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Natural cleansing wipes

In 2005, Martha Van Inwegen’s mother was suffering from cancer. While she watched her mother deteriorate, she tried a number of palliatives to ease some of the suffering and created what would eventually become the basis of natural Action Wipes wet wipes. They’re great for those who need a quick wipe down after a ride…

Xtracycle Build : Getting it home

Arleigh is building, documenting and writing out her build up of a Salsa Ala Carte mountain bike with 650b wheels and a Xtracycle Free Radical Kit. This is an on going series so stay tuned for more installments. Late this past week I took delivery of an Xtracycle Free Radical Kit at the shop. The…

Urban Legends fashion show video

The folks of Momentum Magazine posted the Interbike Urban Legends Art & Fashion show video with help from Masi Bikes. You also see details about the bikes, accessories and clothing at Momentum Planet.Videography by David Niddrie and Gwendal Castellan. Photography by Wendell Challenger, Richard Masoner (aka Yours Truly), Carlton Reid, Joe Sales.Edit by Tim Grahl:I…

Salsa Casseroll : First Impressions

In late August I took delivery of a Salsa Casseroll in the single speed variety.   Since then the bike has been my (almost) daily ride.   It has caused me to get rid of my car and be a true car-free commuter and cyclist. There have been transformations of the bike which have been documented well….

The etiquette of bike parking

James of Bicycle Design sent me a link to this story about the etiquette of bike parking. With more and more cyclists taking to the roads and designated bike racks in short supply, where they park has tremendous capacity to annoy. So how can those on two wheels avoid winding up officialdom, pedestrians and even…

Bike commuter benefits is now USA law

President Bush signed the Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act into law today. Congressman Blumenauer of Oregon included a bike commuter benefit provision in the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package that passed both houses of Congress this week. “We are delighted that the bicycle commuter benefits act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded…

Bobike child carrier

Seen at Interibike at the Koolstop booth. This is one of Bobike’s child carriers. Koolstop distributes them in the United States, so any bike shop that carries Koolstop products should be able to order this for you. Photo by me.

California passes Complete Streets

Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1358, the California Complete Streets Act of 2008, into law Tuesday night. The Complete Streets Law has been the number one legislative priority of the California Bicycle Coalition. The Complete Streets Act codifies policy that all streets be designed to accommodate all users including bicyclists. According to San Francisco Assemblyman Mark…

Xtracycle open source specs now online

As promised, Xtracycle put their longtail bike frame specifications online as part of their project to open source their longtail frame design. They’ve created a Longtail Standard and logoing to allow vendors to design their products to fit in the Xtracycle Free Radical ecosystem. The Longtail Logo can be used on bikes, accessories or packaging….

Interbike: Exciting new Xtracycle options

Xtracycle is a an amazing product that has changed a lot of people’s lives for the better. Their system allows you to take any bike and convert it into long bike to carry a big load. However, there have been some gaping holes in their offerings. Thankfully they’ve addressed many of these concerns with their…

Xtracycle 2009 catalog

I was browsing through Xtracycle’s 2009 catalog and saw a familiar bike — Anthony Stout’s Surly Big Dummy equipped with his custom rain cover. I profiled the Stouts family and their Sport Utility Bike here at Commute By Bike last August. If you take a look at Xtracycle’s new catalog, you can see Anthony and…

Lake winter boots

Although Lake markets their clipless winter compatible cycling boots for competition mountain bike and cyclocross use, the venerable Lake MXZ/CXZ has been a favorite among year round commuters for about the past ten years, mostly because they’ve usually been the only cycling shoes available that’s appropriate for winter use. Lakes are very pricey, with the…

Speedplay Platformers

Some people (like myself) prefer their bikes with clipless pedals, but still want platforms for the quick ride or commute to work in non-cycling shoes. The usual solutions I’ve used are either hybrids that give you the worst of both worlds, or plastic platforms that clip in to the pedals that look better than they…

Fixie Inc bikes to be sold in USA

The German Fixie Inc bike builder got some attention when they won the Best Design award at Eurobike three weeks ago for their belt drive show bike. Paul Ferguson of Bionicon USA tells me they will be the exclusive distributor of these boutique fixed gear bikes in the United States. Bionicon reports quite a bit…

Mark Sanders folding bike

I got to try out the new Pacific Cycles Integrated Folding (IF) bike designed by Mark Sanders. This bike is something like a full sized version of the Strida folding bike. Like the Strida, it folds in half quickly, with unique uni-“forks” so the wheels lay flat against each other. James at Bicycle Design is…

The bikes of Urban Legends

The ladies of Momentum Magazine put on the Urban Legends Fashion and Art Show last night at Interbike. DJ Miss Dust spun her urban tunes as models rode show bikes around the runway. The readers of Commute By Bike are naturally more interested in the bikes than the models. They rode bikes like this pretty…

Why So Serious?

When did bicycle commuting become so serious? Perhaps you’re really new to bicycle commuting and the grimacing look on your face is the end result of either missing your car or getting your behind used to the saddle again. SMILE! You’re participating in one of the healthiest, funnest and safest ways to get around!

Biria bicycles

Biria USA imports their Euro-designed bikes from their parent company in Germany. They have a nice looking design with a step through frame that allows riders to mount the bike without dislocating anything. They’ve sold an electric bike in Germany for the past couple of years. Biria’s American dealers kept asking for the electric bike….

Interbike: Pinhead Bike Locking System

Pinhead Components makes a line of products that will keep your bike and all it’s bits safe from thieves..  The locking mechanism keeps your wheels, seat post and fork secure and the added benefits their website offers makes this a great security measure for your bike.

Cordaround Bike To Work Pants

Cordaround — a San Francisco clothing company — introduced their “Bike To Work” pants today. They call these pants “everyday khakis with inner brilliance.” At the office, they’re regular office wear. On the bike, you flip up the cuffs and flip out the pockets to reveal reflective strips. See the video below for a demonstration…

Rans Hammer Truck

Rans is known for their recumbents and low seat upright bikes. Rans designer Randy Schlitter schleps around Hays, KS but he didn’t the cargo capacity he needed, so designed the Rans Hammer Truck. The Rans Hammer Truck is the Rans unique take on longtail cargo bike. The 35 lb bike can carry up to 500…