My introduction to e-bikes has been a mixed bag.  The first e-bike I rode was Portland’s own Biketown model – a giant clunky bike meant to be shared and abused by the masses.  While the e-bike version of this bike was a vast improvement over the analog version, it is an unwieldy beast with a rough ride on rough pavement.  Later, I purchased a Brompton e-bike (C line electric model), and have had mixed feelings about that riding experience.  Earlier this year I bought a used e-bike from an acquaintance and the bike motor failed on my second outing. So, it was with some trep ..read more

During the mid-1980’s Raleigh came out with a whole touring line-up that ranged from the top-end 650b Portage to the entry level Wyoming model.  In between were the Kodiak and the Alyeska models which used 27inch wheels.  All of their touring frames were built with Reynolds double butted 555R tubing and forged dropouts, with the main differences among the models being the fork material, braze-ons and components.  All of these bikes were simply amazing in their build quality, and any one of them would be a great platform for many different kinds of riding. When I purchased ..read more

Portland grown tomatoes It was an extraordinarily gorgeous summer here in Portland.  We didn’t have super hot days, nor tons of wildfire smoke.  It was dry, as is true of the last several summers, but sans apocalyptic occurrences like pandemics, heat domes, and unbreathable air.  In short, this summer was a welcome relief from the past few even though we had very little rain.  While my flower and vegetable garden thrived,this also seemed to be the season of various equipment failures, including rims, tires, cassettes, an ebike motor, and my own muscles. Deore hubs Ritc ..read more

On this bitter cold snowy day in Portland, Oregon I took a nostalgia trip back to the 1970’s.  Long ago, I had a copy of this 1976 Bicycling! magazine edition but it had somehow gone missing.  I’ve been searching for another one since, and finally found a copy in good shape on eBay.  So, since cycling today (or tomorrow or the next day) is likely out of the question due to record snowfall and below freezing temperatures, it was fun to spend time perusing this mag’s fascinating pages. The ads in vintage cycling magazines are actually as interesting (or more so) than the article ..read more

While recently perusing my 1976 Bikelopedia compendium, authored by Fred DeLong, I began looking more closely at the illustrations, as they seemed unusual in their free-hand style, depicting a whimsical contrast to the precision of Daniel Rebour’s artistry.  Bikelopedia is a compilation of Fred Delong’s columns in Bicycling! Magazine, which first appeared in 1970.  This edition of Bikelopedia contains Fred’s informative and sometimes grumpy responses to reader inquiries appearing in Bicycling! magazine since 1970.  It also includes a few other authors who helped prepare answers ..read more

It’s been a typical gloomy winter in Portland this year, with plenty of grey, stormy days.  Normally I ride my winter bike – a 1987 Panasonic MC7500 which I converted to a commuter bike quite a while back.  But this winter, the bike just didn’t speak to me as it has in the past, and I’ve decided to sell it and let someone else enjoy its funky delights.  I had previously stripped the Bridgestone MB-3 bike down to the frame a while back as well, as the build I did at the time also didn’t really stick.  I guess I am fickle! So, for this iteration of the 1989 Bridgestone MB3 ..read more

Sachs Orbit hub on 1973 Jack Taylor Wanting to continue my deep dive into internally geared hubs, and looking for a few good projects to stave off the winter doldrums, I decided to overhaul the Sachs Orbit hybrid hub on my 1973 Jack Taylor, as it has been feeling a little sluggish and probably needs some attention, given that I’ve done nothing to it since I acquired the bike years ago except to give it a drop of oil now and then. The previous owner of my Jack Taylor had modified the original rear wheel to include this hub, instead of a standard freewheel type hub, thus allowing the removal o ..read more

There’s nothing like the comfort, reliability, and just plain fun of riding vintage three speed bicycles, especially those made by Raleigh and other U.K. manufacturers.  For decades, these bikes were the transportation of choice for the working class.  They are built to last, and their utility has already spanned across two centuries.  Properly cared for, these well built machines may outlast even our children’s children, and are a wonderful treasure to pass on to the future. However, as built, these bikes are geared high and are difficult to ride uphill.  In practice, wal ..read more

  I’ve developed an interest in folding bikes as well as small wheeled bicycles over the years.  Lately, I’ve also wanted to explore the growing world of e-bikes.   I combined all of these interests together in purchasing this Brompton C line electric bicycle. Before delving in to my impressions of the bike, there’s first a lot to unpack about Brompton bicycles in general and the e-bike version specifically.  First and foremost, this is a folding bike with tiny 16 inch wheels.  It folds into a squarish size that can easily fit behind a desk or in even the smalle ..read more

Rainy, dark winters are the perfect time to hunker down and disassemble something.  Since I’ve been wanting to know more about servicing SA 3 speed hubs, last winter I decided to take the plunge, having two potential candidates in my parts bins:  a 1974 model and one from 1978. I knew I needed to do more than just endlessly stare at this parts schematic.  Fortunately, Glenn’s Complete Bicycle Manual dedicates 16 pages to the overhaul process.  And, I found especially helpful the online repair guides from Sutherland’s (courtesy of the Sheldon Brown site) and from Sturmey A ..read more