Guest writers

I have had some of you comment asking to either guest write on here or have me guest write on their website/blog.  I am willing to do both, but i can not access blogs or emails from the comment section for some reason.  So if you wanna talk about guest writing, please email me: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com

-i have also had some of you ask for advice, if you want advice of writing, blog sites, starting your own blog, feel free to email me about that as well, im here to answer your questions.  No question is stupid either...

I hope to hear from you...

Keep on biking...

Merry Christmas to all

Happy holidays to everyone.  The new year is coming and so are new years resolutions.  And i have a few:

1: i will be putting new posts every thursday.

2: i will be winter riding more often.  ( i have only riden my bike once this winter).

!!!ATTENTION!!!

I am looking for guest writers for the new year.  If you want to be a guest writer please email me at: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com, subject line: guest writer.  

Keep on Winter Biking...

Homemade Xtra-cycle

I have created an extended bicycle.  I am doing a few tweaks to it yet, but it rides in all 21 gears.  I used two bike frames that used 700c rims, i took the fork out of the black bike along with the handlebars.  Put the seat post of the red bike through the front tube, and into the seat tube of the red bike.  Then i took the right side of the crank assembly on the black off, and put a left crank arm on the right side with both arms facing same direction.  I put bolts through each pedal bolt hole, and thrugh the rear drop out of the red bike.  I  am going to try and build a few more in the next few weeks.  I will be updating my progress on them...

Keep on Biking....

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well im only almost a week late, but i have been working on articles.  Lifes been busier than usual and rediculious.  So here it is:

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well, its winter time again.  Time to take off the street tires and slap on the studded tires.  Add space between our tires and our fenders, getting the long johns out and putting the t-shirts away.    Riding in the summer is easy to plan for and so it winter (sometimes), but the transition between the two is the tricky point.  Can be 10 degrees in the morning and 80 by the time you get home.  I have a few steps to help you transition:

1: Wear wool,

Wool, especially marino wool is very warm and also breathable for those warmer times.  I wear a marino wool ballacalava, locally made wool gloves/mittens, and wool socks.  Wool also helps discuise that sweat smell if you happen to sweat while riding.

2: carry a change of clohing,

Carry along a change of clothing for warmer weather, just incase.  The weather men arent always right, and with that said maybe also carry warmer clothes too just incase it dips farther down.

3: get winter or studded tires,

You will want tires to help you stay up on the snow and ice,  studded tires are great for if you ride on a lot of ice, but mountain tires are great for riding in just snow.  If you are riding in both snow and ice, then i would suggest studded tires.

To be continued in hopefully less than a week.

Keep on Biking...

How to Buy a Bicycle

I found this article on Wikihow, and I think it describes the process really well.


How to Buy a Bicycle:

When you go to a bike shop to buy a bicycle, you may feel overwhelmed by the selection. This article will help you to find the perfect bike by telling you which bike to look for, how to test drive it, and how to get the best deals at a bike shop or through the Web.

EditSteps

Part One: Picking Out Your Bike

1. 1
   Decide which type of bike you want. Will you use the bike to ride around town, hit the trails or climb mountains, or a combination of both?
   • Buy a road bike for riding on smooth pavement. Road bikes have lighter frames and slimmer tires. They are not designed to ride over rough terrain, so they don't have suspension systems that absorb shock. Road bikes are a good fit for riders with a strong back. Flexibility is needed due to bent over riding position.
     
     
     
   • Choose a mountain bike for riding on trails or mountain biking. The tires are large with significant tread, which helps to grab the surface and propel you forward when you're going uphill. Also, the frame is heavier, and the bike has a suspension system to absorb shock. Most mountain bike handlebars are straight and can create discomfort if rode long distance on paved trails.
     
     
     
   • Pick a hybrid bicycle. If you want to ride your bike around the neighborhood and want a upright riding position. Some hybrids with double walled rims can handle some off road riding.[1]
     
     
     
2. 2
   Appraise yourself as a cyclist. Be honest about your current ability, and consider where you'd like to be in the future. Purchase a bike that's right in the middle of your current skill level and your ideal vision of yourself.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Set your price range. You can always purchase a used bike if you're on a budget. Try to find a bike shop with a trade in program.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Ask your friends. If you have friends who are cyclists, ask them for recommendations before you buy a bicycle. If you don't know any cyclists, then e-mail your local cycling club.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Research bikes online. Online is a great option to consider when buying a bike. Because online retailers don't necessarily have to showcase and stock their bikes, they can pass on the savings to in the form of a cheaper price.
   
   
   
   • Compare frames and components so that you are familiar with the important parts of a bike. You should primarily look for a good frame. You can always upgrade components later. Getting the right fit is extremely important. [2]
     
     
     
   • Most bike shops are there to help you get started and will guide you. Don't go in with online printouts. Bike shops cannot compete with high volume. They offer service and certified technicians.
     
     
     

Part Two: Test Driving Your Options

1. 1
   Sit on the bike to check the fit. Are you too stretched out? Are the controls easy to use and reach? How do you feel? What is your overall impression?
   
   
   
   • Notice the distance from the seat to the bottom of the pedal stroke and the angle at which you have to lean to hold the handlebars.
   • The frame size of the bike is fixed, so take the time to try several different options to find the best fit.
2. 2
   Check the tires. A slimmer tire is better for quick riding, and a slicker tread is better for city riding over smoother surfaces. For safety and convenience, look for tires that have built-in flat protection.[3]
   
   
   
3. 3
   Test drive the bike to see if you like it. Like a car, a bike is usually something you want to try out before you purchase it. It might look nice and dandy, but if it doesn't feel good and respond to your body in the proper way, what's the use?
   
   
   
   • Consider the weight of the frame. A lighter frame is easier to propel but will also be more expensive.
     
     
     
   • Your body should feel comfortable as you ride. Your knee should bend slightly at the bottom of the pedal revolution. You should be able to reach the brakes easily, and your upper body shouldn't feel cramped on a flat surface.
     
     
     
   • Make sure that the bicycle handles turns smoothly and that you can sit and stand easily while you're on a hill.
     
     
     

Part Three: Buying a New or Used Bicycle in Person

1. 1
   Call your local bike shops. Find out what types of bikes they sell, and choose a shop that specializes in the kind of bike that you want. It might be helpful to have a budget in mind.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Walk the sales floor and check out the bikes that you've researched. Tell the salesperson your goals, and ask for recommendations.
   • Be wary of a salesperson who steers you toward a significantly different type of bike, particularly if that bike is out of your price range.
   • At the same time, listen to suggestions. For example, if the salesperson recommends a slightly different frame style than the ones you've researched, ask why. If the salesperson has a good explanation, then consider the suggestion.
3. 3
   Ask the bike shop about service plans. Many shops, for example, offer a year of free tune-ups along with your purchase.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Negotiate your price. If you printed prices from online source, then show the prices to the salesperson to see if the shop will match the price. If the shop offers you a slightly lower price or throws in a service plan, then you may have a good deal.
   
   
   

Part Four: Buying a New or Used Bike Online

1. 1
   Find the bicycle that you want on the Web. With an online purchase, you get to shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You're also more likely to find a competitive price.
   
   
   
   • Look for retailers in your area who have brick-and-mortar stores as well as online purchase options. That way, you can test drive the bike at the store and then buy the bike you want online.
   • Check out sites like eBay, Bicycle Peddler and Craigslist for used bikes.
     • EBay can be a great choice because, since you'll be bidding on the bike, you'll stick with your budget. You will have to pay for shipping if you don't buy from a local salesperson.
     • Craigslist can also be great because you can pick up your bike locally, and you probably won't have to assemble it. You'll also have the chance to test drive it before you buy it.
     • Bicycle Peddler is also a good place to look. The site is just starting out but has one of the best advanced searches for both new and used bike.[4]
2. 2
   Order your bike and either pick it up or wait for it to arrive.
   
   
   
• If your bike comes in pieces, take it to your local bike shop and pay someone to assemble it for maximum safety. Even if your bike comes from another retailer, you will still need to develop a relationship with your local bike retailer in case you need future assistance.[5]
• Test drive the bike after it's put together. If you don't like it, and you bought it from a retailer, disassemble it and ship it back or return it to a brick-and-mortar store.

Keep on Biking....

CALL FOR GUEST WRITERS!!!

If you have something you'd like to contribute, please write it up in an email and send it to: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com with the subject of Guest Writer Confession.  I will review what you have and if I like what you sent me I will post it here, I will refuse to post things that don't have all the facts, are not relevant, or anything else that I deem unfit to post.  I would like to have Guest Writers, because I  don't have time to write every other day, so if you have relevant bicycle info that you would like to have shared, please email it to me.

Thank You,

Keep on Biking....

DIY Bicycle Repairs; Do's and Don't's!

I have come across quite a few bikes lately that people try to repair on their own, either because they had to to get it to the repair shop, or because they think they know how to, or they had someone else work on it that thought they knew what they were doing.  I have seen everything from tubes being patched with duct tape to pedals being put on wrong.  If you don't absolutely know how to do it, DON'T DO IT!  It not only saves you time and money, but it doesn't make the job for the bike mechanic harder.  If you want to know how to do something, have someone knowledgeable show you how to do.  Don't just try and learn from online sources.  Repairing a bicycle is not always easy, it takes some practice.  I have been doing this for 4 years now and it took me up until a year ago to learn everything i know today, that's 3 years.

Do's:

-Take it to someone that knows what they are doing, if you do not.
-Learn form them on how to do it in the future.

Don't's:

-Don't repair it if you don't know how to do it.
-Don't learn from someone that doesn't really know what they are doing. (Learn from someone in a bike shop)


I have how-to videos on this site, but don't try to do it with out the supervision of a knowledgeable individual.  They are there to show you what is done, and what it all entails in the repair.  When all else fails, bring it to your local bike shop and ask if you can watch them repair your bike, and see if they will explain what they are doing.  Some bike shops will and some won't, so do not get mad when they say NO, they have the right to say no.


Keep on Biking....

Question Answered!?!

I have had quite a few of you asking me what blog service i use.  It's very simple: Blogspot!  I don't use wordpress, or any of the other ones out there.  Blogspot has been very easy to use, user friendly, no ones hacked it.  I would recommend Blogspot to anyone looking to start a blog of their own.


Keep on Biking....

Buying a new bike?

About a month ago i bought a new bike from one of the bike shop in town here.  It was the Jamis Commuter 3 with a Shimano Nexus 7 speed internal, 700c tires, and chocolate brown.  I liked how it looked, and i think that's what attracted me to it.  Don't get me wrong it rode nice to, but internal gearing is different then external geared bikes.  With external geared bikes you have more gearing range then internal does.  I had to trade the Jamis in for something different, it was killing my knees, plus i need something that goes off road as well.  I didn't think everything over before i bought my bike; What terrain am i going to be riding over, what conditions, what size tire do i want/need, and is it the overall right bike for me. 

1. What terrain are you riding over;
1. Road
2. dirt
3. sand
4. ???
2. What conditions are you going to be riding in:
1. Is it mostly dry
2. wet ( are you going to need disc brakes?)
3. snow
4. or are you riding all year 'round?
3. What size tire are you needing or wanting?
1. 24"
2. 26"
3. 27"
4. 700c
5. 29"
4. Is the bike right for me overall, or am i buying it just for one thing?

What Terrain?

If you are riding on only the road back and forth to work or school, i would recommend getting a road bike. With a road bike they have skinnier tires and a bit smoother so that it has less drag then say knobby tires.  If you are doing just sand and dirt, a mountain bike will do you just fine, but if you are going to be riding on both road and dirt, i would recommend getting a newer mountain bike with urban style tires.  The mtn bike will have wider tires for going off road, but you can also pump up the tires to be road worthy and still feel like a road bike.

What conditions are you riding on?

If your riding on mostly dry surfaces and conditions, regular cantilever brakes will work just fine for you, but if you are going to be riding in the rain, snow, or anything else, i would recommend getting a bike equip with disc brakes.  Disc brakes are in my opinion easier to work on, and also the brake pads hit on the disc rather than the rim which will have mud, dirt, water, ice, etc...  the disc will not as much, and you'll have better braking power as well.

What size tire is right for you?

The bigger the tire the more tread area hits the road.  26" vs. 29ers:  A 26" tire will have an inch or two or area on the ground, and a 29er will have more like two to three inches or tire area hitting the ground (all depends on amount of PSI pressure that you have in the tire at the time).

Is the bike right for you?

Or are you buying it just cause it looks pretty.  If that's why your buying the bike, then don't do it, unless you wanna have it as a garage ornament cause that's all it will end up being after a few times of riding.  When you buy a bike keep all the info mentioned above in mind, but also keep in mind that you need to feel comfortable on the bike.  If you don't like how it rides, gears, seat height etc...  When your buying a bike from a bike shop they will go over this with you and make sure you like the bike.  If they don't, don't buy from them.  Also Walmart, Target, Kmart, or any other big box store will not help you with saddle sizing, frame size, whether or not you are comfortable on the bike or not.  Their goal is to sell, sell, sell...    If you can't afford to buy a bike from bike shop, go to a bike shop and have them help you get sized for a bike so you know what kind of bike you can fit onto, then from there you can pick which one is comfortable to you.

When you buy a bike, a lot goes into consideration before you roll out onto the trails.  Just be careful before you buy.  Don't regret you buy like i did.

Keep on Biking....

Questions: Contact me!

I have had a lot of you commenting and asking if there is a way to contact me.  Well there is, along the top of the page in the tabs is the contact me tab.  Click that and my email is on there.  That's the best way to get a hold of me for any bike questions and/or ideas you may have.  In the subject tab put "bike confession."  I check my emails at least 5 times a day.  I will get back  to you as soon as i can.  

Keep on Biking....

Fixing the oldies but goodies

I just recently got a couple of antique bikes that i'm trying to fix up and resell.

the first one i really like:

This is a Sears and Roebuck 5 speed women's frame

27 x 1 1/4

i love this chain guard, such a vintage look, well i guess it is.

Almost everything is original to the bike.  I had to change the rear derailleur, shifter and cable.  The rear derailleur had one of the cogs destroyed, and i couldn't change the cog, the bolt was too stiff to undo.  I had to also replace the rear tire and tube, both of these bike sat in a shed for thirty or so years like this.  in my opinion they are in beautiful condition.

The other bike needs a little bit more help:

this is a 1960's Huffy 3 speed men's framed bike.

26 x 1 3/8s

the rear hub needs a bit of help, i looked into the hub, and part of the pin had broken off inside.  I need to open it up one of these days and clean it out.  It won't take too much to do that though.  it's kind of fun to open them up and see what they have been through, whether they have been abused or not.  Most of the hubs i've opened up are pretty clean, but i have had one that i was able to get running, but it was on the line between needing to be replaced and barely fixable.  I have a few more that are sort of walmart mtn bikes that need to be fixed up, when i have them running, i'll tel you about them.

Keep on Biking....

Guest writers? Yes or No? That is the Question.

hello everyone,

i had someone ask "do i allow guest writers to contribute to my blog?"  my answer: YES!

If you have any information that you would like to contribute please send it to me in an email to: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com, and if i like the information that you have to contribute i will put it on with your name attached, and if i have any additional info to add to it, i will add it in the same post, but separately.
Please dont be afraid to email me, i would like to hear from you.  if you have info to contribute, please do so, so that that knowledge can be spread to the rest of the world.

Keep on Biking....

Confused Sturmey Archer Hub Update.

I just wanted to update everyone about this hub, i was able to get it to work in 2nd, and 3rd gear, and i gave the bike away to a guy that i knew would really take care of the bike like it was his baby.  I know that, that bike will be on the road for years to come in the same condition that i gave it to him.  to see the smile come across his face when i told him about the bike and the problem with the hub not being able to shift into first gear, and he didn't care about that.  He just wanted a bike that would get him around, instead of walking everywhere and suffering with sore legs at the end of every walk.  In my opinion, it went to a great owner.

Keep on Biking....

I'M BACK.

"Me with my yellow Schwinn Sprint,

 next to the Nice Ride bikes in the twin cities."

Hello everyone,

I'm back from my trip to St. Paul/Minneapolis.  I went through the LCI class ((League Cycling Instructor) LCI teaches people how to be safe on a bike, and how to cycle on the road confidently), and it went very well.  I nailed all the road and parking lot skills, but i have to go back again in the fall and take the class again, my instructor wants me to come back again, he said because i need to get my knowledge of the info down, and be better at presenting in front of people (i have never been good at talking in front of crowds). 

As part of the class, we had to ride on some of the main roads with the traffic.  That was very fun to do along with the parking lot skills.  All the different people i meet that were taking the class with me were from all over Minnesota (Minneapolis, Hutchinson, St. Cloud, Bemidji, etc..., just to name a few places).  I ate out a lot just to try some of the different places down there, and one place that i ate was "pizza luca"  (i think thats how you spell it), and the pizza was the best i have ever eaten, words could not describe it.  I sat outside next to my locked up bike, and i looked down the block from where my bike was and every bike rack was full of bikes.

Almost every kind of bike was locked up next to mine, from Fuji's to Xtracycles, and seeing the same amount of bikes on the road as there are cars, made me happy to be doing what i'm doing at Shifting Gears.  

I had to stop by a bike shop to get my back brakes repaired, and i went by a bike shop called "Spokes." When i walked in there i felt at home, because they are the same thing as Shifting Gears basically.  They let me use their repair stand and repair my brakes, they would have let me use their tools, but i had my 30 in one tool with me.  

I looked at my comment page today, at all the wonderful comments that were left when i was gone.  I just wanna Thank You guys for commenting and visiting my blog.  When i started this blog last year i did not expect the popularity of it to be more than a few people from my home town, but it has gone world wide, and that just makes me happy to think that biking is that popular and so many people are looking up the things im blogging about.  That only makes me want to keep this going and blog about the things that aren't easy to find on the internet.  Please do not be shy to ask me questions about bikes or suggest something to blog about, and if i don't know the answer to it, i know a couple people that would.  I'm always looking for things to put on my blog.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Keep on Biking....

Hello!

Hey everyone, 

Just to let you all know, i wont be posting anything until after Saturday the 18th, i have been studying to become an LCI (League Cycling Instructor).  It should be mounds of fun, and a fun experience to boot.  I will be taking pictures and posting them when i get back.  I will only be bringing the things that are necessary, and my computer is not one of them.  :(    Oh well,  I definitely look forward to blogging again, after i get back.    Ta ta for now....

Keep on Biking....

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK!!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Confessions-of-a-bikeaholic/194520944028767

I finally decided to get my blog on facebook as well.  i will be posting info and things on both the blog and facebook.  i wont always have the same thing on both sites, so be sure to check both.  I will be trying to post  more info on both sites, instead of once a week if that.  I will try and post at least twice a week, and have bike reviews along with many other things.

Keep on biking.....

finally had a warm day.

The temperature reached 66 degrees today, so i got out my single speed road bike

and went for a long ride.  

 looking at Lake Bemidji.

after riding over some snow lumps i was able to ride on the trail for a short distance,

but with my 700c tires i couldn't go very far with all the left over snow.  next time ill 

have my mountain bike for bahaing over the snow piles.  I finally didn't have

to wear long johns, heavy sweaters and all that winter crap.  

my TREK 820 on the new trail bridge in town.

(looking North) 

(looking south)

As you can see in the pictures there is still snow on the trails, 

on either side of the trail bridge.  On my trip i ran across Natalie and her boyfriend 

trying to ride around the lake on the road, considering how snow clogged the 

trails are.  

"life can pass you by, or you can get on a bike and pass it by."

I love that saying, not sure who came up with that one.

Keep on biking....

Life is fun when you have new things to try...

photo from: videojug.com 

I'm going to give BMX biking a shot.  I have never tried doing tricks or even riding BMX bikes much.  I am borrowing a BMX from the shop and i'm going to try to learn some tricks.  I know how to ride one, and how to jump off a curb (a half bunny hop i guess).  I'm going to try and learn tricks like the full bunny hop, the Pogo, the decade, and many more.  Hopefully i don't get hurt and break a leg or something.  I'll update as i learn these tricks without hurting myself.


Keep on Biking....

Confused Sturmey Archer Hub, Part 5 - Bump in the bike trail

I'm still working on it, i am trying to get the shifting right, but i haven't had much
 time lately to work on it.  I took the fenders off of it, and put them on another bike of mine.
I will probably be able to work on it for another week now, this week will be very busy for Shifting Gears with the bike rodeo going on, on Thursday the 18th at the Nymore hockey arena @ 3pm.
When i get it running i will be posting pictures and how I did it....

Keep on Biking....

Confused Sturmey Archer Hub, Part 4 - I changed my mind

My internal 4 speed Shamano Nexus hub.

I have decided to put it on my Raleigh Concord instead.  I took the wheels off of my Raleigh and put them on my Schwinn Suburban.  I like the look of them on it better than my Raleigh.

Schwinn Suburban with my Raleigh's 700c wheels on it.

I put on 700 x 35 road tires, i did have an old pair of 700 x 28 studded tires, but i removed all of the studs a couple months ago because they were worn down, but the tires were still good.  I had to switch the tires because they kept rubbing on my fender in the back. the front one was fine but the rear one was being a pain, so i swapped them out  for the road tires.

I will be putting the hub/wheel onto my Raleigh on Friday, but won't be finished until Saturday, I will have it on the bike, but i am waiting until i get a shifter for it, which will coming on Saturday.  I will take some better pictures of my Schwinn and my Raleigh once i get it done on Friday and Saturday.

Keep on Biking.....

Poor, lonely snow covered Magna

I went to Grand Forks the other day, and i found this bike sitting in front of the Boys Ranch

Thrift Shop buried in snow.  When I saw it i felt sorry for it, just sitting there buried up to its

top tube in snow.  It's sad to see bikes that are abandoned like this one, left to rust away.  

If you know of someone who has a bike that leaves it out side to suffer in silence in the weather,

please do something, it not only helps the bike, but also helps the owner's wallet.  If they can't bring

it inside somewhere, even putting a tarp over the bike would help keep it in better riding condition.  

Keep on Biking.....