Best NNN touring boot

[randoskier]

I'm partial to the older Alpina T20 which has since been replaced by something almost identical, the T30. Beware, last year at least, they put rubber grippers (lots of little rubber dots) in the heel pocket which I found to be incredibly chafing. Returned. Maybe that's gone now. I've owned some version of this boot since 2007. I use these on my MR48s and crank turns on them.

Rossignol has/had pretty much the exact same boot without the grips, called the XC-5 Tour. There's an X-6 SC which is a level up and billed as the Combi version. Maybe torsionally stiffer sole? Prob the best bet.

I bet all the "5"s are similar across brands.

The only reason people are in spandex and Lycra is the same reason people think you need an aero helmet and clip peddles to send grandma to get groceries on bikes: "Racing ruins the breed." It's poison... and there's no money in telling someone, "you don't need all these special clothes to go XC ski." $$$

I wear Carhartts 90% of my days skiing.

What about Latex?

[randoskier]

I ride a steel bike, wearing wool shorts and a button down shirt and it's comfortable for long distances (max in a single day was 110miles; max camping tour was 820mi). I do, however, have pedals with clipless on one side and regular platform on the other, and the least ugly bike shoes I could find--helps with efficiency for longer tours.

same.

I ride a steel Lemond bike from 2001.
One-sided SPD pedals/shoes
I do own paddded cycling shorts, but dont wear a “cycling jersey” and opt for a tight-fitting dry-fit t-shirt instead. (I do have a few cycling-specific jackets for cool/cold weather) Normal bike helmet with good ventilation. No gloves.

I do approximately 1k miles each season

I wear bright day-glo clothes cycling here, Italy is a bike nation (the Campagnolo works is 9km from me) but the Italians excel at running over cyclists and everyone else. I only put on my helmet when I am descending or riding in the local city.

[corlay]

BTW, which Lemond? 3x8/9/10 has died the death it deserved. I'd build a 1x11 now.

middle-of-the-road 'Buenos Aries'.
I really wanted the next model up 'Zurich' (better stock groupset, better/lighter steel frame maybe?)
and the yellow/blue frame of the 2001 model is just spectacular-looking to me.
But the Buenos came up and was priced ridiculously low ($300) and was in pristine shape, so...

Regarding the 3x 8/9/10: I was honestly expecting some sort of drastic improvement moving to 2x11, but it just wasn't that. I got by fine on my 3x9, and was used to the gearing strategies... but my teeth were wearing-out. 2x11 is nice, but I really do not notice a big difference, and the weight-weenie-savings isn't a concern/benefit. (I tell people all the time: "if I want to save weight, I just need to lose 10lbs." lol)

[mca80]

I do own paddded cycling shorts, but dont wear a “cycling jersey” and opt for a tight-fitting dry-fit t-shirt instead. (I do have a few cycling-specific jackets for cool/cold weather) Normal bike helmet with good ventilation. No gloves.

I tried padded shorts a long time ago and hated them, caused me all sorts of irritation in sensitive regions. Switched to wool undies and a pair of wool shorts or synthetic shorts on top and never an issue since. Always thought a vintage 100% wool Campagnalo jersey would be neat but not shelling out $100+ for one, so a regular wool flannel works fine if I need it. I like the summer gloves Riv sells, mesh cloth fabric on top so lots of airflow, if you want some padded leather for your palms.

[mca80]

BTW, which Lemond? 3x8/9/10 has died the death it deserved. I'd build a 1x11 now.

Regarding the 3x 8/9/10: I was honestly expecting some sort of drastic improvement moving to 2x11, but it just wasn't that. I got by fine on my 3x9, and was used to the gearing strategies...

Shows how out of the loop I am, didn't know 3x had died. I like my gearing because if you are going uphill with front and rear panniers and 50lbs of camping gear, food, water, beer, etc., that "granny gear" is nice to have.

[エイダン.シダル]

Lemond Poprad with cantis had the better bones for a casual, smooth road bike with bigger tires, but the Croix was prettier: dark green.

Gloves are good for riding. I've had basal cell carcinoma removed (albeit from my face), and I've also had my palms saved in a crash.

I'm still not sure if I like padded shorts or not. Seat and proper seat height matters more. So does getting the miles in to be used to it, though that's been years (young children...). I'm wary of the MAMIL look now, though. Merino underwear works a treat, too. Synthetic not so much: friction.

[kumachan]

Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works, formerly the designer of bikes for Bridgestone back in the day, has written a whole lot about this issue and the move toward carbon and hideous clothes and other things unnecessary for non-racing cyclists--primarily marketing and increased sales.

Grant wrote a small book about this: Just Ride. Good read and applicable to every popular sport.