Planning: Gear (Update III)

In this post I explain the changes I've made since I published Planning: Gear (Update II). I expect that this will be my final post about gear, at least until I begin my trip.

See Complete List of My Gear (2019) for a complete list of my gear organized by type, including links to the specific items I own. See also How I Pack My Gear (2019).

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.

1. Bike and Accessories

I've just about completed building the new wheels that I'll ride. Thanks to Tom Reingold for his guidance. What a pleasure it is to build wheels!

I replaced my handlebar and left brake lever because they were damaged in the crash I had on March 25th (see Planning: Itinerary (Update)). I found the handlebar on eBay and the brake lever on craigslist. The brake lever was part of a package that included a pair of Shimano Dura Ace BL-7402 levers and a pair of Shimano Dura Ace BR-7403 brakes, so I will also be upgrading my brakes from the BL-7402 brakes I've been using.

A few days ago I started having problems with my headset. I told Hal Ruzal of Bicycle Habitat what I was experiencing and he immediately told me my headset was shot and recommended that I replace it with a Tange Levin. Hal will install the new headset later this week.

2. Clothing

I overtightened one of the cleat bolts on my cycling shoes, stripping the receptacle into which the bolt is turned, so I bought a new pair of SIDI Genius 7 shoes (shown below). But then I was told by Paco Goebel, Operations Manager of Ciclista America, that the receptacles can easily be replaced following the procedure in this article. So I now have the option of wearing either the SIDI Genius 5 shoes I've worn since November of 2010 or the SIDI Genius 7 shoes I just bought.

I will take two pairs of cycling shorts made for me by Miguel Llaguer Restituyo at Alteration Specialists based on the design of a pair of Ergowear compression shorts from a few years ago (the newest design no longer fits properly). I've been wearing Ergowear shorts or something similar since 2010, after trying a pair of Specialized bib shorts which, like all standard cycling shorts, made no provision for male genitals and the chamois of which felt like a diaper. My custom-made shorts have a pouch for my genitals and no chamois. So that my shorts would exactly match my shirts, for each pair of shorts I supplied Miguel with a black shirt of the type I wear. Thank you, Sona Babooram, alterations manager at Alteration Specialists, for understanding what I wanted.

For use when I'm not riding I've decided to take a pair of Softstar DASH RunAmoc shoes. I love their elegant look, feel, smell, and how comfortable they are without socks. They weigh just 13.1 ounces and crush flat to pack easily.

3. Personal items

I had planned to take a pair of ThinOptics reading glasses, whose case measures 0.125" x 2" x 3.75" and whose weight including the case is just 0.6 ounces. I keep a pair of these reading glasses on the back of my cellphone so I always have them with me but they tend to not stay put on my nose, so I have decided to take a pair of reading glasses I bought from www.zennioptical.com. These glasses and their case weigh a total of 2.2 ounces, only 1.9 ounces heavier than the ThinOptics glasses. I consider the additional weight and bulk a small price to pay for having them stay on securely while I'm blogging during my trip. I will also take a 7.5" x 7.5" lens cleaning cloth which weighs 0.2 ounces.

I've changed my mind and instead of taking a 16-ounce bottle of contact lens cleaner I will take both a 12-ounce bottle and a 3-ounce bottle. I will carry the 12-ounce bottle in the water-bottle carrier of my trunk bag, and the 3-ounce bottle in the mesh zip case in which I carry my toiletries. I'm taking the 3-ounce bottle so that I don't have to bring the 12-ounce bottle to the bathroom when I take out my lenses.

I will take a scrub brush to clean my hands. Thank you, Don Judd, for cutting off its handle to make it easier to pack in my toiletries case and thereby reducing its weight from 1.5 ounces to 1.3 ounces.

Harold Rosenthal suggested I learn how to identify and treat poison ivy. This video says to use Dawn dishwashing liquid, which I already planned to take. Following the advice given in the video I will also take a one-ounce tube of Poison Ivy Wash.

The file that came with my nail-clipper set is rather rough so I replaced it with a finer one.

4. Electronics

I've decided to take a second battery and adapter so that I never run out of power for my cellphone, keyboard, and earpiece.

5. Tools, Parts, and Supplies

Instead of the paring knife I said I would take in Planning: Gear (Update II), I've decide to take a set of stainless steel cutlery weighing 2.7 ounces. The knife is sharp enough to cut a steak or the skin of an avocado. My food might be cold after carrying it as much as 25 miles from a restaurant to my campground, but I'll be dining elegantly with stainless rather than plastic cutlery.

I had been planning to take the Crankbrothers M17 Multi-Tool, but I recently discovered the PrestaRatchet Multi-tool Kit, which consists of a ratchet and bits. The handle of the ratchet is a Prestalever for removing tires.

There is also a PrestaRatchet Chain Accessory which is used with the PrestaRatchet and the Prestacycle 100mm Bits Extension.

Here's a picture showing how the ratchet, extension, and chain accessory are used together (the picture shows a different ratchet).

I have discovered that my Dura Ace BL-7402 brake levers do not have enough clearance for the 100mm bits extension. If I want to be prepared to loosen or tighten my brake levers on the handlebars (e.g., in case of a crash) I will therefore need to take a 5mm bit that is 50mm long, which could also be used with the chain accessory. I have verified that I don't need the extension for any other purpose, so I can leave it at home.

I will take the Prestacycle ratchet, nine of the small bits (hex: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm; flat: 1/8" and 3/16"), the 5mm bit that is 50mm long, and the chain accessory. These tools replace all the tools in the Crank Brothers M17 Multi-tool except for its spoke wrench, so I will take a separate spoke wrench, as well as two Prestalevers. The total weight of the Prestacycle tools, the spoke wrench, and the 3.5" x 5" mesh zip case to hold them is 6.7 ounces, whereas the total weight of the Crank Brothers M17 Multi-tool, three Prestalevers, and the 3" x 4" mesh zip case to hold the levers is 7.6 ounces. So besides having better tools and adding the ability to loosen or tighten the brake levers, I will have reduced my load by 0.9 ounces.

I will take a pair of needle nose pliers in case I need to hold something more firmly than I can with my fingers, even though pliers are not needed for making adjustments on my bike.

Previously I wrote that I would take two pairs of spare brake pads. I've decided to not take them because I will install new pads shortly before I depart, it's likely I won't need to replace them during the trip, and if I do I can order them from Amazon and have them shipped to a destination a few days ahead of me. Not taking the spare brake pads will reduce my load by 0.8 ounces

Have I become a weight weenie?

I will take two needles, a spool of black thread, and a spool of white thread in case I need to make any repairs to my clothing.

6. Camping gear

At the suggestion of Tom Reingold I am going to take a cap to wear on cold nights. I classify the cap as camping gear rather than clothing because I consider it a supplement to my two sleeping bag liners that I am taking in place of a sleeping bag. I will store it in my top tube bag, wrapped around the lighter of my sleeping bag liners.

7. Bags

I had Uriel Gurgov of Uriel's Shoe and Watch Repair attach velcro strips to the back of the case for my nail clippers and the inside of the top of my trunk bag so that the case does not fall out of the pocket in which I will store it.

My trunk bag has three straps to attach it to my rear rack, but with just the straps it moves from side to side. In order to reduce the sideways movement I will use a 12-inch bungee cord (mini in this set) that goes around my down tube, through the loops on either side of the bag, and is hooked onto the rails of my saddle.

Because my trunk bag is water-resistant but not water-proof, I will line it with a thick plastic bag I've cut down in order to keep my clothes and sleeping bag liner dry in case of a downpour.

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See Complete List of My Gear (2019) for a complete list of my gear organized by type, including links to the specific items I own. See also How I Pack My Gear (2019).