Here is a preview of the new Civia Twin City Step-Through from JC Lind Bikes. I picked her up today for a weekend review. The last bike I reviewed was way back in October, although I posted the review in February, so I'm excited to try a new bike.
I have big weekend plans for me and the Twin City, including a trip to the farmer's market. Stay tuned for a full review next week.
Also, check back on Monday morning for an exciting announcement about the evolution of Let's Go Ride a Bike! You may...
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Trisha showed you her Little Miss Messy coffee-stained Abici and now I'll show you my Little Miss Muddy Velorbis. On Wednesday I rode Coco, my Velorbis, in the rain for the first time. I discovered that the gorgeous cream-colored frame shows mud quite clearly. I'm not good at keeping my bikes clean, but I definitely have to wipe Coco down after the rain.
Although Coco's aesthetics suffer in the rain, her performance is top notch. The substantial fenders, chain case, and internal brakes are perfect for ke...
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Last week, Betty Foy got a major freshening up for the spring: a complete tune-up and cleaning, plus a new chain, brake pads, cables and a two-footed kickstand. She's such a lovely bike and rides like a dream, still like new.
I documented her cleanliness, since she won't look like this again until her next tune-up.
I guess the original chain would have lasted longer, if I had been better with preventative maintenance. I'll try to be more conscientious from now on, but I've always bee...
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As I mentioned yesterday, I recently test rode a Yuba Mundo from J.C. Lind Bikes for 24 hours. Yuba is a utility bike company based in California and the Mundo can carry up to 450 pounds of cargo on the back while riding like a regular bike. As some of my co-workers noted today, this is the station wagon of bikes (as opposed to Oma, which they've called my Cadillac).
The bike is not super heavy for its size and is equipped with 21 gears on a derailleur system to help make any load do-able.
You cha...
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Because of the icy weather, I have not been riding Coco, my Velorbis Studine Balloon, as much as I desperately want to, choosing instead my studded-tire bike. I can count the substantial rides I've taken with her on one hand - not enough for a real review, but enough to talk a bit here and there as I get to know her better.
After my first work commute with Coco a couple of weeks ago, I talked about her ride. In that post, I mentioned how Coco's geometry is different from Oma's, even though the two look like si...
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I rode Coco to work Monday, before Tuesday's snowfall sent me back to Oma and her studded tires. I was so giddy to have a new bike, I decided to take Coco on a spin to the lakefront during lunch with my camera and a roll of film.
I haven't ridden Coco enough yet to provide in-depth opinions on how she performs, but I'll offer some initial thoughts. She feels great! The ride is similar to Oma's and nothing like Betty Foy's. She weighs a bit less than Oma and is a bit more sprightly, but spee...
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Drum roll, please...
After a teaser several weeks ago, I'm happy to report that a new bike has finally joined the Dottie household: A Velorbis Studine Balloon: designed in Denmark, made in Germany and sold in Chicago at Copenhagen Cyclery.
Rust-colored Schwalbe Fat Frank balloon tires, creamy white steel frame...
Integrated rear rack with briefcase hook...
Wheel lock, double kick stand, chain case...
Bell, comfy rubber grips...
3-speed Sturmey Archer internal hub...
...
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Earlier this year, Trisha and I opened a Formspring account and welcomed you all to ask us questions. We've been answering the questions on Formspring individually as they come in. Now we're putting the answers together as a cohesive FAQ section, although some of the questions are not so frequent. :) This is the second half. Read the first half here.
Amsterdam is flat. Chicago is flat. Is Nashville flat? What effect does topology have on how bike-friendly a city is? I suppose Portland is not flat.
I don't...
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Earlier this year, Trisha and I opened a Formspring account and welcomed you all to ask us questions. We've been answering the questions on Formspring individually as they come in. Now we're putting the answers together as a cohesive FAQ section, although some of the questions are not so frequent. :) This is the first half. We'll post the second half soon.
How and when did Dottie and Trisha meet?
Trisha and I met through our mutual friend, Erin, at a group happy hour. The first meeting I really remember w...
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Chicago's first snow of the season arrived on time, the first day of winter. There was only a dusting and I was fine cycling along the Lakefront Trail with no special snow gear. Poor Betty Foy will be packed away soon for the winter season and Oma will be outfitted with her old studded tires, so I'm enjoying the remaining time I have with Betts.
My work outfit of a dress, cardigan and tights was fine. For the ride I threw on my wool overcoat, mittens, scarf, hat, helmet, wool socks and snow boots - the sa...
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