interesting bike sightings

[Trek420]

Meet Jack. I spotted these two on the floor of the Tip Top Bike Shop in the Temescal District of Oakland. I had to ask about them.

Designed by and being built for the shop these are two of the original 4 prototypes. They said the other two found good, loving, forever homes with customers who just had to have them

Too bad or maybe it's a good thing that the ones one the floor are not my size. No test ride today and we do have enough bikes. These look like a sweet design for a go anywhere, do anything city bike.

[Trek420]

Another view of the bikes

[OakLeaf]

we do have enough bikes.

Did you ever get a tandem?

[Trek420]

We tried one. It was like "Laurel and Hardy go cycling". Pretty humbling.

I had visions of our taking off and effortlessly sailing down the Burke Gilman, starting and stopping with ease Nope.

We tried a Comotion but I think the CoMotion Periscope would be a better idea when I get up there (which should be soon). Counterbalance Cycles has them in stock so trying one out should not be a problem.

But then we do have uhm, several bikes already so where to put a tandem is an issue.

I'm very short and not light weight. Knott is very strong it's still a challenge for a woman to be the kickstand and hold the bike while another gets on the bike. I was not expecting that brief feeling of falling over as you start up before getting up to momentum. That flipped me out a little.

I think the Periscope model would let us both have one foot on the pedal and start or stop in unison. None of that " we're falling over with a molto expensive bike that is not ours yet" feeling.

[winddance]

Meet Jack. I spotted these two on the floor of the Tip Top Bike Shop in the Temescal District of Oakland. I had to ask about them.

Designed by and being built for the shop these are two of the original 4 prototypes. They said the other two found good, loving, forever homes with customers who just had to have them

Too bad or maybe it's a good thing that the ones one the floor are not my size. No test ride today and we do have enough bikes. These look like a sweet design for a go anywhere, do anything city bike.

Ooh, I quite like the one on the left...very nice!

[Trek420]

I should have taken a better picture of the matching rear racks. I may have to go back But you can always find them here:

http://tiptopbikeshop.com/

The bike is named Jack for a British country farmer who also happens to be the LBS owners father (or maybe grandfather, I forget). The idea being a simple, well built, beautiful county, utility bike.

That was also the name of my Dad, who was also a country farmer So how could I not love this bike.