comfortable doesn't have to be ugly

There are various reasons people feel like bicycling isn't a practical form of transportation. One of them is finding a bike that is both comfortable and efficient. That is why many of us drive cars for our primary mode of transportation, because they are comfortable and it is familiar. While comparing bicycles with cars is kind of a fruitless task - it is helpful to know that there are things you can do to get the best of both worlds (comfort and efficiency/speed) out of bicycles.

On one hand, beach cruisers and mountain bikes can be very comfortable to ride - but their designs make them less appealing for more than short trips. Beach cruisers often lack gearing that allows you to travel at a nice speed, and mountain bikes have wide, knobby tires which greatly reduce efficiency on the road.

On the other hand, road bikes are built for speed and efficiency, but are sometimes less comfortable because they require a more aggressive riding position. By aggressive, I mean they require you to lean forward out toward your handlebars (as opposed to a beach cruiser which allows you to sit perfectly straight).

A good way to get both comfort and efficiency is by slightly modifying a road bike. I've taken my 1989 330 Trek and converted it from an entry-level road bike - to a much more comfortable city bike.

My Trek as I bought it - made it more ideal for "racing" or recreational riding where speed was of the essence. It featured "drop" handlebars which allow riders to get in aerodynamic positions. It also had a sport saddle which are typically lighter in weight, thus making it easier to ride at faster speeds. The shifters are also located on the downtube. While this is not the common practice now, this was the prominent design for most racing bicycles from the late 70's to the early 90's.

I've made several changes to my bike that make it really, really fun to ride in the city. First, I changed the handlebars from drops to mustache. For me, this provides a much more comfortable braking position than typical drop handlebars, and their design also allows me to sit more upright.

I also replaced the stem that had a downward degree slope with an upward one. This places my handlebars at a much higher level, making them essentially even with my saddle. Again, this puts me in a very comfortable riding position.

I've also switched the downtube shifters to bar-end shifters. These are are a real dream come true. I was used to downtube shifters, and had become somewhat proficient at shifting, but I did not enjoy the position it put me in when I had to shift, because you have to reach down and take your hand(s) off the handlebar. Bar-end shifters allow you to just slightly move your hand to shift - easily going about your business.

Finally - I sacrificed the weight of the saddle and got a Brooks leather saddle. What I sacrificed in weight, I more than made up in aesthetics and comfort. Brooks saddles are a financial investment, but properly maintained they will last a lifetime. They have a ravenous following with little design modifications in the past century they have been making them. Something must be right.

Finally, I added fenders. Mine are nothing fancy, and I've already put them to good use as it's rained a lot this past week. Fenders help protect your bike from road grime during the rain, and they also spare you from the dreaded rooster-tail.

With a few modifications - you can transform a road bike into a great commuter-errand bike. I still would like to put a front/rear rack on it - but I haven't found the bargains I'm looking for.

What changes/improvements to your bike have you made that has made it more enjoyable to ride? Anything I neglected?

iPhone app review: The Bike Computer

For quite some time I've wanted a bike computer. Not because I'm into watts, ohms, joules, or whatever it is those fancy things measure. More out of curiosity/convenience. I keep track of all the miles I ride and put it into a spreadsheet. For everyday computing and tallying, I use Gmaps Pedometer. It works great. They recently upgraded the interface so the path automatically stays within the streets. Very cool.

But sometimes you don't feel like going back and rethinking every twist and turn you took, just to find out the mileage you rode, right?

iPhone to the rescue! It's quickly becoming apparent that every day applications are being created for the iPhone that make life unbelievably convenient - and this is one of them. I've found another use for my precious!

There are several bike related applications for the iPhone, but this one was free and the interface seemed to look pretty nice, so I signed up. To use this application, you need to create an account at EveryTrail. This allows the bike computer to record your statistics/ride, and export it to your computer. When you login, you can then review your ride, keeping track of elevation, average speed, and all other types of things. It's quite a nifty feature.

For all its convenience, bells + whistles... the application isn't perfect. So, for those looking for atomic-clock accuracy, you're better off with an actual bike-computer. The application relies on the GPS function of your phone and updates the computer with your position, relative to time elapsed.

When I reviewed some of my routes, it shows quite a bit of meandering when I'm supposedly stopped at a light. To make up for this, sometimes it shows my maximum speed at well over 50 miles per hour. While I'm certainly an experienced cyclist - I know I'm not riding that fast.

Utilizing this feature also requires that you mount your iPhone on to your bicycle so that you can view it. There are several affordable mounts on the market, but I can't speak for their security or durability. I have serious qualms about mounting a $300 electronic device on my bike. I'm not sure about the rattling, as well because I ride at night - I'm afraid it might be a neon sign inviting a mugging.

So when I've used it - I just slipped it in my phone pouch mounted on the front strap of my messenger bag.

So to review - the pros

• It's free
• It's easy to use
• Great web interface
• Fancy features provided by EveryTrail, including watching the progress of your ride in sped up time
• Very nice display on the screen

the cons

• Poor accuracy
• Risks inherent in mounting your iPhone to your bike
• Sucks up battery
  

All in all, I think this is a fun application and great for a nascent bike-statistics nerd. I think the optimal use for this app is if you are going on a social ride and are interested in keeping track of the wild goose chase that is often your route.