The NADA Bike project is aimed at getting more people on bikes and less in cars. How do they plan to do this? By offering simple, bare fixed/single gear frames for a very reasonable cost.
$100 + $49 shipping gets you a frame which you can build any way you like. If you already have a collection of spare parts, this can transform them into a complete bike on the cheap. With such a low cost for the frame, you could still end up with an inexpensive fixie even with new parts.
I’d be curious to hear about how the frame works out for those who have built them up already.
After the buzz around the Sanyo’s Eneloop and other advances in e-bikes, lots of folks think that the technology has reached a point where it will really catch one. This NY Times article provides a good overview about the state of the e-bike.
I don’t think that it’s the technology itself which is the make or break factor for the widespread acceptance here. What I think will be the largest hurdle is getting over the social stigma many see in riding a bike. When people find out I ride a bike exclusively they come to one of two conclusions:
I can’t afford a car.
I lost my license because of a DUI
To be clear, I can afford a car and I’ve never had a DUI. This of course leads to the final conclusion… that I’m a weirdo hippie (this part might be true).
While making bikes easier to ride will certainly get some people in the saddle, I don’t think we will see an explosion of riders until the perception of biking is changed. Cars are just too entrenched into our culture no matter what technology makes bikes more accessible. But that’s just my option.
Buy a bike of course! Saw a post this morning on Confessions of a bike junkie about a bike from Aurumania which you can pick up for a sum of €80,000 ($116,127.16)
It certainly has all the features that are important in a new bike:
24k Gold plating … check!
Jewel Encrusted Lugs … check!
Hand sewn leather handlebar grips … check!
Brooks saddle … check!
It’s nice to know on a bike this expensive, they still use a Brooks saddle. Oh, and if you need a rack for this bike, that option is only €5,000. I must say though, for all that cash, couldn’t we at least get a few gears?
I love Peugeot bikes. My wife has a UO-18 Mixte from the early 70’s and a good friend of mine has one from the mid 80’s. There’s something about their look that I just can’t get over.
Lucky for us, they’ve decided to start producing bikes again. They are introducing 4 limited edition bikes this year to celebrate their bicentennial and apparently will resume normal production of bikes in 2011.
If you’ve purchased a new bike in the past 20 years, chances are you have 700c wheel on a road bike, or 26″ wheels on a mountain bike or cruiser. For a period in the late 70s and into the early 80s, 27″ was a popular wheel size on road bikes in the US and British market. If you have a 10 or 12 speed bike from this era, chances are you have this size wheel. (information via Harris Cyclery)
With 27″ being phased out so long ago, your tire selection is very thin compared to 700c. One option is to upgrade to a new set of wheels. I have a Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 and this is very popular on this model. You have to be careful here as certain bikes will not make this easy as the frame and/or brakes will not accommodate a different wheel size. Even if you have the option to upgrade, it may make more sense to keep your current set of wheels. For touring and recreation there is nothing wrong with this wheel size.
The shortage of 27″ tires seems to be the main reason people upgrade. I was able to find a tire I liked in this size (the Panaracer Pasela TG) and have been happy with that. So happy in fact I abandoned my original plan to upgrade wheels. I decided to compile a list of 27″ tires currently available in hopes that it may help other classic bike owners.
I only listed “premium” tires. If you don’t have special needs, or ride very little, your local bike shop, Wal-Mart, and Target usually have less expensive tires which may suit your needs. Amazon has a rather large selection as well.
This post will be updated on a regular basis, please let me know if I’ve missed a tire or dealer you think should be listed.
Brand
Model
Sizes (27x)
Description
Buy At
Panaracer
Pasela
1, 1-1/8, 1-1/4
An excellent multi-use tire. The Pasela makes any road or hybrid bike more versatile. Its center ridge rolls over broken pavement and works on dirt roads as well. A multitude of sizes and configurations make finding the proper size a breeze. An excellent value for commuting or touring cycling.
A durable carbon black mixture, a well regarded puncture protection system and DuraSkin-anti-cut fabric turn the Ultra GatorSkin into a real long distance runner. In varying widths from 23mm to 32mm it can be used on the way to work as well for training for road races or for sportifs and audax. A durable, tougt tyre at a really nice price. A modern tread design that collects less debris and the expansion of the product line to the new dimension 28-559 for fast MTB street riding.
An attractive tread design and a choice of coloured treads can turn any race bike into a superb visual masterpiece. UltraSport tires make a stunning impact on every training ride and are ideal for newcomers to road biking. In addition to the UltraSport colour versions, the UltraSport SafetySystem tire incorporates a reinforced tread for extra protection against punctures.
Dot C.O.M. Vector Design tread for safe training.
Tread is same as Zaffiro Pro (foldable), and the Aramid Endura 3D Compound.
A stronger casing combined with bead wire made from 4 twisted steel wires (for better flexibility) make Zaffiro ideal for training.
Posted: December 28, 2009 at 12:27 pm | Tags: video
EcoVelo discovered these really great videos produced by Brooks Saddle Co. These cover the history of Brooks and how they produce their trademark saddles. I’m a Brooks nut and had no idea they were so hand-made.
Hope everyone had a great holiday! As you sit there with your shiny new toys, enjoy this video of a cyclist using his bike to stop a couple thieves trying to escape after snatching a hand bag.
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 2:13 pm | Tags: christmas
Christmas is less than a week away. Now that I’ve got my shopping all done, I’m finally starting to get curious about what my loved ones have purchased for me! I’m honestly clueless as to what people are getting me, but I’m sure some new cycling gear will find it’s way to me on the 25th. If I could have three Christmas wishes however, I would receive:
Posted: December 18, 2009 at 9:14 am | Tags: deals, nashbar
Nashbar is running a Procrastinator’s Special with a lot of items over 70% off. I just picked up a few items myself. They claim if you order with 2 day shipping by next Tuesday you can get it in time for Christmas, so go get that last minute shopping done!
If you need to find a gift for that special cyclist… or if you just want to buy something for youserself while you are in a spending mood, check out these gift guides from various sites:
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