BikeHacks

Lexus Hybrid Concept

All image credits go to buzz-beast

This interesting Lexus concept bicycle runs more like a Prius.  Pedaling is performed via the 8-speed electric shifting internal gear system.  

 

When you need a little 'extra help' the carbon fiber hybrid ride also contains a 240 watt electric motor powered by a 25.9 volt lithium-ion battery.  The battery can be recharged in a brisk two hours.  The battery can also charged by the regenerative braking system that uses kinetic energy from the brakes to generate electricity.  

 

The bicycle also has an all-wheel drive set-up.  For now, there are no current plans for production

Adjusting Bicycle Disc Brakes - With a Steak Knife

My Globe Vienna is the first bike with disc brakes that I have owned.  My first foray into adjusting the brakes came recently when I removed my wheels to clean out my fenders.  I had heard disc brakes were rather easy to adjust so I started Googling around and stumbled into several videos like the one below posted on the MTB Workshop site.

The instructions on all of the videos are rather simple:

1.  Loosen the brake body. 

2.  Engage the brake.  

3.  With the brake engaged, tighten the brake body back up.

4.  Enjoy a beverage of choice, filled with a sense of pride. 

I performed the procedure as instructed (with my bike upside down) and spun the wheels and everything seemed to be a okay.  I thought to myself, "Awesome!" and rewarded myself with a beer.

The next day on the way to work however I ran into a problem.  Everything started off okay but there are a few times during my rides to work that I will stand up in my pedals and as I pedal the bike torques a bit from side to side.  The first time I stood up while going up an incline, with each stroke I heard a high pitched grinding noise.  It was very rhythmic and I did not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the front brake disc was grinding against something - and the geometric pattern of the holes cut into the disc made for a high pitched ear piercing experience. 

As soon as I sat back down and rode without side torque, everything was fine.  I stopped to make sure my wheel was on tight and spun it a few times and did not see any immediate danger so I just made sure to sit down the rest of my ride.

When I got to work I flipped my bike upside down and after peering around a bit I discovered what was going on.  Take a look at the following:

I am not sure about all of the specific names, but what I would call a washer and a spacer on the Allen bolt holding the brake in place were extremely close to the disc - see the end of the arrow.  The washer and spacer sit a little loose on the Allen bolt and when I adjusted the brake I guess the washer and spacer shifted too close for comfort to the disc.  Thus, when torqued side-to-side when I stood up in my pedals the disc was brushing up against the spacer and washer, resulting in a very high pitched and annoying noise. 

I do not have a lot of tools at my office, but I knew that I needed to push the spacer and washer as far away from the disc as possible.  I tried a letter opener at first but it didn't do the trick, so I then moved to a cheap steak knife (portabella mushroom knife if you are a vegetarian) that ended up working out just fine, check it out -

I loosened the brake, slipped the knife into the gap to move the washer and spacer over as far as possible, held the brake lever tight, and tightened the Allen bolt.  The ride home was free of noise, and my ears rejoiced.  Do you have some brake adjustment hacks, feel free to pass them along for us to post. 

Pail Rider

The person that rides this bike must either do so with ear phones or must be hard of hearing.  Between the rear folding basket banging and the pail on the front clanking, I think I would go nuts.  The Preacher would certainly draw a six shooter if having to follow this bike around. 

Rover Bike Hacks

Back in the day when Bike Hacks was on WordPress Andrew posted a few entries on ways to incorporate your pooch into your cycling habit.  Two of the products he posted on were the WalkyDog and the Springer.  Andrew said he had something in store for a follow up and requested that I re-post.  So these come to you in the form of a BikeHacks Classic entry.

This is actually a good time to once again make a general request of the audience regarding web publishing.  If anyone has expertise, or knows someone that has expertise, related to importing WordPress information into a TypePad platform give us a shout out.  I hear that it can be done with .htaccess which means nothing to me, but may mean something to you readers out there.

For now, enjoy the following and look out for a post by Andrew as a follow up soon.

WalkyDog Entry

Photo credits go to Amazon and WalkyDog

The WalkyDog is basically a clamp, a pipe, and a leash that latches onto your bike. Its also best to use a harness with the WalkyDog. Available at TheDogOutdoorsAmazon.com.

The WalkyDog® dog bike leash lets you safely take your dog with you on bike rides. The WalkyDog installs in just minutes and is incredibly easy to use. Its patented design includes an internal shock-absorbing system and quick lock and release capability for easy switching between bikes. The WalkyDog "lead" can be extended to a maximum of 14". If you find that the combination of the height of your bike and the 14" lead isn't enough, you can attach the WalkyDog lead to your dogs current lead for additional length or, you may easily replace the cord used in the WalkyDog lead with a cord of a custom length (same width required for use). You can purchase cord of this type at many hardware stores with the same diameter currently used.

SPRINGER ENTRY

Photo credit goes to Springeramerica

In a previous post we covered a product called WalkyDog, which is a device for walking your dog while riding your bike. Hot on the heels of WalkyDog comes Springer! Springeramerica was recently named the exclusive distributor for North America.

Springer America is owned by Kjell Ottesen, a native Norwegian who immigrated to the U.S. ten years ago. Like all Norwegians, Kjell is very proud of the products made in Norway and will personally attempt to make every buyer of Springer happy with his or her purchase.

According to Kjells blog, Norwegian-based manufacturer Springer AS recently named Springer America the exclusive North American importer of the Springer bicycle attachment, used successfully by over 500,000 dog-loving bicyclists, mushers and K9 corps around the world since 1988. The Springer bicycle attachment, which allows cyclists to exercise themselves and their pets at the same time, uses a low-mounted, heavy-duty steel spring to absorb up to 90% of the force of a dog’s unexpected tugs, enabling bike riders to keep their balance, while protecting their dogs from traffic, pedals, and wheels. Its patented safety release frees the dog instantly if he gets caught around a tree or hydrant.

At $69 for the Springer Black colorway and $74 for the Springer Chrome colorway its slightly more expensive than the WalkyDog. I think once a dog was trained with one of these he/she would love it! It is recommended that a harness be used with any product like this, for Fido's safety. For more information on Springer, visit Springeramerica.com

Do You Have Legal Bike Questions?

It's a bit late as far as notice of the event is concerned, but today at 2 PM E.T. you have the opportunity to talk to a lawyer about bike legal issues.  The announcement we received is below.  It sounds like they will also post answers after the session is over so if you can't make it, there is a chance to follow up.  I will follow up with them and post appropriate links when provided.  Lawyer up!

___________________

Want to let you know that this Wednesday, April 28 at 11AM PT / 2PM ET, Avvo (www.avvo.com) is hosting a free Q&A session with a lawyer who can address everything related to Bike Law.

Here is the link to sign up: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/547465050

Essentially, people can call in from a telephone or join in over their computer. If they have a legal question but can’t make it next week, they can also send in their question ahead of time. We’ll be sure to ask it and then send the recorded answer after the session.

We think it’s a great opportunity for bikers facing a legal issue to get some free help, or more importantly, raise awareness to prevent legal issues in the future.

Thanks!
Megan from Avvo

NYC Bike Photos: Which Uptown 1?

I know which 1 I would choose if given the opportunity.

Bicycle Seat Repurposed

I have seen some strange bike fenders in my day.  The strangest to date is probably a lasagna pan that someone morphed into a rear fender.  A buddy of mine in NYC captured another weird fender hack in the wilds of NYC recently.  Check it out -

Craziness!  This bike actually has a lot going on with the foot pegs, padded rear rack, and scull front ornament.  It's just sad that the owner wimped out and actually used a real rear fender.  If you are going to go with a front fender that is that unusual it seems weird to use a usual rear fender.  Overall the bike looks like a tank. 

Have you seen some weird fenders on bikes? Let us know! 

Bike Parade Float - Canada Style

The Bike Hacks crew loves the Great White North and we were recently contacted by reader Kris from Fort Smith, NWT Canada.  I had never heard of this place so I punched it quickly into Google Maps and here you have it.  I would have to travel 5,301 kilometers (that's 17,392,320 foot long hot dogs for our American audience) to get there if I rode my bike from NYC. 

Kris had the following to say:

I live in Fort Smith, NWT Canada.  It is a wonderful small town north located north of the Alberta tar sands development project.  That said I am a rabid year-round commuter (and fair weather kayaker.)  Last summer for the Canada Day Parade I took an old bike trailer (was going to be a cargo trailer but..) and built it into a float.  I was able to rig it up to carry my son and his Kayak... and of course I tugged him with our Kona Ute.

The following pictures were sent along as visuals, comments courtesy of Kris.

What kids will put up with for candy....

It was a dark and stormy day.... almost Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

And they are off!

Ah, good fun.  Makes me want to sing Oh Canada, anyone with me? 

Have you hacked some bike related material to bring children along for the ride?  Let us know.  Thanks Kris!

April 20, 2010

The Grime: 420 Edit from Mike Schmitt 

The Grime crew...footage of fixies in NYC, all shot on 4/20/10

Bike Stem and Handlebar Security

Those that have been snooping around here for a while might remember a post not long ago entitled Eight Solutions to Fight Bicycle Part Theft.  The solutions were aimed at keeping thieves from walking away with various pieces of your whip.  While running an errand recently I saw another option to add to the list that is super ugly, and thus super awesome!  Check it out.

Dude or dudette took a roll of what looks to be gaffer cloth tape (I did spot this in the theater district) and just went to town.  I just love the greasy, brown, and just plain nastiness of this.  If I were a thief I would certainly take a pass on trying to walk away with the handlebars on this bike. This is so NYC. A+ for sure!

 

I am happy to say that this is actually a hack I have been employing on my Cannondale for a few years now, I just never thought to write it up . . . silly me.  I took some colored gaffer tape left over from some of my wife's art projects, along with some duct tape, and taped over the Allen bolts securing my handlebars.  While this certainly would not keep someone from taking my bars if they really wanted to, it at least would slow them down.  Plus, it looks pretty dorky and I'm all about the dork factor.

Do you have a way to ward of thieves?  Feel free to comment or hit us up.