Author: Todd

creator of the fodder...
Posted on

No, I don’t watch the show.

But I do ride through the intersection, by the Wendell Auto Brokers lot, almost daily.  Sometimes straight through the lot on my bike.  And I got into an argument on the phone with Amy Shirley once because of an undisclosed towing fee for all wheel drive cars.  It was before she claimed her fame and became too important to answer the phone.

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A Lizard Lick Liberal

In the two mile bastion of turkey shoots, used car lots, tow trucks, side arms, barely hidden bigotry, occasionally open racism I roam Highway 97 in Lycra.  Yes, the type yoga pants are made of.  Mine has butt pads.  Recently learned I’m called a MAMIL.  I am not ashamed.

I quietly listen as you denounce wage increases and single payer health care.  I listen to your angered anti-tax rants.  I loathe your fear of government, immigrants, regulation…  Your fear of everything.  Such constant fear.  I hear you don’t like the suppression of your Christian practices while denouncing all other worship, threatening those who dare.  Your island was breached long ago.  I move among you a dissenter.  A free thinker without fear.  No feeling of loss or emptiness when shunned by the local community, a non worshiper.  One who does not allow any religious teachings to form my opinions.  I am not distressed by your local, revered past time; judging others.  I pity it.

This is a day of self liberation and political awareness.   Inside this red sea of conservative dogma and sweet tea slang resides more than tow trucks, shot guns and rednecks.  There is a liberal in the ranks.  One who has gay friends yet is not gay.  Some married, residing among you locally.  True story.  I’m the one who prefers to ride a bike instead of driving a pickup.  One whose children attend your coveted, local, conservative charter school.  Someone who does not think unstable, anti-social, insane people should be armed, despite any amendment or sanctimonious perceived right.  Dear Zeus, I drive a Subaru in your zip code!   I am certain this is causing some Lizard Lick locals extensive anguish so I will have mercy just one time and not extrapolate on my cycling adventures to Whole Foods and experiences with fine wine.

If all that hasn’t created an unhealthy blood flow, caused an extra drip of Skoal or mustard into your beard I will leave you with this:  Reagan was wrong on the economy and all Muslim’s are not Islamic extremists.

Let’s begin.  Namaste

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It’s hard to find a new carbon cyclocross frame with cantilever mounts.

Specialized has a carbon Crux Pro available for around $2300.  There are several steel and titanium framesets still available with cantilever brake mounts, my favorite being the Ritchey Swisscross, which I am seriously considering.  No secret that by and large manufactures have aborted cantilever brakes on cross bikes in favor of discs.  Here’s all the advantages of disc brakes:

  1. They stop better.  This may give you more confidence, improving performance.
  2. They may clear mud better than cantis.  Gravel grinding this is less of an issue unless conditions are real bad.
  3. Usually quieter under load.

Here are the advantages cantilever brakes provide me personally over discs:

  1. Lighter
  2. Easier to adjust and maintain (this is subjective but I have no problems).
  3. Quieter when not in use, or loaded
  4. No bent rotors rubbing the pads.
  5. It’s easier to take the wheels on and off without risk of rotor damage.  I remove a wheel daily to put the bike on the rack.

Overall canti’s have always been a better option for my riding conditions and maintenance requirements.  I’m not heavy and I’ve only had one instance when a rear canti failed and therefore inhibited my braking power.  Other people may have factors in play guiding the opposite.  Regardless, I wish there was still a better selection of carbon frames with cantilever mounts and reasonable price tags.