What bike bags work and what don't.

I have used different types of bags, and have found some that work pretty well, and others that don't stand up to what you may need.

 I found that Bell bike bags work for carrying light objects such as a few multi-tools, cell phone, keys, etc...  If you are wanting to carry some heavier items i would suggest getting getting a bag that sits on a rack, they have the support of the rack and can fit most stuff, depending on the bag.  I have the one that i think is by TREK, i'm not sure because the tag is missing, but i like it, it has a main pocket, and two on either side for little things.

As far as panniers, i would recommend the CANNONDALE yellow panniers with optional arm straps.  they just hook onto your rear rack and ride along, and when you stop you can take them off and you can pull out the fold able arm straps and go where you want. when you want to get back on your bike they just fold into threes and lock them in with the snap straps, hook it back on your bike and go.  The two things i really like about them is that they (1.) Last long time (2.) they are bright yellow, so if your riding at night you have extra visibility for the drivers so they can see you from the sides.

If you don't want to have panniers or a rear rack bag, just go with a multi pocket backpack, they work just as well, and they can go over your winter clothing as well as your summer clothes.


Keep on Biking....

I found this cool bike review on the Lovely Bicycle Blog

read about this cool bike, I think it's cool anyway.  it's a funky bike alright. 

Trolling Around in 650B

While Surly offers a range of practical, attractive, versatile bikes that riders everywhere love, none of them I find particularly appealing. Instead, I seem to be drawn to their weirdest and most extreme creations: their fat tired monsters. So naturally, when I saw Susan'snew Surly Troll, I was delighted. Sure, it wasn't a Pugsley, but it was nonetheless glorious. 

The Troll is a 26" wheel steel mountain bike with clearances for 2.7" tires. Built with eyelets for fenders and racks, it can also be set up as a commuter or utility bike, as well as an off-road touring bike. 

Susan built it up for all of the above, converting it to 650B while she was at it.

The tires are of course the 42mm Grand Bois Hetres. I realise now that I forgot to ask why Susan chose this wheel size, so normal it has become around these parts.

The Troll frame can be set up with cantilever/v-brakes or disc brakes - though I think the 650B conversion leaves only the latter option. 

The Troll features interesting dropouts that I have not seen before. They are horizontal and resemble track ends, yet made with a derailleur hanger, making it possible to build the bike up with either hub or derailleur gearing. 

Susan has the bike outfitted with fenders, the Tubus Fly rear rack,

the slightly swept back Metropolis handlebars,

dynamo lighting,

and one of those crazy super-bright headlights that point down to illuminate trails at night, powered by a battery pack.

There is something about the way this bike is set up that seriously excites me. I look at it, and I want to do "that" kind of riding, whatever that is. An overnight tour along pitch black dirt trails maybe?

Susan encouraged me to try the bike, and I did. The brief test ride proved to be surprisingly informative. The bike rode smoother than I expected. Very nice in fact. The Troll is not a lightweight bike, and it is not fast on the road. But it felt maneuverable in tight spaces and was not as difficult uphill as I expected. The stepover of the frame felt lower in practice than the images suggest, making it easy to hop off the bike without having to swing my leg over the back (I should note that I rode the bike with the saddle about an inch higher than shown here). There was no hint of toe overlap even with the 650B wheels. The disc brakes worked well, though I tried them in a very limited capacity.

The one drawback of this bike for me was the high bottom bracket (40mm BB drop on the frame), which made it difficult to get the saddle height where I wanted it. I like to be able to put a toe down when stopping without getting off the saddle, but the frame geometry + 650B conversion made that challenging to accomplish with full leg extension. However, I think that with the 26" wheels the bike was originally designed for, it should be okay. I could also try converting the SurlyOgre (a 700C version of the Troll) to 650B. Its 68mm BB drop should be just right for getting the saddle where I like it. 

But of course I am just aimlessly fantasising here. I understand very little about mountain bikes and even less about their monster variations (still trying to figure out what exactly a suspension-corrected fork is). Still, I think that one excellent use for a machine like this could be as a winter bike. The Troll is not quite as extreme as a Pugsley, but neither is it as bulky. If fitted with 26" wheels and fat studded tires it could be just the thing for snowy Boston winters. With the frame priced at $500 MSRP, some strategic budget component choices could make for a fun and functional build.

Susan purchased her Troll frame from Harris Cyclery, where she works as a custom fit specialist and lead salesperson. Naturally, she built it up herself, with parts she "had lying around." I hope she enjoys her cool new bike, and I thank her for letting me try it!

this article is from http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/.  

Keep on Biking....

Portable tools and bags: what works and what doesn't.

I have gone through different tools to find one that would work and not break after a couple uses.  I have found that if the tool doesn't have plastic parts to it, they last a ton longer.

I had one of those multi-tools for hex wrenches, it was one from Bell bikes and it was about $8, and it lasted four uses because the main frame of the tool was plastic. Then i went to one of the local bike shops and found one by the Specialized bike Co.  and it is nothing but metal, and i bought that about a year ago and it's still working fine, and i only paid about $12 for it.

This tool is also nice to have as well:

it's the Park Tool MT-1.  (Image from http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/)

If you want a screw driver set to carry with you, find one that is all-in-one. it takes up less room in your bag when your carrying it with you.  if you can carry tools with you, and you don't have a big bag, find multi-tools, they are compact and very handy.

keep on biking, and my your tools last as long as your bike....

THE BICYCLE TOURING PRO TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

If you are looking to do some touring, whether it's around the world or across you home state, or country.  Then this is for you.  I found it while i was looking around on the Bicycle Touring Pro website, and it's easy to apply for.  Read the specifications on the page before you click open the application.

Here's the link to it:
http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/scholarship/


Keep on Biking....

Why NOT to use headphones while walking, running, or biking.

You've seen people that are walking, jogging, or biking down the trail and you come up behind them and you yell, "COMING UP ON YOUR LEFT!" but they don't hear you, so you try and pass them and they see you coming up next to them and it scares the crap out of them.  That is the single most reason NOT to wear headphones, or have music playing while your out walking, jogging, running, biking, or what ever it you like to do outside along the road or trail.  If you are guilty of doing it, well so am I, but frankly it's not safe to do.  Say your out running after work and it's about 5:30 - 6 pm, and you have your headphones in blaring your favorite Beatles song and a car is coming up behind you, and you don't hear their horn, and they hit you, or someone tries to kidnap you, or what ever.  you would never hear it coming, until it's too late. Or if you are that guy that had his headphones in, in the beginning of this paragraph who got the crap scared out of him, because he didn't know the biker was going around him.  So for your safety and so you know whats going on around you, don't wear your headphones, be aware of your surroundings.


Keep on Biking....

Top 50 Cycling Blogs on the Internet

I found this website called: London Cyclist they list the their top 50 cycling blogs on the internet.  Some of them on there are good.  Give them a check, and let me know what you think are the best ones on the list and i'll compile a list of the one you think are the best.  Just let me know in the comment section..

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/top-50-cycling-blogs/
you can also sign up for there newsletter as well.

Keep on Biking....

Yehuda Moon News, 

I just read this on the yehuda moon website,

"Readers,

We’ve been working feverishly to get everything done before I (Rick) head off to India for a month in December to visit family. Comics will continue to run throughout my absence and Volume 5 has been sent off to the printer for proofing. We’ve also sent off all holiday gift packs (Volumes 1 – 4) ordered via Kickstarter.

The Kickstand Cyclery will close in January. We have other projects we need to tend to in 2013, so no word as to when the daily comic will return to a regular schedule. We will be cancelling all subscriptions (annual and monthly) by November 15th… but rest assured – the comic will continue through December, 2012.

In February 2013, look forward to Volume 5 shipping to all Kickstarter patrons. You can order volume 5 (and any other book) while I’m out of town – your order will ship in January (except volume 5 orders, which will ship after the Kickstarter orders are fulfilled).

Please write if you have any questions – comics@yehudamoon.com.

Thanks for a great year and all your support!

Sincerely,

Rick Smith and Brian Griggs"

This is Sad news to anyone who reads the Yehuda Moon comic series. Sad news for the 2013 year.

Keep on Biking....

how to properly lock up your bike

Have you ever stopped to lock up your bike at a bike rack and you see that one bike that isn't lock up, there's usually is at least one at each bike rack. My question is: What were they thinking when they left their bike? When you lock up your bike, you want your bike to be more secure than the bike next to you.  If you think like a thief, and say, "would i want to steal this one that isn't locked up or with a weak lock, or would i want to struggle to get that bike with the hefty steel lock, or a U-Lock.  Someone that is going to be stealing a bike is going to wanna spend very little effort to get it, and if your bike is locked up with a heavy duty lock or a U-Lock, they are going to look right past it, but if you have a wimpy lock rapped around the frame or just your wheel, they can just snip that lock right off. If you have Quick release wheels and Seat, make sure that you put your lock through your wheels, and take you seat with you.  People have been known to just steal parts off bikes and those are the first things to go.

Locks can range from: $15.00 to almost $50.00, but some of the more expensive locks may not be the best ones to use, on some of the locks on their packaging they will have a rating on strength of the lock, if you can look for locks that have that on it, with a 4 or a 5.

Now that you know a little more about locking your bike, make sure your not the victim of bike theft.

Keep on Biking....

Funky or Unique Bikes?

Do you have a unique, customized, or even funky bike?  Well i would love to see it and if you send me picture(s) of it i will post them on my blog in the photo album and in a post as well.  Even if you want to show off your bike no matter how original, same as everyone else's, or unique, send me a picture or two and i'll post them on here, and in the photo album.  I'd love to hear from you even if you have a plain bike, send me a pic.

My email is: dj.bicyclist.13@gmail.com

Thanks,

Keep on Biking...

Fenders: Pros and Cons

Hey again, today i'm taking about fenders, the pros and cons:

Fenders Pros: 

• They are nice for riding in rain or snow.
• they prevent that wet, slushy, or brown streak up your back

Metal fenders are nice, they last a long time.  There are two types of fenders, Metal fenders are longer and protect from water spray, and plastic fenders are more for mountain bikes and off-roading, they are more of a mud flap/guard than anything.  The metal fenders last a life time, if you take care of them the right way.  If you use chrome polish and a soft cloth, and keep them clean with windex (thats what i like to use, it doesn't harm your paint and it keeps your bike and fenders clean.  If you can find painted fenders that match or accent you bikes paint, the paint acts like a protective barrier against rust, if you maintain them and keep the paint clean.  

Fenders Cons:

• They take a bit to install, depending on the style of fenders.

I will admit I don't like installing fenders anymore than the next guy.  I just replaced my fenders today, and they took me about 30 - 45 minutes to do.  I had to replace the old metal fenders that were on my Miyata bike.  They were rusting on the undersides. I replaced my old chrome fenders with blueish grey colored fenders, to go with my light tan colored Miyata Seven-ten.  

Installing fenders do take a bit of time to put on, but they help a lot.  you can install them yourself, and if you have questions you can ask your local bike shop questions about doing it, or for a fee you can have the bike shop do it, if you don't have the time or whatever the reason.

Have fun.

Keep on Biking...

What kind bike do you ride?

Hey, I'd love to hear from you.  What kind of bike(s) do you ride?  I would love to know.

Do you have any feed back, what kind of info would you like to see, of any questions that you want answered?  Let me know by commenting on this post.

Let me know what you want, and think.

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Abbey Bike Pictures

These are the pictures of that Abbey bike i was talking about in my last post:

these are the original colours, black and antique cream.  

Enjoy.

Keep on Biking...

Trying out a winter bike

I have talked about in the past posts about an "Abbey" 3-Speed Women's bike that came to the bike shop.  Well i got it painted today, i kept the original colors.  Black and Antique Cream, it's a beautiful bike now.  I am going to use it for my winter bike.  Diane Pittman (Owner of Shifting Gears), was helping me to decide what bike to use for the winter, and she said that three speed bikes are the best because all the gears are internal, and all the salt from the roads don't eat it away, as compared to a multi-speed bike, with the gears exposed.

Come next spring, I am going to tare it apart and clean it intensely.  Especially after winter, I have basically brought that bike from the dead.  It started out as a rust bucket, the rims wouldn't even move, the rubber was half gone, and the 3-speed hub was also rusted shut.  I took it apart and soaked all the rusted parts in Tri-Flo oil, it is the best stuff for loosening up old rusted parts, or even keeping you chain lubed   But anyway, i had gotten it working, but the fenders and the chain guard are rusted to the frame, and that's OK, i'll get them to come off in the spring.  I would put up before and after pictures, but i didn't take before pictures, but i will post an after picture, so you all know what it looks like, and if anyone has heard of "Abbey" bikes, please email me @ bikeinfoquestion@gmail.com, i would love to know some info on this bike.  If you have any good ideas about winter biking/commuting, please leave a comment, or email me or both. Thanks,

Keep on Biking...

Old Bike Drop off times

We will be open this coming Saturday, from 10 to 3pm, for you to be able drop off your old bicycles to don't wish to have anymore, so please stop by even to just have a look.  Diane will be there from 10 to around 1:30 or so, and i will be there from 11:30 to 3 pm so stop by and say Hi and see what we're all about, and what we can do for you.

Keep on Biking...

How to Live Without a Car

1. Determine why you are going car-less. For some people, it's about social responsibility (i.e. minimizing fossil fuel consumption). For others, it's about health or to save money. For still others, it's because, for whatever reason, they don't have a driver's license. And for a few, it's simply about freedom — not being tied down to the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a car. Your reason behind living without a car will affect how far you're willing to go with this lifestyle choice. But no matter what your motivation is, one thing's for sure: there will be tremendous cost savings.
2. 2
   Keep your car as backup during a transition period. While you're testing out your car-free lifestyle and working out the kinks, you should hold on to your car until you can rely on alternative means. Once you can go for 1 to 2 months without touching the car, you're ready to let it go. Then, donate your car to charity for a tax write-off or sell it and get some of your hard earned money back.
3. 3
   
   

    Use public transportation.
   Use public transportation. If you live in an area with public transportation, take advantage of it. Research routes, find out about special fares and programs, bookmark the local trip planner on your computer, and save the customer service number on your cell phone.
4. 4
   Consider moving to a location that is within biking or walking range to all the important places, such as grocery stores and bus or train stops or public transportation hubs. Get a map of the city's transit system or use an online trip planner, and find out how quickly you can reach a variety of destinations from your prospective home. It's always good to have at least a small grocery store within easy walking distance for quick trips. If you're looking for a big change, move to a city with a good public transit system, such as Chicago, New York, or Portland, Oregon. Alternatively, relocate to a small, yet still sizable city like Madison, Wisconsin, where you can cross the whole city by bike in a reasonable time. If you're worried about the expense of moving and living in a different neighborhood (e.g. higher rents), weigh the additional costs with the savings you can achieve by not having a car.
5. 5
   Get a more conveniently located job. People most often choose housing that is near their place of business, but if you like a particular neighborhood or house, you can do the opposite. Make sure that your workplace is located within walking or biking range to a bus stop or train station. Also find out how difficult it is to reach your workplace from your house; if you can only get there by taking three different buses over two hours, it's not really accessible. If possible, avoid the commute altogether by working near (or from) your home. Look into the possibility of telecommuting a few days a week or staggering hours to avoid sitting in traffic.
6. 6
   Buy a bicycle. The cheapest ones at discount stores may go as low as $45 and high quality commute bikes range from $500 to $1200. Garage sales and online classifieds like www.craigslist.com frequently offer additional low cost or even free bicycles. Police departments often have annual sales of bicycles they've recovered. Remember—besides being free, environmentally friendly, and usually immune to traffic congestion, bikes also give you a free daily workout. If your day to day life is going to depend on the bicycle, look into the climate and other factors as described in the Tips below.
7. 7
   Buy an electric bike or an electric scooter. Remember all the hype over the Segway? This is a simpler solution. These bikes are rapidly spreading in China, Japan, and many other countries of the world. They put out very little CO2 relative to a car, they are incredibly cheap to "fuel," and they are a fun and familiar ride. A typical electric bike costs $500 to $1500, and will go 8-20 miles on a charge. You can pedal assist or go with all electric, but the bikes are great if you want to wear your work clothes and avoid a shower (less sweat, faster to work). They are actually pretty fast (14 - 20 mph), don't require insurance, and are low maintenance. Batteries can be lead acid (reliable and cheap, but heavy), nickel metal hydride (long lasting and lighter, but more expensive), and lithium ion (very light and long lasting, but expensive and still somewhat untested in bikes).
8. 8
   Join forces with other commuters.
9. 9
   Buy a moped, scooter, or small motorcycle. These small two-wheelers are relatively inexpensive to purchase, insure, maintain, and operate, and are fun to ride. In many cities of the world, two-wheeled vehicles outnumber cars.
10. 10
    Consider participating in car sharing programs, such as City Car-Share, i-Go, FlexCar, ZipCar or VanPoolHawaii. There are a variety of programs that enable you to use a vehicle when you need one. If you just need to get to work, you might be able to arrange a vanpool from your local transit service.
11. 11
    If you need to take a trip outside of the range of inexpensive public transportation, try to get a rideshare. You simply find a driver who's going your way and give them gas money or help them out with the driving. You can find rideshares on the Internet.
12. 12
    Take a taxi or rent or borrow a car. For those times when a bus simply will not do (picking up 42 potted begonias), you might well need a car. But even renting a car several times a year usually makes more sense than owning a car for just those few times you might absolutely need one.
13. 13
    If possible, get a job that allows you to use a corporate vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for a personal vehicle.

 TIPS:

• Buy a shopping cart or foldable wheeled tote so you can haul hefty loads from the grocery store to your home without breaking a sweat.
• Make friends. Sometimes, such as when you're moving or need to pick up a piece of furniture, it really helps to drive a car. In these situations, it really helps to have a friend with a car or truck.
• Trade products or services for use of a car or truck. Try exchanging babysitting or yard work for car-assisted trips to the supermarket, etc.
• Take advantage of the internet. Do some shopping online instead of spending time and money getting to and from store locations. Many retailers even offer free shipping on orders over a set price which can save you even more money.
• If you plan on riding your bike everywhere, research the climate of the area in which you plan to live. Even bitter cold winters can be fun to ride in, if prepared with the proper cold weather gear. Snow skiing apparel will make you stylish and comfortable too.
• Be sure to check out the bike accessibility of the area: does the city or neighborhood have well marked bike lanes, or will you be brushing up against cars on a narrow shoulder? In some places, you're allowed to take your bike along on the train or bus, but double check to make sure. And if you have trouble biking, consider an electric bike.
• With the bike, get some bicycle panniers! They will allow you to bring lots of stuff home (grocery's, work bags, books, anything that will fit!) without much effort.
• If absolutely necessary, don't hesitate to flag down a taxicab, or rent a car or truck. After all, you're probably saving at least $6000 a year by not having a car.
• If you live in the USA, check out your address at WalkScore. This website is a great mapping tool for locating the nearest services near almost any location. The higher the score, the easier it will be for you to live without a car.

WARNINGS:

• Don't take advantage of friends who have cars. You should try to be as self-sufficient as possible, and try to reciprocate favors, or they'll quickly get annoyed with you.
• Buses and trains do sometimes have trouble staying on schedule. If you have to be somewhere important at a certain time, give yourself plenty of time in case something goes wrong. You'd do the same even if you had a car.
• Be wary of carpooling with strangers, especially if you're alone.
• If you're using a corporate vehicle, be aware that your employer may be keeping close tabs on usage, mileage, and fuel consumption. Also, they may have strict rules against using corporate vehicles for personal use, so be careful.
• Be aware that if you give up your current car, you may also be giving up your insurance history. If you ever decide to drive a car again, and you've not been continuously insured, you will be treated like a brand new 16-year old driver, with rates to match.
• If you will be driving at all (e.g. in a borrowed or rented car), look into "non-owner" car insurance. It's cheap, but be aware that the "non-owner" car insurance only covers liability. You still have to buy comprehensive and collision coverage for the rental or borrowed car. Many believe "non-owner" insurance covers the rental or borrowed car, but in reality, it only covers the other guy if you are at fault while driving a rental or borrowed car. It would be a rude awakening if you made that mistake and ended up paying for the damage or theft of the rental car out of pocket or your buddy's insurance paid the vehicle theft or damage and then hiked your friend's insurance rates.
• Don't panic over things; if you are extremely unhappy, start saving up for a car again.

from WikiHow: 

Link: http://www.wikihow.com/Live-Without-a-Car.   

Keep on Biking...

Night Biking Tips

If you plan on riding at night say for fun, you like riding in the dark, or your coming home from work, there are a few things that you will need to know and have to keep you safe:

1. Lights  (Sets can range from $20.00 to $45.00 for basic lights.  LED's are the best for making batteries last longer.)
2. Reflectors (you can get them at your local bike shop for very cheap, if your bike is not come with them, say you bought it used or they broke.)
1. white on the front
2. red on the rear
3. White reflectors in your spokes
4. reflectors on the side of the bike (optional if you don't want to gum up your bike)
3. Reflective vest  (you can buy vests and jackets at you local home improvement store or anywhere that  deals with construction.  They can range from $15.00 on up to $30.00, depending on the style.)
4. Reflective strips  (you can get reflective strips at bike shops, and hardware stores, for putting them on you helmet/bike.

If you use these tips for being visible, cars will be able to see you more, and you'll be less likely to end up as a hood ornament on a car.  I have had a city bus run into me a year and a half ago, and that was not fun.  If you bike safely and be visible to others, you will be happier, and so will everyone else.

Keep on Biking...

Bike Commuting

Are you someone that commutes back and forth say to work, school, etc., here's a website that covers everything from dealing with dogs to riding in the rain.
http://www.commutebybike.com/cats/commuting-101/

I recommend this to everyone, even if you just ride for enjoyment or your a commuter, it has everything.


Keep on Biking...