How to Wrap Road Bike Handlebars

I have posted on the topic of How to Wrap Bicycle Handlebars before. Twas a YouTube post before too.

However you may recall I only gave that video 4.5 stars out of 5.

I think I have found a 5 star video on the topic, a two-parter. Both parts of the video are shown below.

Should Toronto have elevated bicycles lanes?

Should Toronto have elevated bicycles lanes?

Post your comments below and let everyone know what you think of this Utopian idea of building elevated bicycles lanes across Toronto. See the photo and map below if you are unfamiliar with the concept.

Toronto Architect Chris Hardwicke wants to build something pretty futuristic. He proposes "a high speed, all season, pollution free, ultra-quite transit system that makes people healthier. Using an infrastructure of elevated cycle tracks, velo-city creates a network across the City. "

His Velo-City idea, although novel, is largely unrealistic. I can still admire it however and daydream about it. The kind of spending required to even start a pilot project like that however should really be going towards subway expansion instead.

Below: Chris Hardwicke's map of where he would build elevated bicycle lanes.

Or you know, we could just improve the quality and number of existing bicycle lanes. Much more feasible. (Although not so much under our current crack-smoking temper-tantrum wife-beating mayor Rob Ford.)

Slightly Oval Chainring - Look for better quality!

Q

Hi Charles,

I own a good quality fixed gear bike. Nonetheless, is it normal for there to be tight and loose spots on the chain. When the crank side arm is facing front, the chain is at it's tightest. Turn 180 and it is loose. It is not so loose that it will come off the chain ring. For a Campagnolo crank I was expecting higher tolerances. I have read that tight and loose spots are to be expected on a fixed gear bike. I would like a second opinion. What is yours in this matter. Thank you

Andre

A

Hello Andre!

It is the result of lower quality chainrings and cranksets that are more oval shaped instead of perfect circles. It is only off by a mm or so, but its enough to be annoying. (With bicycles, being off by even 0.5 of a mm is often a big deal.)

If it bothers you then you can purchase higher quality parts that are more perfectly round.

Make sure you mounted the ring properly. Try removing the chain ring and remounting it slowly by tightening the bolts, every 2nd one in a star pattern, so they are evenly tightened. Tightening all the way on one side and going around can warp the aluminum ring. Let me know if this works and helps you. :)

The companies that are making such shoddy parts are the ones who like to spread the claim that such imperfections are "normal". Yes, imperfections do happen. Its the result of a faulty manufacturing process that results in a percentage of chainrings being slightly oval shaped.

Even better quality companies sometimes have this problem, but their quality control should be ensuring that the chainring is as close to perfectly circle as they can make it. And anything less than quality should be tossed and recycled.

But claiming that such imperfections should just be "accepted" as normal is misinformation on their part.

Sincerely,
Charles Moffat
The Bicycle Mechanic

PS. I do agree, I would expect better quality from a Campagnolo chainring. If I was the manufacturer I would be apologizing and offering to send you a new one.

FOLLOW UP

Hi Charles,

 

I just finished putting my bike back together. I followed your directions and found there to be much less play on the loose side. Much better!

 

Thanks

 

André

Sylvester and Arnold Bicycling

I just thought this photo of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger on bicycles amusing.

:)

What is even more amusing is how they both chose black bicycles (trying to fit in and look badass eh?) and are wearing roughly the same things. White running shoes, blue shorts, watches, black sunglasses.

I wonder who would win in a bicycle race?

(Note: Robin Williams would probably beat them both in a bicycle race. Robin Williams is pretty serious about his cycling. See the photo further below.)

Bicycles and Bike Parts prices to go up

The Conservative government of Canada and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty are raising taxes (tariffs) on bicycles and bicycle parts being imported to Canada.

Canada annually imports $125 million in bicycles from the 72 countries covered by the increase.

The Conservatives are raising tariffs to 13 per cent from 8.5 per cent, which will result in a price increase of roughly 4.5%.

The tariff tax increase is part of a larger plan by the Conservatives whereby imports from 72 countries will be increased.

In 2012 Finance Minister Jim Flaherty trumpeted the benefits of his budget in October 2012 by announcing various budget measures in a bicycle shop, the Joe Mamma bike store in Ottawa. This year Jose Bray, owner of the Joe Mamma bike store, says he feels misled by Flaherty.

In October 2012 Flaherty declared that he would not raise taxes and would give small businesses a tax credit.

But instead Flaherty has increased taxes, by way of new tariffs that he says will increase prices for a number of consumer products, including bicycles.

Pensioners and Native Canadians are also getting the proverbial shaft with the new budget.

Atomic 22 Nuts

Atomic 22 Nuts is a solution for people who are worried about having their back or front wheels stolen off their bicycle.

What are they?

Basically, they are weirdest looking pair of nuts you've ever seen (pun intended).

The idea is simple. If the bicycle thief doesn't have a wrench that can take off the nut, he really can't steal your wheels on you. Thus you really don't need the extra D-lock for your bicycle.

However these nuts and other parts are pretty expensive and are usually sold in bundled sets. But hey, if its expensive then the bicycle thieves won't have them. See the prices at http://atomic22.com/buy-tribe-tracknut.aspx

Learn more by visiting atomic22.com

Bicycle Mechanic Apprentice

"Hi Charles,

 

I tried to post to 'The Bicycle News' but was unsuccessful. I wanted to pass on some news for March 2013.

 

 I have just signed a training agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities to be a bicycle mechanic apprentice. They in  turn gave me a 31 page training and curriculum schedule for bicycle mechanics. I am to complete 2000 hours of on the job training followed by 250 hours of class room time. In six to eight weeks they will send an 'Apprentice ID Card'. The fee for filing the form was $40.00. I am also a recent graduate of the Winterborne School in Guelph. To my knowledge I am the first and the only official bicycle mechanic apprentice in Ontario and Canada. You may want to pass this most current information  on to your readership.

 

My name is Roy Berger.

 

Keep on wrenchiing. Cheers. Roy

March 27th 2013"

 

Well congrats Roy!

I wish you luck in your new career as a bicycle mechanic.

 

I hear Gears Bike Shop is always hiring new mechanics. If they have a shop in your area I recommend checking them out and asking for work.

My personal recommendation for people is the Quadra Bicycle Mechanic School in B.C.

And failing that, there is also Winterbourne and of course the Barnett Bicycle Institute. They all offer training programs, certificates and fancy names to go with their course.

I myself got a BTAC Certification from the old BAM program back when they were training bicycle mechanics under Smokey Dymny. That was a big deal back then because it was BTAC passing out the certifications.

However as you may have learned, being a certified bicycle mechanic doesn't mean squat if the local bicycle shop won't take the risk of hiring you. They all want to hire experience mechanics with years of experience - but they never bother to take on new mechanics because they don't want to be bothered with training them.

 

Or retraining them as the case often is, because each bike shop likes their own way of doing things - which results often in shoddy mechanics doing sloppy work because they are rushing the job of fixing a client's bicycle.

And as many bicycle mechanics who are older will also tell you, being a bicycle mechanic is often about loving what you do. You just love fixing things, and you love bicycles. The pay is horrible, but you're happy because you are doing what you love.