What is a city bike?

What comes to mind when you think of a city bike?  When I googled "city bike" the first hit was this definition of European City Bike from Wikipedia...

"A European city bike, or simply city bike is a bicycle designed for frequent, short, moderately paced rides through relatively flat urban areas. It is a form of a utility bicycle commonly seen around the world, built to facilitate everyday riding in normal clothes in a variety of weather conditions."

I think for most people the Wiki definition would be fairly accurate.  And, doesn't that sound exciting? I know when I hear words like 'utility bicycle' my temperature rises and my blood begins to boil!  I get this image in my mind of masses of people wearing grey suits all riding black bikes.

Here are examples of European City bikes from the Wikipedia page.  They appear to be higher end, completely outfitted models with fenders, rack and lighting systems all included with the bike.

The Gent's version.

The Ladies' model.

They look quite attractive, almost regal.  I take one look at them and the first thing that comes to my mind is "Oh my God!  How will I ever be able to leave the core on that thing? How much extra work is this bike going to force me to do?"  Don't get me wrong.  I like to work hard when I'm pedalling my bike.  But I hate having a bike that makes me work unnecessarily hard.  The terrain needs to be the biggest obstacle; not the bicycle.

Let's go back to a line in the Wiki definition:  "moderately paced rides through relatively flat urban areas."  This is what I know about Calgary from living in the core.  We have been car free now for a decade and have used bicycles as our main form of transportation.  To leave the core, you need to go uphill.  The farther you want to leave the core, the farther uphill you need to climb.

I need to come out and just say it.  Both utility cycling and/or transportational cycling sound extremely boring to me.  Yes, I understand that people need bicycles for utility and transportation, but both of those needs can be met with bikes that are more performance orientated. 

There seems to be a misconception amongst the non-cycling population that the more upright the riding position is, the easier the bike is to ride.  Another misconception is that weight does not matter on a bike built for city riding.  Sitting bolt upright so that my body acts like a sail against the wind and going uphill or both, does not sound like a recipe for having a ride be easier.

If we are going to get people out of cars and onto bicycles, shouldn't we be talking about bicycles in terms of being fun?  How about exploration cycling or adventure cycling?  I'm 52 years old.  I think it will be many, many years before I'm ready to ride a "European City Bike". 

Calgary has much to offer riders that want to get out and explore and see the city from a different perspective.  Just get on your bike and go.  See where you end up.  Get off the beaten path.  The trail system through Calgary is extensive and it requires a bike that is designed to handle any type of terrain or surface if you really want to see the many hidden locations throughout this city.

Some of the less used trails in Edworthy Park.

The view is your reward for the climb.

I've yet to see a European City Bike coming from the other way on these trails.

So when we talk about "city" bikes, my first question would be, which city? Do you want the same view from your bicycle that you get from your car?  Or do you want a view of your city that you can only get by going out and having an adventure?

 

Bike Packing To Lake Minnewanka

Waiting for the train at Sunnyside Station.

The ride to Crowfoot Station.

The city core behind us...

...this ahead of us.

The scenery just gets better and better as we head west.

Ghost Lake.

Back on the road.

Camp at Lake Minnewanka.

The view of the lake from the campsite.

The view of the lake.

Nice spot for a campfire.

Blue sky for the return trip.

Leaving the mountains as we get closer back to the city.

Surly Troll Single Speed

Surly Troll Single Speed, originally uploaded by SaddleUpBike.

Saddle Up Urban Recyclery: Recycle-Reuse-Repurpose!

Up until now, we have kept a rather low profile.  But something we do here at Saddle Up Bike that we are particularly proud of is the recycling/reusing/repurposing of older, high quality bicycles. 

We have decided to document and share with you some of the processes that go into reconditioning an older bike to make it operate like new again.  Over the next few weeks, we'll feature some of the bikes that have already passed through our hands or bikes that are now ready for their next life with their potential new owners.

With the rapid technological progress we see with mountain bikes, particularly with suspension design, often times high quality used hard tail mountain bikes can be purchased for a very modest amount of money. Add in the cost of replacement or upgraded parts, the cost of a reconditioned older bike can still be well under or very near what an entry level mountain bike would cost at a LBS (local bike shop). What you end up with, is a bike of much higher quality.

We believe that mountain bikes make the best "urban assault" bikes.  This is of particular interest to us because we are fond of bikes that don't need to rely on the city's cycling infrastructure.  We build our bikes ready to tackle any surface; whether it's pavement or dirt. Our idea of a city bike is not an upright Dutch style bike.  We like to "explore and adventure" ride.  A bike should never be the limiting factor in where you are able to go. 

I see city bikes that never leave their neighbourhoods because they are a real chore to ride on anything other than flat land.  A bike is meant to be ridden up hills, not pushed.  If I have to get off my bike and push, I'm riding the wrong bike.

Our first featured bike is a rare gem that absolutely deserves another life and is being repurposed as an urban assault bike.  Thanks to the good folks over at MTBR.com for helping to identify this bike. As far as we can tell, it's a 1994 Rocky Mountain Blizzard.

How it looked when we received it.

A sign of true quality.

Regardless of vintage, Shimano XT components work very well.

The brakes are Deore XT cantilever.

XT Hubs.

It's really quite amazing just how far bicycle suspension has evolved from from this Rock Shox Quadra.

Narrow flatbar handlebar with 7 speed SIS/Friction thumb shifting.

All in all, this bike is in great shape with high quality components that still operate like they should.  A simple and inexpensive refreshing will do the trick:  new cables, housing and tires. The tires are really showing their age as the rubber is quite brittle and dry.

We are going to replace the front fork with one that is rigid to save weight and for added efficiency.  These early forks were not ideal at their task originally.  And 16 years later, their performance has not improved.

Back in the day in the year of 1994, cross country mountain bikes were long and lean.  They would stretch you out over the top tube for maximum speed.  Comfort was a secondary concern.  Because we are repurposing this bike to have more of an urban focus, we are going to change the riding position dramatically with a more upright handlebar.  It will still be plenty strong for trail use.

Setting up the rear brakes.

The drivetrain works really well.  No need to service the bottom bracket yet.

Rear derailleur adjustment.

Front derailleur adjustment.

Setting up the front canti brakes.

Last check over:  everything runs like new!

New cables and housing made a huge difference is how the controls feel. The brakes feel nice and snappy.  The shifting feels effortless.  The rigid fork makes the front end lighter and more precise.  The new riding position makes this bike a blast to ride and remains comfortable.

We are very happy with how this bike turned out.  New rims are next although these ones still have some life left in them.  Since the photos were taken, a WTB PureV saddle has been installed.  There's lots of life left in this old work horse yet.

Old school cro-moly stem.

Misfit Psycles FME Drop/Rise handlebar.

Rigid fork.

Kenda Short Tracker tires offer great grip on pavement and handle surprisingly well in the dirt.

This bike is a real pleasure to ride.  There is satisfaction in giving an old bike another life.  For a very reasonable price, we ended up with a fun high quality bike capable of handling anything the city might throw at it; regardless of the surface or weather.

Once the new rims arrive and the wheels are rebuilt, we will take the opportunity to rebuild the hubs, bottom bracket and headset.  It will make a great bike feel even better!  Keep your eyes open for the follow up post.

As always, a big thank you goes to Master Bike Mechanic and all round nice guy Chopper Bob for the tuning and wrenching services.  Thanks Bob!