Living Car Free - What's on your list of things to acquire?

Links and pics are nice but optional.

Some boards from the big orange garage.

This way I can finish my built in closet and get rid of the stupid Dresser et al.

self-respect, courage, Phil Wood hubs, and a Nobel prize in physics

A zero balance on my college debt. Haven't started paying it off since I'm still in school, but I'd like to start saving toward paying it off anyway.

negative twenty pounds

For touring: A bike trailer if I don't have the time to weld one and a hiking pack if I don't find time to sew one.

Also groceries for thanksgiving.

Chris King Classic rear hub-Pink! ("It rolls good with angry bee sound.")
DT Swiss Aerolite spokes
IRD Cadence road rim

Yes, I'm building a bombproof rear wheel.

Peace, love, and understanding.


yeah, I know its sappy.

Peace, love, and understanding.


yeah, I know its sappy.

Yeah, that stuff. But also the pink King hub mentioned above.

A garmin 605, next year I plan to do a carfree vacation though I pretty much have everything else I need bike wise the gps is just really an extra toy I would like to have for this trip.

5 years of touring and tacos.

This. (http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%)

http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-M341-S-large_v1_m56577569830563751.jpg

(a crankset with a 48-tooth chainring to replace my current one which only goes up to 38)

I want a new set of studded tires. The old ones have a little life left, but I'd like to give them to anybody who will go ice biking with me.

http://www.icebike.org/images/Nokia296.jpg

Good rain gear, a folding bike and I'm looking at the carry freedom city tailer

More crap than I really need:roflmao2::innocent:

Wish list is as long as the world is around...Need list is a lot shorter...

For bikes: Dedicated Cargo bike, Bakfiets (http://clevercycles.com/store/?c=web2.68) or the new one from CETMA (http://cetmaracks.com/CETMAcargo.htm):love: I wouldn't mind having an Xtracycle to play with either. I am still on the prowl for a Raleigh Roadster in my size. I need a bunch of parts to get my various projects caught up, problem with that is I keep adding to the project list. The other definite on the list is a Brompton Folder (http://www.brompton.co.uk/) I have been researching and looking a long time and the Brommie seems to be the only bike that comes close to completely meeting the list I have. I need a trailer and the BAW (http://www.bikesatwork.com/) trailers seem to be the best for heavy utility, for lighter use a BobYak (http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/) would suffice or perhaps the Carryfreedom City (http://www.carryfreedom.com/city.html)(thanks politicalgeek!)
Aaron:)

NiteRider TriNewt LED
http://media.rei.com/media/l/1286412.jpg

Surly Steamroller
http://www.surlybikes.com/images/steamr_comp.jpg

You're welcome Aaron.

I actually stumbled across that by accident. My parents are being pretty supportive of the whole car-free thing, but I get the sense they feel it's more of a silly college fad. I'm going to look into substitute teaching following graduation and of course the question falls on "Won't you need a car?". I started looking into and feel I won't, with bike and bus and the right combination of school districts and where I choose to live it would be doable.

Probably the biggest challenge would be preparing to leave. I love the idea of a folding bike with that trailer. For now, with work and school, it can cart my stuff around and be pretty flexible. If I get into sub teaching, I can load everything in one bag at night, wait for the assignment in the morning and either hop on the bus with the backpack or the bike with the trailer.

What's on my list of things to acquire?

-- Shipping Container
-- Airline ticket to Australia
-- All the necessary paperwork to go along with the above two items ... all correctly filled out and approved.

More garage space.
More time off work.
Better weather.
More friends.
More time with my new grandchild.
Some good books.
A nice bottle of beer...

I want a new set of studded tires. The old ones have a little life left, but I'd like to give them to anybody who will go ice biking with me.

http://www.icebike.org/images/Nokia296.jpg

Freecycle!

I need to acquire more work.

I need to acquire more work.

The retail stores in the malls are hiring like crazy now! Just about all of them have "Help Wanted" ads up in their windows.

Lots of my acquaintences pick up part-time jobs in the malls at this time of the year to pay for trips to Mexico and Cuba come February.

The retail stores in the malls are hiring like crazy now! Just about all of them have "Help Wanted" ads up in their windows.

Just remember you're in a booming province of a whole 'nother country. Below the 49th parallel, things are different. Way different.

EDIT: For example, just here in R-Town, they're *closing* an entire suburban mall, just after closing the Midtown mall, (which was the first downtown enclosed shopping mall in the country) and the remaining malls are filled with chains that are going out-of-business.

I want the Dahon Curve SL ($919). I have the Speed Pro TT right now and love it. Just wanted to add something even lighter and smaller to my collection. I've been very happy with the Speed Pro TT, so I figured I could try something else from their line. Anyone have this bike? Is it really as small and light as they claim? I really wish a store carried these in stock so I could test one out.




http://files.dahon.com/images/bikes/large/unfold/curvesl-us.jpg

Clarification: I need more clients.

Also, I found two more bikes (I keep finding classic 3-speed bikes abandoned in my neighborhood) and I need tires for one of them and time to take them down to the bike kitchen and learn how to fix them for both of them.

I'm nearing the flat part of the cycling stuff acquisition curve. I need some odds and ends, but nothing more than a few bucks.

Except panniers. I'm going on the 50+ Forum ride weekend this coming summer. I'll take a week and plan on spending part of it in one part of Colorado, then cycling to the other part for the forum get together.

For that, I'll need better and larger panniers than I already own. Additionally, in the summer of 2010 I'm planning something in Montana. So I'm not sure whether to buy a set of touring panniers, or significantly upgrade my grocery panniers. The difference at Arkel is just over $100. Their grocery panniers I could use around town, even if they're less convenient for travel. Touring panniers wouldn't be as useful for anything but trips, although I know they'd be far more convenient when traveling. I don't have room to store both and would also rather not spend the money on both.

Oh, and I've also begun saving for a handbuilt Ti frame I intend to buy from Carl Strong (http://strongframes.com/) and pick up in Bozeman at the start of my 2010 Montana trip.

Pedals that don't get all slippery in rain. Handlebars that angle back just a wee bit more, so my wrists are straighter. Studded tires. A pair of good quality large panniers that stay on my rack. A bike that properly fits my partner, with a rack and good lights so he can help haul things. (eventually) a generator hub for my front wheel.

That covers all the useful stuff... most of the rest is want but do not need.

Pedals that don't get all slippery in rain. Handlebars that angle back just a wee bit more, so my wrists are straighter. Studded tires. A pair of good quality large panniers that stay on my rack. A bike that properly fits my partner, with a rack and good lights so he can help haul things. (eventually) a generator hub for my front wheel.

That covers all the useful stuff... most of the rest is want but do not need.

Get BMX-style pedals with little studs on them. They never, ever slip, even in the rain, and I know a thing or two about riding in rain. They're pricier than other platforms but, if you include the cost of shoes, not nearly as pricey as clip-ins.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

I'm not in a hurry on this, but a better headlight. And brakes that don't squeal when it's wet out. And an executive branch that is neither incompetent nor evil. (OK, I'm in a hurry on the third item.)

With regard to the bikes, I don't need anything. If someone gave me $200 free for bike-related materials, perhaps I'd invest it in a Dinotte taillight or another P7 headlight, but I'd like to think I'd save it for the future. Actually, I'd probably use it to buy a winter helmet, as I've been riding with just a hat in the cold weather lately.

Get BMX-style pedals with little studs on them. They never, ever slip, even in the rain, and I know a thing or two about riding in rain. They're pricier than other platforms but, if you include the cost of shoes, not nearly as pricey as clip-ins.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium


I've had good results with bmx pedals. Also consider toe clips or powergrips.


http://www.classicadventures.com/images/TOE%20CLIPS.jpg http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/power_grips_sm.jpg

Get BMX-style pedals with little studs on them. They never, ever slip, even in the rain, and I know a thing or two about riding in rain. They're pricier than other platforms but, if you include the cost of shoes, not nearly as pricey as clip-ins.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

Clipless isn't an option right now :D. Between my joints and the number of stop signs, it's just asking for trouble. But yes, those BMX pedals might work well... I've also eyed some of the various sorts of MKS platform pedals. There seem to be quite a few designs that have studs or teeth that grip well... question becomes which ones fit my feet.

Powergrips are on the list of things to try when the weather is good again. More advanced toe clips are probably a no for now, since I want to minimize my falls for a while... Powergrips should let me learn how to use toe clips, and since they're flexible, they should cope with the beating I'll give 'em while I'm learning.

I actually think the perfect handlebars will be harder.

Powergrips are on the list of things to try when the weather is good again. More advanced toe clips are probably a no for now, since I want to minimize my falls for a while... Powergrips should let me learn how to use toe clips, and since they're flexible, they should cope with the beating I'll give 'em while I'm learning.


Toe clips are easy. To tell you the truth, I don't usually even tighten them. I just leave them loose enough that I can shove my foot in and pull it out. I might not be getting the full advantage, but "good enough."

Toe clips might help your knees. I notice some benefit, but that might just be me.

Powergrips are on the list of things to try when the weather is good again. More advanced toe clips are probably a no for now, since I want to minimize my falls for a while... Powergrips should let me learn how to use toe clips, and since they're flexible, they should cope with the beating I'll give 'em while I'm learning.


If you get used to Powergrips, you probably will never need to graduate to toe clips. I use Power Grips and frequently bike with a friend who uses toe clips. Power Grips seem to me to be much better in the hills since they are designed for a solid up-stroke. I don't really get that from toe clips... unless you pull with your toes.

I've been using Powergrips for about 2 years. I have no desire to graduate to clipless or toe clips or anything else.

One thing to be aware of with Powergrips is that you are just as prone to falling as if you were using clipless or toe clips. When you move from platforms to Powergrips, you are almost guaranteed to fall at least once... (or at least, I was guaranteed to fall once or twice :) )

However, I do use platform pedals on my commuter (especially in rotten weather...)

RN license
Canoe

I almost forgot.

Pearl Izumi Microsensor Facemask:
http://media.rei.com/media/194040.jpg

Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus Panniers:
http://media.rei.com/media/xx/30594ff4-2d0d-4f51-9903-13a4a8495fe6.jpg

Pearl Izumi Gavia Gloves:
http://media.rei.com/media/849716.jpg

Things I "NEED" soon: a better headlight, a fender, and a waterproof jacket for rainy days.
Things I "want": a track bike, a powdercoat on my roadie, a diploma and my nursing license.

RN license
Canoe


Things I "want": a track bike, a powdercoat on my roadie, a diploma and my nursing license.

Do you two know each other? Good luck on your board exams!

A Rohloff hub and a PS3.

A Rohloff hub and a PS3.

You go girl! But which one will cost more? :p

You go girl! But which one will cost more? :p
Who cares? Student loans, baby! :thumb:

Who cares? Student loans, baby! :thumb:

hell YEAH!

I just paid off my last one--15 years after school. I hope they have a bailout plan for your class.

Pedals that don't get all slippery in rain. Handlebars that angle back just a wee bit more, so my wrists are straighter. Studded tires. A pair of good quality large panniers that stay on my rack. A bike that properly fits my partner, with a rack and good lights so he can help haul things. (eventually) a generator hub for my front wheel.

That covers all the useful stuff... most of the rest is want but do not need.

Torrilin...what type of brakes do you currently have? I can give plenty of information on generator hubs and where to source them. Headlights too!


Get BMX-style pedals with little studs on them. They never, ever slip, even in the rain, and I know a thing or two about riding in rain. They're pricier than other platforms but, if you include the cost of shoes, not nearly as pricey as clip-ins.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

I had been considering just those...in fact I was going to swipe the ones off my son's MTB to give them a try.


Toe clips are easy. To tell you the truth, I don't usually even tighten them. I just leave them loose enough that I can shove my foot in and pull it out. I might not be getting the full advantage, but "good enough."

Toe clips might help your knees. I notice some benefit, but that might just be me.

I was wondering about the physiology involved. I seem to get less knee pain when I ride a bike with toe clips vs one without. I don't own any clipless pedals so that is a non issue. My bikes are about split between platform pedals and pedals with toe clips. And I do like Roody and seldom cinch them completely tight, unless I am on my tour bike and on a long road.

Aaron:)