Just a quick post to introduce you to my new hero. No, not the YouTuber who's been riding around the city with a car horn bolted to his bike, but the woman who gives him what for about five seconds into one of his most recent videos:
Is it annoying when people stand in the bike lane? Yes. Did he nevertheless have plenty of time to anticipate her presence and plenty of room to pass? Also yes. Is there anything more satisfying than an expertly deployed "Fuck you"? Almost certainly not:
Here's the deal: riding at someone while frantically ringing your bell, even if they're where they're not "supposed" to be, is like protesting the fact that someone didn't clean up after their dog by stepping right into a pile of its shit.
And as far as the horn goes:
Why adapt one of the shittiest aspects of cars to the bicycle? Is there anything more irritating than the self-important bleating of the urban motorist? Oh sure, it's bumper-to-bumper traffic for 20 blocks, but the asshole in the Hyundai really needs to be somewhere so let's all move out of the way. Unless your vehicle says "Ambulance" on it and someone's hemorrhaging in the back of it you should probably shut the fuck up.
On the other hand, if this were a hand-held horn and he stuck it in the open windows of cars that were, say, blocking the bike lane, then I could certainly get behind that.
I mean, I'd never do myself it because way too many people are violent lunatics, but I'd certainly watch the video.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. If you haven't had enough of me for today then check out the Bike Forecast, and if you have I'll see you back here tomorrow.
I love you all (yes, even you, crazy bike horn person),
--Wildcat Rock Etc.
my podial post is short but short.. who likes short shorts??????
ReplyDeleteFuck you. j/k
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert, but I can deploy that with the best of 'em.
Podium from the oral surgeon's chair!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I'm always wrong when I break out the fuck yous. Dooley!
ReplyDeleteThirst-day!
ReplyDeleteI can't take any horn seriously unless it does "Dixie's Land" like the General Lee.
ReplyDeleteNote to self - never ever ride across the Brooklyn Bridge
ReplyDeleteI hear village voice's in my head
ReplyDeleteWould be more effective if his born would blare out the Bugle Cavalry Charge.
ReplyDeleteSeems they need to separate peds from bikes on that bridge, elevated platform I think so
ReplyDeleteI think it's time to repaint the bike/pedestrian markings on the Brooklyn Bridge.perhaps the yamster can build a wall between the two lanes.something fiery and furious..
ReplyDeleteoh yeah,i forgot.ticket the selfie-takers and the selfie-stick-takers.
ReplyDeleteOh shucks, riding across the Brooklyn Bridge is fine. In nice weather on weekends, you just go slow for the tourists.
ReplyDeleteIf the bridge is crowded, the rule of thumb is if you can't hold a normal conversation without breathing heavily, you're going too fast.
Honestly, these kids today with their fancy bicycle car horns don't know how good they have it. There used to be real traffic on the Bridge. Harrumph.
But try telling that to kids these days and all you hear is this.
I'm in transit tomorrow, so let me wish everyone an early "Ride Safe All!"
LOVE YOU2
ReplyDeleteWhere is Ted K.?
ReplyDeleteI almost never use the Brooklyn bridge, to crowded and the tourist don't know the rules and frankly shouldn't be expected to. It is one of NYC's largest tourist attractions. There is a dedicated bike lane, but if you're going to ride across it you are going to have to go slow and dodge the tourists. Don't been an aggressive dick by yelling at people as I'm fairly certain that if you are a traveler you have been similarly clueless in a foreign city and would probably feel pretty bad is some asshole screamed at you.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it? Potentially 5 extra minutes to take the Manhattan Bridge? I guess there are always people who have to take the shortest possible route no matter how unpleasant. So glad the touristy paths in my town are easily avoidable.
ReplyDeleteLeroy - excellent clips - best Portlandia episode ever - or maybe it's the only one I ever saw
ReplyDeleteI occasionally traverse the heavy touristy areas around here - like the stretch between the Lincoln and Washington memorials - and yes, if you try to hit a personal best or some strava bullshit I that type of area the the equation is U = A*Hole
I am guessing it's different there, but in most places I've been "Bike lane" means anything that's not a car. I appreciate the guys frustration, but if you did that here you would likely get shot! And we wonder why non cyclist think we're self centered pricks!? - masmojo
ReplyDeleteHuh? What?
ReplyDeletehere just last month in peaceful north country some woman tossed a cigarette butt out her car and a 21 year old guy took offense and threw it back. she went and found an acquaintance at a local bank and followed the 21 year old to starbucks and pounded his head on the counter and he later died of his injuries.
ReplyDeleteHey everybody. I have some time off coming up. I'm not going anywhere, because it's more like burning vacation days and I'm finally, finally turning my attention to my poor, neglected but still better riding than it should be Marin. One of the things I'm going to do is replace the crankset. This is new territory for me, as I typically ride with whatever groupset came with the bike, replacing worn out parts but never upgrading. I did put a smaller rear cog on my Workcycle but those things are geared with the assumption that you're hauling children (pretty sure I'm the only spinster in the Workcycle Facebook group). Anyway, the Marin was built in 1994 and has a Flintstone-esque triple ring and I want a new crankset. One thing I was thinking was that my Raleigh came with a Tiagra crankset and I could put that on my Marin and put a 105 on my Raleigh. Or I could leave my Raleigh alone and put a Tiagra on my Marin, because I've read that the only hugely noticeable difference between the Tiagra and 105 is the price. Or should I look beyond Shimano? I like value. What else? Um weight is less of a concern for me. I usually ride a Dutch bike. Every other bike is a lighter bike so I'm not crying kittens over 300 grams. Like all my bikes, the primary use is transport, especially for days when it's so cold that the hub on the Workcycle freezes up. Secondary use is when I know I'm going to leave the pavement a whole bunch. Unless Snob makes a surprise announcement, it will be road ready before the Fondon't and it won't sound like a Skinny Puppy outtake when I shift gears!!!!
ReplyDeletejaninedm,
ReplyDeleteIs your Marin a mountain bike? Do you know the BB width? You could have clearance issues trying to put a road crank on there. If the triple bugs you it may be cheaper and easier for you to keep your current crank and convert it to a single ring.
As for Tiagra vs. 105, I'm too lazy to look up specs and I don't know what year your stuff is. 105 crank arms are generally hollow, whereas your Tiagra maybe isn't, but that's just a matter of weight so doesn't really mean anything. Otherwise the main difference between higher-end and lower-end Shimano cranks is the rings. (Higher-end may shift a little more smoothly due to them.) I do think Shimano cranks are worth it, they're well-designed and the bottom brackets last forever. (This is where someone weighs in with their "I do thrice-daily stream crossings and live in the Pacific NW, Shimano BBs suck" comment. Anyone inclined to do this should kindly go away.)
--Wildcat Etc.
...oh, and the Hollowtech II system is the best crank/bb system in the entire world.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
ReplyDeleteOr MegaExo, or whatever RF calls theirs, all almost exactly the same. :)
Didn't the Campy one demand you shim it for proper pre-load or something like that?
I mean, if you BB wasn't exactly 68.0000mm like everyone's should be...
Schisthead,
ReplyDeleteI've had some Race Face cranks, don't know if they've changed but they used all kinds of cheesy plastic washers and the BBs were terrible. FSA mega-whatever looks most similar to Shimano (pinch bolts, etc.) but I've never used it.
--Wildcat Etc.
I don't know NYC pedestrian/cycling/car laws, but it appeared in the video that the woman who said fuck you was in a crosswalk. She is standing on white stripes that appear to be so. In that case, in most states, she would have the right of way and the cyclist would be required to stop for her. So fuck him indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is that chirping noise in the background of CarHorn Biek Guy's vid-yuz? Is it his dics brakes? Does any one else hear it? That "Chirpy" noise? No?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I second that endorsement of Shimano Hello-Tech II, cranks/BB's. Really "brill". Just be sures to use a torque wrench on 'dem pinch bolts...
ReplyDeletejaninedm- As a professional wrench versed in far-too-many 90s bike resurrections, I suggest you consult an approachable, experienced bike mechanic for advice before spending a dime on a cranksets/bb purchase, or any other parts. I could write a novel on the subject but will refrain. You wouldn't expect a doctor to write paragraphs on how to treat your (insert ailment here) either, though many will do it anyway. I say this in the humblest way possible :)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... I've never had a problem swapping out bb's and cranks on old bikes. Sometimes it might need a slightly longer or shorter shaft, but they all seem to work out pretty good. Well, I guess one time I had some issues with an old Italian bike, but then I figured out that both sides of the bb had right hand threads.
ReplyDeleteI do stream crossings thrice before breakfast and I do t even need a bottom bracket
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to have a mechanic weigh in since I'm going to make my purchase in a shop rather than online. (Plus, I remembered the other thing that's been making me ignore my Marin. I lost the keys with the pinhead skewer for that bike and my favorite mechanic Carlos is the only one who can get wheel off.) I just wanted a little bit of advice. I love the LBS, but I feel like if I don't go in with a point of view, I'll end up getting talked into something that's not me at all. On that note, the advice so far had been great and keep it coming. ... and the Marin is a hybrid bike (a Redwood). https://goo.gl/images/XeTq8N I don't know the bb width, though I'm sure I could look it up. Everything except for the wheels, the pedals and the saddle is from the 90s stock build. One prior owner who took better care of it than me, but either never rode it or weighed 70lbs or something.
ReplyDeleteI'm not suggesting you shouldn't do the work yourself. However, if you stray even remotely from the stock setup/specifications, you'll end up spending a lot of money to solve a host of new problem that will present themselves in short order. But if all you want is a new crank, and you're not even slightly picky about how things work together afterward, then have at it. My standards are higher, which is why sometimes people trust me to do this stuff for them, and pay me a meager sum in exchange for my experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm not stubborn or proud, if it sounds difficult or gets difficult, I'll hand it off like a crying nephew. But I want to try first. As long as I purchase the right part and don't force anything, I don't see how I can get into that much trouble. I'm not messing with carbon.
DeleteFor fear of resembling Leonard Zinn (oh Gob no!) Here are a few tips, (though I said I wouldn't do this): 7/8/9 speed chain widths don't work nicely with any modern 10 or 11 speed chainrings (Tiagra, 105, etc). They also don't work well with old front derailleurs either, unless you have friction shifter (good on ya if you do). 7/8/9 speed rings are hard to find except on old or low quality cranks. An old chain of any width may skip on new rings if it's stretched from excessive wear.
DeleteYour hybrid bb shell is almost certainly 68mm. A modern crank/bb with external bearings like Shimano type 2 fits any 68 or 73mm by using spacers.
Changing from 3 to 2 rings means the shifter is not compatible. Changing tooth count significantly will mean the front der is likely not compatible. Going to a single ring MTB crank means a wide range cassette if you care to climb up or speed down hills. This means a new cassette, chain, shifter and derailleur that can handle the range at the back. If it's a old 7speed freehub all of this is no-go. With all that new stuff, you'll want to install new cables and housing so it works smoothly.
I can go on and on, but I've already bored myself. See a pro who knows more than just the latest drivetrain fashions. You might get lucky and a find an old-new bb and crank that will work just fine.
Trust your mechanic to mend your bike
ReplyDeleteBring it into his garage
He'll tighten and loosen a few spare parts
One thing's fixed, another falls apart
https://youtu.be/v6bigWDsOsI
Anon 7:55,
ReplyDeleteIt's called a crossWALK, not a standing zone. Had it been a bus lane, would she be standing there and yell the bus driver to fuck off?
I DO THRICE-DAILY ST......
ReplyDelete[kindly goes away]
When in doubt a longer shaft is better
ReplyDeleteSaskatchewan Speed Wrench at 11:42....
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you stray even remotely from the stock setup/specifications, you'll end up spending a lot of money to solve a host of new problem that will present themselves in short order.
...that's called fun.
SSW, wait a minute are you saying that if I change the crankset on my 3x7 speed bike with a 2x11 I'm going to need to change the shifters? The deuce! Seriously, I realize all of those things will need to change, but wouldn't I pick the crank first and build out from there with compatible shifters, cassette, etc. etc? And yes new cable and housing. That't the point. It's a great frame that hasn't been getting it's due. I have hung out at the LBS and seen people resist replacing their cassette along with their chain and other dumb dumb stuff, so I understand where you're coming from with this advice. People are cheap and stupid. But this isn't super enlightening.
ReplyDeleteAlso, also for context, when I complain about its disrepair, I'm exaggerating for comic effect. I generally keep all of my bikes in perfect working order so that I can grab any of them. I'll replace a part or parts in a minute if it feels less than factory fresh and I will take a couple of hours out of every weekend to deep condition my hair, do a charcoal mask, and do servicey things on my bikes. It used to be all of my bikes until i got a Raleigh that made me ignore the Marin. All that's really wrong with the Marin is that it needs a new chain and cassette. I haven't already done that because ... I don't love it as much as the other bikes so I don't feel like doing anything for it but I recognize that it's a good bike that fills a niche none of the other bikes do being nimbler than the work cycle and tougher than the Raleigh. So, I'm hoping that redoing some things will make things fresh again. I realize that money will be involved (let's be real as dop said, that's part of the fun).
Meh, unless I had some kind of sentimental attachment to the bike, I would not spend "a lot of money" on a twenty year old plus, entry level ride. True, it may be an opportunity to learn, but I agree with SSW that the bottom line can snowball surprisingly quick. If the rings are worn or the bottom bracket is shot, best case scenario would be to just install a similarly geared triple and compatible BB. While you're at it, go for the chain, cassette and cables. No big deal. Anything more than that, I'd be inclined to ride the thing into the ground as is, and save up for something built this century, and possibly a step or two up in spec.
ReplyDeletethe Hollowtech II system is the best crank/bb system in the entire world.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most correctist thing written in this batch of bike blog comments. I lean hard towards retrogrouchiness, and even I have to admit that the HTII system is all aces. The fact that you can completely overhaul your BB in under 15 minutes and barely get your hands dirty is hard to beat. Add in that you won't have to crawl around the floor looking for that last damn ball bearing that you dropped and it rolled under the workbench, and that's a win.
I always enjoy the comments that your old such-and-such isn't worth a damn, and you oughta' buy something new. Really lets me know who to ignore.
ReplyDeleteJanine, let us know how it goes with the Filthy Marin. Depending on your tolerance for shenanigans, really nice older cranks can be had on the ebays. If you're upgrading all the way, then the Shimano is the way to go. I don't race and I'm not sponsored by anybody, so I don't need high zoot parts to impress the homeless guys down by the bike path. Tiagra is good stuff, IMO. If it fits your bike, then I'd say it's fit for purpose. They even make the flat-bar shifty bits, which I assume is what you're working with.
I'm going to push back on this a bit. The only thing wrong with that bike is I've been ignoring it and unless we're talking like a Schwinn or a Mongoose, my experience says that people are entry level limiting factors more than their bikes. Let's say I spend, I dunno, shoot $500 improving the spec on this tough smooth frame that has zipped me through traffic during some tough NYC winters. I recognize that to many would seem like a bad investment because I should be getting some Trek or something made this century which will be better because "technology." I get that, but what I'm saying that this bike lasting as long as it has and offering pretty good performance with the spec parts tells me that what I got is pretty special. So maybe I do have a sentimental attachment. Maybe I'm a bit of a retrogrouch because part of me thinks that even an entry level frame from the 90s was likely put together with more care than one built by Chinese babies today.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"I've had some Race Face cranks, don't know if they've changed but they used all kinds of cheesy plastic washers and the BBs were terrible."
You're right, RF is like a reversed SRAM. Also horrible.
I'd agree with N/A as well, as much as I want to hate new stuff it's very good.
Weird that anyone can get away without providing an adjustable preload. Although considering how many idiots shout down any cup and cone bearing anywhere, I suppose it's liability.
...I don't actually intend to go completely crazy and spend $500 on stuff for this bike. I'm just saying that even at the outer edges of snowballing costs, we're talking about price ranges I could live with. There are $2,000 cranksets out there that people buy and ride in public without being embarrassed. I'm just going to go a little crazy, but isn't that what we do? Spend money and time on bikes? I can justify it at least in that it's utterly replaced a $1500/year MTA budget. I spend about $20-30/year on the subway these days. It is August. I have ridden the subway 7 times (that's each ride; not round trip). Thanks for the co-sign on the Hollowtech II, N/A. I'll add that to my list of things to ask about.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, no one said the bike isn't worth a damn. And no one said anyone oughta buy something new. Folks just brought up the realities of upgrading or replacing parts on older bikes. It's not always as straightforward as people think.
ReplyDeleteJanine, take all of this with a grain of salt. I am indeed fussy about my equipment, and will not tolerate poorly performing bikes or components.
ReplyDeleteThat having been said, over the past 35 years or so, I have heard again and again that if you mix Campy and Shimano, you have punched your ticket to the ER, if not the mortuary. If you run this chain with that setup, within the year you will have to replace both your chainrings and your cassette due to excessive wear, not to mention poor shifting. If you use this, you will have to replace your rear derailleur with one with a longer cage. If you don't dismount and re-glue your sew-ups at least every six months, you will surely die.
By and large, it is all bullshit.
It would likely cost at least $500 to improve the component spec with Tiagra on the bike, especially if you purchase from a LBS. Not including wheels or labor. If you want to do the work yourself, consider picking up a stand in addition to any tools you'll need. It would be a great learning experience.
ReplyDeleteDoing a quick search on the webs, a Shimano 8 speed crank in either mountain or roadways (depending on what a hybrid from the 90s uses.) that uses a HTII bottom bracket can be had for quite the reasonable price. 8speed cranks will work just peachy with the Filthy Marin's 7 speed freewheel and shifty bits if you're not wanting to change those. Maybe a front deraillleuar change? Of course, you'll have to re-calibrate your tire pressure after all that work.
ReplyDeleteI've never used the Claris line, but it seems to be good enough for the Axbros at Rivendell, and that's good enough for me!
ReplyDeleteI've got a stand and I'm kind of lying here. I'm figuring it will be about $500, BUT I'll say I estimate it will cost about $300 and then when it comes out to be 5 I'll just say it was just a bit more than I thought but still a great value, which is why bikes are for dummies who hate money. @wishiwasmerckx, I wasn't intending to mix Campy & shimano but I was hoping I could keep the brakes. Is that not possible? I've never putzed with my groupset before. I usually figure that on any working bike, I'm the thing that sucks so I just keep the setup I have. I have to warn everybody that the advice that it's more complicated than I think makes me really want to do it even more, though I'm backing off of trying the work myself. Maybe it will be enough of a learning curve to figure out my choices.
ReplyDeleteMarry me, N/A.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIs... is this just a ploy to get me to putz with your groupset? (BTW, I propose that this become a new slang phrase for doing stuff with another bike-cycler.)
It would get confusing. "I thought Wilma was into me, but it turns out she was only promising to let me putz with her groupset to get me to putz with her groupset."
ReplyDeleteI heard Wilma had a creaky bottom bracket.
ReplyDeleteLooking back at Monday's Recon glasses quiz answer and Patrick Seabase's fixie riding adventures, has anyone else picked up on the YouTube videos from Ed Pratt, who is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hhWlA_uARg ? He certainly puts some work into those videos and seems like a guy who appreciates his surroundings...
ReplyDeleteSorry, messed up the link to Ed Pratt's videos.
ReplyDeleteTerimakasih untuk infonya gan, sangat bermanfaat.
ReplyDeleteKhasiat Teripang Sebagai Obat Kanker
Alternatif Pengobatan
Walatra Gamat Emas Kapsul
Qnc Jelly Gamat
Obat Eye Care Softgel
Ace Maxs Asli
Green World Slimming Capsule
Obat Ambeien Herbal
That is some good advice with the passing column. Often I find whistling effective. Also agree that speaking to who ever your overtaking for example "good morning" is highly effective.
ReplyDeleteI was cycling on a pretty busy shared pathway a few years ago and this old guy, probably at least 75 (I still see him too) was a few lengths ahead, we were jra very slow with lots of peds. So there was this lady who was kind of walking erratically in front of us. The old guy said something like “excuse me” and she looked over at him and said “ring your bell!” in a really snotty way. Straight back at her he said “MY VOICE IS MY BELL.”
NYC is crowded.
ReplyDeleteHey - with that vintage safety video - I'm really confused...
ReplyDeleteI always thought that back before the world had color, everyone spoke in the iambic pentameter blank verse that Shakespeare wrote in. I didn't know people spoke in rhyme back when my granddad was young. All I know is that when my granddad was older, he couldn't put a noun and verb together with a four-letter word between.
Maybe that was the difference between the English language and the American language.
janinedm,
ReplyDeleteMy $00.02: Don't change a thing on that Marin. You've kept it just long enough to where now it's a sweet retro ride. I love it as-is.