You know you're about to get a great story when someone walks in the shop and says "What's the weirdest thing you've ever found stuck inside a bike frame tube?"
So today my hat's off to John, who found a mouse carcass inside his latest bike project.
Top-notch bicycle service, first-rate custy service. www.hubbicycle.com
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cargo
One of my favorite on-road things to do with a bicycle is run errands. I find that it's much more satisfying to go by bike. I mean, you have to run them any way, might as well feel good while you're at it.
If you want to get stuff done by bike, you probably need a way to carry stuff by bike. I'm sure you've see the ol' standard bike rack- bolts onto the back of the frame, often seen with a milk crate on top or panniers on the side. That works alright, but let me suggest something else. Put the stuff on the front of the bike!
There are a number of front carrying cargo devices for bicycles, each have their own pros/cons. The two pros they all share over rear racks are 1) It's easier to balance the load on the front (IMHO) 2) You can keep an eye on your cargo (which helps with balance). As I mentioned, there are a number of options out there, I'm going to show you these three, because I've actually used them.
Wald Basket
Wald has been making bike baskets forever (1905). If you've ever seen a paperboy/girl tossing the daily news out of a bike basket (you know, in a movie or something), it was probably a Wald.
Pros:
Cons:
I posted a pic of this brand new cargo device on the Hub facebook page a little while ago. These are two of my favorite names out of the many suggestions. Evo just calls it the 'Handlebar Basket'. Boring, but accurate. It's a basket integrated into the handlebars.
Pros:
Lighter than it looks
Can be used on bikes with suspension forks
Holds up to 60lbs
Really sturdy
Less expensive that a porteur rack ($67)
Cons:
Can only be used with a modern style face plate stem
These are the handlebars you get- if you don't like them, tough.
More expensive than Wald baskets ($67)
Only one size- if it doesn't fit, tough
CETMA 5-rail rack
This is my go-to. Handmade by a lovely gentleman in Eugene, OR. I've carried weeks worth of groceries, bags of dog food, other bikes, dry ice (don't worry about it), a microwave, pizzas, cases of beer (such a bike industry cliche), my full travel tool box. If I can bungee it down, I'll take it on my bike.
Pros:
Cons:
There are demo versions of the Evo Basklebar and CETMA 5-rail available at the shop if you'd like to try before you buy. But I'm telling you, I think you'll like it so much you won't go back to your old rack (although, I won't hate you if you do, so- no pressure). Come in and check them out!
If you want to get stuff done by bike, you probably need a way to carry stuff by bike. I'm sure you've see the ol' standard bike rack- bolts onto the back of the frame, often seen with a milk crate on top or panniers on the side. That works alright, but let me suggest something else. Put the stuff on the front of the bike!
There are a number of front carrying cargo devices for bicycles, each have their own pros/cons. The two pros they all share over rear racks are 1) It's easier to balance the load on the front (IMHO) 2) You can keep an eye on your cargo (which helps with balance). As I mentioned, there are a number of options out there, I'm going to show you these three, because I've actually used them.
Wald Basket
Wald has been making bike baskets forever (1905). If you've ever seen a paperboy/girl tossing the daily news out of a bike basket (you know, in a movie or something), it was probably a Wald.
Pros:
- Come in a bunch of sizes
- Pretty inexpensive ($20-45)
- Light weight (depending on the size)
- Easy to find at your local bike shop
- Made in the US (if you're into that kind of thing)
Cons:
- Limited attachment system (doesn't fit well on all bikes, see above pic)
- Can't be used on bikes with suspension forks (struts are bolted to the axle and would limit suspension travel)
- Small-ish weight limits
- Easily bent
I posted a pic of this brand new cargo device on the Hub facebook page a little while ago. These are two of my favorite names out of the many suggestions. Evo just calls it the 'Handlebar Basket'. Boring, but accurate. It's a basket integrated into the handlebars.
Pros:
Lighter than it looks
Can be used on bikes with suspension forks
Holds up to 60lbs
Really sturdy
Less expensive that a porteur rack ($67)
Cons:
Can only be used with a modern style face plate stem
These are the handlebars you get- if you don't like them, tough.
More expensive than Wald baskets ($67)
Only one size- if it doesn't fit, tough
CETMA 5-rail rack
This is my go-to. Handmade by a lovely gentleman in Eugene, OR. I've carried weeks worth of groceries, bags of dog food, other bikes, dry ice (don't worry about it), a microwave, pizzas, cases of beer (such a bike industry cliche), my full travel tool box. If I can bungee it down, I'll take it on my bike.
Pros:
- Super versitile
- Lowest center of gravity, most stable
- Adaptable to fit many bikes
- Highest weight limit
- Not limited by basket sides (but there are fenced versions available if you want)
- Handmade by one guy
Cons:
- Most expensive option ($100-120 for the ones we have in stock)
- Can't be used with suspension
There are demo versions of the Evo Basklebar and CETMA 5-rail available at the shop if you'd like to try before you buy. But I'm telling you, I think you'll like it so much you won't go back to your old rack (although, I won't hate you if you do, so- no pressure). Come in and check them out!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Why you should stop.
Welcome back fair weather cyclists! I missed you. The streets seem much friendlier now that you're back. Here's one thing I want you to think about, though.
STOP at stop lights, signs, and for ped-x in cross walks.
People, who are a lot smarter and more eloquent, than me (I?) have explained it better, but here are my two cents.
'Share the road' (while a bit overused and getting a bit watered down) really does mean something. It actually means different things for different road users. Drivers share the road by not passing too close, not honking at or harassing cyclists, and by looking out for bikes before taking turns or parking and whatnot. Drivers share the road by traveling in a way that makes the road safe for all users. I think it's easy to place all of the responsibility of sharing on the drivers shoulders, because they are the ones with the ability to kill another person with their vehicle.
We cyclists need to hold up our end of the sharing bargain. We do that by following the rules of the road. Blowing through, or even rolling through, stop lights doesn't show respect for the other road users. (Not to mention, it's not safe.) I want to be respected while I'm traveling on the road. If I expect that drivers will give me space on the road by not passing too closely, I think it's fair they can expect that I'll give them their right of way when they have the green. Here's another place where the 'golden rule' applies. Respect everybody else's right to travel safely and hassle free(ish), and they'll respect yours. Hopefully.
Now I know Massachusetts isn't world famous for having respectful, patient, courteous road users. Just because that's the reputation doesn't mean that people don't want friendlier streets. And it doesn't mean that's the way it has to stay. Someone has to get the ball rolling, so why don't we start it, by stopping.
STOP at stop lights, signs, and for ped-x in cross walks.
People, who are a lot smarter and more eloquent, than me (I?) have explained it better, but here are my two cents.
'Share the road' (while a bit overused and getting a bit watered down) really does mean something. It actually means different things for different road users. Drivers share the road by not passing too close, not honking at or harassing cyclists, and by looking out for bikes before taking turns or parking and whatnot. Drivers share the road by traveling in a way that makes the road safe for all users. I think it's easy to place all of the responsibility of sharing on the drivers shoulders, because they are the ones with the ability to kill another person with their vehicle.
We cyclists need to hold up our end of the sharing bargain. We do that by following the rules of the road. Blowing through, or even rolling through, stop lights doesn't show respect for the other road users. (Not to mention, it's not safe.) I want to be respected while I'm traveling on the road. If I expect that drivers will give me space on the road by not passing too closely, I think it's fair they can expect that I'll give them their right of way when they have the green. Here's another place where the 'golden rule' applies. Respect everybody else's right to travel safely and hassle free(ish), and they'll respect yours. Hopefully.
Now I know Massachusetts isn't world famous for having respectful, patient, courteous road users. Just because that's the reputation doesn't mean that people don't want friendlier streets. And it doesn't mean that's the way it has to stay. Someone has to get the ball rolling, so why don't we start it, by stopping.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
That was nice.
Things are really picking up here at Hub. Yesterday, I got caught up on repairs, so I thought I might leave the shop in Charlie's capable hands, and scoot out a little early.
As I cruised home through Union Square I heard a rhythmic "Psst... Psst... Psst... Psst..." I was really hoping it was something rubbing on my fender. No such luck. My first flat of 2011. I was half way home, and sometimes after fixing bikes all day, I don't want to fix any more bikes. So I started walking. That's what I get for trying to cut out of work early.
A few minutes into my stroll home, a guy, who appeared to be a serious bike commuter, slowed down enough to ask if I needed a pump. I told him I actually had one with me, but I was feeling too lazy to stop and fix it. I thanked him, anyway. He wished me a nice walk and was on his way.
That small interaction with a fellow human, on a spring-ish day, after having a very busy but satisfying day at work, left me with the overwhelming feeling that everything is A-ok. I really enjoyed the rest of my walk. Kinda made that flat worth it.
As I cruised home through Union Square I heard a rhythmic "Psst... Psst... Psst... Psst..." I was really hoping it was something rubbing on my fender. No such luck. My first flat of 2011. I was half way home, and sometimes after fixing bikes all day, I don't want to fix any more bikes. So I started walking. That's what I get for trying to cut out of work early.
A few minutes into my stroll home, a guy, who appeared to be a serious bike commuter, slowed down enough to ask if I needed a pump. I told him I actually had one with me, but I was feeling too lazy to stop and fix it. I thanked him, anyway. He wished me a nice walk and was on his way.
That small interaction with a fellow human, on a spring-ish day, after having a very busy but satisfying day at work, left me with the overwhelming feeling that everything is A-ok. I really enjoyed the rest of my walk. Kinda made that flat worth it.