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Should we start our annual bike thread?

freddyfreddy
edited August 2014
1. Sorry I've been MIA on UHX. I dunno, I got behind and then it felt overwhelming. Which is pretty #firstworldproblems, but there you have it.

2. Should we do our annual Summer Biking in Portland is the Best thread? What do you want to talk about? What do you want to know? I know stuff, I can help. Other people know stuff too.

Comments

  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    I pumped up my tires and lubed my chain today. It's like a whole new bike!

    Sometimes I miss biking in winter though. There's way less people and I sweat less.

    Also this is happening:
    http://bikeportland.org/2014/08/06/williams-ave-project-will-break-ground-next-month-109835
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    I'm stoked to live closer to the Columbia Slough bike path. Anja has to get her brake cable fixed.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    Wow, 20mph for cars on Williams. I'll definitely avoid it when I'm driving, but that's gonna make a big difference on a bike.
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    you guys I've been biking so much in my new life here because my house is like 200 yards from the most beautiful BIKE PATH. It's woodsy and totally shaded and isolated and it goes from town to town, covering like 12 miles or something. It even has its own completely separate bridge over the river, so at no point are you dealing with cars. I hop on it behind my house, toddle down the shady lane, and hop off it one block away from my yoga place downtown. WHAT. Then after yoga I bike through downtown and stop at the commie bread store. Then there's another hop-on for the bike path a few blocks down!

    In winter they don't plow it or anything, so I'm interested to see what the deal is then. Maybe people ski on it?

  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
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  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    I pretty much won't ride Williams at rush hour because there's SO MANY bikes and bike jocks jockeying for position (I prefer dealing with the car traffic on 7th), but the revamp might make it a little more appealing. We'll see.
  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    But also Ritchey's post is a good example of why fully-separated bike infrastructure is so important, it gets more people biking because it feels so much safer away from cars.
  • Judar_SpitzerJudar_Spitzer
    I need a bike! Started a 5 month contract gig downtown and I'd like to bike to work!

    Looking for: 10 Speed or possibly single speed (not fixed), lighter weight, 59-60cm, I like older road bikes. I wouldn't mind a newer bike but most of them I think are kind of ugly. I know that's silly. What do you kids use for locks these days? What about that weird Forever Lock? Seems cool if you have a fancy bike. I don't mind a cheap old bike that's not a huge bummer if it gets jacked.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    I'll send you the info of this dude who built mines for me. It wasn't cheap, but wasn't crazy expensive.
  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    Just get a solid Kryptonite u-lock and you'll be good.

    Even the strongest locks can potentially be broken/hacked/picked. There's no 100% solution, but I've been riding a $1200 bike around for 2.5 years now with just a Kryptonite lock and it's been fine.
  • the_owlsthe_owls
    edited August 2014
    I think I am selling my bike!
    Had an interested party, but they flaked.

    It's a funny hybrid that someone build for me:
    Raleigh road frame, green, a little scuffed/not pristine
    Road tires
    Comfy seat
    Comfy cruiser handles
    Coaster brake
    Single speed

    It's super light, I can hold it over my head with one arm (my arms are like noodles). If you're doing lots of hills it's not great, but otherwise I really loved it. Super easy, nothing can really break or get fucked up, and is fun to ride.

    The chain has rust and needs cleaning, because I haven't ridden it in a few years, and one of the tires needs a new tube.

    Would be good for someone around 5'5" I think? I'm only 5'3" but it's a little big for me.
    Pics at some point, but if you know anyone who wants a cheap fun bike- $100- let me know!
  • the_owlsthe_owls
    Actually I'm 5' 3.5"
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    you're growing up!
  • freddyfreddy
    Judar, what price range do you have in mind? If you are OK with used bikes - more bike for your money, but the hassle of the hunt - I pretty much always recommend Sellwood Cycle. Huge selection, honest people. They do post everything online, so you could browse the items in your size, but in the summer turnover is so fast that the online listing can get out of date. Definitely worth calling to make sure something is still there before you head down there.

    Also what is a Forever Lock?
  • Judar_SpitzerJudar_Spitzer
    Thanks Freddy! I'll check out what they have!

    Forever Lock is a fancy, very hard to pick lock:

  • freddyfreddy
    edited August 2014
    Hm. I've never heard of this. And I track bike media pretty religiously. I think you should read this entire long but fascinating review on Sweethome that resulted in a recommendation for the Krypto Series 2. They interview two bike thieves - a small-time one and a pro. Basically, they conclude that a proper U-lock can stop the former, but no lock can stop the latter. But the numbers game is in your favor; there are a lot more small-timers out there.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    What a shitty life to be a pro bike thief.
  • Dr_William_HaywardDr_William_Hayward
    edited August 2014
    I just saw an elliptical bike on the street this AM - gym machine drive for a bike. Probably expensive. I don't get it. Portland has a ton of great bike builders. Renovo wood bikes and the Oregon Manifest entry for 2014 - titanium - http://oregonmanifest.com/teams/portland/. Met someone who worked for Chris King. He is obsessive on buying American ball bearings over Chinese.
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