I sometimes wonder about the pedestrians in this town. Apart from the fact that most of them can't walk in a straight line to save themselves, they act like they've never seen a bike before in their lives.
When you ring your bell coming up behind them (to warn them that randomly wandering from one side of the path to the other is temporarily a bad idea), they get this look come over them as if they're thinking:
"A bell? I'm almost sure I heard a bell. But what could possibly make that sound? Why am I hearing a bell on a bike path?"
And they slow down and start drifting across the path in the direction a bike is most likely to pass them.
And then get get incredibly startled, and sometimes downright cranky, when a bike "suddenly" overtakes them.
It's bizarre. I know they know it's a bike path, because everyone in town calls all of the off-street paths "bike paths". And that does indicate that bikes might use the path. Also, bikes use the paths all the time, and when they overtake people without using a bell, they shake their fists at the bikes and mutter things about "use your *bleeping* bell, you bleeping beep!" under their breath.
Or really loudly.
But when you do use a bell to give them plenty of warning, I'd say about half the pedestrians I encounter are just thoroughly confused.
The remaining half is split between people who seem offended that you would have the audacity to ding a bell at them (but they look like the kind of people who would be offended by the fact that you exist and are on a bike), and people who step neatly to one side, let you pass, and then go back to wandering aimlessly across the path.
I like the last group. They're pretty neat. Occasionally, one of them will even give you a cheery wave and say "thanks!" for giving them the heads-up. Those are my favourite people.
I've just ridden to work for the first time from my new place, by the way, and while I still have a few kinks to work out with the route, and will have to work with a few more hills than I'm used to, I'd say the experience is O.K.
Which is good, because one of the reasons why I bought this house was because it's close enough to ride to work.
Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts
Friday, August 25, 2017
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Adventures in buying new crap
So, I've been on a bit of a spending spree at present.
I do this thing where I look at things but don't buy them for quite a considerable amount of time, and then suddenly realise I've been thinking about buying something for years, and go "You know what? Let's just have this thing". And then it's kind of like breaking the seal, only with less drinking.
It started with a bicycle. I stumbled across a sale and decided to go ahead and buy that Strida I've been staring at for years. Sadly, it's a bit disappointing. On almost every measure possible, it's not as good as the Brompton. It doesn't fold as well as the Brompton, it doesn't handle as well as the Brompton, it's not as easy to tuck away in the corner of a room as the Brompton, it's not as easy to adjust the seat height like you can with the Brompton, it doesn't have a built-in kickstand function like the Brompton...
That's not to say it's completely sub-par. It does do at least two things better than the Brompton: It provides a more upright angle for riding, so it's easier on the back than the Brompton is, and it fits into a guitar stand. The Brompton does go in the guitar stand, but it's not something I'd do again in a hurry. No, seriously, I keep the Strida in a guitar stand. My banjo is feeling decidedly unloved.
I have to say that, if I had an ongoing back injury or complaint, I'd probably think the Strida was one of the best bikes on the planet. Instead, what I have is a slight problem with getting the stupid magnetic clamp to work. Either it's so strong I can't separate the wheels, or it's so week it comes apart at a moment's provocation.
Just work you stupid bicycle. The Brompton can keep its act together.
Oh, well. At least it's giving me the opportunity to use the Carradice seat bag I bought to go touring with the Brompton and never used.
Other recent purchases include a Buck Lancer knife, which I bought for the purpose of teaching myself to whittle. I bought this knife because one of the whittling books I borrowed from the library had it listed as a decent whittling knife. My research was a bit poor, though, because nothing I saw gave me a really good sense if just how small it is. It's a tiny, slender little thing. Folded up, it's roughly the same size as my pinky finger.
I haven't tried whittling with it yet. Partly because that requires me to actually get my act together, and partly because I'm slightly wary of it's size, now that I've held it in my hands. I would have preferred something a bit more substantial in the grip.
Last, but not least, my Alto/Tenor horn arrived today. A second hand jobby that's probably twice my age, I've bought this instrument because it was cheap. After months of wondering whether to get a French Horn, a Baritone Horn, a Euphonium or a Sousaphone, I've finally settled on an Eb horn simply because I liked the price better than everything else I was looking at.
I've had a bit of a play, and I don't mind the sound of the thing at all. The case is a complete wreck, though. I knew it was going to be a bit spartan, but I didn't realise it was going to be so beat up. And it smells a bit. I'd say the last owner was a smoker.
Smokers shouldn't play wind instruments. If you are a smoker, and you play an instrument that produces wind in any way shape or form, you need to stop being a smoker. It spreads your bad breath to all future owners of that instrument for generations to come.
I once had a second-hand accordion that had been owned by a smoker, and that thing just pumped the smell of stale tobacco into the air every time you used it. Highly unpleasant.
Besides, smoking is bad for your everything.
I do this thing where I look at things but don't buy them for quite a considerable amount of time, and then suddenly realise I've been thinking about buying something for years, and go "You know what? Let's just have this thing". And then it's kind of like breaking the seal, only with less drinking.
That's not to say it's completely sub-par. It does do at least two things better than the Brompton: It provides a more upright angle for riding, so it's easier on the back than the Brompton is, and it fits into a guitar stand. The Brompton does go in the guitar stand, but it's not something I'd do again in a hurry. No, seriously, I keep the Strida in a guitar stand. My banjo is feeling decidedly unloved.
I have to say that, if I had an ongoing back injury or complaint, I'd probably think the Strida was one of the best bikes on the planet. Instead, what I have is a slight problem with getting the stupid magnetic clamp to work. Either it's so strong I can't separate the wheels, or it's so week it comes apart at a moment's provocation.
Just work you stupid bicycle. The Brompton can keep its act together.
Oh, well. At least it's giving me the opportunity to use the Carradice seat bag I bought to go touring with the Brompton and never used.
Other recent purchases include a Buck Lancer knife, which I bought for the purpose of teaching myself to whittle. I bought this knife because one of the whittling books I borrowed from the library had it listed as a decent whittling knife. My research was a bit poor, though, because nothing I saw gave me a really good sense if just how small it is. It's a tiny, slender little thing. Folded up, it's roughly the same size as my pinky finger.
I haven't tried whittling with it yet. Partly because that requires me to actually get my act together, and partly because I'm slightly wary of it's size, now that I've held it in my hands. I would have preferred something a bit more substantial in the grip.
Last, but not least, my Alto/Tenor horn arrived today. A second hand jobby that's probably twice my age, I've bought this instrument because it was cheap. After months of wondering whether to get a French Horn, a Baritone Horn, a Euphonium or a Sousaphone, I've finally settled on an Eb horn simply because I liked the price better than everything else I was looking at.
I've had a bit of a play, and I don't mind the sound of the thing at all. The case is a complete wreck, though. I knew it was going to be a bit spartan, but I didn't realise it was going to be so beat up. And it smells a bit. I'd say the last owner was a smoker.
Smokers shouldn't play wind instruments. If you are a smoker, and you play an instrument that produces wind in any way shape or form, you need to stop being a smoker. It spreads your bad breath to all future owners of that instrument for generations to come.
I once had a second-hand accordion that had been owned by a smoker, and that thing just pumped the smell of stale tobacco into the air every time you used it. Highly unpleasant.
Besides, smoking is bad for your everything.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
BAS is a thing. I have it.
Well, I've just officially started my folding bike collection. Prior to approximately 10 minutes ago, I only had one folding bike, so it was just part of a larger bike collection.
However, I've been umming and ahhing about maybe bying a Strida (for quite some time), and the online shop I occasionally stare at just slashed the price by $200.
This means I could get the bike, a bag and a couple of other accessories for less than what the bike usually costs.
So, I've now ordered a Strida (a cream one) and I'll probably be posting photos of it soon enough.
Two folding bikes = folding bike collection.
Alternatively, two folding bikes + penny farthing + unicycles I still haven't sold/given away/disposed of = "novelty" bike collection.
It's probably best not to question too closely the reasons for buying another folding bike when I'm currently riding my "regular" bicycle to work due to the fact that I've blown out the rear tyre on my Brompton and I've decided I can't be bothered changing the tubes when I want to try buying some Tannus tyres anyway.
Bike Acquisition Syndrome is a bear of a thing to live with.
However, I've been umming and ahhing about maybe bying a Strida (for quite some time), and the online shop I occasionally stare at just slashed the price by $200.
This means I could get the bike, a bag and a couple of other accessories for less than what the bike usually costs.
So, I've now ordered a Strida (a cream one) and I'll probably be posting photos of it soon enough.
Two folding bikes = folding bike collection.
Alternatively, two folding bikes + penny farthing + unicycles I still haven't sold/given away/disposed of = "novelty" bike collection.
It's probably best not to question too closely the reasons for buying another folding bike when I'm currently riding my "regular" bicycle to work due to the fact that I've blown out the rear tyre on my Brompton and I've decided I can't be bothered changing the tubes when I want to try buying some Tannus tyres anyway.
Bike Acquisition Syndrome is a bear of a thing to live with.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Small to medium folding bikes - Or "Really? Don't you have enough crap?"
Here's the way my brain works.
I'm going to Melbourne in a couple of months for a conference, and I'll have a few days at the end to amuse myself.
Naturally, my thoughts turn to bicycles.
I've been eyeing off Strida bikes for a while now. Not because I need another folding bike. I'm not sure anyone ever needs more than one good bike of any kind, and I've got a Brompton - which is one of the best folding bikes on the planet.
No, I want one because a) I love novelty bicycles, and b) I'm slightly obsessed with things that transform. The Strida has a different design principle to the Brompton, so it's a different kind of folding bike.
There's a part of me that longs to be an inventor making my own folding bikes in my workshop. But I'm not an inventor and I don't have a workshop (or any mechanical skills or experience, for that matter), so I just obsess over the work of other designers.
There's a shop in Melbourne that sells Stridas, so I'll have the chance to take one for a test ride. Then I'll know if I just want one because it's pretty or if I'm actually likely to ride it.
Now, there is an excellent chance that, if it's magnificent enough in person to impress me, I'll just buy one there and fly home with it.
However, I've gone off trawling the Internet for folding bicycles again, haven't I? And because I'm now looking for something that's in a different class to the Brompton, I'm now looking closely at a bunch of bikes I dismissed back when I was looking at folding bikes last time.
For instance, part of me really likes the idea of the A-Bike. I've long thought the ideal folding bike would also be collapsible, and the A-Bike does pack up quite small. It also has 6-inch wheels, which is a little bit alarming.
I'm sure it rides much better than it looks like it will, but I've had enough experience with scooters and the like to know the smaller the wheel, the more likely it is that a pot-hole will send you flying.
If they had offered a model with larger wheels, I probably would be thinking about it more seriously.
The Carryme by Pacific Cycles is not quite as compact as the A-Bike, but it looks much more robust, it has 8-inch wheels (which makes more difference than you may think) - and it's got some pretty good reviews on the Interwebs. Some of them even rank it higher than the Strida in terms of practicality and value for money.
I have to admit that the more I look at the Carryme, and the more I read about it, the more I want one.
Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to take it for a test ride while I'm in Melbourne. And something in the back of my head is saying: "It's sort of in the same 'class' as the Strida, and it might be better - so you really shouldn't get both..."
And, really, I shouldn't get either. I don't need another folding bike.
No, really, I don't.
Are you listening to me, Sharon? You don't need another folding bike.
I'm going to Melbourne in a couple of months for a conference, and I'll have a few days at the end to amuse myself.
Naturally, my thoughts turn to bicycles.
 |
| Strida |
No, I want one because a) I love novelty bicycles, and b) I'm slightly obsessed with things that transform. The Strida has a different design principle to the Brompton, so it's a different kind of folding bike.
There's a part of me that longs to be an inventor making my own folding bikes in my workshop. But I'm not an inventor and I don't have a workshop (or any mechanical skills or experience, for that matter), so I just obsess over the work of other designers.
There's a shop in Melbourne that sells Stridas, so I'll have the chance to take one for a test ride. Then I'll know if I just want one because it's pretty or if I'm actually likely to ride it.
Now, there is an excellent chance that, if it's magnificent enough in person to impress me, I'll just buy one there and fly home with it.
However, I've gone off trawling the Internet for folding bicycles again, haven't I? And because I'm now looking for something that's in a different class to the Brompton, I'm now looking closely at a bunch of bikes I dismissed back when I was looking at folding bikes last time.
 |
| A-Bike |
I'm sure it rides much better than it looks like it will, but I've had enough experience with scooters and the like to know the smaller the wheel, the more likely it is that a pot-hole will send you flying.
If they had offered a model with larger wheels, I probably would be thinking about it more seriously.
 |
| The Carryme Image from Ridethisbike.com |
I have to admit that the more I look at the Carryme, and the more I read about it, the more I want one.
Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to take it for a test ride while I'm in Melbourne. And something in the back of my head is saying: "It's sort of in the same 'class' as the Strida, and it might be better - so you really shouldn't get both..."
And, really, I shouldn't get either. I don't need another folding bike.
No, really, I don't.
Are you listening to me, Sharon? You don't need another folding bike.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Stupid big-wheeled bicycle
I rode one of my "normal" bikes to work today for the first time in ages as I felt the need to get some practice in on a 26-inch wheeled bike ahead of my cycling tour in New Zealand later in a few weeks time.
As always happens when I ride a "normal" bike after months of noodling around town on a Brompton, I spent the whole trip going through thoughts like this:
"Mannnn, these wheels are so huge, and they roll so slowly!"
"Why is this bike so heavy?"
"What the heck is this top-tube even for? All it's doing is getting in the dang way..."
No, seriously, why do we have top-tubes on bikes? And why are they so dang high? Is there some benefit (outside of racing) over a step-through bike?
And why, is it more common to have lower top-tubes on women's bikes than men's? Don't men have a greater reason to want to avoid coming into sudden contact with a metal pole positioned at groin level (should a sudden stop cause them to move forward)?
Honestly, the smart thing to do would be to make step-through models the norm for all bikes that don't need the extra stability for racing purposes.
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. "Normal" bikes are weird.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Brisbane CityCycle Sucks
So, I'm visiting Brisbane at the moment, constantly walking past racks of CityCycle bicycles that are there for the taking...
... just not if you're only in town for the day and have no intention of signing up to a system that's barely user friendly for long-term residents.
The whole Go Card thing for public transport is already terribly unfriendly for visitors, why is taking a bike even more user unfriendly?
There are just too many steps involved, it's unnecessarily complicated, and if you happened to have a Go Card on you it can be used on the bike system - but only if you sign up for a 3 month subscription that (as a visitor for the day) you will *never* use.
I have a Go Card in my hand. I have a strong desire to use this service that is in front of me. Why is The City standing in my way?
I sometimes think Brisbane doesn't want you to visit. Either live here and get with the programme, or stay out.
... just not if you're only in town for the day and have no intention of signing up to a system that's barely user friendly for long-term residents.
The whole Go Card thing for public transport is already terribly unfriendly for visitors, why is taking a bike even more user unfriendly?
There are just too many steps involved, it's unnecessarily complicated, and if you happened to have a Go Card on you it can be used on the bike system - but only if you sign up for a 3 month subscription that (as a visitor for the day) you will *never* use.
I have a Go Card in my hand. I have a strong desire to use this service that is in front of me. Why is The City standing in my way?
I sometimes think Brisbane doesn't want you to visit. Either live here and get with the programme, or stay out.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Are you thinking of buying a Brompton?
As mentioned in my previous post, I’m thinking about buying some more folding bikes. I’m thinking about getting an IF Mode
(because it looks pretty), and/or a Strida (because it looks funky). I don’t really have a good reason to buy
another folding bike, apart from a slight case of BAS* (much like my rather
tragic case of MIAS**) that has plagued me for years, although I have managed
to keep it largely in check.
As I’ve been thinking
about these bikes, I’ve been indulging in some very similar behaviour to what I
was doing back when I was researching my first folding bike – that is, cruising
the internet to find other peoples’ opinions and reflections on their bikes.
And I started thinking
about what past me would ask present me about buying a Brompton, and what
advice present me would give to past me on this topic.
I’ve had my Brompton
folding bicycle for around two years now, and I think I’m in a good position to
go back in time and give myself some advice.
It’s not actually much use to me, as my time machine hasn’t arrived in
the post yet, but hopefully it will be useful to something else.
Why did I buy a Brompton?
Well, I was originally
planning some glorious holiday that would involve riding a bike all over
Europe, and I wanted a bike that would travel well. The original idea was to use a train or a bus
to travel the large distances and use a bike to travel the short ones, so I
wanted a bike that could easily be taken on a train.
My research led me to
two bikes, the Brompton and Bike Friday’s World Tourist. I poked around, I read some reviews, I asked
some questions. The people who had
experience of both said the Bike Friday was the hardier bike of the two, and
probably the best suited to touring, but that the Brompton did a better job of
fitting in the luggage section of a bus should you decide to catch busses more
frequently than you thought you might.
My attempts to
test-ride a World Tourist failed miserably when the bike shop I arranged a test-ride
through decided actually making sure they had the bike in stock was too much
hard work. But I did get to test-ride a
Brompton and I didn’t mind it at all.
Besides, I secretly
wanted the Brompton anyway – the fold was just the coolest thing out there. YouTube clips of the BF had nothing on the
Brompton’s fold – and I wouldn’t have to dismantle the bike to put it on a
plane or train, which was a big plus for someone who is very good at losing
screws.
Bottom line, the Brompton had the best fold on
the market, as far as I could
see, and it was one of the bikes that was frequently mentioned as a touring
machine.
What model of Brompton did I buy?
I got the P6R, which means I had
the “P” shaped handle bars, with six gears and a rear rack (with the little
wheels on it). I also got the Schwalbe Marathon PLUS tyres, for the puncture resistance.
I bought this because
it was recommended for touring. The “P”
handle bars give you a bit of flexibility with your hand positions and were (at
the time) the tallest handles in the bunch.
Six gears gives you a decent range of options for travelling long flat
straights and hills. A rear rack is
always useful and the little wheels meant I could convert the bike into a
“trolley” and take it into shops with me.
What accessories did I get?
I bought the cover and bag, the B-bag and the folding basket at the same time as the bike from the same shop. From a different store I also bought a T-bag and a Carradice Camper longflap saddlebag. Eventually I also bought the telescopic seat pillar.
If you went back in time, would you do it again?
Buy the Brompton? Absolutely. I love that bike and it's now my primary commuter.
But...
I never took it "touring" (although I have bundled it in the boot of my car to take on holidays), and I made some key decisions based on a "maybe I'll do this" that I never did. There are some things I'd do differently.
What would I do just the same?
I'd still get the 6 geared version. I'm pretty much a six-gear girl - even when I have more gears on my bike, I'll only use about four of them. Occasionally I'll kick into a slightly higher gear or a granny gear depending on the road, so 6 gears suits me just fine.
I've not had a puncture yet, so the tyres are okay.
I'd still get the rack with the wheels because it's convenient for pushing the bike around when it's folded (although the little wheels do get black stuff on the back of my legs while I'm riding).
I'd still by the cover and bag - that thing is worth it's wait in gold. It's the accessory I use every single day. The bag stays on the bike and I keep my lights in the bag to make sure they're close at hand, and whenever I take the bike into my house or my office (which is all the time) I put the cover on it. A) it keeps bike related dirt of everything else, B) it makes it all look like a bag sitting in the corner of the room, rather than a bike.
The other accessory I use fairly regularly is the T-bag. I put my clothes in there when I'm commuting, and I usually use it to carry my repair kit and lock/chain and such.
I'd probably also get the basket again, even though I hardly use it, just because you don't always want a huge stuff-sack every time you go out on a bike.
If I could check in on an alternate universe, I wouldn't mind seeing if there's a version of me who bought the C-bag instead of the T-bag and basket to see if I could have gotten away with just getting the one bag, but I'm pretty happy with those two bag thingies.
What would I do differently?
I'd test-ride an H-bar before settling on the P-bar. Yeah, there's less space to move your hands around, but it's taller. It wasn't available when I was looking, so obviously this doesn't benefit past me at all - but if you're thinking of a Brompton this is worth considering. Occasionally I find the level of the P-bar is just a little be lower than I'd like it to be, and a more upright stance would be nice.
I would just buy the extended or telescopic seat post right from the very beginning. I was at the top end of the standard seat post in the test-ride in the shop, and wondered if I should go higher. I should have gone higher. Much knee pain could have been avoided if I'd opted for flexibility. The extended would probably have been fine - I don't actually need the extra height of the telescopic one, I just decided to get the most flexible post possible after spending a year cursing the short one.
I would hold off on buying the B-bag or the Carradice saddle bag until the bike tour was something that was definitely happening, rather than something I'd like to do. These bags have both been sitting in a cupboard doing nothing at all for two years.
Since I'm probably just going to keep using the Brompton exactly as I have been using it and hire bicycles for overseas tours, kitting myself out for a tour was a waste of money.
Lesson learned - buy only what you need for right now (especially if it's going to cost just as much to buy something later as it would to buy it now). Add other stuff later when you actually have a confirmed use for it.
What other nuggets of advice could I pass on?
Well, the thing with the little wheels on the rack for one - the black rubber leaves marks on the back of your legs. It just does, and will keep doing it (two years later, no change). Plan your clothing accordingly.
Another thing is, the back tyre will go down if you keep the bike completely folded while it's not in use. I thought there was a problem with the tyre, wheel or tube and spent a bit of money having bike people look at it. Eventually I realised it's just because the frame of the bike is putting pressure on the tyre while it's folded.
You just need to remember the back wheel will need to be pumped up more often than you may, at first, expect. If you've had it folded for a few days, you'll definitely need to fix the pressure before riding anywhere.
There's a bit of flex to the bike that's a bit strange at first - you bob around a bit if you don't get the "sweet spot" in terms of cadence. Go up a gear and you should be okay.
Would I use the Brompton for touring?
I don't know.
To be perfectly honest, I'm more likely to hire a bike at my destination. Whenever I think of taking the Brompton with me on a big trip, and the percentage of my luggage it would take up, and the fact that I don't trust baggage handlers to not break everything, I can't help but think it's all just too much bother.
I've quite successfully hired bikes in the past, so...
I might eventually take it for sojourns around Australia - as in, take a train to X and then ride around X on the Brompton. Maybe. I don't know. I'll see. I'll probably never put it on a plane, though.
If I did take it for serious touring, I probably wouldn't use the B-bag. I'd go for a chubby cyclone bike trailer (https://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/products/bicycle-trailers/cyclone/cyclone-iv-chubby) - something else that wasn't in existence when I bought my bike, but came out shortly afterwards. Sure, it's hideously expensive, but it's a trailer that fits the bike inside it - and you can get a "carry system" that lets you carry the darn thing on your back. What more could you want from luggage?
This is another reason for why you should hold off buying anything until you actually need it: You never know if something better is going to come along.
*BAS = Bike Acquisition Syndrome
**MIAS = Musical Instrument Acquisition Syndrome
What accessories did I get?
I bought the cover and bag, the B-bag and the folding basket at the same time as the bike from the same shop. From a different store I also bought a T-bag and a Carradice Camper longflap saddlebag. Eventually I also bought the telescopic seat pillar.
If you went back in time, would you do it again?
Buy the Brompton? Absolutely. I love that bike and it's now my primary commuter.
But...
I never took it "touring" (although I have bundled it in the boot of my car to take on holidays), and I made some key decisions based on a "maybe I'll do this" that I never did. There are some things I'd do differently.
What would I do just the same?
I'd still get the 6 geared version. I'm pretty much a six-gear girl - even when I have more gears on my bike, I'll only use about four of them. Occasionally I'll kick into a slightly higher gear or a granny gear depending on the road, so 6 gears suits me just fine.
I've not had a puncture yet, so the tyres are okay.
I'd still get the rack with the wheels because it's convenient for pushing the bike around when it's folded (although the little wheels do get black stuff on the back of my legs while I'm riding).
I'd still by the cover and bag - that thing is worth it's wait in gold. It's the accessory I use every single day. The bag stays on the bike and I keep my lights in the bag to make sure they're close at hand, and whenever I take the bike into my house or my office (which is all the time) I put the cover on it. A) it keeps bike related dirt of everything else, B) it makes it all look like a bag sitting in the corner of the room, rather than a bike.
The other accessory I use fairly regularly is the T-bag. I put my clothes in there when I'm commuting, and I usually use it to carry my repair kit and lock/chain and such.
I'd probably also get the basket again, even though I hardly use it, just because you don't always want a huge stuff-sack every time you go out on a bike.
If I could check in on an alternate universe, I wouldn't mind seeing if there's a version of me who bought the C-bag instead of the T-bag and basket to see if I could have gotten away with just getting the one bag, but I'm pretty happy with those two bag thingies.
What would I do differently?
I'd test-ride an H-bar before settling on the P-bar. Yeah, there's less space to move your hands around, but it's taller. It wasn't available when I was looking, so obviously this doesn't benefit past me at all - but if you're thinking of a Brompton this is worth considering. Occasionally I find the level of the P-bar is just a little be lower than I'd like it to be, and a more upright stance would be nice.
I would just buy the extended or telescopic seat post right from the very beginning. I was at the top end of the standard seat post in the test-ride in the shop, and wondered if I should go higher. I should have gone higher. Much knee pain could have been avoided if I'd opted for flexibility. The extended would probably have been fine - I don't actually need the extra height of the telescopic one, I just decided to get the most flexible post possible after spending a year cursing the short one.
I would hold off on buying the B-bag or the Carradice saddle bag until the bike tour was something that was definitely happening, rather than something I'd like to do. These bags have both been sitting in a cupboard doing nothing at all for two years.
Since I'm probably just going to keep using the Brompton exactly as I have been using it and hire bicycles for overseas tours, kitting myself out for a tour was a waste of money.
Lesson learned - buy only what you need for right now (especially if it's going to cost just as much to buy something later as it would to buy it now). Add other stuff later when you actually have a confirmed use for it.
What other nuggets of advice could I pass on?
Well, the thing with the little wheels on the rack for one - the black rubber leaves marks on the back of your legs. It just does, and will keep doing it (two years later, no change). Plan your clothing accordingly.
Another thing is, the back tyre will go down if you keep the bike completely folded while it's not in use. I thought there was a problem with the tyre, wheel or tube and spent a bit of money having bike people look at it. Eventually I realised it's just because the frame of the bike is putting pressure on the tyre while it's folded.
You just need to remember the back wheel will need to be pumped up more often than you may, at first, expect. If you've had it folded for a few days, you'll definitely need to fix the pressure before riding anywhere.
There's a bit of flex to the bike that's a bit strange at first - you bob around a bit if you don't get the "sweet spot" in terms of cadence. Go up a gear and you should be okay.
Would I use the Brompton for touring?
I don't know.
To be perfectly honest, I'm more likely to hire a bike at my destination. Whenever I think of taking the Brompton with me on a big trip, and the percentage of my luggage it would take up, and the fact that I don't trust baggage handlers to not break everything, I can't help but think it's all just too much bother.
I've quite successfully hired bikes in the past, so...
I might eventually take it for sojourns around Australia - as in, take a train to X and then ride around X on the Brompton. Maybe. I don't know. I'll see. I'll probably never put it on a plane, though.
If I did take it for serious touring, I probably wouldn't use the B-bag. I'd go for a chubby cyclone bike trailer (https://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/products/bicycle-trailers/cyclone/cyclone-iv-chubby) - something else that wasn't in existence when I bought my bike, but came out shortly afterwards. Sure, it's hideously expensive, but it's a trailer that fits the bike inside it - and you can get a "carry system" that lets you carry the darn thing on your back. What more could you want from luggage?
This is another reason for why you should hold off buying anything until you actually need it: You never know if something better is going to come along.
*BAS = Bike Acquisition Syndrome
**MIAS = Musical Instrument Acquisition Syndrome
Monday, September 22, 2014
Little wheels
Because, you know, you can never have too many bicycles - especially if they a) look like "art", and b) fold into compact packages.
Yes, I know, I was only recently drooling over the IF Mode, wondering if I could justify having that in my life.
The answer: Sure, I don't see why not, but perhaps later.
Why would I want a Strida? After all, I already own a Brompton, which does the folding bike thing, and a Micro scooter, which does the quick-short-range-don't-fuss-so-much-commute thing.
Well, to be honest, mostly because it looks like penny-farthing.
Okay, granted, it looks nothing like a penny-farthing - but it looks like it would steer and handle much like a penny-farthing. The way the handle-bars are practically in your lap and your centre of gravity and steering axis are practically in the same place...
That's how penny-farthings ride.
All right, yes, I already own a PF as well, so I've kind of got that covered, too.
But I'd be able to take a Strida out more often and to more places than the PF, which would give me more practice steering the tall bike without worrying about the whole "technically illegal to ride on streets due to a lack of brakes" thing.
Plus, you know, you can never have too many bicycles...
Can you see it?
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Another unnecessary bike...
Can I be considered to have a collection of novelty bicycles if I currently only have two?
Yes, I also have a couple of "normal" bicycles, so I could be considered to have a collection of bikes. I also have a couple of unicycles so I could be considered to have a collection of novelty cycles.
If you include the Micro scooter, I clearly have a collection of human powered vehicles (although I feel I should buy a trike or a rickshaw to flesh out that claim - or maybe a canoe).
But, novelty bicycles? I've just got the penny farthing and a folding bike.
Some may not consider folding bikes to be novelty bikes, they're just bikes that do a specific thing. But seeing as most people who see the Brompton for the first time regard it as a bit of a novelty, I'm willing to say: folding bike + antique replica bike = almost a collection of novelty bikes.
However, part of me is sure a collection should have at least three things in it. Which may be one of the reasons why I want this, even though I already have a folding bike:
Or maybe I just want it because it sits in that lovely space between art and bike.
I look at most folding bikes and say "the Brompton has a much better fold", but the IF Mode just looks pretty, so I almost don't care.
Mind, the Brompton does have a much better fold...
I just need to find a spare AU$3000-$4000 to spend on something that's not going to be as good as the thing I already own.
Yes, I also have a couple of "normal" bicycles, so I could be considered to have a collection of bikes. I also have a couple of unicycles so I could be considered to have a collection of novelty cycles.
If you include the Micro scooter, I clearly have a collection of human powered vehicles (although I feel I should buy a trike or a rickshaw to flesh out that claim - or maybe a canoe).
But, novelty bicycles? I've just got the penny farthing and a folding bike.
Some may not consider folding bikes to be novelty bikes, they're just bikes that do a specific thing. But seeing as most people who see the Brompton for the first time regard it as a bit of a novelty, I'm willing to say: folding bike + antique replica bike = almost a collection of novelty bikes.
However, part of me is sure a collection should have at least three things in it. Which may be one of the reasons why I want this, even though I already have a folding bike:
Or maybe I just want it because it sits in that lovely space between art and bike.
I look at most folding bikes and say "the Brompton has a much better fold", but the IF Mode just looks pretty, so I almost don't care.
Mind, the Brompton does have a much better fold...
I just need to find a spare AU$3000-$4000 to spend on something that's not going to be as good as the thing I already own.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Pointy End...
So, I've got my first fencing bruises. I haven't actually had a fencing bout yet, but I have been practising moves against people who aren't entirely sure about where to stand while "fake" lunging.
It's kind of cool, actually. It's starting to feel like I'm involved in a real sport, rather than a series of Tai Chi-style exercises. Can't wait until I get on the wrong side of a pointy-stick for real. You're never really engaged in a physical activity until you've got the bruises to show for it.
Also, I'm getting muscles. I noticed them the other day. The kind of muscles where you move your arm and think - "wait a minute, was that some sort of definition?" I feel all athletic, or something. It's like I'm actually using my arms for a change.
Sport is cool, yeah? I like sport. I should have done sport ages ago.
I finally took the penny-farthing out for a spin the other day - not long, because it was getting dark and I don't have any lights on the bike (or brakes, but who needs 'em?). It had been so long since I've done anything with it that I thought I'd have to go back to basics and focus on getting on and off the thing without hurting myself - but it turns out it's just like riding a bike: you never really forget.
In fact, I think my balance was actually a bit better than the last time I rode it. I have no idea how that would have happened, seeing as I've given up most of the things that encourage me to balance.
By the way, this is an interesting thing with Google maps. If you go to 38 Marine Pde in Cottesloe, Perth, and drag your Streetview man to the yellow strip closest to the house... you see nothing of any interest at all.
However, if you drag your little Streetview man to the strip closest to the beach and turn to face the same house, you will see a woman riding a penny-farthing and towing a stuffed penguin.
It's very strange - they seem to have taken the photos on two different days, and for some reason you land in a different photo based on what side of the street you pick.
The woman apparently tows the penguin to stabilise the bike and make sure she doesn't flip over if she has to stop suddenly. If you rode a penny-farthing, you would totally understand the logic in that.
It's kind of cool, actually. It's starting to feel like I'm involved in a real sport, rather than a series of Tai Chi-style exercises. Can't wait until I get on the wrong side of a pointy-stick for real. You're never really engaged in a physical activity until you've got the bruises to show for it.
Also, I'm getting muscles. I noticed them the other day. The kind of muscles where you move your arm and think - "wait a minute, was that some sort of definition?" I feel all athletic, or something. It's like I'm actually using my arms for a change.
Sport is cool, yeah? I like sport. I should have done sport ages ago.
I finally took the penny-farthing out for a spin the other day - not long, because it was getting dark and I don't have any lights on the bike (or brakes, but who needs 'em?). It had been so long since I've done anything with it that I thought I'd have to go back to basics and focus on getting on and off the thing without hurting myself - but it turns out it's just like riding a bike: you never really forget.
In fact, I think my balance was actually a bit better than the last time I rode it. I have no idea how that would have happened, seeing as I've given up most of the things that encourage me to balance.
By the way, this is an interesting thing with Google maps. If you go to 38 Marine Pde in Cottesloe, Perth, and drag your Streetview man to the yellow strip closest to the house... you see nothing of any interest at all.
However, if you drag your little Streetview man to the strip closest to the beach and turn to face the same house, you will see a woman riding a penny-farthing and towing a stuffed penguin.
It's very strange - they seem to have taken the photos on two different days, and for some reason you land in a different photo based on what side of the street you pick.
The woman apparently tows the penguin to stabilise the bike and make sure she doesn't flip over if she has to stop suddenly. If you rode a penny-farthing, you would totally understand the logic in that.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
16 Inch Wheels
Well, it looked like it might rain today, so I took my old, normal bike to work.
I'm sure I'll get to the point where I don't care about shielding the Brompton from bad weather and just take it everywhere, but it's still kind of new and shiny and I'm happy for it to be a "fair weather" bike at present.
I have to say, riding my old bike for the first time since I got the Brompton has brought home how thoroughly I've fallen for the Brommie (which I've started to call "Babs" - short for "yeah, baby!". And, yes, I know how sad that is).
I am definitely a convert to the 16 inch, foldable life.
My old bike just seems ridiculously huge. Why would you need such ginormous wheels? Why do they take so long to get rolling? What's the point of that top bar? Why is everything so high off the ground? Why is it so cumbersome to move? And why can't all bikes have an internal gear hub?
It doesn't help that the old bike was a size too small as well. Things are ridiculously large, and yet not quite large enough. Everything is just a little too close and at the wrong angle, so that even though the seat is uncomfortably high off the ground and set far back on the seat post, it's still a little too close to the pedals and the handlebars.
That's my own stupid fault, of course. I didn't have a model of that bike to look at, and I was used to women's step-through bikes previously, so when I ordered it I was working with a mixture of ignorance and nervousness. It's one of the reasons why I was determined to try the Brommie before buying it.
So, I think I can safely say I'm a foldie fan now. Riding my old bike has brought home how much the new bike has changed the game.
Plus, I had to leave it outside, which is boring. I much prefer having my bike under my desk - it's a great conversation starter.
I'm sure I'll get to the point where I don't care about shielding the Brompton from bad weather and just take it everywhere, but it's still kind of new and shiny and I'm happy for it to be a "fair weather" bike at present.
I have to say, riding my old bike for the first time since I got the Brompton has brought home how thoroughly I've fallen for the Brommie (which I've started to call "Babs" - short for "yeah, baby!". And, yes, I know how sad that is).
I am definitely a convert to the 16 inch, foldable life.
My old bike just seems ridiculously huge. Why would you need such ginormous wheels? Why do they take so long to get rolling? What's the point of that top bar? Why is everything so high off the ground? Why is it so cumbersome to move? And why can't all bikes have an internal gear hub?
It doesn't help that the old bike was a size too small as well. Things are ridiculously large, and yet not quite large enough. Everything is just a little too close and at the wrong angle, so that even though the seat is uncomfortably high off the ground and set far back on the seat post, it's still a little too close to the pedals and the handlebars.
That's my own stupid fault, of course. I didn't have a model of that bike to look at, and I was used to women's step-through bikes previously, so when I ordered it I was working with a mixture of ignorance and nervousness. It's one of the reasons why I was determined to try the Brommie before buying it.
So, I think I can safely say I'm a foldie fan now. Riding my old bike has brought home how much the new bike has changed the game.
Plus, I had to leave it outside, which is boring. I much prefer having my bike under my desk - it's a great conversation starter.
Monday, October 3, 2011
There's a Bike Under My Desk...
...and it makes me very happy.
I knocked off work early yesterday to do some work on an assignment, and twenty minutes after I got home the truck with my bike turned up.
Let's just say I didn't do as much work on my assignment as I planned.
I mean, I totally would have worked on my assignment all afternoon, but there was a bike in my kitchen:
I've been grinning like a loon since yesterday afternoon, and trying really hard to avoid dancing around singing "New bike! New bike! New biiiiiike!" more often than is seemly. Impossible to avoid doing it entirely, but one should try to keep things at a moderate and respectable level.
That colour is "turkish green", which looks like a pale blue to me. If I'd quite computed how pale blue the bike was going to look I would have gone for the black and white bag not the green and honey one:
Which, to be honest, clashes a little and isn't the most convenient thing to have on a Brompton, but it ended up working more or less the way I thought it would. I'm just going to have to remove the rack before packing the bike, which is more convenient that dismantling the whole bike.
Right now we're just getting to know each other, and I'm trying to work out the logistics of things like putting lights on the thing.
That, and trying to avoid patting it like a new puppy. It's just under my desk, you see...
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Saga Continues
This is a summary of how my attempts to buy a bicycle have gone so far:
Late June
Me: I want to buy a bike I can travel with. I've been trying to make up my mind between the Brompton and the Bike Friday. Could I come to your shop to try them both?
Them: Of course. We'll have one of each for you.
Me: Please keep in mind that I will be flying into town specifically to see your bike shop and these two bikes.
Them: We understand, that's not a problem. We should even have a Brompton that specifically matches what you want in stock.
Me: (Later) Remember, I'm flying into town later this week to look at the bikes.
Them: (Nothing).
I pay over $200 in travel fees and take up two days of my annual leave to see bikes. I make luggage allowances to return with a bicycle. It is currently August.
Me: I'm here to look at the bikes.
Them: We have a Brompton, but not the exact model you wanted.
Me: What about the Bike Friday?
Them: Not a model worth comparing with a Brompton.
Me: I flew in specifically to look at them both!
Them: Well, you know, they've just been flying out the door.
The Brompton was the one I was most interested in anyway, and having seen enough to know that I like it and I want one, I decide to just go ahead and buy it.
Me: That Brompton you said would be in by now, is it far away?
Them: No, it should be here in two weeks at the most.
Me: Can I put a firm order in for it so that I get it when it comes?
Them: Of course! We'll take all of your details and when the bike is in we'll get in contact so we can organise to have it sent to you (they happily take my money).
Almost four weeks pass and I don't hear a word from them
Me: What's the status of my bicycle?
Them: We don't really know. We'll get back to you.
Me: (One Week Later) What's the status of my bicycle? And could you start telling me things? I'm starting to get annoyed by the fact that you never honestly tell me what I can expect from you. After the Bike Friday stuff, I'm feeling less than thrilled with your communication techniques.
Them: Oh, yeah. It's in the country and in customs. We should have it soon. Sorry about the Bike Friday thing, it just slipped through the cracks. We're sure it will never happen again.
Me: Okay, well I'm going on holidays in October and wanted to take the bike with me. Is this going to be possible?
Them: Oh, for sure. Go ahead and make plans and book things, you should definitely have the bike before October.
One week later I'm about to email them again when:
Them: Good news! Your bike is in the shop. You can pick it up whenever you like.
Me: That is good news, but I don't live in town. You said you would get in contact with me to organise a way to send it to me by freight, remember?
Them: (Nothing).
Me: (Two days later) So, I'm kind of expecting to take the bike with me when I leave *really* soon...
Them: Good news! You should have the bike by Tuesday.
October starts tomorrow...
My main beef is that I can't shake the feeling they are telling me what they think I want to hear, when what I want to hear is a true, honest and reliable indication of what I can expect.
I'm less concerned about it taking six weeks to get a bike than I am by being told it will take two, when realistically it might take six. I want to be able to make plans - I need to know, honestly, what I can expect.
They say "Tuesday", and I hope they are right, but why tell me I would definitely have the bike by October if there was a chance I wouldn't? Why not just say "we hope to have it before October, but it might not get there until the first week or so." Would that kill them?
Late June
Me: I want to buy a bike I can travel with. I've been trying to make up my mind between the Brompton and the Bike Friday. Could I come to your shop to try them both?
Them: Of course. We'll have one of each for you.
Me: Please keep in mind that I will be flying into town specifically to see your bike shop and these two bikes.
Them: We understand, that's not a problem. We should even have a Brompton that specifically matches what you want in stock.
Me: (Later) Remember, I'm flying into town later this week to look at the bikes.
Them: (Nothing).
I pay over $200 in travel fees and take up two days of my annual leave to see bikes. I make luggage allowances to return with a bicycle. It is currently August.
Me: I'm here to look at the bikes.
Them: We have a Brompton, but not the exact model you wanted.
Me: What about the Bike Friday?
Them: Not a model worth comparing with a Brompton.
Me: I flew in specifically to look at them both!
Them: Well, you know, they've just been flying out the door.
The Brompton was the one I was most interested in anyway, and having seen enough to know that I like it and I want one, I decide to just go ahead and buy it.
Me: That Brompton you said would be in by now, is it far away?
Them: No, it should be here in two weeks at the most.
Me: Can I put a firm order in for it so that I get it when it comes?
Them: Of course! We'll take all of your details and when the bike is in we'll get in contact so we can organise to have it sent to you (they happily take my money).
Almost four weeks pass and I don't hear a word from them
Me: What's the status of my bicycle?
Them: We don't really know. We'll get back to you.
Me: (One Week Later) What's the status of my bicycle? And could you start telling me things? I'm starting to get annoyed by the fact that you never honestly tell me what I can expect from you. After the Bike Friday stuff, I'm feeling less than thrilled with your communication techniques.
Them: Oh, yeah. It's in the country and in customs. We should have it soon. Sorry about the Bike Friday thing, it just slipped through the cracks. We're sure it will never happen again.
Me: Okay, well I'm going on holidays in October and wanted to take the bike with me. Is this going to be possible?
Them: Oh, for sure. Go ahead and make plans and book things, you should definitely have the bike before October.
One week later I'm about to email them again when:
Them: Good news! Your bike is in the shop. You can pick it up whenever you like.
Me: That is good news, but I don't live in town. You said you would get in contact with me to organise a way to send it to me by freight, remember?
Them: (Nothing).
Me: (Two days later) So, I'm kind of expecting to take the bike with me when I leave *really* soon...
Them: Good news! You should have the bike by Tuesday.
October starts tomorrow...
My main beef is that I can't shake the feeling they are telling me what they think I want to hear, when what I want to hear is a true, honest and reliable indication of what I can expect.
I'm less concerned about it taking six weeks to get a bike than I am by being told it will take two, when realistically it might take six. I want to be able to make plans - I need to know, honestly, what I can expect.
They say "Tuesday", and I hope they are right, but why tell me I would definitely have the bike by October if there was a chance I wouldn't? Why not just say "we hope to have it before October, but it might not get there until the first week or so." Would that kill them?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Bike!! (Almost)
The Brommie is out of customs and at the store in Brisbane. Now I just need them to send it to me.
Will it make it here before October?
Since I have to pay for the freight, and I'm not paying for express delivery, I have doubts.
Will it make it here before October?
Since I have to pay for the freight, and I'm not paying for express delivery, I have doubts.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Update on the Bicycle saga
Well, it turns out my bike is in the country, and making it's way through customs. It took a little effort on my part to get this information, as the shop didn't seem to be in a hurry to supply it, but I just *might* have it in my possession by October - which means I might be able to take it with me on holidays after all.
I don't mind the odd bit of delayed gratification - it's nice to be able to "look forward" to something, and can be a bit of a bonus when you have to "look forward" to it for longer than expected...
But I have to admit I'll be much happier once the Brommie is folded neatly under my desk at work (just because I can, that's why - I know of a guy who stores his in a bookcase!).
I don't mind the odd bit of delayed gratification - it's nice to be able to "look forward" to something, and can be a bit of a bonus when you have to "look forward" to it for longer than expected...
But I have to admit I'll be much happier once the Brommie is folded neatly under my desk at work (just because I can, that's why - I know of a guy who stores his in a bookcase!).
Thursday, August 25, 2011
And the winner is...
...the Brommie.
It probably wasn't the world's best comparison test. In spite of the fact that I told the shop I was flying to Brisbane specifically to visit their shop and check out those two models of bikes, they didn't have the other model to look at.
I needed to try a Pocket Companion or a New World Traveller for the Bike Friday, and all they had was a Tikit that was a size too small for me. Needless to stay, it did not stack up well against the Brompton they had in the shop.
Mind you, I was leaning towards the Brompton anyway. That fold is just the best fold out there. And the idea of not disassembling the bike appealed to me greatly.
Riding it around the streets near the shop (including deliberately going off the path and through some debris) was also reassuring. It was no more uncomfortable on rough sections of road that the bike I'm currently riding, and with a few tweaks to the saddle and handle-bar angles will probably fit better than the bike I'm currenly riding as well.
And, when you think about it, the only times I'll really need a bike capable of doing more "serious" off road stuff will be when I'm on a proper bike tour, and then I'll probably be able to rent a more suitable bike. This one is for taking with me when I go places, not for going cross-country.
Maybe the proper Bike Friday would have proven a better bike agains the Brommie if it had been available, and maybe one day I'll get the chance to try it and decide I must have it. For now, the Brommie was the best bike in the three bike shoot-out (I also tried a Dahon Vitesse), and it was a bike that made me smile. I tried it twice. The first time I liked it, the second time I really liked it.
It felt reliable, if that is a strange thing to say. Like I could get away with pushing things a bit without landing flat on my face. The other two bikes felt like I needed to be careful with them. I'm a big believer in the confidence-competence continuum, and I felt more confident on the Brompton.
So, "my" Brompton is probably about two weeks to a month away. I may be doing a few "I'm getting a new bike" happy dances in the intervening weeks. Just thought I should warn you.
It probably wasn't the world's best comparison test. In spite of the fact that I told the shop I was flying to Brisbane specifically to visit their shop and check out those two models of bikes, they didn't have the other model to look at.
I needed to try a Pocket Companion or a New World Traveller for the Bike Friday, and all they had was a Tikit that was a size too small for me. Needless to stay, it did not stack up well against the Brompton they had in the shop.
Mind you, I was leaning towards the Brompton anyway. That fold is just the best fold out there. And the idea of not disassembling the bike appealed to me greatly.
Riding it around the streets near the shop (including deliberately going off the path and through some debris) was also reassuring. It was no more uncomfortable on rough sections of road that the bike I'm currently riding, and with a few tweaks to the saddle and handle-bar angles will probably fit better than the bike I'm currenly riding as well.
And, when you think about it, the only times I'll really need a bike capable of doing more "serious" off road stuff will be when I'm on a proper bike tour, and then I'll probably be able to rent a more suitable bike. This one is for taking with me when I go places, not for going cross-country.
Maybe the proper Bike Friday would have proven a better bike agains the Brommie if it had been available, and maybe one day I'll get the chance to try it and decide I must have it. For now, the Brommie was the best bike in the three bike shoot-out (I also tried a Dahon Vitesse), and it was a bike that made me smile. I tried it twice. The first time I liked it, the second time I really liked it.
It felt reliable, if that is a strange thing to say. Like I could get away with pushing things a bit without landing flat on my face. The other two bikes felt like I needed to be careful with them. I'm a big believer in the confidence-competence continuum, and I felt more confident on the Brompton.
So, "my" Brompton is probably about two weeks to a month away. I may be doing a few "I'm getting a new bike" happy dances in the intervening weeks. Just thought I should warn you.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The trouble with bikes
Is that there are too many to choose from.
In the last couple of days, just as I've been preparing to head down to Brisvegas and try to make up my mind between the two bikes I've been umming and ahhing about these past weeks (months?), I start thinking about a third one.
I've been deliberating avoiding looking at the Dahon, because everything I've read has put it at number three on the list of folding bikes, and I figured I'd give myself a break and limit my indecision to the top two.
But, I went and looked it up last week, didn't I? And now I've got yet another option worth looking at.
It's all Peter's fault.
As I've been investigating the Brompton I've become mildly attached to Peter, from NYCewheels. He does the product review/ads for his bike shop (if I lived in New York, I would buy something from this shop, just to thank them for having such useful YouTube clips), and I've been watching his stuff on the Brompton very closely. Then I stumbled across another review of his where he was showing off the Dahon Speed P8, and it looked a heck of a lot more all-roady than the Brompton.
This is important, for Townsville. There are sections of road and bike path that may as well be off-road, they are so badly torn up and poorly maintained. There's a section on my route home that practically shakes the light of the handlebars every time, and the council recently repainted it, so I'm guessing they don't really intend to resurface it.
I accidentally dropped into another permanent pothole on my way home last night (sunken manhole covers are a common occurrence in Townsville bikelanes), and it felt quite jarring with my 24inch wheels. I'm not sure how it's going to go with 16. Maybe getting the 20 wheels is the better option for a town like Townsville? Dahon and BF both have 20s, and judging from the pictures the Dahon is a slightly neater fold...
As a certain annoying comic strip character would say:
Ack!
In the last couple of days, just as I've been preparing to head down to Brisvegas and try to make up my mind between the two bikes I've been umming and ahhing about these past weeks (months?), I start thinking about a third one.
I've been deliberating avoiding looking at the Dahon, because everything I've read has put it at number three on the list of folding bikes, and I figured I'd give myself a break and limit my indecision to the top two.
But, I went and looked it up last week, didn't I? And now I've got yet another option worth looking at.
It's all Peter's fault.
As I've been investigating the Brompton I've become mildly attached to Peter, from NYCewheels. He does the product review/ads for his bike shop (if I lived in New York, I would buy something from this shop, just to thank them for having such useful YouTube clips), and I've been watching his stuff on the Brompton very closely. Then I stumbled across another review of his where he was showing off the Dahon Speed P8, and it looked a heck of a lot more all-roady than the Brompton.
This is important, for Townsville. There are sections of road and bike path that may as well be off-road, they are so badly torn up and poorly maintained. There's a section on my route home that practically shakes the light of the handlebars every time, and the council recently repainted it, so I'm guessing they don't really intend to resurface it.
I accidentally dropped into another permanent pothole on my way home last night (sunken manhole covers are a common occurrence in Townsville bikelanes), and it felt quite jarring with my 24inch wheels. I'm not sure how it's going to go with 16. Maybe getting the 20 wheels is the better option for a town like Townsville? Dahon and BF both have 20s, and judging from the pictures the Dahon is a slightly neater fold...
As a certain annoying comic strip character would say:
Ack!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Squashed between two camels
At some point in my youth I heard someone sing a spoof of the song "Torn Between Two Lovers", replacing the keywords of that phrase with "Squashed Between Two Camels".
To whit:
Squashed between two camels,
Feeling like a fool...
I can't remember if there was ever any more to the song than that, but ever since then whenever I feel "torn between two" options, I find myself wanting to sing that line of the song, and then it always ends up turning into the camels.
I am currently torn between two bicycles: The Brompton and the Bike Friday New World Traveller (BF-NWT).
They are both at the top of the game, both have great reviews and they each have great advantages that the other one doesn't have.
Here's what I'm stuck on:
I have a trip to Europe in mind, and I would like to be able to take the bike with me. I want the bike to be easily and readily transportable by plane, train and bus, but also capable of a spot of self-contained touring.
That is, I want to be able to fly into a country, unpack the bike, take everything I need on or with the bike to my hotel if I want to, or just shove everything in the back of a taxi if I prefer. I then want to be able to carry everything on the bike to the next town over, if the next town is less than 100km away (my preferred distance for a day's ride is half that), or pack everything up and take a train if the next town I'm going to is longer, or if I'm in a hurry.
Now, in terms of self-contained touring, the BF-NWT looks like it's at the top of the game. It's clearly designed for such things, it looks sturdy and it has nice fat tyres and plenty of braze-ons for bits and bobs and bags. It also has the ability to be packed in a custom-made trunk which can be converted into a trailer.
You pack the bike in the trunk, put it on the plane (or whatever), unpack it at the other end, convert the trunk into a trailer and attached it to the bike, then shove your luggage into the trailer and ride off.
Sounds great, except that you have to disassemble the bike every time you want to pack it. And the fold isn't that great. It folds a bit, but not as well as the Brompton.
The Brompton, on the other hand, is largely heralded as one of the best designed folding bikes in the world - and it looks it. It has a fantastic fold - and you just put it in the bag as is. This greatly appeals to me, as it means there's less I can stuff up. All I have to do is fold the bike exactly how you are supposed to fold it and put it away. I don't have to keep track of parts, I don't have to worry about putting something together the wrong way...
While I've always been fond of assembling things (I couldn't help myself when the penny-farthing arrived - I had to put it together myself even though I had intended to let professionals do it), I can't shake the feeling that having someone with my level of dexterity continually assemble and disassemble something in a variety of unfamiliar locations is just asking for trouble.
Plus, it does add time to preparing for things like boarding a train or a bus. The Brompton just seems much better suited to riding up to the train station and hopping more-or-less directly onto the train...
So, while the Bike Friday looks like the better touring bike, the Brompton looks like the better travelling bike. I'm just completely hung up on that point - If I could fold the BF-NWT more effectively and put it in the travel case without having to take it apart every single time.
So, effectively, both bikes tick boxes that I want - they just don't tick all the same boxes.
So darn hard. Seriously, why can't someone just combine the two?
Monday, June 27, 2011
Bicycles on the brain
Sooner or later, my thoughts turn to bicycles. I'm not sure why. I never used to have this problem, but it's been plaguing me for some years now.
I'm in the market for a new bike. There is an element to which I am always in the market for a new bike, it's just that I can usually remind myself that I have two perfectly good bikes at home (and an assortment of other bike-like things for my own personal amusement). Lately, though, I have come to conclusion that I don't have two perfectly good bikes at home. I have one bike that has served me well and is now in need of a well-deserved retirement, and one bike that never really did what I wanted it to do.
I had wanted a bike that would serve as a touring bike, but also as a commuting bike and maybe, when I felt up for such things, could also be called into service as a mountain bike. I was told the Giant Sedona would cover those bases, but it's really only any good as a commuter (you need a little off-road capabilities to commute by bike in Townsville). Having ridden it for a couple of years, I wouldn't want to tour or try my hand at cross country with it.
Plus, as it was the first bike I had owned that wasn't women's specific in the design, I decided to play it safe and get a size smaller than I should have - just to ensure clearance. I have come to regret that decision.
So, now I find myself needing to replace one bike and wanting to replace the other.
I've been eyeing off the Salsa Fargo as a replacement for the Giant Sedona, and I was all set to go and order one when I became thoroughly distracted by the Brompton folding bike.
Folding bikes intrigue me, and I think it might be an idea to replace the old faithful city bike with something I might be able to take on a plane. The Fargo wouldn't really be an easy bike to take on a plane...
So I think I've talked myself into putting off the 29inch wheels in favour of a bike with 16inch wheels. Just for now. I'm still looking at having the Fargo or something like it, but there's a limit to how many $2,500 bikes I can get at once.
But the other night I had the strangest dream that there was a folding bike club located at the university, and they all had bikes that were in traditional Nerf colours. I blame the Nerfpunk people. Sadly, in this dream, I wasn't cool enough to hang out with the nerf-coloured-folding-bicycle crowd. They told me where I could find the application forms to join, but made it clear they didn't think I'd get approved.
It's probably just as well. In my dream I couldn't figure out how to ride a bike past a street lamp.
By the way, is it weird that, even though I'm not involved in the cosplay scene, I still want to buy a Nerf gun and make a steampunk prop out of it?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Townsville City Council wants to hurt us
It's starting to feel like I fell heavily and hit my head on a rock yesterday.
Possibly because I fell heavily at hit my head on a rock yesterday.
I've often commented about the fact that the Townsville City Council seems to be trying to kill me, but now they're getting better at it. We have an underpass going from the Western Campus of the university to the residential area on the other side of the highway. It passes under two roads and it's the only place where one can cross these roads for a couple of kilometres in either direction. It also doubles as a drain, and it seems to be fostering a lovely culture of grey-green algae wherever the sun hits the water (at both entrances and a longish stretch between the two roads).
Turns out this is incredibly slippery when wet. Slick, actually. I had slowed on approach to try to glide through the "rough" patch, but my tires started slipping sideways, so I put a foot down to stop myself from moving before things got out of control.
The algae was so slick that my foot shot out from under me and I came down pretty hard. My helmet has a lovely dint in the side of it from where it came between me and a rock. Good thing I always wear one. Of course, now I'm going to have to buy a new one. Every time a helmet does its job you have to replace it.
The annoying thing is, the Townsville City Council knows that this underpass is dangerous when it acts as a drain. I know they know this, because about a month ago an email was sent around to the members of the Bike Users' Group warning about the underpass and saying that the council had been informed. This was shortly followed by another email saying the council was looking into it and had erected barriers to stop people using it.
Now, of course no one was ever going to pay attention to those barriers. It's the only place to cross the road for kilometres in either direction. But there was supposed to be some sort of warning or indication that it wasn't safe.
When I approached the underpass, I noticed there were no warnings or barriers. If I had, I would have taken a different route. I'm one of those crazy people who prefer to go a little out of my way rather than get hurt. I assumed the lack of warning meant the council had fixed the problem enough to decide it was safe. Apparently, they just don't care.
Then again, they never have. If they had, they wouldn't have made the cycle/pedestrian underpass double as a drain in the first place. I mean, it isn't safe for people travelling on foot. It's downright hazardous for cyclists, and any kid crazy enough to try to skate or run through it? Someone is going to get seriously hurt. Hell, if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I would have been seriously hurt.
This whole damn town is riddle with things that are intended for us to use, but not designed for us to use safely. In short, the council is quite clearly trying to kill us.
Pretty soon it's going to work.
Possibly because I fell heavily at hit my head on a rock yesterday.
I've often commented about the fact that the Townsville City Council seems to be trying to kill me, but now they're getting better at it. We have an underpass going from the Western Campus of the university to the residential area on the other side of the highway. It passes under two roads and it's the only place where one can cross these roads for a couple of kilometres in either direction. It also doubles as a drain, and it seems to be fostering a lovely culture of grey-green algae wherever the sun hits the water (at both entrances and a longish stretch between the two roads).
Turns out this is incredibly slippery when wet. Slick, actually. I had slowed on approach to try to glide through the "rough" patch, but my tires started slipping sideways, so I put a foot down to stop myself from moving before things got out of control.
The algae was so slick that my foot shot out from under me and I came down pretty hard. My helmet has a lovely dint in the side of it from where it came between me and a rock. Good thing I always wear one. Of course, now I'm going to have to buy a new one. Every time a helmet does its job you have to replace it.
The annoying thing is, the Townsville City Council knows that this underpass is dangerous when it acts as a drain. I know they know this, because about a month ago an email was sent around to the members of the Bike Users' Group warning about the underpass and saying that the council had been informed. This was shortly followed by another email saying the council was looking into it and had erected barriers to stop people using it.
Now, of course no one was ever going to pay attention to those barriers. It's the only place to cross the road for kilometres in either direction. But there was supposed to be some sort of warning or indication that it wasn't safe.
When I approached the underpass, I noticed there were no warnings or barriers. If I had, I would have taken a different route. I'm one of those crazy people who prefer to go a little out of my way rather than get hurt. I assumed the lack of warning meant the council had fixed the problem enough to decide it was safe. Apparently, they just don't care.
Then again, they never have. If they had, they wouldn't have made the cycle/pedestrian underpass double as a drain in the first place. I mean, it isn't safe for people travelling on foot. It's downright hazardous for cyclists, and any kid crazy enough to try to skate or run through it? Someone is going to get seriously hurt. Hell, if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I would have been seriously hurt.
This whole damn town is riddle with things that are intended for us to use, but not designed for us to use safely. In short, the council is quite clearly trying to kill us.
Pretty soon it's going to work.
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