>> in >>>>> the basket. I went for a saddle bag that could also be used as a >>>>> handlebar >>>>> bag: Road Runner Bags' Jammer Bag. The water resistance is A+. The bag >>>>> looks cool as heck. But it took too long for me to get on and off and it >>>>> can get in the way of my headlight. The Wizard Works WizViz Alakazam bag >>>>> has solved all of my problems. >>>>> >>>>> Saddle: I'm used to a racing saddle. Against all of my knowledge and >>>>> experience, I thought the stock saddle might be okay. It was not. My >>>>> bones >>>>> were tender even after short rides. I felt uncomfortable and a little >>>>> scared mounting and dismounting frequently at lights and stop signs. Once >>>>> I >>>>> got the B17s, I immediately found it easier to mount and dismount and >>>>> felt >>>>> no tenderness even after my first ride. I can't imagine ever riding on >>>>> anything else. Extra bonus: I could raise the seat post much higher, >>>>> which >>>>> meant I now had room for... >>>>> >>>>> Saddlebag: A SlimSucker saddle bag! I'm kind of wishing I had >>>>> purchased the HappiSack for extra room: >>>>> >>>>> Rear rack: A NittoxSimworks on-the-road rear rack. It's been >>>>> impossible to find in US shops, but I tracked one down in Canada at >>>>> Dismount! The green struts came from Analog. Now to decide on pannier >>>>> bags... >>>>> >>>>> [image: 8C7F98F4-CA19-490E-B89E-45BD005A4D12.jpeg] >>>>> >>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/ab47abf6-33ac-4adf-957e-7e132d07b68cn%40googlegroups.com.
