MonsterCross

My favourite category of bicycle is  Monstercross.  The basic concept is to take a cyclocross bike and stuff the largest tire you can onto it.  Put on large volume knobby tires running at low pressure.  Road bike speed with off road capabilities and loads of fun.

One of the most beautiful Monstercross bikes I've seen was a bike from Shamrock Cycles. It was their entry for the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

This bike looks all business with the  29er tires.

Here is the Shamrock Cycles NAHBS 2011 entry. Another beauty.

Every once in a while I see a custom bike and I think to myself:  "That's the way I would build them." That is the case with these Shamrock Cycles Monstercross bikes.  Good luck at the show Tim and thanks for allowing me to post photos of your bikes.

Tim and many other Monstercross bikes can be seen here over at  mtbr forums  on what is one of the longest running threads there.  Excellent quality photo coverage for past shows are from  Urban Velo.  Enjoy the handmade goodness!

Guitar Ted Productions: The Snow Dog Update: #2- Snow Crawling

Guitar Ted Productions: The Snow Dog Update: #2- Snow Crawling

Winter Cycling

In this part of the world, winter outdoor enthusiasts may be considered "insane".  And when you're a winter cycling commuter, you are hard as nails.  You have to be.  There's not very many people that are willing to walk or run, let alone ride their bikes when it's minus 20 or 30 below!

For me, a winter bike needs to be a bike that is fun to ride.  My commute to work is only eight blocks.  For me, a bike built for winter riding is different than a bike that someone would commute long distances on.  I have a couple of friends that commute long distances all year long and sometimes the ride is not all that pleasurable.  Their bikes are designed to make "good time" rather than explore.

 

The river overflowing her banks onto the bike path.  Now it's frozen ice.

 

 I build winter bikes so I can go out and explore and play in the snow. We get 8 months of winter, 3 months of bad weather and then summer or, July.  If I wait for nice or "perfect" weather to ride my bike, I may have to wait a long, long time.  Riding for pleasure in the winter is different.  I purposely go out when the weather turns bad and look for snow.

In previous years, I have gone out trail riding in the winter but I've been at the "mercy" of the walkers.  I needed to wait for enough time to pass for walkers to pack a path hard enough that I would be able to ride on.  It becomes quite challenging to ride a path in the snow that is only 18" wide.  Veer off the path and you stop immediately in the soft unpacked snow.

High volume and low pressure is the key to happy snow riding.  Fat tires will give you maximum floatation.  The wider the footprint, the better, as it will handle a loose surface.  There is nothing else like the feeling of a bicycle both floating and coasting on snow at the same time.  It's a very different feeling than riding on hard pavement. 

Tires need to be of a larger volume so you can stay on top of the surface and float at the same time.  The rolling resistance is so minimal that you can coast on even the smallest declines.  Huge fun!  Wheee!!!

Now, I'm one of the first people out on the trail clearing a path for other users. It's really quite comical when people see me coming.  I think it's hard for them to grasp that they are seeing a bicycle coming through the snow towards them.  It's awesome when people move aside for me and stand there in amazement as I pass by.

I live in the core of the city and I'm literally minutes away from a trail system 100's of kilometres long which follows some great wild nature systems.

I am constantly compelled to stop and take photographs of what I'm surrounded by as I ride through it.  Nature has a completely different feel when it's cold and in hibernation.  All is quiet.

So far this winter, I have had a great time riding my bike in the snow and will continue to do so.  No matter the weather, it's really true:  if you have the right tools, clothing and equipment, it makes riding so much easier.  And more fun!  Happy trails and saddle up!

the bikebike blog: Every Journey Starts With One Step

the bikebike blog: Every Journey Starts With One Step: "My 'gateway drug' aka my first cargo bike, September 17 2008 September 17, 2008 - little did I know that this day wou..."

Two Speed Bicycle

The simpler a bicycle's drivetrain is the more I want to ride it, given the choice between multi-geared and single speed I will generally pick the single speed.  Riding a single speed bike is a liberating feeling, it relies heavily on the riders ability to produce power with a limited amount of mechanical advantage. Go faster?, push harder!   

There are times though when having one gear simply is not enough and having the versatility and efficiency of a multi geared drivetrain comes in handy.  What generally happens for me is that I end up riding in 2-3 gears even if I have 18-20 gears available.  Having the ability to have 18 different gear ratios and only using 2 of them seems like a very complex and costly way to achieve what is essentially a 2 speed bicycle.

I've installed a Paul Components Melvin tensioner which allows the use of two front chanrings for a simple but effective two speed drivetrain.  I simply change gears with the front derailleur.

Two Speed Conversion

Lots of chain tension and wrap with the Paul Components Melvin tensioner.

The 18 Tooth Cog - 46 Tooth Chainring Combo

The 18 Tooth Cog - 36 Tooth Chainring Combo

Simple Cable Routing, Bar End Friction Shifter.

Riding this bike as a two speed has made the experience much more enjoyable for me. Making it simple and still enjoying the benefits of a multi geared bike. The bike is just as versatile as it was with 18 gears.  It does make the engine work harder, which is a good thing.

It rides and feels lighter without the large rear gear cluster.

Sometimes two is enough.

Cafe Racers

I've always loved the cafe racer style of motorcycles; British machinery from the 50's to 70's like the Triumph, Norton and BSA. They were faster and lighter than American motorcycles and they handled much better than Japanese bikes. 

1972 Rickman Triumph

 

BSA A 10

I look at the modern versions of those bikes and my heart soars.  Having owned many motorcycles in the past, I can imagine what it would be like to ride a modern version.

A Modern Retro Styled Triumph, the Thruxton.  A favourite of mine!

A completely modern take on the Cafe Racer Motorcycle:  the Street Triple.

A funny thing happens to me when I fantasize about these bikes.  I want to go fast.  I want to hammer on the engine and give it some "Welly"; hitting the gas and having that sudden burst of excelleration underneath you is awesome and highly addictive.  Feel like winding the machine up?  Let it go and see how fast you can get it going!  Use the power available to you at your will.

Of course, I'm talking about bicycles. You see, everytime I think about riding one of those fast motorcycles, my mind instantly turns to this...

Rocky Mountain Boroughs

All the sensations I felt about the MC are even better on a bicycle.  I am the engine.  Everything I said above was about riding a bicycle.  I find it way more gratifying to be supplying the power.  I'm not fast, but I sometimes like to go as fast as I can!

I have a philosophy that says "I'm either growing or dying".  I can't be doing both at the same time.  Everytime I go out and accellerate my bike so that my heart pounds and races, it feels like I've added a few moments of life to my life.  Everytime I push my ability and stretch myself,  I've added a few moments to my life.  Putting the engine to the test and making it work harder everytime feels like my body is truly alive!
 

Specialized Langster

Much more affordable and far more benefits than a motorcycle.

Single speed bikes tell no lies.  Without the mechanical advantage of a multi-geared drivetrain, the amount of speed you get out of a bicycle is directly related to your physical condition and your ability to provide the driving force.  It feels like a more direct connection to the machine.  Owning a single speed bike is really inexpensive and does not require much in the way of maintainence or parts.

My favourite motorcycle:  the Thruxton Special Edition

Banff Legacy Trail

We recently made a trip out to Banff to ride the Legacy Trail to Canmore.  It's a 34 km round trip. 

Expect to see all kinds of wildlife on the path. 

Beautiful Scenery with Mountain Vistas.

Smiling Faces!

And, as a reminder that we are in the Wild West:  a Horse and Cowboy at an animal crossing.

Do the Bears, Elk, Deer, Wolves etc. know they are supposed to cross between the white stripes?

Mmmm...Honey Stinger chews!

The perfect pathway for a Single Speed or Fixed Gear bike.

The Woman's Liberation Movement and Early Cycling

Here is a cool little video on women and early cycling by Jim Kellett .

Women's-Independence from Jim Kellett on Vimeo.

The bicycle allowed women to go out on their own as it still does today. Here is an early lady fixed gear rider, another excerpt from Jim Kellet's movie.

Dora Rinehart from Jim Kellett on Vimeo.

In case you did not already know,  these  are the rules.  Rule #1 to #6 seems to have become my personal mantra.  I would like to bring your particular attention to Rule # 4 of the rules. In spite of what some twatwaffle (see rule 4) says, it is indeed about the bike.   I also know this is true because of what Martina experienced this summer by being on the right bike.  She has fallen in love with cycling and with her bike. 

Turning folks onto the pleasures and benefits of cycling is really what Saddle Up Bike is all about.  I achieved this goal at home with my partner.  I have had women come into the shop with  30 year old entry level bikes that were junk originally and were four sizes too big, thinking that they just wanted to try out cycling.  If they liked it, they will come back and buy a more suitable bike.  We don't see them back and that's unfortunate.  Their experience of cycling is simply not the same as it is for someone that tries out a bike that was chosen based on their needs and their environment.   

I knew from the first moment I saw the paint scheme, that this was the perfect bike for Martina.

It's painted like an Asian jewelery box.  I don't think there could have been any other bike for her. The fact that it's a Specialized Langster just made the decision to buy it for her that much easier.  I'm familiar with the quality of construction of their bikes.  And as importantly, I like the geometry of Specialized road bikes.  The Langster offers a single speed or fixed gear bike with Specialized road bike geometry.  I thought that a 49cm bike would be a good size for her considering she is 5' 4 1/2" in height (and yes, the 1/2 inch is important!). 

The set-up we have settled on for now.

She has been able to experience Calgary in a different way travelling by bicycle.

Views of the city not available from the seat of a car.

You don't see this waiting for a red light.

Having a bike that is truly fun to ride has really made a difference in how much Martina enjoys cycling.  I find she is now planning our days around bike rides and it's awesome.  I've watched as she has grown stronger and become more fit.   Most importantly, because we are car-free, I believe that she has found a new sense of freedom very much like those women from the early days.

RIDE THE DIVIDE - Award Winning Adventure Film

The video is available on YouTube for a limited time, check it out!

Interbike 2010 Part 5 Electra Bikes

There is no denying the popularity of Electra Bikes.  Now with the Ticino line of bikes and accessories they are expanding into the non-cruiser market.  Designed to put a huge smile on your face.

Interbike 2010 Part 5 Electra Bikes





Ticino Components and Accessories