Two-up Group Ride 12/6!!! (Weather permitting)

[Desmostro]

  want to.   Many variables up in the air. When we get closer to Dec. I'll know more.

My suspension is tres soft... I wonder if I should mess with that for 2 up, otherwise I might be riding one wheel up 

[mostrobelle]

want to.   Many variables up in the air. When we get closer to Dec. I'll know more.

My suspension is tres soft... I wonder if I should mess with that for 2 up, otherwise I might be riding one wheel up 

I was going to wait on this, but I'll put it up here now to get a dialogue going about the best way to ride two-up.

OK, so I'm not a suspension expert, but my understanding is that you need to increase your pre-load.  On my bike that's a real pain.  It involves a large screwdriver and a mallet.  As Enzo's brother would say, it's probably a four-goddammit job for me.  (The number of times I'll say that while I'm trying to do it. )  So when I take m'boy on back I usually get lazy and simply add about three clicks to the Ohlins that I have on the rear.  I think the Ohlins only controls the rebound--someone correct me on that if I'm wrong.  Anyhoosiers, the end result is that I get a bike that's a lot stiffer and it works for both me and my guy.  Trust me, riding around on a mushy back end can make things really interesting.  And I know quite a bit about mushy back ends both on and off the bike.     The point is, if it works for me and someone who's 163% heavier than me, chances are that it might work for you.  If anyone is planning on doing a "sporting pace" I'd suggest that you make the "proper" adjustments and not half-ass it like moi. 

[CharliesAngel]

Sure, but who's "the Groupie"?  The English lass from Zeitgeist?

Alas, it is not the lass from Zeitgeist - although she showed a definite interest in riding cupcake on Dec. 6th.  The Groupie = Frances 

[desmoquattro]

My suspension is tres soft... I wonder if I should mess with that for 2 up, otherwise I might be riding one wheel up 

...nothing wrong with that

[Michael Moore]

Alas, it is not the lass from Zeitgeist - although she showed a definite interest in riding cupcake on Dec. 6th.  The Groupie = Frances 

Ah, OK. I'm happy to give Frances a ride. Monster or Vespa.

[CharliesAngel]

Ah, OK. I'm happy to give Frances a ride. Monster or Vespa.

Hi MM! She's ridden on a Greyduc's Monster as well as Petemg's S2R so she's quite familiar with sitting on a Monster if that will be your ride of choice 

[Jammen]

To add to this,
It's also doubly important to check the basics tire pressure, chain tension, brake function, etc etc.
Having a tire a couple pounds under ideal, or a sloppy chain becomes way more apparent with an extra body on the bike.   

I was going to wait on this, but I'll put it up here now to get a dialogue going about the best way to ride two-up.

OK, so I'm not a suspension expert, but my understanding is that you need to increase your pre-load.  On my bike that's a real pain.  It involves a large screwdriver and a mallet.  As Enzo's brother would say, it's probably a four-goddammit job for me.  (The number of times I'll say that while I'm trying to do it. )  So when I take m'boy on back I usually get lazy and simply add about three clicks to the Ohlins that I have on the rear.  I think the Ohlins only controls the rebound--someone correct me on that if I'm wrong.  Anyhoosiers, the end result is that I get a bike that's a lot stiffer and it works for both me and my guy.  Trust me, riding around on a mushy back end can make things really interesting.  And I know quite a bit about mushy back ends both on and off the bike.     The point is, if it works for me and someone who's 163% heavier than me, chances are that it might work for you.  If anyone is planning on doing a "sporting pace" I'd suggest that you make the "proper" adjustments and not half-ass it like moi. 

[CharliesAngel]

Hey 'belle,
I have another girlfriend who might be up for riding cupcake (she has to double check her schedule - I just wanted to give you a heads up) if there is a passenger spot available.  I'll post up as soon as I hear from her.  Also, I'll be riding cupcake on my SS and Jammen will be riding it.  I think that Somebastid offered a seat to BikerGoddess.  Thanks! 

[mostrobelle]

Updates made to first page. 

[mostrobelle]

Can someone vouch for the "normal loop" being in decent shape for the upcoming ride?  MM posted up that Tam was nasty...just wondering if we should change routes. 

Btw, I'm thinking of a meet time at Tam 'Bux at 9:30 with a departure of 10:00 or so.  I have friends coming on this ride that have no interest in the usual pre-dawn meet times we generally do.     It will give the roads a chance to warm up, too.  We could probably stop at Nicasio Cheese place or the Mexican joint for lunch if folks are interested before heading our separate ways. 

[desmoquattro]

Can someone vouch for the "normal loop" being in decent shape for the upcoming ride?  MM posted up that Tam was nasty...just wondering if we should change routes. 

Btw, I'm thinking of a meet time at Tam 'Bux at 9:30 with a departure of 10:00 or so.  I have friends coming on this ride that have no interest in the usual pre-dawn meet times we generally do.     It will give the roads a chance to warm up, too.  We could probably stop at Nicasio Cheese place or the Mexican joint for lunch if folks are interested before heading our separate ways. 

MM mentioned that Panoramic was in bad shape, but we could easily avoid that by hitting the coast. Panoramic isn't that fun 2-up anyway...

[Michael Moore]

MM mentioned that Panoramic was in bad shape, but we could easily avoid that by hitting the coast. Panoramic isn't that fun 2-up anyway...

Agreed. The coast is the way to go.

[tigre]

MB--

The clicker that is easily accessible (on your reservoir) is your compression damping.  Yes, adding a few clicks to that can help a bit when carrying extra weight.  I wouldn't worry about muddling around with rebound damping.  If you want to add preload, on your shock, you de-couple the two lock nuts (loosen the top one) then torque down the lower one, then tighten the top one back down to lock things in place.  I don't have any rough rules of thumb, but I'd guess ~2 turns would make a positive difference.

BTW: I'm in with a cupcake, and I'll sweep.  I will be going slow and want no one behind me to see how slowly I'll be going. 

Tigre

OK, so I'm not a suspension expert, but my understanding is that you need to increase your pre-load.  On my bike that's a real pain.  It involves a large screwdriver and a mallet.  As Enzo's brother would say, it's probably a four-goddammit job for me.  (The number of times I'll say that while I'm trying to do it. )  So when I take m'boy on back I usually get lazy and simply add about three clicks to the Ohlins that I have on the rear.  I think the Ohlins only controls the rebound--someone correct me on that if I'm wrong.  Anyhoosiers, the end result is that I get a bike that's a lot stiffer and it works for both me and my guy.  Trust me, riding around on a mushy back end can make things really interesting.  And I know quite a bit about mushy back ends both on and off the bike.     The point is, if it works for me and someone who's 163% heavier than me, chances are that it might work for you.  If anyone is planning on doing a "sporting pace" I'd suggest that you make the "proper" adjustments and not half-ass it like moi. 

[mostrobelle]

Muchas gracias for technical info and offer to sweep.  First post update with, well, a lot of stuff.  Read it, peoples.   

[CharliesAngel]

Ah, OK. I'm happy to give Frances a ride. Monster or Vespa.

Mi dispiace!!! The Groupie has just informed me that she won't be able to go on the Two-Up Group Ride!     She wanted to give as much advance notice as possible - very sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused MM!