#BikeNite A3: I don't ride at a level where premium tires or tubes make a difference to speed or comfort or safety, so I tend to buy the cheapest ones. But the last tire I bought was one with a retro-reflective sidewall stripe on the recommendation of someone at @CycleWR - I do enough nighttime riding that extra visibility does make a difference.

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite

@uxmark

Yup, still there. Workers from #WaterlooRegion re-painted the road markings last spring.

The gate from the driveway to the trail is vicious. It zig-zags with chain link fence on both sides, just wide enough to bike through VERY slowly. No way through with even a moderately wide quad or a longish velomobile. Last year I approached too fast, braked and skidded, so I reached out to grab the chain link fence and tore open my hand. Lots of blood, and me with no firs-aid kit.

#BikeNite A5

@uxmark

Yup, still there. Workers from #WaterlooRegion re-painted the road markings last spring.

The gate from the driveway to the trail is vicious. It zig-zags with chain link fence on both sides, just wide enough to bike through VERY slowly. No way through with even a moderately wide quad or a longish velomobile. Last year I approached too fast, braked and skidded, so I reached out to grab the chain link fence and tore open my hand. Lots of blood, and me with no firs-aid kit.

#BikeNite A5

#BikeNite A3: I don't ride at a level where premium tires or tubes make a difference to speed or comfort or safety, so I tend to buy the cheapest ones. But the last tire I bought was one with a retro-reflective sidewall stripe on the recommendation of someone at @CycleWR - I do enough nighttime riding that extra visibility does make a difference.

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite

@pete @bikenite A3. I just use standard tire and inner tube setup. Tubes are.. whatever standard tubes are? Some Schraeder valves, some Presta.. depends on what the bike came with. Tires skew towards flat-proofedness but on the recreational bikes I had looked for tires that feel nice, or have traction if I ride a little off road.

I've never tried tubeless. I'm not against it, but I don't think I have the rim/tire setup to handle it, plus it's one more new thing to figure out.

#BikeNite

I lost #BikeNite Q3 yesterday, I am very sorry! But here it is. Happy #BikeMorning for those in my time zone!

---

@pete asks:

We've had a fair few questions on tyres, tubes, and valves and it's apparent from responses that we've posters who run all manner of setups.

Q3. What do you run and why? (For eg, have you made a conscious decision or just used whatever came with your bike? Tyres: Chosen for ride quality, durability, grip? Tubes: latex, butyl, TPU? Tubeless: fave sealant? any insert? etc, etc …)

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

A5. The Trans Canada Trail is billed as “the longest multi-use trail system in the world”, which is pretty cool. The standards, though, are pretty varied. This portion in Waterloo Region goes along a farm driveway before exiting the driveway onto more of a dirt path. The dirt path has been upgraded significantly since I took this photo in 2023. I’m not sure if the painted “sign” on the driveway is still there!

#BikeNite #WaterlooRegion

@ascentale @bikenite A5. Here's a fun sign next to the entrance of a tunnel that passes under a busy rural highway here in Waterloo Region. The best part for me is the differing illustration styles and level of detail on the “Shared Pathway” sign! And the sign is serious, as there are many old order Mennonites here who travel by horse and carriage.

#BikeNite #WaterlooRegion

@ascentale Thanks Phil! And thanks to everyone who responded this week! 😀🚴‍♀️❤️

#BikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite The first photo is my first grocery run of the year earlier this week. It was around 16°C. The second photo is from earlier today. Spring in South-Western Ontario 🤣

#BikeNite #WaterlooRegion

And our last question of the week:

Q8. It's weekly photo time. What did you see this week? Share a photo if you'd like. Cycling related or not is fine. Tell us about it!

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

@xenogon asks:

Q7. Has anyone waxed a bicycle chain with soy wax or other vegetable wax? (via @Cyclist)

I just did mine with paraffin, which worked great but since most of the wax ends up spread across the countryside I wondered about using something biodegradeable.

(If not wax, are there other consumable products, chain lube etc, that you recommend that are biodegradable?)

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

@xtaran asks:

Given that the freewheel of my Brompton Electric G-Line started failing today and the cassette was spinning without the wheel in both directions...

Q2. What _unexpected_ part failures have you had on your cycle(s)? (Ordinary flat tires do not count. 😉)

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

@gcvsa asks:

The constancy of the #BikeNite Q8 photos has made me wonder:

Q6. Can anyone recommend good camera mounts for a bicycle?

I never remember to take photos while riding, but I think if I had a camera mount on my bicycle, I could easily use an older point-and-shoot. I guess maybe an Arca Swiss or other type of quick release mount would be good for this, better than a standard 1/4"-20 tpi photo mount?

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

@uxmark asks:

Last week there were some great examples of street/road names, including some fun photos.

Q5. What are some examples of notable _signs_ that folks have encountered while riding?

Could be traffic signs, street names, billboards, whatever. Share photos if you have them 😀🚴‍♀️❤️

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

@thesquirrelfish asks:

Q4. If I'm traveling across the country for a bikepacking trip, but my only bike is an e-bike... what's the best choice?

Is there good shipping or quick purchase when I arrive/sell at the end sort of option? I've only bikepacked from home before.

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

Welcome to #BikeNite on Friday, March 13th!

Thanks for joining our cycle-chat. Answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

Our intro and Q via @bobjonkman

Q1. Where are you posting from today? If you're a #FairWeatherCyclist what's the start of #CyclingSeason? A particular calendar date? A certain temperature? 40 days and 40 nights of no snow?

#BikeNiteQ #BikeTooter cc @bikenite

@ascentale @bobjonkman @bikenite A1. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. That’s where I am almost every week!

For me it’s more of a gut judgement. Is the snow and ice gone? How long has it been gone? I’ll note that for me it’s easier to continue cycling into cold weather during the transition from Fall to Winter than it is to start cycling when it’s cold in Spring! Also, see my photos for A8 😀🚴‍♀️❤️

#BikeNite

@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A2: the first Shitmano 8 speed hub that failed after 5000km was unexpected. Warranty replacement.

The replacement also failing after 5000km was less unexpected. No warranty despite being inside the 2 year promised warrenty period.

When the third one failed also after 5000km it was 100% expected.

A Rohloff would have been cheaper.

#BikeNite