I used to think one person on a tandem was sad. Not if they’re wheelying the thing from the stoker seat

Feb 22, 2008Posted by in Blog | Comments Off on I used to think one person on a tandem was sad. Not if they’re wheelying the thing from the stoker seat

I used to think one person on a tandem was sad. Not if they’re wheelying the thing from the stoker seat

Si, se puede! It can be done!

Sins & Sprockets — Ghostriding the whip with a tandem

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The last tandem I’d ever think to build

Jan 23, 2008Posted by in Blog | Comments Off on The last tandem I’d ever think to build

In the back to back tandem, riders face away from each other for an aero position. It’s pretty much the opposite of social biking

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2-trike tandem with blue and red DLG lights

Nov 22, 2007Posted by in Blog | Comments Off on 2-trike tandem with blue and red DLG lights

2-trike tandem with blue and red DLG lights

We’ve been riding a two-trike tandem with DLG lighting on both units. It’s fairly flashy going across Minneapolis on the Midtown Greenway. Here’s another view: just the one trike, on the new bike bridge on the Midtown Greenway trail:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

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Passenger eye level, a little known subtlety of social biking

Nov 18, 2007Posted by in Blog | Comments Off on Passenger eye level, a little known subtlety of social biking

Passenger eye level, a little known subtlety of social biking

After helping Myles install the Xtracycle FreeRadical on his Cruz Bike recumbent, it got me thinking once again about the passenger experience. On most long bikes such as the Xtracycle and the Mundo, the passenger’s eyes line up roughly with the middle of the back of the rider. This limits the front visibility of the passenger and leaves them to simply trust that the rider knows what they’re doing.

By serendipity, Myles’ Xtracycle build offered a much different passenger experience. As you can see in the picture, my eyes as a passenger lined up with the top of Myles’ head, allowing me a nearly complete view of the road as we cruised. Another subtlety of the passenger experience on the Cruz Bike / Xtracycle combo is how close the rider’s and passenger’s heads are to eachother. This makes conversation so much more easy going. You don’t lose nearly as many words to the wind, and you can talk to each other the same voice you’d use in a room.

The Cruz Bike isn’t for everyone, so before you run out and buy one, you should know that, like other recumbents, it’s going to make it more difficult for you to climb hills. There’s no way to climb ‘out of the saddle’ like you do when you need a burst of power on an upright bicycle.

When I designed the Soul Cycle Convertible Chopper, my goal was to provide both the powerful leg extension of an upright bicycle with the attitude, comfort, and passenger experience of a chopper / semi-recumbent bike.

Passenger and rider on the Soul Cycle Convertible Chopper
Above: Lisa can see over my shoulders while cruising on the Choprical Fish, based on the Soul Cycle Convertible Chopper frameset. Photo: Paul McKensie

Riding the Soul Cycle Convertible Chopper in the upright position.
Above: When it’s time to climb a hill on the Soul Cycle Convertible Chopper, the seat comes into upright position, allowing full leg extension for maximum power. Photo: Fast Boy.

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Welcome to Austin! Working with DJ Manny this weekend on Ultimate Mobile DJ

Sep 28, 2007Posted by in Blog | Comments Off on Welcome to Austin! Working with DJ Manny this weekend on Ultimate Mobile DJ

Welcome to Austin! Working with DJ Manny this weekend on Ultimate Mobile DJ

DJ Manny and I are collaborating on the Ultimate Mobile DJ rig, a rickshaw-based 1000-watt DJ system with a typically ‘foolish’ combination of elegant wiring, neon regalia, and multi-person capacity.

Manny is a well-known DJ who has recently opened for Prince, Bob Dylan, Matisyahu, Thievery Corporation, and Sofa Surfers. He’s ready to take is act to the streets!

Now we’ve got 4 days to turn a pedicab into a party bike. It’ll be my fastest Soul Cycle effort to date. Fortunately, Manny’s welder Francisco is quite enthusiastic and capable.

I’ll leave from here on Tuesday morning to rejoin the Clif Bar 2-Mile challenge. It’s a bit Fossil Foolish to fly here. But I really wanted to take this gig. I loved Manny’s vision and I think he’s going to take the street party culture to new levels.

I brought my Choprical Fish with me to Austin. Last night in Vegas I had to hustle to pack into two boxes. (The airline only charged me for one.) I’ll be doing the Moonlight Ride tomorrow with Austin bike people.

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