I have changed all my bikes or at least the ones I ride often to a more upright position. Any position that puts pressure on my wrist just doesn't work for me. To get the seat back far enough on the bikes that need that adjustment I found a couple of doohickeys on handle bars of an old mountain bike in my parts pile. Apparently they are additions to handle bars to make them usable. Sorry I don't know what they are formally called. There is a picture of one unmodified below and and one installed. I cut the extension where the curve starts which leaves my with a 3 inch extension.This is on a cheap Chinese folder that was just terrible to ride the way it was set up originally. With the seat set back three inches it is now comfortable to ride and I no longer feel like a "bear on a bike" circus act although it has been said that I still look like one (I hear giggling behind my back). I use this bike when I have to take my car, not only as a lifeboat but as a way to get around when I go into town.
Never mind the rusty Huffy saddle. It fits my bottom quite well. It will get painted someday but as a member in good standing of the "International Institute of Not Doing Much"(Resistance is futile) I see no reason to hurry.:)
That's awesome, oldfool. It's doing the very same thing as that doohickey tfahrner put on my seatpost. It seems like it would be such a simple part to produce - I guess there just isn't the demand.

Well, now I have before and after pictures of my riding position. It sure feels different. :)

Before:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/S7302268.jpg

After:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/IMG_3811.jpg

I have changed all my bikes or at least the ones I ride often to a more upright position. Any position that puts pressure on my wrist just doesn't work for me. To get the seat back far enough on the bikes that need that adjustment I found a couple of doohickeys on handle bars of an old mountain bike in my parts pile. Apparently they are additions to handle bars to make them usable. Sorry I don't know what they are formally called. There is a picture of one unmodified below and and one installed. I cut the extension where the curve starts which leaves my with a 3 inch extension.This is on a cheap Chinese folder that was just terrible to ride the way it was set up originally. With the seat set back three inches it is now comfortable to ride and I no longer feel like a "bear on a bike" circus act although it has been said that I still look like one (I hear giggling behind my back). I use this bike when I have to take my car, not only as a lifeboat but as a way to get around when I go into town.
Never mind the rusty Huffy saddle. It fits my bottom quite well. It will get painted someday but as a member in good standing of the "International Institute of Not Doing Much"(Resistance is futile) I see no reason to hurry.:)

Great idea! I have a couple of those doohickeys in my parts pile too. I will definitely give that a try and see if it helps me also. Thanks for sharing! :) BTW, I am a member of I.I.N.D.M. local #659 as well! :D

I found one. I like the idea too.
http://www.foldabikes.com/CloseUp/bike/sapMain.html

cman posted this url for a Brompton Saddle Adapter Pin back on 12-21 but they want $25 for it. I like the price of my doohickey better. I wonder what it's called and how it's supposed to be used.:)

....................................................... Of course that kind of moves all you weight over tht rear wheel on that particular bike, must be real easy to do wheelies.

I made a half hearted attempt at a wheelie just to see if it might happen accidentally but I could only just get the front wheel off the ground. This is not a high end folder and weighs 36lbs. I suppose an athletic young person could do it as I see them with both wheels off the ground from a standing start but at my age I don't need to be falling.:eek:

cman posted this url for a Brompton Saddle Adapter Pin back on 12-21 but they want $25 for it. I like the price of my doohickey better. I wonder what it's called and how it's supposed to be used.:)


Looks to me like a bar end...at least that is what I call them. Cool idea for an alternate use. I have a couple of orphans that are going to get pressed into service ASAP.

Aaron:)

Looks good Donna! Sometimes you just have to try different things on a bike until you find what works for you. :)

I made a half hearted attempt at a wheelie just to see if it might happen accidentally but I could only just get the front wheel off the ground. This is not a high end folder and weighs 36lbs. I suppose an athletic young person could do it as I see them with both wheels off the ground from a standing start but at my age I don't need to be falling.:eek:

Hey, I resemble that remark.

I never see mentioned one benefit of an upright riding position, no more sore neck. Am I the only one who has that problem from bending my head back?

cman posted this url for a Brompton Saddle Adapter Pin back on 12-21 but they want $25 for it. I like the price of my doohickey better. I wonder what it's called and how it's supposed to be used.:)

The only problem with a barend could be strength especially on the cheaper MTB's. As they are not designed for my 190lb. 5'10" body but for a hand andonly part of your body weight.

The only problem with a barend could be strength especially on the cheaper MTB's. As they are not designed for my 190lb. 5'10" body but for a hand andonly part of your body weight.

I tried this last night. The barend that I tried couldn't support my weight. :( Better I found out in my garage rather than on the road. That seatpost could wreck havoc with my undercarriage. :o

I tried this last night. The barend that I tried couldn't support my weight. :( Better I found out in my garage rather than on the road. That seatpost could wreck havoc with my undercarriage. :o
Sorry about your problem and I am truly glad that you tested before depending on it.:o
I guess all bar ends are not equal. I have been beating the hell out of my adapter and have had no problems. I weigh 210 lbs.
I inspected the bar end I used and found it to be of the same size tubing as a normal seat post (22mm I think but I won't swear to it without measuring it again) and with a excellent weld.
This appears to be a case of "your mileage my vary".
I am currently making another to use in the refurbishing of my Schwinn "grocery getter".:)

I never see mentioned one benefit of an upright riding position, no more sore neck. Am I the only one who has that problem from bending my head back?

It is the reason I strive for an up right position.
In the late sixties in southern Calif. the only bikes we would find in the dumpsters would be 3-spds with road style bars and stingrays. The first thing we would do with the road bars was rotate them so that we could sit upright. Having brakes was secondary. Riding with them down was a position that was not only uncomfortable but was also a position that no one seemed to want to be seen in. At least in public. Well some did but they were paid for it. Never mind.
I have issues with extreme recumbents for the same reason only in the other direction. I stopped napping in that position when it started taking the better part of day to be able to see anything but my shoes.
Upright is not very aerodynamic but then I don't go fast enough for that to be a problem. If the wind is blowing then I treat bike riding just the same as I did sailing. I wait until the wind is favorable.
I can ride all day or at least as much as I want anywhere between cruiser and semi-bent without having to have a recovery period.
Thanks for bringing that up. I have been wanting to get that off my chest. I'll go to bed now.:o

Donna, weeks later do you still enjoy having the Ergon grips on those swept back bars? I'm wanting a pair of those bars, just feeling antsy about possibly having to ditch my Ergons, which I spent too much money on in the first place :)

Donna, weeks later do you still enjoy having the Ergon grips on those swept back bars? I'm wanting a pair of those bars, just feeling antsy about possibly having to ditch my Ergons, which I spent too much money on in the first place :)

I've a set of Ergons on an Albatross bar and find them to be just as comfortable as they are on my Mary bar or flat bar.

Donna, weeks later do you still enjoy having the Ergon grips on those swept back bars? I'm wanting a pair of those bars, just feeling antsy about possibly having to ditch my Ergons, which I spent too much money on in the first place :)
I love them on the North Roads! I even like those little end thingys. You can hang bags from them quite securely. :D

Thanks Allen and Donna. The Cr-Mo Albatross is the very bar that I was looking to get :D

I like the updates. I would be interested to know where to obtain the part on the seat post that sets the seat position back.

I, too would like to know what that doohicky is called and where one could get one.

I, too would like to know what that doohicky is called and where one could get one.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5836902&postcount=26

http://www.foldabikes.com/CloseUp/bike/sapMain.html

I have changed all my bikes or at least the ones I ride often to a more upright position. Any position that puts pressure on my wrist just doesn't work for me. To get the seat back far enough on the bikes that need that adjustment I found a couple of doohickeys on handle bars of an old mountain bike in my parts pile.

That is a killer mod! I am going to try that. Thanks for being creative!

Hi Donna,

How long did it take you to wear your seat in that much? I just got a B72 which has the same leather profile as this one but difffferent springs. My B17 and Champion Flyer seemed to break in quicker than the the B72 is.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/IMG_0614.jpg

About 9 months.

Great thread ! I been wondering about that Air horn, Bicycling plus said it was loud but found it flimsy, any comments? Is it worthwhile taking up the space? u happy with it???

To mowe the seat back: remember you can get seatposts for BMX bikes that is bent back. Maybe not in many sizes though.

I put these type bars on many of my bikes, and also my friends bikes. result is we all hurt alot in the legs for a short period since new ridingposition means using different muscles and that hurts

Donna is my muse... :D

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1948rudgebench.JPG
1948 Rudge Whitworth

It's not Dutch but rather English and very old.... in riding I find the very slack angles and foot forward position really works the glutes and hamstring which rests my quads a good deal.

It is also the most comfortable and smooth bike I have ever ridden.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5836902&postcount=26

http://www.foldabikes.com/CloseUp/bike/sapMain.html

Nice - thanks for posting that link - could prove useful when I'm helping friends get their bikes setup.

I didn't realize one could reverse a quill stem.

Careful here!! A "reversed" stem will steer REALLY quick!:eek:

Much quicker than the right way 'round. :thumb:

Great thread ! I been wondering about that Air horn, Bicycling plus said it was loud but found it flimsy, any comments? Is it worthwhile taking up the space? u happy with it???

I'm very happy with air horn. It's saved my skin more than once. The impression I get is that it's less effective in colder climates. Oregon's winters are mild, so I've not experienced any of the problems people report. I'm probably going to get a front basket soon, so I will move the tank into the basket and zip tie it. If you have more than one water bottle cage, you could put it there. I've seen people put them on less conspicuous places on their bikes. I may try that at some point.

I'm glad this thread was renewed!
I've been trying to figure out how to make my bike more comfortable.
My shoulders can't take the stress of the "forward lean" any more.
Comfort trumps speed (or style). I've also been looking into the
internally geared hub thinking it to be more suited for a commuting bike.
I guess a geriatric machine that still only has two wheels.
I purchased the REI Fusion recently. I find the drag in the geared hub
makes riding more tiresome. My hat is off to donnamb for being able to tow a loaded trailer
on her Breezer, maybe the premium version of the Nexus is substantially more efficient. Anyway the bike will go back to REI and I may try some of the suggested modifications on my current bike.
I carry 20+ pounds of tools most days using an Xtracycle extended mountain bike.
This works well but sometimes I'd like something a little more nimble.
I'm trying to limit myself to one bike but it may not be possible.
Thanks to all for giving me a few new ideas.
Gary Portland Or

Thanks for the complements, Gary. :) There's something about the way stock REI utility/city/comfort bikes are set up - IMO, they're just not comfortable. Dunno why. BTW, if you bring your bike to Clever Cycles (http://clevercycles.com/) when Todd is there, he'll have a look at it and offer suggestions based on your size and the bike you have. This forum has been a great help to me, but I never could have gotten the geometry I needed without some Real Life help. :)

Actually I'm not sure REI did anything but check the air in the tires.
4th gear was nothing but a ratchet sound. Gears at the lower end were nonexistant. A couple near the middle hopped under force. The owner's manual was a generic "keep your fingers away from that" sort of flyer.
Thank god for the internet. Now all is well with the gear system. I might also lean in the direction of the step through frame. Nothing is more fun than throwing your leg over the back while forgetting you have something stuck up a foot or two. My wife has a mixte style frame on an old Fuji, it gets like a noodle when there is any weight in the back. So I'd rather not have that feeling but it may come with all step throughs. I'm not pressed for an immediate solution so a trip to the bike shop could be in my future.

Gary

Gary,
If you are hauling heavy get a look at some of the true Dutch built work bikes, like the ones from Henry Cycles (http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/). They are built to take the loads and come in a variety of sizes and styles. They are not cheap, but a good tool that will do the job and last seldom is. I don't know if Clever Cycles carries these or not, but he should be able to get one for you.

Aaron:)

Gary,

You might try to learn the tandem captian's mount: Kick your leg forward over the bars. Easier done with dropped bars and lycra shorts for sure, but if I make sure they are pulled up first, I have done it wearing (loose fitting) jeans on my front suspension "commuter". (A cannondale MTB with slicks and trecking bars)

Just make sure you don't have an audience the first time you try this!

Gary,

You might try to learn the tandem captian's mount: Kick your leg forward over the bars. Easier done with dropped bars and lycra shorts for sure, but if I make sure they are pulled up first, I have done it wearing (loose fitting) jeans on my front suspension "commuter". (A cannondale MTB with slicks and trecking bars)

Just make sure you don't have an audience the first time you try this!

Thanks for the reply kevbo,
this is actually more comical than you think. Knocking on 60 makes things a little more difficult, especially after a long ride (and long rides are getting shorter all the time). But I plan to keep at it. I will try your dismount on my lawn.
Gary

Gary,
If you are hauling heavy get a look at some of the true Dutch built work bikes, like the ones from Henry Cycles (http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/). They are built to take the loads and come in a variety of sizes and styles. They are not cheap, but a good tool that will do the job and last seldom is. I don't know if Clever Cycles carries these or not, but he should be able to get one for you.

Aaron:)

Aaron, thanks for the reply,
You sound like my grandpa. He said something similar. His feeling was that you are most likely to spend too much for a tool when you spend too little. I think the Xtracycle can handle most loads for me. I don't think I'm going to get by with a single bicycle. I did follow the link to Henry Cycles.
Thanks Gary

donnamb,
Your Breezer looks great and love all that you have done to it. Also love the pictures of your bike/trailer combination. Now that this thread is about a year old, I have a question for ya. If you for some reason had to replace your Breezer, would you go this route again or purchase something different and why? My daughter looks to be about your size and is wanting to commute to work to help with fuel cost and to do her part to save the world and I'm helping her to pick out a bike. We are both interested in the Breezer 8 and rode one today. She liked it better than the Townie 8 that she also rode. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Tony

Aaron, thanks for the reply,
You sound like my grandpa. He said something similar. His feeling was that you are most likely to spend too much for a tool when you spend too little. I think the Xtracycle can handle most loads for me. I don't think I'm going to get by with a single bicycle. I did follow the link to Henry Cycles.
Thanks Gary
Clever Cycles can get you just about anything Henry sells/makes. It might not get to you until the next shipping container arrives in Portland, though. Good things are worth waiting for, IMO. :)

donnamb,
Your Breezer looks great and love all that you have done to it. Also love the pictures of your bike/trailer combination. Now that this thread is about a year old, I have a question for ya. If you for some reason had to replace your Breezer, would you go this route again or purchase something different and why? My daughter looks to be about your size and is wanting to commute to work to help with fuel cost and to do her part to save the world and I'm helping her to pick out a bike. We are both interested in the Breezer 8 and rode one today. She liked it better than the Townie 8 that she also rode. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Tony
If I had to do it all over again, I would get an Azor Oma or Swan from Clever Cycles. I prefer the ride. On the other hand, they are really, really heavy - and they're not cheap. Also, I do have a pinched nerve in my shoulder than causes me problems. Not everyone has that going on. I don't regret the Breezer, however. Dutch bikes weren't even available to me in 2006.

The Breezer is a great bike, and costs far less than an imported Dutch bike. It's very high quality. Your daughter could always make geometry changes like I made if she decides she wants to be even more upright than the stock Breezer components would get her. FYI, I am 5'8" with a 29.5" inseam and ride the "medium frame". Breezer does make a step-through frame one size larger than mine, though most shops don't have them on the sales floor. If she has longer legs than me for her height (and many women of my height do), she will most likely need the larger frame. They're not meant to be ridden with the seatpost way high - this is not an "aggressive bike".

My only piece of advice regarding the stock components is to switch out the pedals and suspension seat post ASAP. The pedals are crap and get slippery when wet. I'm running MKS Touring pedals, but nice rubber block pedals would also be great. I lean towards pedals one can service because of my distaste for "throwaway culture". The suspension seat post is hell on one's knees, IMO. My sit bone span was too wide for the Velo Plush saddle on the Breezer. It hurt to ride more than 4 miles until I switched it out. I am very happy with my B-67 and straight seatpost. She might consider measuring her sitbone span. Beyond that, I think one just needs to ride a lot to know whether anything else should be changed.

Also - get a really, really good lock. That bike is too expensive to leave locked up with a cable or cheap U-lock. Seriously.

Wow, donnamb, somehow I missed this post. Great looking mods on your Breezer. Love the upright riding position. People with neck problems (like me) sometimes do better with this position. My Giant Suede is a joy to ride but the handlebars with minimal sweep - meh. Thanks for showing us what's possible. Will probably go back to my LBS and order the North Roads. Keep us updated on everything.