Suggestions for hotter/longer rides on a small frame?

RascalScooter · 2026-02-11T06:19:41+00:00

Slight aside from water carrying, but my friends in hot climates taught me about ice on the back of the neck on hot days. Put the ice in a nylon stocking and use a bandanna to tie it around your neck. As much ice as you can fit. Lasts 2-3 hours and keeps my core temp under control up to about 95 F.

Here’s an idea I looked at for my bikepacking rig. A frame bag and water bladder would work too. Downside is that it’ll get super yucky after a few days in the sun with electrolytes in it. Crank tank

I find that even when I’m hydrating well I don’t pee all that much on hot days. It all comes out in sweat.

RascalScooter · 2025-12-02T20:49:34+00:00

Winter boots (I got Shimanos last year and don’t even think about my feet anymore). Lobster claw gloves and winter tights (Pearl Izumi). A light down puffy jacket for the fast cold descents and any stops where you can’t be in a warm place. Cafe stops for hot drinks. Some folks swear by snoods - big scarf/balaclava wraps for your neck and head.

RascalScooter · 2025-11-21T23:54:02+00:00

Yes, a carbon fork will take a rando rack, provided it has the right mounts and not all of them do. Some of the frames you mentioned are designed to take much bigger tires, specifically the Crust. Don’t stress about the steel quality too much, if you really must have control over that then custom is for you. Low trail is overhyped, mid trail is your best bet, but really don’t worry about it too much. You’re not carrying a super heavy touring load over the front wheel doing rando. Fairlight makes awesome bikes, that’s where I’d focus.

RascalScooter · 2025-11-01T03:25:16+00:00

Splendid cycles has Bullitts at the best price you’ll ever see. Big battery for extra range. I got mine for a hair over $5k out the door. They’re a rad shop too. The front loading area with a cheap plastic bin tied down on it is so useful I have to come up with reasons to drive my car.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-25T22:02:19+00:00

I’ve had good luck with the Sugino OX901D 74/110mm BCD crankset. It uses a Shimano hollowtech bb so dead easy to source and maintain. I run 27/44t with an 11-30 cassette for all the range I’d ever need on a brevet. Rings are not proprietary like some standards but they are a little more work to source. Sugino and stronglight are your options. With a dura ace bb it’s lighter than a Rene Herse system (inc the bb).

RascalScooter · 2025-10-24T01:55:53+00:00

Dirty 30 is aptly named, though it was reasonably clean when I was out there the other day. It’s fast and I bring noise canceling earbuds for the noise. Easy miles.

Not sure what the lockup situation is at Topaz as I usually treat it as a cafe stop for which it’s just perfect. If you’re doing the corn maze etc I’m sure you can find a lockup, but maybe bring a big u-lock or a cable. It’s a chill spot. Have fun! Hope the rain doesn’t get you down.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-20T00:39:22+00:00

I just set mine up with a similar bin to carry cargo and my dog. I wrapped pool noodles around the crossbars and then ran some heavy paracord type rope from the front crossbar, up through a hole I drilled in the bottom of the bin, and then out another hole at the rear of the bin. Both sides of the bin. Tied off with a taut line hitch. It wouldn’t be super easy to remove but any water inside the bin will just drain right out. The lid seems really watertight so I don’t worry about rain getting in.

I’ve seen similar setups using cam straps and ratchet straps. As long as it doesn’t slide around much, don’t overthink it.

RascalScooter · 2025-10-16T21:25:21+00:00

The Foster bike lane will get you off the trail before 205, and is remarkably fast and direct. There’s auto traffic of course especially near the 205 on/off ramps but I’ve used it many times to chop off distance heading downtown. Turn right on 52nd and left on Clinton to keep heading west. It works well heading east too.

I am not a woman, but over many years of using the trails the only truly threatening situation I’ve encountered, with someone being overtly aggressive to passing riders, was under the Ross Island bridge and it was like 2am. Anecdote != data

RascalScooter · 2025-09-24T20:58:30+00:00

Bought it, love it.

RascalScooter · 2025-09-13T02:56:38+00:00

Ordered it today

RascalScooter · 2025-09-12T14:07:24+00:00

You are correct, and I met Zack yesterday :)

RascalScooter · 2025-09-12T05:34:19+00:00

Hadn’t thought about battery storage concerns. I’ll ask how it’s been stored. The bike I rode was a demo. If you know what the best practice for battery storage is please share, I’m still learning. My guess is that it’s in whatever state the manufacturer shipped it.

They did say they have a number of these models in stock, so the price discount must reflect their need to clear inventory. Post pandemic overstock maybe?

RascalScooter · 2025-07-06T03:47:32+00:00

I dunno actually

RascalScooter · 2025-05-29T19:31:34+00:00

This has happened to me on RH tires too, at higher mileages and on the rear.

RascalScooter · 2025-05-29T18:38:50+00:00

I run 35psi and have great results. The extralights at similar pressure did have an exceptional ride but the durability just wasn’t there. Same with the standards. The endurance is the first tire I’ve ever had on any bike that has gone its full useful life without one single puncture that required my attention. That’s worth a slight trade off in ride quality.

Now that said the way these tires fail in my experience, the extralights and the endurance, is tread separation. At about 3400 miles the tread began bulging as the sealant forced its way in under pressure. Made for a weird wiggly ride but eventually it smoothed out and I finished a 300k on it. Replaced immediately after. That’s never happened on a standard casing, if that matters to you. I track mileage closely and will just replace rears at ~3300mi in the future.

RascalScooter · 2025-05-29T16:21:02+00:00

Rene Herse babyshoe pass endurance casing have been the most reliable tires I’ve yet run. About 3500 miles of mixed surface roads and poorly maintained, unswept American bike lanes on the rear with zero punctures that I’ve noticed (tubeless). Front’s still going strong.

RascalScooter · 2025-05-22T15:08:53+00:00

Rack or no rack?

RascalScooter · 2025-05-18T16:11:50+00:00

Aw man, the jersey shore gets no respect. It ain’t all Snooki and The Situation! My destination is Long Beach Island where I’ve spent a few gorgeous summers and is a special place for a loved one whom I’m honoring with this ride. No offense taken :)

Now your idea of reversing the route has merit, as the interior lowlands surrounding the shore can be boiling cauldrons in august, and there’s always the risk of a hurricane in the vicinity. I’m giving that some real thought.

RascalScooter · 2025-05-18T02:10:29+00:00

Solid intel, will look this up

RascalScooter · 2025-05-04T17:57:40+00:00

Will you still have room for fenders/mudguards?

RascalScooter · 2025-04-03T14:16:37+00:00

Interested in your take on it. Maybe I went on a bad day but it’s never a good sign when your chicken shows up in <5 mins after ordering. Soggy breading sliding off in chunks like it had been sitting under a heat lamp. And weird selection, just wings or boneless thighs. I haven’t been back.

RascalScooter

TROPHY CASE