Vintage bike show in MA

I recently attended a vintage bike show & swap meet in Dudly MA. There were some very nice examples of vintage bikes, but of course, my favorite of the show was the 50's style custom chopper with the dragster rear wheel. I'd make one myself if I could justify the time and money to build a cool bike I'd rarely ride. People appreciated the cargo bike I brought, but it was the wrong venue to sell one at. I guess I should have brought my 1984 GT Pro Performer BMX from my garage instead...

Decorative Lugs

Set up the tree this weekend with the kids and hung my favorite ornament: A Henry James lug that I bought from Rivendell a few years ago. They hang quite nicely on the tree, and make decent napkin holders as well. This one will NOT be getting hours of filing and polishing to make it shine.

Full moon and safety glow

Playing around with the camera and lights reflecting off a neon riding jacket. Riding under a full moon (on a deserted side road) is something everyone should experience.

Man I wish I had bought more of the old Schwinn bass boat glitter seats. How was I to know that it would become my favorite seat?

Building up the XRD-C this week

The XRD-C hub will be laced to a Salsa Gordo rim and then the drivetrain testing can begin! My two R&D boys have been hard at work with "playability" research.

The torch is idle and lonely

I've been busy with other repairs and tasks the past two weeks and my torch is feeling neglected. I may have to fabricate a reason to build something soon :)

Cargo bike or play gym?

So the cargo bike was rolled out of the shop for a moment and instantly became a play gym in the driveway. Good thing I keep a camera nearby, because it's not everyday that my boys take my wife for a ride on the bike. These things are built STRONG.

Before and after Xtracycle pics

I recently converted this Raleigh M50 into a sweet Xtracycle sport utility bike. The Kickback stand and stoker handlebar setup were especially nice additions that really increase the capability of an already amazingly useful cargo bike. A nice feature of the Kickback stand is that you have the ability to repair the bike without the need for a repair stand. The Kickback holds the rear wheel off the ground and you can adjust the shifting, brake, etc... Those Xtracycle folks really have thought of everything!

The demo cargo bike gets a new drivetrain

I decided to try and expand the gearing on the shop demo bike to see how it rides with a lower and wider gear range. The Sturmey Archer XRD-C will give me the chance to run a low 11-34t 9spd cassette while retaining the wonderful drum brake that works so well on this bike. I have a good feeling that this gearing will really open up the bike's range and will make it more fun to ride back up those hills after going on an ice cream run with the boys. Check out the size of that flange! The cassette is pretty massive as well although not very heavy :)

Vice is Nice

Christmas in July? More tools arrived for the shop today. I'm picking up the odds and ends of tools that I needed/wanted. I was in desperate need of a better vice though, and now it has arrived. This one will be handed down to the grandkids for sure. Seems like bike people prefer a Wilton over other vices based on what I've seen in people's shops. Having used one in the past, I had no regrets ordering this item aside from the price...

Maine Bike Rally

Many thanks to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for helping to put on the Maine Bike Rally event in Fryeburg. I had the pleasure of spending a sunny afternoon with like minded cyclists and shared a tent with Chris Gardiner of Frank Bikes fame. Check out his nice custom bikes at: http://www.youarefrank.com/ He was even generous enough to donate a frame to the BCM raffle! It was nice to meet and talk with people who were interested in using their bicycles for transportation purposes, including an Xtracycle rider who had his bike set up with a 400watt Ezee hub motor kit. It was a blast to ride, and really helped to firm up my decision about purchasing a motor assist kit for my own personal Xtracycle.

Rethinking "Weather"

After 20 plus days of rain this month, I've been riding here and there in the inclement weather and having fun doing it. I read something recently that reminded me that there is no such thing as "bad" weather. It simply is what it is. For most people, anything that is not sunny and warm is regarded as "bad". I've been riding in the wet stuff a lot this month and have enjoyed it. I found that if I went out with the expectation of getting cold and wet, then any riding I did usually exceeded my expectations. Oh yeah, riding a bike is fun! Splashing through puddles is a great way to take life a bit less seriously.

Hobbies in an economic downturn

With this current economic downturn, it seems that people need their hobbies more then ever.  Everyone needs an outlet for their stress, and cycling is a great way to get outdoors and vent some of the pressure of modern living.  As an added bonus:  It's healthy, and can be economically practical all at the same time.  Feel good, have fun, live well and save money by not driving.  People seem to be getting it, because tune ups and bike sales have not suffered as much in these tough times as other industries have.  Viva la Velorution!  

Sold bike photos

I sold a matching pair of Schwinn Collegiate bikes.  A his-and-hers pair.  With brand new tires and a full tune up they were in perfect condition.  I buffed the chrome with some #oo steel wool and they were looking better then new.  They were rust free bikes from Texas, ready for another 25+ years of urban riding.  The other city bike I gave away for a paltry $25.00 simply because I like to see people using their alternative transportation on a regular basis.  

Bike Swap fun!

It was a pleasure to meet like minded cyclists as well as old friends at the BCM bike swap.  The opening sales rush from 10am-11am was very intense!  If you did not get there early then you most likely missed out on a great deal.  Thanks to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for putting on another great bicycle swap.  I heard there were almost 2000 people there and they made a lot of money for their bicycle advocacy efforts.  As for me, I had considerable interest in the cargo bike and handed out many business cards to excited cyclists.  

Judging by the prices people were asking for the bikes they were selling, I guess I was not pricing my bike high enough for the market.  My friend and I sold 2 bikes before they even got into the door of the swap.  I guess great bikes at great prices sell fast!  

Great Maine Bike Swap

I'm doing the finishing touches on all the bikes that I'm bringing to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Great Maine Bike Swap at USM Portland Gym.  I'm very excited to meet up with old friends, make some new ones, and show off the Cargo bike for the first time.  I'm very curious about how the cycling public in Maine will react to it.  The only person to see it thus far was our neighbor.  She came out of her house with her young son with no shoes or coat on just to stop me as I rode by with my boys in the bike.  She really liked it a lot.  I'm guessing other people will too!

Xtracycle and Cargo Bike

It was finally sunny and warm enough to get out and take pictures.  It was interesting to see that the Xtracycle was almost exactly as long as the Cargo bike.  They are both much more capable then a "normal" bike and each one has the ability to carry all of the "stuff" we tend to have when we move about in a car.  The Xtracycle rides like a regular bike and carries the cargo behind the rider.  The Cargo bike obviously carries the cargo up front.  This changes the design of the bike, but interestingly enough, it still handles and rides much like a regular bike.  After a few minutes of riding, I felt absolutely comfortable with it.  Having owned the Xtracycle for a while now, I'm used to riding it and using it for errands and utility tasks.  It may be the most fun bike I have ever owned and ridden (and I've owned a lot of bikes).  The longer wheelbase and relaxed riding position make it extremely stable and balanced.  The rider has the sensation of sitting "in" the bike rather then "on" the bike.  It is a bike that has continued to surprise me on a regular basis.  

The demo bike is built.

The build up went well, and the bike rides great.  It's amazing that it is so easy to carry so much weight around.  Having cargo in the box actually seems to improve the ride.  Either way the ride is very comfortable.  It's refreshing to ride in such an upright riding position.  No hunching over the handlebars and straining your neck to look down the road.  The bike passed the most important test:  Both my kids love it and my wife also enjoys pedaling it with the kids.  As this one is for shop use, I'll be experimenting with different gearing options and other modifications to test ideas and products out.  

Cargo Bikes have arrived.

The bikes are here.  I'm building up the shop/demo bike tonight.  Pictures and words will follow.

Paul Components "Thumbies"

I was talking with a like minded cyclist/mechanic tonight and it reminded me about a component that I really like.  Paul machines his Thumbies to use bar end shifters as thumbshifters.  Using new Dura-Ace shifters you can have simple 9 or 10 speed shifters and the option of friction shifting if anything ever gets messed up while away from home.  These are great for commuter bikes and other bikes that have flat (non drop) handlebars.  

Cargo Bikes on their way

Check out the size of that pallet.  Thank you Joe Bike for building that custom pallet to fit these wonderful bikes.  It will be interesting unloading that thing from the truck!  

Cargo Bikes are coming!

It must be Spring.  New bikes are popping up everywhere!  Even though we still have snow all over the place, there are cargo bikes on order from Oregon being shipped here in a week and a half.  A big shout of thanks to Joe Bike in Portland OR for bikes.  Shipping these things is a challenge because they are larger then your average bike.  Lots of pictures will be posted when I get these out of the box and built up.  

Frame building search begins

I've got the frame building knowledge, brazing torch and tips.   Now I need to get the rest of the gear to begin building bikes.  The quest for the Jig begins!  

Of course, there's also the TIG welder that I want...and the media blasting cabinet, the powdercoat setup and an oven for curing the paint.  How far down this rabbit hole do I want to go?  All the way!

Great Maine Bike Swap reminder.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is putting on their Great Maine Bike Swap again this year.  It will be held at the University of Maine's Student Recreation and Fitness Center in Orono on April 19 and at the University of Southern Maine's Sullivan Gym on the Portland Campus on April 26th.  Lots of great bikes for sale, and vendors have a decent selection of parts available as well.  So go and buy or sell a bike and help out BCM.  Details at www.bikemaine.org 

Urban Velo #12 available

Yah, it's 1:30am and I just took a peek at Urban Velo issue number 12.  Its absolutely daily reading material for me.  Ask your local shop if they have it available.  If not you'll have to check it out online at www.urbanvelo.org  

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More Snow!

It's the second day of March and we have another winter storm warning and lots more snow.  I'm ready for mud season and sandy roads to ride on.  

Where am I?

NEAT Bicycle Co. is a 10 minute drive from the center of North Windham.  Hours are currently by appointment only due to the fact that I work another job to pay the bills.  Please feel free to contact me for directions and to schedule a visit.  

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