Sherpa pic

[janeh]

Hello,

Having trouble posting Sherpa pics. Hope this works..

Jane

[janeh]

Phew, seem to have got the hang of it.

These are pics of a while ago when we took our oldest boy bike touring in Brittany so this one is all our stuff. Now we have 2 boys and my bike is a bit neglected..

Traa

Jane

[Danneaux]

HI Jane!

Oh, I've been so looking forward to pictures of your Sherpa and now you've posted some! I hope these won't be the last.

Your Sherpa is a real beauty, and the whole kit looks lovely. One doesn't always see the two-colors of bags on a single bike, but I really like the look. It is attention-getting, and very much the "best of all worlds"! I also think it would be a great way to organize things...and find them again once in camp. I glued small club patches on mine so I can quickly distinguish them and the contents.

My, you surely did well to take your own things as well as your son's and have it all fit. For most of us, it is a challenge finding space for our own stuff...and you've done more. Well done!  I'll bet you all have a wonderful Family Time together. There's nothing like making memories, and bike touring is a wonderful way to do so. There's few prettier places to tour than Bretagne.

By any chance, did you miss a handlebar bag? I used one extensively with my four panniers when I first started touring so long ago, then went for a long time without, and became very addicted to seeing the exact track taken by the front wheel, especially as I picked my way along goat tracks and such. I'm now back with one, but only for the smaller, lighter things that would otherwise end up in jersey pockets if only they were large enough -- passport, wallet, camera, snacks, water purifier, knife, sunscreen and bug dope, a wind jacket and a balaclava pretty well account for the lot.

Thanks again for posting these fine photos of a fine bike, Jane. Looking forward to more!

All the best,

Dan.

[Pavel]

Nice!  Post more.  That sure is a Red, Red color!

[jags]

lovely Jane you sure have a fair load on that beauti..

can i make a suggestion and i only men this in a nice way 
change the spacers on the steering post and either paint the seatpost red same as your bike or get a carbon seatpost.it will make things so much better....
i'm a geek for changing things around

[janeh]

Hello,

Thanks for your nice comments, I think you lot might like my bike more than I do!

The panniers are different colours because the back ones are my nice (then) new ones, and the front ones are my husband's. He used my old Altura ones on the back but decided that since he had the trailer, front ones as well might be excessive.

I kept bits and pieces in the small pocket of one of my panniers (pictured) and I like to see the front wheel so thought I would do without a bar bag. Oh, mind you I think I brought a bum bag for stuff too but that lived in the top of the pannier.

The seat post and spacer coments are interesting, do you mean it will look nicer if I change them? The main thing I constantly change is handlebars as I keep deciding they are uncomfortable. The handlebars then were nitto randonneurs. At the moment it has compact drops on and a ritchey adjustable stem. With hindsight I might have been better with flat bars but the top tube is probably too short for that.

Keep wondering if we could manage touring with tag along and trailer but would probably be too much like hard work!

Bye

Jane

[jags]

yeah jane just for looks no more that that
did you try and use a good gel bartape and then another tape on top makes for nice comfy bars honest.

[sg37409]

I changed my xtc from drops to flat bars: used a slightly longer stem but was happy with slightly more upright position as although I still use it a fair bit incl some longer rides, its not the bike I use for my normal weekend "training" (whatever that is) rides anymore.

[Danneaux]

Hi again, Jane,

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time finding drops to suit. Amazingly, a nice set of bar-ends on a straight (flat) handlebar has about the same forward reach as riding on the brake hoods of a set of drops. It might be a course to consider; comfort trumps all!

Best,

Dan.

[JWestland]

I heard Cinelli is doing female specific drops, maybe an option?

[Danneaux]

Jane,

Jawin's comment just jogged my memory. Have you tried randonneur-bend drop 'bars? See: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/nitto-b135aa-alloy-drop-randonneur-handlebars-254-mm-clamp-45-cm-silver-prod22291/ I have them on most of my bikes except Sherpa and the tandem. What makes them special is several characteristics:
- shallow drop, so a "drop" to the bottom isn't that far
- nice, flat ramp on the tops to the brake levers and also flat on the lowest part of the drops
- fairly short forward reach
- what really defines a randonneur-bend: the tops "wing-up" at the ends, so one actually gains a bit of elevation at the brake hoods. And...
- the hooks are angled (they flare outward), giving a wider stance when on the drops. Because drops are measured at the ends, this flare means the area between the brake levers is considerably narrower. My 45s are actually only 37cm across the brake hoods. My sister, who is a little over 5ft tall, prefers the SR World Randonneur, which is are 42cm and 34 across the brake hoods. The flare also means you don't hit your wrists on the top return of the 'bars when you're on the drops and standing (am I the only one who dies that?).

Randonneur 'bars were commonly installed on touring bikes in the past, but have less presence in the market now. Still a very good option when nothing else feels "right".

Modolo also make a very  interesting Gran Fondo handlebar that solves a variety of fit and comfort issues for people. I've installed a few that made friends very happy. See:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7527334@N05/3558287067/
http://www.rystar.com.tw/en_productdesc.php?p_no=1020000004&Fk_no=102&Sk_no=10116&PHPSESSID=afgozzdmr

Best,

Dan.

[janeh]

Hello,

The handlebars pictured are Nitto Randonneurs. I liked them at the time but I changed them to some compact drops, which were ok but I kept catching my knees on the bar end shifters when setting off on the bike. We recently went on a mini bike tour with me pulling my elder son on a tag along so I put the Randonneurs back on. Am back in favour of them and, as they are wider at the drops, no more knee knocking! It is surprising that there are so many different drops around. I am going to have to put some on e bay! Might see if I can find some nice pics from the recent trip however since we have a new camera I have to work out how to get them off..

Cheers,

Jane

[Relayer]

Very nice bike Jane, and glad to hear you've settled on handlebars that suit you.

My Dawes Galaxy had randonneur bars and bar end shifters which served me well.  OK on the tops they were narrower than those in the know would recommend for me, but once I got used to them I never gave it another thought.

Looking forward to seeing the new pics.