True Cyclist
03-12-18 | 05:37 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 57
From: Chicago
Bikes: Marin Four Corners, 1960's Schwinn Racer in middle of restoration, mid 70s Motobecane Grand Touring, various other heaps.
But yea...no handlebars or no front break IS nonsense.
03-12-18 | 06:05 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 219
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
The first verifiable claim for a practically used bicycle belongs to German Baron Karl von Drais, a civil servant to the Grand Duke of Baden in Germany. Drais invented his Laufmaschine (German for "running machine") in 1817, that was called Draisine (English) or draisienne (French) by the press.
Karl von Drais patented this design in 1818, which was the first commercially successful two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine, commonly called a velocipede, and nicknamed hobby-horse or dandy horse.It was initially manufactured in Germany and France.
Hans-Erhard Lessing (Drais' biographer) found from circumstantial evidence that Drais' interest in finding an alternative to the horse was the starvation and death of horses caused by crop failure in 1816, the Year Without a Summer following the volcanic eruption of Tambora in 1815).
On his first reported ride from Mannheim on June 12, 1817, he covered 13 km (eight miles) in less than an hour. Constructed almost entirely of wood, the draisine weighed 22 kg (48 pounds), had brass bushings within the wheel bearings, iron shod wheels, a rear-wheel brake and 152 mm (6 inches) of trail of the front-wheel for a self-centering caster effect.
[and]
The velocipede's renaissance began in Paris during the late 1860s. Its early history is complex and has been shrouded in some mystery, not least because of conflicting patent claims: all that has been stated for sure is that a French metalworker attached pedals to the front wheel; at present, the earliest year bicycle historians agree on is 1864.
The identity of the person who attached cranks is still an open question at International Cycling History Conferences (ICHC). The claims of Ernest Michaux and of Pierre Lallement, and the lesser claims of rear-pedaling Alexandre Lefebvre, have their supporters within the ICHC community.
Karl von Drais patented this design in 1818, which was the first commercially successful two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine, commonly called a velocipede, and nicknamed hobby-horse or dandy horse.It was initially manufactured in Germany and France.
Hans-Erhard Lessing (Drais' biographer) found from circumstantial evidence that Drais' interest in finding an alternative to the horse was the starvation and death of horses caused by crop failure in 1816, the Year Without a Summer following the volcanic eruption of Tambora in 1815).
On his first reported ride from Mannheim on June 12, 1817, he covered 13 km (eight miles) in less than an hour. Constructed almost entirely of wood, the draisine weighed 22 kg (48 pounds), had brass bushings within the wheel bearings, iron shod wheels, a rear-wheel brake and 152 mm (6 inches) of trail of the front-wheel for a self-centering caster effect.
[and]
The velocipede's renaissance began in Paris during the late 1860s. Its early history is complex and has been shrouded in some mystery, not least because of conflicting patent claims: all that has been stated for sure is that a French metalworker attached pedals to the front wheel; at present, the earliest year bicycle historians agree on is 1864.
The identity of the person who attached cranks is still an open question at International Cycling History Conferences (ICHC). The claims of Ernest Michaux and of Pierre Lallement, and the lesser claims of rear-pedaling Alexandre Lefebvre, have their supporters within the ICHC community.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-13-18 at 02:15 AM.
03-13-18 | 04:32 AM
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 185
From: US
Good point. I also notice that bike dogmatism creeps in even among commuters, such that you'll read posts in this forum declaring that you can't be a real commuter unless your bike has fenders and racks. When in fact, any bike that gets ridden to work is by definition a commuting bike and the ethos should be "do what works for you."
Yes, I find the dogmatism silly.
If you are using a bicycle to tour your local neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon, as fare as I am concerned, you are doing the same thing as someone coming from 500 miles away.
If you are enjoying a spirited ride using Strava, how can someone seriously say you are not a road cyclists?
If you are going to the grocery on your carbon fiber using a back pack to haul the beer back to watch March Madness, how are you not commuting?
03-13-18 | 04:44 AM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
That’s a handsome compliment. I also give a thumbs up to anyone on two wheels. I have been using older race bikes for commuting. So you can indeed use any bike you like. There’s nothing like feeling great and fit. Cycle commuting gives me that.
Last edited by ptempel; 03-13-18 at 05:04 AM.
03-13-18 | 10:28 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Ride above 10mph with the insides of both hands in as far as they can go, practically touching the stem. Tell me how you feel about maneuvering at that speed. Maybe you get used to it, but I tried it for a few minutes last night and felt less than comfortable/safe.
I spent quite a few years with a motorcycle as my only means of transportation. No car, limited public transport, and not even a bicycle. It was never a serious thing, but the guys that would only ride their motorcycles on sunny, warm days definitely didn't seem to warrant the moniker of "real bikers." I was also commuting on a bike that was definitely not intended for that role, but it still did the job quite well and showed that most bikes can break out of their "category" and be versatile, at least as long as you are young enough to put up with occasional discomfort.
Originally Posted by ptempel
I also give a thumbs up to anyone on two wheels. I have been using older race bikes for commuting. So you can indeed use any bike you like. There’s nothing like feeling great and fit. Cycle commuting gives me that.
03-13-18 | 12:18 PM
#32
vespertine member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 223
From: Land of Angora, Turkey
Bikes: Yes
On that note, it always cracked me up when I'd see "broken fixies" (i.e. bikes with a single speed and freewheel) with one brake, or better, none at all.
03-13-18 | 01:58 PM
#33
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
As for the kid in the big picture, meh. It's fashion driven for most (emulating messengers, who have a functional need for squeezing through traffic), and it's probably uncomfortable for long rides since you've only got one hand position, but it doesn't seem particularly unsafe to me, especially if you've got a brake lever right there. You mostly steer a bike with your butt, rather than your hands.
03-13-18 | 07:12 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
You mean like this?
As for the kid in the big picture, meh. It's fashion driven for most (emulating messengers, who have a functional need for squeezing through traffic), and it's probably uncomfortable for long rides since you've only got one hand position, but it doesn't seem particularly unsafe to me, especially if you've got a brake lever right there. You mostly steer a bike with your butt, rather than your hands.
As for the kid in the big picture, meh. It's fashion driven for most (emulating messengers, who have a functional need for squeezing through traffic), and it's probably uncomfortable for long rides since you've only got one hand position, but it doesn't seem particularly unsafe to me, especially if you've got a brake lever right there. You mostly steer a bike with your butt, rather than your hands.
03-14-18 | 07:00 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 169
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: Waterford R33, 2019 Infinito, Gunnar Roadie, 1999 Colnago Tecnos, '04 Cannondale Optimo 800 & '51 Rudge Sports, Colnago Tecnos, Tom Kellogg Merlin..
I get the Jones every time I see someone commuting... or riding in general. Alas, impossible to commute when I do outside sales call and drive an average of 100 miles per day.
03-14-18 | 07:21 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 440
From: Toronto, CANADA
Bikes: ...a few.
For sure. There are certain jobs in which you cannot commute by bike. Sales is one of those. I count myself fortunate that I have a job where I don't need to be travelling, nor do I have a strict dress code.
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