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Sneak Peak: Norco Spade
May 29, 2009
Norco finally has a fixed gear bike to call their own. The Spade was released just this week and by all looks they have a winner.
We will see what we can do about getting a sample to review for a couple of weeks. Norco does not usually send out review bikes, but we will try.
Good Things Come In Three's
May 28, 2009
It seems like Canada is jumping into bicycles full bore this year. Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal all cities with notable cycling resources in the past have now taken on even more cycling initiatives. Not sure if it is in response to a crumbly auto industry, a poor economy, or just a shift in thinking, but the moves are all positive for these cities in general, especially if you ride bikes.
Vancouver has launched a trial run of a dedicated lane on Burrard Bridge for cyclist. One lane is being closed to automobile traffic and converted into a South bound bicycle lane. This will see bicycles leaving downtown and headed over to Kitsilano with there own lane, and cyclist headed North into downtown will now have exclusive access to the East sidewalk. This ,however, is only a trial run, so hopefully city council decides to make it a permenant one.
Toronto opened up a Bicycle Station on May 26. What exacty is a Bicycle Station? A parking garage for bicycle. Although basic sounding, this Station will provide 24 hour secure parking for bicycles , access to nearby showers, as well as dicounts at bike stores and a few other goodies. You must sign up to become a member and access all of this, but the York street location can't be beat.
Montreal, the Canadian city with so much European flavour, has adopted a somewhat European concept for cyclists, public bicycles. 3000 bicycles are now located at terminals around Montreal. These bicycles are accessed by signing up for an annual fee of $78. This gives you access to all bikes and a free half hour of bike use. The bikes are in no way light wieght. The made in Quebec bike tip the scales at 20 kilograms but access to bikes all over the city and no need to worry about maintenance seems like an effective and positive move.
Now if only every city would take steps like this.
Reverse Gear Mulga 2 Jersey
May 27, 2009
I will admit I am not a recumbent cyclist but I have ridden them on occasion. Reverse Gear is what I would call a specialty clothing maker, not only do they only make cycling clothes but they focus on clothing for recumbent cyclist. I was lucky enough to try out the Reverse Gear Mulga 2 Jersey. This is a nice long sleeve jersey that has one distinct difference, pockets on the front.
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Minnehaha Saddle Bag
May 26, 2009
Last year I got back to doing some distance cycling. At least once a week I’d do a 100-120 km trip. I had the idea that I’d like to do some longer rides too – a century or some longer randonées. For longer rides I thought I might want to carry just a bit more stuff than I could carry in my regular seat bag. A pannier wasn’t an option because the bike I use has no braze-ons for a rack. The short version of a story - with the potential to get way too long very fast – is that a long search ensued and the solution to my kit-carrying woes was provided by Minnehaha Bags.
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River Ride
May 25, 2009
The weather has been less than perfect of late. Snow, rain and low temperatures have both been plentyful this month, which has put a huge damper on riding. Saturday the weather was perfect though. Sunshine, warm temperatures where provided so Fraser, Matt and myself took to the river side for some sweet single track.
It is tick season, and we managed to have at least a dozen ticks on us between the three of us. The ticks are the unnerving part about riding the trails, but some things you just have to put out of your mind.
For the most part the trails we hit were in great shape, not over grown like last year at all. Dirt, sand and just a small amount of mud created a great ride. Great single track, a few jumps , and great people to ride with made for a fun evening.
Harlot Primo Jersey
May 22, 2009
When summer finally comes to your city and you quickly become excited to go for a long long bike ride I could bet you will be sweating in no time at all. While riding your bike is extreme fun, sweating for some can be mildly irritating. While many don’t mind sweating buckets on a gruelling climb or hitting the dirt jumps for hours, many do greatly appreciate the t-shirt technology of bicycle shirts. The Primo Jersey by Harlot is 100% polyester and does wonders for keeping sweat off your back and your body feeling cool and comfortable.
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Yuba Mundo
May 21, 2009
The Yuba Mundo is on it's way and will be one heck of a review. We won't see it here at our offices until mid-June, but in the mean time you can take a look at this video.
I am already thinking of all the stuff I can haul. Being car free has helped build up a big list in my head.
Crit, Crit, Crit
May 20, 2009
It was a very cold morning as racers looped around Broadway on the weekend. But it was an exciting criterium none the less.
Planet Bike Quick Stop Resettable Lock
May 19, 2009
There is no doubt that a cyclist’s best friend is a good bike lock, probably because without one, you wouldn’t be a cyclist, only a pedestrian. Needless to say a bike lock is a very important security item that one should invest perhaps a good chunk of money to keep their bikes in ownership and not on a long term borrowing scheme. That said, a thorough review of a bike lock is a helpful asset for someone looking to keep their bike for a long time. If you plan to have your bike stolen then don’t read this because this review may be a sad story for you, because this lock is exceptional.
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Easy Like Sunday Morning
May 18, 2009
It great weather yesterday, and a long weekend on top of that, so we hit the hard court for some fun!
The Cyclist's Training Bible
May 15, 2009
The Cyclist's Training Bible has become, over the past 14 years, a cyclist best chance at achieving their goals. Joe Friel, after initially recording his own training methods and philosophies, has produced the ultimate manual for growth as a cyclist. In this fourth edition, Joe covers every aspect of planning, physical training, nutrition, endurance, rest periods, everything that fits in between, and gives you colour diagrams and even personal training charts.
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DIY: Recycled Tire Belt
May 14, 2009
If you ride any amount you go through tires, for me it is probably half a dozen a year. My local shop recycles tires, but I was thinking of the three R's, and thought how about re-use. Well you can't exactly re-use a tire for the same purpose but I decided to change it up and make a belt. I took an old road tire, that just happened to be a nice orange and black colour, and started cutting away.
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Hauling Steel
May 13, 2009
I think it was about 2 weeks ago that I had planned to take the frame for my mountain bike build to go get powder coated. Well things seem to get delayed around here, but since the weather was nice I thought I would make the 20 km trip to the powder coaters and back. It was a chore just to get out of my apartment with the steel frame attached to my messenger bag, sticking out on both sides, and trying to fit my touring bike in the elevator. Once on the road I was actually happy that the frame was solid on my back, which would make driving through the industrial area a little easier.
The trip down to the powder coaters was smooth sailing and I should had a nice gloss white frame back in a few weeks. Since I was down at that side of town I headed out to get a tripod for my cameras. On my way there I hit a massive pot hole, and as luck would have it my tire pressure was a little low, and before I knew it my tire was getting real soft. I had a pinch flat. I was not too worried I pumped it up a few times, trying to prevent the inevitable tube change, but had to give in and put a new tube in half way home. The industrial area is not my favorite place to go biking, at least not during the day, with trucks flying by all the time, but I did manage to get a nice photo of the local recyclers who seem to be hoarding cardboard until prices go up.
It was a nice day of riding in the sunshine, and my cycling tan is starting to get pretty nice already.
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Tires
May 12, 2009
Tires are one of the first upgrades I make to all of my bikes. Why? Because I hate getting flats, and a good tire will keep you happy and cycling, which is what I want to be doing. I used to buy cheap tires and went through the routine of changing flats on a regular basis. In a way it was a good thing, it taught me how to change a flat properly. But it is a real pain to change flats especially on a long ride when you are tired and would rather keep on rolling. For my touring bike I have some Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. Not too wide and not too skinny. The 32mm width of these keeps me rolling and keeps the flats away.
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Happy 100th
May 11, 2009
The Giro d'Italia turns 100 this week, with the race taking place every year since 1909, except during WWI and WWII. It is a race dominated by the Italian, winning 65 times since it started. The likes of Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Eddy Merckx have all taken top place 5 times, but those years are long gone. With this years race covering all of the original stops from the 1909 race, including the grueling Dolomites and Alps, it is hard to predict a winner through the 3,454 kilometres course.
This will also be the first time that Lance Armstrong has taken part in The Giro. The Tour De France veteran is still recovering from a broken collar bone, and will use the race as training for the upcoming tour.
Banjo Brothers QR Waterproof Handlebar Bag
May 8, 2009
Trying to carry everything you want to carry, and have it where you want it can be a challenge on a tour, or even a long ride on a Sunday afternoon. A handle bar bag can keep frequently used items close at hand. For me it is a map and my cameras. I am often wanting to stop and take pictures, but had never really figured out how to have my cameras easily accessable. The Banjo Brothers Quick Release Waterproof Handlebar Bag is the first handlebar bag I have tried. The bag is a nice size, holding my cameras while still providing some extra space for snacks.
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Bike To Work Week
May 7, 2009
Next week, May 11-17, is Bike to Work Week in most parts of North America. Typically I am not a big fan of promoting cycling for one week a year. What about the other 51 weeks? But after some further research I think this may be a good idea. It seems like with BTWW there is a lot of education for both regular citizens who want to try riding their bikes to work, as well as for communities on ways they can improve cycling locally.
I bike to work everyday and feel pretty confident riding in traffic, but this took me year of riding to build up to. Hopefully with some of the workshops that are taking place in cities we can get people out of cars and on to bikes for more than one week. Lets hope your city has some good bike routes to take. Now get on your bike and ride to work!
Check out these links for more information:
Bike To Work
Bike To Work Week
More and more bicycles
May 6, 2009
Last year I wrote about Stabalizing The Stable. It was a cleanse of sorts. Taking all of the bicycles and parts I had amassed over the years and deciding what I really needed, and what I could do with out. It felt good to pass on parts to other people who actually used them. I sold a few bikes, made some cash, but more importantly I freed up space in my apartment. How things change in a year. I think sub conciously I am getting back at myself for purging last year, because looking at the situation now, it seems far worse than last year.
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Dakine Covert Rasta Glove
May 5, 2009
Until late last year I hardly ever wore cycling gloves, it was just one thing I had never gotten used to, and could not really see the value of. Then, in late September, I took a big fall off my bike and as much as my brain was saying "don't stick out your hand", my hand shot out and took the impact. Luckily nothing was broken, but since I was not wearing gloves I had a nasty road rash that took weeks to heal. So that is how I started to wear gloves. The Dakine Covert Gloves are my newest gloves this year and are my favorite so far.
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What do you want to see?
May 4, 2009
We here at BicycleSmile have been working hard to provide great reviews, stories, news and even our new forums. But now we want to hear from you. What would you like to see reviewed on Bicyclesmile? We have dozens of upcoming reviews, but if you have a specific product you want to see tested out let us know, and we will try to get something up for you.
Anything else? Well, just let us know.
P.S. Don't forget that anyone who registers for the forums in the month of May will be entered to win a Dakine Hoody and Gloves!
Dakine Posada Skull T-Shirt
May 1, 2009
Every once in a while I get obsessed with something. Lately it seems to be T-Shirts. I wear one basically everyday and now that it is summer I seem to have more than usual. The Dakine Posada Skull shirt is probably the best design I have seen on a shirt in a long time. It could be that I am just really impressed with the moustache on the skull, or maybe it all just reminds me of my time in Mexico, either way this shirt has got it going on.
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