The Skinny on Narrow Brooks Saddles?

I did not think this would happen to me in a million years, but the Brooks B17 saddle that is so blissfully comfortable on my touring bike - is now apparently too wide for me on my fixed gear roadbike. I kept lowering the handlebars on that bike (isn't it funny how our ideas of "what feels comfortable" can change?), until they've become considerably lower than the saddle. As a result, parts of my inner/rear thighs have begun to press into the hard edges of the saddle uncomfortably as I pedal. This never used to happen when the handlebars were up higher, so "saddle too wide" seems like a reasonable diagnosis.  Just when I thought that the B17 was my "perfect" default saddle for roadbikes, I guess I am proven wrong. 

I am completely lost when it comes to choosing a narrow saddle, and the Brooks classification system is not helpful. Even examining them all side by side (at Harris Cyclery) was more confusing than informative. Left to right, these are: the Swift, the Pro, the Colt, and the Swallow. I imagine the box of kleenex on the left is for clean-up, lest customers drool on the saddles. Or cry about not being able to afford them.

More frustrating still, is the fact that, once you get into the narrower-than-B17 territory, nobody seems to agree about what's comfortable. Some say that they ride the Brooks Pro exclusively and love it. Others say that the Brooks Pro is "unrideable". Reviews of the Swift and the Swallow are equally mixed. From what I read, I am beginning to think that as a lighter cyclist (125lb) I may find it especially difficult to deal with these saddles, as they tend to be harder to break in.

One model I am considering is the new (re-released) Colt. The width is similar to the Pro, but the nose is pointed down, like on these 80s racing saddles. I have tried a couple of the old vinyl and foam saddles in that style, and found their shape surprisingly comfortable (though not the material they are made of). I am not sure what the actual purpose of the downpointed nose is, but it sure is female-anatomy-friendly, which is why I am considering it. The Brooks Colt has been out for a few months, but I have not found any substantial reviews of it. The hard-as-a-rock surface does give me pause.

While Brooks saddles are fantastic when you find the right one, they are just too expensive for me to experiment with. I am open to other brands as well, though in my experience I don't do well with anything other than suspended leather. Maybe some of the imitation-Brooks that people consider "flimsy" might actually work for me, since they break in faster. Any suggestions - keeping my weight in mind - would be much appreciated.

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Load-Bearing: Smugness, Ambiguity, and Indifference

(Seasonal Greetingsways, via Esteemed Commenter DaddoOne)

I tend to figure things out late. For example, it wasn't until recently that I discovered putting your shoes on after your pants is not only much easier, but also prevents you from tracking mud into your crotch. Similarly, I was also very late to the cargo bike party (or, more accurately, cargo bike smugness self-gratification circle), dismissing such bicycles as too impractical for my environment until I took delivery of a Surly Big Dummy and fell in love with its capacity to carry lots of stuff while handling mostly like a "normal" bicycle, with plenty of room left over to haul my increasingly bloated sense of self-importance. I look forward to growing old with the Big Dummy, like this couple who are clearly enjoying the joy and intimacy of meat shopping well into their golden years:

(When was the last time you had a tender, juicy steak?)

Few things are more beautiful than a relationship based on trust, understanding, and mutual meat appreciation. We should all be so lucky, and may their love outlast their arteries.

In any case, as you probably know the Big Dummy uses the Xtracycle system, with which you could even transform your Ikea bike into your dream meat-hauler. Consequently, between Surly and Xtracycle I seem to have been abducted by a smugness cabal, and I've just learned from the latter that they're having a contest to find the best story about "dumping their fully loaded Xtracycle:"

I had previously thought that contests for stories about dumping your load were the exclusive domain of pornographic magazines, but as I said I'm usually late to pick up on things. (I'd also think having a contest that basically hinges on customers talking about how your product failed them would be bad for business, but I guess Xtracycle are confident that they have cornered the smugness market.) Anyway, you can vote for your favorite Xtracycle mishap until December 15th, and the finalists are some kind of potato salad disaster (which sounds like a Dead Kennedys album):

"I turn around just in time to see the kickstand bury into the grass and a shitload of potato salad go EVERYWHERE."

And this Monty Python-esque episode:

"I strategically crashed into a neighbors shrub..."

I'm sure this method of stopping will inspire hill-bombing brakeless fixed-gear cyclists everywhere, and strategic shrub crashing will become the new skidding.

Speaking of Surly products and load dropping, Slappy recently sent me this photo of a Pugsley rider dragging a Christmas tree and/or Hanukkah bush:

Which he appears to have felled with an artisanal axe:

If the "Americana backwoods revival" continues at this rate, hipster director Michel Gondry is going to start making urban Paul Bunyan films starring Zach Galifianakis.

One thing's for certain, though: heavy bikes are the new light bikes, and via the good people (or at least not demonstrably bad people) at Just Coffee comes this study which will doubtless shake the world of "Cat 6 racing" to its very core:

In it, a rider makes the groundbreaking discovery that expensive lightweight bikes are not faster than less expensive heavier bikes when it comes to commuting--and because he's a doctor you know it's true:

Dr Jeremy Groves, a consultant anaesthetist at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and self-confessed cycling fan, discovered that, "spending a lot of money on a bicycle for commuting is not necessarily going to get you to work more quickly".

Upon hearing the news, the world's fastest "Cat 6" racer promptly traded his Kalavinka for an Ikea bike:

As for the doctor, apparently his crabon bicycle was not giving him any extra time in bed:

Dr Groves declares himself "disappointed" to find out that his financial investment was giving him no extra time in bed and no less time on the road.

This would come as news to Mario Cipollini, who knows that nothing attracts sex partners like a bicycle made from crabon fribé, which is why he launched his own brand:



You should always shower after riding, but if the bike's a Cipollini I'd also recommend a shot of penicillin.

Of course, as I mentioned on Friday, unsurprisingly Cipollini is very upset that cycling is no longer "macho" enough:


In particular, he's very worried that cyclists will soon have ambiguous genitalia:

“I read an interview with Umberto Veronesi, a scientist, a reputed oncologist and Minister for Health,” Cipollini continued. “In five hundred years or more, human beings might have both sets of genitalia, male and female. I don’t want this evolution to have started already in cycling…”

In fact, to make sure this doesn't happen the UCI has already appointed Cipollini as the pro peloton's first-ever official genital inspector, and here he is demonstrating his crotchal examination technique:

(Cipollini opening the labial drapes.)

I'm not sure why Cipollini is so afraid of the intersexed, and usually that sort of attitude is the result of fearing something inside yourself--so it could be that as he approaches middle age he is growing an auxiliary vagina, which would mean that "Little Mario" is being joined by a "Little Maria." I also wonder about this Dr. Umberto Veronesi whom Cipollini cites, and what other crackpot theories he may have. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn that Dr. Veronesi is Cipo's Svengali and has made him believe all sorts of crazy things. Other misapprehensions under which Cipo probably labors include:

Masturbation makes you go blind--unless you use your non-dominant hand, in which case it gives you superpowers;

You can't catch an STD if you consume a pint of olive oil immediately after sex;

Suntanning prevents skin cancer.

This would go a long way towards explaining much of Cipollini's behavior.

Or it could just be that he's Italian.

Speaking of Italians, they are noted for being suave. In fact, as Campione Cycles informs me, they're so suave that Italian component manufacturer Campagnolo actually recommends installing their parts "indifferently:"

Evidently, stuff like "care" and "attention to detail" is for the sorts of nerds who ride Shimano. Campagnolo is for the insouciant.

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Something Special

Having a special bicycle is not about following the latest chic trend. It is not about hunting down a frame made of famous tubing. It is not about obsessing about period-correct components. And it is not about trying to evoke a specific country of origin. It's really about focusing on your preferences and your needs. Only you can make your bicycle uniquely yours.

My fellow Bostonian C.P. - or "cycler" on Biking in Heels - has done an impressive job in this regard.  Her bicycle, Gilbert, is completely and utterly hers - and very special. CP comes from a family of cyclists and has ridden a bike for as long as she can remember. But it was not until she lived in Italy as a young adult, that her love of city bicycles with step-through frames was ignited. Upon returning to the US, she brought a vintage Italian city bike with her, and the rest is history. An architect by profession and a DIY enthusiast by nature, C.P. enjoys wrenching on her own bikes and now owns a modest stable of vintage ladies' models from the 1930s through the 1970s.

As her ultimate bicycle for transportation, C.P. wanted something that handled like her favourite vintage bikes, yet was as clean and reliable as a new bike. And so her project began. She rescued a 1970s Raleigh Lady's Sports frame and fork, and had them repainted a colour she loved. She bought a suitable chaincase and had it painted to match, along with the fenders. She built modern wheels with alloy rims around a Shimano 8-speed hub in the rear and a Shimano dynamo hub in the front.

Gilbert's set-up includes handsome and effective lighting,

cushy cream tires,

front and rear racks for maximum hauling capacity,

Nitto "Albatross" handlebars with city brake levers and a classic bell,

a wheel stabiliser,

and, last but not least, this fantastic fishing creel basket, made of wicker with leather accents. For the holidays, the basket is decorated with battery-operated Christmas lights. Eccentric? Delightfully so! I imagine this style of basket is quite useful for storing small to medium objects within reach, secured by the closed lid. One thing that never fails to impress me about Biking in Heels, is the amount of stuff "cycler" is able to carry on that bike. This has included: a stack of shipping parcels, large plants, household appliances, and building supplies - most of these, of course, on the rear rack and not in the creel basket. While the Raleigh Lady's Sports was not specifically designed as a utility bike, it seems that Gilbert cab haul pretty much anything.

Given the way Gilbert came into existence, it is difficult to categorise him. The bicycle is no longer a vintage  Raleigh 3-speed, yet it certainly isn't a modern bike either. But why categorise him at all? You will not find another like him in any catalogue or bicycle blog. Gilbert is C.P.'s personal bicycle, and he is unique. Visit them both at Biking in Heels.

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The Best Time to Visit Your Bike Shop

Even though we live close to one another and normally cross paths on our own turf, this weekend I bumped into "cycler" from Biking in Heels 10 miles away - at Harris Cyclery. We'd both taken on projects that ended up throwing us curveballs, and now here we were. Even if you work on your bike yourself, it's good to find a trustworthy bike shop you can turn to just in case - and better still, a specific mechanic whose opinion and work you trust. The fact that I travel 10 miles to see Jim even though there are plenty of bike shops walking distance from my house, speaks for itself.

And if you are going to visit your local shop with a "project bike," there is no better time than the winter months. In the off season, bicycle shops tend to be less crowded, which means that they will be able to work on your bike sooner and will have more time to answer your questions. They are also more likely to have the components and accessories you want in stock, since things don't sell out as quickly as in the summer.

Some new floor models are likely to be available as well, since the shop will actually have time to build them up. This is the first time I've seen the Rivendell Hunqapillar - the version with the diagonal "middle tube." The design is definitely not for me and I cannot help but wonder how many people buying this bike will actually be using it in a way that necessitates this construction. But I do appreciate seeing the monster in person. The wooly mammoth headbadge and the decals are nicely done, as is the lugwork.

Never seen a seat cluster with a "socketed" seat stay like this before. Any idea what the purpose of this design is, assuming that it is more than aesthetic?

Between the Hunqapillar, the flock of other Rivendells, the vintage Hetchins, and other exotic specimens, it felt as if lugwork was declaring war on modern bikes and taking over the shop. My own modestly lugged bicycle seemed like an underachiever in comparison - though he held himself proudly and was quite happy to have the mechanic's attention.

Winter is also the time when bike shops hold end-of-the year sales, where good deals can be found if you are in the market for a new bike. And for those manufacturers whose models do not change year to year, winter is often the last chance to get a bike at the current price tag, before prices go up in the Spring. If you hang around long enough, you might also learn about non-advertised deals, including second hand bikes. Some of the most interesting vintage bicycles never make it to the likes of Craig's List or e-bay, but are sold via word of mouth. Bicycle shops can act as hubs for those types of connections. If you are looking for a particular bike, try asking your bike shop about it - they might just know of a customer, or a friend, who is trying to sell theirs. 

The winter months are infamously slow for the bicycle industry - but as a customer, you can take advantage of that in a way that benefits everyone: You get more personal attention, faster turn-around, and better deals - and the bike shop gets winter business. It's win-win!

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A Pedestrian Walking Their Bicycle is Still a Pedestrian

Lately I've felt some hostility from drivers when crossing the street while walking my bicycle. Is it the holiday spirit setting in? Either way, it's as if drivers see the bicycle and are incapable of processing me as a pedestrian, even though I am walking. The reactions have ranged from impatience at crosswalks - including honking, presumably so that I'd cross faster - to downright continuing to drive as if I were not there, even when I am already in the process of crossing the street. I have seen it happen to others as well.

A pedestrian with a bicycle is still a pedestrian. They are not any slower than a person wheeling a shopping cart or a baby stroller, so there is no reason why they should be any more "annoying." Does the mere sight of a bicycle enrage some drivers so such an extent, so as to warrant the extra hostility? That would be a sad state of affairs.

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Whap! BSNYC Friday Fun Quiz!

When it comes to gift-giving, many people say it's the thought that counts, and days after furniture retail giant Ikea gave all 12,400 of its employees fully rigid "dual suspension look" department store-style bicycles, cyclists everywhere have been debating what exactly they were thinking when they did it.

Of course, nowhere has this debate raged more intensely than in Portland, where theories on Ikea's motivation for the gift range from "guileless gift" to "classist conspiracy." But whatever the reason, one gift Ikea did not give its employees was the gift of proper assembly, for a reader forwarded me the following item from the Cincinatti local news which included footage of jubilant Ikeans riding their brand-new bikes with the forks installed backwards:

Unfortunately, the video was subsequently pulled, but here's a still which reveals the Ikea bike's puzzling geometry:

I'll readily admit that even a department store bicycle can help cultivate somebody's interest in cycling--but not if you don't help them put it together correctly.

Meanwhile, the bicycle itself has already attained cult status, and with five days still left until the end of this eBay auction one mint example has already commanded bids of over $200:

Ikea bikes are highly prized due to the unique handling characteristics imparted on them by their backwards forks.

Sadly, we will have to wait five more days to see if the Ikea bike can officially cross the $1,000 barrier, but in the meantime I'm pleased to present you with a quiz. As always, study the item, think, and click on your answer. If you're right you're right, and if you're wrong you'll see more triathlon remount porn.

Thanks very much for reading, ride safe, and ride happy.

--BSNYC/RTMS




1) Mario Cipollini believes that the biggest problem facing professional cycling today is:

--Doping
--Insufficient sponsorship
--A lack of support for junior racers
--A general lack of machismo

2) Why is this motorcyclist smiling?

--She has just successfully jumped over 20 city buses

--She's showing off the results of her Crest tooth whitening strips

--She's not riding a Vespa
--The small of her back is being prodded by "Little Mario"

("I vibe hella and it's my classic peep during Art History.")

3) Fill in the blank: "Disembodied ____."

--Hand

--Foot

--Fixie

--"Pants yabbies"

4) The bicycle is the "most efficient machine on the planet" because:

--It is lightweight and maneuverable

--It does not require gasoline or electricity

--It is fast yet practical and inexpensive

--You need front and rear suspension and a pickup truck in order to use it

5) Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz recently expressed his opposition to bike lanes in:

--No uncertain terms

--Washington, DC

--A sternly-worded editorial

--Incoherent song form

(Photographed by a reader on the FDR Drive.)

6) The above image:

--Makes a trunk rack seem elegant

--Is proof that most fixed-gear riders are flummoxed by the concept of "wheel removal"

--Is Marty Markowitz's idea of cars and bicycles "sharing the road"

--All of the above

7) This is an example of:

--Irony

--Testing the limits of your trunk rack

--The phenomenon known as a "Total Smugness Inversion"

--All of the above

***Special Bavarian Electric Touring Bicycle-Themed Bonus Question***

(The Bavarian Electric Touring Bicycle, as forwarded by a reader)

How much for the Bavarian Electric Touring Bicycle?

--$1,000

--$10,000

--$100,000

--$1,000,000

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Reverse 'Weight Weenies'?

Alternating between the Royal H mixte and the Gazelle for transportation over the past few months, I've realised something funny: I have a minimum weight preference when it comes to commuter bikes. For fast cycling on hilly terrain, I love the feel of a light bike. But when riding for transportation in the city, the mixte is pretty much where I draw the line for how light I'd want my bicycle to be. Does that make me a reverse "weight weenie"?

What I like about commuting on heavier bikes, is that they tend to feel extremely sturdy in traffic. They also seem to have a more solid, commanding presence - useful when mixing it up with cars.  I have found that drivers give me more room when I am riding something big and heavy-looking, possibly because they are more worried about damage to their car, should they accidentally clip me. Alternatively, it could be that on a massive bike - combined with an upright posture - I might seem like a more "legitimate" commuter to drivers.  Whatever the reasons, I do tend to feel more comfortable and confident on a heavier bike in traffic than on a lighter one.

For me, the most important aspects of ride quality in a city bike are stability, comfort over pot holes and bumps, and the ability to accelerate and slow down while maintaining full control. And heavier bicycles tend to do better in those areas. I am not saying "the heavier the better." But I think it is important to recognise that some of the merits of traditional city bicycles cannot be separated from their traditional heftiness.

The nice thing about my mixte, is that it can go from being laden with bags for commuting, to being light and ready for a fast ride, in a matter of seconds. And, unlike most other light bikes I've ridden, this one is comfortable over bumps - a major plus. For those reasons, I have been riding the mixte for transportation more than I thought I would (the bike was originally intended for long country rides). But she is definitely my lower limit for how light of a bike I enjoy riding in traffic.

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