I recently got a suggestion from Eduardo to discuss bicycle geometry and how it affects handling characteristics. He thought it might be a good topic for the blog. I say, thanks for opening up the can of worms, Ed!
Geometry of bicycles is a very important aspect of fit. If your bicycle doesn't fit you correctly, then you will be compromised in performance, and probably not as comfortable as you could be. Geometry of the bike determines where in space the contact points of your bike will be, in a general sense. Geometry of bicycles also affects how the bicycle will react to inputs such as pedaling and steering. The geometry of a bike is a huge subject. I certainly do not pretend to know all the answers. I will try to give an overview of the subject with the help of alot of outside sources in future installments.
The focus of this investigation will be on the geometry of the typical 26 inch wheeled trail bike in comparison with the geometry of the current crop of 29 inch wheeled bikes which seems to be in flux. This should give us a really good case of "Excedrin headache" for all of us to deal with!
Hopefully, we'll all have some fun in this Geometry Class!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Geometry Class
I recently got a suggestion from Eduardo to discuss bicycle geometry and how it affects handling characteristics. He thought it might be a good topic for the blog. I say, thanks for opening up the can of worms, Ed!
Geometry of bicycles is a very important aspect of fit. If your bicycle doesn't fit you correctly, then you will be compromised in performance, and probably not as comfortable as you could be. Geometry of the bike determines where in space the contact points of your bike will be, in a general sense. Geometry of bicycles also affects how the bicycle will react to inputs such as pedaling and steering. The geometry of a bike is a huge subject. I certainly do not pretend to know all the answers. I will try to give an overview of the subject with the help of alot of outside sources in future installments.
The focus of this investigation will be on the geometry of the typical 26 inch wheeled trail bike in comparison with the geometry of the current crop of 29 inch wheeled bikes which seems to be in flux. This should give us a really good case of "Excedrin headache" for all of us to deal with!
Hopefully, we'll all have some fun in this Geometry Class!
Geometry of bicycles is a very important aspect of fit. If your bicycle doesn't fit you correctly, then you will be compromised in performance, and probably not as comfortable as you could be. Geometry of the bike determines where in space the contact points of your bike will be, in a general sense. Geometry of bicycles also affects how the bicycle will react to inputs such as pedaling and steering. The geometry of a bike is a huge subject. I certainly do not pretend to know all the answers. I will try to give an overview of the subject with the help of alot of outside sources in future installments.
The focus of this investigation will be on the geometry of the typical 26 inch wheeled trail bike in comparison with the geometry of the current crop of 29 inch wheeled bikes which seems to be in flux. This should give us a really good case of "Excedrin headache" for all of us to deal with!
Hopefully, we'll all have some fun in this Geometry Class!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sound Off!
Have you ever wished that you could have a say in what bicycle model would get produced by your favorite bicycle company? Well, if that bicycle happens to have 29 inch wheels , ( in the imaginings of your mind) then you should check out what Twenty Nine Inches has going on right now. Give them your opinion in a comment or two on a form that they have set up, and they will do all the footwork for you to make sure it gets into the right hands. Cool! If enough of you send in suggestions, who knows! A new model just might come out to suit you.
On another note; the mountain biking world is getting mighty sleepy of late! You can tell when the racing season is over, snow hits, and colder temperatures come along. Seems like the news, stories, and rumors have all but dried up! That's okay. We all need a rest from it, I'm sure!
Have a great Sunday!
On another note; the mountain biking world is getting mighty sleepy of late! You can tell when the racing season is over, snow hits, and colder temperatures come along. Seems like the news, stories, and rumors have all but dried up! That's okay. We all need a rest from it, I'm sure!
Have a great Sunday!
Sound Off!
Have you ever wished that you could have a say in what bicycle model would get produced by your favorite bicycle company? Well, if that bicycle happens to have 29 inch wheels , ( in the imaginings of your mind) then you should check out what Twenty Nine Inches has going on right now. Give them your opinion in a comment or two on a form that they have set up, and they will do all the footwork for you to make sure it gets into the right hands. Cool! If enough of you send in suggestions, who knows! A new model just might come out to suit you.
On another note; the mountain biking world is getting mighty sleepy of late! You can tell when the racing season is over, snow hits, and colder temperatures come along. Seems like the news, stories, and rumors have all but dried up! That's okay. We all need a rest from it, I'm sure!
Have a great Sunday!
On another note; the mountain biking world is getting mighty sleepy of late! You can tell when the racing season is over, snow hits, and colder temperatures come along. Seems like the news, stories, and rumors have all but dried up! That's okay. We all need a rest from it, I'm sure!
Have a great Sunday!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Saturday Morning Cartoons
It's cartoon time! Remember that? I used to love Saturday morning because it was non- stop cartoons for a few hours. It's not so great now. With DVDs, cable, and whatnot, you can see cartoons anytime. Whoopee! Now, it's lost that special something. That element of being a thing looked forward to. Anticipation.............gone! Oh well!
Maybe that's what we, as cyclists, are banging on our bodies for right now. Spending all that time in the gym, on rollers, or a trainer. We are looking forward to something. A special time. With each day that goes by, the sense of anticipation grows. What could it be? Ahhh, it's that first glorious ride outside in the sun warmed air of Spring! Like Saturday morning cartoons, it only seems to last a few hours. Then, it's gone!
Enjoy your weekend, and hug a loved one!
Maybe that's what we, as cyclists, are banging on our bodies for right now. Spending all that time in the gym, on rollers, or a trainer. We are looking forward to something. A special time. With each day that goes by, the sense of anticipation grows. What could it be? Ahhh, it's that first glorious ride outside in the sun warmed air of Spring! Like Saturday morning cartoons, it only seems to last a few hours. Then, it's gone!
Enjoy your weekend, and hug a loved one!
Saturday Morning Cartoons
It's cartoon time! Remember that? I used to love Saturday morning because it was non- stop cartoons for a few hours. It's not so great now. With DVDs, cable, and whatnot, you can see cartoons anytime. Whoopee! Now, it's lost that special something. That element of being a thing looked forward to. Anticipation.............gone! Oh well!
Maybe that's what we, as cyclists, are banging on our bodies for right now. Spending all that time in the gym, on rollers, or a trainer. We are looking forward to something. A special time. With each day that goes by, the sense of anticipation grows. What could it be? Ahhh, it's that first glorious ride outside in the sun warmed air of Spring! Like Saturday morning cartoons, it only seems to last a few hours. Then, it's gone!
Enjoy your weekend, and hug a loved one!
Maybe that's what we, as cyclists, are banging on our bodies for right now. Spending all that time in the gym, on rollers, or a trainer. We are looking forward to something. A special time. With each day that goes by, the sense of anticipation grows. What could it be? Ahhh, it's that first glorious ride outside in the sun warmed air of Spring! Like Saturday morning cartoons, it only seems to last a few hours. Then, it's gone!
Enjoy your weekend, and hug a loved one!
Friday, November 18, 2005
Test Pattern II
Bzzzzzzzzzt! Huuummmmmmmmmm......................Can you here me now?
Thanks to Mr. 24 for the digitized logo. Quite a step up from the vacuum tubed version from a day ago!
Well, today we are suppose to get above freezing for the first time in a few days. Yesterday, it was 6 degrees out during my commute. No wind though, so it really didn't feel that bad. I got out the bastard bike, as Mr. 24 likes to call it. It's an old Schwinn CrissCross with 45mm. Inova studded tires on it. It wasn't too bad, ice-wise yesterday, so I'm bringing back the Karate Monkey for todays commute. Besides, the ice should be about gone by 11am. which is when I'm leaving the house today. Yep, got the late shift!
The shop was pretty slow yesterday, and tonight is bingo night next door to us, so the parking lot will be filled with cars. No room for customers of Europa! The gambling lemmings, with their heaters, Pepsi, and arsenal of highlighter blotters will take over. What really bugs me is when they send their neglected little minions over to the shop to entertain them whilst mommy wastes their college education fund in hopes of striking it rich in the Triple Blackout round. Yeah right! Whaddaya get for that.........$50.00 maybe? Wow! And to think that you could have spent some time with your kids actually teaching them something worthwhile! Ahhhhh crap! Whadda I know?!
All righty then, it's another weekend! The Trans Iowa V.2 dates been set, and now it's time to start working on some other behind the scenes type stuff. Hopefully, info will be released soon. Course recon needs to be completed. Little bits and pieces here and there to verify and document. Of course, the whole thing will have to be re-driven after the winter is over to check it one last time for all the event participants. Well, that's not going to be for awhile now, is it? Ha, ha!
Speaking of winter, we just got all stocked up with X country ski stuff. Classic stylee. Stop by at the shop and take a look-see. Mighty nice stuff from Salomon and some other sundry bits. Hopefully, the snow comes in enough quantities and for long enough that I get to ski for longer than two weeks this season!
Have a great weekend, and don't be afraid to ride outside! It's still fun!
Test Pattern II
Bzzzzzzzzzt! Huuummmmmmmmmm......................Can you here me now?
Thanks to Mr. 24 for the digitized logo. Quite a step up from the vacuum tubed version from a day ago!
Well, today we are suppose to get above freezing for the first time in a few days. Yesterday, it was 6 degrees out during my commute. No wind though, so it really didn't feel that bad. I got out the bastard bike, as Mr. 24 likes to call it. It's an old Schwinn CrissCross with 45mm. Inova studded tires on it. It wasn't too bad, ice-wise yesterday, so I'm bringing back the Karate Monkey for todays commute. Besides, the ice should be about gone by 11am. which is when I'm leaving the house today. Yep, got the late shift!
The shop was pretty slow yesterday, and tonight is bingo night next door to us, so the parking lot will be filled with cars. No room for customers of Europa! The gambling lemmings, with their heaters, Pepsi, and arsenal of highlighter blotters will take over. What really bugs me is when they send their neglected little minions over to the shop to entertain them whilst mommy wastes their college education fund in hopes of striking it rich in the Triple Blackout round. Yeah right! Whaddaya get for that.........$50.00 maybe? Wow! And to think that you could have spent some time with your kids actually teaching them something worthwhile! Ahhhhh crap! Whadda I know?!
All righty then, it's another weekend! The Trans Iowa V.2 dates been set, and now it's time to start working on some other behind the scenes type stuff. Hopefully, info will be released soon. Course recon needs to be completed. Little bits and pieces here and there to verify and document. Of course, the whole thing will have to be re-driven after the winter is over to check it one last time for all the event participants. Well, that's not going to be for awhile now, is it? Ha, ha!
Speaking of winter, we just got all stocked up with X country ski stuff. Classic stylee. Stop by at the shop and take a look-see. Mighty nice stuff from Salomon and some other sundry bits. Hopefully, the snow comes in enough quantities and for long enough that I get to ski for longer than two weeks this season!
Have a great weekend, and don't be afraid to ride outside! It's still fun!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Trans Iowa V2 Update!!
Just a quick one to announce the Trans Iowa V2 dates- April 29-30th! Mark your calendars and start training!!
Trans Iowa V2 Update!!
Just a quick one to announce the Trans Iowa V2 dates- April 29-30th! Mark your calendars and start training!!
Test Pattern
.......................(static).................(crackle-crackle)........................Testing 1 2 3! .....(crackle)..............................Can you hear me now? Heh, heh!
Thought I'd play around a bit with this logo. Now that I see it, it reminds me of Matt Chester's graphics. Oh well, I started something along these lines back in the 80's, and used a little Cheap Trick influence, and voila'!
Tell me something. Where does one get sublimated jerseys for a reasonable price, you know, so they don't have to cost over $50.00 each for less than 50-60 pieces. Anybody got any ideas?
More Intense Spyder 29" testing has been done. By the sounds of it, it's going into the beta stages now! Cool!
Single digits outside now, brrrr! Riding to work will be fun, well as far as the looks I'll get go!
Test Pattern
.......................(static).................(crackle-crackle)........................Testing 1 2 3! .....(crackle)..............................Can you hear me now? Heh, heh!
Thought I'd play around a bit with this logo. Now that I see it, it reminds me of Matt Chester's graphics. Oh well, I started something along these lines back in the 80's, and used a little Cheap Trick influence, and voila'!
Tell me something. Where does one get sublimated jerseys for a reasonable price, you know, so they don't have to cost over $50.00 each for less than 50-60 pieces. Anybody got any ideas?
More Intense Spyder 29" testing has been done. By the sounds of it, it's going into the beta stages now! Cool!
Single digits outside now, brrrr! Riding to work will be fun, well as far as the looks I'll get go!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The Gales of November: Part II
Hmm.......seems like we've been through this before. And isn't today, or tomorrow the official anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald? I think so.
Driving to work today for the first time in ages. My wife doesn't like icy conditions. In fact, if this had happened in her home town of El Paso, Texas, the whole town would be shut down. By the way, we only have enough frozen, white slush that it barely covers the ground, but it is slippery.
Too bad we didn't get enough white stuff to ski on. This is only enough to be a nuisance, and it will only keep people at home, especially with this wind. I suppose dirtram, Monkeytron, shakabuku, and folks from points north are pretty happy. They are supposedly getting the real snow!
I suppose I better get back to oiling my chain and mink oiling my leather saddle! Late!
Driving to work today for the first time in ages. My wife doesn't like icy conditions. In fact, if this had happened in her home town of El Paso, Texas, the whole town would be shut down. By the way, we only have enough frozen, white slush that it barely covers the ground, but it is slippery.
Too bad we didn't get enough white stuff to ski on. This is only enough to be a nuisance, and it will only keep people at home, especially with this wind. I suppose dirtram, Monkeytron, shakabuku, and folks from points north are pretty happy. They are supposedly getting the real snow!
I suppose I better get back to oiling my chain and mink oiling my leather saddle! Late!
The Gales of November: Part II
Hmm.......seems like we've been through this before. And isn't today, or tomorrow the official anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald? I think so.
Driving to work today for the first time in ages. My wife doesn't like icy conditions. In fact, if this had happened in her home town of El Paso, Texas, the whole town would be shut down. By the way, we only have enough frozen, white slush that it barely covers the ground, but it is slippery.
Too bad we didn't get enough white stuff to ski on. This is only enough to be a nuisance, and it will only keep people at home, especially with this wind. I suppose dirtram, Monkeytron, shakabuku, and folks from points north are pretty happy. They are supposedly getting the real snow!
I suppose I better get back to oiling my chain and mink oiling my leather saddle! Late!
Driving to work today for the first time in ages. My wife doesn't like icy conditions. In fact, if this had happened in her home town of El Paso, Texas, the whole town would be shut down. By the way, we only have enough frozen, white slush that it barely covers the ground, but it is slippery.
Too bad we didn't get enough white stuff to ski on. This is only enough to be a nuisance, and it will only keep people at home, especially with this wind. I suppose dirtram, Monkeytron, shakabuku, and folks from points north are pretty happy. They are supposedly getting the real snow!
I suppose I better get back to oiling my chain and mink oiling my leather saddle! Late!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
An Early Winter Commute
Big and wet snowflakes
Like a cold kiss on the cheek
Strange looks from drivers
Like a cold kiss on the cheek
Strange looks from drivers
An Early Winter Commute
Big and wet snowflakes
Like a cold kiss on the cheek
Strange looks from drivers
Like a cold kiss on the cheek
Strange looks from drivers
The Magic Number
Yesterday we got a visit from our friendly Cannondale representative. (Hi, Evan! Thanks for checking the blog out!) I always pester him about 29 inch wheeled bikes and why Cannondale doesn't produce one. Well, it seems that the product wonks at Bedford need to be assured that the market will support sales of at least a thousand units before Cannondale will produce such a monster. So, here's your chance, Cannondale freaks. E-mail, call, or visit your Cannondale dealer and make some noise if you want to see a big wheeled, aluminum framed mountain bike with "Cannondale" plastered on the downtube. Maybe if they see a groundswell of support for a 29" wheeled effort, they would do it. Want to see more reactions? Go here!
Well, on a completely different note, if you are in need of some cycling related gift ideas for the up coming holiday season, check out my place of employment. I've never seen the shop so well stocked as it is now! It's almost better than the mid-summer peak! .......Almost! Out of town? Europa can ship anywhere, just check it out! We even sent a bike to Japan this year, and it wasn't Jeff's either! Kudos to Mr. 24 and Carlos for their hard work getting things out on the floor. Way to go, buddies!
Well, on a completely different note, if you are in need of some cycling related gift ideas for the up coming holiday season, check out my place of employment. I've never seen the shop so well stocked as it is now! It's almost better than the mid-summer peak! .......Almost! Out of town? Europa can ship anywhere, just check it out! We even sent a bike to Japan this year, and it wasn't Jeff's either! Kudos to Mr. 24 and Carlos for their hard work getting things out on the floor. Way to go, buddies!
The Magic Number
Yesterday we got a visit from our friendly Cannondale representative. (Hi, Evan! Thanks for checking the blog out!) I always pester him about 29 inch wheeled bikes and why Cannondale doesn't produce one. Well, it seems that the product wonks at Bedford need to be assured that the market will support sales of at least a thousand units before Cannondale will produce such a monster. So, here's your chance, Cannondale freaks. E-mail, call, or visit your Cannondale dealer and make some noise if you want to see a big wheeled, aluminum framed mountain bike with "Cannondale" plastered on the downtube. Maybe if they see a groundswell of support for a 29" wheeled effort, they would do it. Want to see more reactions? Go here!
Well, on a completely different note, if you are in need of some cycling related gift ideas for the up coming holiday season, check out my place of employment. I've never seen the shop so well stocked as it is now! It's almost better than the mid-summer peak! .......Almost! Out of town? Europa can ship anywhere, just check it out! We even sent a bike to Japan this year, and it wasn't Jeff's either! Kudos to Mr. 24 and Carlos for their hard work getting things out on the floor. Way to go, buddies!
Well, on a completely different note, if you are in need of some cycling related gift ideas for the up coming holiday season, check out my place of employment. I've never seen the shop so well stocked as it is now! It's almost better than the mid-summer peak! .......Almost! Out of town? Europa can ship anywhere, just check it out! We even sent a bike to Japan this year, and it wasn't Jeff's either! Kudos to Mr. 24 and Carlos for their hard work getting things out on the floor. Way to go, buddies!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Monday: Moving On
Time to get onto the next phase of the cycling year, (indoor/ cross training), the shop season, ( X-country skiing, ski and snowboard tuning), and moving on from fall to winter. Of course, many of you reading this have already transistioned to the "off-season" mode. I love that term, off-season. Do you guys realize that most people think of off-season as "no bicycle activity what so ever" season? Just try working in a bike shop in the fall and winter....................(crickets)........................Yeah. The Maytag repairman has nothin' on us shop rats! Fortunately, Europa Cycle and Ski has ski tuning kung fu! That keeps things a little interesting, at least! Also, the change of weather could have a major effect on how things go at work. A little snow can go a long ways to getting people to switch into Christmas buying mode. Thanksgiving time in a little over a week from now won't hurt either.
Trans Iowa V2 recon remnants will have to be taken care of soon, too. If not soon, then after the snow melts. I'd rather get it behind me now rather than later. Details are being worked out and plenty of info will be disseminated soon! To think that last year at this time we hadn't even hatched the idea for Trans Iowa yet, much less have any of the work that went into it done yet! Pretty crazy! Don't forget to check out Mr. 24's site for a couple of different pics regarding T.I.V-2. Here are some more! Enjoy!
Trans Iowa V2 recon remnants will have to be taken care of soon, too. If not soon, then after the snow melts. I'd rather get it behind me now rather than later. Details are being worked out and plenty of info will be disseminated soon! To think that last year at this time we hadn't even hatched the idea for Trans Iowa yet, much less have any of the work that went into it done yet! Pretty crazy! Don't forget to check out Mr. 24's site for a couple of different pics regarding T.I.V-2. Here are some more! Enjoy!
Monday: Moving On
Time to get onto the next phase of the cycling year, (indoor/ cross training), the shop season, ( X-country skiing, ski and snowboard tuning), and moving on from fall to winter. Of course, many of you reading this have already transistioned to the "off-season" mode. I love that term, off-season. Do you guys realize that most people think of off-season as "no bicycle activity what so ever" season? Just try working in a bike shop in the fall and winter....................(crickets)........................Yeah. The Maytag repairman has nothin' on us shop rats! Fortunately, Europa Cycle and Ski has ski tuning kung fu! That keeps things a little interesting, at least! Also, the change of weather could have a major effect on how things go at work. A little snow can go a long ways to getting people to switch into Christmas buying mode. Thanksgiving time in a little over a week from now won't hurt either.
Trans Iowa V2 recon remnants will have to be taken care of soon, too. If not soon, then after the snow melts. I'd rather get it behind me now rather than later. Details are being worked out and plenty of info will be disseminated soon! To think that last year at this time we hadn't even hatched the idea for Trans Iowa yet, much less have any of the work that went into it done yet! Pretty crazy! Don't forget to check out Mr. 24's site for a couple of different pics regarding T.I.V-2. Here are some more! Enjoy!
Trans Iowa V2 recon remnants will have to be taken care of soon, too. If not soon, then after the snow melts. I'd rather get it behind me now rather than later. Details are being worked out and plenty of info will be disseminated soon! To think that last year at this time we hadn't even hatched the idea for Trans Iowa yet, much less have any of the work that went into it done yet! Pretty crazy! Don't forget to check out Mr. 24's site for a couple of different pics regarding T.I.V-2. Here are some more! Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)