Antaresia
04-27-2012, 03:12 PM
Ahhhhh I love my single speed! It wasn't really supposed to happen, it was my cheap "get stolen, see if I care" city bike. But I love it more than the mixte. So, I'm thinking of sinking more money into it, and demoting the mixte to "beater". I've ridden the single speed all over, I commute to work, I took it on the Highway (ever been in the middle lane on a high way on a single speed bicycle because your bike lane just ended and merge lanes are showing up? I HAVE). It's zippy, turns great, and sucks big time at carrying any weight. It's made me a better rider, now when I see a hill I start to attack it instead of slow down a little to shift into an easier gear.
At work, this is where my bike gets parked every day, and chained to the table if the warehouse door is open.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/apollo2.jpg
I think the lugs are pretty.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/lugs.jpg
And the road I commute on finally got bike signs! This is important because this road IS a bike route, the only access to a bike bridge connecting Richmond to Vancouver, and one of the WORST roads to bike on. Here is a picture via google maps:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/commute1.png
You are looking at a cement island, of which there are quite a few, and cement barriers on either side of road, no shoulder. I've had cars pass me through those, let me tell you, I learned "take the lane" pretty friggin' quick. Anyway, signs went up:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/SingleFileSign.jpg
Which is great, except where the cement barriers end the sign changes to a bike & car sharing a lane side by side, with the words "share the road". Which is BS because there is no way to share the road if there is oncoming traffic. Cars have to properly pass me, and I've been run off the road a few times that way. Grrrrr.
Questions:
1) does anyone ride in a skirt on a diamond frame?
2) is taking the decals off the ss bike a good idea? They're old but not fashionably-retro, imo. I'm really torn on what to do, opinions welcome.
3) any opinions on what would be a good upgrade on the SS welcome. A new seat post & back wheel (it's steel) are at the top of my list, but after that I'm at a loss.
At work, this is where my bike gets parked every day, and chained to the table if the warehouse door is open.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/apollo2.jpg
I think the lugs are pretty.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/lugs.jpg
And the road I commute on finally got bike signs! This is important because this road IS a bike route, the only access to a bike bridge connecting Richmond to Vancouver, and one of the WORST roads to bike on. Here is a picture via google maps:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/commute1.png
You are looking at a cement island, of which there are quite a few, and cement barriers on either side of road, no shoulder. I've had cars pass me through those, let me tell you, I learned "take the lane" pretty friggin' quick. Anyway, signs went up:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/bike/SingleFileSign.jpg
Which is great, except where the cement barriers end the sign changes to a bike & car sharing a lane side by side, with the words "share the road". Which is BS because there is no way to share the road if there is oncoming traffic. Cars have to properly pass me, and I've been run off the road a few times that way. Grrrrr.
Questions:
1) does anyone ride in a skirt on a diamond frame?
2) is taking the decals off the ss bike a good idea? They're old but not fashionably-retro, imo. I'm really torn on what to do, opinions welcome.
3) any opinions on what would be a good upgrade on the SS welcome. A new seat post & back wheel (it's steel) are at the top of my list, but after that I'm at a loss.