Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

Since we are talking electronics, I have an iPod that I rarely use but I think it would get some use if I could play it through my stereo----how can I do this?

Also, I cannot get this song out of my head: http://youtube.com/watch?v=H_KY_d9MQv8

Ps. Andre and I were talking this morn about the fall colours ride. Was there a consensus / final on exactly when - this Sat or next - and a meet / start point?

This Saturday. I was thinking we could meet at Kipling Station at the Kiss 'n Ride drop off area. Not sure what time.. anyone? Also, is this rain or shine, wind or calm? There's a good chance it's going to be the ****s out, and I don't particularly relish the idea of going for a multi-hour ride when it's windy and miserable.

Since we are talking electronics, I have an iPod that I rarely use but I think it would get some use if I could play it through my stereo----how can I do this?

Also, I cannot get this song out of my head: http://youtube.com/watch?v=H_KY_d9MQv8

If your stereo has RCA inputs (white/red jacks for left/right), a cable like this will do the trick -- check Active surplus:
http://www.lg-internet.com/catalog/images/CBL%203.5MM%202%20RCAM.jpg

Hooking up speakers and amps is pretty straightforward... Power supply would be the biggest hurdle I think.

Hmm.. I know I've seen guitar amps that run off a battery (Pignose?) How about a car battery (or several, in parallel, depending on weight) and an inverter for an off-the-shelf solution? (Although, I don't think car batteries do well when they go through complete drain/charge cycles)

PS. Sprint pics, post 'em.

I'll try for tonite. Thanks again to everyone for coming out. I'll have training wheels next week, promise :eek:

Hmm.. I know I've seen guitar amps that run off a battery (Pignose?) How about a car battery (or several, in parallel, depending on weight) and an inverter for an off-the-shelf solution? (Although, I don't think car batteries do well when they go through complete drain/charge cycles)

Car stereo amps run off 12V or a bit more DC so just use one of those. You can use "marine" deep cycle batteries for repeated cycling although for a good car amp and a good deep cycle battery you're looking at a fair chunk of cash- and you haven't even got speakers or the enclosures yet. Also, them batteries weigh about 50lbs (not exaggerating)

THEN you still have the issue of run time. How much power are you thinking? I'd say you'd want at least 50W if you plan to use it in an outdoor environment. Back in my pimped out honda car stereo days my battery would last around 30-45mins before dying in the car. (~400W)

Also, at low wattages depending what subs you're running you might want to think about adding a capacitor to help prevent underpowering your speaker.

We better stop at Active Surplus and requisition us a big net or Wyl-E-Coyote strength rubber band to assist with the stopping :D

Hahaha - I actually went to Urbane today and had a 13 in my hand but decided that I needed new pedals for my winterbike more than I needed a ridiculously tall gear. ;)

We'll see, though, over the weekend it'll probably weigh on me and I'll go get one!

This Saturday. I was thinking we could meet at Kipling Station at the Kiss 'n Ride drop off area. Not sure what time.. anyone? Also, is this rain or shine, wind or calm? There's a good chance it's going to be the ****s out, and I don't particularly relish the idea of going for a multi-hour ride when it's windy and miserable.

Wes has a good point.... miserable and windy bleh!

Car stereo amps run off 12V or a bit more DC so just use one of those. You can use "marine" deep cycle batteries for repeated cycling although for a good car amp and a good deep cycle battery you're looking at a fair chunk of cash- and you haven't even got speakers or the enclosures yet. Also, them batteries weigh about 50lbs (not exaggerating)

THEN you still have the issue of run time. How much power are you thinking? I'd say you'd want at least 50W if you plan to use it in an outdoor environment. Back in my pimped out honda car stereo days my battery would last around 30-45mins before dying in the car. (~400W)

Also, at low wattages depending what subs you're running you might want to think about adding a capacitor to help prevent underpowering your speaker.
I was looking at the Soul Cycle set-up and it appears that the digital amp runs off a smallish battery enclosed in the wooden handlebar mount. Theirs has 30w and they say its enough. Perhaps some kind of Li-Ion battery.

I saw active surplus has li-ion cells for pretty cheap, but they're 3.7V. 4 would make 14.8V so I guess you'd have to be sure the amp could run on that OK (my guess is yes, but that's just a guess)
there's also the sealed lead acid batteries I just got for $2 each that are 12V 2.3Ah
1.2V Ni-cad batteries are pretty easy to come by. 12 of them would give you the same voltage as their system and it would be reasonably light and compact.

If you're thinking for Sprints, which last about 2hours:

30W/12V= 2.5A X 2hrs = 5Ah+ some sort of a fudge factor for losses (temp, less than perfect charge etc) 3 of those batteries would give you 6.9Ah at 6lbs weight.
(each battery is 7x1.5x2.5")

I assume the iPod runs off it's own battery?

I saw active surplus has li-ion cells for pretty cheap, but they're 3.7V. 4 would make 14.8V so I guess you'd have to be sure the amp could run on that OK (my guess is yes, but that's just a guess)
there's also the sealed lead acid batteries I just got for $2 each that are 12V 2.3Ah

If you're thinking for Sprints, which last about 2hours:

30W/12V= 2.5A X 2hrs = 5Ah+ some sort of a fudge factor for losses (temp, less than perfect charge etc) 3 of those batteries would give you 6.9Ah at 6lbs weight.

I assume the iPod runs off it's own battery?

So I would just look for a car amp at 12v or something more special? They did mention that theirs is a digital amp which I assume uses less power than a typical solid state amp? This is why the plans are $375 I guess.:p

Finding a car amp that small might be tough...
Do you have a more detailed breakdown of what they're running? It's really just 30w total?

Also- boom box guy from our own critical mass could give you some good pointers I'm sure.

Finding a car amp that small might be tough...
Do you have a more detailed breakdown of what they're running? It's really just 30w total?

Also- boom box guy from our own critical mass could give you some good pointers I'm sure.

No details. They sell the detailed instructions so giving away any of the technical specs isnt in their best interest I guess. In the testimonials people seem to rave about run times (5-8 hours) and power/volume levels (rides of 25+ people) They might have had an amp speced specially for this use.

Yeah, I couldn't find any details either. One week till CM. I'm gonna ask the guy with the stereo trailer for some details of what he's running-- I know what he has lasts well and sounds good.

Instructables to the rescue: http://www.instructables.com/id/Soul-Cycle-Chopper/

Looks like he went Lithium with some voltage regulators.

Finding a car amp that small might be tough...
Do you have a more detailed breakdown of what they're running? It's really just 30w total?

Also- boom box guy from our own critical mass could give you some good pointers I'm sure.

Boom box guy is Nick. Him and his dad run Ring Audio (Queen and Grant) that place refurbishes/repairs audio/visual gear so he'd probably be a great guy to talk to about this sort of project. He bought a bike from us and is a huge bike geek so maybe you could work out some sort of barter agreement if you need him to do some work.

Instructables to the rescue: http://www.instructables.com/id/Soul-Cycle-Chopper/

Looks like he went Lithium with some voltage regulators.

Thats gold. All I need to do is figure out an amp that would work and get er' done.

Good find on the article Wes. That's one hell of a project!

Also- he made a good point about the battery draw with a stereo not being constant like a lighting system that I never considered. He did have a ****load of batteries on that thing though.

Instructables is the b0mb. Not that I ever build any of the cool projects on there... ditto for my subscription to Make Magazine. :P

Here's another site with a sound system on it. Even though most of the instructions are for tallbikes, it would be easy enough to adapt to a rack mount http://www.mozbike.com/build/speaker-box/index.html

I broke my right clip on the way home today, no fun.

Look for that guy who always rides in the cm rides his set up seems good? Maybe it’s not loud enough?

This Sunday looks like 18 & sunny here i'll be hitting the road Hell Ya

had more energy tonight, figures... lovely ride down by the bay... down by the bay!

are there like weekly fixed gear rides (like alleycats???) that happen in toronto?

apart from the wednesday night sprint thing.


~Stuart~

Anyone have an opinion on the Surly Fixxer?

I found it would occationally come loose from the hub, not enough to strip anything though. I used some blue loctite and no problems after that. Easy to use and set up. Too pricey IMHO. A good idea if you have a wheel that you love and want to use fixed, but don't want to spend the time or $$ doing so, ot like me don't do wheel building and didn't want to spend big money when I had a really good wheel already. But with a surly hub being the same price as the fixxer, I can't see why you would want to use it. For customers, a good way to get fixed without alot of hassle.

Thanks to everyone who came out lastnight! A lot of new faces which was nice to see and I think we counted about 50 people in total! And how can you beat the Orbea TT vs. BMX vs. Chopper Bike challenge. Or the Keith vs. Nadir grudge match. Amazing!

I have to concur about Darjeeling as well... incredible! I'd be interested to see what Mr. Pyze thinks - good to see you out last night too big daddy! Amber and I are going to India for as long as possible when she graduates and now we're frothing at the mouth to go.

Wired has a crazy article on bike hackers (http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/multimedia/2007/10/gallery_bike_hacks) today.

And finally, pending any drama, I'm down for the MTL race. Time to get some intercity fun started!

Make sure you're not frothing at the mouth when you return. Offer is still open, come by for some chai and I'll set you up for India.

MattRennick-I have a 13t durace cog I don't use. Alittle worn but still in very good shape. Yours for a good cup of coffee if you want it.

MattRennick-I have a 13t durace cog I don't use. Alittle worn but still in very good shape. Yours for a good cup of coffee if you want it.

You have got yourself a deal, my friend! Thank you so much!

So Saturdays looking better from a weather standpoint. I'm thinking of doing the 42km Kennedy-Zoo loop http://www.bikerally.org/trainingmaps2007/42k_KennedyZooLoop.pdf

A school friend would like to go but is leery of anything much more than 50km. Not having been in this area much by bike, is it a worthwhile scenery loop or no?

I actually never did any of the Kennedy Stn loops.. Mike may have.

yo benway

make sure you holla at me b4 you go...I can get my cousins to take you around or give you places to check out if youre gonna be in or near Mumbai.

yo benway

make sure you holla at me b4 you go...I can get my cousins to take you around or give you places to check out if youre gonna be in or near Mumbai.

The local hook-up.....nothing better!

The local hook-up.....nothing better!


Mornin Keith...

you know it man!

ok back to work i go...see ya man!

yo benway

make sure you holla at me b4 you go...I can get my cousins to take you around or give you places to check out if youre gonna be in or near Mumbai.

Whoa! Amazin'! Thanks man. I think between you and Pyze I'll be a local in no time!

New winter bike (http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/19/zoom_7.jpg)? (the rest (http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/chris-gilmour-c.html))

As to the bTunes, I was thinking about boom box man from CM as well. That set up seems pretty small and DAMN loud. I knew you lot would have all the skills to pull something off! Let me know if I can do anything to help - I have little to no electronics skills... yet.

Sadly regardless of the weather tomorrow I will have to pass on the ride. Teddy is going to Cyclocross Nationals in B.C. and needs a ride to the airport.

cavernmech: tell him 'Giv'er Newf!' for me. :) And also to keep an eye out for Chris McNeil.

tam and I were thinking real early start (like 8am at kipling station) and slow and steady for the day- 9-10 hours to complete the 122kms. Nice and easy, lots of time for socializing, sightseeing, resting, eating etc. Anyone interested?

Too bad, 8am will be about when I'm climbing up the CN Tower :p Damn legs never get a rest ;) Have fun though guys, should be a great ride out. The Kennedy-Zoo loop sounds neat, too - I've only ever ridden through the Rouge once on my way to Ajax, I took Twyn Rivers Rd (?) and shall we say, you better have a brake.. :) Not done much other riding that way.

Boombox bike sounds pretty kickass both as a project to do, and to see the results of. I just did a bunch of wiring for my bike lights (I have some mounting questions once I get a photo, too). I have 20w and 35w bulbs in track lighting heads, wired to a 3-position toggle, so I've set it up to be LO-Off-HI, where low-beam will just be the 20w and high being both. I'm powering it using a bottle cage batterypack from batteryspace.com

PS, I've got news that my eggbeater SLs are here. Oh.. yeah! :D

I took Twyn Rivers Rd (?) and shall we say, you better have a brake.. :)

Any ride through the rouge should include Twyn rivers drive! awesome hill. (I like E-W, but I can imagine the other way would be an absolutely insane downhill)

10:00 race photos are up on http://cycling.photos.us.com ...

And the most murderous look award goes to:
http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967328.html

10:00 race photos are up on http://cycling.photos.us.com ...

give'er newf! go team argyle!

nice one mike. next time splatter some mud on your faces before you get your picture taken...

All hail the evil eye.

And the most murderous look award goes to:
http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967328.html

Hahahahaha...thats Barry. He bought that bike at the show last weekend and then raced it the next day! I will forward that to him...he will be thrilled.

tam and I were thinking real early start (like 8am at kipling station) and slow and steady for the day- 9-10 hours to complete the 122kms. Nice and easy, lots of time for socializing, sightseeing, resting, eating etc. Anyone interested?

I don't think I can commit that much time to a ride, unfortunately. Plus I think it's supposed to stay rainy I and windy tommorrow, which I don't relish spending 9-10 hours in.

And the most murderous look award goes to:
http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967328.html

Are you sure about that? :D

http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967329.html

Giv'er Mike!

Are you sure about that? :D

http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967329.html

Giv'er Mike!

I may not be the fastest out there, but damned if I don't give it everything I have. I think that was cresting the short/steep incline after the start/finish hill. I dub thee, Aneuryser.

Pointless life update:

So I'd known for awhile that I'll have to have surgery sometime this winter (Crohn's Disease ... chopping out a few more inches of intestine ... good times). Looks like my surgery date is Jan 11, which is AWESOME because it still lets me finish up the cx season and heal up before school starts (*whew*). I'll be recovering for about 4-6 weeks afterward so I may call in a few favours and see what interesting dvds the Toronto collective has.

Are you sure about that? :D

http://cycling.photos.us.com/p45967329.html

Giv'er Mike!

That just shouted out "BANZAIIIIII" to me ;)

Good luck with the surgery, shapelike - can't be much fun I guess. At least it's conveniently timed :)

re: ride tomorrow... I can't commit that much time to it unfortuneately. Sounds really nice but i was thinking more in the 3-4 hour, back by lunch time type of thing.

Keith how's the bike looking? If the front wheel isn't done yet, I could always borrow a wheel from another bike and still ride it.

re: ride tomorrow... I can't commit that much time to it unfortuneately. Sounds really nice but i was thinking more in the 3-4 hour, back by lunch time type of thing.

Keith how's the bike looking? If the front wheel isn't done yet, I could always borrow a wheel from another bike and still ride it.

I had 2 others builds today that I had to get done. Havn't had a chance to have a look-see. I will be sticking around a little late as usual so come by if you like. I can get the wheel trued at some point this aft...if you want the bike running for tonight the rest I will prolly have to leave to you.

No worries man. The stuff I can't do myself is shoot a bit of grease into the appropriate places and true the wheel. Everything else I can do no problem, unless the fork is bent or something of course...

This is awesome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXSXOAfB4U