More Willpower

Yesterday, I went to get a couple of bikes, which were advt. without much info. Not even a name. When i saw the pictures, emailed later, one was a Nishiki and the other was a Randor. Anyway, I wanted the Nishiki, assuming it was a Japanese bike. What I found out in person was that the Nishiki was a Korean made bike, with a strange crank set, riveted 2 speed chain rings, chromed steel stem and bars with a little rust, black plastic stem mounted shifters, etc. The Randor, I did not even look at. After, a few minutes of pondering, I thought it was better to not get any of those. Let us just stick to quality bikes. That was a big improvement in will power.

Correction

I posted the previous post on a bike forum and it was pointed out that the splits in the chain rings were intentional and were designed to aid shifting with indexed shifters. Nevertheless, I don't like the center driven, fused crank set design.

Lack of Qualty in LBS Bikes

I am working on a couple of (actually 3, now) salvaged/purchased bikes and would like to tell about what I found.
Bike #1 was a GT Windstream comfort bike. I assume it was a bike store bike.
Bike #2 was a Religh M20 ladies MTB. I assume it was a bike store bike.
Bike #3 was a Magna Glacier Point MTB. I assume it was a dept store bike.

Both the #1 and #2 had Shimano crankset with integrated 3 speed chain rings. By integrated I mean they were a single unit of spot welded chain rings, connected to the center of the right hand crank arm in a somewhat rivet rike fashion (multi toothed). The disadvantage of this system is that it does not have the 5 armed spider that one finds on brand name crank sets that affords interchangeability of chain rings. Also, in both cases (#1 and #2) the bikes did not appear to be used much, but the chainrings were missing several teeth. The material of the rings is apparently just plain stamped mild steel.

Now, bike #3 had a one piece American style crank arm and a 2 chain ring unit which is riveted together. Also, the one piece crank connects the chain ring unit in the usual place which is at one pint away from the center. I think this provides more leverage than the center driven mechanism in #1 and #2. The chain rings are also made of better material and are in much better shape, quite reusable. Other parts on this bike were of much inferior quality, e.g. the shifters were plastic and caliper brakes were stamped steel. But the bike probably cost 3 times less than #1 or #2.

So, my observation is that one needs be aware of the fact that LBS bikes also have low quality components, especially the crank set with non replaceable chain rings. When one ventures to buy a low end bike at a bike shop, one needs to make sure that the chain rings are attached to the crank arm by a spider and a set of bolts to insure that one gets good quality chain rings.

I also looked a magnified picture of a Trek 7.2FX bike, as it was advt on CL here, and found the same offending crank set on a bike that would cost $350+ in a LBS. I think Shimano should be asahmed of producing this crap. I would prefer a no name one piece crank to their so called SIS crank set, with a plastic chain guard ring hiding the poor quality chain rings.

Trash Find

Found this broken bike in the neighborhood. Will remove the wheels (can use on the Raleigh MTB) and chain and possibly the crank set, too. The fork, if not bent can be used to make a wheel truing stand. It is one of the worst brands, Magna, and has plastic brake levers, shift levers and steel caliper brakes, etc., all worthless.
There is a cheap combination lock on it. Let us see if we can unlock the thing with instructions fro a youtube video on the same topic.

Raleigh Rescued

A guy had a bike on CL. It had both wheels tacoed from an accident and rest was miraculously intact. Rescued the Raleigh, even with women's frame, for $5 for the parts I can salvage and possibly use the frame for some mod, e.g, a recumbent bike or cargo extension.
Started dismantling before taking a pic.

Governor's Island NY

NYC400 - Harbor Week

NYC400 celebration was going on around NYC and we went on Sun 9/13 for some biking fun.
Spotted a Brompton on the NY Water Taxi. Here is the picture.



There were Gazelle bikes on display and trial rides at Brooklyn Waterfront Park. These were big boned bikes. I rode one and it was very smooth with internal gears that shift while stationary, too. Pricey, starting at around $1400. Later i rode one of the orange bikes, seen in the background, around Governor Island.



There was a BMX Stunt show in Brooklyn Waterfront Park. Most impressive was jumping over 5 bodies lying on the ground, from a stand still.


Spotted a bike named Kinfolk, with a very unique stem with concealed clamping bolts.


On Governor Island, spotted a bike decorated with nothing but Metrocards.

Another very cool bike on Governor Island

Finale - Dutch Bike!

Will Power

Yesterday I went to take a look at a Panasonic Beach Cruiser bike. It was red, with white fork and had semi flat, cracked tires, no fenders and a frame that looked like MTB frame. It did not have the correct shape for a beach cruiser, i.e., a curved frame and looked a bit like a cross between a MTB and a beach cruiser. Rust on the hubs and crank centers, too. So, let it go. Not even for $20.

Philadelphia Naked bike Ride this Sunday

Wonder how much the attendance - Spectator and participant - will be at the Philadelphia naked Bike Ride. The latest I got is as follows.
PEOPLE OF NAKED BIKE RIDE:

PHILADELPHIA NAKED BIKE RIDE IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY!

Here’s the update:

VOLUNTEER! Check the list below to see how you can participate. You don’t have to be a rider to volunteer!

THIS JUST IN:

Help us create pedestrian support on ride day! We need enthusiastic non-riders to work up a crowd at the rides popular check points! Email info@phillynakedbikeride.org if you can help.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

1. There’s still plenty of time to spread the word! Email info@phillynakedbikeride.org if you want to pick up a packet of fliers. If you have a stack in your pocket, you can raise awareness about the ride, increase ridership and increase community support for PNBR everywhere you go!

2. We are looking for non-riding volunteers to staff the meeting location! This is one of the best ways to get involved if you want to participate, but can’t ride!

3. If you can think of any other way you’d like to help, send us an email!

4. If you know you can provide additional support for fellow riders (carrying water, first aid, sunscreen, emergency covering, let us know!

5. If you have creative ideas about promoting the ride or our message before or during the ride, contact and tell us what you need to get it done!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The ride is on SEPTEMBER 6th.

1. PNBR after-party begins immediately following the ride . The party will have a “legal minimum” dress code.

2. Be PREPARED! Bring water and sunscreen. Check the WNBR wiki for more riding tips! http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org

3. The meeting time, meeting place, and departure time will be released only via this list.

4. The route will be revealed to riders with bicycles at the meeting location.

5. We ride rain or shine!

6. For non-riders, a list of viewing locations will be revealed on the website on the day of the ride.



PEOPLE POWER!

PNBR