Tag Archives: bicycle design

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

Blinking under a sun unseen. 30 days of biking, #14

Posted on April 14, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

Symmetry is illusion. Viewed from the front, a traditional steel-framed bicycle has chainrings, when it has more than one, on the left. And though the pedals are mirror images of each other, one is either closer to the viewer if … Continue reading →

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The original WYSIWYG. 30 days of biking, #2

Posted on April 3, 2022 by 16incheswestofpeoria

A bicycle doesn’t look like anything else but but a bicycle. It doesn’t look like you or me, a soda bottle or an airplane. A bicycle doesn’t have an interior. Everything it is—with the exception of bearings and, these days, … Continue reading →

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Bicycle repair: Solving a puzzle without any edge pieces

Posted on May 10, 2020 by 16incheswestofpeoria

A bicycle in need of repair is a puzzle. What shifter can you find to go with the freewheel or cassette you have? Is that dirty chain in the junk box a usable takeoff or something for a backyard sculpture? … Continue reading →

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Standing up for single speed

Posted on February 11, 2020 by 16incheswestofpeoria

Another winter bicycle project. Look, Ma: No derailleurs. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, Equipment, Mongoose Deception | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment