Because you've got to appreciate just how explosive this Connie situation is, I'm putting my ride reports here. I've had this 2014 ~15k mile bike for two weeks and just added Murph's risers and wedges on Friday.
First report! On Saturday we rode Oakland to Petaluma on 101 and then up PCH through Mendocino to Ft. Bragg. Sunday we rode down to Elk, then up to 128 to come inland and back home via 101. The risers and wedges made a huge difference in visibility, as well as for back and wrist comfort.
More notably, it was windy headed north, with some pucker butt moments going over some narrow, high bridges, and it was even more windy with strong gusts headed south. So, I'm used to riding much lighter bikes with less traction and looser suspension. I have plenty of experience riding in the wind, and when it's dry I mostly see it as work. Lean into the wind, and when gusts hit, let the bike wander under me as I keep in it the lane. Scary if close to a car (which I try to avoid but sometimes no choice), but otherwise fine. But the Connie is so heavy and powerful that it's much more stable and moves much less. Like I'd feel a gust hit me and anticipate the wander but very little would happen. The extra power also helps the bike resist the wind and pass as needed. That said, on PCH I ended up riding a gear lower to cruise at 4-5k, resulting in 30 mpg at 40-50 mph. I think a flash would help a lot here.
Best of all and most importantly, my wife loves the bike. She feels safe on it, like it's very stable and seems substantial. It's the least uncomfortable bike she's been on, normally she'd be in pain after a five hour day but she was only a little sore from using different muscles.
Things I learned:
First report! On Saturday we rode Oakland to Petaluma on 101 and then up PCH through Mendocino to Ft. Bragg. Sunday we rode down to Elk, then up to 128 to come inland and back home via 101. The risers and wedges made a huge difference in visibility, as well as for back and wrist comfort.
More notably, it was windy headed north, with some pucker butt moments going over some narrow, high bridges, and it was even more windy with strong gusts headed south. So, I'm used to riding much lighter bikes with less traction and looser suspension. I have plenty of experience riding in the wind, and when it's dry I mostly see it as work. Lean into the wind, and when gusts hit, let the bike wander under me as I keep in it the lane. Scary if close to a car (which I try to avoid but sometimes no choice), but otherwise fine. But the Connie is so heavy and powerful that it's much more stable and moves much less. Like I'd feel a gust hit me and anticipate the wander but very little would happen. The extra power also helps the bike resist the wind and pass as needed. That said, on PCH I ended up riding a gear lower to cruise at 4-5k, resulting in 30 mpg at 40-50 mph. I think a flash would help a lot here.
Best of all and most importantly, my wife loves the bike. She feels safe on it, like it's very stable and seems substantial. It's the least uncomfortable bike she's been on, normally she'd be in pain after a five hour day but she was only a little sore from using different muscles.
Things I learned:
- I'm used to bikes (middleweight adv) with weak brakes that dive on braking. The Connie, on the other hand, begins slowing as soon as you intimate the notion. Like you think about braking, and the C14 is like WE STOP NOW. As such, it only needs two fingers, not a fistful of lever.
- The throttle is very sensitive. I just read about a braking technique in Total Control where you begin braking and then ease off the throttle, keeping the bike in dynamic tension. This worked really well to keep the bike from getting blown around when i might otherwise coast, and it made braking much smoother with the suspension more settled.
- The bike doesn't need to be babysat in the wind.
- The range sucks. I'm used to 200 mi. minimum, and I'm fueling up after 120-150 mi. I hope a flash takes care of this.
- Risers + wedges = touring domination.
- Dude lowering pegs omg. My legs are so packed in. 32" inseam for reference. My knees are creaking and my heels are getting numb. No bueno.
- The flash, like I mentioned.
- Playing with the preload settings. They seem good fully loaded so I probably need to dial them down when solo.