There was a time when I was a self-confessed magazine junkie, but in a effort to reduce my paper waste, I’ve let most of my subscriptions expire over the past few years. Fortunately, two of the best magazines covering utility cycling, A to B and Velo Vision, are both available online through a service called Exact Editions. Exact Editions “brings magazines to the digital age” by offering online subscriptions to popular magazines across a wide range of subjects.

So how does it work? Once you pay for a subscription, electronic issues are loaded into a secure account area where you can read full versions of the current issue and back issues (depending upon the magazine, back issues may go as far back as 7-8 years). As new issues go to “print”, they’re automatically added to your account area, and you continue to have access to all back issues as new issues are added. The electronic editions are usually available before the print editions, a selling point for those who anxiously await each issue.

The Exact Editions interface is one of the best online magazine interfaces I’ve seen, providing the ability to zoom each page and navigate through the document using embedded hyperlinks, spread thumbnails, and navigation buttons on the interface. In my opinion, the EE interface is even better than a high quality, fully bookmarked and linked PDF document. The page scans are high resolution, and if you have a high quality monitor, the reading experience is arguably as good as reading traditional paper magazines.

Electronic subscriptions are a great way to reduce paper waste and the pollution associated with printing and shipping. And as an added bonus, Exact Editions subscriptions are less expensive than comparable paper subscriptions offered through magazine publishers. Highly recommended.

Trial issue of A to B magazine at Exact Editions →
Trial issue of Velo Vision magazine at Exact Editions →

Quite a few people have asked me about the handlebars on my Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT). Following are the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions:

1. They’re not stock.
2. They’re made by Nitto and they’re named “North Road”.
3. They can be ordered through any dealer that orders parts from Quality Bicycle Parts.
4. There are two versions, one aluminum alloy, the other CroMo steel. The alloy version usually has a red “heat-treated” sticker at the center knurling, the steel does not.
5. The steel version accepts Shimano bar-end shifters, the alloy does not.
6. They fit the stock LHT stem, but depending upon how upright you want to sit, you may need to change the stem.
7. You’ll need to replace the stock road levers with mountain bike-style levers.
8. They accept mountain bike grips. If you want to use cork grips with bar-end shifters, be ready for some surgery (e-mail me for instructions).
9. They’re supremely comfortable and turn the LHT into a capable city bike.
10. I luv ‘em!

Waaay back in ‘05, my pal Perry over at The Velvet Foghorn wrote a wonderful piece about the Rivendell Albatross bar, also made by Nitto. The Albatross is a close cousin to the North Road, but it has a little less rise and slightly softer bends. If you like the North Road, you’ll probably like the Albatross as well. Check out Perry’s article here.

It’s that time of year. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, and it’s time to dust off the bike lights and charge the batteries.

I’ve used many different lighting set-ups over the years, and I think what I’ve finally learned is that there is no one perfect lighting set-up; as long as basic safety requirements are met, it doesn’t really matter what lights you use. The important thing is to see, and be seen.

With that in mind, listed below are a few of my old (and not so old) articles on bike lights. Take them for what they’re worth, and keep in mind that I don’t currently agree with everything I’ve written in the past. Please take note of the dates; some of the older reviews are no longer valid, but I thought they should be included because they may provide a few kernels of pertinent information.

• The L&M Vega
• Headlamps
• Blinded By the Light
• Flashing Tail Lights
• Light Show
• Two Heads Are Better Than One
• Shedding a Little Light on Lights
• More on Lights and a Quick Review
• The SON Hub Revisited
• The DiNotte 140L
• The Busch & Muller IQ Fly
• The Fenix L2D
• Charge It

I’m currently running a pair of Fenix L2D headlights and a pair of Planet Bike Superflash tail lights, all powered by rechargeable NiMH batteries. Inquiring minds want to know; what are you using for lights this season? (leave a comment below)

Bicycling & the Law is a must read for anyone that rides a bicycle on public roads in the U.S. In the book, author Bob Mionske (former pro cyclist, Velo News columnist, and lawyer specializing in cycling law) lays out cyclists’ rights and responsibilities in a comprehensive and comprehensible manner. Bicycling & the Law was clearly written by a cyclist, for cyclists.

Topics covered include: rights and duties; accidents; insurance; harassment; theft; defective products; and liability waivers. I found the section on social bias against cyclists particularly interesting (Mionske recently wrote about this in an article for Velo News).

Bicycling & the Law is an essential reference that sits on my bookshelf next to Forester’s Effective Cycling and Wilson’s Bicycling Science. Highly recommended.

Velo Press 2007
Paperback, 5 1/4″ x 9 1/4″, 384 pp.
ISBN-13: 978-1-931382-99-1
ISBN-10: 1-931382-99-9
$18.95

Acorn Bags are hand-made in Southern California using traditional materials such as heavy-duty cotton duck, leather straps, and steel buckles. Each bag is made to order and is hand-cut, hand-riveted, stitched, and assembled by the husband/wife owners. I recently purchased an Acorn Small Handlebar Bag and 2 Strap Roll Bag.

Small Handlebar Bag
The Small Handlebar Bag is, well, a small handlebar bag. Like all their bags, it’s made from attractive, heavy cotton duck. It has two, short leather straps for attaching to the handlebar, and one longer strap for securing the top flap. Under the top flap is a zippered pocket large enough to hold a wallet, keys, small camera, and multi-tool. It’s a simple, functional bag, with its main feature being super clean and precise construction.

2 Strap Roll Bag
The 2 Strap Roll Bag is a sophisticated take on the old “burrito wrap” tool holder. It attaches to saddlebag loops such as those found on a Brooks saddle, and when the straps are unbuckled, the bag unfurls, exposing three zippered pockets that easily hold a spare tube, multi-tool, patch kit and tire irons. The leather logo tab also serves as a clip holder for a rear blinkie (the PB Superflash fits perfectly). Like the handlebar bag, the 2 Strap Roll Bag is beautifully constructed and should take on a nice patina as it wears-in over the years.

Ordering
Because Acorn is such a small company, supply has not always met demand. As a consequence, they’ve undertaken an unusual order process as follows:

Acorn Bags are very competitively priced, particularly considering they’re completely hand-made in the U.S. from high-quality materials. You have to jump through a hoop to get one, but if you don’t mind waiting until the first of the month to place your order, the turnaround time is reasonable and the owners are a pleasure to deal with. Highly recommended.

Visit the Acorn Bags website →

Princeton Tec has a new tail light dubbed the “Swerve” that is designed to compete with the popular Planet Bike Superflash. It features two high-powered LEDs (one with a diffused beam, the other with a focused beam), and two modes (one steady and one flash). It comes with a versatile mount that works on a fork, handlebar, seatstay, or seatpost, and it has a built-in clip for mounting on a helmet, jersey, or seat bag.

The Swerve, with its pair of 0.5 watt LEDS, should be brighter than the Superflash. I’ve seen side-by-side video beam shots comparing the two and it appears the baseline output of the Swerve may be brighter, but the strobe flash of the Superflash is definitely more eye-catching and intense. It just goes to show that there’s more to a light than numbers on a spec sheet. I was planning on picking up a Swerve, but after seeing the beam shots, I think I’ll stick with my Superflash for now. At $24.95 the Swerve is a great deal and a viable alternative, but it doesn’t look like Planet Bike has too much to worry about quite yet.

If Marshall Flinkman, Q, and MacGyver got together to design a pannier, it would probably resemble the Arkel Bug - this thing has more bells-and-whistles than any other pannier on the market. Its many features include an integrated helmet holder, integrated U-Lock holder, rain cover pocket, quick access top pocket, “air-dry” mesh pockets front and rear, “stealth” pocket for stashing valuables, “mushroom” opening for easy access to the main compartment, multiple hi-vis reflective strips, and an internal slip pocket for carrying papers. If that wasn’t enough, it quickly converts into a backpack for carrying off the bike and, of course, it uses the excellent Arkel “Cam-Lock” hook system for attaching to a rack.

I recently picked up a Bug to use in conjunction with a Metro Basket grocery pannier (see my Metro Basket review here). I’ll use the Bug for carrying all of my work related stuff: change of clothes, lunch, transit pass, papers, glasses, keys, wallet, meds, DVDs, memory sticks, etc. Because it will function as a briefcase/daypack and house my valuables, the Bug will stay with me at all times when I’m off the bike. The Metro Basket, on the other hand, will stay on the bike as a catch-all for picking up mail, groceries, etc., on the way to-and-from work. Between these two very different bags, I should have all the bases covered for my weekday commutes and errand runs.

The Bug’s large number of pockets are probably overkill for touring, where it’s often better to organize items into smaller waterproof bags to be stored inside large pannier pockets. But the Bug is not designed for touring. Instead, it’s intended to serve as an all-purpose bag for the multi-modal commuter or student who rides to a destination, then carries the bag with them. The Bug’s large number of pockets make it easy to organize everything that’s needed for a day at the office, effectively replacing a briefcase, courier bag, or daypack.

It’s the Bug’s quick-change backpack functionality that really makes it unique. By simply pulling open a pair of panels that are held in place by Velcro strips, the backpack straps are exposed for use. On your back, the Bug is as comfortable as any high-quality daypack and functions in much the same manner. And when you arrive back at your bike it takes just a few seconds to stow the straps and turn the Bug back into a pannier. Pretty cool.

Arkel’s “Cam-Lock” attachment system is clever and easy to use (and arguably the best on the market). The spring loaded attachment hooks are on cams (hence the name); pulling up on the carrying handle opens the hooks, releasing the handle closes the hooks. It couldn’t be simpler. Because they’re cam actuated, the hooks will fit any rack with tubing from 8mm - 15mm in diameter without adjustment.

The quality of materials and workmanship that goes into all Arkel products is superb. The Bug is no exception. Arkel uses heavy-duty Cordura nylon, alloy hardware, and heavy-duty YYK zippers throughout. You won’t find a more well-made bag. The only downside is that you pay a premium for such quality - at $165 the Bug is quite expensive (that’s for one pannier). But if you do make the investment, you can rest easy because all Arkel bags are covered under a fully transferrable lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship (including seams).

Only time will tell how well the Bug holds up under daily use, but if it’s anything at all like the other Arkel bags I’ve owned, it should perform exceptionally well. I’ll write a follow-up report later in the year once it’s seen some wear-and-tear.

Specifications
Capacity: 1500 cu. in.
Dimensions: 17″ x 12.5″ x 7.5″
Weight: 2.6 lbs.
Price: $165 (USD)

• Arkel Website

Bike commuters have more choices than ever when it comes to bike lighting. The possibilities include: headlights with multiple low-output LEDs that are powered by standard AAA or AA batteries (such as the Cateye EL-220); headlights with a single high-output LED that are either powered by rechargeable internal NiMH batteries or a separate NiMH or Li-Ion battery pack (such as the L&M Vega); headlights with multiple high output LEDs that are almost always powered by a high capacity Li-Ion battery pack (such as the NiteRider TriNewt); integrated generator systems; and high output LED flashlights and headlamps repurposed as bike lights. There are still a few halogen and HID headlights on the market, but with LEDs becoming more efficient and cheaper all the time, lights other than LEDs are on the way out.

I’ve recommended generator systems in the past and I still feel that a high-quality hub generator system is the ultimate for commuters that ride in the dark on a daily basis. You can’t beat a SON hub combined with a high-quality LED headlight such as the B&M IQ Fly or the Schmidt Edelux. The downside to such systems is that they are quite expensive (they can run upwards of $700) and for the most part they need to be dedicated to one bike because a wheel has to be hand-built around the generator hub. For some, the convenience is worth the expense, though others may balk at a $500-$700 lighting system, particularly if it’s to be used on an inexpensive commuter bike.

Battery-powered systems with multiple high-output LEDs are the brightest, but they’re arguably overkill for commuting. Most were designed specifically for endurance racing and, like generator systems, they can be quite expensive ($350-$1000). Again, many people will balk at a headlight that costs more than their bike, particularly because a compact LED system can so easily be stolen.

I’m guessing most people would agree that lights in the $25-$200 price range are more realistic for commuting. There are many lights on the market in this price range (far too many to cover here), and generally, the more you pay, the more you get in performance. Surprisingly, some of the best values are found in high-performance LED flashlights, not bike-specific headlights.

Fenix L2D
The Fenix L2D LED flashlight is commonly recommended for use as a bike light. I first heard about it over at the CandlePower Forums. (For the uninitiated, the CandlePower Forums are the equivalent of our BikeForums, but for flashlight fanatics.) After hearing so many people at the forum recommend the L2D as a bike light, I decided to pick one up for myself to see what all the fuss is about.

The L2D is available in a few different configurations; I ordered what is called the “L2D CE Premium Q5″ with a smooth reflector. The specifications are as follows:

• Price: $59.50
• Emitter: Lifetime Cree 7090 XR-E LED
• Max Output: 180 lumens @ 2.4 hours
• Batteries: 2/1.5V AA (alkaline, NiMH, or lithium)
• Body: Hard-anodized aluminum
• Waterproofing: IPX-8 standard
• Lens: Optical glass

The L2D has 6 output levels: 4 in standard mode (3 levels and 1 strobe) and 2 in turbo mode (1 steady and 1 strobe). Twisting the light head changes the light from standard to turbo mode. Within each mode, the different output levels are accessed by a button on the back of the light. The same button also serves as the on/off switch. I suspect most people will use the brighter turbo mode for commuting. The flashlight instructions warn against running in turbo mode for over 10 minutes at a time for fear of overheating, but from all reports this is not an issue, particularly on a bicycle where the airflow will keep the light sufficiently cool.

On the highest setting, the L2D’s output is 180 lumens with a runtime of 2.4 hours (over twice the output of the popular L&M Vega). On the next highest setting, the output is 107 lumens with a runtime of 4 hours. The fact that this little flashlight puts out 180 lumens for over two hours on only 2 AA batteries is nothing short of amazing.

B&M Ixon, L&M Vega, Fenix L2D

The L2D’s beam pattern is circular with a marked bright spot in the center that fades out quickly toward the edges. This is typical of most LED flashlights and bike lights manufactured for the U.S. market. I prefer a more controlled Euro-style beam (see above left), but there’s currently nothing coming out of Europe that comes close to the L2D at this price.

The light body is nicely machined and is plenty waterproof for cycling. Officially it’s consider “water-resistant” or “dunkable” which is more than enough for bike commuting in the rain.

Mounting the L2D requires an accessory mount of some sort. The Twofish Lockblock is a simple, effective, and inexpensive mount that can be clamped onto a handlebar or any other tube that would normally be used for mounting a headlight. For a mounting position other than the handlebar, a Lockblock used in conjunction with a Terracycle Accessory Mount should make it possible to mount an L2D almost anywhere on a bike.

Since most people will want to run the L2D in turbo mode, I highly recommend rechargeable NiMH batteries over disposable alkalines. I have a couple dozen rechargeable NiMH batteries that I use for my LED headlights and tail lights, cameras, wireless keyboards, wireless mice, and whatever else requires a AA battery in the household, and I was able to drop the L2D into the charging rotation without purchasing more batteries.

Conclusion
The Fenix L2D is widely regarded as the best high-performance LED flashlight in its price range. It uses a high-end Cree emitter that produces an output of 180 lumens for 2.4 hours on 2 AA batteries, all housed in a lightweight, but tough, water-resistant body. At under $60 it is probably the best value on the market in a bike light. The fact that it’s marketed as a “flashlight” should not discourage anyone from considering it for use as a serious headlight for bike commuting.

A bike used for everyday transportation needs to have more carrying capacity than a bike used for recreation (other than touring). A simple seat bag or rack trunk doesn’t have the capacity for a typical errand run that might involve a bag of groceries, a couple of library books, and the day’s mail delivery. Standard panniers are one solution, though they tend to be a little bulky when not in use, and some models are overly complex with a number of unnecessary pockets and compartments. More appropriate for around town use are what are classified as “commuter” or “grocery bag” panniers. These are simple panniers with one main compartment and no lid, specifically sized to hold a grocery bag with a little room left over for other small items. Popular models include the Utility Basket from Arkel, the Grocery Bag Pannier from Jandd, and the Metro Basket from Inertia Designs. They are usually sold as individual panniers, though certainly a person can buy two if they need the extra carrying capacity.

I recently purchased a Metro Basket from Inertia Designs. It looks to be an excellent product. Like the other “grocery bag” panniers on the market, the Metro Basket is sized to roughly fit a standard grocery bag. It’s made from heavy-duty Cordura fabric and the stitching looks very good. The mounting system is all metal and is easily adjustable fore-and-aft for heel clearance. It has a metal internal frame that holds the pannier open while in use. When not in use, the pannier folds flat against the bike and is held closed with a clip; it’s a slick design. It comes with a padded shoulder strap in case you want to carry it in the store and use it as your shopping bag; with the Metro Basket no more “paper or plastic” is needed. All Inertia Designs’ products are made in the U.S.A. (Santa Barbara) and come with a full lifetime warranty.

My intention is to leave the folded Metro Basket on the bike at all times and just pop it open when needed. On the other side of the rack I’ll have an Arkel “Bug” convertible backpack/commuting pannier (review coming next week). In it I’ll carry all of my work related stuff: transit pass, papers, glasses, keys, wallet, DVDs, memory sticks, etc. Because it will function as a briefcase and house my valuables, the Bug will stay with me at all times and won’t be left on the bike like the Metro. Between these two very different bags, I should have all the bases covered for my weekday commuting and errand running. We’ll continue to use our larger Basil panniers (mounted on our Pashleys) for our big weekend restocking excursions to the grocery store, hardware store, and farmer’s market.

Maha Powerex MH-C401FS

Relatively inexpensive, low-powered LED lights, strategically located on the bike and rider, can dramatically increase your visual footprint and increase the probability of being seen by motor vehicle drivers. Considering the high quality and low cost of LED lights today, adding two or three to your lighting set-up may be the best investment you can make to increase your safety (assuming you ride at night, of course).

A bevy of small lights may be very effective, but if you’re like me, you tire of throwing away spent batteries every few weeks and polluting the environment unnecessarily. In addition to a SON generator lighting system, my set-up includes a 1-watt Luxeon headlamp, a Cateye white flasher, and a Planet Bike rear flasher. In all, it takes 8 batteries to keep the LEDs running. The flashers aren’t so bad, but the headlamp burns through batteries at an alarming rate. Somehow, throwing away spent alkaline cells doesn’t mesh well with the concept of riding a bike to minimize one’s personal impact on the planet. And if that isn’t enough, that’s a lot of money going into the trash can every few weeks. The solution? Rechargeable NiMH batteries.

If you decide to switch to rechargeables, you’ll need a good charger and a set of high quality NiMH batteries. A quality charger is at least as important as having quality batteries; some chargers over-charge and can damage batteries, others under-charge and require too frequent charging. One of the best deals on a quality charger for AA and AAA batteries is the Maha Powerex MH-C401FS. It charges four AA or AAA NiMH or NiCD batteries in either 100 minutes in “fast charge” mode or 5 hours in “gentle charge” mode (gentle charge mode runs cooler and is easier on batteries). It has four independent channels to charge and monitor each battery individually - this allows each battery to be charged fully without the risk of overcharging. Once the batteries reach full charge it supplies a trickle to keep them topped off. You can read a full review of the MH-C401FS at Imaging Resource.

For batteries, any high quality, name brand NiMH battery will work fine. Look for a high milliamp hour (mAh) rating (900-1000 mAh in AAA, 2500-2700 mAh in AA) - the higher the number, the longer the time between charges. It takes a few full charge cycles (fully charged to fully drained) for batteries to reach their full potential charge capacity. Once they’re fully conditioned, expect to recharge your batteries a little more frequently than you replaced your disposables.

My full set-up with charger, 12 AAA NiMH 1000mAh batteries, battery holders, and case, came to approximately $75. My calculations indicate it will pay for itself in less than a year, and in the meantime I have one less little thing nagging my conscience.

Cycling sandals have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason; they’re comfortable, light, convenient, and walkable. I’ve been wearing Shimano sandals for the past 18 months and I find them to be far more comfortable than traditional cycling shoes, both on the bike and walking about. As Sheldon Brown put it, “These are my very favorite footwear. In the summertime I go for weeks on end without ever having anything else on my feet. Far and away the most comfortable cycling footwear ever.“

I too love my Shimano sandals, but I always felt they’d be better with a closed toe box (a la Keen) to keep my toes a little warmer in the winter and provide some protection in the event of a crash. Consequently, I was excited when I caught wind that Keen was coming out with a “Shimano Killer” cycling-specific sandal.

Called the Commuter, Keen’s new bike sandal features a full length SPD compatible plate, a thermoplastic urethane cleat tap plate, and an upper that is nearly identical to Keen’s ever-popular Newport H2. (The Newport H2 is half sandal, half trail running shoe, with open straps and a treaded sole similar to traditional sandals, but with an enclosed toe box for protection.) The Commuter goes a step beyond the Newport with a stiffer sole and more compact tread pattern to narrow the overall profile, resulting in greater crank clearance and a more positive pedal/shoe interface (don’t let the narrower outsole scare you; both sandals are built on the same men’s “D” width last).

The narrower profile is key. My Brompton is outfitted with platform pedals (a necessity due to the nature of the little folding beast) and I found the Newport outsole to be far too wide, with crank interference on the inside and a feeling of tipping off the pedal to the outside. The Commuter, on the other hand, with its narrower profile and stiffer sole, perfectly mates with a standard width platform pedal. There’s also ample clearance with clipless pedals, even on low “Q” cranks like I have on my Tour Easy (this was a bit of a problem with the Shimano sandal). So, whether you’re of the clipless persuasion or, as Grant Petersen puts it, you prefer to pedal “free”, the Commuter is a good fit.

Even with an enclosed toe box, the Commuter feels more like a sandal than a shoe. It’s well ventilated and the upper is supple and easily adjustable using Keen’s unique “bungee cord” lacing system. They can literally be slipped on and off in seconds while being plenty secure for road riding. You do pay a price for the Commuter’s cycling-specific features. Even though it’s not a bad sandal for short walks and even a bit of light (very light) hiking, the wider and more supple Newport is far better for long walks and more demanding conditions. That said, the Commuter is probably the most walkable cycling-specific shoe on the market.

The Commuter successfully combines the ease of use, comfort, and walkability of a sandal with the stiffness and toe protection of a cycling shoe. Because they’re built with the same high quality and attention to detail that is typical of all Keen products, they should provide many seasons of trouble-free use. And who knows, with their enclosed toe box, you might even be able to get away with wearing them around the office!

For more information: www.keenfootwear.com

I’m a big fan of traditional English and Dutch utility bikes. They’re durable, practical, comfortable, and stylish, but they do have a few quirks that make them a bit more difficult to outfit and maintain than your garden variety comfort bike or commuter built for the U.S. market. Many have 700B (635mm) wheels (unusual in the U.S. but standard on Dutch/Chinese/Indian/British roadsters) and non-standard racks that may, or may not, accept panniers from mainstream manufacturers such as Arkel and Ortleib.

My Pashley Roadster Sovereign came outfitted with a non-standard rear rack as mentioned above. Fortunately, Basil Design of the Netherlands manufactures adjustable, strap-on panniers that, unlike most modern panniers, will fit nearly any rack, regardless of tubing diameter or fittings. I recently obtained a set of their Kavan II Natural panniers.

Kavan II Naturals come packaged folded flat. Each bag has 3 stiffeners: one is cloth covered and lays in the bottom of the pannier, and two slide into slots with velcro closures on the front and back (see photos below). The stiffeners are fairly difficult to insert, so I’m assuming the panniers are not designed to be collapsible. Once they’re in place, the bags hold their shape very well, even when fully loaded with groceries or everything needed for a day at the office. The lids are foam filled to give them structure and keep them from sagging as well.

Mounting the Kavan II Naturals is straightforward. The 4 straps at the top of the panniers use a simple sliding loop style fastener, and the single connectors at the base of each pannier use a belt-loop style fastener. The mounting system couldn’t be simpler or more effective, and it’s flexible enough to use on practically any rack made.

With a capacity of 45 liters, these are big bags. They’ll easily haul 4-5 days worth of groceries for 2 people. Some might complain that they’re a little heavy, but if you’re riding a roadster, weight should be the least of your concerns. Personally, I appreciate the fact that they’re overbuilt and should stand up to considerable abuse.

Basil Kavan II Naturals are beautifully constructed. They’re made from heavy weight, water-repellent canvas, with wide straps and brass hardware. They have a substantial feel and I suspect they’ll just improve over time as they take on a nice patina from regular use. They’re tough, yet stylish, with a look that’s fitting for classic euro-style utility bikes. The only drawback I can see is that they require more effort to remove from the bike than “quick-release” type panniers, so they’re not necessarily ideal for commuting if you need to take the bags inside with you. Even so, they’re attractive enough that I suspect many will choose to use them anyway, even on bikes with standard racks that don’t require a strap-on design. Highly recommended.

Available at Velo Orange

My employer is relocating their offices to the core of downtown Sacramento near the Capitol. Frankly, I’m not excited about moving from the historic brick schoolhouse that I’ve worked in for the past eight years to a modern high-rise cube farm in the city center. But there is a silver lining; I’m using the move as a catalyst to shift from a combination of telecommuting and driving, to multimodal commuting via bus, train, and bike. In the process we’re eliminating a car (we’ll now be a 1-car family of 5). Besides being the right thing to do in regards to the environment and our dependence on foreign oil, it’s the equivalent of giving myself an $8,000-$10,000 a year raise.

Click to view the video.

A major issue with many mass transit systems is what is called the “Last Mile Problem”. As Bike Friday’s Alan Scholz describes it, “In personal transit terms, it’s the problem of getting from your house to your bus or train stop, and from there to the office and vice versa - twice a day, when it’s just that little too far to walk.”

My new 60-mile round-trip commute will involve around 12 “last miles”. My plan is to cover those transit gaps on either end by bicycle. Our trains and buses have only limited space for bikes and there’s no guarantee of getting a slot on the racks. Plus, the bike parking at my company’s new location is only marginally secure in a fairly high-crime neighborhood. The solution? A folding bike to carry on the bus and store under my desk during the workday.

The way I see it, a folding bike for regularly carrying on-and-off of buses and in-and-out of elevators needs to collapse down to a clean package no larger than a small suitcase, do it in under 30 seconds, and weigh no more than 25lbs. After much research and hand-wringing I ended up with a Brompton S3L. It’s a compact folder with 16″ (349mm) wheels and a quick fold, that rides very much like a full-sized upright bike (albeit on the “twitchy” side due to the small wheels and compact wheelbase). The most impressive aspect of the Brompton is the folded package; at 22″x22″x10″, it’s the most compact of the conventional folders. With a nylon slip cover pulled over the bike, the package looks more like a musical instrument or suitcase, a good thing when transit or building rules bar the entrance of bicycles.