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**Flyboy** · 09-11-2022, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by wildbears View Post

HOW TO WEAR EARPHONES (NOT EARBUDS) WHEN RIDING

This hack keeps them from falling out. And allows use of wired earphones that permit ambient sounds to be heard. Earbuds can block all ambient sounds (farm dogs; semi's; etc). The wires go under the helmet straps, so put them on before putting on your helmet and sunglasses.

This hack may also work under a motorcycle helmet. Don't know.

Then there's this method...

Buy the SENA bicycle helmet! It's the bomb!

**wildbears** · 09-11-2022, 03:20 PM

I recently replaced my Bontrager Specter Wavecel with a duplicate at half price. This helmet model is now out of production and was being sold at a discount of 30% off.

I tried a different Bontrager model, but the sizing is off with the medium being too small and the large being too large. They do make a M/L size in some other models.
,
One pro for the Wavecel design is it keeps insects out of the helmet.

A con, however, discovered by experience this summer, is that the tendrils on grapevines, hanging down over the pavement, can grab the Wavecel structure like a strong fishhook. I almost got pulled backwards off of my bike but was going slowly and was able to break loose.

**wildbears** · 09-11-2022, 08:32 PM

Online tool to determine knee bend angle.: https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/angle_measurement/

Web page lets you upload a photo and then adjust protractor angle and size and picture location.

Bernard Hinault pictured.

Most recommend 25-30 degrees. Hinault was at 34 degrees and had knee problems.

Click image for larger version Name: Bernard Hinault.png Views: 1 Size: 376.1 KB ID: 42037

**wildbears** · 09-12-2022, 12:00 PM

TREK BONTRAGER TIRE INCORRECT SIZING

Just compared the widths of two Bontrager R2 tires, nominally 25 and 28 C.

Uninstalled and flattened the 25's are 69 mm wide, side to side, and the 28's are only 67 mm side to side!!!

SO THE 25 C TIRES ARE LARGER THAN THE 28 C TIRES WIDTH WISE UNINSTALLED.

INSTALLED, THE 25 C'S ARE 26 X 20 MM AND THE 28 C'S ARE 26 X 22 MM.

SO, mounted the 28's are barely larger than the 25's.

OTOH, the Specialized Armadillo 28 C's are 29 x 26 mm when mounted.

(Thanks go to Tim for the suggestion of measuring mounted. It does make some difference.)

**wildbears** · 09-13-2022, 12:02 PM

Strategies for dealing with farm dogs....

Don't make eye contact.
Stop pedaling. This motion simulates prey trying to flee.
Stop, dismount, and hold the bike between you and the dog(s). Wait to start off until after they've lost interest and retreated. I've done this with as many as 3 dogs at one time.
Spray the dog with your water bottle while moving. Often very effective but not always. And for some reason, dogs and other critters don't consider it a physical assault.
Spray the dog with a dog repellent (citronella based), pepper spray, or bear spray. The latter are also good for personal protection against homo sapiens thugs if you ride thru risky areas.
Wave at or strike the dog with your frame mounted air pump. This along with other physical assaults may further enrage the dog (and the owner). Note that some owners will defend their dogs.
Pack a pellet gun across your back. One of my old friends used to do this to prevent harassment from cagers back in the day.
If the owner is present, ask if the dog has a good lawyer. I do this in a joking manner but the owner always responds immediately.
Pedal slowly towards the dog while standing on the pedals. This also helps to clear a path on a bike trail if people are hogging the path or just not paying attention. Again, making eye contact will seem confrontational.
Avoid aggressive verbal interaction as this is received by the canine (and many people) as an attack.

Note that some of these may only further incense dogs and they are quite capable of knocking you off of the bike or causing you to crash with the same result. Being on the pavement may or may not stop the aggression.

Did I miss some? Please add yours.

BTW, On a motorcycle you can fool the dog by slowing so its intercept line gets set for that speed and then speed up.

**wildbears** · 09-13-2022, 12:47 PM

Brand/Model and Tire Widths (From My Personal Collection)
Measured uninstalled, flattened, and side to side.

Continental Gator Skin 23C: 58 mm.
Michelin HI-LITE 23C: 61 mm.
Bontrager R2 25C: 69 mm.
Heng Shin CST 28C: 61 mm.
Bontrager R2 28C: 67 mm.
Specialized Armadillo 28C: 73 mm.

**wildbears** · 09-13-2022, 09:45 PM

Different dog breeds attack and bite differently.

Biting type and severity varies by breed (click for link).

As does the attack mode (click for link).

The "Why" (click for link). "But there is still the most dangerous case that a cyclist can face when confronted with an aggressive dog, and that is a dog that approaches us without barking. In this case the dog wants to bite us directly. This type of attack is usually related to the animal's hunting instinct, in which case if we stop the dog should also stop, or (go) to the protective instinct."

See my comment in a preceding post about the doberman that chased me down a hill. It was not barking.

**wildbears** · 09-14-2022, 10:15 AM

High Speed Weave Due To Low Spoke Count Or Low Tire Pressure?

My Bontrager rims, at 19.5 mm IW, produce a noticeable but not uncontrollable weave at speed. This is not the well described head-shake or wobble that threaten loss of control.

It is not present on my vintage Campy 13 mm IW rims using the same exact tires and tire pressure.

There is noticeable side to side flexion of the Bontragers when on the bike and firm pressure is applied to the rims at a localized point.

See pic. The Bontragers have about half the number of spokes of the Campys.

NOTE: Contrary to popular current belief, the same tires mounted on the narrow Campys have less rolling resistance than when on the much wider Bontragers.

ALSO NOTE: Weave at speed can be due to low tire pressure or loose bearings. See this article about weave at speed on motorcycles.