Replaced my 110mm stem with a 100mm one, this one with a shallower angle from Recycle Cycle. Fits better. I tried a 90mm stem on there and actually felt damn good, but climbing hills – my hands are too close in. Can’t get any leverage. I mean we’re talking 110mm to 90mm – so a maximum of 2cm. But it seems to make a difference. That 100mm stem seems to be a decent compromise.
Also adjusted my brakes so that back brake actually brakes properly, and learned a little doing it. Mainly, it seems to help to bring those pads right in on the rim, and then really rank on that back brake lever a few times. The cable will stretch a little bit, especially that back brake since theres so much cable – and in doing so will open the brakes up to about where they need to be. I don’t know if this is a hard and fast technique that will always work, but seems to work at the moment. There was some fiddling to be done. My back travel agent doesn’t have an adjustment screw so getting that back brake adjusted properly is a real pain in the ass.
Haven’t biked the last two days. Tomorrow – I go. I’m itchy.
