Author Archives: FAB Jim The Cyclist

Best bikes for a bad back

If you suffer from back pain, you might still be able to enjoy cycling.  If your current bike makes your back sore, you can make adjustments to the fit.  There are also different types of bikes that are easier on the back.  Unless you have a specific injury that damaged your back, you could alsoContinue reading “Best bikes for a bad back”

Ride Concepts Livewire Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes Review

I’ve really been enjoying riding with my Ride Concepts Livewire flat pedal mountain bike shoes.  Initially I thought I was gonna clip in, but then decided to go the flat pedal route.  I’m not that confident anymore I can clip out fast enough mountain biking.  I think they look good, check them out: Features RubberContinue reading “Ride Concepts Livewire Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes Review”

Shimano Road Derailleur Ranking Hierarchy Old and New Tiers

Shimano has been making road bike derailleurs for a very long time now, so long that there is some confusion about the hierarchy of their vintage components.  I’m going to try to cover all the old derailleurs I know of and give them a tier ranking of entry level, mid-level, or upper level.  I’ll beContinue reading “Shimano Road Derailleur Ranking Hierarchy Old and New Tiers”

Tektro CR720 Cantilever Brake Review

I installed Tektro CR720 brakes on my Surly Cross Check build and they work quite well.  They are considered cyclocross brakes by Tektro, and you can see why looking at them: They have very strong braking, probably from the all the leverage from being so wide.  They are also easy to clean as you haveContinue reading “Tektro CR720 Cantilever Brake Review”

Filoto Cycling Belt Bike Bag Review

My Filoto cycling belt is my most used bike bag.  It’s not for carrying a ton of gear, but it’s great for carrying a phone, wallet, keys…  Most my rides I just bring my phone with so I can call for a ride if things go bad.  When I need to carry more emergency gear,Continue reading “Filoto Cycling Belt Bike Bag Review”

Lightest Road Bike Tires List

Here are the lightest road bike tires I have found using manufacturer information by size and weight. Winners Lightest Tubed 700x23C – Maxxis High Road SL and Panaracer Agilest Light Folding tire tie for lightest at 160grams. 700x25C – Maxxis High Road SL and Panaracer Agilest Light Folding tire tie for lightest at 170grams. 700x28CContinue reading “Lightest Road Bike Tires List”

1961 Schwinn Speedster Red

Here is a vintage Schwinn Speedster, a nice middleweight bike with a steel cantilever frame.  A super comfortable old cruiser bike.  This one has the 2-speed kickback rear hub and steel wheels. Original saddle would have been red/white and the original fenders painted red/white.  Here is the catalog image for 1961: This bike still ridesContinue reading “1961 Schwinn Speedster Red”

List of the best vintage road bikes from the 70s and 80s

Here is a list of some of the very best (most expensive) road bikes that were made during the 70s and 80s.  I’m sticking to the best 2 or 3 models from each brand by time period that were super bikes for the time.  These bikes are all lightweight for their time and use greatContinue reading “List of the best vintage road bikes from the 70s and 80s”

Rockbros Bicycle Rear Taillight Saddle Rail Mounted Review

Because my Surly doesn’t have a lot of seat post showing I decided a saddle rail mounted taillight might be the best way to go.  I shopped around quite a bit and landed on this one from Rockbros, take a look: This one is just a regular taillight, so you turn it on, and itContinue reading “Rockbros Bicycle Rear Taillight Saddle Rail Mounted Review”