While I was taking this photo on Cook Street last night, a girl came up from behind and started talking to me. At least I think she was talking to me – I wasn’t really listening because I didn’t think she was talking to me. But when I turned around to see what was going on, she had her helmet on and b-lined for this bicycle. So I guess she was talking to me, but I’m still not sure what she was saying. Something to the effect of “my bike is cooler than I am.” That’s what I picked up, at least.
What kind of bike is this? Is it good for city riding? With this spring already being better than the entirety of last summer, I am thinking of picking up a bike for evening rides.
I got out and played tennis tonight for the first time this year and it felt great. I’ve been managing to get exercise in the evening every day so far this week and I don’t plan on bucking the trend so long as the weather lasts. It’s almost 1 AM, and I’m sitting in shorts and a t-shirt on the deck outside – it is 21 degrees celsius. This would be ideal camping weather.
Tomorrow night I have some project work to do, then I am hoping to go for a walk and come back and perhaps do some writing for gdc.net. Canada has a new design magazine which I might talk about, but I’d also like to cover some of those topics that I discussed in my first post so we’ll see what comes to mind over the next day.
This is a road bike, definitely nice for city riding, as the light, rigid frame and narrow tires mean that you are carrying a lot of weight and don’t have a lot of friction. The drawback of a bike like this is that you’re limited to roads, and then you miss out on a lot of really fantastic opportunities we have in Victoria, like the parts of the Galloping Goose in the western communities (Thetis Lake anyone?) and the Lochside trail out towards Cordova Bay (Mattick’s Farm anyone?).
I still think a hybrid bike is a good way to go, as you get the best of both worlds. Your bike won’t look trendy, but that’s okay, because you’ll still be using it after the bike commuter minimalist fixie trend has passed.
Definitely buy a bike. You can get used ones for a very reasonable price, or buy new for under $1000. One of the best investments Bay and I have made in terms of material possessions (definitely better than our car, in my opinion).
MIXT frames are ugly. and uncomfortable. imo.
Judging by the photo, that particular bike is a piece of crap – heavy steel frame, really poor cabling, the seat’s way too huge, and the tires – the tires? What’s the deal.
I suggest looking for a cyclocross or hybrid. The best of both worlds. $1000 will get you a decent new bike, $700 will get you a sweet used bike. Stay away from any bike with the plastic spacer on the rear gear cluster, it just screams “Canadian Tire” (where you do NOT want to buy a bike)
Buy Canadian – Rocky Mountain makes the bikes we own… Look at their Whistler or Metro models. Great hybrid models for commuting, path and gentle off road riding.
I have a RM Trailhead and Erica has a Fusion, but we do mostly off path trails, so… I do wish I had myself a Metro for commutes – way better than riding a mountain bike to work (tough sledding at 7am).
and don’t forget to ditch the stock pedals on your new bike and pick up a pair of good solid flat pedals. an absolute must!
i’m most tempted by the ibis mojo sl. some summers ago i got to spend the summer with a 1999 ibis szazbo, which was just wonderful in all respects save that even locked up i couldn’t leave sight of it for fear it would get taken.
queen pipes
Some pipes on the Queen of Vancouver. Maybe some wires too. I have been working away on various papers, a new mix – which is now done and will air on Proton Radio next Wednesday along with a guest…
Thanks for the quality feedback folks! Sounds like Hybrid might be the way I want to go. I remember being young that I had ridden a full on mountain bike a few times and the frame was ridiculously heavy. Being a small guy that didn’t help my opinion. I have no idea how much off-road riding I would do as I haven’t been riding in forever, but I wouldn’t want to be restricted should I find a decent forest path that allows for bikes.
I also have a Rocky Mountain Hybrid (I think it is a Metro – now you having me thinking) no matter I love it. Works well in the city and the goose.
On the subject of bikes – check this exhibit out http://www.museumofvancouver.ca/exhibition.php?id=6