Comments on: The Portland gets a mid-winter bath http://www.brucew.com/blog/2008/02/03/381 It's a male midlife crisis story—only without the red sports car and trophy boyfriend Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:25:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: brucew http://www.brucew.com/blog/2008/02/03/381/comment-page-1#comment-17936 brucew Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:52:45 +0000 http://www.brucew.com/blog/2008/02/03/381#comment-17936 The Portland's studded snow tires are <a href="http://www.suomityres.fi/w106.html" rel="nofollow">Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106</a> in 700Cx35. One-hundred six carbide studs. Made in Finland. The Finns know their snow and their bikes. These are great tires. I got 'em last year at speedgoat.com, but saw them cheaper this year at eBikeStop.com. Peter White Cycles also carries them. Ah, the rack. The rack had to have two side rails so I can mount my trunk bag and the panniers at the same time without fussing and interference. Material was important too. Steel rusts, and aluminum is soft. (I gouged up my old Alu expedition rack pretty heavily when towing bikes.) Enter the <a href="http://www.tubus.com/index/lang/en/rubrik/Rear%20Carriers/artikel/Cosmo%20stainless-steel%20carrier%2026%2A%20and%2028%22" rel="nofollow">Tubus Cosmo</a>. Two side rails and crafted from stainless steel. It weighs almost a kilo less than my old expedition rack, and it has a higher load rating, 40 kilos or 88 pounds. Again, it's a European import, this time from Germany. I got mine from Wayne at <a href="http://www.thetouringstore.com" rel="nofollow">The Touring Store</a>, also sold in the US by Ortleib USA, Wall Bike and Peter White Cycles. The Portland’s studded snow tires are Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 in 700Cx35. One-hundred six carbide studs. Made in Finland. The Finns know their snow and their bikes. These are great tires. I got ‘em last year at speedgoat.com, but saw them cheaper this year at eBikeStop.com. Peter White Cycles also carries them.

Ah, the rack. The rack had to have two side rails so I can mount my trunk bag and the panniers at the same time without fussing and interference. Material was important too. Steel rusts, and aluminum is soft. (I gouged up my old Alu expedition rack pretty heavily when towing bikes.)

Enter the Tubus Cosmo. Two side rails and crafted from stainless steel. It weighs almost a kilo less than my old expedition rack, and it has a higher load rating, 40 kilos or 88 pounds. Again, it’s a European import, this time from Germany. I got mine from Wayne at The Touring Store, also sold in the US by Ortleib USA, Wall Bike and Peter White Cycles.

]]> By: Scott in Columbus http://www.brucew.com/blog/2008/02/03/381/comment-page-1#comment-17932 Scott in Columbus Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:43:34 +0000 http://www.brucew.com/blog/2008/02/03/381#comment-17932 I like that Portland. The lines look alot like my Gary Fisher. I was wondering about two things: 1. What are those tires you have on in the shower picture. 2. What kind of rack is that, it looks sweet! Nice pictures, and nice bikes. Wish I good find a Trek for $100. I like that Portland. The lines look alot like my Gary Fisher. I was wondering about two things: 1. What are those tires you have on in the shower picture. 2. What kind of rack is that, it looks sweet! Nice pictures, and nice bikes. Wish I good find a Trek for $100.

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