Messages

1021

General Discussion / POllUTING BICYCLES

« on: June 08, 2006, 09:35:08 am »

I dare say that in the near future these types of excursion/support vehicles will be running on Bio fuels.

Two problems:

1. There isn't enough "biofuel" to come anywhere near filling our energy requirements.

2. Currently, ethanol, the most talked about biofuel, takes much more energy to produce than it provides.  Where do you thing THAT energy comes from?

1022

General Discussion / POllUTING BICYCLES

« on: June 03, 2006, 03:17:23 pm »

It seems like we could use bicycles as transportation a lot more than we currently do.

Of course we could, that's self evident.  The problem is convincing people to want to.  

As an illustration, back in the early '80s during one of the past "gas crises", Yamaha commissions a study to see what part of the population would consider a motorcycle as at least a partial substitute for their car, citing vastly better fuel economy (60 mpg is easy for a moderate size motorcycle and much higher is available with small displacement bikes).  

The survey showed well over 80% of respondents wouldn't consider it no matter how expensive gas became.  And this survey was about motorcycles which require almost no physical effort and can keep up with auto traffic easily.  What do you think the results would be for a similar survey about bicycles?

Bicycle commuters and those who use them for shopping, errands, etc. fall into two categories; 1) a small number of dedicated riders or 2) those so far down on the financial food-chain that a bicycle is their only choice.  
 

1023

General Discussion / POllUTING BICYCLES

« on: June 03, 2006, 09:22:47 am »

Well, you are going to eventually release methane  anyway so, by eliminating your CO2 emissions between now and then, you can benefit the planet.

1024

General Discussion / pedals for sale

« on: May 26, 2006, 07:34:05 am »

I might be interested if I knew:

1. How old they are and how high the mileage is on them.
2. How well were they maintained.
3. What model are the cleats.
4. Your e-mail

This message was edited by DaveB on 5-26-06 @ 6:34 AM

1025

General Discussion / Is there anything such as cycling sunglasses?

« on: May 15, 2006, 09:48:11 am »

The only recommendations I have are:

1. Avoid glass lenses for obvious reasons. That's no problem these days with various plastics pretty much universal.

2. Be sure the frame has a "closed bridge" nosepiece.  A lot of frames have nose pads and they leak air (and bugs).

3. If you can get glasses with interchangable lenses, be sure to get a pair of clear lenses.  You may have to ride under very overcast or even night conditions.  

There are a wide variety of fashion sunglasses sold as sports glasses in an enormous range of prices. Some of the boutique glasses are absurdly priced.  Performance and Nashbar have some reasonably priced fully functional house brand glasses. Also, Campmore had a great range of good sunglasses at closeout prices.    

1026

General Discussion / Using Headphones on tour?

« on: May 06, 2006, 08:16:17 pm »

I would think remote, low traffic roads are more dangerous with headphones than heavy traffic roads.  

In heavy traffic, you can't hear individual cars so your hearing isn't as useful.  You have to watch all around you all the time.

On light traffic roads, you will hear the occasional car from much further away so your hearing is a far more useful warning.  Also, since there are fewer cars, you are more likely to let your mind wander and not hold your line as carefully so hearing something coming is even more important.  

1027

General Discussion / TRAVEL INSURANCE

« on: April 02, 2006, 05:42:49 pm »

Travel insurance normally covers the cost of transportation tickets and hotel/resort deposits made prior to the trip and non-refundable.  You should be able to get insurance to cover your airline tickets but the rest of your trip is probably not insurable since you won't lose any additional money if you don't go.  I don't think you can insure against disappointment.

Your airline can probably recommend travel insurance carriers.

1028

General Discussion / Ship or Fly

« on: March 07, 2006, 04:04:05 pm »

That sounds about right for UPS which makes it about a wash with paying the oversize charges to take the bike on the plane as checked baggage.  However, get a quote from Fed Ex Ground.  I believe their shipping costs are significantly lower.

1029

General Discussion / is this a good deal

« on: March 05, 2006, 10:58:38 am »

The bike is probably suitable.  Whether it's a good deal depends on how much you have to pay for it. A 6-8 year-old Schwinn isn't worth much.

1030

General Discussion / Dog Tags anyone?

« on: February 18, 2006, 07:26:28 pm »

Check out The Poundmaster (www.poundmaster.com).  they are the least expensive source I know of and completely reliable.  I've dealt with them several times and they always deliver accurate tags quickly.  

1031

General Discussion / Racism

« on: February 04, 2006, 02:55:00 pm »

There are several chapters of the "Major Taylor Bicycle Club" that you could contact.  I expect their members would have the information you are looking for.

1032

General Discussion / FIRST BIKE TO IRELAND

« on: June 01, 2006, 12:40:11 pm »

One more thing if you are using cardboard boxes.  

New bikes come packed with mushroom shaped plastic caps that cover the axle ends of the front wheel (it's removed for packing) to keep them from poking through the cardboard, a spacer that protects the fork dropouts from crushing and plugs for the top of the seat tube and fork steerer or head tube.  

Any LBS will have tons of these and should be willing to give you one or several sets at no charge.  They are very worthwhile protection for your bike and are light and small enough to take with you on tour for use when packing for the return shipment.

You should be able to buy a roll of tape and some packing material very near the Airport for your return trip so you don't have to carry these with you.  Wal-Marts are nearly everywhere these days.    

1033

General Discussion / Amtrak Boxes for Tall Bikes?

« on: January 06, 2006, 06:27:05 pm »

If you have a particularly large bike (I'm guessing yours has a 62 or 63 cm frame) you may need two boxes and have to invert and telescope one over the other to get adequate height.

This message was edited by DaveB on 1-6-06 @ 4:27 PM

1034

General Discussion / Merry Christmas

« on: December 23, 2005, 08:33:31 am »

....don't forget to look at the stars....

I'd like to if it will only stop snowing!

Good holidays and good riding to all.

1035

General Discussion / getting there

« on: November 26, 2005, 11:12:15 am »

Do you really need a van to transport your bike?  Removing one or both wheels will allow most bikes to easily fit into a car trunk, particularly if the rear seat back folds down, and most do.

Renting a small or mid-size car one-way is relatively easy and the gas cost will be a lot less than with a van.