Machka 

It's a new year ... time for new things ...

Is anyone thinking about making any changes to their cycling, walking, or other human-powered transportation equipment this year? Or maybe you got something new over Christmas?

Is there a new bicycle in your future? A trailer? Panniers? Walking shoes? Backpack? Gloves?
Have you made changes to the setup ... maybe added a rack or change pedals?
Have you re-designed the basement so it is easier to get at the bicycles?

Are you experimenting with ideas to be able to carry your eggs home from the grocery store a little easier? Or to get through times of inclement weather?

wolfchild

I've done a lot of experimenting with different set ups over the last few years and as of now all of my bikes are set up exactly how I want. No need for any changes or upgrades. I also have a lot of different parts and accessories at home, including wheel sets. I don't even need to go to an LBS, I can do everything at home.

Mobile 155

Planning on trying a Strida for a week next week to see if I would enjoy a folder. Why a Strida? Folds in seconds, easy to take into a coffee shop, has a grease-less belt drive and looks cool.

timsataurus

I'm starting this year off with maintaining my own bike. Yesterday I overhauled my rear wheel since the cone and lock nut where loose, and made a squeaky nose. Today I replaced my Deore crank-set, and exchanged the 32t middle for a 36t. I made this to experiment with commuting. I also swamped out the chain-ring bolts for a set of green anodized bolts. I also replaced platform pedals with a set of mks touring with toe clips and straps. Tomorrow I plan on replacing my handlebar tape, and installing my speed/cadence sensor.

I also plan on experimenting with a bike trailer to carry my camera backpack to places to hike. I also intend to use a padlock at the connector instead of cotter pin to secure said trailer. I'm also taking the trailer wheels into the co-op so that I can true them.

So far I'm having fun working on my bike. Which should become easier as time goes by with the repetition.

B. Carfree

This weekend I'll be taking my favorite touring bike down to the frame, boxing it up and shipping it to Seattle for a couple of braze-ons and a paint job. It'll be nice to carry four water bottles and a pump on the frame on those 200-400km rides in the coast hills, and the frame really needs new paint. While it's away, I'll get the parts to rebuild the tired Ergo shifter and I'll put on fresh cables and brake pads.

Today I laced up one of the new wheels for my wife's touring bike. I'm also sending her frame off for a host of changes. When the job is done, her bike will change from 700C wheels to 650B with a front dynohub and she'll go from downtube shifters with a seven-speed freewheel (and a tendency towards broken rear axles) to a hybrid Campy Ergo shifters to Shimano nine-speed. The unique cantilever brakes that came stock on her 1984 Trek 720 never worked well, so she is getting an upgrade to Rodriguez Big Squeeze brakes. We use them on our tandem and love them. She'll also get some nicer carbon fiber handlebars, copies of what she uses on our tandem.

So, two thirty-plus-year-old bikes are about to be reborn with nice semi-modern parts and new paint. Some of the old parts off of my wife's bike will get placed on a 1976 Trek frame I have hanging around to get it back road worthy, so very little of value will go to waste.

It's silly to spend as much as we will on these two bikes, but they have sentimental value to us. Our first dates thirty-three years ago were bike rides and she's had hers all that time. (Mine got stolen by a bike shop while in for a warranty frame repair, but we found it's long-lost brother as new-old-stock a few years later.) Maybe we'll still be riding them thirty years from now. I certainly hope so.

Roody

Machka 

You bought a bus? I'm not clear how that fits within "cycling, walking, or other human-powered transportation equipment".

Machka 

I think that's wonderful ... and understand completely. It's not silly at all! I hope you two will indeed have many more years of cycling ahead of you.

Artkansas 

My front tire needs to be pumped up every day. I'll probably have to change the tube some time this year.

Roody

I thought it fit with the actual description provided by bikeforums.net, which is "Do you prefer to use alternative transportation (bicycles, walking, other human-powered or public transportation) for everyday activities whenever possible?"

My bus company, CATA, is buying the big accordion buses for some more routes. They're fun!

I also am buying a new pair of snow boots for long walks. I would also consider some all-weather running shoes, hiking shoes or boots, as I'm thinking we won't get a lot of deep snow this winter. Does anybody have any recommendations?

Ekdog

Machka 

Well this particular thread is about human-powered transportation.


As for boots, do some research on Sorel. I have a pair of their heavy duty boots, which I like, but they also do shorter boots which might be more appropriate for long walks.

eschlwc

on my grocery getter, a '76 motobécane grand record, i switched the ugly aero levers for period-correct campy record non-aeros and also added a new banjo brothers grocery pannier.

B. Carfree

Hey, Big Spender.

B. Carfree

Thanks. I thought you would understand. I hope you and Rowan also continue to enjoy your riding for as long as possible.

RPK79

I have a singlespeed track bike that I take on a lot of gravel roads out in the middle of nowhere that could really use a second set of bottle cage bosses.

dim

very nice bike!

cooker

The best pair of winter boots I owned were from Columbia (not Colombia!) They were light, warm, had good grip on ice, were easy to put on and take off, and since I fly several times a year I appreciated that they had no metal shanks in the sole and could go through airport security. In Canada we are not typically required to remove footwear.

enigmaT120

I think I'm good for this year. Unfortunately that may not stop me from wandering into a bike shop to see what's on clearance.

RPK79

I'm surprised you haven't all died in horrible plane crashes after terrorist attacks from neglecting shoe security like that. :eyeroll:

k_strict

I am selling my car (!) and using the proceeds to buy something that will allow for 38 - 40 tires, mounting racks, and towing my dog. The 23mm skinnies on my commuter are driving me insane as it is--I can't imagine having to use them all the time. Thinking of the Soma Double Cross Disc or Surly Straggler 650b (I am 5 ft nothing).

Roody

Thanks for the tip. I had a Columbia backpack that was fantastic, so I'll check out their boots. I'm not so worried about the metal--if I fly anyplace, it won't be where winter boots are needed! But good gription is getting more important as I get a little older and it gets a little harder to get back on my feet on a slippery surface.

Bandera

I'm taking the '70's English made Schwinn Approved seatpack from the town bike to the local saddle shop to have the material reinforced with leather at the top rod. The last load of free range chicken from the farmer's market caused an overhaul.

-Bandera

eschlwc

who will do the work?

Dahon.Steve

I owned a Strida years ago and it's a solid folding bike. What I like about it was that it was the fastest folding bike available. It's also one of the best folders to have if you are taking it inside the cabin of a bus since it's not bulky. I was surprised how well the bike rolled and compared it to a Brompton for short distances less than 3 miles with no hills of course. They even have a three speed model now but the prices have increased by 300% ! I remember when one could buy a Strida for $295.00 dollars! LOL

Be prepared to get lost of questions and stares!