Bicycling gifts

On Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 4:12:00 PM UTC-8, Mark J. wrote:
On 12/20/2020 2:23 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 11:28:37 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Op zondag 20 december 2020 om 17:27:18 UTC+1 schreef Frank Krygowski:
Suppose a member of your extended family kind of likes to bike. Suppose
that person has a decent bike, and because of the events of 2020 has
been riding it much, much more than usual.

What would you consider as a bike-related gift for that person?


(P.S. Instead of responding to the right-wing trolling, I thought it
might be nice to have a bicycling discussion.)


--
- Frank Krygowski
Also a good idea

https://www.spurcycle.com/products/better-bicycle-bell

Lou

I could never bring myself to buy a $50 bike bell, but a dingy bell is nice. Other stocking stuffers are flashers, front and rear for those who don't really ride at night but want something for low light or bad weather conditions. This time of year, ear warmers are a nice gift -- and gloves. It's hard picking real clothing items that fit, but another hit can be a light weight jacket/windbreaker. https://tinyurl.com/yax4oxf3 Not necessarily high-viz. Water bottles are a good stocking stuffer.

My son has given me lots of gift jerseys, but I wear jerseys. BTW, yesterday he offered me some free $700 shoes, which I declined. https://tinyurl..com/ybb8sqw4 I don't have a pressing need for 99 gram lace-up shoes -- plus, he already gave me my current shoes, which are great, normal Boa shoes.

Things I want: https://tinyurl.com/y9zd32hq I did two and half hours of riding in pouring rain today, and one of my riding buddies had one of these -- which he got pro deal from a friend at Castelli, NA which is here in PDX. I'm not sold on black for dreary days, but it worked really well for him. My old Showers Pass Elite jacket is soaking through, and I don't think more Nikwax is going t save it. I also want some waterproof gloves good in the 40-50F range. And a pony.

-- Jay Beattie.

Yikes! I had forgotten how expensive the Spurcycle bell was. I got a
Crane a few Christmases ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018J4EAZO .
Much cheaper, and a nice bell.

I like the idea of the Castelli jacket, but I can't bring myself to wear
black on dreary, low-visibility days around here. I thought you had
said you had one of the Showers Pass "Spring Classic" jackets. They
come in red. That's on my list for when the current jacket dies.

Second someone's idea of specialty tools that aren't already owned, but
only if you know for sure which tool; I have a few wheelbuilding tools
on my list this year. Any nice multitool IF they don't already have one.

Heavy wool socks (e.g. DeFeet's Woolie Boolies) are always nice. If
your winter is cold, a box of "chemical" toe warmers are really nice.
Cheap, pretty environmentally friendly - just iron filings in a sticky
paper packet - and they work great for those of us with cold extremities.

A new roll of handlebar tape is nice, and something I almost never buy
for myself.

Has anyone tried one of these ear warmers? They might make a nice gift.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyc...us-ear-covers/

Gloves are nice. I've got the Showers Pass Crosspoint knit waterproof
gloves, I like when they aren't too warm. Haven't used 'em yet this
winter and have forgotten what temp isn't "too warm" for me.

And the pony is in the mail. Along with Peace on Earth and Goodwill to
all. Happy Holidays.

I lost my cap with ear muffs on them somehow and it hasn't been cold enough for my real winter gloves.
Do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you.

On Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:01:49 AM UTC-8, sms wrote:
Depends on the type of cyclist and what equipment they already have.

Transportational cyclist:
Handlebar beverage holder and vacuum mug:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TPSH3P +
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/stanley-reg-classic-twin-lock-trade-travel-mug/5485947
Bell: https://www.rockbrosusa.com/product-page/handlebar-retro-bell

Recreational hard core cyclist:
Jersey from their alma mater:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ncaa+jersey+cycling&i=fashion&ref=nb_sb_noss
Nuun Tablets: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019GU4ILQ

Mountain Biker:
BBB Fueltank Xl Bbc-15 https://rmcbikes.com/en/fueltank-xl.html Not
sure if it's really available, it's discontinued and reflects Grant
Peterson's postulate: “If you find something you really, really like,
buy a lifetime supply; because it'll either be changed for the worse or
go out of production.�

Any cyclist:
Front light with breathe mode:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32802747811.html or
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001009456851.html

Jeff:
ABUS GRANITâ„¢ EXTREME 59/180HB260:
https://mobil.abus.com/usa/on-road/Locks/U-Shackle-Locks/U-Shackle-Locks-Motorbike/GRANIT-Extreme-59-180HB260

Frank:
Mavic COMETE ULTIMATE MIPS:
https://shop.mavic.com/en-us/comete-ultimate-mips-c6102.html#1028=4172
Nite Rider Pro 4200 Enduro Remote Front Bike Light:
https://www.niterider.com/collections/mtb-bicycle-lighting-systems/products/6806-pro-4200-enduro-remote

Andrew & Tom:
Trump Cycling Jersey:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B3KnOv0TkfBGGIGS12KSK19_z9ZoBad6

Dor SMS and Frank and Jay
https://www.allriot.com/product/when...hoC3cEQAvD_BwE

On 12/21/2020 11:56 AM, Lou Holtman wrote:
Op maandag 21 december 2020 om 18:12:50 UTC+1 schreef sms:
On 12/20/2020 5:19 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:28:34 -0800 (PST), Lou Holtman
wrote:

Also a good idea
https://www.spurcycle.com/products/better-bicycle-bell
Lou

$49 ? Ouch. I learned a few important lessons buying bicycle bells:

1. If you plan to leave it attached to the bicycle, make sure it's
cheap enough that you can afford to lose it. I've had 2 bicycle bells
stolen over the years.
LOL, I recall a trip to China in 1988. Bicycle bell theft was rampant. I
had one stolen so I took the one off my girlfriend's bicycle when she
wasn't looking and told her, "oh no, someone stole your bicycle bell,
but I found a new one for my bike."

I do like the small, minimalist bells, but of course equipping a fleet
with those $49 Spurcycle bells is out of the question and if parked
outside the bells would disappear.

He, you cheap *******s, it is a GIFT and a nice gift it is. Something they would never buy for themselves. I think I gave most of my riding buddies such a bell. It has a nice and very recognizeable sound. Once I heard that sound and though it must be one of my riding buddies because they are very rare. I looked over my shoulder and indeed it was one of my riding buddies. Get stolen? Around here theft of bells is non existent.

Lou


+1
Nice thought, and the thought counts.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 10:01:44 -0800, sms
wrote:

Jeff:
ABUS GRANIT EXTREME 59/180HB260:
https://mobil.abus.com/usa/on-road/Locks/U-Shackle-Locks/U-Shackle-Locks-Motorbike/GRANIT-Extreme-59-180HB260

$225 plus $25 for the mounting bracket. That's about what my bicycle
is worth. I'm also not sure it would help. The theft problems I've
experienced involved someone with a tool kit removing various bolt on
accessories. I've done better using overpriced security fasteners,
solid axles with nuts, and hot melt glue in the threads and head. I
also lost an entire bicycle when I forgot to lock it, but that doesn't
count. I had thought that doing service calls on a junk bicycle would
deter theft. Nope, the local bicycle thieves will strip the bicycle
of anything that can be removed and leave the frame.

In my never humble opinion, Abus makes some of the best lock cores
available. I've been practicing lock picking for a few years and have
successfully picked most every lock in my collection. However, there
are several Abus padlocks that I'm unable to pick. However, for an
expert, the Abus X-Plus disk detainer core is not pick proof with the
proper tools (which I don't have yet):

[999] Abus Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Lock Picked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdiO1ZiiXk (3:18)


--
Jeff Liebermann
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 12/21/2020 9:56 AM, Lou Holtman wrote:

snip

He, you cheap *******s, it is a GIFT and a nice gift it is. Something they would never buy for themselves.

Yes, fair enough.

On 21/12/2020 18.45, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 10:01:44 -0800, sms
wrote:

Jeff:
ABUS GRANIT EXTREME 59/180HB260:
https://mobil.abus.com/usa/on-road/Locks/U-Shackle-Locks/U-Shackle-Locks-Motorbike/GRANIT-Extreme-59-180HB260

$225 plus $25 for the mounting bracket. That's about what my bicycle
is worth. I'm also not sure it would help. The theft problems I've
experienced involved someone with a tool kit removing various bolt on
accessories. I've done better using overpriced security fasteners,
solid axles with nuts, and hot melt glue in the threads and head. I
also lost an entire bicycle when I forgot to lock it, but that doesn't
count. I had thought that doing service calls on a junk bicycle would
deter theft. Nope, the local bicycle thieves will strip the bicycle
of anything that can be removed and leave the frame.

In my never humble opinion, Abus makes some of the best lock cores
available. I've been practicing lock picking for a few years and have
successfully picked most every lock in my collection. However, there
are several Abus padlocks that I'm unable to pick. However, for an
expert, the Abus X-Plus disk detainer core is not pick proof with the
proper tools (which I don't have yet):

[999] Abus Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Lock Picked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdiO1ZiiXk (3:18)

As a product endorsement;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpVOTEOMRuE

Kryptonite Evolution Chain Lock

On Monday, December 21, 2020 at 11:26:13 AM UTC-8, Tosspot wrote:
On 21/12/2020 18.45, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 10:01:44 -0800, sms
wrote:

Jeff:
ABUS GRANIT EXTREME 59/180HB260:
https://mobil.abus.com/usa/on-road/Locks/U-Shackle-Locks/U-Shackle-Locks-Motorbike/GRANIT-Extreme-59-180HB260

$225 plus $25 for the mounting bracket. That's about what my bicycle
is worth. I'm also not sure it would help. The theft problems I've
experienced involved someone with a tool kit removing various bolt on
accessories. I've done better using overpriced security fasteners,
solid axles with nuts, and hot melt glue in the threads and head. I
also lost an entire bicycle when I forgot to lock it, but that doesn't
count. I had thought that doing service calls on a junk bicycle would
deter theft. Nope, the local bicycle thieves will strip the bicycle
of anything that can be removed and leave the frame.

In my never humble opinion, Abus makes some of the best lock cores
available. I've been practicing lock picking for a few years and have
successfully picked most every lock in my collection. However, there
are several Abus padlocks that I'm unable to pick. However, for an
expert, the Abus X-Plus disk detainer core is not pick proof with the
proper tools (which I don't have yet):

[999] Abus Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Lock Picked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdiO1ZiiXk (3:18)
As a product endorsement;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpVOTEOMRuE

Kryptonite Evolution Chain Lock
These extremely heavy and effective locks are for people that NEED their bikes such as bike messengers or college students that require their bikes for transportation purposes.

On 12/20/2020 5:19 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:28:34 -0800 (PST), Lou Holtman
wrote:

Also a good idea
https://www.spurcycle.com/products/better-bicycle-bell
Lou

$49 ? Ouch. I learned a few important lessons buying bicycle bells:

1. If you plan to leave it attached to the bicycle, make sure it's
cheap enough that you can afford to lose it. I've had 2 bicycle bells
stolen over the years.

2. The bell should sound like a classic kids bicycle bell. Most
people will instantly recognize the sound and get out of the way.
Something like this bell:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Bicycle-Bell/17619569
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Classic-Bicycle-Bell/dp/B07Q4HHLGG
However, if the sound is more like a horn, Chinese gong, Westminster
chime, or the sound of an approaching train, most people are likely to
turn around to see what's making the noise before getting out of the
way. The only problem I've had with the classic bell sound are people
mumbling something like "I expected to find a 6 year old" as I pass.

I find the simple ding bells have the same effect.

3. Extremely loud bells and noises will scare pedestrians and drivers
sufficiently to make them do something stupid. In effect, the bell is
waking them up. Quite often, instead of getting out of my way or
turning away from me, they will turn towards me risking a crash.

I think that a bell sound from cars, would be useful as well. Often you
want to wake someone up that is looking at their phone at a red light.
You don't need a loud horn to do that.

4. Of course, there's an app for bicycle bells:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=bicycle%20bell&c=apps
I tried a few, but none are loud enough to be more than a meter away.

Dumb.

The Spurcycle bell is indeed costly but it's very good quality. There
are similar, cheaper, though lower quality, bells than the Spurcycle.
The Spurcycle design was not patented.

I'd question whether or not those similar bells have helped or hurt
Spurcycle. The number of people willing to spend $49 on a bell is very
limited, and few of those spending $10 on a Rockbros bell would have
bought the Spurcycle bell anyway. It's a totally different target market.

On Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:21:10 AM UTC-8, AMuzi wrote:
On 12/21/2020 11:56 AM, Lou Holtman wrote:
Op maandag 21 december 2020 om 18:12:50 UTC+1 schreef sms:
On 12/20/2020 5:19 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:28:34 -0800 (PST), Lou Holtman
wrote:

Also a good idea
https://www.spurcycle.com/products/better-bicycle-bell
Lou

$49 ? Ouch. I learned a few important lessons buying bicycle bells:

1. If you plan to leave it attached to the bicycle, make sure it's
cheap enough that you can afford to lose it. I've had 2 bicycle bells
stolen over the years.
LOL, I recall a trip to China in 1988. Bicycle bell theft was rampant. I
had one stolen so I took the one off my girlfriend's bicycle when she
wasn't looking and told her, "oh no, someone stole your bicycle bell,
but I found a new one for my bike."

I do like the small, minimalist bells, but of course equipping a fleet
with those $49 Spurcycle bells is out of the question and if parked
outside the bells would disappear.

He, you cheap *******s, it is a GIFT and a nice gift it is. Something they would never buy for themselves. I think I gave most of my riding buddies such a bell. It has a nice and very recognizeable sound. Once I heard that sound and though it must be one of my riding buddies because they are very rare. I looked over my shoulder and indeed it was one of my riding buddies. Get stolen? Around here theft of bells is non existent.

Lou

+1
Nice thought, and the thought counts.

Yes and no. Sometimes a gift is too conspicuous or screams "rube." I would reject any gift from Louis Vuitton. So if you were thinking of sending me the $495 wallet, you don't have to. https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/p...onogram-000615 What I really hate is when a simple product like a belt can quadruple in price because of its logo.

-- Jay Beattie.

On Monday, December 21, 2020 at 12:47:21 p.m. UTC-5, wrote:
On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:30:43 -0800 (PST), Sir Ridesalot
wrote:

On Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 8:19:14 p.m. UTC-5, wrote:

3. Extremely loud bells and noises will scare pedestrians and drivers
sufficiently to make them do something stupid. In effect, the bell is
waking them up. Quite often, instead of getting out of my way or
turning away from me, they will turn towards me risking a crash.
When I commuted in Toronto Canada I ended up using a mini-boat-horn.
It was the only thing that reliably penetrated the fog surrounding
many drivers and/or pedestrians brains. Now with the drivers so
distracted and with so many pedestrians using earbuds or earphones,
I'm sorely tempted to get an other one. I find that most bells simply
don't register in peoples' consciousness.
The mini-boat-horn sounds like a semi-truck.
Bigger is better?
https://us.hornit.com/products/hornit-db140
Only two AAA cells and it sounds like a bird?
https://player.vimeo.com/video/414794381 (1:04)

A loud horn or small explosion will certainly get the attention of a
pedestrian or driver. I've found that getting their attention wasn't
as much a problem as what happened after I got their attention. Many
would react in an unexpected and unpredictable manner. Instead of
avoiding a collision, they would lurch into my path and create a
potential collision. I ended up ringing my gong or blasting my horn
at a much longer distance away to give them time to realize that
there's a problem. Of course, that meant using an even louder gong or
horn. In general, I found that bells worked with pedestrians, but
were not loud enough to penetrate an automobile with closed windows
and music at maximum. A horn would work for those, but would scare
the pedestrians. Perhaps both? Since this will be a gift, perhaps
let the recipient decide which is the most appropriate?
--
Jeff Liebermann
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

I was riding along a busy road and a guy went to step off the sidewalk and in front of me. I touched that airhorn and he jumped back. As I passed I hear him mutter, "It was f***ing bicycle!" Had he known I was on a bicycle he'd have stepped in front of me.

Around here a bicycle bell gets people to stop and look up. They don't move out of the way. I figure they must think that ET is up there somewhere.

Cheers