In some unspecified time in the future I’ll in all probability get just a little bag for the little rack on the Roaduno:

The right bag is this one, which is bought out:

Till they’re obtainable as soon as once more, being a contemporary client with no ethics, it occurred to me possibly I might get one thing tremendous low-cost on that web site named after an enormous river. So I took a fast look, and right here’s what popped up:

I shan’t be getting it–it’s too large for one factor–although I used to be fairly tempted as a result of I like the identify:

Engwe is, I assume, an homage to the famous guitarist:

And Electrical Techno-Paranoia is precisely the alternative of Electrical Techno-Foolhardiness, which is while you experience an e-bike you acquire on Amazon in a big physique of salt water:

That may’t be a good suggestion.

Talking of techno-paranoia, in case you’re satisfied the Spinergae I’ve been driving are going to ass-plode at any second, you’ll be both happy or irritated to know that I’ve now lowered the chance of that taking place by 50%:

I did this for just a few purpose. For one factor, there was nonetheless play within the entrance bearings, regardless of my having modified them. (Or possibly as a result of I modified them, who is aware of?) For one more, the entrance wheel was noticeably flexy when climbing out of the saddle, which was just a little disconcerting–as was the susceptibility to crosswinds when descending at excessive velocity:

Largely although I did it as a result of the one factor extra ’90s-tastic than driving a pair of Spinergy Rev-Xs is driving a rear Spinergy Rev-X with a wire-spoked entrance wheel. It actually does seem to be the best way to go, too, since you get the predictable dealing with and really feel of the usual wheel up entrance while reaping the aero advantages and barely sproingy experience high quality of the rear wheel. Actually, the one manner you would presumably enhance this setup can be to ditch the rear Spinergy too and use a pair of regular wheels.

However that will be foolish.

One other indication that the rider of this bicycle suffers from techno-paranoia is the friction shifters:

Friction shifting will not be for everyone, however its three chief attributes are the next:

• It really works very easily
• It’s very simple mechanically
• It presents great compatibility as your shifters don’t care what number of cogs your rear wheel has

For these causes I admit I’ve been puzzled by these Growtac built-in friction levers which have been all around the Worldly Huge Web for awhile now:

And which I see Path Much less Pedaled has simply gotten his arms on:

[He should really work on making his videos even more click-baity.]

I’m, in the beginning, a motorbike dork, so I admire any and all types of mechanical shifting. I additionally suppose these are nifty and intriguing. On the similar time…why?

I assume you continue to get the compatibility of friction shifting, and possibly even the texture (although the levers return to place similar to on an listed shifter, which simply appears bizarre), however what’s the level of a friction shifter that’s simply as mechanically advanced as its listed counterparts? The great thing about a friction shifter is that it’s just about unkillable. Additionally, you possibly can mount it in other places on the bike, and even an entire numbskull can set one up in minutes. Alternatively, what’s nice about built-in shifting is the comfort and the consolation, although that comes on the expense of extra concerned setup and elevated vulnerability in a crash–although virtually talking most built-in levers are extraordinarily sturdy, and barring mishaps will work reliably for many years. Moreover, even I, an outspoken sufferer of techno-paranoia, must admit that no less than on the subject of mechanical shifting, the entire “obsolescence” factor is generally a non-issue. I’ve acquired two bikes with 9-speed Dura-Ace in my possession for the time being, and cassettes and chains are each low-cost and plentiful. Similar goes for 8- and even 7-speed. (Sure there have been 7-speed built-in shifters.) And whereas the bacon-grease smoothness of high quality friction drivetrain is elegant (sure, I understand “bacon-grease smoothness” and “friction” are diametrically opposed ideas), the punchy accuracy of a good-quality mechanical built-in shifter on a race-oriented bike is fairly exhilarating too.

I assume what I’m saying is I simply discover these kinda wishy-washy, that’s all, and I ponder if possibly we’ve hit Peak Friction, simply as we’ve hit Peak Gravel, and Peak Flared Bar, and all the remainder of it. Like how unique does a friction shifter have to be? Why not simply decide one or the opposite? It’s nearly like driving a singlespeed with two speeds:

Wait.

Oh, additionally, you’re supposed to show your levers in now:

I’m not significantly considering turning my levers in myself, however I see that individuals do it, so I’m positive there’s one thing to it. What I do take problem with is his characterization of the normal lever place:

You’re “not giving double hand jobs” he notes amusingly. However give it some thought. In the event you have been to present a double hand job, wouldn’t your hand place be extra much like the one you utilize when grabbing inward-turned levers?

In the event you have been giving a double hand job, the one manner you’d have your arms in entrance of you and straight up and down can be if the hand job recipients have been mendacity facet by facet on therapeutic massage tables–however even you then’d must be standing in between the tables, so your arms must be fairly far aside, farther even than on a pair of these crazy-wide Crust bars.

In the meantime, the inward-turned lever place he demonstrates is precisely the way you’d administer a double hand job if the recipients have been standing head to head and in entrance of you. Clearly driving together with your levers turned in is the double hand job place. I imply come on! It’s nearly like this man has by no means even given a double hand job in any respect! I then again–

Wait.