Originally Posted by
yoder
I have added a chainguard to my bike. I notice most (or many) posters on this forum have the essential fenders, but few have chainguards. I think the chainguard is key to the whole "ready to ride anytime" thing. Back when I didn't have a chainguard, I had a couple of those velcro straps for pants, and one of them was always strapped on my rack, so I could always get on the bike, but this just isn't the same experience, and doesn't work as well if you have pants with lots of fabric down by the ankle, as a chainguard.
I have been reconverted to platform pedals. Again this fits in very nicely with the whole "just get on anytime and go"/less gear thing. There's a great freedom of not being tied to the gear. I have no foot slippage issues. If you are wearing a hard sole dress shoe (especially in the rain), or a new shoe where the bottom hasn't broken in yet, you could have some slippage. You can get BMX pedals like the Tioga Surefoot with pegs that make the pedal very secure for all shoes. You can bike in any sandals/shoes/boots.
I'm hoping to find an aftermarket chainguard for the Superbe...since one of its downsides is only a crank-mounted chainguard. I've got a set of the MKS sneaker pedals which I've always liked for platforms, but I see MKS and Riv got together for a pedal called the Grip King that looks interesting.
I know there are a lot of other bikes I probably could get cheaper and make some additions and mods too...or even a custom job with exactly what I want...but this is a Superbe...the latest in fine long heritage of Raleighs, I'm even considering a sprung Champion Flyer Special, similar to the B66 that its forebears sported. If I were still poor (as I was until this century), I'd be cobbling together an old three speed from a garage sale or thrift store...but I'm not, so I'm gonna indulge myself a bit.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey