Recent content by footloose

Gallagher, a leading proponent of the “bigger hammer” approach to life… brought a lot of laughter to the world. “Gallagher, who became one of the most recognizable comedians of the 1980s for an outrageous act that always concluded with him smashing a watermelon with a sledgehammer, died on...

Last bike I help build for a friend, we used the smaller Bafang 350W geared motor. It is pretty sweet. Might be perfect for your wife's build. Seems like over the years I'm actually appreciating lower-power builds more than higher-power builds. Could be I'm getting more sense with age, could...

Second that. I have a MAC, 12T, 48V system. Lots of torque, it zooms. DD by comparison ... feels like it gives me time to plan my day and meditate for a while as it is getting up to speed. Not a bad thing, just different.

Great question! From the parameters you describe in your normal ride, I think range of DD vs Geared would be so close as to be insignificant. The variable that might make a difference is number of starts and stops. Very large number of starts = technical advantage to Geared. Very low number...

Evolution of my basic toolkit has been driven by some multi-week touring rides -- me, pedal bike, small panniers, credit card. So my goal has been keep it light and minimal, but be able to deal with most situations. This little kit plus a spare inner tube (not shown) has proven able to handle...

Nicobie — possible to get some more detail on the drill press table? Looks very useful.

I’ve only seen and used the 1/8 chain. For a single-speed or IGH hub built up on a frame with vertical drop-outs that 3/32 chain would be really useful … thanks for the link!

Dick did have the steps in his plan in the right order! What do you think he would make of our modern world, where the highways are lined with billboards: "Injured or Maimed?? Get the $$$ you deserve!! Only pay when we win! Call 1-800-BottomFeeder." I am sorry for the child and her family, but...

Article in NYT today. 18 year old shot a pellet gun from car. Hit off-duty LE employee in the back. The guy hit in back spun around and fired one shot from a real gun. The 18 year old is dead. The LE guy is up on charges that carry a potential life sentence. Of course I’d like to fool around...

Details please! I’m grateful to have a reasonable hobby woodshop … but have neither space nor budget for a full metalshop. Nor frankly the need … most metalwork I would do is small scale. Would value info on your experience — what machines you have, what mods were needed, would you get same...

99 cent/ no reserve auction used to produce best $$ outcome for sellers. No more. Believe best strategy now is fixed price listing with best offer turned on …

Nice work! The litmus test (for me) on bikes is ... when I see it, do I get the "hey, I'd like to take it for a spin" feeling. Would definitely like to take a cruise on this one. The B67 / Flyer saddle is cool, but I bet replacing it with something cushier will make this a really comfortable...

Love it! The built-in barbecue function is PRICELESS ... a ride that even cooks tube steaks ... wow. Gotta love our old friend Steam! Once upon a time it was the amazing, new, transformational power source ... clean, powerful, and no smell of old horse poop from the technology it displaced...

The concept scales well, and lends itself to electrification. Saw this a couple years ago in the Netherlands. By my count: 1 set of twins, 2 little kids, 2 adults, and 1 dog ... with room left over. Probably wouldn't give it 5-stars for handling, though.

It is a time-tested design for sure. You still see them in use making deliveries in some parts of the world. I think the common name -- baker's bike -- tells the story: they are great for carrying large loads of relatively light stuff like, say, loaves of bread. From "Bicycle Design - An...