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.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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.
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