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Welcome to Velo Vision, the practical cycling magazine.Print edition: Subscribe and/or order sample copies, back issues, PDFs, T-shirts etc...here! Digital edition: details or subscribe! The current issue is Issue 35. The next issue is out in December 2009.
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Midweek miscellanyVintage sales, cycling motorists survey, Danish Dreams on Wheels, 48 spoke Rohloff conversion, load bikes and long bikes, wooden and tilting trikes and recumbent road racing. Sue Archer writes: Velocipedes under the hammer From their press release: Auctioneer Richard Edmonds of Chippenham Auction Rooms is used to bringing his gavel down on the sale of vintage and classic cars, but on 31st October he will also be selling a couple of venerable 19th century cycles. A 'Boneshaker' thought to be a Woods Brothers model from New York: ...and a Touren 'Invincible' tricycle ... will go under the hammer alongside later mechanised vehicles which owe a lot to innovations originally devised for tricycles, such as rack and pinion steering and the differential. Richard Edmonds, having attempted to ride both machines, admitted that he will be sticking to his car but says "They are extremely interesting to look at, though, from an historical point of view and a real testament to innovation and invention." The auction will take place at Castle Coombe Race Circuit, Wiltshire. For more information call Richard on 01249 444544 or email [email protected] Cyclists make better drivers It's something many of us have suspected for some time. The 'Cycling Motorists' survey by the UK's Institute of Advanced Motorists has discovered that a majority of both cycling and non-cycling motorists agree that cycling experience makes for more careful drivers. The survey of over 1000 drivers reveals that around half of motorists own a bike, and two fifths ride regularly. Exercise, economy and enjoyment are the top reasons given for cycling, while perceived dangers, the state of the roads and bad weather are key deterrents. Neil Greig, the IAM's director of Policy and Research, points out that there are a mountain of unused bikes in Britain, and while no single intiative will get more motorists cycling, the research provides useful evidence for focussing campaigns to promote bike use. Clearly, if drivers who cycle are safer, then increasing bike use is a benefit to all. The report can be obtained from the IAM as hard copy, or should shortly be available to download here. Danish Dreams Many Northern European countries seem to represent a dream of what utility cycling could be like, and if you're in London during September, you can see a view of contemporary cycling in Copenhagen and London at the Dreams on Wheels exhibition at City Hall. Thanks to Carl Georg Rasmussen of Leitra for bringing it to our attention. More spokes for your Rohloff Spotted via the YACF tandems section: a rather drastic solution if you feel that your tandem back wheel really must have more than the 32 spokes which a standard Rohloff hub accommodates. If you're prepared to entrust your Rohloff Speedhub to Aaron's Bicycle Repair in Seattle, USA, they can drill it to take 48 spokes. Rohloff-related wheel problems seem to be relatively rare, even on tandems, thankfully, especially if Rohloff-specific rims are used with the correct spoke tension, so this should probably be something of a last resort. Loads and long bikes Here at Velo Vision we know that it's possible to carry almost anything by bike. Practical Cycles feel the same and they'd like to hear your thoughts on load carrying cycles. You can fill in their survey here and if you leave your email address, they'll enter you in the draw for one of three prizes, including a year's subscription to Velo Vision. Names will be drawn on 30th September. Meanwhile, if you need to move something really long, a sleeping giraffe perhaps, or a small narrowboat, why not try the Bakfiets Extra Long Cargobike from Workcycles? We suspect a little April Foolery, and certainly some Photoshopping... Of course, any bike can be converted to carry more stuff, as proved by the Fixed Gear Gallery's Grocery Getter contest. The winner, David Mahan, produced this separable trolley bike with detachable front end for wheeling into the store. Carl Magnusson's Soviet themed bike involved less radical surgery, but has some very impressive mudguards. If any reader can tell translate the Cyrillic decals for us, we'd be grateful... thanks to Marc Siepman of VeloVision NL for the tip-off. A brace of trikes Some pictures of two slightly different recumbent trike projects: firstly, the Jetrike - not jet powered, but this tilting delta trike apparently feels like flying. Since the designer Henry Thomas is an advocate of open source software, he's made the plans for this trike and some other designs freely available here. If you want to try and understand the geometry involved, there's a detailed explanation. The Zelo on the other hand (see here for an English translation) uses fairly ordinary trike geometry and steering, but a more unusual material - wood. This gives it some lovely clean organic lines, and after a few thousand miles on the road, it is apparently working well. Many thanks to Jonathan Fronhoffs for the link. Rutenbrock racing Finally, also on a recumbent note, and spotted on Cyclechat, a rider's-eye video of recumbent racing around the village of Rutenbrock, Germany. The empty roads make an interesting race track and it must have been quite a sight for spectators! Posted on 26 August 2009 Your comments ...
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