Comments for EcoVelo

Comment on Contrarian Bike Economics by Steve Fuller

Steve Fuller — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:57:58 +0000

I’m planning on purchasing a new bike yet this year, or early next, once I sell my Corsa. My riding preferences are changing and I think a new Salsa Fargo is going to be in my future.

Comment on Belt Drive by Ken Pendergrass

Ken Pendergrass — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:37:45 +0000

Hey all,
I have about 750 miles ridden on my Soho V which I bought in June. What a fantastic bike, fast! The Alfine just works. I read about the new belt drive several weeks ago, it’s on the Trek site, and am very excited about it. These are not the same belts which were on my mom’s Chevy Nova, very high tech, very light weight. Reason 2; belts have no moving parts to wear out. Pro belts reason 3; Schlumph is making a crank to fit these belts. I am glad to see these belts move so fast from the bike show to the mainstream. Trek is embracing commuting. The kids at my lbs did not even bother to condescend. They were excited to see how much I liked it and told me it would be fast.
Ken

Comment on Contrarian Bike Economics by Alan

Alan — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:34:29 +0000

@JW

I may be a partial, but that sounds like a nice bike. I’d love to see photos of your LHT with the CETMA rack installed..

Comment on Contrarian Bike Economics by Ian / Zyzzyx

Ian / Zyzzyx — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:24:55 +0000

Ah, such timing for this post.

I just got home with my new Quest velomobile this afternoon. Definitely an expenditure for that one. But I’ll have to take credit for helping the global economy, since it came from the Netherlands. Though UPS charged no small fee to bring it here. I’d been saving for it a little bit when I placed the order a year ago. While I could’ve backed out if I needed to, I felt more like a “can’t back out now” feeling, and glad I stuck with it.

Oh, and a few months ago I built up a RANS Street with Xtracycle. Say what ya will about the Xtracycle vs a ‘true’ cargo bike (and yeah, I do appreciate the difference), but the X is mighty darn useful. And mounted on a RANS CF bike, it is so very, very cool.

Comment on Contrarian Bike Economics by JW

JW — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:20:22 +0000

I just sold our second car and am about to buy a new bike. I was going to go the route of an off-the-shelf, step-down from what I really wanted, but have decided to get the one I want and I’m going to customize it to be exactly what I want. Sadly, the A. Homer Hilsen is still outta my budget, even with my splurge-specs on, so I’m going with a LHT with a CETMA rack on the front and a Carradice Nelson Longflap on the back.

Mmmmm: this is my happy-commuter face.

Comment on Contrarian Bike Economics by Duncan Watson

Duncan Watson — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:09:12 +0000

I had been saving for a new recumbent. I bit the bullet and bought a Corsa 2 weeks ago. I customized it as well, q-rings, dynohub, LED light, one arm bandit mount, aftermarket tires (conti gp 4000). I also updated my bike tools, ultimate pro elite repair stand and a few other tools.

I will be riding this bike for years and I will be maintaining it myself. I have been feeling great about it as I have been riding more than ever. I went from 0 miles/week in August to 40ish in Sept/October, now I average about 60 miles/week and will soon be breaking 100/week avg.

I will also sell my trike and rans vivo. The corsa is the right tool for 90% of my style of riding, I have an old MTB for pop on and hit the store errands.

Comment on Parked in Front of the Library by Alan

Alan — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:50:39 +0000

@tdp

Thanks for the link - good stuff.

Regarding the tail lights: no, unfortunately they’re battery powered, though they should be powered by the dynamo that runs the headlights. I may have to do something about that… :-)

Comment on Parked in Front of the Library by tdp

tdp — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:46:09 +0000

We have a small library on our island but it is VERY popular among the island’s 4000 year around residents of which many take advantage of the video section.

In the NYTimes “What Happy People Don’t Do,” researchers say that happy people spend more time socializing and reading than watching TV.
(www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20happy.html)

Great picture btw! I love the tail lights (dynamo?).

Comment on Parked in Front of the Library by Perry

Perry — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:33:56 +0000

Huge library fans here. They have some great videos too. We sometimes go to neighboring towns and visit their libraries. Our state has a lending program and we can return books and videos to our town’s branch.

Comment on RANS Fusion ST by Nanda

Nanda — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:41:10 +0000

Yup, read here:
http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1970022224/show/757105

I also have a customer from Tasmania, that bought a Fusion and road it across the US, with the America By Bike touring company. Steve had me sell his bike on consignment after his 3900mi 52 day tour. A couple months later he missed the corvette blue Fusion and he me send him another one in Tasmania.

Here is an article about Steve’s trip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2956729307/sizes/l/

Comment on RANS Fusion ST by Nanda

Nanda — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:39:48 +0000

Yup, read hear:
http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1970022224/show/757105

Here is an article about Steve’s trip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2956729307/sizes/l/

Comment on Belt Drive by Roland Smith

Roland Smith — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:55:15 +0000

Toothed belts do have a long term service record. A lot of car engines use them as camshaft drives, with replacements intervals in the tens of thousands of miles. Same goes for the belt final drive on harleys.

Parts availability is an issue for every technology that’s new in a market segment. And if the belt lasts long enough, it’s not much of an issue.

I’d love to have a toothed belt on my ‘bent, but I don’t think they make them long enough. :-(

Comment on Gallery: Beth’s Rivendell All-Rounder by Madness

Madness — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:47:46 +0000

What a beauty.

Comment on Bionx LHT by John

John — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:03:44 +0000

Is that a 26″ rear wheel fitted with the Bionx hub? Bionx appears to have a nice fit.
I’ve been thinking about electrifying my 58 cm (700c) LHT. Thx,

Comment on RANS Fusion ST by Swizz...

Swizz... — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:39:22 +0000

Nice way to lug a load!

Has anyone used a CF for touring?

Comment on We Have a House Guest by Swizz...

Swizz... — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:27:15 +0000

It does look nice & reading the specs on Civia’s site, you can see where the money goes.

Regarding longevity though (and i’m not drawing on personal experience here) but the impression I get from cycling forums & a few roadies I know is that both Ally frames & carbon forks have a limited lifespan - particularly the forks - and that any over engineering to improve the lifespan will negate the weightsaving benefits for using them in the first place.

But hey, i’ve missed the point of it. The frame in itself is a bit of exotica for a commuter - the downtube and dropouts are something a passing bikie will no doubt stop & admire, as a moped rider will drool over the frame of an overtaking Ducati!

I wouldn’t throw it out of the bikeshed ;>P

Comment on We Have a House Guest by Erik Sandblom

Erik Sandblom — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:39:07 +0000

Why do Civias have straight forks? All the Nishikis do too. The Civia might open up to the Nishiki Shadow. It has Alfine components too.

Very lovely photos as always.

Comment on We Have a House Guest by brad

brad — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:22:31 +0000

Alan, I agree with your points, and the Hyland is indeed gorgeous. Sometimes I wish I weren’t so darn practical ;-)

Comment on Bionx LHT by Alexander López

Alexander López — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:51:18 +0000

sweet!

Comment on Good stuff: My top 5 picks by Perry

Perry — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:57:48 +0000

@ Dolan: You make excellent points and I will definitely take them into consideration and keep an open mind. I am not sure how much the Portland factor comes in. Probably quite a bit. If drivers in my town expected to see cyclists everywhere, I might change my tune on the hypnotic strobe blinky. For all I know, I might be sending the over-medicated ones into some sort of 60s flashback. ;-)

PS. Not a hijack at all. I find your comments most useful so thanks for taking the time to post them.