Monday, December 23, 2013

Still riding


Today, December 23, in Syracuse NY is bicycling weather: 40 degrees, no ice or salt on the roads. 


I use these small lights for safety, because it's dark out:

 





Sunday, November 10, 2013

Sunday Morning Single Speed Route

This morning I rode across the city. I used Alltrail for the first time to track my path. Check it out.


Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Problem with Vintage Leather Saddles

Vintage leather saddles are cool, but as it ages, leather looses its flexibility, and it can lead to this:


My brother hit a pedal on the road in a turn, and the saddle just snapped. Bummer.

Friday, August 30, 2013

The Right Gear for Urban Bicycling

Riding in style requires some sense of style, that is a purposeful arrangement of what you wear in order to achieve a certain effect. A mix of fashion, comfort, and utility, your style must allow you to ride comfortably and safely while conveying your personality. 

Helmet (spray-painted skateboarding), dope looking sunglasses.


Muscle shirt, to show your muscles and tattoos, and also to stay cool.


Big shorts, for comfort, and also to clash with the conventional yet indecent bicycle shorts.


Pocket knife, for protection against feral pitbulls... a bike chain, and pepper spray can add several layers of intimidation, in case you have a run in on the road. Let's hope we never have to use those.


Cool leather gloves to absorb handlebar vibrations and save your hands when you fall... Wrist watch to know what time it is, and how long you ride for.


Shoes with a semi-hard sole and some good grip at the bottom. I personally found that Sketchers are awesome for riding. The worst are Converse (you feel the pedal cut in your foot bottom).


A phone, for emergencies, preferably a cheap one, so that it doesn't attract envy.


Winter gear coming up!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Customized 1960s Schwinn Corvette

That's what I'm riding these days because it's too hot to go any faster than cruising.


I added a spring fork to absorb front shocks, and for looks.

It has a spring gel seat for full comfort. Riding this bike feels like riding on a cloud... I found this little Syracuse bicycle license plate on another bike I bought at a garage sale.

Those Schwalbe Fat Franks tires are awesome. They make the wheels substantially bigger, and contribute to the smoothness of the ride.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

1973 10 speed Schwinn Continental: 40 years old!


Remember this?


I took it all apart, cleaned it, derusted the chromes, repaired the brakes, greased it, and rebuilt it. I found white tires online and an old seat and post from another bike.






Now lives in Brooklyn with Teddy...

Friday, July 12, 2013