Getting A Grip – Bike Snob NYC

Getting A Grip – Bike Snob NYC

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I loved commuting a lot on the Pink Faggin final week that I did it once more yesterday:

This group of individuals ready for the sunshine is an ideal illustration of contemporary day New York Metropolis “bicycle” site visitors:

Of the 4 of us, solely 50% are pedaling below our personal energy, 25% are utilizing an electrical motor, and the opposite 25% is like, “Fuck it, I’m burning gasoline.”

Additionally, of the 25% of motorcycle site visitors that’s electrified, I’d say 25% of them are portaging small canine:

Anyway, the P.F. is a variety of enjoyable to experience within the metropolis, however there’s just one actual downside with it–and it’s not that it’s unwell suited to dog-portaging:

No, the issue is that the handlebars will not be notably snug. They give the impression of being good, they’re slim sufficient to simply make your manner by way of site visitors, they usually’re simply high-quality for shorter journeys. Nevertheless, at this level in my life I crave backsweep, and after awhile the kinda-swept-but-not-swept-enough place of those bars (coupled with the low-ish place) begins to trouble my palms only a bit.

On the similar time, I’ve additionally been considering currently that it’s time to go a little bit shorter on the stem on the Homer:

After I first acquired the bike I used to be utilizing bars with numerous sweep, however these bars are the other and have an unusually lengthy prime portion which is kind of snug but in addition places the hoods manner on the market. So not too long ago it occurred to me that I may resolve each issues without delay, by switching the bars on the P.F. after which stealing the stem for the Homer. This morning I acquired proper to work:

Right here is “new” bar (actually an previous one from my handlebar stash), which as soon as upon a time Rivendell used to promote because the “Dove Bar,” and which it appears to be like like Soma nonetheless carries:

It’s a slim bar meant for city driving, and I consider Rivendell stopped promoting it as a result of it’s not heat-treated they usually didn’t need individuals getting too rowdy with them or going off-road or no matter, however don’t quote me on that as a result of perhaps I’m remembering incorrect. Anyway, I’m not the rowdy kind and I’ve solely ever used it for its meant function, and I’ve at all times appreciated it very a lot for comfy-yet-sporty metropolis bikes:

They’re not an excessive amount of wider than the opposite bars, both, which meant that not solely may I maintain slithering by way of site visitors, however I additionally wouldn’t have to vary cables:

I additionally had an ideal quill stem to interchange the one I’d be stealing for the Homer–just a bit bit longer to offset that further sweep a bit:

Because of the bolt-on grips and the actual fact I didn’t want to vary cables, I accomplished the swap very quickly, and whereas I solely rode it up and down the road it felt like a giant enchancment:

See, it’s all about that sweep:

Subsequent I turned my consideration to the Homer:

This too would have been a easy operation if I’d been coping with open-face stems, however of I wasn’t, so I needed to unwrap half the bar and fully undo the entrance shifter.

The stem I stole off the P.F. was rather a lot shorter than the one on the Homer, however I figured it will nonetheless give me sufficient peak–and extra importantly internet me some critical weight financial savings!

Simply kidding:

Oh, for those who’re questioning concerning the tape on the stem, I’ve a bizarre factor about marking quill stem and seatpost peak, don’t fear your self about it.

There’s one thing unsettling about deconstructing a cockpit–like cleansing a sink entice, you hope every thing will return collectively and that you just gained’t should run to the shop for something. Thankfully the operation went pretty easily:

Whereas I did want to make use of a brand new entrance derailleur cable, I even managed to reuse the already-reused bar tape! Every thing felt nice on the take a look at experience, too, and right here you may see that lengthy prime portion I discussed earlier:

Along with the bars, I additionally made a pair different modifications:

Now that the Homer’s doing critical commuter responsibility a plastic saddle appeared like much less of a trouble, although in fact if I wind up lacking the Brooks I’ll put it again. I additionally modified the pedals only for the hell of it; I really like the authentic pedals, however I used to be additionally curious to see how the bike feels with an even bigger platform. This too could also be a short-lived change, if solely as a result of I’m undecided concerning the shade, although it may additionally not be a foul concept to place the unique pedals on the P.F.

A lot to consider.

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