Archive for the ‘Slipstream/Vanguard Comparison’ Category
Slipstream Kick Stand Fix
Update 4/9/08 see SlipStream Kick Stand Fix Installed
Greg Peek has a fix for the Longbikes Slipstream Kick Stand problem discussed in Slipstream Kick Stand Update.
There may be more but this is what I’ve found on the Longbikes web site:
Product upgrade announcement: Slipstream owners, if you have had problems with your ESGE 2 leg kickstand not staying tight to the frame, I finally made some reinforcing adapters which beef up the kickstand bridge and eliminate the problem of the kickstand rotating. We will have a small quantity on the shelf in a few days when they come back from anodizing. If you need or want to upgrade to these, drop me a note and we can get them to you. I will determine the price and get photos on the site sometime later this week
The new parts (shown above) have a lip to prevent the kick stand from turning and lips to keep the bracket itself from turning. Looks like it should work. The parts themselves are like all of Greg’s parts very nicely machined and finished, very high quality parts.
The parts have arrived but the roads in New Hampshire are not yet ready for much Slipstream riding. We still have a lot of snow and ice along the sides of the road where there are sides. But I will be installing and reporting on results soon, I hope.
Touring Equipment List
This is the equipment list I made up a few years ago for for Touring with my Ryan Vanguard. It inclued some special tools needed to make common adjustments on the Vanguard.
Here's my new list updated for riding in the Northwest on a Longbikes Slipstream in 2006,
The biggest changes are updating technology, eliminating SAE Allen wrenches, and self sealing tubes for riding in thorn country.
Longbikes Slipstream / Ryan Vanguard Comparison Part 2
Contunued from Longbikes Slipstream First Impressions.
After, almost a year of riding the Longbikes Slipstream I am still very impressed by the Slipstream. This is a great long distance, self contained touring bike. As I get ready for my first long ride (>1000 miles) on the Slipstream, I find myself discovering nice touches that I’ve missed before.
In Part 2 of the Slipstream/Vanguard Comparison I will be discussing how the Slipstream addresses the Vanguard weaknesses. The Ryan Vanguard is a great touring bike and the Longbikes folks seem to recognize that. They have maintained what was great about the Vanguard, comfort, reliability, and stability. But they have also recognized the Vanguards weaknesses and improved the bike significantly.
Fixing the Slipstrean Kickstand
Update: 4/9/08 – see SlipStream Kick Stand Fix Installed
I love the kickstand on my Longbikes Slipstream. It is like having a built in workstand and much better than the kickstand on a Vanguard. But the kickstand didn’t like staying in place after using it a few times it would turn as shown in the picture.
The fix is an easy one. Just add a piece of rubber gasket material between the the kickstand and the frame. You will have to make a hole in the center of the rubber piece for the mounting screw. Just cut out the piece the size of the kickstand top with an Exacto knife and make a square hole in the center of the rubber piece. A small sheet of rubber gasket material from the plumbing section of your local hardware store works great.
With the rubber gasket in place your kickstand will not turn.
Fixing a Slipstream Annoyance
This may not be an issue for other riders with smaller hands. But the head of the hex screw on the Slipstream's brake levers rubs against the bottom of my hand. After, years of riding a Vanguard, my riding position has gotten pretty relaxed and my hands seem to naturally slip to the bottom of the grips where the bolt head will rub the palm.
The fix is simple just remove the bolts with a hex driver and screw them back in from the inside of the brake lever instead of the outside where they were installed. The picture shows the bolt in its new position where it can't rub your hand.
A Bigger Mirror for the Slipstream
The B&M CycleStar mirror is very nicely made but just too small for my eyes. I wanted my Blackburn Mirror back. It had a nice wide oval shape that gave me a complete view of the road. With the CycleStar I had to pick spots to watch.
A Mirror for the Slipstream
The bars on a Longbikes Slipstream are a little different than a Ryan Vanguard and my trusty Blackburn 01001 Multi Mirror is blocked by my arm on the Slipstream. After a little searching I've found an acceptable replacement, the B&M Cyclestar Mirror at Hostel Shoppe for about $22. It not as big as the Blackburn but it has excellent optical qualities and is very nicely made. Be sure to buy the long version, the short isn't long enough to clear my arm.
The picture show both mounting methods available for the Cyclestar Mirror. The little knobby thing sticking out of the bar end is a mounting know that comes with the mirror. However, that position didn't work for me my arm was still in the way. I found that the mounting strap shown gave me the best visibility. The mirror is smaller than I like but works.
Longbikes Slipstream First Impressions
The first thing that strikes you about the Slipstream is how solid and nicely made this bike is. It has a much sturdier and finished appearance than a Ryan Vanguard. The stays are bigger and hardware has a very nice machine shop look to it. The folks from Longbikes use the expression "Hand Made not Home Made" to describe the difference.
Mounting the Unbottle
Update 9/4/08 – For some reason the pictures disappeared. I have reposted this article at Mounting the Best Water Bottle with new pictures.
Easy on and off is the key to making the Camelback Unbottle a really useful tool. Here’s how I do it on a Ryan Vanguard or a Longbikes Slipstream. This approach should work on any bike with accessible seat stays.
I just add three sturdy but short bungee cords to provide shock mounting. Be sure the hooks have plastic covers so they don’t scratch your bike. Close one hook on each bungee cord with a pair of pliers so that it is permanently attached to the 2 top rings and one of the bottom rings on the Unbottle.
Then just slip the Unbottle behind the seat as shown in picture by attaching the 2 top bungees over the top stay on the seat back. The lower bungee is snaked though a lower seat stay or rea stays on the bike and hooked to the other ring on the Unbottle. You may have to wind it around the stay a few times to get the proper tension, firm but not tight.
