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. Now on to explain the Xtracycle frame what all the holes, poles and brackets are for. Going…
Commute by Bike
Commuting 101: Carrying Your Laptop
I’ve often noticed that many of the people I see commuting by bike are technical or business folks, working in IT or other white-collar positions. I, like many of them, have to carry a laptop to and from work. This usually brings up questions. On my personal blog, the question was asked again: “[Do you]…
Review of the Carry Freedom City Trailer
My girlfriend and I went on a bike tour through Northern England and Scotland last month. We had the opportunity to test out an Orbit touring tandem from JD Cycles. With somewhat complicated travel plans, we decided that the Carry Freedom City trailer would make for the easiest overall travel experience. Our Plans: 1: Fly…
Russ Roca on Discovery Channel
I profiled bicycling photographer Russ Roca in the current edition of Momentum Magazine. He also appeared recently on the Discovery Channel, where he was featured in a short segment as the Eco Friendly bicycling photographer. Here’s video of that show. Russ uses his cargo bike to haul himself and his photo equipment around the Los…
Who plans to commute through the winter?
How many of you plan to commute by bike through the winter months? What are your greatest concerns and how do you plan to address them? I constantly point winter cyclists to ICEBIKE; what are other good resources for winter cyclists?
Bike to Work Book poll: Choose the cover design
Tim Grahl (of this site), Carlton Reid, Mikael Colville-Anderson, Marc von van Woudenberg and David Hembrow have written a Bike To Work guide, and Carlton is hard at work on a cover design. He’s designed so many covers he can’t decide which is best and is asking for your help. Click through here for more…
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…
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…
Broken Bones and other stuff Clogging our Blogging
It’s been a hectic few weeks here at the Bike Trailer Shop thus the lack of new posts. But what’s kept us away has all been good fodder for Bike Trailer Blogging, so look out for forthcoming content. On Sept 10th, I took off for an 8 day bike touring holiday riding from Ilklely in…
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…
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…
Brompton folding bikes in the New York Times
Reporter James Kanter of the New York Times writes about his experience with Brompton folding bikes.
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…
Commuting the Las Vegas Strip (plus, don't try this at home)
Last Thursday night the 2008 Interbike Mobile Social kicked off at the Sands Expo center where about fifty of us met to ride down Las Vegas Blvd to the Criterium races at Mandalay Bay, about a two mile trip down the craziest street I’ve ever ridden.
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…
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…
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…
Interbike: Keen Shoes and Bags
Keen is a ver. environmentally conscience company that started out making a closed toe sandal that was safer for cyclists to wear.. They’ve since expanded into bags and other forms of cycling-safe sandals.. Their newest model is the Commuter.