Author Archives: 16incheswestofpeoria

About 16incheswestofpeoria

Former bicycle mechanic, current peruser of books, feeder of birds.

Goodbye, N + 1

Posted on June 14, 2019

N + 1 is the formula to calculate the number of bicycles one should own. Have one bicycle? The right number to own is two. Have 15 bicycles? The right number is 16. There are at least three reasons why … Continue reading →

Posted in Bianchi, Bike Friday tikit, Dahon, Fisher, Giant, Paisely, Schwinn Corvette, Schwinn Sports Tourer, Sekai 2500 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coffee first

Posted on May 10, 2019

Everyone’s inside today, but the only thing I need to add to my work clothes is a light jacket–and a double Americano. Came too late for a cookie, though.

Posted in Bike Friday tikit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Rack and fender attachment

Posted on March 10, 2019

Two nifty design ideas from my friend Dave Atkinson. First: the mono-stay connecting the front of Blackburn rack to the frame of this old Schwinn mixte. It’s curved to match the shape of the wheel and painted to match the … Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, maintenance | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nitto Technomic handlebar stem

Posted on February 24, 2019

This isn’t my first go-round with the Technomic. Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, maintenance, Trek | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wolf Tooth Pack Wrench – ultralight 1″ hex and bottom bracket wrench

Posted on February 14, 2019

If you work on your own bicycles, you know the allure of purpose-built bicycle tools. The right tool simplifies the job, whether it’s a spoke wrench shaped to fit the hand as well as the nipple, or a threaded-headset wrench … Continue reading →

Posted in maintenance, tools | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

You may be about to pass a fixed-gear bicycle if…

Posted on December 17, 2018

A Campy peanut-butter wrench. One of the oldest tools I own, hanging from the seat bag of the only bike I’d use it on. That’s because the wheels of this Bianchi Pista are secured by nuts, not quick releases. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Bianchi, maintenance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A chicken’s tale

Posted on July 31, 2018

Why do we ask ourselves why the chicken crossed the road? To get to the punch line in a hurry. It may also be a way to explore the human condition without the human. Why did the chicken cross the … Continue reading →

Posted in Report from the road | Tagged , , | Leave a comment