NEAT Bicycle Company

Ride Free!

2011-07-31T08:49:00.002-04:00

That's right, zero dollars to get where you need to go on this one.

The finished product

2011-07-31T08:29:00.003-04:00

Pake track frame and fork, NEAT wheelset and some choice parts to round out the build. Custom vinyl decals thanks to Shawn at the Boardroom.

Wheels being built

2011-07-31T08:02:00.003-04:00

A hearty thanks to my co-worker for building up several sets of these so we can get them to customers on time. It's hard to believe that the Purple color sold out so fast.

Colored 700c rims on order

2011-03-07T17:20:00.002-05:00

Ordered up a whole bunch of colored 700c to build road and fixed/singlespeed wheelsets with. Some will have machined sidewalls and others will not. It's gonna be fun building these up! I can't wait to get them in stock.

Cooking up wheels in the kitchen.

2011-03-07T17:13:00.004-05:00

The garage was really cold, so I cooked up this Alienation/Eastern build in the kitchen. Used hubs, everything else was new and shiny. They turned out nice and strong.

Moab Portal trail link

2011-01-14T23:42:00.002-05:00

All I can say is wow, Surly Instigator chopper intro...Metallica techno remix and some great footage of Moab's Portal trail. Having been there, this video reminds me why it's one of my favorite places on earth.

http://vimeo.com/18355722

Wish I could get back there SOON!

Maine Lobster Ride and Roll

2010-08-26T22:37:00.004-04:00

The cargo bike got to dress up as a lobster bike for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Lobster Ride and Roll. Fun was had by all and Daddy enjoyed the 18 mile workout with both kids riding on the hilly coastal roads around Rockland Maine.

A new tool for cycling

2010-05-31T22:08:00.003-04:00

I was told to check out www.mapmyride.com and began playing around with the online tools they offered. I did the free registration and created maps of all my frequent rides and then some other ones that I was thinking of doing. The software is easy to use and has nice mapping features and elevation data. I'll be using this again for sure! Now if I could only afford a Garmin 406 GPS to map my mountain bike rides...

Drive carefully, be seen when you ride!

2010-05-31T21:50:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder: Watch for cyclists on the road. My entire family was almost completely wiped out two days ago while riding to get Ice Cream. My wife with our oldest son and myself with our youngest son were riding the shoulder on Rte302 when a driver decided to beat traffic and cut the left hand turn onto a side road by driving down the shoulder of the road on the wrong side of the road! He swerved to miss us while going 45+ mph and then made the turn and pulled over to apologize. We were still in shock but managed to ask him to be a safer driver.

The next day someone I know collided into a truck when the driver decided to brake, signal and turn all at the same time. The driver admitted that he was just chatting with a friend and had no idea that there was a cyclist near him. Fortunately the rider is OK, just scrapes and bruises. The bike's front wheel is toast and the bike was scuffed with some battle scars. People are much more precious then bike parts and cannot be replaced. The 3000lbs of moving steel always trumps the bike in an accident, so we all need to remember to pay attention. We are supposed to be responsible when we drive around in these heavy machines. OK, rant is done, please resume normal blog...

Circa 1984

2010-04-23T17:18:00.003-04:00

Boy, I really wish I still had my first BMX bike. It was a Mongoose Minigoose with the metal motomags and a red pad set with red tires. I laid red skids all over the neighborhood on that steed. If I had it now it would have been a great start to the kid's college fund.

Jaws of life

2010-04-23T17:07:00.003-04:00

This is what bike parts see right before they get clamped. Maybe I'm having too much fun with the camera...

Spring Cleaning

2010-04-23T16:53:00.004-04:00

Long overdue and yet still necessary. Organizing the workshop and taking inventory. Thank you dollar store. Pump up the jams!

Snow is all gone, time to ride!

2010-03-11T20:08:00.005-05:00

It's getting warmer, the days are getting longer and the snow is all gone. Time to get out and ride bikes...or into the shop to work on bikes :)

Things are warming up in the workshop.

2010-01-04T19:21:00.003-05:00

It's getting hotter in here...thank goodness, because the unheated workshop was putting a damper on my workload in the wintertime. NEAT now has efficient, effective heat that can be used when needed without any dedicated reduction in workspace.

Vintage bike show in MA

2009-11-28T19:27:00.003-05:00

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

2009-11-28T19:20:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-03T00:06:00.004-05:00

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

2009-09-13T10:16:00.002-04:00

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

2009-08-10T20:54:00.002-04:00

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?

2009-08-10T20:48:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-02T20:54:00.003-04:00

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

2009-07-16T21:51:00.003-04:00

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

2009-07-16T21:42:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-15T22:59:00.003-04:00

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"

2009-06-27T21:53:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-04T19:45:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-18T23:29:00.004-04:00

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!

2009-05-18T23:19:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-25T22:24:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-22T08:39:00.002-04:00

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.

2009-04-22T08:27:00.002-04:00

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.

2009-04-07T20:19:00.002-04:00

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

Paul Components "Thumbies"

2009-03-31T22:20:00.005-04:00

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

2009-03-28T19:22:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-03-25T21:26:00.003-04:00

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

2009-03-13T11:40:00.004-04:00

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.

2009-03-12T15:34:00.003-04:00

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

2009-03-03T01:29:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-03-02T09:44:00.005-05:00

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?

2009-03-02T00:30:00.006-05:00

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.

Blog Test

2009-03-01T22:16:00.001-05:00

Welcome to NEAT Bike Company's blog.