tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post6993699333544575517..comments2023-05-17T08:39:27.639-07:00Comments on SOCIAL BIKING BLOG: $5,000 UNESCO "promoting bicycle use" contestGordon Inkeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890592255192348391noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-21611257575852579012008-02-14T20:38:00.000-08:002008-02-14T20:38:00.000-08:00Jack,Apparently, Blogger won't accept links of tha...Jack,<BR/><BR/>Apparently, Blogger won't accept links of that length. But you can use the Blogger link tool to condense them. Or perhaps you can just post them to your blog.Gordon Inkeleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457336314246344460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-75436575132446281392008-02-14T14:23:00.000-08:002008-02-14T14:23:00.000-08:00Here's the English 3-speed before I took it apart....Here's the English 3-speed before I took it apart. Restoration is now underway:<BR/><BR/>http://ramblingjackslaboratory.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-bought-british-gentlemans-bike-today.html<BR/><BR/><BR/>Here are my two Schwinn Suburbans. Although heavy, I think they're very comfortable. A springy seat and "albatross" handlebars have a lot to do with the comfort, at least for me:<BR/><BR/>http://ramblingjackslaboratory.blogspot.com/2008/01/one-more-for-scrap-heap.htmlJack Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610160776642918341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-911488898765906562008-02-12T18:37:00.000-08:002008-02-12T18:37:00.000-08:00Got to see that English 3 speed! Let me know if yo...Got to see that English 3 speed! Let me know if you post a photo. <BR/><BR/>Bike ergonomics is worth a separate post, if not a blog of its own. I'll work up a separate post here soon. <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, an ergonomic bike design could certainly be worthy of that UNICEF prize.Gordon Inkeleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457336314246344460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-74771616396322707722008-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:002008-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:00I agree with your comments regarding drop bars and...I agree with your comments regarding drop bars and racing frames. <BR/><BR/>I use drop bars for my long rides, but for around town I generally use either my mountain bike with straight bars or an old Schwinn Suburban with albatross handlebars.<BR/><BR/>Those old-fashioned swept back bars are really comfortable. Another thing bikes are often missing is a chain guard. If you're going to use a bike for business, you need to keep your pants clean!<BR/><BR/>In a few weeks I may have my "new" 1963 English 3-speed restored. That will become my around town bike.Jack Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610160776642918341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-59773694038848712932008-02-11T20:53:00.000-08:002008-02-11T20:53:00.000-08:00Right. The bike needs to fit the individual, but w...Right. The bike needs to fit the individual, but we are expected to fit ourselves onto tiny, "racing" frames, all in the name of speed--and style. <BR/><BR/>If you want to read some good rants on this by a guy who feels the bike industry is headed in exactly the wrong direction, check out rivbike.com--and the Grant Peterson editorials. I for one, was won over by his arguments and bought one of his frames. It was SIX sizes larger than the racing frame I had been riding...Gordon Inkeleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457336314246344460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-70171120654871483472008-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:002008-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:00I haven't tried the goo. They sell tubes with a go...I haven't tried the goo. They sell tubes with a goo inside, but I read somewhere that you can't apply a patch to them when they spring a leak. Apparently, the goo doesn't allow the patch to stick.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if that's true.<BR/><BR/>I think the ergonomic issue depends on the individual. All bodies are built differently, so what works for one person may not work for another. The more choices, the better.Jack Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610160776642918341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-55589638282212034382008-02-11T15:50:00.000-08:002008-02-11T15:50:00.000-08:00Jack,As much as I love the bicycle, I'm not sure i...Jack,<BR/><BR/>As much as I love the bicycle, I'm not sure it's "nearly perfect." I added a recumbent a few years ago, to escape from the persistent aches and pains that the classic dropped handlebar configuration inflict on riders. Yes, the machine part is "nearly perfect" but the ergonomics are problematic. Basically, we're adapting ourselves to a "nearly perfect" machine, and it's taking a toll on our backs and shoulders. <BR/><BR/>Ideally, the machine should serve our needs, not the other way around. But that bicycle might not exist--yet.Gordon Inkeleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457336314246344460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-59216843088796671932008-02-11T15:09:00.000-08:002008-02-11T15:09:00.000-08:00Jack, Have you tried that green goo that one injec...Jack, Have you tried that green goo that one injects through the valve? It's supposed to seal a tube against punctures? I think it adds some weight, but supposedly takes care of flats. Haven't tested it here, however.Gordon Inkeleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12457336314246344460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-22434359334097549782008-02-09T23:20:00.001-08:002008-02-09T23:20:00.001-08:00I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and...I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and there's nothing that really needs improvement assuming one has the money to purchase the "good stuff." That said, here are two things I would like:<BR/><BR/>• Tires/tubes that are inexpensive, lightweight, high pressure, NEVER go flat and always maintain their air pressure. That's a tall order.<BR/><BR/>• Racks/baskets that are extremely lightweight and virtually disappear somewhere on, or in, your bike when you don't need them. When you need them, they appear and expand to fit your needs. They can expand to snuggly carry a cup of coffee and a muffin, or three bags of groceries and a bottle of wine.<BR/><BR/>I've been down the electric bike route and I don't think it's a good idea, especially considering the current battery technology.Jack Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610160776642918341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007211460092397225.post-87036894033792094042008-02-09T23:20:00.000-08:002008-02-09T23:20:00.000-08:00I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and...I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and there's nothing that really needs improvement assuming one has the money to purchase the "good stuff." That said, here are two things I would like:<BR/><BR/>• Tires/tubes that are inexpensive, lightweight, high pressure, NEVER go flat and always maintain their air pressure. That's a tall order.<BR/><BR/>• Racks/baskets that are extremely lightweight and virtually disappear somewhere on, or in, your bike when you don't need them. When you need them, they appear and expand to fit your needs. They can expand to snuggly carry a cup of coffee and a muffin, or three bags of groceries and a bottle of wine.<BR/><BR/>I've been down the electric bike route and I don't think it's a good idea, especially considering the current battery technology.Jack Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610160776642918341noreply@blogger.com