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.
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
frank,
Haven't seen their electrics, but I have a Schwinn Skyliner, sort of a semi-mountain bike, 26" x 1.95" tires, 65 psi, front suspension that helps my arthritic wrists, and 21 speed deraileur. Not a road bike, not a true mountain bike, but it will haul a LOAD, and doesn't mind a bit of rough road. Deep gears help my lazy pace, too.
I've been planning to put a 49cc Honda on it, rear wheel roller drive. I can make the mount and roller drive in the shop, buy a new engine, and still do it for cheap. We have some fairly steep .3 mile hills here, 5 miles of that to town, and I want to build a trailer for it, so it will have some pulling to do. I'm thinking to do a fairly low speed ratio, to top out at 18-20 mph, and will have to help it pedalling I think, at least with a load.
I want to build a loose copy of the freight trailers that look like an aluminum ladder (I plan to use an old ladder) laid flat with wheels, so I can haul something bulky, maybe up to 100 lbs.
I guess I'm just not ready for electric prime-time yet, but I'm too used to having a pickup truck, thus my thinking. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I just bought a 29er frame and fork off Ebay. It is going to be a sweet ride. I am planning on trying out Shimano's new 8 speed Alfine internal hub. My Salsa has an eccentric bottom bracket so the bike will look like a single speed but won't be. It is the early winter project!
Speaking of biking, I just came back from a 2 1/2 hour ride an hour or two back and every muscle in my body hurts. That's what not riding for a month or so does to you at my age, since an hour and a half of today's ride was an off road torture session.
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4933 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:07 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
The past 3 weeks i've done well over 100miles with the baby carrier attached (extra 40lbs+)... Its a work out! Avg speed drops to about 12mph...
Gasoline would be nice, but i hate dealing with the fumes/oil/etc. Electric just seems so clean...but then again, its expensive. _________________ Clothing should be optional.
Joined: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 4995 Location: One Mile From the Columbia River
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
frankthetank wrote:
The past 3 weeks i've done well over 100miles with the baby carrier attached (extra 40lbs+)... Its a work out! Avg speed drops to about 12mph...
Gasoline would be nice, but i hate dealing with the fumes/oil/etc. Electric just seems so clean...but then again, its expensive.
I generally average about 11 to 12 mph with just me!! You are a stud my man!! But then again, we have many hills to climb and I do them at about 6 mph.
.... and a friendly reminder: Electric ain't clean. I just moves the pollution to the land near the power plant. _________________ Got Dharma?
Joined: Jun 30, 2005 Posts: 769 Location: northern California
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
patience wrote:
I want to build a loose copy of the freight trailers that look like an aluminum ladder (I plan to use an old ladder) laid flat with wheels, so I can haul something bulky, maybe up to 100 lbs.
Thanks for the tip. I built a pretty nice trailer out of odd steel & aluminum tubing found at the dump, with 20" BMX wheels added to it, but can see that an old aluminum ladder would make an even better, lighter, stronger frame. _________________ "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon."
Thomas Paine
Joined: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 4995 Location: One Mile From the Columbia River
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:48 am Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
Oh, as I pedal along I'm always glancing at the street trying to be aware of obstacles such as rocks or curbing thereby reducing the odds of crashing (again).
Two days ago I was riding along and saw what I thought might be a glimmer from a coin! So naturally, I went back to investigate and lying there along the road was a 1941 mercury dime! I claimed it, of course. It's scratched to smithereens, but it's still a silver dime... that probably won't ever happen again. _________________ Got Dharma?
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4933 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I've found 2 dimes in the last month biking...neither silver...
I bike a lot, and use a roadbike. I avg about 18mph without the kid attached. I just can't go slow, my body doesn't like that or something. I'm always timing everything...
You're right about the electric... _________________ Clothing should be optional.
Joined: Dec 26, 2006 Posts: 316 Location: Eastern Washington
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I'm big tall guy (6'6"-248lbs) and I'm looking at purchasing a very durable road-bide (used or new, $500-$800), what models/brands would you all recommend?
Thanks!
Rogo _________________ "Those who long for exaltation look upwards, but I look downward for I am the exalted."
Cyclocross bikes are essentially extra-durable road bikes with wider, more comfortable knobby tires for off road traction, a more upright, shorter riding position (for most people) and cantilever or even disc brakes. To some people, cyclocross bikes resemble old touring bikes. Cyclocross bikes do triple (or even quadruple) duty as a touring bike, road bike (add narrower road tires if you wish), off road bike suited for all but the worst off road terrain and even part time multisport bike. You can race it, train on it, commute on it, do the local charity ride on it and take it up North to ride the back trails- all on one bike.
Cyclocross bikes are the go-anywhere, do-anything alternative to slow, clunky mountain bikes and ultra-lightweight, delicate road bikes.
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
I started to do an economic analysis of my bike riding. Here is the link....http://goingzero.wikispaces.com/Car+to+Bike It really is a great way to save money, get fit and help the planet.
I would suggest that you not spend a lot of money on the bike. The more expensive the bike the greater the target. Cheap bikes can also be modified easier and blend in better. The last think you want is a bike that looks good or has great parts.
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: [Transportation] Bicycles
Rogozhin wrote:
I'm big tall guy (6'6"-248lbs) and I'm looking at purchasing a very durable road-bide (used or new, $500-$800), what models/brands would you all recommend?
Thanks!
Rogo
Rogo, you're really tall.
You pretty much need custom, although there are a few manufacturers making xxl frames. I'm an inch shorter that you and way lighter. You will kill many road bikes because of your weight. Someone mentioned cyclocross and I agree, although a touring rig will do too.
Frame size is your biggest problem. Go to Colorado Cyclist's website and use their fit calculator. It is really good.
My guess is a minimum 64cm seat tube for you, perhaps longer depending on your inseam.
I am a MTB guy so I don't know much about road, but I do know a ton about fit.
My project bike is an XL Salsa El Mariachi. The TT is 25 inches and the seat tube is 24. It will fit me well and the 29er wheels will keep me from looking like a circus bear on a minibike.
Check out 'Road bike review.com' If it is anything like mtbr.com it is worthwhile.
edit: road bike frames are measured in cm, mountain in inches, go figure!!
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