According to Charley: This was an unfinished project using a Giant cruiser frame and Xtracycle. A little challenging to mount a stop and cable slot under the crank for front derailer, but otherwise routine. This bike is really Giant! Charley also added Xtracycle Freeloader Saddlebags and SnapDeck for extra cargo carrying capabilities.
Blog
Music on your Commute: Abstinence or Safe Sounds?
This is a review of speakers, but I feel like a Sex Ed teacher getting ready to talk to high school students about condoms. Here's the deal: Maybe we shouldn't cycle while listening to music. Maybe we would all be better citizens of the world if we could center ourselves in our zen place, clear…
Winter Commuting in Alaska: Learning to Ride In the Wind — Real Wind
Editor’s Note: Ever since her first contribution, “Blizzards and Meth Labs and Bears. Oh my!,” Shanna Ladd has sent me a wealth of information on her experiences winter bike commuting 10 miles into Wasilla, Alaska. It’s way too good to publish in one long post, but I will give away the ending: To us wussies…
Helmet Mirrors, Classic Television and Voyeurism
Unlike some of the smug writers around here (you know who you are), I’m a TV addict. Especially of old, black-and-white science fiction shows or spy shows. I am so addicted that whenever I look into my helmet mounted rear-view mirror, I immediately hear the creepy, double guitars of Etrange No. 3 and … (He,…
Honk if you're Horn-Envious
If the price were right, and installation was easy and unobtrusive, I’m still not sure I’d want a horn on my bike (or anyody’s bike) that sounds like a car horn. I’m wrestling with the idea (perhaps the same way I wrestled with e-bikes just a few years ago, and came out okay with them,…
2012 Utility Cycling Year in Review
Happy New Year! Wow, I must admit, I am somewhat stunned that we are already one week into 2013. I wasn’t quite prepared for 2012 to be over yet. Anyhow, as has been the tradition here at Utility Cycling, I’m doing a “year in review” post, albeit a few days late. But as I looked…
Bill's "Carpool" & Cargo Bike Trailer Build
Is one of your New Years resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, bike more, be more “green” or even spend more time tinkering around with your new tools in the garage? …or old tools that look new because you never use them…Bill accomplished all these in 2012: I built up a semi-custom trailer off of…
Bag Buddy: The Right Wrong Way to Carry Grocery Bags
Confession: I used to carry grocery bags on my handlebars. Now when I see anyone doing this practice, I regard it with the same disdain as other reproachable behaviors such as public nose picking, talking in theaters, or having the same ringtone as I do. But for every unsanctioned behavior, there is a right and…
Upstand: The (Almost) Vanishing Kickstand for Weight Weenies
There are basically two kinds of people who would use the Upstand : Weight weenie roadies who miss the usefulness of having a kickstand, but wouldn’t want to be seen with one mounted to their carbon-fiber status symbol. Mountain bike warriors who don’t want a kickstand that might deploy unexpectedly, or catch on a rock…
My 2013 Resolution: Shut up about how great bikes are
My teenage son has his first job. He is working at the ski resort on the West side of that there mountain. His commute is about 14 miles, one way. I’d love to say that he is commuting by bike, but I don’t think the thought has even crossed his mind. He does not have…
My Bikey Christmas
I get bike-themed stuff for Christmas. No surprise. I bet you do too. This year, I opened a gift from my wife, which she thought was a small metal sculpture — a wall hanging. I noticed that there is no loop on the back to receive a hanging hook. And I also noticed something strange…
The Mayan Apocalypse and Cycling Irrationality
Today is December 21, 2012. The Mayan Apocalypse has not happened. But it’s early in the day as I write this, and there’s still plenty of time for solar storms, a geomagnetic reversal, a surprise collision by a Ninja planet, or whatever. I’m not counting on it. My attitude is akin to Brent Cohrs, who…
The Economics of a Cycling Event in Tucson
The Economics of a Cycling Event in Tucson
Jean-Paul's "Incroyable" BionX
Bonjour, je suis Mr. Jean Paul je viens de pass une commande pices BionX, je suis trs contant de votre site BikeTech Shop, rapide paiement avec PayPal, de France au tat Unie, merci. Cordialement, Mr. Jean Paul. Bonne ftes toute l’quipe Google translate: Jean-Paul is very happy with his BionxX purchase from Bike Tech Shop….
Recommendations on and Alternatives to Seatpost-Mounted Racks
Via CommuteByBike.com e-mail: I’m in the market for a new bike rack and I’m not finding reviews on them. Specifically seat post racks. Are there any reviews I may be missing? -Tim There don’t seem to be any seatpost rack reviews on Commute by Bike from my tenure or before. My Delta seatpost rack has…
Bicycle Sounds
Bicycle Sounds
No Regrets: Good, Cheap, Bike Commuting Accessories
I used to buy really low-quality bike accessories for myself. I’d walk into a bike shop and I’d be that tragic combination of ignorance and sticker shock. So I would buy crap. The tragedy is that back then I had more spending power than I do now — what with a mortgage and all that…
Alex Moulton's answer to, "Don't those small wheels slow you down?"
When I heard that Alex Moulton had died, the first person I thought of was Al Capello, owner of Portapedal Bike, in Tempe, Ariz. When I visited Portapedal earlier this year, Al revealed himself to be an aficionado (a.k.a. fanboy), and he gave me test rides on the most expensive bikes I’ve ever ridden. He…
Things You Can Do With A Bike
Things You Can Do With A Bike
Yet Another Holiday Gift Guide for Bike Commuters – 2012
I know, I already did a 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. Why do another one? Because I forgot some things, that’s why. Also because some readers made some good suggestions after reading the first one. And also because a few products we’ve reviewed in the past year deserve another look. Bike Saviours Getting Butts on…
PBS's 'Pedal America' Needs Another Season (at Least)
A week or so ago I spoke with Ira David, the host of Pedal America, “the only national television show in the United States that educates and inspires viewers to re-discover the travel, environmental, and health benefits of recreational bicycling.” This show was launched with a big splash at the National Bike Summit earlier this…
Cycling and Kindness
Todd O’Reilly and his 13-year-old son Daegan are making a documentary about the power of kindness as they ride Adventure Cycling Association's Underground Railroad Bicycle Route from Mobile, Alabama to Toronto, Canada. They are asking for two kinds of pledges. First, is that people pledge to be more kind in a very specific way determined…
Holiday Gift Guide for Bike Commuters – 2012
You’re a bike commuter, or you know someone who is — maybe you know many many people who are. (If you don’t personally know any bike commuters I’ll be happy to introduce you to some.) We’re not so difficult to shop for, but I’ve made it even easier for you. And when your gift recipient…
'Tis the Season: Moving a Christmas Tree by Bike
‘Tis the Season: Moving a Christmas Tree by Bike