Category Archives: Equipment

Why to shift gears without electricity

Posted on February 22, 2023 by 16incheswestofpeoria

The way I understand it, pushing a button to initiate a wireless gear change is like squirting ketchup out of a plastic bottle: the signal travels between shifter and derailleur in a straight line. My understanding, of course, is based … Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, bicycle, Equipment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Wherein the person awheel comes dangerously close to dissing all that was holy and good. 30 days of biking, #28

Posted on May 1, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” —1 Corinthians 13:11 __ When I rode seriously, I … Continue reading →

Posted in #30daysofbiking, Becoming a bicycle, Equipment, History, People, Report from the road | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Drop in, load up, carry on. 30 days of biking, #26

Posted on April 29, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

The new handlebar bag is here! The new handlebar bag is here! I’m somebody! I’m somebody with a second made-in-Canada bag from Arkel. The first one is the large bag; this is the small one. I got the small bag … Continue reading →

Posted in #30daysofbiking, Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Working in the margins. 30 days of biking, #25

Posted on April 28, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

You’re looking at junk. That’s what I thought, too. I thought it was a green and white bike. Then I peeled off the decals. Nope, it’s a white bike. I kept looking at it and realized the only thing wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in #30daysofbiking, Equipment, maintenance, Mongoose Deception, Read and roll | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gearing up for spring. 30 days of biking, #22

Posted on April 25, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

Just realized this Giant Escape is the first 10-speed I’ve owned since a Motobecane Champion Team in the late ’70s. The Giant has one chainring and a cassette with 10 cogs. One times 10 equals 10. The Moto had two … Continue reading →

Posted in #30daysofbiking, Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment