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bike mount?

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Old 09-15-2014, 01:58 PM
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Sounds like you're still in your break-in period, probably.

But a couple hours in the saddle, you also need some good shorts. So much better ... 2 hrs on road/bike paths w/ no rocks or branches, I'd be out there in my roadie bibs w/ no shame! Don't fear the lycra! There is a reason all serious cyclists wear it, and it ain't for the good looks or the aerodynamics!
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Old 09-15-2014, 02:13 PM
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So, I always used to tell customers this about saddles:
It's like a pair of shoes. If you sit on it and it's not comfortable, it will never be comfortable. The fit just isn't there. However, if you sit on it and it doesn't pinch or hit a pressure point oddly then it'll break in nicely.

With that said I've had good luck with the WTB line of racing saddles. Also, wider is NOT better in most cases as your hips have to compensate for the width which prevents your legs from going straight up and down...this will kill your hips as you rock side to side to pedal.
http://www.wtb.com/pages/saddles
I've run their Rocket V http://www.wtb.com/products/rocket-v for almost 12 years now. Anything from their Ti rails to their simple Cro-Mo and I recommend this saddle alot.

Also. BUY GOOD SHORTS. A good chamois (the pad) means the world. Look for something with less seams and stitching and more cloth vs. synthetic. I like the line that Zoic puts out there for integrated baggies with a mesh short and chamois beneath 'em.
http://www.zoic.com/
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Old 09-15-2014, 02:57 PM
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My saddle doesn't feel all that bad, it has been conferable. I think it was a friction problem especially since it was raining. At the moment I'd rather spend the money on good shorts. I'm digging the Zoic Ether shorts, thanks for the website!
Old 09-15-2014, 04:24 PM
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The Ether's are nice. I have a pair and they suit me well. Pearl Izumi is another nice company as [MENTION=179876]Tystevens[/MENTION] mentioned, but they are slightly european with their fitment and I have to upsize on many of their items. Zoic for my baggies though. Pearl for my jerseys and socks. Sidi for my shoes. Bell for my helmets. Fox for the gloves.

I'm a bit set in my ways
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Old 09-15-2014, 06:14 PM
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I needed the ability to mount two bikes securely, keep the bed empty and covered from the elements for other cargo, and keep the hitch free for a moto trailer.

I ended up mounting Yakima Blockheads (later replaced with 15mm Kuat Dirtbag's) directly to the bed rails. It's worked perfectly for many years and miles... Easy to mount the bikes up, very secure.





For shuttling to the trailhead, I'll still typically just tailgate them...

Old 09-15-2014, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by pfbz
I needed the ability to mount two bikes securely, keep the bed empty and covered from the elements for other cargo, and keep the hitch free for a moto trailer.

I ended up mounting Yakima Blockheads (later replaced with 15mm Kuat Dirtbag's) directly to the bed rails. It's worked perfectly for many years and miles... Easy to mount the bikes up, very secure.

Yep, you have been the source of a lot of my research.
I like your bedrail mount but it sets the bike to far outbound on the truck for my tastes. It is a great way to mount the bikes and maintain bed access!!
Old 09-15-2014, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by pfbz
I needed the ability to mount two bikes securely, keep the bed empty and covered from the elements for other cargo, and keep the hitch free for a moto trailer.

I ended up mounting Yakima Blockheads (later replaced with 15mm Kuat Dirtbag's) directly to the bed rails. It's worked perfectly for many years and miles... Easy to mount the bikes up, very secure.

For shuttling to the trailhead, I'll still typically just tailgate them...
Thats actually a pretty freakin sweet way to mount bikes. I'd be a little scared having my bikes on the edge at first but i think i'd get used to it. I might actually look into this
Old 09-15-2014, 09:46 PM
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Pretty much the only thing I don't like about my setup is having to take off the front wheel to mount the bikes, but that is a downside to any fork mount carrier... On width, the mirrors are still the widest part of the vehicle. That's regular mirrors, tow mirrors would stick out even further. I can also check on the bikes and see them easily in the mirror, but they don't really interfere with my rear view.

The only place I could imagine hitting the bikes on something within 10" to the side of the body of my truck and 8' high would be something like a drive-through or underground parking, not friendly to any type of bike rack!

It's also fairly easy to install the mounts... The few challenges are 1) Getting the plastic side rail caps off without breaking the retaining tabs (use one of those plastic trim removers to release them), 2) finding a section of metal under the bed rail that isn't totally swiss-cheesed by Ford, 3) deciding on the best 'strap' to retain the rear wheel. For #3, *don't* use anything elastic like a bungie. It doesn't have to apply much force, but you don't want it to have any stretch. After trying several different straps I had, it turns out the perfect solution is about 2' of two-sided velcro strap. Loop it through the rear ring and the wheel, then wrap it over itself. Goes on and comes off in a second and doesn't loosen even a little... Plus, they stick right on my bedrug on the side of the bed when not being used so they are always right where I need them!

Last edited by pfbz; 09-15-2014 at 10:06 PM.
Old 09-15-2014, 10:13 PM
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I also tried a few different methods before I settled on the rail mount...

One of the worst was this... (below). Not only are all the Yakima parts stupid expensive to set it up and difficult to get bikes on and off, but it renders the bed useless for any cargo use. There wasn't even enough clearance under to roll/unroll my lowpro tonneau cover without doing tower extensions. So you end up taking on/off the entire rack, something else to store and you don't have it with you if you unexpectedly need it. Completely useless IMHO

I also tried it with the yakima rack on top of the cab... Looked cool but was even worse! The wind noise even empty was terrible above 80 and it was next to impossible to get bikes on and off without a step ladder.


Last edited by pfbz; 09-15-2014 at 10:19 PM.
Old 09-16-2014, 02:03 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by Andrade
Lol.. I agree on SA, they have a lousy selection and over priced, I don't mind paying for high quality thought. So far I've been riding on all types of terrain, 15 miles on road/sidewalk and double trail as well as sand and dirt MTB paths. I just started biking about 3 weeks ago after being away for many years, I hit the road with my hybrid to build up my stamina so I spend about 2 hrs or so on the saddle before I jump off and take a break. I'm off the saddle maybe about 80% of the time when I'm on the lose stuff to avoid that saddle. On saturday I did 27 miles of combined paths and after 800mg of Ibuprofen, I can finally sit and walk. I did get a little carried away on the single track dirt road.
I am one too never use lycra unless they are amazing and could be worn under biking shorts.
yeah, definitely no lycra for me either. I use some baggy shorts with the padded chamois in it and either a tank top or a light moto X jersey.. I have a few laying around from the glory days. The more you ride the more comfortable the saddle will be, but also make sure its in the right position. not too far back or forward and level! The other day me and my buddy did a 30 miler down the California beach trails and my butt was freaking killing me from sitting too long haha I think I need to get a different saddle.. I don't think they should be one size fits all
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