Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Frame Switch
Over a year ago I moved from my old apartment and in with my future wife. At the time, I very lazily left my beater bike locked under the back stairs. Recently I needed a beater bike for the winter, so I decided to take a chance and go by the old place to see if it was still there. To my surprise it was.
So I was sitting there staring at my beater bike and something came to mind. My main commuter bike was too small for me. It was a 17" mountain bike frame, while I needed an 18.5" to 19" frame. My beater bike was a 20". Slightly too big for everyday use I thought. I decided, what the hell. I'm going to switch frames. So I did. Below you can see the finished work.
I was mistaken about it being too large. There are few times I notice the top tube being too high.
I took the opportunity to put on my new crank that has been sitting in a bag forever. I originally got it off Nashbar for $10. The downside being that the crank length is 145. Which I don't mind at all, so good deal. I needed a new seatpost and stem, all of which were easily gotten at West Town Bikes.
The frame has much more rake than my previous one. When I ride it feels like I'm driving a truck. I do enjoy this, it lets me imagine I'm riding a Long Haul Trucker. :)
So I was sitting there staring at my beater bike and something came to mind. My main commuter bike was too small for me. It was a 17" mountain bike frame, while I needed an 18.5" to 19" frame. My beater bike was a 20". Slightly too big for everyday use I thought. I decided, what the hell. I'm going to switch frames. So I did. Below you can see the finished work.
I was mistaken about it being too large. There are few times I notice the top tube being too high.
I took the opportunity to put on my new crank that has been sitting in a bag forever. I originally got it off Nashbar for $10. The downside being that the crank length is 145. Which I don't mind at all, so good deal. I needed a new seatpost and stem, all of which were easily gotten at West Town Bikes.
The frame has much more rake than my previous one. When I ride it feels like I'm driving a truck. I do enjoy this, it lets me imagine I'm riding a Long Haul Trucker. :)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Touring Resources
For those that were interested in touring resources, I'll start by pointing you too a few sites. First is crazy guy on a bike, probably the biggest touring site featuring many videos and blogs. One can spend hours on this site. Most touring journals can be found on cgoab.
Next up is the touring forum on bikeforums.net. I like to keep up with the RSS feed. There can be a lot of repetition, usually over choosing equipment, but there can be some great conversations.
Next is BicycleTouringPro, this site can be a little to commercial, but it supports a tourist. He sounds like he knows what's up. His videos can be some of the best touring guides out there.
The final resource is the largest touring organization in North America, Adventure Cycling provides wonderful routes, maps, and tours.
Next I'd like to point you too some inspirational videos, the first is the Cross Canada project. This is over an hour long. It includes some of the best touring footage I've ever seen.
Then there is Bike2Oz. This is long, and full of information. My only issue is that the intro gets a little old.
If you want to follow a tour from basically the begining, check out The Path Less Pedaled.
Next up is the touring forum on bikeforums.net. I like to keep up with the RSS feed. There can be a lot of repetition, usually over choosing equipment, but there can be some great conversations.
Next is BicycleTouringPro, this site can be a little to commercial, but it supports a tourist. He sounds like he knows what's up. His videos can be some of the best touring guides out there.
The final resource is the largest touring organization in North America, Adventure Cycling provides wonderful routes, maps, and tours.
Next I'd like to point you too some inspirational videos, the first is the Cross Canada project. This is over an hour long. It includes some of the best touring footage I've ever seen.
Then there is Bike2Oz. This is long, and full of information. My only issue is that the intro gets a little old.
If you want to follow a tour from basically the begining, check out The Path Less Pedaled.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Bicycling on the Interstate
DC adds bike and pedestrian lane to interstate bridge
here
I see this being a big part of the future of bike transportation in America. Jerry Rigging it onto our past transportation mistakes.
What kind of Jerry Rigging do you think will happen in the future?
here
I see this being a big part of the future of bike transportation in America. Jerry Rigging it onto our past transportation mistakes.
What kind of Jerry Rigging do you think will happen in the future?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
LaHood sounds good
Now and again I check the blog for the Secretary of Transportation, Mr. Ray LaHood. Yesterday, on Earth Day, he decided to focus on bicycles. This excited me and reaffirms the words he said when addressing the bike summit.
Mr. LaHood is tending to focus on livable communities which hopefully will help with the goal shared by most cyclists.
The future is brighter.
Mr. LaHood is tending to focus on livable communities which hopefully will help with the goal shared by most cyclists.
The future is brighter.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Headwind
Headwind is a killer.
Chicago is known as the windy city. Many people claim that this is because of the politics and not the weather. Riding a bike has shown otherwise though. Today I got to push directly against a nice 15 Mph headwind on the way home. This can make my otherwise half hour ride into a full hour ride.
In addition, I get the benefit of knee problems when I'm done pushing. My knees have been bothering me on and off for a while now. Today's issue is one that occurs when I push myself. My kneecaps sting a little bit when my knees are slightly bent. I can't find this anywhere online. So far it's a minor annoyance and haven't seen a doctor. I'm sure if I did see a doctor I would be told to lose weight, which I'm working on.
My weight. When I first started riding I was pushing 350. I'm proud to say I'm 323 as of this morning. What I'm not happy about is that I've been hovering around there for a few weeks. Conferences haven't helped. Them with their free snacks. Free food is something I have to work on saying no to.
Chicago is known as the windy city. Many people claim that this is because of the politics and not the weather. Riding a bike has shown otherwise though. Today I got to push directly against a nice 15 Mph headwind on the way home. This can make my otherwise half hour ride into a full hour ride.
In addition, I get the benefit of knee problems when I'm done pushing. My knees have been bothering me on and off for a while now. Today's issue is one that occurs when I push myself. My kneecaps sting a little bit when my knees are slightly bent. I can't find this anywhere online. So far it's a minor annoyance and haven't seen a doctor. I'm sure if I did see a doctor I would be told to lose weight, which I'm working on.
My weight. When I first started riding I was pushing 350. I'm proud to say I'm 323 as of this morning. What I'm not happy about is that I've been hovering around there for a few weeks. Conferences haven't helped. Them with their free snacks. Free food is something I have to work on saying no to.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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