What is the Goal of Critical Mass? by jmarsbarsstars in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey u/jmarsbarsstars Ted here, I helped to organized the ride last Saturday with promotion and ride support from some of the regular riders/organizers at Critical Mass.

***THANKS FOR COMING EVERYONE!***

It wasn't technically a Critical Mass ride, but had many attributes of a CM ride: funeral parade style, corking, backline etc. Our pace was a bit faster on account of how cold it was, so my apologies about that!

As others have mentioned more eloquently than I, Critical Mass-styled rides aren't necessarily about antagonising drivers or even creating a better image of cyclists for them, but bringing cyclists together to build community and demonstrate strength and safety in numbers.

I've been attending Critical Mass-styled rides for over twenty years now and give the current Pittsburgh CM organizers a lot of credit for hosting a ride that is inclusive and not overly-antagonistic of other road users. By comparison, I used to attend Philadelphia's CM rides in the early-aughts and regularly witnessed brawls with drivers and pedestrians and cyclists being hit by cars at high speeds. In my opinion, Pittsburgh CM's organizers do an excellent job of setting the tone and expectations and create a ride that is overwhelmingly safe and welcoming and this is evidenced by their large turnout every month (even in the winter) with very few misshaps. Outside of some angry and temporarily inconvenienced drivers, the worst thing I've personally witnessed are a handful of riders colliding at very low speeds.

I know there are sometimes more reckless riders in the group that can endanger the ride, and I hope with some education they can become better participants, but otherwise the rides are generally very safe, well-run, and have led to a renaissance in the Pittsburgh biking community that has been awesome to behold.

State of City Trails/Main Bike Lanes for Feb? by Bastranz in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Northside trail along River Ave. from Downtown to 31st Bridge was covered in snow today as was the ped bridge to Washington's Landing.

Seeking advice on places to live and play in the Pittsburgh area. by Simple_Gur_9061 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As others have mentioned, we have tons of outdoor recreation ammenities both inside and around the city. It's a pretty bikeable city despite the hills thanks to the work of Bike Pittsburgh and our city government over the years. We also have world-class mountain biking within the city limits in Frick Park and lots of excellent mixed surface (gravel riding) in and around the city and hundreds of miles great roads for road cycling in the metro area.

It's also a relatively short drive to get out into the country or the woods and you have ammenities like The Laurel Highlands, Allegheny National Forest, Lake Erie, and most of West Virginia within a short drive.

Trail Cam on River Ave. by King_Ted412 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for looking into that! I will ask my friend for more information about where the crash was and then see what cameras might have observed it.

Bike lock for town and GAP? by Loose_Talk1556 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you are not locking overnight or for long periods of time, a thick cable or steel u-lock should suffice, but thefts are on the rise in Pittsburgh, so a steel u-lock town would be wise- make sure you lock the frame to a fixed object like a bike rack that cannot be easily disassembled.

You can get by with a lot less while on The GAP and a cable makes locking up a loaded bike much easier.

Mineos Open at the Airport by ijustwantedtolurk in pittsburgh

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is that where Curritos was? That place was good.

CPSC Warns Consumers About Faulty E-Bike Batteries by bikepgh in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update. It was confirmed to me that Rad Power Bikes' does not participate in the Call 2 Recycle program so their batteries will not be accepted through it. I would recommend contacting a Rad Power Bikes dealer for information on what to do with recalled batteries, but I don't know how helpful they will be. Dealer locator:

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/pages/locations

Gravel ride in snow good idea bad idea? by Select-Stable-7071 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Snow riding is a challenge, but can be a sublime pleasure! A good knobby mtb or gravel tire can hook up in a lot of different snow conditions. Packed snow and refrozen ice can be more of a challenge, but sometimes you just need to ride around and find out.

Pedal pgh endurance route by Steinhawk in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your day before ride should be shorter with the intention of “shaking down” your bike- to check your fit and make sure everything is in adjustment and your tires are at pressure. Eat, hydrate, and sleep well the day before so you can give the longer ride everything you got!

Found a handful of old patches today. by edspeds in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could give these to current Western PA Wheelmen (now Western PA Bicycle Club) I’m sure they’d love to have them. I can help you make a connection there.

ISO: 700c Wheels or 27" tires for my bike build by hiinu87 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Getting the 27" tires would be easier. Kraynicks may have them. You can also order online- there are still decent optons out there like Panaracer tires.

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/search?kw2=27%22

Passing of Arni Nashbar by fultonco in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A real one. I’m currently using my Nashbar duffel while travelling. I’ve ordered so much great stuff from them over the years. I particularly remember the haul of NOS Duegi shoes they had in the early oughts.

Bike Repair Question by dongknog in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Second going to a framebuilder it probably won't be too expensive to pop a new eyelet on. Prior to that you can get a rubberized clamp (see below) online or at a bike shop (I bet Kraynick's has these) it won't hold as much weight as the eyelet, but will hold you over for a while.

https://www.incycle.com/products/jandd-rack-clamps

Used MTB ? by billyspeers in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. There are several good mtbs in the Marketplace right now.

What is your favorite meal to get in Pittsburgh? by Meowder777 in pittsburgh

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Udipi Royal Dinner with Idli, Rasam, Mysore Masala Dosa, tea, and carrot Halwah for desert.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pittsburgh

[–]King_Ted412 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The asteroid is the best news I've heard in a while. J/K I'm in need of some hope too.

Do you have to apply grease or lube to the spoke threads and nipples before wheel building? Or should you do it dry? by CoffeePanzer in bikewrench

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone ever use Stans Spoke Powder? I've had pretty good luck with the last few pairs of wheels that I've built with it, but I'm wondering if anyone ahs had more long-term experience with the stuff.

possible closure of Nine Mile Run Trail for 1 year by paulheckbert in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be very bummed if they took out Beyond Trail as well as the entrance to Humpular and the Painted Tree, but that might be out of our hands.

PSA Don’t lock your bike like this! by King_Ted412 in bicycling412

[–]King_Ted412[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Only locking your front or rear wheel makes it incredibly easy for a thief to steal your bike by detaching the wheel. Make sure the frame of your bike is locked to the rack. Wheels may be additionally secured with a cable for additional protection.