EcoVelo » Stuff We Like

Stuff We Like: Poster Cabaret Bicycle Prints

Alan — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:15:02 +0000

In celebration of National Bike Month, Poster Cabaret recently published their 2010 Bicycle Poster Print Set. 16 prints by 15 artists — all hand-made screen prints and way cool. We love these prints!

Stuff We Like: Velocity Dyad Rims

Alan — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:17:01 +0000

The Velocity Dyad is a tough, no frills, 700c commuting/touring/tandem rim available in 32, 36, 40, and 48 holes in either black or silver finish, with or without machined sidewalls. The 36-hole version laced to any decent hub makes a completely bomb-proof commuting wheel.

Stuff We Like: Plastic Fenders

Alan — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:12:50 +0000

I love Honjo metal fenders. I've had them on a number of bikes over the years and the classic look they impart is extremely pleasing to my eye. I also love the look of wooden fenders. I had a set on my old "Riv-ized" Easy Racers TE and I currently have bamboo fenders on my Civia Loring. As attractive as they can be, the downside to metal and wooden fenders is that they can be fairly fragile. I had a set of wooden fenders split on me, and I've damaged more than one metal fender beyond repair.

Stuff We Like: Cable-Actuated Disc Brakes

Alan — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:46:58 +0000

While I prefer the aesthetics of a delicate, high profile cantilever or a classic, dual-pivot caliper, I have to admit that nothing quite beats the overall performance of a cable-actuated disc brake (also known as "mechanical" disc brakes). Drum/roller brakes are heavy and generally provide only mediocre braking performance, and most every other type of performance brake uses the rim wall for a braking surface, a fact that guarantees your rims will be toast long before your hubs go.

Stuff We Like: Twine

Alan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:25:19 +0000

I like twine. Some people think it’s snooty (whatever), but I just think it’s fun to work with and more attractive than electrical tape. If you’ve wanted to give it a try but haven’t yet, here are a couple of how-to’s… Rivendell [PDF] → Epicurean Cyclist [YouTube] → Related posts:The Epicurean Cyclist Riv Vids Riv [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Busch & MÃ¼ller Ixon

Alan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:22:40 +0000

The Busch & Müller Ixon is an oldie but a goodie. This light has been on the market at least a couple of years, which is eons in the fast-paced world of bike lighting, but it still has some characteristics that makes it an excellent choice as a secondary bike light. My ideal light set-up [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Rivendell/Nitto Big Back Rack

Alan and Michael — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:26:03 +0000

We’re fortunate that we have the opportunity to play with a wide variety of commuting gear. We’ve been particularly inundated with bags and racks this past year. As much as we enjoy testing new equipment, it’s been a little puzzling, and more than a little frustrating, that many of the panniers and rear racks we [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Gino Light Mount

Alan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:05:52 +0000

The clever little Gino Light Mount bolts on to any M5 threaded eyelet, rackmount, or braze on and accepts any headlight with a standard handlebar-type clamp. It’s a must-have item on bikes with Moustache handlebars or any other bar that doesn’t have a straight section on which to mount a battery-powered headlight. It also allows [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Rivendell Sackville Bags

Alan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:27:48 +0000

Rivendell Bicycle Works is primarily known for their beautiful, intelligently designed, lugged-steel bicycles. Theyâ€™re also credited for helping to revive and keep alive traditional items such as wool clothing, leather saddles, platform pedals, and canvas bags. What some people may not realize is that Rivendell is nearly as passionate about bag making as they are [...] Related posts:

A Cozy Cap

Alan and Michael — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:59:39 +0000

Dibs! We have an entire closet full of hats for riding, everything from old school cotton caps to high tech balaclavas, but it seems we always end up fighting over who gets dibs on the Pace merino wool cap. Casey at Spokepunchers sent us a sample a while back and now it’s everyone’s favorite. Soft, [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Gates Carbon Drive Systems

Alan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:35:55 +0000

Recently I’ve been riding the new Raleigh Alley Way outfitted with a Gates Carbon Drive and Shimano Alfine internal gear hub. I’ve never experienced such a smooth, quiet drivetrain. It feels like an over-oiled fixed-gear drivetrain, but with 8 speeds and no grease stains; completely clean, smooth, crisp, and quiet. From all reports the bugs [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Pletscher Deluxe Top Plate

Alan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:21:58 +0000

The Pletscher Deluxe Top Plate replaces the standard top plate that comes with the Pletscher Double kickstand (a top plate is used on bicycles that don’t have a kickstand plate welded between the chainstays). The Deluxe Top Plate includes the metal plate, two plastic sleeves to protect the chainstays and a longer mounting bolt. The [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Planet Bike Superflash

Alan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:19:12 +0000

Not much to say here. The PB Superflash is widely acknowledged as the best little battery powered tail light on the market. Bright, light, reliable, and tough. We’ve been using them for a few years now with no issue. With one or two of these on the back of a bike I have no worries [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: MKS Sylvan Touring Pedals

Alan — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:11:40 +0000

MKS Sylvan Touring Pedals are essentially copies of the old Lyotard and Campagnolo touring pedals. They aren’t the grippiest pedals out there, they don’t offer the most support, they’re relatively heavy, and they don’t even have the best bearings among the various offerings from MKS, but all that said, they’re still my favorite pedals. Maybe [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Tires

Alan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:15:12 +0000

The Marathon Supreme is Schwalbe’s top-of-the-line touring tire. It serves as an exceptional commuting tire as well. It’s extremely durable and flat-resistant, it’s relatively light and fast (37-622mm = 440 grams), it’s grippy in corners but rolls like crazy, it has a nice round profile, it has a supple feel and absorbs road shock better [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Silver Shifters

Alan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:26:27 +0000

These are my favorite shifters. In my opinion they’re much nicer than Shimano bar-ends. They’re longer than the Shimano for better leverage, the ratchet is velvety smooth, and they have a subtle contour that lays nicely across the palm. Friction only. Nearly perfect. Silver Shifters → Related posts:Paul Thumbies Stick Versus Automatic Old Favorites Random [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: Crane Brass Bell

Alan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:14:02 +0000

Who doesn’t love a Japanese brass bell? This is the larger size from Crane that is plenty loud — 50% louder than the little brass bells that aren’t quite loud enough, and louder even than your typical “ding – ding” bells from your LBS. Every bike should have one. Related posts:Ding, Ding Fluted Honjos Belly! [...] Related posts:

Stuff We Like: El-Duke Degreaser

Alan — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:43:00 +0000

I’ve been asking around, looking for a better degreaser, one that’s non-toxic but really works. A few people suggested El-Duke, so I ordered up a bottle and gave it a try. Dribbled it on, let it work, rinsed with water, and voilà — clean parts. Couldn’t be simpler. And because El-Duke is soy-based, it does [...] Related posts: