tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post6110108084995793770..comments2023-11-29T13:50:03.704+01:00Comments on Cycle Chic®: Cycle Chic Guide to Bike Commuting - #1 Choosing a BikeColville-Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-12635364499554423962015-09-23T12:55:43.267+02:002015-09-23T12:55:43.267+02:00The blog is absolutely fantastic! Lot of great inf...The blog is absolutely fantastic! Lot of great information which can be helpful in some or the other way. Keep updating the blog, looking forward for more contents...Great job, keep it up..<br /><a href="http://eastmanglobal.com/product-category/complete-bicycle/road-bicycle/" rel="nofollow">Road Bicycle<br /></a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084623720275492731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-43376096776799319112011-09-26T18:22:40.791+02:002011-09-26T18:22:40.791+02:00Thanks for this posting & this site. Really he...Thanks for this posting & this site. Really helped de-mystify bikes for me. I cannot fit a Workcycles Fr8 in my NYC apartment, however a Brompton folder is in my future in part because of this very good intro to city biking. Best regards, TerryTerryNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04499999836988562241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-32387800917378688492011-08-15T13:20:34.523+02:002011-08-15T13:20:34.523+02:00A little late to the party, but here goes:
Every k...A little late to the party, but here goes:<br />Every kind of bike and gearing system has its advantages and drawbacks. Personally, I love my old single-speed super-heavy bike, and I love my 3-speed, middle-weight bike, and I love my two derailleur 10-speeds. They're used for different kinds of riding. One of the 10-speeds is for fast city commuting, visiting friends or family in and near Copenhagen etc. - in fair weather (fenders, and a heavy duty lock, though). The other is for longer touring, 40-120 km. The 3-speed and the single speed are for rain, snow and generally poorer conditions, or for transporting things that won't fit in my backpack. I love cruising along on the heavier bikes, and I love the adrenalin rush of riding 50-70 km/h down a steep hill on the 10-speeds (or zigzagging through inner Copenhagen at 30 km/h!). <br /><br />The 1- and 3-speeds are very low maintenance, but certainly can't be used for all kinds of hills, not even right outside of central Copenhagen - at least not if you're in the slightest bit of a hurry and don't wish to arrive soaked in sweat. The 10-speed is high maintenance, and gets you over any hill around here, no probs. An internal hub gearing around 7 speeds might be the best solution for most people in most places, really.<br /><br />Different bikes for different needs. But I think it's safe to say that derailleur gears are not that smart in the Copenhagen (and Scandinavian) winters. However, they will probably be the best solution in places with a lot less snow or rain. It's no coincidence that almost any old city-bicycle (equipped with fenders and all) you come across in France or Italy has derailleur gearing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-388532186207212492010-04-21T06:59:52.787+02:002010-04-21T06:59:52.787+02:00While I didn't end up getting the Trek Soho la...While I didn't end up getting the Trek Soho last year after all (I got their very nice District while on a trip to San Francisco, made for a bit of adventure on the return flight to Montreal!), I did replace my city bike a bit earlier this season, and I think it's worth a mention here...<br /><br />It's the Lugano, by a company called Opus Bike that is local to the Montreal area (bonus points, for me!). It's a very classy looking bike, anthracite grey with a bit of sparkle, 7 gears (internal), roller brakes (works just as well in the wet, and no brake pad dust everywhere!), standard rear rack that is painted to match, nice fenders (with the rear end painted white, of course), and, lovely of lovelies, a chain guard!<br /><br />And it manages to pull all of this off in clever practical ways, IMHO, using painted plastic for the chain guard, and aluminium for the frame (to keep the weight under control, even though it's no racer, handier to lug around).<br /><br />I had to add some lighting, and I'm looking to add a front basket, and maybe a coffee cup holder, but all in all, I'm finding that Opus (who used to make mainly racing bikes, I believe) has done extremely well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021891826074851837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-61607210764277839642010-03-09T11:18:16.023+01:002010-03-09T11:18:16.023+01:00I have an old 15 year old Granny bike mudguards, c...I have an old 15 year old Granny bike mudguards, chainguards, 7 hub gears, dynamo and carrier. Cycling around my hilly and windy city is nearly effortless but always easy and pleasent. Yesterday a fellow daily cyclist commented about the drag created by the dynamo and my waisted energy. This was from someone whose journey is about 25 to 30 mins (Roughly how long it would take me). She had special hi viz clothes splattered in mud (no fenders) a dedicated bag to carry her working clothes and of course a shower when she got to work.<br /> <br />I dont see why it has to be that difficult. I dont understand how intelligent people cannot see how easy it can be. <br />The truth is if you want to get around a city door to door at 16km an hour with out the sweat, enjoying the view, sharing a word or greeting with other people in comfort and safety just use a simple upright, Granny, Dutch or whatever you want to call it bike.<br /><br />Ps I like the coaster breaks its great for turning across a road while making a hand signal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-35775374372851029742010-01-14T21:42:24.792+01:002010-01-14T21:42:24.792+01:00Gears
I have a 19 year old "mountain bike&qu...Gears<br /><br />I have a 19 year old "mountain bike" as they were affordable and available when I needed one. Regular bikes were rare and expensive. I think I paid $350 U.S. in 1991 for mine. It has "21 gears", 3 rings in the front and 7 cogs on the rear cluster. Well, you aren't supposed to cross shift, so that takes you down a set, to about 14 gears.<br />In reality I find I ride most of the time with the rear cluster on the middle cog and do 90% of my shifting with the front. I do use the lowest (largest) 3 cogs on the rear on very steep hills. I have no use for the "upper 3" (smallest) on the rear; I'd rather coast (glide, in your terms) than go that fast.<br />The result is that for practical purposes I'm riding a "6 speed". Which means I could do fine with a 5 or 7 speed rear hub, so long as the lowest was the same ratio as I'm using now. Our hills aren't big, but they are frequent and steep.<br /><br />GlennGlennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16509609643029842132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-51824625543417401432010-01-09T11:23:01.420+01:002010-01-09T11:23:01.420+01:00My girlfriend has a pretty heavy bike. This causes...My girlfriend has a pretty heavy bike. This causes her trouble when she has to take it on the train or just carry it down the five steps to put it in the basement.<br /><br />It's a daily annoyance for her. And she's actually pretty strong for a girl :-)<br /><br />Weight does matter.<br /><br />Not in the way that you should unscrew your basket or other convenient stuff. But weight surely isn't irrelevant when you consider buying a new bike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-55875416402386416842009-06-24T21:54:27.999+02:002009-06-24T21:54:27.999+02:00This post was so fantastic! I'm actually in th...This post was so fantastic! I'm actually in the process of saving to convert my Kent "Grabber" road bike to a commuter bike. Now I have a much better idea of what I should get done.<br /><br />Regarding coaster brakes, I'm one of those people who doesn't like them mainly because I've gotten so used to using just the handbrake, that I naturally relax by pedaling backwards. Recently I borrowed my friend's cruiser and I would accidentally brake rather abruptly... needless to say, I looked rather style-less as I repeatedly fell over...<br /><br />Also, I second Anon on 5th of April. My town isn't bike unfriendly, but it certainly doesn't have a bike culture. It'd be nice to be able to do all these things without worrying about messing them up.Cyclechicsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14082000877059011534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-53110186796586599302009-06-11T18:09:31.921+02:002009-06-11T18:09:31.921+02:00I think I finally found a bike that's both nic...I think I finally found a bike that's both nicely practical and fits my nerdy love of technology!<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/soho/" rel="nofollow">Trek Soho</a> comes with fenders, an internal hub, roller brakes (no brake dust, and works well in the wet), and... a chainguard! OMG!<br /><br />Ok, admittedly, the chainguard does look a bit flimsy and like it might not be all that much protection, but here comes the tech nerdery to the rescue: it has a greaseless, noiseless belt drive. Allegedly, even if my pants went through it, it should be fine. I'll have to try that out. :-)<br /><br />It's no classic roadster in style, and it's missing a few things (no lights, kickstand, or baskets, but can all be added), but it's a nice start.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021891826074851837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-36975848052037956362009-04-05T17:50:00.000+02:002009-04-05T17:50:00.000+02:00I love your blog and especially this post! But I j...I love your blog and especially this post! But I just wanted to ask if you could write something about the basics of bike maintenance- choosing a pump, changing the tires etc? I'm a young woman living in a rather bike-unfriendly city and I'm sick of getting laughed at every time I go to the bikeshop in a skirt! Any ideas on DIY would be much appreciated!<BR/>thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-5768819034432540942008-11-17T23:20:00.000+01:002008-11-17T23:20:00.000+01:00IMHO, as for braking power and maintenance, city d...IMHO, as for braking power and maintenance, city duty is not mechanically as hard as other duties like long-distance commuting.<BR/><BR/>Even if mud can get into the rims and the brake shoes we are talking here about low speeds and uncomplicated bike driving across town.<BR/><BR/>Although I personally have a longer commute distance having to get from my town to a neighbour one by road, I certainly agree that city bound bike driving is not as demanding of disc braking or extended gear ratios or even total weight as it is going out of town and going up and down hills at higher speeds while 'accompanied' by traffic.<BR/><BR/>Great site and very nice photographs by the way you have made here. Please, keep up with the concept.JJIAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06186602026647704626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-61095286812620653062008-10-21T14:14:00.000+02:002008-10-21T14:14:00.000+02:00wow, fair play to you!!! That's a serious cycle!! ...wow, fair play to you!!! That's a serious cycle!! I do the same usually, change into clothes when I get into work, it'd just be easier not to have to. Now that it's got cold and wintry I'm barely sweating at all on my bike tho!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01205256774725019483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-78094369670437904652008-10-20T17:54:00.000+02:002008-10-20T17:54:00.000+02:00I have been commuting most of this summer with my ...I have been commuting most of this summer with my bicycle, and loving it, and I've found you have to adapt your style to your needs and your situation. I go about 11 miles, one way, to one work location, and about 17 miles to the other location. For the 17 mile trip, I cut down the time a bit, by popping my bike onto a bus carrier for the stretch up and down my steepest hill. For that, I'm grateful to have a bike that is not horribly heavy. I wear normal clothes, but find I do need to change once I get to work, because it's just not pleasant to work in sweaty clothes. Now that it's much colder, I'm very grateful for warm cycling tights (worn under my ordinary clothes, so it doesn't look too dorky!) And my hands would freeze if I didn't have warm gloves. These are things I wouldn't be wearing if I were driving a car. Doing an 11-17 mile ride (one way) slow enough to not get a bit "dewy" would mean I'd have to take more than two hours to do these trips. I don't have that much time, especially in the mornings! So, I wear what is comfortable on the bike, and take along something to change into at work. The change takes about five-ten minutes, so is not a burden. And I have a very stylish carrier from Basil to transport it in.Wilma Flanaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06024270772692389886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-31196569810638324502008-10-20T12:14:00.000+02:002008-10-20T12:14:00.000+02:00I'm really loving this site, the pics are fant...I'm really loving this site, the pics are fantastic!! I've taken up cycling abouut 6 months ago as it's the easiest way for me to get around, and initially felt I should have all the right 'cycle gear' but have been slowly shedding it, and sticking with my own clothes, as it's a pain to carry so much around!! But I wonder, how long would be the average cycle in Copenhagen>? I have quite far to cycle,and it can be difficult to remain stylish!! :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01205256774725019483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-5287097401117889422008-09-17T08:56:00.000+02:002008-09-17T08:56:00.000+02:00I think it's safe to say that i disagree with ever...I think it's safe to say that i disagree with everything you wrote.<BR/><BR/>We prefer demystifying the bicycle instead of overcomplicating it. It's just a machine, used to get around. <BR/><BR/>Nothing more than that for the vast majority.Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-70532852287235315802008-09-17T02:55:00.000+02:002008-09-17T02:55:00.000+02:00A few points from the perspective of an English cy...A few points from the perspective of an English cycle commuter.<BR/><BR/>1. Weight is an issue. A lighter bike requires less energy to pedal at at a given speed or go up a hill and will be easier to lift up steps or onto a bus/train.<BR/><BR/>2. Gearing. I have an old rigid (no suspension) mountain bike with 21 (3x7) gears. Never had a commuting need for the granny ring on the front - even on hills. Both the other two front chainrings were used in equal measure and the whole rear cassette was used too. That gave a good commuting range of gear ratios. I am currently rebuilding the bike with road bike <BR/>components and will be installing a compact chainset which will be much better suited to commuting.<BR/><BR/>3. Speed. Various posters have mentioned 'Bicycle Culture 1.0' and how everyone managed on singlespeeds or Sturmey Archer three-speeds. Had cycling fast been invented back then or is that a Bicycle Culture 2.0 innovation? I cycle commute because I can get across the city faster than a car or bus (and because I can park wherever I like and because I can get up half an hour later because I'm not held hostage by the limited bus timetable) and I need a good range of gear ratios to do that. Being limited to a very narrow range of gear ratios on a 3/5/7 speed (as I have been in the past with an broken front derrailleur) is very frustrating for me! Trundling slowly along takes most of the appeal of cycle commuting away for me.<BR/><BR/>4. Commuting bikes. I see a lot of people over here commuting on cheap 'supermarket' bikes. They're MTB (style) affairs - very heavy full suspension frames, fat tyres, massive disc brakes and a saddle as wide as an armchair set far too low for comfortable pedalling. Most of the owners of these machines just ooze along with much of their pedalling energy going not into propelling the bike forwards but instead into bouncing the awful suspension up and down. I'm sure that they'd be much better suited to the sort of bicycles discussed here but what few models are available rarely seem to be considered as suitable machines for leisuirely city rides.<BR/><BR/>5. Saddles don't have to be wide to be comfortable. However, a <I>cheap</I> narrow saddle will be uncomfortable. A plastic carrier bag is also an essential accessory for the commuting bicycle - to cover the saddle when the bike's parked in case it rains (maybe this is just a British thing?). I've not yet seen a saddle with an integrated rain-cover like you get with some rucksacks.<BR/><BR/>6. Brakes. Decent brakes are a must! I find the performance of hub/coaster brakes quite unnerving but accept that they may be the best low-maintenance solution for 1/3 speed bikes whose speed is already limited by the gear ratios available. Cheap rim brakes tend to be noisy and a maintenance nightmare (I've spent many an hour fiddling and fettling cheap Shimano centre-pull cantis) and V-brakes, while very nice, still suffer with greasy city dirt. Disc brakes however have proved suprisingly good for commuting. They've got way more stopping power than is needed but mine are well modulated, they're a doddle to maintain and being at the hub aren't so badly affected by city dirt and muck.<BR/><BR/>7. Mudguards, cycle-clips, racks and panniers rule! No rucksacks though - can't cycle with a sweaty back, that's just awful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-14653111349071493182008-08-13T17:54:00.000+02:002008-08-13T17:54:00.000+02:00The other side of the gear argument, too, is that ...The other side of the gear argument, too, is that not all riders are physically equal. If the goal is to get everyone out riding, then let riders who want and/or need lower gears to navigate steep hills (or ones who are nimble and strong enough to use only one gear) get the kind of bike that fits their needs. Me, I love the simplicity of a singlespeed, but there's no way I could get it up the steep hills around here (one of which, and the steepest, is directly between me and work) in my current state of fitness or lack of same. When I can get my low-geared bike up without pushing I'll think about changing :)<BR/><BR/>Lack of easily found chainguards makes me cry. But it seems like the Fear of Kickstands is finally passing away, as the [U.S.] bike shop I got my latest bike at offered to install one as a matter of course. No more "Can't stop and get off here, nothing to lean the bike against"-affected navigation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-36847428046377648622008-08-13T09:06:00.000+02:002008-08-13T09:06:00.000+02:00I remember when I visited Copenhagen, I found it t...I remember when I visited Copenhagen, I found it to be quite wonderful right when I arrived, but a day or two later, when I went window shopping at the bike shop and I saw the wheel lock, well, I don't even remember what I did. It was either falling to my knees in praise, or I started crying! I asked my Copenhagener host whether people really relied just on that, as I couldn't believe it. It says a lot (of good!) about the culture that you can leave a bike like that!<BR/><BR/>Since here you can't leave any bike for two minutes without supervision, the bike stand isn't that useful, you're going to lock it anyway, right? So sad.<BR/><BR/>For the gears, I'd point out that San Francisco is a city with <EM>brutal</EM> hills, and has a very high proportion of people riding single-speeds or fixies. You can comment a bit on <A HREF="http://flickr.com/photos/pphaneuf/sets/72157606311170213/" REL="nofollow">how "normal" these people are</A>, but the fact is that it's possible, and I'd probably be totally cool with a seven-speed internal hub there.<BR/><BR/>I would bring a counterpoint to a few items like the gearing or not caring about the weight... Here in Canada (and probably most of the US), what most people would call a "normal bike" is found in the <EM>toys</EM> department, and is a <A HREF="http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Toys.jsp?selection=listingDetails&tabId=5&singledept=null&lang=&assetId=28628&imageId=39976&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=899" REL="nofollow">profoundly depressing</A>. It's got gears up the wazoo, but the most questionable derailers you could think of, a frame made out of steel worthy of building bridges, but bad welding that I have seen <EM>break</EM> on more than one occasion. They are tremendously heavy, and have no redeeming features or good looks for it, they're just a horrible pain to get up a hill.<BR/><BR/>Bikes like you talk about are nothing but normal here, most like those were either rather old (which can be nice, but makes them uncommon) or <EM>imported</EM>, which is very expensive.<BR/><BR/>So what I focused on when people asked me for advice was to get something reasonable, just fancy enough that it wouldn't fall apart, and light enough that they wouldn't dread riding them (so many "hybrids" with useless suspensions here)... A few tweaks like fenders (not standard), a pause to wish for chainguards to fall from the sky (they never do), and off they went.<BR/><BR/>Things are starting to change, though! My girlfriend is pondering an Electra Townie 3 speed 700c, which I expect will only need a front basket to make her perfectly happy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021891826074851837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-67297783152222915252008-07-15T17:48:00.000+02:002008-07-15T17:48:00.000+02:00I once built a 3 speed mountain bike (30 tooth cog...I once built a 3 speed mountain bike (30 tooth cog on rear, 28, 36, 52 chainrings) and took it to Moab, Utah, on a trip with some friends. They all said I was crazy to not run 24 or 27 gears, like them.<BR/><BR/>High, medium, low. Thiose are the gears you use the most, and the gears I had. No problems keeping up with the guys, that week.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989502925369231042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-73671080710352358742008-06-03T09:06:00.000+02:002008-06-03T09:06:00.000+02:00Regarding brakes, as mentioned most bikes have coa...Regarding brakes, as mentioned most bikes have coaster brakes here for ease of use.<BR/><BR/>They don't wear out like handbrakes. They suit urban cycling to a tee.<BR/><BR/>With that said, it is the law that bikes have front and back brakes, so your coaster brake is accompanied by a front hand brake.Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-5686964562053944902008-05-31T15:32:00.000+02:002008-05-31T15:32:00.000+02:00Martin,A couple of comments on coaster brakes. I c...Martin,<BR/>A couple of comments on coaster brakes. I can take them or leave them. I have ridden bikes without them for so long they are no longer intuitive to me. There are a few other types of hub based brakes that are better in many ways, roller, drum and disc are the ones I am thinking of. Also at least in the US the main coaster brakes available are the super cheap ones that are available on the crappy Chinese built big box store bikes, they are unsafe at any speed! I have one and destroyed in less than 2 weeks under lightly stressed riding at my job. Unfortunately not all coaster brakes are created equal, my wife's Colt has one of the Sturmey Archer TCS hubs, the brake is horrible and barely works most of the time, parts are NLA. I have a suspicion that the hubs in use in places like Denmark are of a better quality that what is typically seen in the US, and probably are much more effective.<BR/><BR/>Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-60826703201441867582008-05-31T12:47:00.000+02:002008-05-31T12:47:00.000+02:00Re coaster brakes, several people here have said t...Re coaster brakes, several people here have said they hate them but don't say why. I wish they would. <BR/>Personally I love them. They give a far better feel, you can brake ever so lightly, just a touch, ease off, etc etc. Handbrakes are far too grabby and they wear out too quickly, need adjusting, add clutter... <BR/>BTW I'm talking about fairly relaxed urban riding patterns here, not long distance, not track riding, not mountainbiking. <BR/>/MartinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-1338303752610936532008-05-31T07:02:00.000+02:002008-05-31T07:02:00.000+02:00I have "Shimano Nexus" 7 speeds but i only use 3. ...I have "Shimano Nexus" 7 speeds but i only use 3. Montreal is not a flat city, and i go to work every days with 3 speeds. I realy dont understand the need for bikes with competition gearing.Stéphane Braulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16392602376476233099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-17642804676086798452008-05-31T01:38:00.000+02:002008-05-31T01:38:00.000+02:00zak,A self named blog is in the works.Here is a li...zak,<BR/>A self named blog is in the works.<BR/><BR/>Here is a link to some of my bike photos. Feel free to use any you want. Most of these bikes have been updated and upgraded since the pictures were taken.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/user/wahooncx?vhost=community" REL="nofollow">Bike Pictures</A> <BR/><BR/>Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210935752673952814.post-68848761392004719252008-05-30T22:50:00.000+02:002008-05-30T22:50:00.000+02:00wilma: very cool! i'll check it out. i need a coff...wilma: very cool! i'll check it out. i need a coffee holder. thanks!<BR/><BR/>gloria: fix it up and send photos!<BR/>here's <A HREF="http://flickr.com/photos/16nine/2257637424/" REL="nofollow">a bit of DBS magic</A><BR/><BR/>charlotte: thanks for the link and info!<BR/><BR/>2whls3spds: i'm pleased that you and the vast majority of the readers on this blog understand the fact that in order to get more people onto bikes it is important to remove this 'sports gear' mentality. which is the inspiration for this blog. encouraging and inspiring people to get out and ride and realising that the vast majority of us don't need all the crap they try to sell us. 1-3 gears sufficed for the better part of50 years in Bicycle Culture 1.0, and our grandparents/great-grandparents didn't whine. they just got on with it. something i respect immensely.<BR/><BR/>I loved the story about the Raleigh Colt! Send pictures! :-)<BR/><BR/>jennifer. cool link!Colville-Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749740728099129703noreply@blogger.com