No1 problem for commuters
10-22-12, 06:02 PM
#52
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People.... i like riding when there is no one around 
could be why i go for rides at 3 am
could be why i go for rides at 3 am
10-22-12, 06:02 PM
#53
The Recumbent Quant
As far as a product that would help us with commutes, there is an idea we have discussed here. When the sun is low in the sky, it can be difficult to see the roadway, because most regular bike helmets do not have adequate sun visors. I wear sunglasses, but it is the low sun coming in just over the top of the sunglasses that is the problem. I don't want to add a baseball hat or other hat visor because it is one more thing to make me sweat more. I rigged up a homemade piece of tape that sits atop my sunglasses that blocks out the low sun, but it is an ugly homemade solution. If there were a plastic piece that could clip on to the top of the sunglasses and give just a one inch sun block, and be easily removeable, I would buy a couple immediately. You can do a search for "Sun In My Eyes" for a thread here where we discussed this.
Ride safe,
Charles
10-22-12, 06:09 PM
#54
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Great, I too live in a city plagued by buses. but i always think, the more buses the more people are using public transport, which could indicate a positive movement in regards to pollution.
Can i ask, do you use a Anti pollutant mask when riding? the fumes of buses (and other large vehicles for that matter) are vile.
Can i ask, do you use a Anti pollutant mask when riding? the fumes of buses (and other large vehicles for that matter) are vile.
As for masks I find I can't breath very well through any kind of mask so I generally try and avoid being behind trucks/buses. Most of the time I can stay ahead or just ride a little slower and get far enough behind. Sometimes if time is pressed I have no choice but to play 'catch the bus.'
10-22-12, 06:58 PM
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I look forward to reading more about this in the future. I appreciated the article on European dynamos. Maybe I'll end up buying one from the french site. I don't have a dyno hub yet, though. I was thinking of a dynamo that rubs against the wheel/rim. Any experience or knowledge of those? (I haven't seen one since I was about twelve, and they weren't that reliable.
10-22-12, 07:06 PM
#56
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Another idea (and if it already exists somewhere let me know so I can possibly buy) is a clamp that allows you to mount a rear light to the rack leg. Seems most rear lights have a 2 piece design- the clamp and the bracket*. Since the PBSF (and clones) are so popular, and the PDW Radbots work with the PBSF mounts, that should be the first product you design/market if you pursue that idea.
A bunch of people put blinkies on the tabs of whatever bag that they are using, but the problem is, most rear lights have to be properly aimed to be the most effective- and hanging them on fabric bags that tend to flop around makes that hard. I had to use two pieces of electrical tape and a section of old innertube to 'shim' up a seat post mounting clamp for my PBSF clone in order to use it on the rack leg.
*This is for lights that are marketed as 'QR', that have a clip on the back of the light itself.
10-23-12, 02:49 AM
#57
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The greatest problem on my commute is speeding cars and distracted drivers texting while driving. I do wish there was more off road trails connecting different parts of my city. .
10-23-12, 03:58 AM
#58
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My biggest problem (except of course the safety issues mentioned above), is find a suitable pouch/bag/container to place small items such as cellphones, wallet, remote key fob and be in reach when cycling. I've tried several frame bags, but none fill too well, and although a small handlebar bag would be great, my dashboard can't handle another item on it because of airhorn, blackburn flea, trip computer, bell and all the rest of the bikes hardware.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
10-23-12, 05:02 AM
#59
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My number one issue, unfortunately for you, is road cleanliness. The roadsides in the community I ride primarily have been left to a contract company to sweep, in theory, once every 30 days. I'm going to a council meeting to find out how, or if this is the case. I don't believe it, based on what I see, but then 30 days is a long time to remember when the sweeper last passed. Glass, accident debris, miscellaneous construction debris in the meantime, tough beans, there's no mechanism to clean things off schedule, it's there until the sweeperman get's around to it. This is for all roadsides, bike laned or not.
Adding insult to aggravation, the local bike advocates don't seem to find this an issue worth their time. If it doesn't revolve around bike lanes or bike lane funding, fuggedabowdit.
As for stop sign annoyance, I recommend roundabouts. If your area has them, attend public meetings and speak out in support of them. If not, start talking about them in future public comment opportunities. This also solves the bike triggering traffic signals or no issue.
Adding insult to aggravation, the local bike advocates don't seem to find this an issue worth their time. If it doesn't revolve around bike lanes or bike lane funding, fuggedabowdit.
As for stop sign annoyance, I recommend roundabouts. If your area has them, attend public meetings and speak out in support of them. If not, start talking about them in future public comment opportunities. This also solves the bike triggering traffic signals or no issue.
10-23-12, 05:14 AM
#60
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Make something like the https://www.brooksengland.com/catalog...l-Up+Panniers/Brooks Bricklane that is less than $100 (preferable 1/2 that), that allows for secure mounting or QR.
Another idea (and if it already exists somewhere let me know so I can possibly buy) is a clamp that allows you to mount a rear light to the rack leg. Seems most rear lights have a 2 piece design- the clamp and the bracket*. Since the PBSF (and clones) are so popular, and the PDW Radbots work with the PBSF mounts, that should be the first product you design/market if you pursue that idea.
A bunch of people put blinkies on the tabs of whatever bag that they are using, but the problem is, most rear lights have to be properly aimed to be the most effective- and hanging them on fabric bags that tend to flop around makes that hard. I had to use two pieces of electrical tape and a section of old innertube to 'shim' up a seat post mounting clamp for my PBSF clone in order to use it on the rack leg.
*This is for lights that are marketed as 'QR', that have a clip on the back of the light itself.
Another idea (and if it already exists somewhere let me know so I can possibly buy) is a clamp that allows you to mount a rear light to the rack leg. Seems most rear lights have a 2 piece design- the clamp and the bracket*. Since the PBSF (and clones) are so popular, and the PDW Radbots work with the PBSF mounts, that should be the first product you design/market if you pursue that idea.
A bunch of people put blinkies on the tabs of whatever bag that they are using, but the problem is, most rear lights have to be properly aimed to be the most effective- and hanging them on fabric bags that tend to flop around makes that hard. I had to use two pieces of electrical tape and a section of old innertube to 'shim' up a seat post mounting clamp for my PBSF clone in order to use it on the rack leg.
*This is for lights that are marketed as 'QR', that have a clip on the back of the light itself.
10-23-12, 05:16 AM
#61
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My biggest problem (except of course the safety issues mentioned above), is find a suitable pouch/bag/container to place small items such as cellphones, wallet, remote key fob and be in reach when cycling. I've tried several frame bags, but none fill too well, and although a small handlebar bag would be great, my dashboard can't handle another item on it because of airhorn, blackburn flea, trip computer, bell and all the rest of the bikes hardware.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
10-23-12, 05:22 AM
#62
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Angelo: Here is the link I was talking about for the helmet: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ses-(Dux-Helm)
10-23-12, 05:42 AM
#63
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My biggest problem (except of course the safety issues mentioned above), is find a suitable pouch/bag/container to place small items such as cellphones, wallet, remote key fob and be in reach when cycling. I've tried several frame bags, but none fill too well, and although a small handlebar bag would be great, my dashboard can't handle another item on it because of airhorn, blackburn flea, trip computer, bell and all the rest of the bikes hardware.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
If you can, try designing some type of bag which can be mounted up front and in a non-standard location.
10-23-12, 05:44 AM
#64
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One note on bags that hold your phone. Make sure you take measurements of your phone before buying. Some of the Smartphones like that one I have is big and even bigger with the protective case. Just heads up.
10-23-12, 05:49 AM
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I'm an "eco-warrior", but in my case, "eco" stands for "economical". I don't care so much about saving the big ball of dirt called Earth as I do about pinching pennies that I need to allocate more pressing needs besides transportation.
10-23-12, 05:51 AM
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10-23-12, 05:56 AM
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I think something like the NuVinci hub, but with more range (over 400%) and weighing half as much would be the bee's knees. Or if you could make a good quality knockoff of the Rohloff Speed Hub that only cost $100 and weighed less. A 14 speed IGH at an affordable price would be wonderful. Oh, and if you could devise a belt that can be broken like a chain so that conventional bike frames could be converted to belt drive without cutting the seatstay, that would be appreciated.
10-23-12, 06:15 AM
#68
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Flat tires.
It seems I'm averaging a flat every 100-130 miles. different tires different reasons but it's extremely frustrating.
It seems I'm averaging a flat every 100-130 miles. different tires different reasons but it's extremely frustrating.
10-23-12, 06:32 AM
#70
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It is a label, similar to "tree hugger," burdened with negative connotations to a large slice of the population. Those posters who wear the label with pride are, as previously pointed out on this thread, often obnoxious with their vocal self righteousness.
Best just stick to relatively neutral terms like "bicyclist" or "bicycle commuter."
Best just stick to relatively neutral terms like "bicyclist" or "bicycle commuter."
10-23-12, 06:40 AM
#71
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If you could change one thing to make your commute run smoother, what would it be?
Whats the biggest pain in the butt on that daily ride?
Im a product designer and a cycling lover, and im looking to design and make a product that can make life easier for us eco warriors.
Any feedback is much appreciated
Whats the biggest pain in the butt on that daily ride?
Im a product designer and a cycling lover, and im looking to design and make a product that can make life easier for us eco warriors.
Any feedback is much appreciated
Nothing wrong with the bikes. We have bikes that run the gamut of styles. It is the cars that think they own the road or refused to give bicyclists their rightofway. Get the cagers to respect bicyclists, that would make my commute run smooth!!
10-23-12, 07:02 AM
#72
Pokemon Master
living in the country, my biggest problems are wild animals. i also ride a motorcycle, so i'm used to traffic not seeing me, but between dogs, early morning or evening deer that make you stop halfway up or down a long hill, skunks, and squirrels, my commutes (and really any ride) are full of stress about hitting an animal or getting a chunk taken out of my calf. or sprayed by a skunk. ewwww.
10-23-12, 07:27 AM
#73
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Red lights. Invent a way to trip the sensors at red lights so they will recognize bikes. I've got several lights on my commute route that I end up running every day because they absolutely will not sense a bike, no matter what I do. So my options are to wait 5-10 minutes for a car to come along and trip the sensor or run the red lights and risk accidents or potential traffic tickets.
10-23-12, 07:39 AM
#74
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waterproof bicycle mounted garage door opener? Maybe a decent pannier-backpack that costs less than 100?
Last edited by thefunnyman; 10-23-12 at 07:48 AM.
10-23-12, 07:58 AM
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