tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post661129610141610507..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Transportation Time Trials: How Much Difference Does the Bicycle Make?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22755335575870263302015-01-18T22:20:25.537-05:002015-01-18T22:20:25.537-05:00I'm way too late on this but I just realized w...I'm way too late on this but I just realized what people were talking about. Bromptons pivot in front of the bottom bracket don't they, the Bottom Bracket shell is rigidly fixed to the chainstay and thus there is no tightening or slackening of the chain when riding or folding. The rear triangle is a rigid assembly as on a normal non Brompton-y bike. No tensioner needed at all.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40233519986800452792015-01-17T12:05:56.536-05:002015-01-17T12:05:56.536-05:00While there's no question that geometry and we...While there's no question that geometry and weight are a factor, its been my experience that bikes with road geometry, narrow tires, and low bars are just tolerable at best, and miserable at a more relaxed pace. <br />They force you to ride them as intended even if that's not your conscious intention.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42843062494796692592015-01-16T12:30:14.744-05:002015-01-16T12:30:14.744-05:00Keep it simple. No tensioner. Chain tension (or sl...Keep it simple. No tensioner. Chain tension (or slack) will need to be set precisely when bolting the wheel to the dropouts because of suspension travel. But chain tension should always be well set and there is not much travel or change in effective chain stay length. When folding take up chain slack with a hook, a bungee, a zip tie, a piece of string. And it will all work much better with realistic gears at 60" to 70". Not just it will ride better, the mechanics will be better and easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57666381010254911202015-01-16T08:28:04.034-05:002015-01-16T08:28:04.034-05:00Not a deliberate attempt to hide my location, as i...Not a deliberate attempt to hide my location, as its general vicinity is mentioned in plenty of other posts. The trip described here is Magilligan-Limavady. The photos are meant as general illustrations of the "cycling into town" concept.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46661323843399279152015-01-16T08:22:09.399-05:002015-01-16T08:22:09.399-05:00Does not compute! I count at least 3 towns in thes...Does not compute! I count at least 3 towns in these photos ;P But if that is a deliberate attempt to obscure your location, my apologies!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-84780090892708198552015-01-15T22:24:43.278-05:002015-01-15T22:24:43.278-05:00Oh, I almost forgot. Have you tried the commute w...Oh, I almost forgot. Have you tried the commute with the old Raleigh Tourist? Actually, how's she doing now? Haven't heard about 'er in a while. Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64610519347858362072015-01-15T22:23:01.628-05:002015-01-15T22:23:01.628-05:00Haha, it's funny you should say that. I too h...Haha, it's funny you should say that. I too have the logic that there's no beauty in a fine machine if all it does is sit. Last year, a '58 Raleigh Sports with the usually-bad SW hub was my only ride and I rode it every day, rain, shine, snow, and it gave me zero trouble. This year, I got an old 10-speed beater to take the bulk of the abuse and suddenly, the Sports started having transmission problems. I think I was riding it less than 50% of the time. Now that it's winter, the heavier Sports is better suited to the snow and (besides the fact that I actually bought a new shifter shhh) the SW is running silently, smoothly, and flawlessly once again. The ol' girl loves the snow and has never once left me lying in it - I like to think we treat each other alright, haha. Jay Tyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379343653425080261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42912547715706194412015-01-15T12:46:47.333-05:002015-01-15T12:46:47.333-05:00Re: fixie bromptons -- cool! I didn't think t...Re: fixie bromptons -- cool! I didn't think there was any way to have a chain tensioner and still have fixed-gear work. The creator has some notes about how it works in the comments of this pic: <br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepixel/2228680932/in/set-72157615886030030<br />which were neat to read. antimonyhttp://bikingandbaking.dreamwidth.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33890818209678989602015-01-14T21:12:01.097-05:002015-01-14T21:12:01.097-05:00I have noticed the same thing you've noticed: ...I have noticed the same thing you've noticed: that on some routes the bike makes a difference to the speed, and on other routes any bike will get me there at just about the same time. But I didn't have to move to Ireland to discover this. I just switched my Boston area bike commute from a longer, mostly-bike-path route to a shorter route with more intersections and traffic lights. What's interesting is the counter-intuitive nature of my options. If I want to get to work as fast as possible, I ride the longer route on a faster bike, while if I want a more relaxed commute, I ride the shorter, busier route on a more comfortable, upright bike. On a faster bike, riding the shorter route is actually slower than the longer route. On a slower, more relaxed bike, the bike path route is actually less relaxing for me (because I'm worried about being late to work) than riding the shorter route through busy traffic. I usually end up riding the upright bike on the shorter route. Takes a few minutes longer, but I arrive less sweaty and more peaceful.Erichttp://literacyinleafstrewn.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12957574573675094722015-01-14T16:46:38.106-05:002015-01-14T16:46:38.106-05:00Actually the wind here tends to change direction m...Actually the wind here tends to change direction mid-day (not making this up, <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/headwinds-in-both-directions.html" rel="nofollow">see here</a>), so oftentimes I am riding into a headwind both there and back!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81771823125426618662015-01-14T16:31:35.356-05:002015-01-14T16:31:35.356-05:00A smile? A smile?!
Scandalous idea.A smile? A smile?! <br /><br />Scandalous idea.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63376848359681742542015-01-14T12:33:11.848-05:002015-01-14T12:33:11.848-05:00Just once I made the mistake of going out for a sp...Just once I made the mistake of going out for a spin on a fixed gear as wretchedly large as 42x15. I was feeling sparky. I knew it was wrong in about 100 yards but didn't feel like going back home and changing it. Who do I meet on the road but Charlie Yaccino. Who immediately says "Don't you know better?" And I knew what he was talking about. I didn't say anything so he followed up with "Didn't we teach you better than that?" He felt bad and he felt responsible for not pounding in the lessons hard enough. I was taught well.<br /><br />Then there was the ride where Jim Rossi showed up on 50x16 fixed. He could do that. We looked at that wheel and knew what we were in for. We warmed up as he loafed along in the big gear. He gave it a little gas and we died. When he put the hammer down that was that. Nobody else I've seen can road that gear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80319940446914770952015-01-14T11:13:24.545-05:002015-01-14T11:13:24.545-05:00I meant a quick selfie with a smart phone. Lighth...I meant a quick selfie with a smart phone. Lighthearted, maybe a smile :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52573497688059798172015-01-14T09:07:47.048-05:002015-01-14T09:07:47.048-05:00Hi Anon...
I did go check out Jimmy Walthour, tha...Hi Anon...<br /><br />I did go check out Jimmy Walthour, thanks for that. I think I may have heard about him but only as one part of a family of Greats that spanned a couple of generations. I think between them the Walthours didn't leave many trophies un-claimed.<br /><br /> I get all misty eyed thinking about all the fabled European Heroes of the past and tend to forget that we have an amazing heritage of our own. Professional Track, especially Six Day racing seems so disconnected from what bike racing has become that it's easy overlook the achievements of those Men and Women, pretty sad really since it's freaking fantastic. It's cool to hear from people who knew those riders. If we ever cross paths I'm buying as long as you're talking...<br /><br />I think my response to your first comment was a bit off the mark too, BTW. I think my inner Grumpy Old Man was too ready to snap at some imaginary Hipster in thrall to the mystical powers of the Fixie. Even if those characters really exist it seems like a pretty shabby way to respond in retrospect.<br /><br />Spindizzy<br /><br />You were on target with the suggestion to lower my gearing too. After grunting along on my 44x16 I went to more sensible gears and started using fixed to help me learn to spin, I wouldn't be riding around at 100-110 rpm these days with healthy knees if I hadn't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73551043885379033492015-01-14T08:45:24.370-05:002015-01-14T08:45:24.370-05:00Mmmm... Donuts.Mmmm... Donuts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40446814301028885152015-01-14T08:44:12.837-05:002015-01-14T08:44:12.837-05:00No emotional attachment to the figure? Really, you...No emotional attachment to the figure? Really, you can say that in print, speak that aloud in public?<br /><br />If you are not aware of what your ideal gear in inches is, what crank length best represents your station in this world, what handlebar stem diameter brings you closest to your Creator, than how can you find your correct position on the battle lines? <br /><br />You, Madam, are in the wrong hobby. <br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31402023439665519822015-01-14T07:16:52.538-05:002015-01-14T07:16:52.538-05:00You presume too much Anon! Next step. And perhaps ...You presume too much Anon! Next step. And perhaps a shatterproof case. <br /><br />But that aside... To tell you the truth, even if I had the skills to use a full fledged SLR whilst pedaling, I'm just not especially interested in those types of shots. I'm not sure I agree that "bikes are only lovely when photographed with someone riding them." There are different genres within "bike photography" if you will. Action photos are great and I love others' snaps of themselves, or others cycling. But I myself prefer to photograph around the action rather than the action itself. Even when I am at a bicycle race, brevet, or similar event, I find myself more drawn to photographing the cyclists in pre-ride anticipation or post-ride exhaustion, the landscape, the bicycles lying in heaps or leaning against trees, the spectators eating donuts, the organisers scribbling on notepads, etc - more so than the pedaling itself. I can see how that's probably frustrating for those who prefer action photography. But there are loads and loads of other blogs that offer exactly that. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51899768446169192392015-01-14T06:50:21.116-05:002015-01-14T06:50:21.116-05:00Pedanter away. I used bikecalc, and when I entered...Pedanter away. I used bikecalc, and when I entered my specs that was the number it spat out. I have no emotional attachment to the figure. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34314617760402974022015-01-14T00:36:41.025-05:002015-01-14T00:36:41.025-05:00No need for a camera crew or a photo shoot, you...No need for a camera crew or a photo shoot, you're just riding a bicycle and I presume are capable of snapping some quick pics of the moment…If the theme is transportation time trials I'd love to see photos of you and the various bikes, in action, on this specific commute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73202621054446337692015-01-13T16:26:09.635-05:002015-01-13T16:26:09.635-05:0049 divided by 19 equals 2.579. 2.579 times 27 equa...49 divided by 19 equals 2.579. 2.579 times 27 equals 69.633. Rounding makes that a 70" gear. Sorry for the pedantry but when discussing fixed ratios it matters. Also, there is never a fudge factor for 27 vs 700. Or for different sized tires. It's 27" nominal or we're instantly talking past each other. If you want precision try metres of gear development. And see how many know what you're talking about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25076593389116197132015-01-13T14:28:48.899-05:002015-01-13T14:28:48.899-05:00I know of several fixed Brompton users, and as far...I know of several fixed Brompton users, and as far as I know they do fold it (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepixel/sets/72157615886030030/" rel="nofollow">see here</a> for instance). Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79828894339629232612015-01-13T14:25:30.269-05:002015-01-13T14:25:30.269-05:00Those are actually not especially scenic images! I...Those are actually not especially scenic images! I love where I live.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9353888511967489942015-01-13T14:24:30.252-05:002015-01-13T14:24:30.252-05:00It's a 68" gear (49/19t)It's a 68" gear (49/19t)Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6303025289781905742015-01-13T13:49:33.483-05:002015-01-13T13:49:33.483-05:00I have a Brompton like yours plus nine drop bar bi...I have a Brompton like yours plus nine drop bar bikes including a fixed gear. I get the same results as you. As you said, unless the wind is brutal or the terrain very hilly the fixed gear gets the nod.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710715433883677736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63433858141205531482015-01-13T12:36:01.069-05:002015-01-13T12:36:01.069-05:00Phone set on selfie, low angle of drivetrain - the...Phone set on selfie, low angle of drivetrain - the next step skill. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.com