Inexpensive Dream Bicycle

(vintage bicycle / photographer unknown)

"I just found your blog, its really inspiring. I am looking for a bicycle and love the well designed ones, especially the style of the club monaco and fendi bike, but most of all the abici grand tourismo. i love the light grey/white bikes theyre so elegant! very great list of designer bikes by the way.
do you have a list of well designed inexpensive bikes, i thought i would email as you seem to be someone with really great taste. and to be able to pick from the inexpensive ones that may have been overlooked would be so helpful. any advice?
thanks so much, keep up the great blog!"

****

Brilliant question!

Inexpensive or expensive either way start by finding a local bicycle shop and go in and test ride your dream bicycle yourself. I would not buy one for myself or for that matter give a personal recommendation or review of a bicycle that I have never ridden. I believe it's quite preferable to actually ride a bicycle first before buying it!

In the past I have recommended buying a vintage bicycle and to do so for cheap with prices skyrocketing even more so than before because Times Change. It's what I've done and I love my vintage bicycles. I have also recommend learning how to build up your own bicycle. I think it's a great way to save money and earn valuable experience.


Regarding new bicycles, I thank you for the compliment on my style and taste! You must be referring to my Dream Bicycle List, or my Top Stylish Bicycles from Fashion Designer & Retailer I'm guessing, or even the Tips- Buying a Fashionable & Stylish Bicycle .

So, I completely understand your appreciation of very finely made bicycles. Abici is one of my top favorite bicycles too! Light grey/white is a color palette I also find so very elegant!


To help you with your request for a nice mid range bicycle list of aesthetic, well made and truly lovely bicycles- I will see if I can name some favorites for you. OR better yet I will see if any readers out there, actual bicycle owners (let's include any bicycle manufacturers and/or LBS too) chime in with their favorite bicycle and why.

The Top Chic, Most Stylish Bicycles from Fashion Designers & Retailers

( sampling of bikes lft to rt: Paul Frank, Hermes, Anthropologie x3 , Chanel, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Club Monaco, Gucci, Cynthia Rowley)

Any chance that perhaps like me, you've wondered just how many Fashion Designers and/or Retailers out there have offered lovely, stylish bicycles for sale?

I'd been curious about this very thing. Luckily I've been keeping notes all along. I started the list quite awhile ago. I'm hoping you will find that this list has historical value and that it helps put it all into perspective. I also hope it helps you out if you are looking to buy your dream bicycle!

Importantly, would I buy from a Fashion 'Name' instead of my LBS (local bike shop) is a question to mull over. Just maybe.

At any rate, anything to get more bicyclists on the road is a good thing! Keep up the good work all you Fashion Houses and and smart Retailers! It pleases me there are so many offerings and such a wide range of bicycles!

***

Have a look at my list (listed in no special order or sequence):

Cynthia Rawley
Introduced spring 2008, bicycle exclusive to Cynthia Rawley, and ongoing in 2009.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Paul Frank
Introduced 2005, made by Paul Frank Industries, (and/or bikes made by Nirve) and ongoing in 2009.
bicycle link
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++==
Chanel Bicycle
Introduced 2007, limited edition.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hermes
Introduced 2007 limited edition (50), bicycle made by Batavus.
bicycle link
**
Introduced a 2009 limited edition,bicycle made by Batavus and available in select Hermes Stores.
bicycle link
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gucci
Introduced in 2007, special in store bicycle.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2008, limited edition.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, limited edition and ongoing.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Club Monaco
Introduced 2009,bicycle made by Royal Dutch Gazelle and available in select Club Monaco stores.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++
J. Crew & Jolif Scott
Introduced 2008, bicycle made by Jorg & Olif and was available via the J.Crew Spring 2008 catalog.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++
Comptoir des Cotonniers
Introduced 2008, limited edition, available online spring 2008.
bicycle link and bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Anthropologie
Introduced January 2007, Anthropologie's Grocer's Bicycle was available via catalog and select Anthropologie stores.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, Gran Turismo Donna Bicycle, bicycle made by Abici- available via catalog, online.
bicycle link
**
Introduced 2009, Limited Edition Fold-Up Bicycle, made by Strida available via catalog, online.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Urban Outfitters
Introduced 2009, Fixie Style custom bicycle made by Republic Bike via catalog, online.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Fendi
Introduced Spring 2009, bicycle Amante Donna by Abici, available in select Fendi stores.
bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Paul Smith
Introduced 2006, available online, ongoing.
(track bike) bicycle link and (touring bike) bicycle link
++++++++++++++++++++++
Field and Stream
Introduced 2009, available via Custom Order 877.221.6889 or info@fieldandstreambrand.com
beer bike link
***
Hope you found this useful!

Dream Bicycle List - Let's Go Shopping!

This is my dream bicycle wish list. These are bicycles I have dearly coveted for one reason or another. This list of mine was kept on Stylehive and was started Jan 2008. The location of this list became a little too user unfriendly for you the reader to see because it required you to join Stylehive first. This made it all way too buried and cumbersome for you to find and use it. So, I'd been wanting to simplify and bring the list to live here...just never got around to it until now. I've also added my newer finds too. So Voila!

Pashley Princess Sovereign
Recommended & Ridden by Girls and Bicycles
Update: Pashley direct link

Jorg & Olif the Scout
(the only model still being offered)

Velorbis
available via The Dutch Bicycle Company (Velobris is currently being phased out, limited stock)
update: Copenhagen Cyclery in Chicago is the new US dealer
Recommended & Ridden by Drunk and In Charge of a Bicycle

ABICI Women's
available through pedlars

Bakfiets
(I like the cargo pick up model)

Breezer UpTown 8

Calfe Ghana
(the greenest, eco conscious bike on the planet, supports Ghana village bike builders)

Henry Work Cycles- City Bikes

Elecktra Amsterdam
Ridden by Super Model Agyness Deyn

Flying Pigeon
Recommended & Ridden by Righteous Metal Broad

Azor
available through CleverCycles
Azor Oma -Recommended & Ridden by ChangeYourLife.RideABike
update: also available through Dutch Bike Chicago

Retrovelo
available through CleverCycles

Comptoir des Cotonniers
picture & info via Harper's Bazarre Editorial (very hard to find bicycle)

DiamondBack Kalamar Women's Hybrid
(I'm not so excited anymore, but the price is outstanding!)

Atala Città - Women's
(my most recent discovery)

Batavus
Recommended & Ridden by ChangeYourLife.RideABike
Recommended & Ridden by LetsGoRideABike
Recommended & Ridden by Stylocycle

Gazelle

Dutchie

Biria

Violet Crown Cycles
(can you custom order a ladies, step through frame?)
UpDate: You can indeed order the step through frame, the Ma Ferguson!

Bobbin Bicycle
(my fave is the Bronx Vintage)

Kronan

Simple City

Giant

A.N.T. Bikes
(the Boston Roadster via reader suggestion!)

Rivendell
(the Betty Foy via reader suggestion!)
Recommended & Ridden by LetsGoRideABike
Recommended & Ridden by Gentleman's Bike


** This list is alive and open for revisions and additional notes and comments!

***** As a final note:
Try buying local first. Buying local supports your local economy and your Local Bike Shop will appreciate your business! Also that way you can personally test ride a bicycle first. If you know for a fact the bike you want is not stocked locally and can not be ordered through your LBS, then you will have to go through a distributor and/or purchase online. I have no personal experience buying a bicycle this way. I would feel far more certain about making the right bicycle decision by test riding the bicycle first! More about this later.

********* If you know of anyone who rides any of the bicycles off this list and who is willing to recommend their bicycle, then I'd love to include that info and link back to the happy owner.

Too much info, too fast, don't know where to start? You may find this post 'Tips - Buying a Fashionable and Stylish Bicycle' relevant and helpful.

Update Aug 25th: A New Post you may find helpful - The Top Chic, Most Stylish Bicycles from Designers & Retailers.

Bike Church- A Journal of Sorts—Finding and Rebuilding my Motobecane Bicycle

Day One
I strolled by Bike Church and on impulse decided to walk in and check it out. I met Ann & Josh; they were super nice and explained how Bike Church worked. There in the back I eyed this bicycle, the only step through frame they had (on that particular day). I saw the $10.00 price tag. Done. I bought my bike. Ann said it was a Motobecane and French.

(Bike Church - Ann )

Ann also said that because this was a slow time at Bike Church due to the Christmas Holidays that this would be an excellent time to rebuild my bike. She then explained what I would need to do in order to get this bike in riding shape. Oh, yes!! I signed up for the 'memberteer- get a bike' program. In the back of my head I also knew I would want to write about the experience and share it on this blog.


Wed
MY TEACHERS: Quentin & Erik
All I did was work for 2 solid hours, sorted wheels, seat posts and other bike parts. I earned 2 hours. I learned in what bins you could find which parts by doing this sorting job. In the end I realized this is really an excellent way to get you familiar with bike parts!


Thurs
MY TEACHERS: Jason & assistant
Today's assistant was really excited by my Motobecane and exclaimed I’d gotten a REALLY good frame. Now for the first time I got very excited about the potential of my 'junker'. I removed the back wheel and learned how to repack the bearings on the back wheel. I felt extremely proud! I had to get my work checked no less than 6 times to get it just right. Only snafu was that I lost a part (forgot the name of it) and ended up spending ½ hour sorting through and cleaning out a junk box of mountain bike forks with tons of crud at the bottom. Never found the part. Jason liked my cleaning & organizing. He said I did a great job on my rear wheel.

Fri
MY TEACHERS: Steve & assistant
Steve helped me identify my frame type. He explained drop outs that are cast vs. stamped drop outs. He told me my frame was not double butted or 531 steel. He said it was a single butted job and explained tube thickness. He also explained the derailleur to me, telling me I needed to replace it. He showed me a bin which I looked through. Hey, the cost for a used derailleur is a mere $4.00! My boyfriend came in and said the one I picked with Steve’s help was crap. Steve said to try to get a long cage derailleur; it would give more options down the road? I was confused. Time now for a derailleur research on the internet when I get home, I decided.

So later when I got home I researched some 'period correct' derailleurs and found 2. One on craigslist (simplex) and one on eBay (suntour). Anyway back to Bike Church... Steve was VERY helpful. The assistant however, was being pulled off in 100 directions by all these demanding people needing help. Sometimes Bike Church just gets flooded with people and their bikes and all wanting attention and help. I went off and cleaned the Bike Church bathroom and swept the yard. I racked up 3 more hours of 'memberteering' work. I came home filthy and feeling like slime because this really was grunt work, but I was so happy at the same time. I was getting my bike built!

(Took a Bike Church break for one week)

More pictures of bikes in the back that are for sale or are project bikes...

(3 speed bike currently (4/21/09) available to buy & fix at Bike Church)

Fri
MY TEACHERS: Steve & assistant
My boyfriend came with me to Bike Church to help put on tires and to help speed things up for me since I only had an hour to spend at Bike Church that day. I wanted to get seriously down to work and at least get tires on my bike. Steve came over and helped out as well. I made a slight mistake and picked brand new tires when I was only entitled to use my accrued credit towards used items. All my parts so far I had gotten used and in trade for the work I was putting in down there.…So I put on 2 NEW tires @10.00 each, 2 inner tubes @ 3.00 each. The first cash I'd spent on the bike since buying it for that mere $10.00. So I was now into my bike for only a total of $33.00 cash out of my pocket.

Sat. Intro to Bikes
MY TEACHER: Ryan
Intro to Bikes. I was the only student. My teacher was excellent. I had a complete 'one on one' learning the 101 for bikes! The class ran almost 2 hours long. I learned a lot.

Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHER: Ann
I was the only one there except for a '20 minute-fill the bike tires-girl' who came in. Ann spent the entire 3 hours helping me and doing most of the really tricky finagling work as I learned and watched. I picked out a used rear and front derailleur from the used bins completely on my own (yes, it was 'period correct' and suntour.) Ann confirmed my rear derailleur was an excellent choice, so no need for the EBay or Craigslist derailleur I'd been considering at 8 times the price. Ann had these friction shifters she'd stashed away for another project bike and decided to let me have them. We ran out of time (darn French bikes and their bolt threading!) I still have to do the brakes, but I wanted to take my bicycle home for Christmas. I rolled my bike out of there and walked home in the rain. Happy.

(Ann - Teacher at Bike Church)

(I spent the next few weeks doing a green clean on my bicycle. Bike Church was closed so what better time to invest and really clean her up. Still, I was so anxious and excited to get brakes on and actually ride my Motobecane.)


Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHER: Ellie
I was so glad Bike Church was open again! I decided to work on my bicycle only during the Women/Transgendered Safe Space on Sundays and which only occurs once every three weeks. I like it because generally it has a whole lot less people vying for help and attention from the teachers, plus it has such a really cool vibe! Ellie helped me put my brakes on. (new brakes pads $4.00) She found used color coordinated cable housing (blue of course) for me. She also is the one who said I just had to go with cork grips ($8.00) and to be sure I shellacked them. I totally love Shellac now; I ended up shellacking my thrifted bicycle basket.

I rode my bicycle for the very first time out of Bike Church! I was thrilled and ecstatic!

Sun. Women/Transgendered Safe Space
MY TEACHERS: Ann and Ellie.
I brought my Motobecane with the new cork grips and basket in because I wanted Ann and Ellie to first of all see my bicycle all finished and pretty and also because I was having difficulty shifting. Turns out the shifting 'problem' required a very minor, minor adjustment. What I really needed was more practice with 10 speed shifting, not that its rocket science or anything, it's just that I've always ridden cruisers or a 3 speed. What a noob I am sometimes.

(Ellie - Teacher at Bike Church)

The bike collective is a way to find out where to find a bicycle coop near you OR how to start one in your own community. Thanks Ann for pointing out to me where to find this information at!

Some before and after pics of my Motobecane....

(before pic taken at Bike Church the day I bought my Motobecane)

(after or rather midway pic, the brakes, front derailleur, cork grips & basket added later)

I received requests to explain how I came by my Motobecane... So I hope everyone enjoys this back story behind my Motobecane 'Belle'. Thanks Bike Church!!!!!

Tips - Buying a Fashionable and Stylish Bicycle

Ready? Good! Let's jump right in...

The Frame Style (the bike's geometry) is an early decision you make towards finding the right bicycle for you. I ruminated on this topic; Just how much do you need to know to buy a new (Euro Style) Bicycle Part I. My recommendation is a bike with an Up Right geometry, the Sit Up & Beg style or as I like to say the Euro Style bicycle. You may also want to consider Cruisers or Townie bicycles which are distant second cousins, technically speaking. I suggest reading Sit Up & Beg - Most Ergonomic? Then for further info & answers read Sit Up & Beg - Most Ergonomic? -- Good Answer. I highly recommend (for the greatest of ease while riding in dresses and skirts) a step-through frame and also simply called a 'ladies' frame. Size matters, so getting the right size for you is the other half of the equation. Be sure when you get to the point of actually buying your bicycle to consult with the seller and emphatically and absolutely determine that you are getting the right size bike!

Your next decision is whether to buy vintage or new?I started off choosing vintage for a variety of reasons. I always like to buy recycled (anything) first. I also think steel frames are far superior to any 'Big Box' bikes manufactured out of China. For the same ballpark $200.00 you can get a real vintage beauty, but you need to know a thing or two before jumping in and buying off Craigslist or Ebay. For some tips on buying read; Buying a Vintage Bike Guide along with reading about my own personal experience rebuilding a vintage bike; Finding and Rebuilding my Motobecane Bicycle. Price points, oh yeah the other determining factor. Not much cash? Ah, well choosing a vintage bicycle is the way to go. Read about how overwhelmingly popular vintage bicycles have become; Vintage Bikes - Girls want them! If you're looking for a NEW bicycle then be sure to check out this posting;12 Bicycles for Girls. Recommendations are across all price points, high to low.

The next big decision is going to involve how you plan to use your bicycle? Plus where do you live? Your answers will determine how many gears you'll want. General rule of thumb is 3 gears minimum. Flatlanders, strictly leisure riders, incredibly short distance bike commuters, and all those super fit fixie riders maybe be able to get away with a single speed. I have a single speed cruiser I ride to the beach and up the block to my neighborhood shops. If your terrain includes hills, then get multiple gears. Talk to anybody you can find who bike commutes in your area and ask how many gears they think work best. Now would be a good time to get friendly with your local bike coop, community bike advocacy groups, and your local bike shop (LBS) who you'll probably end up buying bike stuff from any way.

The Let's Be Lady Like! check list: Of course now that you plan to wear all sorts of stylish outfits while riding your new bicycle, then you'll want to make sure your bicycle has fenders, a skirt guard, a fully enclosed chain guard to keep you and your clothes free from dirt and grim. If these are not already included with your bicycle, it is possible in many cases to add them on later.

The Practicality check list: You will want a front basket, rear rack, and panniers (you add those onto that rear rack), for transporting your stuff, be it groceries, Chinese take-home, library books, you get the picture. Additionally there is a very possible extra benefit, you will earn respect and street cred amongst the utility and commuter cyclists!


The Safety Items check list: Lights, reflectors, bicycle bell, bicycle lock, and a helmet if you chose to wear one (I advocate for helmet safety). You could also add in a bicycle repair kit for fixing a flat tire in a pinch.


The Purely Aesthetic and Stylish checklist: Well this could get cross referenced to several of the afore mentioned items above. I'd add cork handle bar grips (cork is a sustainable and eco material). Also a Brooks saddle would be wonderful! And you can shellac those cork grips to match the patina of your Brooks saddle whether it's it vintage or new. Other considerations...Add streamers you make yourself or check ETSY, perhaps a bicycle basket liner, and pretty flowers for your basket (as in brightening up any dreary winter's duldrum day).


Sincerely hope you've found this posting and it's check lists helpful! Happy Bicycle Riding to All the Stylish Lovelies!!

***** Update:
Newer posting and highly recommended... 'Dream Bicycle List - Let's Go Shopping'.

Buying A Vintage Bicycle Guide

Let me introduce you to one of the most helpful vintage bicycle buying guides I have ever come across! The next time you're considering purchasing a lovely vintage bicycle found off of craigslist, ebay, your local swap meet, even your local bicycle "flipper" please use this guide to help you be a very savvy vintage bicycle shopper.

Reprinted with kind permission from SydneyVintageBikes:

Buying Second Hand, Retro or Vintage Ladies Mens Bike

Buying A Vintage Bike

If you're buying a VINTAGE / RETRO BIKE and the seller has claimed that they have "SERVICED" or "RESTORED" the bike then don't be afraid to ask them to detail exactly what has been done.

We find it very frustrating when sellers claim to have carried out a "SERVICE" when in fact they've just pumped up the tires and given the bike a clean - there is a lot more involved in a proper "service" than you may think. Unfortunately MANY SELLERS are not experienced bike mechanics nor have the right tools to do the work correctly and some are simply misleading buyers in order to achieve maximum sale price.

Most vintage bikes will need:

New Gear and Brake Cables ( it's very easy to tell if this has been carried out - if cables appear rusty, corroded or frayed then the seller HAS NOT replaced them) good cables are paramount to ensure the safety of the bicycle.

An experienced bike mechanic should run through the gears to ensure they're working correctly as this could be a safety issue if they're not adjusted correctly. Vintages bikes should have New Tyres, if not then ask the seller if the rubber on the tyres has perished. If tyres have GOOD TREAD but rubber is CRACKED then they need to be replaced as they won't hold air for long! Remember to buy new tyres and get them put on by a bike shop will be an added cost to your purchase. Brakes and levers should be checked and adjusted to ensure that they work properly and that there is enough rubber on the brake pads. We have seen many bike sellers that have claimed to have serviced the bike but DO NOT know how to adjust brakes correctly - this could be a safety issue!!

Rims should be trued and tensioned and spin freely, if they don't then they'll need the bearings serviced or will need truing by a bike mechanic. Bearings in the bottom bracket, headset, and wheel axles should be serviced on all vintage bikes and should be cleaned, repacked with grease or replaced with new bearings. Many sellers who claim to have serviced their bike do not do this. Often the cones or bottom bracket can be over tightened, the headset can too, if it has a "grinding feel" to it then it needs attention as your bike won't work for long. Drive train ie: chain & cogs should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled, some use degreaser in the wrong areas, degreaser can be harmful to some parts of the bike. Vintage bikes should be inspected for cracks in tubing, as some could have been in a front impact and or accident. Look for cracks or wrinkles in paintwork as this could be an indication that the steel tubing has been compromised. Also look around the lugs/joins in tubing as this is a common place for cracks. Ladies bikes usually have cracks or bends in the seat tube or head tube. Just run your fingers over the suspected area for creases in tubes.

Also we've seen plenty of bikes for up for sale on ebay that have BENT FORKS, ask the seller if they can provide a side shot/pic of bike so that it clearly shows the angle/alignment of the fork. If you're not sure ask someone who is experienced with bikes to have a look. Basically everything on a vintage bike should be checked over thoroughly by someone who knows what they're doing. Remember a bike mechanic will know what to look for and check.

Remember if the seller has performed a "service" on the bike they are selling or is claiming to be an experienced bike mechanic ask them
a) Do they work in a bike shop?
b) How long have they been repairing bikes?
c) Are they just a hobbyist? Unfortunately any "back yard bob" can call themselves a bike mechanic just to make a quick sale! Again if you're not sure just ask lot's of questions.
The experienced ones might even give you the name of the bike shop they are associated with or how long they have been working in the bike industry.

Lastly it's always nice to buy a clean bike that has been washed and polished. Although I have seen many bikes for sale that have been cleaned but haven't been serviced.

Remember, when buying a vintage bike to ride, ask the SELLER lots of questions and if you have doubts as to weather the work has been carried out, simply take your purchase into ANY bike shop and get a bike mechanic to check it over (they can usually tell pretty quickly if work has been carried out).

Vintage bikes that have been properly serviced will be a joy to ride.

Vintage bikes have a lot more style than the newer models and they are becoming harder to find and a lot more collectible. If looked after properly a vintage bike can provide many years of enjoyment and can actually increase in value!

sydneyvintagebikes

shelly | posted | Thursday, November 13th, 2008 |

Vintage Bicycles .... Girls Want Them!

Here is what Chung Pai of Landmark Vintage Bicycles had to say in this article by Lauren Murrow for her piece in NYmagazine...

"What kind of customers do you get?

It’s a hip, young crowd. I get a lot of twentysomething girls who act like they’re shopping for a vintage dress: “Oh, it has a basket for my purse, and it has a cute bell, and the color is pretty.” It’s not just a bike, it’s a fashion accessory."

There is more to the article so read it all here. Chung has lots to say about vintage bicycles.

Vintage Bicycles, Oh My!

I’m starting to get very alerted to the growing love of vintage bicycles as a first choice in a bicycle for those who want to ride a bicycle (again.) The obvious reason… beat the high price of gas AND for the other myriad reasons…reduce carbon, go green, get exercise ect.

Yes, and all the while looking incredibly chic and cool doing so!

But here’s what I’ve gleaned so far from my fellow bicycle bloggers. It’s a kind of round up of loosely related tidbits from here and there…

‘bicycle commuting’ is growing;

‘The term "Bicycle Commuting" took a major spike at the beginning of the second quarter of this year, almost directly coinciding with gas hitting $4 per gallon in the U.S’.

Okay, so bicycle sales are up as people want to bicycle commute. Here's where the next tidbit comes in....

Next Sweet Georgia Brown notes she was OUTBID! The vintage Raleigh Sprite she was promised was sold out from under her, and instead it was acquired by a vintage bicycle restorer with plans to turn around and resell it, and of course for much more money.

Now this is in keeping with my own observations. I troll Craigslist for vintage bicycles...I posted a while back and urged everyone to use Craigslist in 'Bicycle for Cheap'.

Times change. Just from my own little tracking I see the prices are going up and up, the resellers are trolling Craigslist with a lot of diligence. The cheap and reasonable bicycles are disappearing in a heart beat! Especially true, say for instance a Raleigh Superb, or just about any Schwinns from the 70’s, 60’s, 50’s. All kinds of vintage cruisers go fast too. This is especially and particularity true with the ladies bicycles category…hardly much interest in vintage ladies bicycles in days past…Fixie/Mixte Diamond frames ruled, step through frames got passed on. Well what this means… girls are riding(pretty) and they like cool vintage bicycles. Duh!

Another tidbit, this time from UrbanCycleChic who blogged/noted the NY Times article;

‘Jalopy Bikes with Techie Tyres’. The full NY Times article here. Basically it’s a heads up on buying brand new hi-tech tyres for your cruiser/jalopy vintage bicycle…

Over at Bikes in the City you can find just the cutest (vintage, if not vintage looking) blue bicycle ever… getting to be the huge, megawatt star in a TV spot. Read and see the whole video here.

All adding up to convince me that vintage bicycles are hot, so hot!

Oh, and this just in as I was writing this post. Please review or enroll in bicycle riding education/ etiquette class...I blogged about just such here. Anyway according to the NY Times bicyclists are ‘Moving Targets’. Read full NY Times article here.

Due to the big upsurge in bicyclist sharing the streets in Manhattan and elsewhere across the country there is an adjustment going on. Cars (drivers), pedestrians can get hostile.

Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?--- Good Answer

photocredit/source: Tod/CleverCycles

Great stick figure representation of the various riding positions.

‘How you sit has a big influence not only on your comfort and capacity to move, but on your mind. Just as laughing and smiling, even forcibly, can help lift a foul mood, sitting utterly upright, head high with your shoulders thrust back to “open your heart” exerts a powerful influence on your mind. It is serene, restorative, dignified. Mix well with endorphins and you’re getting there. I love watching people set off on Dutch bikes for the first time, seeing the initial wobbles of the unweighted handlebars relax a block later into a yogic smile and regal poise.’

I was directed to this *article by readers (Donna and Anon) in response to ‘Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?’ They love their LBS… Clever Cycles. You’ll also so find a lively discussion/comments section with pros cons and lots of bike tech speak.

* warning: there’s a photo of naked guys on bikes in the article from Clever Cycles.

Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?

When you choose say, to ‘ride pretty’, being relaxed and comfortable is very a desirable thing… right along with being stylish and fashionable.

So I’m going to play dumb here, like a total novice (actually not so far from the truth.) I’m trying to find out what is the most ergonomic, comfortable riding position in which to ride a bicycle for leisure rides? (The link for the following quoted material is at the bottom of this post.) Anyway I excerpted the following selected bits of info.

‘… a new study says the pain is probably caused by their riding position.’

Referencing then to handle bar position on the bicycle …

‘With riding, the neck is extended and the back flexed for prolonged periods. Riding in drop handlebars for long periods increases the load on the arms and shoulders as well as hyperextension of the neck, leading to muscle fatigue and pain.’

Then reading a little further along....

‘the upright head and wrist positions alleviate the usual discomfort of a traditional bike. The riding position also promotes proper alignment which improves breathing.’

So does this mean the ‘sit up and beg’ riding position (therefore the euro-style bicycle--and heaven forbid I call it a dutch bike!) is the most ergonomic, comfortable stylishly for leisure bicycle riding? Really, does the ‘sit-up-and-beg’ position promote a perfect posture and give you an ergonomic ride?

Read the entire article I quoted from here. Then weigh in with your opinions!!!

Attention: I know lots of you cycle, aficionados guys check in here…so besides just looking at the ‘pretty girls on bicycles’ pics, add some of your expert opinions!

12 Bicycles for Girls

photo credit/source: Sara – ‘my pretty lil Pake’

Hey, I like the article Sara Huston wrote for her blog and then repurposed for Coolhunting (as she is a contributing writer for Coolhunting.) Both versions are good reading.

And Thanks Sara for the mention!

‘Best of all cycling is social! Get into the Cycle Chic culture! Here’s a list of my favorite places online:’
http://cyclechic.co.uk
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search/label/Bicycles
http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/
http://www.copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/velocouture/pool/
http://www.copenhagenize.com/
http://chiccyclist.blogspot.com/
http://velovogue.blogspot.com/

****My favorite DIY tip from Sara:

‘DIY diva Callie Watts over at Bust magazine did a fantastic story on how to pimp your ride! (Grab the PDF instructions from me by emailing sara@designporvida.com)’

Just how much do you need to know to buy a new (Euro-Style) Bicycle? Part I

So the easy part is you know you’re ready to buy a new bicycle.

Maybe you’re ready to retire/re-gift/resell/ or keep simply as a back up your current bicycle. Or maybe you haven’t even ridden since, well… it was so, so long ago. At any rate you know you want the Euro-style, Sit Up & Beg, Ergonomic bicycle like the ones everyone loves and has been blogging about. Yes, STYLE does matter!

Now What? How many decisions do you have to make in order to decide which one to buy?

First of all don’t feel overwhelmed by technical specs and ‘bicycle speak’ when you haven’t a clue what it all means. Try not to walk into your local bicycle shop (LBS) expecting to find a great assortment of euro-style bicycles and get yourself all disappointed because the selection is mediocre to non-existent. And please don’t feel overwhelmed by bike sales assistants who ‘advise’ you into settling for something else because it’s in stock. Be warned; in order to hunt down the euro-bicycle of your dreams it’s going to take some savvy on your part. My hunch is that you’re a seasoned and sharp shopper and you’re up for this.

Once you’ve gotten an idea of what you like realize that many euro-style bicycles can only be had by placing an order for them. You can seek out an USA bicycle distributor and you can order your bicycle from them. You can go directly to the website of the bicycle you desire and investigate ordering with them (as long as they are in English.) You can take a trip overseas and buy your bicycle while you’re there.

Question: Why are the LBS in such short supply of euro-style bikes? The whole racer/sports mentality has prevailed for so long that the buying habits dictate what manufactures produce for you to buy. I believe eventually the LBS will have euro-style bicycles if people want them, but apparently the market won't sustain it just yet.

So this is just part one… More to come!

****Update!!!

This being far into 2009 this post will be revised soon.

Euro-Style Bicycles & Saving the Environment

I couldn’t help but notice a synchronistic, spontaneous happening.

Here in the USA there are 2 blogs and 2 website style blogs, where everyone has recently purchased......

Euro-style bicycles. They will be sharing their new bicycling adventures with you!

3 of the 4 plan on making a commitment or pledge if you will, to (daily) ride their bicycles and rid themselves of car dependency.

*****

Chicago: Hank & Me recently bought Orange OMA



Sacramento: EcoVelo recently bought Pashley Sovereigns; Princess & Roadster

Brooklyn: Drunk and in Charge recently bought Velorbis Churchill Classic

Wash.DC: Confessions of a Dilettante recently bought The Electra Amstedam Classic in White

What Do You Think? Are you planning on selecting a nice Euro-style Bicycle for your next ride?

Bicycle Chic & Tough Times… Bicycles for CHEAP

I’ve shopped the bike swaps, craigslist to score when my prior bicycle(s) where stolen and coincidently I was super low on funds and couldn’t afford to replace my high ticket bicycle right away.

Perhaps this following scenario has been your experience too. You’re new to bicycling, you walk into your local bicycle shop, get your heart set on a beauty only to discover you have to go into a payment plan to possess her. So while you’re waiting to afford your heart’s desire, or waiting for a delivery from Europe and delivery is x amount of weeks…what to do? Invest into a rusty true love. My rusty true love is a 40’s Japanese Jet Wind I got for $25.00 (craigslist). Just a beautiful backup bicycle for me.

Any women out there who would love to bicycle but suffer zero extra cash problems? Are you a potential chic bicyclist on foot and bussing it (or worse yet, still driving short distances like to the corner store)? Don’t want to buy a used bicycle? No matter how cheap…because you’re thinking bicycle repairs can cost a lot and you just don’t want the headache. Two ways to get help…check for a bicycle program that offers / donates free bicycles. Second option; repair services like Bike Station and Street Level Cycles. Both will teach you how to do your own repairs! Check your own city and see if these type programs are offered where you live. (Let me know and I will list the programs in your city).