tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post784682314835612062..comments2024-03-19T02:14:34.736-05:00Comments on PEDAL OMAHA: Bike Commuting 101EBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04821939070791179214noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-21633015544910083642009-10-14T18:34:04.141-05:002009-10-14T18:34:04.141-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.RFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09935322912652232102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-2875554932430735342009-10-14T01:06:29.324-05:002009-10-14T01:06:29.324-05:00Sean, what is funny about that description of the ...Sean, what is funny about that description of the advantages of steel? Have you ever examined the materials science behind the best steel alloys? Have you ever ridden a truly well-crafted steel frame, or just cheapo bottom shelf crap? On the whole, well produced steel is significantly better than anything coming out in the market. Read up on planing, and you'll learn why steel is still the preffered material of ultra long-distance randonneurs who climb tens of thousands of feet in a given ride. Stiff bikes don't get you up mountains, bikes that plane work with your efforts. Read Bicycle Quarterly reports on the topic, and you'll see quantitative scientific demonstration of these advantages (in comparison to the failures of competing materials).<br /><br />Practical bicycles will be made of steel, long after carbon fiber and aluminum are abandoned for the next generation of overhyped fragile plastic wunderbiks cracked out of a mold in a factory overseas. However, to use steel well one must utilize craft -- hard to come by in a corporate-dominated world of cycling and fragile hyperspecialized disfunctions sold at ridiculous markups.<br /><br />It's time to slay the demon of bullshit marketing that prevents average people from entering practical cycling in the states.<br /><br />On the whole, a good article. I'll second the recommendation to just get a cheap helmet, and also add that a rain cape is a great way to stay dry from both sweat and the elements (given your bike was made with mind to practicalities like fenders).erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08128941098449141122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-72068609595678764932009-10-13T18:25:46.806-05:002009-10-13T18:25:46.806-05:00It's just safer to ride in the street.It's just safer to ride in the street.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05090020452740679758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-88429734848069061162009-10-13T15:53:39.627-05:002009-10-13T15:53:39.627-05:00"And forget the sidewalk. If you want to be t..."And forget the sidewalk. If you want to be taken seriously, ride in the street."<br /><br />Taken seriously by whom? Hot chicks in BMWs?Don Kuhnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12751351886633563591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-48752721362918854042009-10-13T08:25:43.024-05:002009-10-13T08:25:43.024-05:00Agreed. Good article. I found their first product ...Agreed. Good article. I found their first product endorsement to be a bit hilarious, though. Thinking about getting into commuting? Well, you'll need a helmet. Nothing like a $175 helmet recommendation for a beginner. Seemed to contrast a bit with the "Smug is worse than smog" quote later on.Chris G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11942792074009516237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922763300976739048.post-89883691698952464592009-10-13T07:42:28.612-05:002009-10-13T07:42:28.612-05:00Nice article, I found this a little funny though:...Nice article, I found this a little funny though: "MATERIAL: Lightweight chromoly steel is springy (absorbs shocks), strong (is very hard to bend or crack and, unlike carbon, will never break), durable (will most likely outlive you), and practical (is easily repaired)."Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05090020452740679758noreply@blogger.com