Slow and steady, in LA
08-19-12, 09:29 AM
#1
genec
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
Slow and steady, in LA
https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,2996262.story
They're heavy and slow. They're also touted as the most popular mechanized vehicle on earth.
The clunky two-wheeler, with its old-school fenders and chain guard, is used by millions of Chinese as their basic transportation. The bicycle is so ubiquitous that it is considered a cultural icon there. In the 1970s, the Chinese government defined prosperity as "a Flying Pigeon in every household."
Characterized as utilitarian city bikes, Flying Pigeons are not for climbing hills or getting somewhere fast. Their top speed is about 12 mph, and reaching that speed from a standing stop requires heavy pedal-pushing.
The brothers say there are now about 250 Flying Pigeons on Los Angeles streets. Several hundred others have been sold to riders elsewhere.
The clunky two-wheeler, with its old-school fenders and chain guard, is used by millions of Chinese as their basic transportation. The bicycle is so ubiquitous that it is considered a cultural icon there. In the 1970s, the Chinese government defined prosperity as "a Flying Pigeon in every household."
Characterized as utilitarian city bikes, Flying Pigeons are not for climbing hills or getting somewhere fast. Their top speed is about 12 mph, and reaching that speed from a standing stop requires heavy pedal-pushing.
The brothers say there are now about 250 Flying Pigeons on Los Angeles streets. Several hundred others have been sold to riders elsewhere.
08-19-12, 09:51 AM
#2
Hogosha Sekai
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,669
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
15 Posts
Did you post this to A&S because of how "safe" and "well made" flying pigeons are?
08-19-12, 10:12 AM
#3
incazzare.
Every time I see one of these, the chrome is covered in rust. I have to conclude that the chrome is very poorly done.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
08-19-12, 10:32 AM
#4
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,396
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,696 Times
in
2,517 Posts
love the chaincase, but it needs a skirt guard
08-19-12, 12:55 PM
#5
genec
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
08-19-12, 12:56 PM
#6
genec
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
08-19-12, 06:30 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
L.A. has hills. Plenty of them. How is it advocacy to be recommending a POS that weighs a ton made in a foreign country when there are fscking awesome bikes, fit for purpose, which might not put someone off cycling for life?
08-19-12, 11:21 PM
#8
addict
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 107
Bikes: Bikes, lotsa bikes. Oh, and I got a Kazoo. Best bike ever.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I work at a shop where we used to sell Flying Pigeons. To put it bluntly, they're crap. Poorly made, low quality components. I am so glad we don't sell them anymore; everyone at the shop hated working on them.
08-20-12, 07:56 AM
#9
genec
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
OK mods, close the thread, apparently this is not advocacy and only serves to agitate the natives.
08-20-12, 10:55 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Closed.
