All Bikes R Cool

Faraday Utility Bike

2012-01-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

Faraday Utility Bike

Julie Lasky

Nothing on the road is more prosaic than a vehicle designed for hauling loads. Unless, of course, the vehicle has been imagined by a leading industrial design firm working in partnership with an innovative American bicycle manufacturer. In which case you have Faraday, one of three utility bike prototypes to emerge out of a competition sponsored by the nonprofit Oregon Manifest, and the only model to earn not just the unanimous plaudits of a jury of hardcore bike nuts but also a People’s Choice Award.

Rapid Transit Visit

2011-12-14T10:38:00.001-08:00

In fall we went to Chicago and I got to visit Rapid Transit and test drive the 2010 Kona Ute. Very cool bike shop.

The 25 Smartest Things Steve Jobs Ever Said - Business - Motley Fool - msnbc.com

2011-10-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

The 25 Smartest Things Steve Jobs Ever Said - Business - Motley Fool - msnbc.com: 24. "I read a study that measured the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet. The condor used the least energy to move a kilometer. Humans came in with a rather unimpressive showing about a third of the way down the list ... That didn't look so good, but then someone at Scientific American had the insight to test the efficiency of locomotion for a man on a bicycle. And a man on a bicycle blew the condor away. That's what a computer is to me: the computer is the most remarkable tool that we've ever come up with. It's the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds."

GM pulls advertisement that offended cyclists [Updated] - latimes.com

2011-10-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I know why I'm a "Ford man." Actually, I'm waiting for the Ford electric before I get another car. And although I'm from Oklahoma, I don't need a big truck to get across town in this little college town. And my bike is hip and chic and fun, compared to the colossal overkill of one person commuting 2 miles in some monster vehicle.

GM pulls advertisement that offended cyclists [Updated] - latimes.com: General Motors Co. is killing an advertisement aimed at college students after receiving complaints that it makes fun of people who use bicycles for transportation.

That ad has a headline stating, “reality sucks” and depicts a nerdy looking guy wearing a helmet and riding a bicycle being passed by a cute young woman in the passenger seat of a car. It then goes on to say, “Stop pedaling … start driving” and provides information about discount pricing for GM products such as the new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact sedan and the giant GMC Sierra 1500 truck.

A Surprising Town Is Now America's Top Bike City | | AlterNet

2011-10-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Champaign-Urbana is like Florida compared to Minnesota! This encourages me to ride a bit more this winter. I'm going to have to figure out if I'm going to go for some studded tires or just get a Surley Pugsley.

A Surprising Town Is Now America's Top Bike City | | AlterNet: A Surprising Town Is Now America's Top Bike City
Despite its cold weather and spread-out development patterns, here's how a Midwestern city beat Portland, San Francisco and Boulder for the title of #1 Bike City.

2011-10-01T20:25:00.001-07:00

Urbana Installs Bicycle Repair Station | City of Urbana

2011-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Urbana Installs Bicycle Repair Station | City of Urbana: Urbana Installs Bicycle Repair Station

The City of Urbana has installed a Dero Bike Fix-It bicycle repair station in downtown Urbana, just inside the Main Street entrance of the downtown Urbana parking garage. The station is a do-it-yourself bicycle repair station consisting of a variety of tools, such as wrenches and screwdrivers, tethered with woven steel cables to a metal stand bolted to the ground. There is also a hand-operated air pump. Cyclists hang their bikes on the stand and use the tools to make repairs.

This is a great new addition to the bike infrastructure in town. The Dero company makes some interesting products, including custom, stylish bike racks.

Rebecca Bird, with City of Urbana says there will soon be 6 total Dero bike repair stands in Urbana: 1. Downtown Urbana - parking garage 2. Campus - near the Union 3. Campus - outside the Campus Bike Project 4. Campustown - near corner of Sixth & Green Streets 5. Downtown Champaign - Illinois Terminal 6. Downtown Champaign - parking garageGary Cziko's Flicker slides of new bike stand

Portland, Ore., Developments Cater to Bicycle Riders - NYTimes.com

2011-09-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

Portland, Ore., Developments Cater to Bicycle Riders - NYTimes.com: PORTLAND, Ore. — Christian Ettinger, the owner of Hopworks Urban Brewery here, is a longtime bicycle enthusiast. He grew up riding around the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego, and now owns six bicycles — ”two if my wife is asking” — and races in cyclocross events. So when he decided to open a second brewpub this summer, he settled on a location that reflected his passion: North Williams Avenue, one of the most-used commuter cycling corridors in a city already mad for all things two-wheeled.

How to make Grocery Panniers for $4

2011-09-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

How to make Grocery Panniers for $4: How to make Grocery Panniers for $4

Most of us have lots of eco bags laying around that can be beefed up to become bike panniers. I've tried similar hacks, but not this one. I will try this one next as it looks pretty simple and is, by far, the most economical.

The Swiss Alps on an Electric Bicycle - NYTimes.com

2011-09-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Swiss Alps on an Electric Bicycle - NYTimes.com: Over the Alps on a Bike With a Boost
Tomas Van Houtryve for The New York Times

By TIM NEVILLE
Published: August 26, 2011

Just finished Neville's article and it is a great piece of short travel literature and would inspire anyone to visit Switzerland at least once. Best of all, it is a frontal assault on that demographic of the bike clan that sees electric-assist bikes as just another form of SUV. As a serious cyclist who can pedal without electric assist, Neville's tour and the rapidly expanding electric bike infrastructure in Switzerland make it very clear that e-biking across the Alps remains more like biking and physical engagement with the countryside than any other form of transportation. And makes us wonder where, eventually, in the States we'll be able to go 100s of Kilometers in a day and get off the beaten path.

Robert Baird

When Wheels Pile Up - Plant a Bike - Save the City - NYTimes.com

2011-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

What do 15,000 dead horses a year in 1880s New York City have to do with the current bike explosion in NYC? Hint, what did poet Baudelaire do with death?

When Wheels Pile Up - Plant a Bike - Save the City - NYTimes.com: “In 1880, New York City removed 15,000 dead horses from its streets,” the historians Joel Tarr and Clay McShane wrote in an essay called “The Centrality of the Horse to the Nineteenth-Century American City.” Horse carcasses, they added, “were sometimes dumped with garbage into the bays or the rivers, often floating there or washing up on the beaches.”

Falling in Love with Billie Samuels

2011-09-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, the New South Wales "bicycle" photo collection led me to a spontaneous infatuation: Billie Samuels! Note the Koala Bear on the handlebars. I know, vaguely, that Australia has a long history of long distance bike riders, and lots of bike rides all the way round the continent, some in the early years by men and women. A favorite bike touring/travel book of mine is Cold Beer and Crocodiles: A Bicycle Journey Into Australia, by Roff Smith, who decides to quit his job and get healthy and attempt to ride all the way around Australia. That's nine months and 10,000 miles. The funny thing is that early in the book Smith is humbled a bit when he does his research and learns how many people already did something this impressive.Well, now I'll need to do some homework and find out more about this Billie Samuels.

Short description of Billie's record-setting ride from Sydney to Melbourne on July 4th, 1934.

2011-09-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Kids and their bikes in 1938 in New South Wales, Australia, from the New South Wales State Library collection. Note the upturned rams horn handlebars; we thought we invented that in the 1970s! There are 567 more "bicycle" images in this excellent historical collection.

I Will Tip the Pizza Delivery Guy More if He's on a Bike!

2011-09-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Edible Pedal from Mark Herzig on Vimeo.

It's one of the truisms to do what you love. These guys decided they loved bikes and food and wanted to combine them. Would be great in Champaign, at least in the downtown area.

Bike Sketch of the Day via Bamboo App on the iPad

2011-09-01T20:21:00.001-07:00

Fort Worthology » City Bike Review: Civia Loring

2011-08-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

Fort Worthology » City Bike Review: Civia Loring

Ok, I'm looking at the Kona Ute for my next bike, but the Civia Loring is about the prettiest commuter bike I've ever seen.

RobertAnother good review of the Civia Loring from EcoveloAnd a Civia review from Dottie of Lets Go Ride a Bike:

Illinois campus bike sharing

2011-08-15T13:58:00.001-07:00

Great idea if we can get this going.

Los Angeles council OKs law protecting cyclists from harassment - latimes.com

2011-07-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles council OKs law protecting cyclists from harassment - latimes.com: "The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday passed a pioneering new law intended to protect bicyclists from harassment by motorists."

| Product Reviews | Wired.com

2011-06-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

| Product Reviews | Wired.com

These clipless pedals are for sale, but seems like an easy DIY project. I'll have to give this a try.

CyclingSavvy: A Course for All Cyclists, Novices to Veterans

2011-06-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Great mini auto(bike)ography from Gary Cziko with introduction to CyclingSavvy courses he will be offering. If Gary, with all his experience and knowledge, learned something from these courses, they must be good.

Robert

CyclingSavvy: A Course for All Cyclists, Novices to Veterans: "I don’t think there are too many people in the world that have more experience with different kinds of cycling (recreational, commuting, touring and racing) in different parts of the world (five continents) than I have. Growing up in New York City, my first cycling adventure was around the block in Queens where I encountered my first cycling conflict: my parents insisted I ride on the sidewalk but mean Mr. Quinlan around the corner would yell at me to get off “his” sidewalk and ride in the street."

Video from Peopleforbikes.org

2011-06-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

I first ran into peopleforbikes.org at the Madison Bike the Drive. They had a booth and literature and I got some free swag and bought some things. Good group with a good mission and now a really cool video.

Which US City Will Be More Like Copenhagen, Soonest? Please

2011-06-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

I spent some time in Copenhagen once and loved the bike support and infrastructure. All ages, incomes, and types of folks ride bikes in Copenhagen. In this video you'll see why.

Endomondo Cycling Workout

2011-06-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

Endomondo Cycling Workout: "was out cycling 2.98 miles in 16m:36s using Endomondo."

This morning's commute ride, wherein I tried some new routes, alleyways, twists, turns, following only a general northeasterly bearing.

Brotman: Protected bike lanes like New York's offer glimpse of Chicago's future - chicagotribune.com

2011-06-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Brotman: Protected bike lanes like New York's offer glimpse of Chicago's future - chicagotribune.com:

I've been in Chicago and Copenhagen, and I can tell you that bike riding is part of the fabric of daily life in one city, and an adventure for the brave and foolish in the other.

"I have seen the potential future of biking in Chicago.

And friends, our heart-pounding, car door-fearing, bus-dodging urban rides may never be the same."

Bikes n NYC

2011-06-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

3-Way Street from ronconcocacola on Vimeo.

By summer 2010, the expansion of bike lanes in NYC exposed a clash of long-standing bad habits — such as pedestrians jaywalking, cyclists running red lights, and motorists plowing through crosswalks.

By focusing on one intersection as a case study, my video aims to show our interconnection and shared role in improving the safety and usability of our streets.

The video is part of a larger campaign I created called '3-Way Street'. Please see blog.ronconcocacola.com for more details.

Music: Peter Gunn Theme by Art of Noise, available on iTunes

Bike Hacks DIY Racks

2011-06-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Some cool DIY bike racks from Bike Hacks:

Repurposed Bike Rim and U Lock Rack

Strange Bike Rack

Now the rack with the wooden support and string binding might not be as flimsy as it seems. This reminds me of things like birchbark canoes and hand-built sleds, with leather lashings. Ok, so this example doesn't go far enough, but it would be cool to design some bike racks that are more "green" in that they use wood and twine and traditional materials. Like bamboo bikes (bamboo racks?) one does eventually need to connect with metal or carbon, bolts, etc. Or not?

You Must Ride in the Bike Lane, In Sickness and In Health, Til Death Do You Part

2011-06-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Bike Lines are great, just like most traffic lanes. They are not, however, meant to be prisons of stupidity.

Cyclists Ban Together to Send a Message

2011-05-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

Cyclists Ban Together to Send a Message

I took part in the Ride of Silence for the first time. I wasn't sure I'd be able to be quiet for so long, but it was actually pretty easy and was a good chance to be reflective and think about those we've lost. Of course I've told Rick that if I need a ride I would like a rolling Irish Wake, with loudness and even some Pogues songs along the way.

Bicycle Flash Mob Orlando Video

2011-05-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Looks like they had to close down the streets to safely bike in Orlando! Whatever it takes ;)

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - The Bike Song

2011-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

I Want a Cargo Bike

2009-12-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Cargo bikes are being used more and more in the U.S. For many decades a mainstay of transport and hauling in many other parts of the world, from Danish Postal Delivery to food vendors in Mexico, the working bike or cargo bike has a much thinner history in the U.S. In recent years, however, the numbers of cargo bike users and bikes has grown tremendously. The variety of cargo bikes one might see range from DIY cargo bikes created in garages, to European imports of professional work bikes, to customized solutions like the Xtracycle, to factory models designed specifically for the cargo bike enthusiast: Kona Ute, the Yuba Mundo, and Madsen Cycles.

There are many ways to go with cargo bikes and I've lately been leaning towards the newly improved Yuba Mundo, although I haven't been able to ride one yet. If you buy a cargo bike you are going to spend some money, from $600 to $3000 or more. These bikes are built to last and involve more materials. Ideally, for me, I'm aiming to be able to haul a full load of groceries for Cathy and I, with Cathy pitching in with her non-cargo bike. And, then, there are bike trailers, which is a story for another day.

Anyway, to get a good idea of the variety of cargo bikes out there, take a look at these two great Flickr groups (below): "Working Bikes and Trikes" and "I Carried This on my Bike."

Bikes with Lights at Parade of Lights

2009-12-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Members of Champaign County Bikes join the Parade of Lights, being creative with their bike lighting efforts. Watch the slide show but also take a look at Gary Cziko's video, where he does his best Maurice Chevalier impression:

Wheelies Fixies Music Vid

2009-10-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

When I was young we did wheelies blocks-long, but that was in the era of the StingRay, a style of bike practically invented for the wheelie. A road bike fixed gear must be a bit harder to wheelie. Anyway, that's just an excuse to play another bike music video ;)

Robert

Riding High from 13thWitness™ on Vimeo.

How decent bike parking could revolutionize American cities. - By Tom Vanderbilt - Slate Magazine

2009-09-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

How decent bike parking could revolutionize American cities. - By Tom Vanderbilt - Slate Magazine:
"What Would Get Americans Biking to Work? Decent parking.
By Tom VanderbiltPosted Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at 5:34 PM ET

When we talk about transportation, we tend to talk about things in motion. What is often left unremarked upon, in conversations about crowded highways, is something without which those crowds would not exist: parking. That humble 9-by-18-foot space (the standard size of a spot) is where traffic begins and ends. It is the fuel to traffic's fire."

Gary Cziko Reporting from Portland on Bike Infrastructure

2009-08-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Given recent budget cuts at All Bikes R Cool we've had to let go all our foreign and national bike correspondents ;) Fortunately, Gary Cziko, an Urbana friend of mine recently traveling, offers up these observations on the Portland biking infrastructure. His thesis, that more bikes = slower auto traffic and slower auto traffic = more bikes, is a profoundly significant and obvious and ultimately safer and saner effect we need to keep working toward.

I've been spending a few days in Portland (OR) paying special attention to bicycle use in the the city center.

This morning I spent some time on the Hawthorne Bridge where pedestrians and bicyclists share quite successfully the 11-foot shared path on each side of the bridge (each side is one-way for bicyclists, two-way for pedestrians). You can see a short video of the scene here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcziko/3813905512/
(I never found out why that one guy was walking his bike).

I also noticed two blokes making a video of the scene with a real movie camera (see attached photo). It turns out they are producing a film of the history of the bicycle for the BBC, visiting several cities in North America and Europe and focusing on bicycles for transportation while in Portland. The film should be available for a week of so in the spring on the BBC website, so we need to keep an eye out for it. The title is "It's All About the Bike" (with assumed apologies to Lance).

Finally, my most interesting observation is that while Portland does have excellent bicycle facilities (and is a Platinum Bicycle Friendly City), most streets in the city center do not have any special accommodations for moving bicycles (LOTS of parking, though). And yet bicycles use these busy streets and appear to mix in quite well with the motor traffic. Motor traffic here is calmer and slower than I've noticed in any other city in North America and that certainly helps. Amazingly, I have yet to hear a single car horn during my days here which is very strange to my New York City raised ears.

I'd like to think that all these bicycles have had a calming effect on Portland's traffic, although it may be that Portlanders have always been kindler and gentler behind the wheel than drivers in other U.S. cities which is what encouraged bicyclists in the first place. No matter which is the case and which the effect (probably both are both cause and effect), downtown Portland indicates to me that cars and bikes can co-exist in busy city traffic if both bicyclists and motorists respect each other and cars keep their speeds down. It is also clear that if all these bicyclist were trying to get around Portland in cars, traffic would be a whole lot worse than it is now.

-- Gary Cziko

Bike, Beer, and Rafting

2009-08-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Nick Sande (aka Swervy) of the Surly Blog recounts a rather unique adventure wherein he loads his bike down with a 5lb raft, Heineken king cans, and sets out on a combination biking and rafting adventure. Sande sounds like a traveler with the right priorities, including stopping to frequent lemonade stands to support the kids. Bottom line: getting a raft on a bike, and a raft in the water with a bike on it, and then a raft back on a bike, all the while keeping your Heinekens cold--that's something even the Navy Seals might have to train for.

Hot August Flashback to Winter

2009-08-10T20:53:00.001-07:00

It's hot or just a bit warm and you choose not to ride. Flashback to winter: note this guy DID ride on a snowy day--note the bike on top of the snow pile.

Don't Knock a Huffy

2009-08-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Todd Spinner writes "In Defense of Huffy" at Smile Politely, and he has a point. If a bike works and you like it and it does the job, then what's the problem? Todd's main points are that Huffy has made many, many bikes in the last half century and there are many vintage and interesting bikes out there one can look for and own with pride. I've restored and customized a number of Huffys over the years. The most recent was a somewhat vintage blue Huffy I've set up for Becky and Tera. I found this Huffy on the side of the road with a "free" sign on it; typically you stop and look at these "free" bikes and both tires are flat, a brake doesn't work, the chain is rusty, and then there are at least two other problems. This Huffy was in pretty good shape and had some stylish red cables to go with its red, white, and blue motif.

Great Bike Light Mount Hack

2009-08-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

The BikeHacks blog offers a great hack for mounting lights on a bike. The problem is that good, high-powered bike lights are not cheap, but one can buy, on sale, some good flashlights, but while those fit your hand nicely, try mounting them on your handlebars of your bike so they don't fall off. Here is a great solution for those with old bikes and parts to spare.

Tijuana Bicyclists Ride To Make Streets Safe : NPR

2009-08-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Let's go for a bike ride! In Tijuana these days that simple wish takes a bit more gumption than just getting off the couch. An inspiring NPR story about folks trying to insist on the simple things--if you listen to the story you'll better appreciate the context.

Tijuana Bicyclists Ride To Make Streets Safe : NPR
Saida Perez

The streets of Tijuana, Mexico, can be deadly. Last year, more than 800 people died there — many at the hands of drug traffickers. But there's another side to life in Tijuana.

Every Wednesday, hundreds of bicyclists, some decked out in custom bike clothes and others in just jeans and T-shirts, gather in front of the Tijuana City Hall.

read more

Boutique Cycles

2009-07-31T21:24:00.000-07:00

When they say boutique cycles, they mean it. Similar to Fixed Gear Gallery, but much more selective, and a larger variety of bikes. This baby is an exotic:

Jim's Vintage Schwinn Bikes page

2009-07-31T21:12:00.001-07:00

A nice page of Jim's collection of vintage Schwinn bikes. It really is a shame that no one makes bikes, or anything, that lasts like an old Schwinn. There was no such thing as built-in obsolescence in those days.

Brimstone and Bicycles

2009-07-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

What links the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, the coldest year in the last 1,500 years, aka "the Year Without a Summer," and the grandfather of the bicycle, the velocipede? Read Mick Hamer's article "Brimstone and Bicycles" and find out:

Brimstone and bicycles - environment - 29 January 2005 - New Scientist:

29 January 2005 by Mick Hamer

ON 5 April 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia began to grumble. A week later the volcano blew its top in a spectacular eruption that went on until July. It was the biggest eruption in recorded history, killing around 92,000 people and ejecting so much ash into the atmosphere that average global temperatures dipped by 3 °C. In the northern hemisphere 1816 became known as the year without a summer. New England had blizzards in July and crops failed. Europe was hit just as badly.

On holiday by Lake Geneva the 18-year-old Mary Shelley and her husband Percy were trapped in Lord Byron's house by constant rain. To divert his guests Byron suggested a competition to write a ghost story. The result was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Across the border in the German state of Baden the soaring price of oats prompted the 32-year-old Karl Drais to invent a replacement for the horse - the first bicycle."

read on

How to rent a bike in Champaign-Urbana

2009-07-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Barry Isralewitz has composed a very useful guide to anyone who wants to rent a bike in the Champaign-Urbana area. We might not be Paris, with their extensive bike rental system (Hell, we might not be Paris for a lot of reasons), but at least people can rent bikes if they want.

Thanks, Barry:

How to rent a bike in Champaign-Urbana
updated: July 27, 2009

Central Illinois is really, really flat; it’s a great place to ride a bike. Below are some options for renting a bike during a short visit to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bike on!
Tips: rent or borrow a helmet, or buy a new helmet (the cheapest in store is fine), and mount a $5- $10 front safety light for dusk/night riding. Plus: lock up that bike when unattended!

Durst cycle
Good choice for a 3 to 10 day rental. Not really "rental”; with their system you purchase a used bike outright, then are refunded the purchase price -- minus rental fees and any damage incurred -- when you return the bike.
Basic bike: $35/day; $60/week. Requires up to $300 “deposit” (purchase price).
Premium bike: $50/day; $100/week. Requires $301 – $500 “deposit” (purchase price).
Address: 1112 W. University Ave. Urbana, IL 61801(1 block from Beckman Institute!)
Phone: (217) 367 - 3600
Hours: Mon.--Fri. 9 am--5:30 pm, Sat. 9 am--5 pm
(Open Mon. and Fri. evenings until 7:00 PM April - August)
Jared Durst says: We do not require a deposit on our "rental" bikes. We have the customer purchase the bicycle. They are free to do what they want with the bicycle. We agree to re-purchase the bicycle less a "rental" fee, as long as it is in the same condition as when picked up by the customer. Any repairs needed are added to the "rental" fee.

University of Illinois, Div. Campus Recreation, Adventure/Outdoor Center
Only place to rent helmets. But, only two bikes in entire inventory. Helmet rental is free with bike rental.
Mountain Bike, $20/day, $35/weekend, $60/week (UI-Rec. members: $15/$25/$40)
Tandem Bike, $10/day, $14/weekend, $24/week (UI-Rec members: $8/$12/$22)
To request a bike and/or helmet, email: outdoorcenter@illinois.edu with the times you would like a rental. Callers to their number 217-333-8747 are told to send the request by email.
Helmet rental, free with bike rental, otherwise $2/day, $5/weekend, $8/week
(UI-Rec members: $3/$7/$10)
“UI-Rec members”= University of Illinois student, or affiliate with paid semester Campus Recreation fee.

Champaign Cycle
Only rents high-end bikes. Amazing road bikes and mountain bikes available.
Rates: $50/first day, $20/each additional day
Requires credit card and state ID. Rental fees can be applied to future purchase.
Address: 506 South Country Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 352-7600
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 am--6 pm; Saturday 10 am--5 pm; Sunday 12 noon--4 pm

The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign
(Teaching Bicycle Repair Co-operative / DIY shop)
A great deal, but you’ll need some luck!
$50 – $100 to purchase a restored used bicycle
Instead of renting, buy a restored used bike for the same money you’d spend on a few day’s rental.
Then, donate back the bike when done, give the bike to a local friend, or take it back home with you.
The catch: each week, only a handful of bikes for $50 - $100 are made available for sale “ready-to-ride”. Visiting the shop risks that no ready-to-ride bike will be available in your size that day.
Address: 202 S. Broadway, Room 24, Urbana, IL (corner of Elm and Broadway)
(Post Office / IMC Building, enter via south-side basement entrance)
Phone: (217) 469-5125 Website: http://www.thebikeproject.org
Hours: Mon. 5:30pm--7:30pm; Wed. 6:30pm--8:30pm; Thu. 6pm--9pm; Sat./Sun. 2pm--5pm

revised July 27, 2009; corrections to barry.isralewitz@gmail.com
===================================

Iowa: Land of Largest Bike Ride in the World and Petition to Ban Cycling from Rural Roads

2009-07-30T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Iowa petition to ban cycling from rural roads would be a very bad bandwagon to start rolling. Behind this petition are some real concerns; Perhaps the petitioners could have focused on ways to better share the road and a call for all cyclists to follow existing laws, but, then, that wouldn't get any attention would it? The urge to ban all bikes seems very, how shall I put this, arrogant. Reading through the comments of the petitioners and I don't see anyone mention the fact that (a) many of these folks have to be speeding when they have their issues and (b) people can slow the hell down when they drive, for the ultimate health, safety, and happiness of all. NASCAR Nation vs spirit of RAGBRAI!

http://citizenrider.blogspot.com/2009/07/depressing-news-from-iowa.html

Bike Heavy Music Video

2009-07-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

OK, you have to get past the 1 minute mark, but I promise, lots of bike stuff after that, and it ends with a nice mashup of Queen's bicycle song.

Ultimate Hand-Made Bikes at Fast Boy

2009-07-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

If I only had 3 grand to get in line and order a hand-built Fast Boy Cycle! Craftsmanship in the age of mass production plastic. Check out their full Flickr set and their really cool web site, and dream.

One day I'd like to make at least one bike this cool.

Cycling Safety Tips from Joel Gillespie at Smile Politely

2009-07-22T20:16:00.001-07:00

Our local local blogger Joel Gillespie just posted a collection of cycling safety tips from local riders, including myself, on the Smile Politely blog.
Quite a variety of safety tips from some people who have been riding for decades.

Will Chambana Ever See a Bike Box?

2009-07-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

We may always be off-Broadway, but maybe we could get some bike boxes in Chambana. Maybe we just paint a few late at night?

Boy Peddles Bicycles For College Money|NewsChannel 8

2009-07-20T22:02:00.001-07:00

A local news story about a youngster selling some bikes at his dad's used car dealership.

Boy Peddles Bicycles For College Money|NewsChannel 8

Shared via AddThis

Details from Oxtail Bike Trailer

2009-07-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Very interesting design, the Oxtail. Note the fairly significant linkage with the seat stem, which looks to take more than a few minutes to install. All in all, a solid, stable design. Sort of the "folding bike" design for bike trailers.

Using an Oxtail bicycle trailer

2009-07-19T20:19:00.001-07:00

This design is similar, but even more lightweight and foldable--note how quickly the trailer can be attached; although the entire seat seems to be fitted in and perhaps the trailer to seat post attachment isn't so quick to pull off. This would be a nice trailer for stowing away. It also seems like one could use whatever bag or luggage or package one wanted and could attach it with the bungee cord.

Aevon Bicycle Trailer Demo

2009-07-19T20:12:00.001-07:00

Very solid design of a one-wheel trailer. Notice the tight turns made possible by the seat post attachment, which pivots and allows lots of movement.

Hand-Painted Cruiser

2009-07-15T16:10:00.001-07:00

Very nice job on this hand-painted cruiser. I have a cruiser, fully disassembled, sanded down and ready to be painted. I had wanted to do something bright and funky like a lime color, but this hand-painting looks very good on bright white. Who knows what I'll do. I'm dependent on, likely, a limited supply of paint, having never purchased any auto-style paint for such a bike rebuild.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81469578@N00/sets/72157618890450402/show/

Atlanta Alley Cat Photo Shoot

2009-06-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

A great set of bike culture photos from Atlanta. They set up 7 checkpoints with real photographers, who shot this interesting cast of characters--an excellent idea that could be used again and again. Love the DIY wheel cover on the bike below. I did a bit more Google research and came up with Boston Bike Polo how-to on creating your own wheel cover.

Things are getting very intersting in my little college town

2009-06-18T19:50:00.001-07:00

Bicycle Design: John Hobson Wooden Frame

2009-06-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Bicycle Design highlights John Hobson's wooden frame bike design. There are a number of wooden and bamboo bicycle designs. This latest example led me to an insight. Why not cut out the main tubes of a bike frame and replace them with wooden poles. This, of course, is a way to hack at cheap bike frames until I learn how to weld. In other words, I have no problem cutting metal tubing, and crafting wood, but I sure can't weld at this point. Additionally, I might try to see if I can use this method to make a cheap extended rear frame bike in the style of the Xtra-Cycle.

Yojimbo’s Garage Custom Lockring Tool at Urban Velo

2009-06-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Urban Velo has an interesting post on a DIY lockring tool built at Yojimbo's bike garage in Chicago. Now this is interesting to me for not only as I'd like to create a DIY lockring tool, but also because Yojimbo's is news to me and sounds like a pretty interesting bike shop. Yojimbo’s Garage Custom Lockring Tool at Urban Velo

Water Bike

2009-06-14T20:34:00.001-07:00

It's about at this point that one realizes that the bike is essentially an infinitely unlimited mechanism, which begins very simply, and, like a very good melody, can support endless variations on a theme. Amazingly, there is likely any number of new variations that are revolutionary and world-changing yet to be seen. Of course the water bike isn't likely one of them, but it's a nice variation.

Panorma Shot of Champaign Cycles Bike Repair Area

2009-06-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

My Kodak digital camera does in-camera panorama shots. Here's one I took of the Champaign Cycle bike repair area. Note the curved tool wall peg board and work bench. Not easy to make and very cool.

Bike Adverts from Chicago Printers Row Lit Fest

2009-06-14T20:11:00.003-07:00

Went up to the Chicago Printers Row Lit Fest, which was really cool. I bought a few books, but the real find were these old bicycle advertisements.

Bike Rack Finds

2009-06-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Checking out the interesting bikes at the Urbana Library.

An old trooper: a 1950s era frame with a serious metal rack. Essentially a tank--designed to withstand a Soviet Nuclear Attack.

A well-worn Xtra-cycle, with what looks like a DIY rear wooden deck.

Hey, that's My Trek FX, with my grocery getter paniers.

That is a highly visible old school Trek road bike.

A really nice Schwinn Varsity with Brooks saddle, beveled fenders, and green dice for valve caps.

Great Photos From Portland's Pedalpalooza

2009-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Portland gang has a great set of Flickr images of a recent bike ride, Pedalpalooza style. It would be great if Chambana could pull something like this off. I believe if we really worked hard we could find just as many colorful characters, one-of-a-kind-bikes, and funky clothing. It would take some serious work to be this funky and fun.

This looks like another DIY style bike, taking a regular mountain bike and lowering the front fork to create a front rack transport bike. This is one I'd like to imitate and try to build myself.

Looks like a home-made, DIY xtra-cycle.

Baby you can honk my horn, and baby I love you.

The "hamster cage" bikes!

This looks like a variation on the Sears Tote folding bike; I've got one of these I'm going to fix up, and add a wine box to the back of the bike.

This one is for my brother Brett, a big E.T. fan.

New Globe Bikes

2009-06-11T12:29:00.001-07:00

Specialized is developing a new series of bikes called Globe. Here is a flickr set of what they are up to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/sets/72157619563678928/show/

[Caption]

DIY Rear Rack Spotted at Champaign Library

2009-06-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

I was coming out of Champaign Library yesterday when I spotted a neat DIY rear rack on this mountain bike. Interesting in that it looks stylish, almost like motorcycle rear storage cases, but I'm wondering about the functionality, since it doesn't add any space to the standard metal rear rack underneath. Perhaps there is some protection of anything in the rack. Note the needed cut out for the rear brakes.

Grind Your Own Corn With A Bike

2009-06-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Maya Pedal is an organization based in San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala that develops bicycle machines to help the local population develop self-sustainable tools and work practices. Some of these bike machines are very inventive. The one highlighted in the YouTube video offers 6 functions: knife sharpener, grinder, corn degrainer, water pump, blender, and electric generator!

Beater Bikes, the Cheap Workhorses of Cycling - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

2009-06-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

A great article in the Times about beater bikes, loosely defined as a cheap bike that can still get one around town and back. Besides talking about the New York scene and flea markets; the comments to the article are informative, and a number highlight Chicago's Working Bikes Cooperative. Some of the comments raise the question of why not just buying a new, modern, cheap big box bike from Target or Wal Mart. Now I've been known to buy bikes from these retailers, but more often when it was something unique, like a decent little folding bike I bought for half price. The problem with new, cheapie bikes from big box stores is that most of them are "designed" to capture the attention of a kid or teen, and as such, they have lots of colors and stickers and imitate high-end mountain bikes. In other words, they are more show than go. Also, they are cheap because the components are cheap and some young clerk with little experience has assembled the bike and it's likely not set up properly. Next, test riding is discouraged, as opposed to one's local bike shop, or flea market, or Craigslist bike. Ironically, one of these big box bikes that has been recycled is likely better than the new if someone that knows bikes has set it up and removed the garbage components and simplified the bike. So, the major point, though, is that the "mountain bike" ideal still drives the design of a lot of these cheap big box bikes, and that's why you see people riding around on bikes in an urban setting with big knobby tires, seats too low, all kinds of heavy shocks and crap on them, while others are riding 20 year old bikes that are much better suited (wheels, tires, frame geometry) to urban commuting. If you aren't going to spend some time off-road or actually on a mountain, why the hell are you riding around on an 80$ fake mountain bike, with cool stickers!, from Wally World?

Beater Bikes, the Cheap Workhorses of Cycling - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com: "Beater Bikes, the Cheap Workhorses of Cycling
By Sean Patrick Farrell

There is an old saying in New York bike circles that for the ultimate peace of mind for around-town cycling (and parking), one should get a $100 lock and a $50 bike."

Cleaning out the Garage

2009-06-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Book Review - 'Pedaling Revolution - How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities,' by Jeff Mapes - Review - NYTimes.com

2009-06-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Now this is a timely and good book for cycling. I have not read it yet, but will pick this up and review it here at a later date. What I really want to draw your attention to is the fact that this review is by David Byrne, as in the musical genius David Byrne, and, if you catch the tag line at the bottom of the review, the fact that Byrne will be publishing his own bike book--"Bicycle Diaries"--in the fall.

Book Review - 'Pedaling Revolution - How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities,' by Jeff Mapes - Review - NYTimes.com: "Bike Messenger"

By DAVID BYRNE
Published: May 28, 2009

"Full disclosure: I’ve ridden a bike around New York as my principal means of transport for 30 years, so I’m inclined to sympathize with the idea that a cycling revolution is upon us, and that it’s a good thing. Like Jeff Mapes, the author of “Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities,” I’ve watched the streets fill over the years with more and varied bike riders. It’s no longer just me, some food delivery guys and a posse of reckless messengers. Far from it."

Zina Saunders Great Bike Art

2009-06-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Zina Saunders is a professional artist, and some of her best work and journalism is of the Puerto Rican Schwinn Club, a group of mostly older gentlemen who decorate their bikes in wonderful ways. The Puerto Rican bike guys were the genesis of what is now the wonderful portrait/bio blog Overlooked New York, where Zina captures other "ardent New Yorkers" and "their joyous obsessions." Zina has a very good series on bike messengers as well.

Bike Polo?

2009-06-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

The austinontwowheels bike blog has a short article on bike polo. I've never played it or even seen it live, but it looks interesting. When I was younger, my brother and I and neighborhood friends would get our bikes and play a game that did not use mallets, but it did force careful riding in an enclosed space. We would pick a square of concrete in the road, by that I mean we would use the tar-filled seam lines as the boundaries of our playing court. We'd basically start riding around in circles within the square, with 2 simple rules: a rider loses if he puts a foot down, or rides outside the square. Basically each rider maneuvers around and tries to pin another rider into a corners. Small bumps were ok, but it wasn't a hokey match. It was a fun game for kids. With what I've seen fixed gear riders do with balancing their bikes, track stands, even rolling backwards, I wonder how long some matches might last. Anyway, it would be interesting to try to revive this game. Also, I need to check out bike polo. What about bike soccer?

Joel Gillespie Story on Local Cyclist Tom Carlson

2009-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Get to know ‘em!: Tom Carlson

Posted in CULTURE to I've Got A Bike, You Can Ride It If You Like by Joel Gillespie on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 8:00 am

Bikes on Lights Photo Contest

2009-05-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Winner, Most Creative Category

Light manufacturer Princeton Tec has sponsored a Got Lights on Bikes photo contest. The Swerve bike tail light offered by Princeton Tec offers some interesting features, claiming "a combination of a diffused lens and a collimated focused lens creates a very bright 180° beam pattern that alternates between a wider beam and a narrow beam. Because the eye must juggle these two beams it doesn’t get a chance to relax, and the resulting is a very high level of visibility."

Now, as I sit here and help promote Princeton Tec on this blog, I'm amazed at the success of such viral, web 2.0 social marketing techniques. If you look at the inventiveness and total number of pictures submitted to the photo contest it's amazing. If Princeton Tec, or any company, set out to pay for the work done here, it would be a very expensive marketing/advertising campaign, with less interesting results. Ask people to enter their pix in a photo contest, and they work for free and offer any number of inventive, crazy, work. Now the key, however, to such marketing campaigns is to excite people's imaginations, and, well, that is something that you can't really buy and doesn't always work. When it does work, it points toward a very interesting, global village of hobbyists, do-it-yourselfers, and fans collaborating together around something they love.

You can see the winning photos here.

Bamboo Bikes From Le Batard Bikes

2009-05-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Great post from Bicycle Design blog on Le Batard Bikes, including this very simple bamboo bike, which seems a composite of bamboo.

The News-Gazette.com: Cyclists honor fallen, promote safety in Ride of Silence

2009-05-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Cyclists honor fallen, promote safety in Ride of Silence: "Cyclists honor fallen, promote safety in Ride of Silence
By Tim Mitchell
Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:02 AM CDT

CHAMPAIGN – As 21 bicyclists rode together down the streets of Champaign-Urbana on Wednesday evening, the only sounds that could be heard were of bike wheels turning and birds chirping.

The cyclists, many wearing homemade black armbands, rode in silence. A few of them occasionally paused to wipe away a tear or to pat another cyclist on the back."

Lay Down Some Chalk Dust, Dude

2009-05-21T13:56:00.001-07:00

Show me a kid who never laid down a skid mark with his bike's rear wheel and I'll show you a kid whose chauffeur nearly got fired for laying down skid marks with the Bentley. These day, for older cyclists who still have some kid in them, try out Contrail, which lays down a colored chalk trail as you tool about. Now, technically, you can't buy this product yet. It's a prototype idea from Studio Gelardi and blogged about at coolhunting.

Is Contrail for real? Is it vaporware? Is it social engineering? Is it something you could make this weekend in your garage? Keep an eye for pink chalk contrails in your home town.

PicoCool - Contrail: Leave a colorful message

Bike Dispenser

2009-05-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, if it works for Pez, it should work for bikes, or at least for European bike commuters:

PicoCool - Bike dispenser

And, thanks to my friend Erich Adickes, who shared this with me and led me to all the other great, bike design ideas and products on PicoCool, which I will be linking to from this blog.

Free Giveaway of the Month: Bike To Work Pants » Yanko Design

2009-05-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

You can have little reflectors on your bike, or you and your entire bike can be reflective. "And we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun."

Free Giveaway of the Month: Bike To Work Pants » Yanko Design: "I don’t need to iterate the benefits of cycling, you know the facts. However it’s a shame when we hear about preventable accidents because of visibility issues. There are many ways to ensure you don’t become another statistic, but the most interesting and sure fire way I’ve found is with this kitsch pair of Bike To Work Pants from Cordarounds."

Germany Imagines Suburbs Without Cars - NYTimes.com

2009-05-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

Sign me up. This is the only way to roll.

Germany Imagines Suburbs Without Cars - NYTimes.com: "VAUBAN, Germany — Residents of this upscale community are suburban pioneers, going where few soccer moms or commuting executives have ever gone before: they have given up their cars."

Kent's Bike Blog: Vashon Island Bike Tree

2009-05-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

This is a famous bike apparently embedded in a living tree. Now it's not uncommon for a tree to grow around things. I've heard there is even a Harley "bike" that a tree grew around, so no big deal. Ok, that said, people still wonder if this is real. The bike almost looks Photoshopped into the tree, but apparently it's there. The next question, for those that have actually seen this bike, is how did it get higher up the tree, as a bike leaned against a tree might, eventually, be enveloped by a tree, but would not rise up the side of the tree; it's only the top part of a tree that grows up, the base of a tree just grows wider and bigger. You can trace the meanderings of the critical mind at the Museum of Hoaxes comments area for bike tree. The skeptical note that someone could have cut the bike in pieces and stuck them into the tree and helped with the eventual engulfing process of the tree, as we see when someone place a stake or pole into or near a tree (could use a professional botanist here). My own theory is the bike was either placed higher in the tree or thrown there by a storm and the tree grew around it. Apparently this is also the inspiration for Berkeley Breathed childrens book Red Ranger Came Calling.

Kent's Bike Blog: Vashon Island Bike Tree

Robotic Bike Parking in Tokyo

2009-05-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

There is an amazing combination of high tech (robotics) and old tech (bikes) toward a better way of doing transport in super crowded cities like Tokoyo. This leads me to wonder if many of our solutions to energy and sustainable living might not include curious combinations of old and new.

Whimsical Cartoonist Steven M. Johnson's Bike Ideas

2009-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Allison Arieff offers a NY Times contemplation of whimsical designer Steven M. Johnson, whose cartoons include a number of inventive transportation notions, including some curious bike ideas:

Hack Bikes R Cool

2009-05-01T21:49:00.001-07:00

This is why I'm checking out the welder kits at Lowes today. The only way I'll be able to create these monster bikes is by learning to do the basic welding. Maybe I can take a class at our local community college, Parkland College.

C-U native, partner taking bicycles across Europe, Asia

2009-04-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Amy Reiter of our News-Gazette first reported on Champaign-Urbana native Tara Alan and her partner Tyler Kellen who are starting out on a bike trip from Europe to Asia. Next, Joel Gillespie of Smile Politely conducted an email interview with Tara and Tyler. We can keep up with Tara and Tyler's exploits via their very nice web site. Now, if you really explore their website you'll see that the young couple documented their preparations for their trip and this is a really good resource for anyone planning a major trip. Note, below, they even have a long section on their fabrication of a backpack oven.

Best of luck to this couple as they get to go on an amazing trip while we sit at home in Chambana.

Adam Slight flickr Bike Photo Sets

2009-04-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ran across some nice flickr photo sets from Adam Slight, who has some bike restoration projects displayed, including Flightliners, Schwinn Typhoon, Western Flyer, and a great Murray Eliminator.

The Bike Pedal Museum Interview

2009-04-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

Russ Roca interview at the San Diego Handmade Bike Show of Richard Bryne about the Museum of Pedal History.

Epicurean Cyclist - The Pedal Museum from Russ Roca on Vimeo.

Rolling Stops for those Car Drivers who Do Rolling Stops with a Half Ton at 20 MPH and then Yell at a Rolling Stop from a 200 pound, 4 MPH Bike

2009-04-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Bicycles, Rolling Stops, and the Idaho Stop from Spencer Boomhower on Vimeo.

Amazing Folding Bike Designs at Yanko Design

2009-04-15T21:14:00.001-07:00

There are some great folding bike designs at the Yanko Design Blog. I don't believe these are something you can buy at Amazon just yet, but are forward-looking designs. Some appear, at least in 3-D view, to be elegant and new variations on an old idea.

The Solar Man design above won a 2008 Lotus design competition.

1-Of-A-Kind Bike: Tim Hodson's Bridgestone Mile 112

2009-04-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

1-Of-A-Kind-Bike: Tim Hodson's Bridgestone Mile 112

RTB: Why the Bridgestone?

TH: They are interesting bikes. You can read about them on Sheldon Brown's web site. The interest comes from the designer, Grant Petersen, who Sheldon Brown says followed his own drummer, and resisted a lot of the popular trends of the industry and ended up paying financially for doing his own thing. This bike is an earlier model of Mile 112, but there are similar, more famous bikes (RB1s thru RB3s & MB1s thru MB6s and XO series). The Nitto mustache bars are stock on the later bikes, but this seems to be one that someone has done up to look like the later series bikes.

RTB: What year is this bike?

TH: 1986.

RTB: Is Petersen still making bikes?

TH: Yes, he left Bridgestone (and started Rivendell Bicycle Works). His way of doing things kind of ran him into the ground, and now he has his own company.

RTB: Where did you get the bike?

TH: Ebay. I believe it was from the West Coast.

RTB: Was it a good buy? How do you like Ebay for bikes?

TH: I didn't exactly get a good deal, but it was a fair price. I'd rather find it on cragslist and save shipping, but Champaign doesn't have that many bikes and to find rare things you have to use Ebay.

RTB: How rare is the bike?

TH: I guess it is one of a kind since it is customized; I don't know as much about this particular model, but the series after this one is pretty sought after.

RTB: Most importantly, how do you like it and how does it ride?

TH: Rides really well. I'm going to put some toe clips on it and tune it up a bit more, but it is very light for a steel bike and handles well.

RTB: Would you get another Bridgestone?

TH: Probably not, just because I'd like to collect things. I'd like an old Raleigh 3-speed.

RTB: Your other bikes?

TH: Raleigh road bike and a Cannondale fixie.

RTB: How do you like the mustache handle bars?

TH: Yes, they take a little getting used to at first. They are different looking. They are a little closer to upright position and not as aggressive as the drops. They give lots of hand positions.

RTB: What bike are you going to commute with now?

TH: Take out the Raliegh on the rainy days, and on nice days I'll ride the Bridgestone.

RTB: So the Cannondale is just going to sit there.

TH: For the moment.

Grant Petersen wikipedia

Grant Petersen interview Cycloculture

Coffee Cuts Work-out Pain for Cyclists and Athletes

2009-04-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

An interesting study from Illinois Professor Robert Motl (a former competitive cyclist) that adds to the evidence that caffeine intake prior to athletic exertion cuts down on pain perception. It's unclear if caffeine improves performance, but if one can go a little harder or further due to a greater pain tolerance, then it stands to reason that one might do a bit better.

Swapping Upswept Bars for My Flat Bars

2009-04-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'd kept my Trek 7.3 FX commuter bike fairly stock since I bought it some years ago. When I rolled it out of Champaign Cycle I had them install some nice yellow Planet Bike fenders, for the "bumble bee look" as described by Scott, and a Trek rear rack. But, other than those items and a cheapie Bell bike-ometer, I was pretty stock. I got the bike because it was essentially a pretty fast commuter bike as the FX line is more of a training bike than a hybrid or comfy commuter bike. Over the years I kept thinking maybe I ought to trade the "aggressive" straight bars for something a bit more comfortable, but didn't want to slow the bike down. Then I realized I could buy some upswept bars, try them out, and just use them on another bike if they turned by FX racer into a granny bike. Ok, here's the funny part, after installing the new bars, and riding the same old routes to campus that I have ridden for years, I now believe this bike is just as fast or faster! What's up with that? Here's my multi-causal theory:

commuting isn't racing . . . most of the time you are slowing or stopping and going, and, guess what, a more upright posture gives you more torque from a dead stop; I'm even pulling mini wheelies when I used to just dig in and pedal.
upright posture is better for breathing . . . breathing is the locomotion of the human body.
more upright posture might help with the geometry of the bike and my own leg extension?

And now something weirder, these bars make it easier to ride no-hands. Perhaps that has something to do, again, with the more upright posture, but with the old bars I used to have to work at going no-hands for 10 or 20 feet (and I have damn good balance and could ride no-hands for blocks as a kid) and now, with the new bars, I can more easily ride with no hands. Is that due to the posture or the swept-back style of the bars, I dunno.

Last weird details of the transition, see below. Besides the bars I traded the stock Trek bell for a soccer bell, and added cork grips, which, to do so, advised applying alcohol. So I grabbed some absente, which is only recently legal in the states. The Green Fairy rides with me.

Robert

Bikes Belong on Sidewalks, Cars Driven by This Kid Need the Boot

2009-04-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

We've all read those inane college opinion pieces written by inane college students with opinions, so we know that irony, a meandering style, naked ignorance, and a "stream-of-semi-consciousness" are essentials of the genre, but seldom do we find each in such full flower as in this MSU editorial where the young reporter sounds off on bikes on the road, and threatens to run them over with his car. Just when you think our species is doomed, read the flood of comments that take him to the whupping shed! Maybe there is some hope for humanity.

Robert

SmilePolitely on Bikes and Other Good things in Chambana

2009-04-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

The nice Chambana community blog called smilepolitely.com regularly features good local bike stories, including the most recent, on Bike Project volunteer Paul Ceroke, who will be heading to Iraq with the Army National Guard soon. Joel Gillespie is the bike blogger and I believe the main force behind this very good local blog.

Joel has nice plugs for this blog and Sue Jones' Urbana-Champaign Cycling Ventures today.

Robert

Sheldon Brown RIP

2009-04-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Sheldon Brown was one of the first bike gurus to offer amazing bike repair information and support on the web. Here is a graffiti tribute to him.

(tip from Fred Davidson of The Bike Project List)

sheldon.jpg (JPEG Image, 480x640 pixels)

Gabe's Bare Metal Cheetah Bike

2009-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

This was an abandonded cheapie MTN bike that I fixed up for Gabe. It had tons of those bike decals. I attacked the bike with my new Electrical Die Grinder and sort of took it down to it's animal, primal nature, and then clear-coated that with a rattle can: Premium Decor Clear Gloss, which dries in about 3 minutes. Cork end stops on the handlebars, tires hold air, should be able to get one around town.

Robert

Creative Cycle Works - Custom Bike Paint Jobs

2009-04-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Some amazing paint jobs from Creative Cycle Works.

That is the rear disk wheel of a track bike, painted in the WWII era bomber style.

A full shot of the bomber bike, painted to look like the old school bomber, with some weathering and combat damage.

The most sporty exercise bike on the planet!

Ok, we actually have bikes made of bamboo, but here is a bike painted to look, very realistically, like bamboo. Amazing work here.

Note how the original frame has been customized and the stock decals are used as background for the new icicle treatment.

The News-Gazette.com: Local women take to biking as primary transportation

2009-04-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

The News-Gazette.com: Local women take to biking as primary transportation

Great full page "Living" section article in our local News-Gazette on biking. Feature story focuses on Joyce Mast and Sherry Weaver, who are bike commuters. Sidebars are nice with ride and path suggestions, the popularity of the Townie model locally, and bike resources.

A few years back the News-Gazette seemed surprised that there were cyclists in town and there were some disparaging editorials about cyclists. Also, it's become clear locally that the cycling community is larger, fairly well organized, and politically active. This full-page treatment seems an olive branch, but also just a reflection of the growing cycling community and activity in the area.

Robert

Jacques Ferrand Leather Bike | Arkitip Intel

2009-03-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

Jacques Ferrand Leather Bike | Arkitip Intel

Greg Busch & Lisa Hall Keep Things Interesting | Momentum - The Magazine For Self Propelled People!

2009-03-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

Greg Busch & Lisa Hall Keep Things Interesting | Momentum - The Magazine For Self Propelled People!

A nice article about Champaign bike creators Greg Bush and Lisa Hall. I actually rode their custom tandem bike with Rick Langlois for a half mile at last 4th of July as he had borrowed it for the parade. It's very weird pedaling backward while facing backward, and the front seat takes some getting used to, too. Hats off to a young family that commutes as much as they do in central Illinois, year round! And with such a cool, one-of-a-kind bike.

Homemade Hardside Panniers | BikeHacks

2009-03-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Great bike blog called Bikehacks. Here is a sample story on "Homemade Hardside Panniers."

Homemade Hardside Panniers | BikeHacks