tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post2764869417762020689..comments2023-10-28T02:40:19.782-04:00Comments on Suburban Cycling: Adventures in test ridesMelanie Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-57992094649807262902013-06-29T02:59:36.759-04:002013-06-29T02:59:36.759-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.chanerainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04736011037736336448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-90474624675549148232013-06-29T01:44:57.974-04:002013-06-29T01:44:57.974-04:00However I have done it, with the vintage bike that...However I have done it, with the vintage bike that I ultimately brought to DC and keep at BikeStation for that end of my commute. No one bothered it when I parked it at the MARC station, and I loved the convenience of the bike parking being so close to the train stop.jeng kusohttp://www.safewow.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-7521972596139446612012-06-03T15:19:24.326-04:002012-06-03T15:19:24.326-04:00Leaving the bike at a train station all day does m...Leaving the bike at a train station all day does most certainly give pause. However I have done it, with the vintage bike that I ultimately brought to DC and keep at BikeStation for that end of my commute. No one bothered it when I parked it at the MARC station, and I loved the convenience of the bike parking being so close to the train stop. Others lock their bikes up there too. So far as I know, bikes do not get messed with or stolen there for whatever reason. Car parking is free but by the time I arrive (around 6:45a.m.) I have to park about 1/4 mile from the stop, or it seems that far. Now, that convenience is tempered by one hell of a long steep hill that is part of the ride home! <br /><br />One of these days, I will make a point of visiting Bicycle Space!nlseibelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152851920399612023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-30821478823200620502012-05-31T12:45:27.029-04:002012-05-31T12:45:27.029-04:00I cannot recommend Bicycle Space enough. Despite n...I cannot recommend Bicycle Space enough. Despite not having the right bike for me, the sales staff have been a delight to talk with and the store's inventory is fun to browse. The Capitol Hill City Bikes clerk I spoke with on the phone seemed to have a clue; I hope that the Chevy Chase branch is good.<br /><br />The idea of leaving a bike parked at the train station gives me the willies. More power to you, and here's to your bike staying safe. :)Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-8261650916424236972012-05-30T13:33:51.327-04:002012-05-30T13:33:51.327-04:00OMG OMG OMG.
I am now SO HAPPY that I did not buy...OMG OMG OMG.<br /><br />I am now SO HAPPY that I did not buy the Civia yesterday. (Review coming shortly...)<br /><br />Ohmigawd.Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-23876155743844592212012-05-30T13:26:36.970-04:002012-05-30T13:26:36.970-04:00Melanie Suzanne - ask, and you shall receive: http...Melanie Suzanne - ask, and you shall receive: http://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-C8-2012. It's almost as though they're mind readers! :O)G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-84530885660024738312012-05-26T11:34:10.692-04:002012-05-26T11:34:10.692-04:00An interesting read! I work near and sometimes sho...An interesting read! I work near and sometimes shop at District Hardware, want to check out Bicycle Space and have been in the Chevy Chase but not the Adams Morgan City Bikes. <br /> I am in the midst of checking out the Linus Mixte. http://www.linusbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Mixte8_cream_detail1.jpg. I have test ridden the Mixte 3 and am awaiting the arrival of the Mixte 8, which should be here soon. I was impressed with it's comfort, smooth shifting and good looks. Even the 3 speed took the hills I test rode on with ease. However, the hill I would really have to ride it on is longer and much steeper from those I tested. I think, though am not sure, that the 8 speed will help in handling the extra weight of commuting gear and long and steep hill that makes up about 1/3 or so of the route home. If I do get the bike it would be one for the home-MARC station stretch of my multimodal commute. I have other bikes that could serve the purpose but none that I'd want to leave parked all day at the train station. This one is not cheap, but would be much less of a blow if something bad happened that it would be to lose my beloved custom built touring bike. Replacing it now would cost more than 2x what I paid for it a couple of years ago!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-62732601123493358742012-05-23T00:22:56.747-04:002012-05-23T00:22:56.747-04:00G.E. good point - ahhh that cost factor thing.G.E. good point - ahhh that cost factor thing.Deb Mozurkewichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07139640399480622692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-23460752782021039162012-05-22T12:44:21.975-04:002012-05-22T12:44:21.975-04:00No, I eye-balled it several times at a shop in Den...No, I eye-balled it several times at a shop in Denver, pulled it out, looked at it closely, but was obsessing with the Pashley's at the time, and then I was after a more road-type bike, so I never took it for a spin. I still think I should try it out though - one of these days.<br /><br />I think I've done a decent job paring things down in the bike fold. Technically, I have 3 bikes at the present, though I honestly don't ride the mountain bike. I just can't seem to find a good home for it. Some day, the right person will come along. I suppose I still actually have the Surly frame too, but that will be on its way out in the near future... just waiting for the future owner to return from a trip to Italy next month. I'm fairly certain we've given up caring how many we have though. As long as they get used, that's all that really matters.G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-83810226260180171722012-05-22T12:04:07.644-04:002012-05-22T12:04:07.644-04:00I'll definitely post a review if I'm able ...I'll definitely post a review if I'm able to find a Civia. Did you get to test the Loring? If so, what'd you think of it?<br /><br /><i>...though the last thing I need is another bike! </i><br /><br />How many are you down to now? :)Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-43575410177108458692012-05-22T11:53:50.027-04:002012-05-22T11:53:50.027-04:00There are 14-speed internally geared hubs (you can...There are 14-speed internally geared hubs (you can read a bit here: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/rohloff.html), but I think cost is what prevents many companies from manufacturing bikes with these, or so I have assumed. Even an 8-speed is fairly pricey, so I (again) assume that the 14 is just beyond what the average consumer is willing to pay.G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-61579994724110880402012-05-22T11:46:30.594-04:002012-05-22T11:46:30.594-04:00"Why do the 3-speed loop and the Mixtes get i...<i>"Why do the 3-speed loop and the Mixtes get internal gear hubs while the 7-speed loop has a derailleur?"</i> I think this is one flaw in the Public Bikes design, and I agree with you. I know that they did a 7-speed derailleur to keep the costs down to provide an option so that everyone would have something affordable... however, it would be nice to offer it both as an internal hub and as a derailleur set up. For what it's worth, I do think that the Shimano Nexus hub has a descent range of gearing, but I also know that getting up the hills in less than flat areas can be challenging when we don't have that extra range. As Dottie mentioned, the Civia might be one to try out. I have yet to ride one, but I see people taking them all over the place here, so there must be something there. It's on my list to try out too... has been for awhile (the Loring drew me in a couple of years ago, actually)... though the last thing I need is another bike! :O)G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-81724547995762614632012-05-21T23:55:12.209-04:002012-05-21T23:55:12.209-04:00Dottie: Your video and review of the Twin City wer...Dottie: Your video and review of the Twin City were the first I'd heard of that bike and it looks GORGEOUS. I hope that the shop in New Orleans pans out and I'm able to test it. My friends and family might stage an intervention if I start making trips out of town specifically to test ride bicycles. :)Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-91812731503190995882012-05-21T23:18:38.448-04:002012-05-21T23:18:38.448-04:00Based on what you describe as your goal above, I r...Based on what you describe as your goal above, I really think the Civia Twin City would be an excellent choice. Hopefully, you can find one to test ride in your area.<br /><br />The Public and Linus are two that I want to test ride soon, so it was interesting to hear your take on them.<br /><br />I got annoyed at the bike shop guy simply reading your account. I swear I've been treated the exact same way by bike shop guys. Whatever, they will not get our business.Dottiehttp://letsgorideabike.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-19840482735507051682012-05-21T22:25:51.727-04:002012-05-21T22:25:51.727-04:00I don't know if there's a cut-off for the ...I don't know if there's a cut-off for the number of gears an internal hub can handle. That'll be something to research. The Public Bike M8 had an internal hub with 8 gears while the C7 has a rear derailleur with 7 gears, so an internal hub can handle the number of gears I personally want on a bike.Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-30353286084934366912012-05-21T22:10:24.925-04:002012-05-21T22:10:24.925-04:00I enjoyed the reviews and the bikes all have eye a...I enjoyed the reviews and the bikes all have eye appeal for me as I tend to like classical looks and lines and bikes that are as attractive as efficient. Reading this makes me want to go out and test ride a few bikes. I was sorry to read about your frustrating experience with the bike shop that would not listen at all to what you were saying, pity. Speaking of a hub versus derailleur, I am unsure where the cut of is with internal hubs, do they only handle up to a certain number of gears and then you must use a derailleur?Deb Mozurkewichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07139640399480622692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-18286418499349735172012-05-21T20:29:24.823-04:002012-05-21T20:29:24.823-04:00I'm chalking the experience up to a rite of cy...I'm chalking the experience up to a rite of cyclehood. And I'm tempted to compose a Yelp/Google review. >;-)<br /><br />Your review of the J7 spurred on my desire to test a Public Bike, and I'm so glad that I did. I'm not sure why I'm so turned off by the derailleur on the C7; it's totally a gut feeling kind of thing. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I didn't even notice the derailleur until after the test ride when I did an side-by-side comparison of the M8 and C7 online.<br /><br />Why do the 3-speed loop and the Mixtes get internal gear hubs while the 7-speed loop has a derailleur? ~whine~whine~whine~<br /><br />Ultimately, yes, the city bike would replace the hybrid. That's why I'm being so picky about the frame and gears and riding posture. I want something that appeals aesthetically, allows me to power up hills as necessary, can handle the tiny bit of off-roading between my neighborhood and the bike trail, and scoffs at road debris.<br /><br />I'm so grateful for yours, Velouria's, Dottie's, and Trisha's bicycle reviews. They are helping me narrow down which bikes I should fixate upon. ;)Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-12868382357401513322012-05-21T17:41:16.259-04:002012-05-21T17:41:16.259-04:00One of my biggest pet peeves is bike shop workers ...One of my biggest pet peeves is bike shop workers who don't listen. Definitely NOT the way to get repeat business. I'm glad you were finally able to escape the madness, and hopefully you'll find better experiences in the future. <br /><br />On another note, I really like Public Bikes. I find them to be super enjoyable and easy to ride. Obviously, there is a difference between the internal hub and having a derailleur, but I think all of their bikes are pretty awesome - so it would be tough to go wrong. It's one of the few bikes I've had that I 1) regret messing with, and 2) kind of wish I still had. <br /><br />Hopefully, your next round of test rides will be awesome. Merely curious - are you looking for more of a city bike to replace your hybrid, or are you looking for another bike?G.E.http://endlessvelolove.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com