Haven't felt like posting in quite a while. Still riding. Powered through the commute everyday this week, except wednesday. Got to the DOT building, saw that the trail hadn't been touched, and gave up and went home. Fortunately the office was closed anyway.
Tuesday riding home was the best workout I've ever had commuting. And I rocked an average of like 5 mph!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Masi Build
I actually finished my Masi a little over a month ago. I guess I forgot to post pictures.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Masi Speciale Sprint
I gave up on the Delancey and went with a Masi Speciale Sprint.
I'll have to change some of my accessories to black and I'm going with white bar tape (we'll see how that comes out). Eventually I'd like to get white painted rims on it.
By By Winter
Today was the first thunderstorm of the season. Sadly, after a winter of never missing a day I grabbed a ride home. Something about 57mph gusts, baseball size hail and tornadoes made me want to not ride this evening. A half hour after I got home the sun began to peak out and I've seen no more activity in the last two hours: I could have easily waited and road anyway. Lesson learned.
That said, I'm pleased to have made it through a winter of commuting with no serious injuries. I had one fall and it wasn't too bad: A couple of days of a sore hip.
Winter riding really isn't terribly hard. If you have the proper equipment and a little patience it's not much worse than a nice day in spring. It has the distinct advantage of not presenting any acute danger like: Lightning, extreme wind, hail, tornadoes.
As I remember from last summer the trick with thunderstorms is to wait out the storm. They often hit about when you need to head home and since you're going to be on your bike about twice as long as you'd be in your car they present extra danger. But usually they clear up in 20-80 minutes: Well, that's what they do in Lincoln, NE.
That said, I'm pleased to have made it through a winter of commuting with no serious injuries. I had one fall and it wasn't too bad: A couple of days of a sore hip.
Winter riding really isn't terribly hard. If you have the proper equipment and a little patience it's not much worse than a nice day in spring. It has the distinct advantage of not presenting any acute danger like: Lightning, extreme wind, hail, tornadoes.
As I remember from last summer the trick with thunderstorms is to wait out the storm. They often hit about when you need to head home and since you're going to be on your bike about twice as long as you'd be in your car they present extra danger. But usually they clear up in 20-80 minutes: Well, that's what they do in Lincoln, NE.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bar Tape
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2009/mar/5/BartVanderwegen.htm
What's with the no bar tape fad? Bar tape costs $15 people. It's worth it.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Metric Century #1
Did my first metric century today. Home -> Cortland -> Roca -> Bennet -> Home
Time: 4 hours 11 minutes
Average Speed: 15mph
I think it's pretty good for my first long ride of the season. I'm still breaking in the brooks swallow. I have to say: It's not as comfortable as the B17. It might be just a pinch too narrow for me. I'm gonna give it some more time though.
Time: 4 hours 11 minutes
Average Speed: 15mph
I think it's pretty good for my first long ride of the season. I'm still breaking in the brooks swallow. I have to say: It's not as comfortable as the B17. It might be just a pinch too narrow for me. I'm gonna give it some more time though.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Soma Delancey Build
I've decided to build a fixie. I decided early on that I'd probably build it from a frame set. I always want to do this but the last time I tried it turned out to be much cheaper to take the stock bike. Parts are very overpriced and bike manufacturers get much better deals.
So I'm spending the money (too much) and building a Delancey. Since it has silver lugs I'm doing all silver parts: This is expensive.
I'm going with soma's pursuit bars.
Other than that it's all pretty boring. I actually have to get a cane creek S-3 to get a silver headset. I pretty much have to buy Soma's levers to get silver. Silver cranks are easy.
I'm gonna throw a honey B17 on there and I'm probably going to find the closest to light brown cork tape I can find. I'd spend the money for Brook's bar tape but I know I will find it uncomfortable. I'd hate to have to wear gloves all of the time because of my bar tape choice.
All in all my fixed gear is going to be my most expensive bike. Mostly because of the $650 frame set.
Hopefully this will help me stave off my desire to build a bike based on Soma's Speedster frame :D. If I were smart I'd take advantage of the current exchange rates and buy a Bob Jackson frame.
All of this makes me realize: I'm becoming a frame snob. As I looked through Bicycling's buyers guide edition today I found very few bikes that I liked. They either: Weren't steel, had an odd geometry, or they had shimano equipment.
I feel like the high end bike market is being taken over by low end carbon, super cheap aluminum, and shimano. I'd feel better about it if Shimano would rework their STI levers to be ergonomic.
I find myself recommending Konas and Surlys to people and realize: There's almost nowhere for them to ride one! It's a sad day when people want to buy the whole bike for what I consider to be reasonable for a frameset. *sigh*
So I'm spending the money (too much) and building a Delancey. Since it has silver lugs I'm doing all silver parts: This is expensive.
I'm going with soma's pursuit bars.
Other than that it's all pretty boring. I actually have to get a cane creek S-3 to get a silver headset. I pretty much have to buy Soma's levers to get silver. Silver cranks are easy.
I'm gonna throw a honey B17 on there and I'm probably going to find the closest to light brown cork tape I can find. I'd spend the money for Brook's bar tape but I know I will find it uncomfortable. I'd hate to have to wear gloves all of the time because of my bar tape choice.
All in all my fixed gear is going to be my most expensive bike. Mostly because of the $650 frame set.
Hopefully this will help me stave off my desire to build a bike based on Soma's Speedster frame :D. If I were smart I'd take advantage of the current exchange rates and buy a Bob Jackson frame.
All of this makes me realize: I'm becoming a frame snob. As I looked through Bicycling's buyers guide edition today I found very few bikes that I liked. They either: Weren't steel, had an odd geometry, or they had shimano equipment.
I feel like the high end bike market is being taken over by low end carbon, super cheap aluminum, and shimano. I'd feel better about it if Shimano would rework their STI levers to be ergonomic.
I find myself recommending Konas and Surlys to people and realize: There's almost nowhere for them to ride one! It's a sad day when people want to buy the whole bike for what I consider to be reasonable for a frameset. *sigh*
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chrysler Sucks
How times have changed as a reformed Chrysler puts the emphasis on socially relevant electric vehicles instead of beefy Dodge Rams and Vipers. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
You've gotta love "journalists." If Chrysler says they're emphasizing "social responsibility" then it must be true. And a full sized hybrid SUV labeled as an electric vehicle is exactly that. Oh, wait, no it's not. It's a full sized hybrid SUV labeled as an electric vehicle.
I think the word that Chrysler was looking for was "plugin hybrid."
Linky
The Insight Returns
Remember the Honda Insight? It was that little green car that got 70 mpg and made us all think that hybrids were freaking amazing. Well, hybrids are still pretty awesome, but not 70 mpg awesome.
Honda is bringing the name back, but on a very different idea. I think it's the right idea. They're continuing with IMA, which is all about a motor and an engine always working together rather then the half dozen ways in which honda's synergy drive works. It's less efficient (IMA that is) but it's cheaper to make.
Honda is planning to continue with affordable NiMH cells for now. They're claiming that the Insight will sell under $20,000, which is competitive for a 5 seater hatch back. The new Insight should beat the Civic hybrid's mileage.
I think this is great. A hybrid at that price range may be cost effective with $2.50 gas. And if it's cost effective and popular it should actually get cheaper to run. If millions of people need the replacement batteries they'll be a lot less expensive then they'd be if thousands needed them.
Honda is bringing the name back, but on a very different idea. I think it's the right idea. They're continuing with IMA, which is all about a motor and an engine always working together rather then the half dozen ways in which honda's synergy drive works. It's less efficient (IMA that is) but it's cheaper to make.
Honda is planning to continue with affordable NiMH cells for now. They're claiming that the Insight will sell under $20,000, which is competitive for a 5 seater hatch back. The new Insight should beat the Civic hybrid's mileage.
I think this is great. A hybrid at that price range may be cost effective with $2.50 gas. And if it's cost effective and popular it should actually get cheaper to run. If millions of people need the replacement batteries they'll be a lot less expensive then they'd be if thousands needed them.
Friday, January 9, 2009
iPod's are Cheap Junk
I just thought I'd reiterate this since my iPod locked up again today when I tried to sync it. Don't buy iPod's, buy anything else.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Home Wind Turbine
A small rooftop wind turbine. If the article is correct about the costs and ROI this would be perfect for Lincoln, NE. A 13mph wind is a normal day and 1.1kW is enough to provide most of your home power. The cost of electricity from this device is 3.5 cents per kWh. That's quite low. Although one should consider that without a battery system much of your power will be lost at night.
Still, this is very affordable alternative energy for home installation.
Still, this is very affordable alternative energy for home installation.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Volvo's are "Crash Proof"
Did you know that you can't die in an accident if you're in a Volvo? Feel free to drive your Volvo like a maniac now.
I hope they don't market it like this when they actually release it. This is a legitimate lawsuit in the womb.
As a cyclist I'm concerned with the auto industries attempts to convince people that cars are safe. Motor vehicle deaths trend slightly downward. Only slightly. Even with 500lbs of air bags and everyone driving a four wheel drive tank. As a cyclist I don't get new cage safety features and I'd greatly prefer it if people used the best safety device of all: Their brain.
Defensive driving courses should be mandatory; every 5 years.
I hope they don't market it like this when they actually release it. This is a legitimate lawsuit in the womb.
As a cyclist I'm concerned with the auto industries attempts to convince people that cars are safe. Motor vehicle deaths trend slightly downward. Only slightly. Even with 500lbs of air bags and everyone driving a four wheel drive tank. As a cyclist I don't get new cage safety features and I'd greatly prefer it if people used the best safety device of all: Their brain.
Defensive driving courses should be mandatory; every 5 years.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Awesomeness
Toys R Us Ferrari Cruiser Bike. What's so awesome about it? It's $4,400 and it's an aluminum frame! A "comfort" aluminum frame. Anyone familiar with bikes can tell you: Those words don't fit together.
It appears that what's running the price up is:
1. The front generator wheel hub.
2. The automatic shifting electronics.
3. A cheap saddle that says Ferrari.
I must admit that if you got rid of #3 and charged $1,500 you might actually sell a few to rich folks looking for "the mostest awesome bike." You can't sell at Toys R Us though.
It appears that what's running the price up is:
1. The front generator wheel hub.
2. The automatic shifting electronics.
3. A cheap saddle that says Ferrari.
I must admit that if you got rid of #3 and charged $1,500 you might actually sell a few to rich folks looking for "the mostest awesome bike." You can't sell at Toys R Us though.
Why Cyclists aren't Cool
In case you're unaware of this factoid: Cyclists aren't cool. We try, God knows we try. We even buy overpriced shorts. We have special hats. We constantly obsess over our rides. We even work out!
But in the end we're still riding a one man vehicle which denies the primary purpose of life: To have sex and create more people. Well, at least that's the apparent purpose of life to anyone under 22. And let's face it: "Cool" is a term that exists to help people under 22 find a fertile partner.
To make matters worse we actually tuck our pants into our socks (or worse yet, buy a special strap) to keep it out of our chain. If we were cool we'd put that bike where it belongs: In the garage. Then we'd drive a friggin' car cause it's just easier! We'd eat chips (crisps, chips, or fries as long as it's a fried potato) and get fat like a normal person. Then we'd go on to demand free health care for our now necessary heart surgeries.
There's just nothing cool about cycling. But we would be doing fine if it weren't for these guys.
These guys retroactively made us all uncool. I vote that we kick them off the island.
But in the end we're still riding a one man vehicle which denies the primary purpose of life: To have sex and create more people. Well, at least that's the apparent purpose of life to anyone under 22. And let's face it: "Cool" is a term that exists to help people under 22 find a fertile partner.
To make matters worse we actually tuck our pants into our socks (or worse yet, buy a special strap) to keep it out of our chain. If we were cool we'd put that bike where it belongs: In the garage. Then we'd drive a friggin' car cause it's just easier! We'd eat chips (crisps, chips, or fries as long as it's a fried potato) and get fat like a normal person. Then we'd go on to demand free health care for our now necessary heart surgeries.
There's just nothing cool about cycling. But we would be doing fine if it weren't for these guys.
These guys retroactively made us all uncool. I vote that we kick them off the island.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
My Next Bike
Ah I've found her. She's a long way away but I've found my next bike. And here is the frame to base her on: http://www.somafab.com/speedsterplus.html
I'm thinking downtube shifters (part of the Dura Ace group) and decent brake levers. I've grown to loath STI brifters and long for brake levers that weren't made for ogre hands. That longing has been fulfilled on my commuter which uses bar end shifters. I'd rather reach to shift then have humongous hoods that I can barely get my hands around.
Anyway, the frame is lugged which is the big thing I'm looking for. I thought I'd have to go used but I managed to find a sexy lugged frame for $800, new.
And of course it's steel.
Trouble with a frame like this is that I can't ride it anywhere so I'll have to figure the geometry and sizing out on my own. Well, if they still make this frame when I have money to buy another bike that is.
I'm thinking downtube shifters (part of the Dura Ace group) and decent brake levers. I've grown to loath STI brifters and long for brake levers that weren't made for ogre hands. That longing has been fulfilled on my commuter which uses bar end shifters. I'd rather reach to shift then have humongous hoods that I can barely get my hands around.
Anyway, the frame is lugged which is the big thing I'm looking for. I thought I'd have to go used but I managed to find a sexy lugged frame for $800, new.
And of course it's steel.
Trouble with a frame like this is that I can't ride it anywhere so I'll have to figure the geometry and sizing out on my own. Well, if they still make this frame when I have money to buy another bike that is.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Commuter Benefits. Just in case you thought you're being ripped off by not getting a tax credit for your transit costs I'd like to remind you that the federal Government already gives a tax credit for:
* Use of mass transit.
* Paid parking costs.
It's about time they gave something to cyclists. I think I'd be happier if they ditched all of the incentives and invested in building useful bus systems instead. The last thing we need is more subsidized downtown car parking.
* Use of mass transit.
* Paid parking costs.
It's about time they gave something to cyclists. I think I'd be happier if they ditched all of the incentives and invested in building useful bus systems instead. The last thing we need is more subsidized downtown car parking.
Toyota iQ
Have you seen the iQ? This is a pretty cool concept. It's pretty similar to the Smart ForTwo with two big differences:
1. You can actually seat 4 people if you need.
2. It gets great mileage. The Smart only gets 33/41 mileage which is great but this car is claiming 55 mpg (they don't specify city/hwy). I'm unsure why the Smart doesn't get better mileage: It has about the same weight and volume and it's engine is similar. Smart must simply be making a cheaper (read sloppier) product.
In other, unrelated, news: Target's battery selection looks like it's been under attack. I forgot that normal people buy 10 thousand batteries after Christmas for all of their new devices. I, on the other hand, simply needed to keep a few more AAA's on hand.
1. You can actually seat 4 people if you need.
2. It gets great mileage. The Smart only gets 33/41 mileage which is great but this car is claiming 55 mpg (they don't specify city/hwy). I'm unsure why the Smart doesn't get better mileage: It has about the same weight and volume and it's engine is similar. Smart must simply be making a cheaper (read sloppier) product.
In other, unrelated, news: Target's battery selection looks like it's been under attack. I forgot that normal people buy 10 thousand batteries after Christmas for all of their new devices. I, on the other hand, simply needed to keep a few more AAA's on hand.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
9sp Means 9sp
When I ask for a 9 speed cassette I mean a 9 speed cassette. The last time I got an 8 speed cassette. It's a good thing I road the bike before assuming it was ready to go with this new cassette.
It'd also be nice if bike shops carried non-performance parts. Hyper glide is overkill for commuters. I don't want to pay more for chains that wear out faster. I want to pay more for chains that last a lot longer.
It'd also be nice if bike shops carried non-performance parts. Hyper glide is overkill for commuters. I don't want to pay more for chains that wear out faster. I want to pay more for chains that last a lot longer.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Ultracapacitor
Similar energy density to Li-ion battery. It'll be interesting if this isn't vapourware.
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