(R)evolutions Per Minute: Cargo Bikes in the U.S.
You’ve gotta’ watch this.
Trek 2012
Belleville
A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned Trek’s Cocoa, their new Dutch-inspired city bike. It’s also worth noting that Trek’s Belleville, Soho Deluxe, and Transport city bikes from last year are going to continue to be produced for 2012.
The Belleville is a vintage-inspired 3-speed with a porteur-style front rack, dynamo hub and lights, and internal gear drivetrain. This is a unique bike among their line-up and I hope they sell well next year so that Trek is encouraged to produce more bikes in this vein.
Soho Deluxe
The Soho Deluxe is Trek’s take on what is becoming the standard speedy, belt drive commuter. For 2012 it will continue to be spec’d with an Alfine 8 internal gear hub and Gates belt.
Transport
The Transport is Trek’s version of the longtail cargo bike. It’s being marketed as part of the “Gary Fisher Collection”. I’m encouraged that we have a cargo bike being produced by a large company like Trek.
Trek has other urban bikes in their line-up, but these are the three that catch my eye. My take is that these are important bikes because they (perhaps) have a better chance of ending up in mainstream bike shops than similar transpo bikes from smaller manufacturers. And, of course, the more transpo bikes we have in neighborhood shops, the more likely people are to start thinking about bikes as something more than sporting goods.
Bicycle Commuter Profile: Jason Repko
Name: Jason Repko
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Started bike commuting: several years ago
Commute distance (one way): 9.3 miles
Describe your commute: I commute from Seward Park along Lake Washington, up to the Arboretum and to the University of Washington. The first 6+ miles is a lower stress road along the lakefront with 25mph limits, although cars typically travel 35mph or more in morning rush hour. Signs post that bicycles have the right of way, though I don’t believe a quiz of most automobile drivers would reveal their knowledge of the sign’s existence. The last three miles include a short climb and then a descent into heavy traffic. I vary the last part from time to time through different neighborhood streets.
Describe your bike and accessories: Workcycles.nl Omafiets classic loop frame Dutch bike. 8 Speed internal Nexus rear hub, internal hub roller brakes, front generator hub runs both front (B&M Lumotec IQ Cyo RT), and rear (B&M) lights. 29″ wheels, full coverage fenders, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, Brooks B67, Clarjis rear paniers, Basil briefcase, full coverage chaincase, AXA Defender wheel lock + a chain and a NYC Faghettaboutit U-Lock.
What bit of advice would you like to share with new bike commuters?: If you have a substantial bike commute and you ride it regularly, get yourself a bike you really like and a couple of good locks for it. If you’re putting the mileage on, you’ll want to love what you ride. I certainly do.
[Visit our Bicycle Commuter Profiles page to add your profile to the collection. —ed.]
Bicycle Commuter Profile: Teemu K.
Name: Teemu K.
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Started bike commuting: –
Commute distance (one way): 7 km
Describe your commute: Around 7 km (one-way), mostly on cycling trails along car roads. Depending on traffic lights this route takes 20-25 minutes. In pretty weather I often ride a longer route along parks and trails. Snow and ice are an issue during winter months; in winter I run studded tires. My employer provides a shower and lockerroom at work, and I have a towel, and office clothes waiting for me in my locker.
Describe your bike and accessories: My current favorite commuter is a brown Surly Cross Check 2010 which I assembled myself last winter. I have removed all Surly logos and decals. The Cross Check absorbs bumps well providing a smooth ride, and with 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires I think the bike is very fast despite of being made out of heavy steel. I’ve setup the bike with Nitto B105AA drop bars, and prior to that I ran a Soma 3-speed moustache bar; I still haven’t decided which one I like better. Since there is not that much elevation around here, and because I enjoy simplicity, I run 1×8 gears with a Shimano bar end shifter in friction mode on the right hand bar end. To the left I have a mirror, I really don’t want to ride without a mirror in traffic. For some luxury I have a Brooks B17 Special honey-coloured saddle and matching handle bar tape. The cranks and 44 tooth chainring are from Sturmey-Archer and mudguards are from the SKS chromoplastics line. This is a perfect commuter and a comfortable touring bike. I’ve ridden it some 3000km during this season, out of which 245 km during a single day, with a rear rack and Ortlieb panniers. I transport my lunchbox, spare tire, pump and basic tools and spare clothes in a Ortlieb handlebar bag (not pictured).
What bit of advice would you like to share with new bike commuters?: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.”
[Visit our Bicycle Commuter Profiles page to add your profile to the collection. —ed.]
