Like the illusion of Wall Street, with its vast and powerful investment banks, now shuttered, China too is an illusion perpetuated by the Globalists that gave us the 15,000 mile Caesar salad, poisoned cat food and lead based paint on babies' pacifiers. Like the illusion that money would come from thin air to always push housing prices higher, China has spent a generation pursuing its illusion. Pursuing an unattainable dream to be like the West, while 6000 years of its carefully shepherded top soil blows into the sea.
Joined: Oct 16, 2004 Posts: 1497 Location: Appalachian Foothills of Virginia
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:05 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
For long term assurance, a set of no-flat tires will remove the question of how long the tire/tubes will last. And reduce the chance that you'll be stuck patching tires on the road post-peak, especially if some hoodlums sprinkled tacks on the road to guarantee flats so they could collect shakedown 'taxes' from cyclists. Expect more glass and other debris on the deteriorating road surfaces post-peak.
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject: Bicycles for the Urban setting
I've been looking around at bikes in different configurations for daily transportation. I'm planning on using local trains and buses as well as the Amtrak for long distances. For that purpose, I want a folder. What's good? I've seen the ads for Moulton, KHS, and Brompton. They each say they're the best... any suggestions?
Next is a mountain bike I'd use for daily riding to the store or to work. I need to attach saddlebags, so it needs to be a hardtail. I don't have much use for front suspension either, so what's a good MTB for that use? I might ride trails at some point, but I don't want to spend too much on the MTB. The folder's going to be expensive.
I think my commute will be less than ten miles one way and I can shower up at work.
I'm also interested in looking at a trailer for a bicycle. I'd like to be able to ride to the weekly farmer's market, load up, and ride home. A trailer seems like a good idea for that.
How are recumbents? They look pretty interesting, but how is it to actually ride one day to day? It looks like they'd be hard to see in traffic without the flag sticking up from the back.
I have a motorcycle for long distances, so I don't need a road bike. This is more for in-town usage. If I'm going 20 miles or more, I'm probably going to use the motorcycle.
As far as budget goes, I'm not too worried about that. I'll start looking for bikes in another month or two and pick up one at a time. Probably the folder first.
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Bicycles for the Urban setting
Quote:
I've been looking around at bikes in different configurations for daily transportation. I'm planning on using local trains and buses as well as the Amtrak for long distances. For that purpose, I want a folder. What's good? I've seen the ads for Moulton, KHS, and Brompton. They each say they're the best... any suggestions?
Wow I've been down that road before. I personally own two bicycles and have access to another two, which were ostensibly purchased for my parents but subverted to my own use.
So in the begining I bought a folding bike: a Dahon Speed D7. As an all around bike this thing is great it has a carrying rack so you can throw a book or lock onto your bike and not have to worrying about carrying a backpack or panier.
At $350 the Speed D7 is a relatively inexpensive and fairly decent quality bike.
Like all folders the Speed D7 has the advantage of being less restricted on most metro systems. Most metro systems either have relaxed restrictions for folding bikes or none at all.
The other folder I have used is the Dahon Jack, which was suppose to be for my father. This bike is a full sized bike as result you won't be getting quite as many stares and inquires as you would with the Speed D7.
Its much easier to cruise with the Jack than it is with the Speed D7. The Jack doesn't feel quite as twitchy as the Speed D7 but then again isn't as agile either.
When I took the Speed D7 in for its first tune up the employees at the bike store told me I had completely thrashed it. Although I haven't taken the Jack in for a tuneup it seems to have fared better than the Speed D7. I attribute the bike's condition to its comparative robustness its simply a far studier and more durable bike the the Speed D7,despite being only slightly more.
Although you can throw the Jack into the trunk of a car its somewhat larger and takes up more space,even with a single wheel removed.
However I feel that the Jack is more of a "cruising bike" you point in one direction and ride. The Speed D7 has more agility and is much easier to manuver around obstacles but also requires more agility and attention.
The Jack also has a slightly forward leaning riding position. The bike still has a relaxed ride but it may take a week to get used to the riding position.
The Jack is a larger bike than the Speed D7 oddly enough its easier to lock. Things just "fit" the Jack better and I find it easier to lock up. The Jack is slightly more than the Speed D7.
The folder that's currently tasked to trunk in my car is the Jetstream P8 , which was originally purchased for my mother. First of all its twice as much as the Speed D7 at $795. However it is a better bike in several respects its lighter and has shocks so no more worrying about screwing up your wheels when you ride off a sidewalk.
However because the Jetstream P8 does have shocks it doesn't have the same efficiency has the Speed D7. This is very noticable when you are at a standstill and attempting to build speed in order cross the street in the midst of oncoming traffic. The initial accelerations suffers somewhat because of the bike's shocks.
But its just a much nicer bike than the Speed D7. The seat stays put more easily and the handle bars are nicer, but they are fixed on the Jetstream so if you're over 5'10 the handlebars may be too low. Since the bike has shocks you can also go off sidewalks and ride over potholes without too many problems.
The most radical bike I have is my Bianchi Cross Concept Race. This bike is not something I would recommend to most novice bikers because the costs are so high. But if you intend on being a serious cyclists this could be a great bike.
The Crossconcept Race is an incredible bike but you really need to get a set of high quality pedals, i.e. Shimano DX Pedals because the carbon fiber crank really can't operate at full efficiency unless you have a set of good pedals. Trust me I know from everience at first I bought a set of generic "coffee can" pedals and couldn't understand why everyone thought this bike was so great but after I changed to Shimano DX pedals the bike really came alive. The bike's power transfer improved enormously with the new pedals. If you buy a set of Shimano DX pedals you need to replace the short pins with the long ones, they improve your grip tremendously.
Although I haven't timed myself the Cross Concept Race it feels much faster than the Speed D7 with the new pedals. When you ride the Cross Concept Race you just want to push yourself faster and faster.
Unlike some road bikes the ride is smooth and its able to handle railroad tracks without too many problems. Some road bikes, such as Cannondale's alloy bikes, are very stiff and going off a four or five millimeter drop can be a jarring experience. The Cross Concept Race uses a carbon fiber fork and rear triangle so its able soak up much of the vibration and punishment on the road without too many problems, at least for a road bike.
Of course lights and a helmet are an absolute neccesity. Like most people I'm actually at work during the day and often find myself riding at night. A high powered riding light can literally and figuratively be a lifesaver. A recall driving past a Sheriff's deputy at night while he was stopped an intersection. He was completely surprised when he saw me. So even a low powered light may not get a motorist's attention that's why you may want to opt for a Niterider Light Sole.
The Light Sole can literally be painful to look at in dark conditions and can be seen clearly during twilight.
Tires are another accesory that you should look into when you buy a bike. If you ride more than four times a week eventually you're going to meet some piece of glass or other debris in the road that could temporarily bring your ride to an end.
Nothing sucks more than patching a flat or asking someone in a car to pick you up because you have a flat. Of course the worst humilation is walking your bike back.
Schwalbe USA makes a set of puncture resistant tires called the Marathon Plus. After having multiple flats on the Cross Concept Race I finally bought a set of Marathon Plus tires. The first thing you notice with these tires is their mass, they're much heavier than the stock tires that came the Cross Concept Race about three times asheavy. The second thing you notice is the thick rubber layer in the middle, Schwalbe claims these tires will stop a tack.
Some people say that these tires really slow a bike down but I haven't noticed a difference and I have piece of mind knowing that a shard of beer glass or thread of copper won't force me to "walk" my bike back.
I guess the bottom line is this biking is a great hobby that will keep you in shape and reduce your energy consumption.
Last edited by mefistofeles on Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:42 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I'm happy to say I just bought my first bicycle in years. It's a used bicycle which I bought from the Ohio City Bike Co-op in Cleveland. It's a seven-speed town bike, based on a steel Schwinn frame from the 1980s. It fits me nicely (physically and use-wise). And it cost me only $150. Now I'm off to buy a helmet, a U-lock and a backpack.
Joined: Jun 29, 2008 Posts: 83 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA / San Jose, CA
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: Bicycle of Choice
Ive been doing quite a bit of bicycle preparation for peak oil. Stock piling, learning, repair, and upkeep of old bicycles in hopes of having some form of transit besides horse and foot.
I had been having quite a bit of problems with my derailleur today on my mountain bike and I suddenly looked over to my beach cruiser with a new sense of appeal. The back pedal brakes, 0 derailleur, 1 crank bicycle with a solid steel frame seems like the perfect Post- Peak bicycle.
Of course theirs alot of debate about the sustainability of steel manufacture etc, but in a peak oil world would you rather have a mountain bike, road bike, or a cruiser?
Based partly on this advice I just got a Surly steel Big Dummy Xtracycle.
K.
Im loving that frame, how much did that entire product set you back?
See Im still skeptical of components which arent completely necessary. Thought i must say hauling a load would be MUCH easier with a derailleur and gearing capacity.
Do you think thats substantially better than rigging something up to a beach cruiser?
Based partly on this advice I just got a Surly steel Big Dummy Xtracycle.
K.
Im loving that frame, how much did that entire product set you back?
See Im still skeptical of components which arent completely necessary. Thought i must say hauling a load would be MUCH easier with a derailleur and gearing capacity.
Do you think thats substantially better than rigging something up to a beach cruiser?
$1900 But things seem to be much more expensive in general here in Canada than in the US
My main concern is it getting stolen; I bought two locks.
I'm new to bikes and don't know anything about beach cruisers.
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:59 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle of Choice
I personally do not like mountain bikes. Because they are not made for everyday cycling. I prefer the more old fashioned frames which are longer and the gable (right word??) which holds the front wheel less steep, they are more stable on the road.
The broad tyres are taking lots of energy.
I prefer the old fashioned lights with dynamo, because the batteries are always empty.
A luggage carrier in front and in the back is essential. In front it is much safer for you money, handbag, keys etc.
Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 3904 Location: over here
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle of Choice
My new bicycle:
the Limit "Berkely"
intended for everyday use, allows you to sit up straight (instead of leaning forward onto the steer), which is the preferred way of cycling in Holland. 7 gears, which is more than enough for the relatively flat area here (it's hilly for Dutch standards though). Luggage rack with binders on which I brought home the case for my newly built computer among other things. you can also add some bags, but I haven't (backpack and rack suffice almost always, otherwise I can carry something in one hand if the destination is not too far):
covers for the wheels are a must if you don't want to get dirty when it's raining, night lighting for safety.
I wouldn't recommend cycling in areas with a lot of traffic and no cycling infrastructure, nor in an area that's more than slightly hilly; both are no fun and the former can be very dangerous. _________________ "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle of Choice
I have two I'm very happy with, and as you'll see, I need both of them. First, biking is my primary form of transportation, so my two main bikes are both working bikes. They both have fenders, front and rear lights, and rear racks. It's very rare for my panniers to not be on one of these bikes, since they aren't for joy-riding. Every Saturday I haul my bike trailer down to our food co-op and farmer's market and load up 80-150 lbs between the panniers and the trailer. We have enough hills here that a full range of gears is a must. Both bikes have 22-32-42 cranks and either 30 or 32 rear low gears.
My first bike is a Fuji Touring. It has a steel frame, 24 speeds and no carbon or graphite anything. It's fairly light, very stable, very efficient for going to work. I ride this one, mostly to work and shopping and back, about 3/4 of the year. In the summer it gets summer high pressure tires, in the spring and fall either studded or cross tires, and in the winter it's my back-up bike with studded tires. I use bar-con shifters because they're ultra reliable.
My second bike is an old Fuji Tahoe MTB. It also has a steel frame, 21 speeds and no suspension. It's a bit of a tank. It almost only gets studded tires, though I keep a second set of wheels with less aggressive tires for long rainy spells. I ride this one for the remaining quarter of the year when the roads are crappy and often full of ice, snow, slush, salt, and grit. It has slightly lower gears than the road bike (since winter air density makes me go slower anyway) and uses grip-shift shifters since they're also ultra reliable.
Frankly, I can't for the life of me understand the concept of single-speed or fixed gear bikes. Derailleurs are lower maintenance than chains, so if it's lack of maintenance someone's after, they should be looking for shaft drive. If you're worried about availability of parts, you should worry about chains and tires. You can always convert any bike to a single speed, but you can't make a chain at home. A cheap mountain bike without suspension is very close to what Europeans use all the time, but is even more versatile. If I could only have one I'd go with a non-suspension mtb with grip shifters. If you live somewhere flat with no winter, an internal-hub three or seven speed would be great.
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Bicycle of Choice
There's one thing that can be said for mountain bikes - you don't necessarily need road. If you buy a decent bike the componentry can last for decades if properly maintained. I don't think that we won't have roads in the future, just that we may not want to use them....
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4931 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
Anyone here have an electric bike? I'm tempted to buy the front hub motor and order or buy locally some batteries. Would love the newer LiPO batteries, but too expensive. Probably just use lead acid for now. Thinking of going 36V and would love 20 miles of range with a top speed in the low 20's if thats possible. _________________ Clothing should be optional.
Back in stock at your friendly Wlly World, I'm told, though I haven't seen one. Was sold out/unavailable for a while.
Edit: Nope, says it's out of stock online, but in a few stores. Must be selling them fast. And the price is up to $398 now. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4931 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I've read all the reviews about it. I'd rather buy something a little higher on the quality scale. Its a great deal considering what you get. I've got a nice bike to mount the motor onto already.
If you want to see some nice electric bikes, check out the line from Schwinn. They are awesome, although HIGHLY expensive. They do come with LiPO... _________________ Clothing should be optional.
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But things seem to be much more expensive in general here in Canada than in the US
