[SDCBC] [CABO] Fwd: [CBC] Wired mag article on city bikes

[JonIsaacs at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/28/2007 6:47:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
gcarman at san.rr.com writes:

> I find it somewhat amusing to see that here are comments on fixie 
> riding, (and a resurgence) and yet I have been lead to believe that 
> too many areas in the US are too hilly for bikes such as Finland's 
> city bikes or Amsterdam style bikes.
> 
> Certainly similar hill restrictions exist for fixies.
> ----

It is true that a fixed gear is not ideal for hills but I think the standard 
road position  is significantly better for climbing than the European City 
Bikes.  Moderately steep hills are doable in a tall gear, when I was commuting 
from Encinitas to La Jolla I would occasionally go "through the park" (Torrey 
Pine Park) in a 52-13 gear (108").   

But fixed gears are for enthusiasts, compromises and pain taken in the name 
of glory and excitement.

I don't think entuhusiasts are the target market for single speed city bikes 
in the European tradition.  Even with gears many riders have trouble with 
hills.   Riding from Clairemont to UCSD along Genesee has some hills that are not 
well suited for a single speed.  There are places in the San Diego where one 
could probably go quite a few miles in some direction without encountering a 
hill but there are few if any where one could go in any direction more than a 
few miles without encountering one.

jon


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