I don’t care how long your Mundo Cargo is.  Carrying a piano on your bike is a bitch.

That’s why it’s important for cycling pianists to find another instrument to accompany them on their adventures.  I auditioned five:

Kalimba: A sweet sound and rugged as can be – steel tines on a wood box.  It only measures around 4x6x1 inches and weighs nothing.  I bought the Treble version with a built in pick-up mic from Paul Tracey.  This is a wonderfully companionable instrument, but I just can’t get into it.  No matter what I try, I can’t find a style or tuning that really feels expressive to me.  Also, I’m not sure that I like the hand position when you play it.   It kind-of looks like you are thumb-typing on your Blackberry.  Is this cool?  I dunno.

Ukulele: Officially back in style for today’s crooners, the Uke can be very inexpensive.  We got one for $twenty-five at Buckdancer’s Choice.  They are a little large and fragile, however.  I’m not sure how long they will last in your pannier.  Or strapped under the saddle.

Melodica: A natural extension of the piano keyboard, these things are great fun.  Expressive and intuitive.  Honer makes a student version that cost $50 back in 2007 or so.  The sinking dollar may have changed that.  It comes with a case that measures around 12x6x2.  The only problem- no matter how many hipster bands use them, I can’t stop thinking about The Hooters.

Casio SK-1: The world’s first accessible sampler, this thing was everywhere circa 1982.  Now, thanks to Comrade Circuit Bender, they are really difficult to get.  I got lucky on ebay and landed one for $forty.  Now, I’m afraid to break it.  But really, any small table-hooter will do the trick.  Personally, I can’t get into playing synthesisers outdoors.  It just feels wrong.  Maybe I’m too old..

So, I am getting serious about my Harmonica again.  A favorite of hobos and superstars, this humble instrument packs a ton of emotion into a steel box the size of a stick of gum.  It’s comfortable at a campfire or in a bar-room.  Famously thrifty, for $thirty you can get a very good instrument and you will be picking out diatonic tunes instantly.  More money or more practice (your pick!) and you can bring additional musical keys into reach.

More Harmonica madness to follow…

Keep your eyes open at Target.  Sometimes they have oddball bike stuff hiding in plain view.

Yesterday, I saw a Schwinn-brand POV “persistence of vision” display for your bicycle spokes.  For $twelve!  That’s cheap enough for me to buy!  Of course, I didn’t.  But you should.

Have you seen one of these things?  Neither Target nor Schwinn are willing to admit to this product on their websites.  But it looks roughly like this.

The one at Target allows you to display 10 characters.  Which started me thinking.  What would I display?

• We’re on 2WHEELSBBY 
• Title 29-A, Chapter 19, §2070, 1-A is too long – maybe 3FEET2PASS
• GOLOOKABOU t.com.  Nah.

Any other ideas?

I suppose that this all started with my Grandpa.

That tough, old geezer stood outside at his newstand through the worst Boston weather, year in and out.  And he looked good doing it.  Forget polar fleece.  He wore wool.

Wool shirt.  Wool cardigan.  Wool coat.  Wool lined pants.  Wool felt boot inserts.  To cap it all off, wool beret.  Face it.  Old men have great style.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with extreme wooly bike commutes.  How much can I pile on and still move around?  How much do I need to block the wind?  How do I keep from getting too hot?  What happens in the rain?

My current setup?  Wool undershirt from Rivendell, wool V-neck cardigan from Goodwill, wool zip-up sweater from H+M, wool button-up coat from The Gap.

Each layer zips or buttons up the front, so that I can adjust ventilation on the fly.  On longer coats you can un-fasten the bottom buttons, too.  This gives you plenty of leg room, but a long back that doesn’t ride up.  This guy knows what I’m talking about…

For short trips around town, my wool watchcap works great.  For longer rides in traffic, I wear my helmet over Windstop Fleece.  A tough decision, to be sure.

For wool at bargan basement prices, check your local military surplus shops, or websites like this one.  Fours pairs of wool pants for $20?  Hey!  It’s worth a try…

I really like mixte frames.  Sculpturally, they feel right.  Your eye follows twin top tubes down from the handlebars, past the seatpost, joining up at the rear wheel.  The path of those two tubes summarizes all that’s important in a bicycle.

But, I can’t get myself to ride one.  I know that they are unisex.  But really.  Come on.  It feels like the bike equivalent to wearing one of those fashion-forward tight suits.

So, I was really happy to see this rugged looking mixte by Clockwork Bikes.  It’s like a BMX with grace.  Nice one!

Possibly a new recurring feature for the Lookabout blog:  Product reviews written by a Monkey and a Crab.  Today, we introduce the characters.

Lou says:

When it comes to bikes I like new things. Basically for two reasons:

First, I am pretty much just a like a monkey. I like shiny things. There is no denying the fact that on the evolutionary scale of things I have seen little or no advancement when it comes to shiny things. They excite me and if I could swing from a tree when I see them I would.

Second, I suck at a working on bikes. I mean, basic maintenance is not a problem but when it comes to a fixed gear conversion project or rigging up something on the bike to save a little money I can guarantee you that it will take me twice as long, cost me four times as much and expand my profanity vocabulary exponentially – not necessarily a bad thing. And even if I do successfully complete a project I am way too neurotic to not let those clicking-rubbing-jangling noises bug the hell out of me and make me feel like I screwed something up along the way.

The solution: Buy new stuff!

Jamie says:

I’m suspicious of new things.  And the people who sell them.  And the reasons that people want them.

When I buy some new gear, I can expect days of anxiety leading up to the purchase, and then days of remorse afterwards.  “Is this the right part?  Will it fit?  Is it stylish?  Is it too trendy?  Is that a good price?  Should I buy it online?  Should I buy it locally? …  Damn!  I should have bought that other one.”

But that’s my problem.  The problem with the gear itself is that there’s no life in it.  It’s too perfect.  It has no character.  Used gear may be shabby and unreliable, but most of my friends are shabby and unreliable, too.  That’s what I like about them.

So, if I stick with the animal analogies, I suppose that I’m a little like one of those hermit crabs.  Happy as hell to take someones cast-off shell and make it my own.  It might look a bit beat, and may not fit quite right, but it’s mine and I’m proud of it.

To be continued…

The Swobo “Otis” is the best new bike design I have seen in a while.  Modern without looking trendy.  Classic without looking retro.  Utilitarian and stylish.  Nice going, Ms. Yaeger!

If I wanted to spend $700 on a bike, I would send it right to you.  However, I just can’t do it.  Sorry.

For Lookabout readers only, here’s a secret formula:

Mountain Bike from the 90′s + Three Speed Coaster Brake Hub = “Otis”

Yup.  Salvaged 80′s road bikes inspired a generation of Fixies.  Salvaged 90′s mountain bikes will launch a fleet of Three-Speeds.  Here’s why:

• Horizontal drop-outs - Get your beautiful chain tension with no derailer.
• Rugged steel frame – Re-space your rear triangle.  Dent your frame.  Watch it rust.  It’s indestructible!
• 94% as minimalist as your Fixie - One cable for the shifter is all that’s required.
• Maintenance-free gears – Tired of spinning-out on downhills?  Shift up, why dontcha?
• Back-pedal Coaster-Brakes - Feel 8-years old again.

P.S. to Brad Quartuccio:  In Issue #3 of Urban Velo you hint at a “hare-brained” project involving a three-speed hub.  Let us in on the secret, guy!

Tell you what.  I’ll go first.  And describe how I made it…

1.  Buy a three speed hub. 

I tried to purchase the SRAM 3-speed/coaster-brake hub specified on Swobo’s bike, but it was out of stock.  So I picked up the Sturmey Archer version for about the same price.  The SRAM hub has a little bit wider gear range, but you do what you can with what you got.  And, it’s not like Sturmey Archer is some oddball brand.  They basically invented the internal gear hub.

2.  Get a rim

I suppose that you could buy a rim, but you should be able to find a wheel on a junk bike that has a decent rim on it.  Look for something aluminum a reasonably straight.  You can cut the spokes off with a wire cutter.  Once the most of the spokes are cut, there will be no tension on the spokes and you can unscrew the nipples with a screwdriver.

3.  Buy Spokes and Nipples

Believe it or not, this was the hardest part.  I used this calculator to figure out my required spoke length, but Sheldon Brown also links to a few others.  If you can’t find your parts in the included lists, you have to carefully measure the flange diameters of your hub and the inside diameter of your rim to the nearest millimeter.  Luckily, three-speed wheels and hubs are symmetrical, so you only need to find calculate and purchase one length of spoke.

I wanted to buy the spokes at Cyclemania, but they were $1/each!  BikeStop had them at $20/pack of 50.  What can you do?

My nipples came from Back Bay Bike.  They were a dime each.  That’s my price!

4.  Build a Wheel

I’m not going to go into detail on this topic, because I’m really not qualified.  But, I will say this:  Don’t be scared.  It’s not that bad.

Have you ever tried to straighten a warped wheel?  It’s much easier than that.

I used Sheldon’s page and Jobst Brandt’s book as a guide.  It took me three tries to get it laced up right.  Maybe an additional two hours to get it tensioned and true.

You can do it.  They have Brandt’s book at the Portland Public Library.  Don’t have a truing stand?  Improvise!

5.  Install the Wheel

This turned out to be harder than expected.  My hub was spaced smaller than my bike’s rear triangle.  However, with a bar-clamp and some gentle persuasion, I was able to re-space the rear triangle to match.  Good old steel.  Nothing beats steel.

6.  Install the Chain and Shifters

I ran the chain to the smallest chainring for carrying 30 pounds of Kid Fink and some groceries up Munjoy Hill.  You might want to use the second chainring.

After that, you just set up the shifters.  The instructions that come with the hub are very good.  If you read Japanese, they might be even better.

7.  That’s it.  Go cruising!

I wanted so badly to get the Target Like-A-Bike, that I was willing to overlook all kinds of details.  Like the fact that it was way, way, way too tall for my 2-year-old son.  To fit him, we needed a “low-rider”.

But, with a little perseverance we could get that thing lowered, right?  Besides, it’s made of wood!  In the worst case, couldn’t we just saw it off?

In the end, the easiest approach was to change out the very nice wheels (wooden rims with 12-inch pneumatic tires) for some small, cheapo lawnmower wheels.  I was able to get everything I needed at Maine Hardware.  A pile of nylon spacers and some 6-inch wheels did the trick.

Or, you could probably get even better parts at McMaster-Carr.  These rubber tired wheels (Part No. 2331T11) would work just fine.  A couple of nylon spacers (Part No. 94639A081) will allow you to step up from the 1/4-inch axle provided to the 1/2-inch bore on the wheels.  Add some washers (Part No. 90295A187) to center your new wheel in the bike frame, and it’s ready to go. 

The bike has been sitting in the corner of the living room all summer, waiting for Kid Fink to get up the nerve to try it out.  This was the week.  We rode in the driveway, down to the store, and down the hill.  “Zooming!”

An open letter to the guy who found Lookabout by searching for “Can I go by bicycle in 2 caterogy hurricane?”

Dear Guy,

You are my new hero.  If you are “brave” enough to ask the question, then you have what it takes to ride headlong into a hurricane.

The Saffir-Simpson scale defines Category Two as:

Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers.  Considerably gnarly singletrack cycling.

Here is a list of some equipment you might find useful on your ride:

• Puncture free tires – for rafts of sharp debris
• Windshield - save some money and make your own
• Rain Cape and Fenders – stay dry, even in an 8-ft storm surge
• Laminated Beaufort Scale – for a poetic windspeed reference

Or, jibe downwind at 96-110 mph on a Pterosail.  If anyone can do it, you can.

Have fun.  Stay hydrated.

Love,

Lookabout.

Pants.  Trousers.  Slacks.  You know what I’m talking about?  Greasy cuffs.

It’s a perennial problem for commuters.  If you (like me) wear your work clothes on your bike, how do you keep your cuffs out of your chain?

Big spenders splurge on new pants with sewn-on straps.  Trend setters are rockin’ their knickers.  Nerds like me resort to reflective Velcro.  The Retro rider eschews Velcro and opts for the real feel of steel clips.  As a last resort, I roll ‘em up so the world can check out my black socks and hairy legs.  Sexxy! 

I want something inexpensive and minimal.  Last week I found these steel springs in an industrial catalog.  Do they keep me clean?  Yup.  Do they look good?  You decide.

P.S.  Anybody have a lead on an attractive and inexpensive chainguard?  This German-engineered setup seems really tidy…

I admit it.   I covet my neighbor’s saddlebag.    Brooks, Carridice, Gilles Berthoud - it doesn’t matter.   I want one.

Seriously.  A saddlebag would make my commute way more awesome.  They are just the right size for lunch and a toolkit.  Maybe even a raincape.  I don’t like messenger bags.  They can be sweaty and clumsy.  And panniers, no matter how useful, make even the sleekest bike look stodgy.  Trunk bags?  Uh-huh.  No-way.  I need a saddlebag.

Supposably, these olde bags are poised for a comeback.  Like the triumphant handlebar basket, saddlebags are classic, simple and stylish.  Why have they fallen so far out of fashion?  Why are they only sold by “retro” bike shops in the US?   Why are they all made in the UK?  Why am I so cheap that I can’t pony up the $100 to buy one?

Bah.  I’ll make my own out of the junk in my basement.

It starts with this bag.  Perry gave it to me years ago.  It was a factory reject.  It is stamped “Banana Republic”.  I assume that it’s from Honduras.  I chose this bag because the leather straps on the top flap provide a nice place to hang the bag.

Most saddles don’t come with bag loops anymore, so we have to get creative.  I found a couple of long eyebolts and fastened them to the saddle rails with Jubilee clips.  (Those are hose clamps to you and me.)

The nice thing about this arrangement is that you can angle and position the bolts anywhere to fit the bag you want to use.  A couple of nuts and an oversized washer acts as a stop at the end of the bolts.

Here’s what it looks like from the side.  The large rear pocket stores the shoulder strap.  It also is accessible while riding, so it’s perfect for maps and snacks.  Not too bad!

UPDATE:

Lou found this link to another DIY saddlebag conversion.  More complicated, but also more attractive.