Almost There!

From Redline R530

My Dutch inspired bicycle is almost done! I got my Basil Karvan II panniers installed, along with a Esge double legged kickstand. Thanks to Portlandize and Rat Trap Press for their input.

Just a few more goodies and I will declare the bike done. I want a different set of pedals the touring pedals from Velo-Orange look like what I want, then most likely a set of Power Grips. Still toying with the idea of getting a different tail light that is generator powered with the stand light, current tail light and PB Super Flash are doing just fine so I may pass on that for the time being. I am also toying with the idea of a set of cork hand grips, but that is more of an aesthetics thing.

Any suggestions are welcomed!

Aaron

Learn a New Language?

Buy a bicycle that isn't sold in the US and have to translate a German website.

Bought this bike off the used bike rack at my LBS . Someone apparently had brought it from Germany and traded it in on a new bike. It is a Staiger Florida. I find it interesting that Staiger would choose to name it's entire line of bikes using names from North America...undoubtedly one of the least cycle transportation oriented countries in the world.

The Florida was from their Trekking line, and comes well equipped, with fenders, generator hub, B&M lights, chain guard and bell (typical in the countries it is sold in, but not in the US). I bought it with the original intent of stripping the components for use on a different bike, but got to riding it around and decided to keep if for a beater/grocery getter bike.

The only items I have added to it have been: the Wald folding rear baskets and the Euro style Wald front basket I also swapped out the suspension seat post for a slightly longer non suspension one. The bike came with a plastic/lexan chain guard, but it broke at the mounting points and has not be repaired/replaced yet.

This bike, with it's 27 speed Shimano drive train, shies away from my normal IGH bikes but has been well worth the $175 that I paid for it. As best I can determine it is a 2002-3 model, and apparently sold originally for ~$650usd

Aaron

Can you SEE me NOW!?

This is an early Christmas present to myself :-D I frequently ride narrow two lane country roads with poor lighting and short site distances. I usually wear a highway worker style vest. But this will cut out one layer in the cooler seasons. It is ANSI Class 2 Compliant...which means I can get a job on a road crew if I need too ;-) It is a Carhartt which is what I typically wear for work anyway.

There will now be no excuse for NOT seeing me as I wander down the highways and byways. Hopefully in the future things like this won't be required or necessary for cyclists, we will insist that all cars be painted a hideous color so we can see them coming.


Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to each and everyone, and if you happen not to Celebrate Christmas....Happy Holidays.

Aaron

Let there be LIGHT!

And after installing a B&M Lumotec IQ Fly all I can say is WOW! I can see riding down the paved road, I can see riding down our gravel road, I can see riding down the grass lane to the barn! The beam pattern is fairly narrow but very bright and reaches out well. The other great thing is the LED powers up very quickly and reaches near full brightness even at a walking pace...great thing if you have to wheel a broken bike home (not that it would happen mind you)

Aaron

From 2whls3spds

Eye Candy for the Redline!

I posted earlier on my Redline R530. Finally got some parts in for it. I had my LBS build up the wheel due to lack of time on my part. The front hub was sourced from WorkCycles in the Netherlands (many thanks Richard!) after unsuccessful attempts to get Shimano USA to even admit that such a hub existed! Headlight is a gorgeous IQ Fly from B&M. Got every thing hooked up and waiting on night fall. For beam pictures see Peter White's page. I wish these things were easier to source in the US. Next will be a basket, panniers, pedals and probably a generator powered tailight with stand light.

Aaron

Solution

Sorry about the delay...again. Anybody have an application for Procrastinators Anonymous...send it to me, when you get around to it. :-D

David Hembrow was the closest, it is actually for grooves on shoulder. I call them rumble strips, the idea being that they are supposed to wake a driver up before they run completely off the road. Why anyone would be riding bicycle that far off the main part of the road I have no idea. This is a very monotonus stretch of road in the middle of nowhere South Carolina in the years I have driven this road I have seen only small number of cyclists, none riding on the shoulder.

Aaron

HUH?

First time I saw this sign I did a double take. It is on a 5 lane road about as close to the middle of nowhere you can get along the eastern seaboard. Anybody want to hazard a guess? Solution will be posted later. ;-)

Aaron