Pioneer Press Visits with The Bike Guy

Recently fallen snow provides picturesque scenery as bike commuter and "Bike Guy" blogger Dirk Ingram rides his studded-tire equipped bicycle from the Lake Bluff Metra station down the Green Bay bike trail to his job at Market Square in Lake Forest at Kiddles Sports Store. (Eric Davis/For Pioneer Press)

Please see Ruth Solomon's engaging feature in the 2-21-08 issue of the Pioneer Press (pioneerlocal.com). Ruth is a true convert to bike commuting and this article will entice many more cyclists to join the Revolution.

Mayor Daley Salutes Motorists

The Chicago Tribune reported today:


Also on Wednesday, Daley introduced an ordinance to slap fines ranging from $150 to $500 on motorists who turn left or right in front of someone on a bicycle; pass with less than 3 feet of space between car and bike; and open a vehicle door into the path of a cyclist.The mayor, an avid rider, said he has been involved in unhappy encounters with motorists, providing them with "a few choice words" and "salutes" that he said were delivered "in the Chicago way."

Ride In Peace Sheldon Brown

Boston area Bicycle Mechanic Extrordinare Sheldon Brown died last night of a heart attack. No one has come close to creating half of the mass of meticulously archived articles that Sheldon wrote about maintaining ("Care and Feeding", as he called it) and riding bicycles.

I had the experience of meeting Sheldon at the Las Vegas Bike show in 2001. I thanked him for writing the instructional article that virtually taught me wheel building. When he learned of our mutual love for collecting old Raleigh bikes and that I was seaching for a particular model from the 70's, he pulled out his PDA. After a few scribblings, he said that there would be email for me when I returned home. Indeed there was. Sheldon was incredibly connected in the bike community--or, I should say, we were all very connected to him. I answered an email, bought a Raleigh Folding Twenty from a fellow Sheldon fan in Texas, and then used Sheldon's detailed articles to restore it. I will never part with that bike.

Sheldon was humorous, intellectual, and uniquely multi-talented--know any other bike mechanics who sing at the Metropolitan Opera?

Sheldon, thanks for your generousity--may the wind always be at your back.

Hey Bike Guy, there are so many different bikes. What bike is for me?

Well, thanks for asking! Choosing a bike is great fun and when you come to Kiddles I'll discuss your specific desires with you, thus sparing you the time it would take to listen to me run on about EVERY kind of bike. But I am "The Bike Guy" after all, so since you asked. . .

Types of Bikes
Think of bikes as existing on a continuum. On the left is a heavy-duty dual suspension mountain bike that appears to be just an engine away from actually being a motor cycle. On the right is Lance Armstrong’s time trial bike; very light and built for aerodynamics and speed. Those two categories are often referred to as Mountain and Road. Here’s what the continuum might look like:
Down hill
Dual suspension
Hard tail
Rigid mtb
26” comfort mtb
Cruisers
700c hybred
Fitness (Trek FX type)
Cyclo cross (Trek XO-1,2)
Flat bar road
Raised head tube road (Pilot)
Road (Madone)
Triathlon/time trial
Track

Definitions:
Downhill/Dual Suspension: A bike that has a rear shock absorber allowing travel of the back wheel to soak up bumps. The front fork is a heavy suspension type and the steering angle is designed for stability, not agility. A heavy bike that is not suitable for much climbing or longer rides.
Hard tail/Rigid Mountain bikes: Hard tail refers to a bike that does not have a rear shock. Rigid is how all mountain bikes started; without shocks at all. The 820 through the 6700 and the Gary Fisher Hard tails all have suspension forks.
Kiddle’s mountain bike customers begin with the little guy that buys a Trek Mt. 60 that has 20” wheels and a suspension fork. It’s big brother is the 220, that has 24” wheels. These bikes are popular because they resemble the bigger mountain bikes. 8-15 year olds, especially boys, gravitate toward our mountain bikes. The advantage of this marriage is that the bikes are durable with their large tires, shocks, and heavy construction. The disadvantage is that the knobby tires and big weight make speed and distance a challenge.
Comfort Mountain: This category has diminished in popularity lately. It is a mountain bike with a raised handle bar position that allows a more upright riding posture. The Trek Navigator is an example. The Hybrid category offers the same posturing, but with a lighter, faster product.
Cruisers: This is a design that is at least seventy years old and remains popular because of its comfort and cool looks. The Biria brand bicycles, although the frame is much different, actually places the rider in a cruiser-like posture. Gearing on a cruiser varies from coaster brake (one speed, pedal backwards to brake), to seven speed and also includes three speed gearing.
Hybrids: The term hy- bred refers to the combination of two types of bike, the road and the mountain. It uses the 700c wheel size of a road bike, but the frame style of a mountain bike. Most hybrids include suspension seat posts as well as light weight suspension forks. They also include adjustable stems, that make them very appropriate for 11-16 year old kids as an option to the mountain bike. The posturing of a hybrid is very upright and comfortable for shorter distances. Most folks who ride with their family a few times a week, or are very focused on the comfort of their bike, will wind up on a hybrid.
Fitness: This is a newer category that moves hybrids closer to the “Road” end of the continuum. The suspension fork no longer is here and in most cases the fitness bike opts for a threadless steerer/stem as opposed to the heavier, but more adjustable hybrid quill stems. Fitness bikes use the mountain bike frame platform of a raised head tube (higher handle bar position) and sloping top tube, but offer much of the speed and endurance of a flat bar road bike.
Cyclo cross: tucked somewhere in here in the cyclo cross bike. CX racing originated in Belgium as an off-season sport for road bike racers, but has become very popular in the U.S. too. Think of a road bike on steroids. The CX frame allows larger tires that make some off-road riding easier. The ’cross bike is also popular among commuters, because it allows the use of fenders and the larger tires absorb bumpy city roads better than the traditional road tire. With thin, high pressure tires, a cyclo cross bike is capable of all road bike duties.
Flat Bar Road: Some of the raised head tube road bikes (like the Pilot model) offer the option of a flat, mountain bike style handle bar. Many people want the endurance and speed of a road bike, but either dislike or have never used traditional road bars (referred to as “drop” bars).
Raised Head Tube: This is the future of Road Bike design. The Pilot Series offers a raised head tube design that allows a rider to sit in a less bent over position. For 2008, the Performance Series Madone is Trek’s offering for this geometry, with a 30mm raise in the HT. An estimated 80% of Road cyclists are now buying this geometry as opposed to the racier, more aerodynamic traditional posturing. In this set up, the handle bar is positioned slightly higher than the saddle in most cases. Touring bikes have raised head tube designs as well as other geometry changes that make your bike stable and comfortable when carrying loads.
Road Racing: this is usually thought of as a geometry that sets the saddle higher than the handle bar. The handle bar is the “drop” style. Light weight is the goal and proper fit is crucial. .With the right adjustments, and the addition of aero bars, a road bike is a great contender in triathlons.
Triathlon/time trial: Triathlon racing is huge and the bikes are expensive. This is a sport in which every second counts and the competitors are prepared to pay for speed. A triathlete ready for a Tri-specific bike already has invested thousands of dollars into this sport and usually come to our store with her decision practically already made. A triathlon bike, with its aero bars and very steep geometry, is not suitable for riding outside of training and racing, which is why a road bike equipped with clip on aero bars is a more practical, enjoyable investment for many racers.

Track: To the south of us is the Northbrook velodrome and to the north there is another track located in Kenosha where racing is popular. A track bike is one gear that is fixed, no coasting. The Trek T-1 is a very light, moderately priced track bike that also may be used on the road. It comes with brakes and also a “flip flop” hub that has a free wheel sprocket (able to coast) on one side and a fixed cog on the other. Kiddles also offers Gunner track bikes, and Surly.

Of course, other micro categories and lables exist. The right bike for you is the one that is capable of your current goals and additionally has the ability to serve you when your goals and fitness reach beyond today. I think the concept of having only one bike is simply crazy talk! We don't ask one pair of shoes to fulfill all of our footwear demands--yeah, I see it like that. However, if you must have only one bike (for now. . .) that's OK--Kiddles will set you on the correct point of the continuum.

New Year's Revolutions

Assuming that you adhere to the Gregorian calendar, I wish you and yours a Happy New Year. Traditionally, now is the time that we set goals and make resolutions. I like to make what I call "bike goals"--goals designed to encourage revolutions. One year, I decided to participate in the Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) and managed to get to 11 out of the 12 events. Another year was "Century Year" and I was transported many hundreds of miles with the help of a three speed, a single gear, and a fixed geared folding Dahon. There also was the duathlon period that included time trials and miles of running (oh, the humanity!) One year, a friend took me up on sharing a goal of racing cyclo cross--he is now one of the state's top riders. My practice of commuting via bike/train is the result of similar goal-setting. This year, I've decided to dive into Brevet riding--consider it the ultra marathon of cycling.

In 2007 at Kiddles we had a fantastic year sharing the "Three F's of Cycling" with you: Fun, Fitness, and Function. The joy on a nine year old's face as she mastered the gears of her new bike while riding on the "test track" behind Kiddles. The determination and passion of a customer that brought himself back to incredible fitness after a crash that broke many of his ribs. The bubbling enthusiasm of a customer riding his Dahon folding bike away from the Lake Bluff train station while wearing a suit, tie, and over coat and carrying his laptop and a thermos of coffee.

I hope to at least double our Dahon sales this year, continue our commitment to making your bike functional with racks and bags, and will reveal a surprisingly cool new product in time for spring riding. Have goals?

Stud Service

My "Designer Dahon" Mu XL fixed gear is now a single speed/coaster brake studded tire monster! Innova has 20x1.75 (409mm) tires with replacable studs. The original wheels I built for this bike are 20"/451mm, as opposed to the typical 20"/409mm that Dahon specs. However, studded tires are only available in 409. To complicate matters further, Dahon's front hubs are 74mm wide, rather than the standard 100mm. I have a 28 hole Dahon hub at the shop, but 28 hole 409 rims are pretty rare. Anxious to get on the new tires once they arrived yesterday, I opted to take a strange route: change the fork, thus making the bike capable of handling standard front hubs.

The two lower pics depict the original wheels: Rolf 14 hole front hub on a Dahon fork and rear Surly flip/flop hub with a fixed cog. The other two pics are the new "snow/ice" version: cheap bmx front hub on new Dimention bmx fork and cheapo coaster brake hub on the rear. Tonight was the maiden voyage. Wow, is it ever bazaar to ride a coaster brake again! Especially when clipped in--I kinda like it. Any bets how long the little hub will survive the cold?

Indoor Cycles

It was a tough week for commuting. Five to six inches of snow and minimal visibility during rush hour last night caused me to have a flash of better judgement and ask my very supportive wife to rescue me from riding on the last two miles of slick highway.

It is times like these that many will bring their bike riding indoors. Many have been introduced to indoor cycling at health clubs, where cycling classes provide 60minutes of aerobic activity accompanied by an inspirational booming sound track. Owning your own machine gives you the freedom of jumping on the bike immediately upon noticing the nasty weather, working out to your own choice of media, then showering and dressing in the convenience of your own home.

We have the industry's best machines at Kiddles and will assist with choice and actual set-up in your home. For years, we've supplied local health clubs with indoor cycles and provided service for those machines. You will not be stressing your cycle to anywhere near the degree of use they receive at the fitness clubs. Therefore, these products will be buring your calories for years.

About one thousand dollars will buy you an incredibly solid Schwinn cycle built with commercial-use quality. For $100, I can add a computer to the Schwinn IC Elite that works to measure cadence, miles, and speed. The Lemond Revmaster is whisper quiet, due to its use of a belt, rather than chain drive. For $200, you can add a wireless computer. Cycleops, the company that makes wonderful stationary trainers, has three levels of indoor cycles. Cycleops computer options include heart rate monitoring and a built in Power Tap unit in the 300 series that not only measures wattage output, but allows you to upload the data to your PC!

Although you will never commute, go to the store for milk, or join your friends in a pace line on your indoor cycle, it will help you stay in shape for all of these pursuits.

Is "Custom" for You?

The bike industry offers a multitude of options when it comes to ready-made bikes, but the option of building a unique custom bike is more "uncommon" than ever. Kiddles offers several options for frames upon which to base your creativity: Surly, Gunnar, Dahon, and Trek are great options. I also will build on your vintage frame--are you thinking fixed gear, or single speed? Expect to pay more for your one-off bike. Buying ala carte is always more expensive than taking advantage of the powers of mass production.

At Kiddles, we think outside of the box. I will listen to your visions and work with you to write a parts list and then develop a price quote. Whatever your niche, chances are I can speak your language. Past Bike Guy builds include: cyclo cross, single speed mtb, ss road, ss folder, fixed gear, high end road, high end mtb (one was featured in Bike Magazine), triathlon, custom Dahon folding commuter bikes, 650b wheel converstions, vintage restorations, and more.

Want to design your own wheels? I will build them. The Wheels on the bike pictured here feature Hugi 240 hubs, titanium spokes, and Mavic ceramic rims. They have been raced for 4 seasons and used for commuting for 2 years--very light!

Winter is the time to pull the trigger on your custom project. Get started now, and your bike will be ready for Spring riding.

Carbon Footprint? CO2 Emissions? Fuel Economy?

I am old enough to remember viewing a film during science class in eighth grade that documented a project performed by Stanford University students. It was the Seventies, and we were concerned about "pollution", mpg, and "alternative energies". The students converted an American Motors Gremlin to burn hydrogen. We watched as one student drank the water he collected from the car's tail pipe. I would have bet you that day that at age 45 I would be driving such a car and our petrol obsessions would be in the past.

Unfortunately, we in the U.S. only respond to problems we see as immediate, and until our environment and our resources are again in "crisis", it is somehow acceptable to drive a vehicle that gets 9 miles per gallon.

Join the Revolution. Promote ideas that move us forward by leaving minimal footprints. The crisis has not been resolved--don't succumb to the common amnesia that forgets that conspicuous consumption is unacceptable.

Ride your bike, take the train, car pool.

Calling all Studs!

I am sitting in my warm living room enjoying coffee from my French press and looking for any reason at all to delay going outside to clear the driveway. Yeah, the fierce white stuff hit yesterday afternoon and last night the roads were mayhem. It rained, it snowed/sleeted, then rained again--a shovel full of snow weighs as much as a Hummer (Yes, I frequently lift Hummers). Unfortunately, I was driving my car rather than riding my bike. My excuse is that I had not installed my bike's studded tires yet--but this will happen today.

If you plan to ride when the temperature is freezing and below, combined with any moisture that has frozen on your route, you must have studded tires on your bike. There is no tire tread pattern that will adhere to ice--believe me, you will go down hard. Ice causes an amazingly quick fall, as if your wheels have been blown out from under you by a 100 mph wind gust. Of all the bike-related products, studded tires have the biggest "wow" factor of all. You will call all of your friends and demand they watch as you flawlessly traverse nasty patches of ice.

The studs add to the experience of your caloric consumption. In other words, they make it harder to pedal due to the added friction. However, when you are not riding on ice, your traction is not impeded by the studs and you will ride with reduced stress knowing that you may plunge over the ice patch ahead.

Kiddles offers several brands of studded tires and I will work with you to determine which width to use on your ride. It is important for safety reasons that we allow good clearance beyond your tires. You should consider fitting fenders too. Cold, freezing slush is not comfortable on the buttocks.

Don't stop riding!

Pedal Pusher Society.org; they're from Wisconsin!

Spirited, uplifting and edgy.

Be a Genius. . .

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