The Metropolitan Handlebar Bag (HBB) is a companion to the Metropolitan Pannier that I reviewed a few weeks ago (see here). Both are new from Arkel for 2009 and are part of their “Urban” series of bags designed specifically for commuters. Together they make a nice set, though either can be used individually without issue.

At 425 cu. in., the Metro HBB is a relatively small handlebar bag with slightly less capacity than Arkel’s popular Small Bar Bag. The construction is simple, with a single main compartment, a small pouch for a wallet, and a key clip. The bag is plenty large for carrying a lunch, wallet, phone, and small windbreaker. It would also make a nice home for a compact DSLR with a short zoom such as a Canon XSi with kit lens. The sides are relatively stiff and the bag holds its shape, even when empty.

Features include a small Velcroed pocket in the lid with a see-through window specifically designed to accept an iPhone or Blackberry; a single external slip pocket for papers or a train ticket; a lightweight shoulder strap; an integrated rain cover; an internal liner than can be zipped out for cleaning; and alloy quick-release mounts.

The alloy mounts are totally rigid and showed no signs of bouncing or slipping, even with a full load. (The arms make metal-to-metal contact with the handlebars, so you’ll want to lay down a layer of tape or thin rubber before attaching the mounts to keep from scratching your handlebars.) The bag separates from the arms via a pair of quick releases at the rear of the bag. The arms stay permanently attached to the handlebars to reduce carrying weight and bulk off of the bike. A roll-down flap protects clothing from the quick release mounts while carrying the bag.

The Arkel Metropolitan HBB is a near-perfect handlebar bag for daily commuting to the office. It’s not too big and it carries nicely on the shoulder. It detaches from the bike in just a few seconds and looks professional and nondescript. And like the Metropolitan Pannier, only the best materials were used throughout including heavy-duty Cordura nylon and YYK zippers. Arkel’s bags aren’t cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for; I use their bags everyday and they are 100% reliable and an important component of my car-lite lifestyle.

Specifications
Capacity: 425 cu. in.
Dimensions: 8.5″x10″x 6″
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Color: Charcoal w/Black
Price: $129.00

Arkel →

Sometimes I wonder if we subconsciously “forget” items on our grocery list just so we have a reason to ride back to the store in the evening to catch the sunset. Tonight’s excuse was an onion for tomorrow morning’s tofu scramble. You know what? Forget the onion (and the excuses), a beautiful sunset is always worth a trip!

It’s inevitable that my mileage ramps up dramatically this time of year. Surely it’s the mild spring weather that draws me out and onto the bike more than is absolutely necessary; I mean, who’s going to take a joyride when it’s 40°F and pouring rain?

Most people track their mileage for training purposes (or bragging rights) and what they’re shooting for is a high number. In my case, I have to keep an eye out to avoid riding too much. Last year at this time, an overuse injury kept me off the the bike for most of the summer, so I’ve been hyper-diligent to work in appropriate rest days and put a reasonable cap on my weekly mileage.

On those days when I take a break, I don’t just jump back in the car; mostly I just end up doing more walking. Interestingly, I’ve found that I can be sore and tired from riding, but I can continue to walk with no ill effects (as long as I’m wearing good shoes). If I was an athlete, I suppose this would be considered “cross-training”.

I used to get quite irritated when my body told me to take a break from the bike (as a matter of fact, I used to ignore the signals, hence the injuries). Now, I’m just glad I can continue to walk while giving my knees a break from riding for a day or two. Afterall, as much as I love bicycles and bicycling, it’s mostly about staying out of the car and reducing my footprint (you know, the other kind).

I’ve been planning on picking up a copy of Jeff Mapes’ Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities, so I was pleased to see that David Byrne (yes, that David Byrne) reviewed the book for the New York Times’ Sunday Book Review. Here’s an excerpt:

It looks like a good read for anyone interested in bicycling for transportation.

Read the full review in the NYT →
Pedaling Revolution @ Amazon →

Ma Ferguson

From Violet Crown Cycles:

Violet Crown Cycles →

We were pleasantly surprised (actually, “shocked” is more like it) to learn that one of our photos was awarded “Best Overall” in Princeton Tec’s “Got Lights On Bikes” photo contest. Here’s a little background from PT:

The contest attracted over 300 entries and the result is a very interesting collection of nighttime bike photos from around the world. You can view the entries here.

The SE Lager — A “Cool” Bike

Funny related story… One of our daughters was quite a bike rider when she was younger—she even considered racing at one point—but now that she’s a teenager, bikes are no longer on her radar. I think it probably has something to do with boys and looking cool (teenagers!). What I found out though, is that not all bikes are uncool. When I showed her a photo of the SE Lager single speed bike we won in the contest, her eyes lit up and she dropped a hint that it’s a bike she might consider being seen on. Apparently it’s only our geeky ultility bikes that don’t make the cut… LOL.

Got Lights On Bikes Flickr Pool →
Contest Winners →
SE Bikes →
Princeton Tec →

Matthew Modine tells it like it is in the Huffington Post:

Read the full article in the Huffington Post →

Background

Joe Breeze is one of the founding fathers of mountain biking. He built what are considered some of the first true mountain bikes in the late 70s, and he was a leader in the industry throughout the 80s and 90s, selling a variety of high-end production bikes under the Breezer label. Most of the early Breezers were recreation-oriented mountain and road bikes, but Joe had a personal interest in bicycle transportation throughout this period, riding bikes for transportation and working as an advocate for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

Joe’s ongoing interest in using bicycles for transportation eventually led him to move away from recreational bicycles and launch a new line of transportation-oriented bicycles in 2002 under the Breezer label. These new bikes are fully outfitted from the factory for use as motor vehicle replacements with features such as generator lights, fenders, racks, reflective tires, locks, and bells included as standard equipment. Just as he was with mountain bikes in the 70s, Joe was ahead of the curve with transportation-oriented bikes in the 2000s; this style of bicycle is just now becoming commonplace in the U.S.

The Breezer line-up includes 15 models. The “Town Bike” series is comprised of 8 models that are optimized for short trips around town, the “Range Bike” series is comprised of 3 models that are optimized for longer commutes and more challenging terrain, and the “Folding Bike” series is comprised of 4 models for multi-modal commuters and apartment dwellers.

In March, Breezer sent me their top-of-the-line “Finesse” from the Range Bike series for review. The Finesse is designed as their “fast commuter” for people who have a long commute on open roads and need to cover the distance in minimal time. The Finesse is a specialized bike and is not designed to be a garden variety “grocery getter”; this review is written with the designer’s vision and the bike’s intended use in mind.

Construction

The frames of many commuter and utility bikes are constructed from steel for long-term toughness. The performance-oriented Finesse is constructed from aluminum and carbon fiber (the frame is aluminum and the fork is carbon fiber), materials that are more commonly used for racing bikes. The performance advantage provided by these materials is tangible, and for a rider covering long distances at higher speeds, they are a fair trade off for reduced resistance to the punishing treatment sometimes heaped upon pure utility bikes.

The welded aluminum frame is made in Taiwan and the construction is on par with other bikes in this price range. The carbon fibre fork is robust and looks similar to, but beefier than, the carbon forks seen on many production racing bikes, but with the obvious difference of having V-Brake mounts and fender eyelets. The deep, metallic blue powder coat and decal set is understated and attractive.

The bottom bracket shell is worth noting. Bikes outfitted with internal gear hubs require some form of chain adjuster/tensioner. This can be accomplished with horizontal dropouts, sliding dropouts, a spring-loaded chain tensioner, or, as in the case of the Finesse, an eccentric bottom bracket. The bottom bracket shell acts as a clamp that holds an offset, rotating bottom bracket. Loosening the cinch bolts and rotating the bottom bracket changes the distance between the rear axle and the bottom bracket spindle, increasing or decreasing chain tension in the process. The advantage of an eccentric bottom bracket over a horizontal dropout is that it greatly simplifies roadside flat repairs by eliminating the need to readjust the rear wheel each time it’s removed.

Components

You’ve heard me rave about the Shimano Alfine group before. One of my everyday rides (a Civia Hyland) is outfitted with the full group and I’ve become quite familiar and enamored with Shimano’s top-of-the-line commuting/utility component set. The Alfine group includes a single crank, front and rear disc brakes with levers, front dynamo hub, and an 8-speed internal gear hub (IGH) with shifter. As can be seen in the photos, the components are anodized in an attractive high gloss black finish.

The heart of the Alfine group is the 8-speed internal gear hub and matching RapidFire shifter. I can’t say enough about this shifting system. It performed flawlessly throughout the test period. The Alfine IGH can be shifted while sitting still, coasting, pedaling, and even while under power. Missed shifts are non-existent with this hub and every shift is precise, quick, and quiet. For city riding, the only hub that outperforms the Alfine is the Rohloff Speedhub, but it’s not a fair comparison if you take into account the exorbitant price of the Rohloff (~$1400).

The front dynamo hub is sufficiently efficient, though it does introduce more drag than its main competitor, the SON hub from Germany. Still, the amount of drag was small enough to be unnoticeable while riding. The electrical connection on the Alfine is more secure and easier to set-up than the connection on the SON, an advantage for those who occasionally change out their front lights or move them from one bike to another.

Alfine hydraulic disc brakes are extremely powerful and are strong enough to lock either wheel with 2-3 fingers. In general, hydraulic discs make me a little nervous in that they’re harder to repair than cable actuated brakes if by some odd chance you have a catastrophic failure on the road. That said, I’ve been using Shimano Alfine discs for quite some time now and I’ve found them to be 100% reliable and a breeze to adjust.

The most unusual component on the Finesse is the “Truss Sport Rack”. The Truss is mounted at the unused rear V-Brake studs instead of the rear dropout eyelets like most racks. The idea is to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce weight. I do like the Truss rack’s clean design and minimal look, but it doesn’t accept standard panniers, a major disadvantage that, in my opinion, is not worth the minimal performance gain.

The lighting system on the Finesse is the highest quality and most well-integrated I’ve seen on any bike sold in the U.S. The Busch & Muller Lumotec IQ Fly Senso Plus headlight and Toplight-Plus tail light are absolutely top shelf. The Fly is one of a new generation of LED headlights coming out of Europe that are competing favorably with battery systems, and the Toplight-Plus is best of class in dyno-powered tail lights.

What really sets this system apart though, is the way the wiring is integrated into the frame. After leaving the headlight, the tail light lead enters the downtube, exiting at the bottom bracket where it plugs into the rear fender with snap connectors, continuing from there embedded in the fender, then exiting at the rear of the fender where it connects to the tail light with snap connectors. It’s a well thought out system that’s fully integrated into the design of the bike.

The wheels are built on Shimano Alfine hubs with Shimano WH-S500V rims and double-butted spokes. They do a good job of reaching a compromise between performance and toughness. These aren’t expedition-grade touring wheels for carrying heavy loads, but they’re plenty strong for daily commutes on rough roads, while still providing good performance for long, fast rides to work. The Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires are relatively fast and reasonably comfortable. They don’t have the extreme flat protection of Schwalbe’s other tires from the Marathon series, but again, they provide a fair compromise between speed and utility.

The remainder of the components are of a quality you’d expect for a bike in this price range. The adjustable stem and carbon seat post are from Ritchey. The threadless, integrated headset is from Cane Creek. The main bars are a comfortable semi-swept back design reminiscent of the On One Mary. The adjustable, bolt-on “Joe Bars” provide an extra, more aerodynamic hand position for longer rides; you’ll either love or hate these depending upon your aesthetic preferences and riding style. If, by chance, you don’t like them, they can easily be removed.

Ride Quality

The first thing I noticed when I jumped on the Finesse is its long, open cockpit. The top tube on my 56cm test bike is 24.2″ long, approximately 2″ longer than the top tubes on the 56cm Surly LHT and 54cm Civia Hyland I’ve been riding this past year. Some of this can be mitigated with either a short stem or by choosing a frame size based upon top tube length, but the designer undoubtedly intended that the rider be stretched out into an aerodynamic position on this bike. The design works well on open roads where the Finesse feels like it’s on rails once up to speed. It tracks solidly through sweeping turns and it’s a real treat on rollers and winding descents. As might be expected, this high speed stability comes with a price; the Finesse is slightly less user-friendly at low speeds than bikes with more compact, upright cockpits.

Like most modern bikes with aluminum frames and carbon forks, the Finesse’s frame is relatively stiff, though I wouldn’t go so far to call it harsh. Road vibration is well dampened, probably owing mostly to the carbon fork and Marathon Racer tires. The stiff bottom bracket and rear triangle help to impart a pleasant feeling of connectedness to the road. Overall, the Finesse is a confidence inspiring bike with a solid, yet lively feel.

Conclusion

The Breezer Finesse doesn’t try to be all things to all people. It’s one of a growing number of high performance commuters, unapologetically designed to get from point A to point B with minimal effort and maximum speed, while providing many of the amenities expected on a commuter bike such as fenders, lights, a rack, and a protected drivetrain. This isn’t a bike for hauling groceries or locking up to a parking meter all day, but if you have a long commute over varied terrain and you want to cover the distance quickly and with confidence, the Finesse is the perfect bike for the job.

Specifications

MSRP: $1,799
Frame: Butted aluminum, eccentric bottom bracket, disc and V-brake mounts, Breeze-In dropouts
Fork: Carbon fiber blades, disc mounts; option for V-brake mounts
Headset: Cane Creek, fully integrated, threadless
Crank: Shimano Alfine with external bottom bracket
Brakes: Shimano Alfine hydraulic disc
Seatpost: Ritchey Carbon Pro
Saddle: Velo Plush multi-density, tubular Cro-Mo rails
Stem: Ritchey Adjustable, 3D-forged aluminum, +/- 45 degrees
Handlebars: Swept Townies with Joe Bars, ergo grips
Rear Rack: Breezer Truss sport rack with 14-inch bed
Headlight: B&M Lumotec IQ Fly Senso Plus
Tail light: B&M LED Toplight-Plus
Shifter: Shimano Alfine 8-speed Rapidfire Plus
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Racer 700x35C
Wheel (Rear): Shimano Alfine Internal 8-speed, Shimano WH-S500V rim, double-butted spokes
Wheel (Front): Shimano Alfine Dynamo, Shimano WH-S500V rim, double-butted spokes
Size as Tested: 56cm/22″

Credits

Many thanks to Advanced Sports/Breezer for supplying the Finesse used for this road test. —Alan

Breezer →

Streetfilms →

Every so often, as the sun’s coming up, and you have a good tail wind, and the pavement is as smooth as polished marble, and it’s so quiet that all you can hear is the wind in your ears and the light hum of your tires, you suddenly feel as if you’re flying and you realize what a lucky dog you are to be on a bike and not stuck in traffic in one of those internal combustion cages called automobiles.

Photo © Streetsblog

Not that long ago it was unthinkable, but this past weekend the stretch of Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets in New York’s Times Square was turned into a public space and closed to cars indefinitely. From the New York Times:

The closure is part of NYCDOYT’s “Green Light for Midtown” program aimed at reducing congestion and improving livability in Midtown Manhattan.

More at Streetsblog →
More in the NYT →
More at NYCDOT →

A good friend of mine is an outdoor adventurer of sorts. His agenda for the next few years includes hiking/climbing in Nepal, a trans-global motorcycle expedition, and a 6-month hike from New Mexico to Canada on the Continental Divide Trail.

My aspirations are not nearly so loftly. Mostly I hope to continue bicycle commuting on a daily basis with the goal of eventually going completely car-free, and someday I’d love to build a green retirement home.

My friend is an environmentally conscious person, but he’s yet to fully embrace the idea of bike commuting. His commute is essentially the same as mine and I’ve been subtly working on him for a while now, dropping little hints and pointing out how easy it would be to leave his car at home. So when we met up the other morning for a bike ride and stop at a local coffee house for breakfast, I used the ride as an opportunity to demonstrate how pleasant bike commuting can be. Instead of taking the direct route to the cafe, I followed my morning commute route, taking only back roads and trails, and avoiding the main automobile commuter routes. It was quite a pleasant ride, with little to no traffic and perfect weather. Along the trail we heard multiple pheasants calling while we admired the wildflowers sprouting in the vernal pools and the rabbits only partially concealed in the brush. Pretty sneaky, huh?

We eventually made it to the coffee shop and spent a couple of hours chewing the fat about traveling, bicycling, cameras, and whatever else came to mind; it was a good time. On the way home, when we stopped to part ways, my friend mentioned how much he enjoyed our little adventure and he said “It really is the simple things in life, isn’t it?” I couldn’t agree more. And although I didn’t say it, I had the thought that regardless of where we’re at in the world (even our own neighborhood), the bicycle has the power to get us out there and put us in touch with those simple things.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday today. Our festivities wrapped up early, but the afternoon was so beautiful and the weather was so perfect that we couldn’t bring ourselves to sit around inside the house, so we spent the afternoon hanging out in the backyard. Being one of those people who has a tough time sitting still, I became antsy pretty quickly so I took the opportunity to wash the bikes. With a bucket of warm, soapy water and a hose it took all of 30 minutes to clean all four. They won’t stay that way long, but there’s something nice about a bike room full of sparkling machines. My wife wanted me to point out that there are four bikes in our stable (plus a tandem that we share), but only one of them is hers. She still doesn’t understand why someone would need 3 1/2 bikes. What I don’t understand is how someone could be satisfied with just one!

Parked in front of the grocery store, picking up dinner fixin’s and fresh fruit for smoothies.

Greenlight is an online portal for bicycle commuters that enables riders to track their miles while competing in bike commuting “leagues”. From Greenlight:

You can sign up as an individual to track your personal miles, or if you’d like to participate in the competition, you can join one of the teams and your miles will contribute to the team total. I set up an EcoVelo team; right now I’m the lone team member, but I’d love to have some team mates if you’re interested.

Greenlight is by far the best mileage logging application I’ve seen, with teams, leagues, a forum, and many cool features that streamline the data entry process. Plus, I like the fact that the site is oriented toward commuters and utility bicyclists.

Greenlight →

Gettin’ ready for the holiday festivities. That there’s a 19 pounder.

Photo © Sacramento Bee

My local newspaper, the Sacramento Bee, published a cover story today about a popular training ride that takes place on Saturday mornings in the foothills east of Sacramento. The so-called “Coffee Republic” ride is a decades-old training ride for amateur racers that can attract as many as 80 or more participants. According to the article, the Coffee Republic ride is fast and loose, with unlawful riding a common occurrence within the group.

I’ve never ridden with the Coffee Republic group so I can’t comment on this ride in particular, but I did participate in what sound like similar rides back in the 80s and 90s. The article suggests that a pack mentality can encourage unsafe and discourteous riding, an idea that certainly mirrors my experience with some of the competitive club rides in which I participated.

Just to be clear, a large majority of competitive cyclists are responsible road users and excellent ambassadors for bicycling, just as a majority of transportational bicyclists obey the rules of the road and treat their fellow road users with respect. The problem is the small number of bicyclists who flout traffic laws and behave as if they own the road, in the process creating unnecessary ill will and giving law abiding bicyclists a bad name.

Read the Sac Bee article →