[DismalScientist]

Here’s something on craigslist:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/2469544558.html
Schwinn 684 1990’s aluminium with 105 group for $200. The seller does not know how to hold a camera steady, but the bike has shifters on the downtube!

[DismalScientist]

I would check behind me if moving over half a lane. Just as the bus was splitting lanes, a car potentially could be splitting your lane and the one to the left. (Of course, you could probably hear the car.)
If I were passing another cyclist with a half a lane spacing, I probably wouldn’t call a pass. On the other hand, he could also see the bus and anticipate your likely move. In that case, it would be appropriate to call the pass.

As an aside, a cyclist on a nice bike and cycling gear does not connote “definitely serious” to me in this area. Some are and some aren’t.

[DismalScientist]

Not technically difficult. You need a new bar (maybe a stem) and new brake levers/shifters (of course, if you had shifters on the downtube, as God intended, you would only have to worry about the brake levers). Then you need to re-cable brakes and derailleurs and put on the handlebar tape and plug. Some folks would even insist on a bell.
Integrated brake/shifters can get expensive. Alternatively, you could use bar-end shifters or put them on the downtube. Since I am old school, I believe in going through the junk bins at places like Phoenix in Arlington or Bike Club in Falls Church for quality used parts.

[DismalScientist]

Another alternative is to skip the hybrid completely. If you would be comfortable with drop bars, buy an old steel road bike and have it equipped with high-pressure 28 mm tires.

[DismalScientist]

Here’s my new secondary bike: a late 80’s Cannondale Criterium series. Picked it up a Phoenix bikes. Put a rack on it, and now it is a commuter. It has shifters on the downtube, as God intended. The only drawback is that I can’t in good conscience go by Conte’s screaming, “Duuuuuuuude….. Steel is reeeeeeaaaaal!”:p

[DismalScientist]

I do not approve of any bike that is less than 20 years old.

[DismalScientist]

I don’t think it matters which direction you are going on the sidewalk; it is legal, albeit inadvisable. I would imagine that it would be somewhat safer in the direction of traffic as drivers looking for other cars are more likely to see you on the sidewalk if you are coming in the same direction as cross traffic.

[DismalScientist]

Looks like I am permanently on step 2 of my 12 step program to becoming a bike commuter. :p

[DismalScientist]

I think there is too much of a speed/foul weather tradeoff inherent in a one-size-fits-all bike.

I’ld get an old touring bike with high-pressure 28 mm tires for fair weather commuting. You want to make sure the paint is chipped and the whole rig is ugly. This really disheartens the once-a-week race-weenies when you stomp them in SCR (“silly commute racing”).

[DismalScientist]

I think it is legal to ride on the sidewalk. That being said, studies suggest that riding on the sidewalk (and other segregated facilities) is more dangerous than riding on the road in the direction of traffic.

[DismalScientist]

This almost happened to me a few nights ago in Georgetown on M St. I was farther back (or moving more slowly) and stopped in time, with no accident. When you are passing stopped cars splitting the lane or on the right, the burden is on you to watch and protect yourself from this. I would never expect an occupant of a car to look back before opening a door. It is not as if you are in a (poorly-designed) bike lane.

[DismalScientist]

OneEighth,

Washington Blvd is fine West of Glebe, but between Glebe and Clarendon, I would take Fairfax. Going east, I take Washington to George Mason south and take the Ballston Custis connector down to Fairfax. Between Glebe and Clarendon, Washington is the narrowest four lane street I have ever seen.

[DismalScientist]

The other option in Kirkwood from where the trail goes behind the stores to Fairfax Dr. and Fairfax Drive to Glebe, where you can take the path back to the Custis or the Bluemont path to the W&OD.

[DismalScientist]

I would keep the sharrows and ditch the “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs. I think they tell drivers to watch for bicyclists, something that reminding them does not hurt.

[DismalScientist]

I don’t know what “something that can move” implies in this situation. Speed comes from narrow, high pressure tires, aerodynamic position (drop bars), stiff frame (i.e. no suspension), and light weight. These all come at the expense of what some people consider comfort and potentially durability (i.e. tire and frame material). There is also a price/age/quality tradeoff. I think you should first decide what type of bike to buy based on your preferences. Ask around here. Some of us can be helpful But remember, preferences vary.

My preferences are for higher quality, older, lugged steel-framed, multi-speed road bikes. Others like other things, but they are simply wrong.

[Author]

Posts