In some unspecified time in the future I’ll most likely get just a little bag for the little rack on the Roaduno:
The proper bag is that this one, which is offered out:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-122022.png?resize=736%2C416&ssl=1)
Till they’re out there as soon as once more, being a contemporary client with no ethics, it occurred to me perhaps I might get one thing tremendous low cost on that web site named after a large river. So I took a fast look, and right here’s what popped up:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-120811.png?resize=736%2C483&ssl=1)
I shan’t be getting it–it’s too huge for one factor–although I used to be fairly tempted as a result of I like the identify:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-120640.png?resize=736%2C460&ssl=1)
Engwe is, I assume, an homage to the famous guitarist:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ovjd5f7so5g91.jpg?resize=702%2C872&ssl=1)
And Electrical Techno-Paranoia is precisely the alternative of Electrical Techno-Foolhardiness, which is if you trip an e-bike you acquire on Amazon in a big physique of salt water:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-120918.png?resize=736%2C478&ssl=1)
That may’t be a good suggestion.
Talking of techno-paranoia, if you happen to’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 diminished the chance of that taking place by 50%:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_4184.jpg?resize=736%2C553&ssl=1)
I did this for a number of cause. For one factor, there was nonetheless play within the entrance bearings, regardless of my having modified them. (Or perhaps as a result of I modified them, who is aware of?) For an additional, 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 pace:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/woo-hoo-speed.jpg?resize=736%2C648&ssl=1)
Principally 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 appear to be the way in which 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 trip high quality of the rear wheel. Actually, the one approach you can presumably enhance this setup could be to ditch the rear Spinergy too and use a pair of regular wheels.
However that may be foolish.
One other indication that the rider of this bicycle suffers from techno-paranoia is the friction shifters:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_4186.jpg?resize=685%2C913&ssl=1)
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 large 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 were everywhere in the Worldly Broad Web for awhile now:
And which I see Path Much less Pedaled has simply gotten his palms on:
[He should really work on making his videos even more click-baity.]
I’m, firstly, a motorcycle dork, so I recognize any and all types of mechanical shifting. I additionally assume these are nifty and intriguing. On the similar time…why?
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-091034-1.png?resize=736%2C351&ssl=1)
I assume you continue to get the compatibility of friction shifting, and perhaps even the texture (although the levers return to place identical 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 fantastic thing about a friction shifter is that it’s just about unkillable. Additionally, you may mount it somewhere else 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 a minimum of in the case of mechanical shifting, the entire “obsolescence” factor is generally a non-issue. I’ve received two bikes with 9-speed Dura-Ace in my possession in the mean time, and cassettes and chains are each low cost and ample. Similar goes for 8- and even 7-speed. (Sure there have been 7-speed built-in shifters.) And whereas the bacon-grease smoothness of a superb high quality friction drivetrain is elegant (sure, I notice “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’m wondering if perhaps 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:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_4153.jpg?resize=736%2C552&ssl=1)
Wait.
Oh, additionally, you’re supposed to show your levers in now:
I’m not notably involved in turning my levers in myself, however I see that folks do it, so I’m certain there’s one thing to it. What I do take difficulty with is his characterization of the standard lever place:
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-121637.png?resize=419%2C463&ssl=1)
You’re “not giving double hand jobs” he notes amusingly. However give it some thought. Should you have been to present a double hand job, wouldn’t your hand place be extra just like the one you utilize when grabbing inward-turned levers?
![](https://i0.wp.com/bikesnobnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-121741.png?resize=403%2C487&ssl=1)
Should you have been giving a double hand job, the one approach you’d have your palms in entrance of you and straight up and down could be if the hand job recipients have been mendacity facet by facet on therapeutic massage tables–however even then you definitely’d must be standing in between the tables, so your palms 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 nose to nose 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 alternatively–
Wait.