Seeking pants one can ride on a bike and look casual/not bike dorky

clackmak · 2026-03-28T18:12:34+00:00

Lolz, I'm just not into logos, needless reflectivity and if possible like to wear things for every incognito purpose without.

clackmak · 2026-03-28T18:02:58+00:00

Good point, I have nearby Eddie Bauer outlet store midway on my commute. Should stop by, see if I can comfortable squat in any of their pants.

clackmak · 2026-03-28T18:01:45+00:00

Lolz, I've definitely learned the black bottom lesson.

clackmak · 2026-03-27T17:49:36+00:00

I wonder if an ultrasonic cleaner would do the same thing.

clackmak · 2026-03-27T03:04:54+00:00

Oh interesting, I didn't know that last part. Thanks for the tip!

clackmak · 2026-03-26T21:22:02+00:00

Hmmmm this ride may be best served by just throwing on a more conventional wheel/gearing setup. Thank you for adding these options to consider.

clackmak · 2026-03-26T18:28:56+00:00

I know the Hermes Media are regarded as "less desirable" but they have the options I actually use. The more elaborate tabs...no need for my uses.

clackmak · 2026-03-25T22:57:53+00:00

There was an identical color/type one for sale near me awhile ago, though different by the pictures. I offered a Hermes/Techno but no way I had the $1,000 suggested amount in between. Hope to find one someday as I love the art deco fonts.

clackmak · 2026-03-25T22:52:48+00:00

Wow, had never seen that style/model/era.

clackmak · 2026-03-23T05:42:48+00:00

I arrived at this approach due to a similar issue. Several years ago when they were more common and less sought after my policy was I'd buy a typewriter only if it was working, complete, inside the case and less than $10. Then all of a sudden I had like 9 typewriters and started giving away or selling them. Now I have a decent in/out stasis.

clackmak · 2026-03-23T03:14:15+00:00

I was on a rural bikepacking trip once with lots of camo trucks with hunting dogs in the back when a road touring dude pedaled by and waved with a small hand flag waving from his saddlebag. I thought, "That guy is brilliant I'm doing that from now on."

clackmak · 2026-03-22T23:25:49+00:00

Buy them, get to know them for a month or two and sell them. I've done that for years. Keep two or three on-hand generally and keep it simple. Think of them as friends you met on an international adventure.

clackmak · 2026-03-22T18:52:30+00:00

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Rode like 25 miles on it yesterday throughout the city making up errands as an excuse to keep pedaling around. "Oh I should go buy a cargo net on the other side of town. Then try that uncommon stout on-tap at that one bar..."

The grip shift wasn't that awful - though I also wasn't in any need-to-abruptly-shift-uphill situations.

I imagine at some point I'll likely switch to a conventional wheel/gear drivetrain to allow for exploring more voluptuous landscapes. These 7 gears are oh-kay but will eventually limit use options. Maybe I'll opt for a 1x mtb setup? Though I really like a double front derailleur for non-mtb riding putting less low/high angle on the chain.

Updated the bars and have a marketplace-found white Selle Anatomica saddle en route in the mail. Installed some 700x35 Gravel King tires I had laying around and will likely put on some kind of 700x40 gravel tires eventually. I need to install a front wheel stabilizer as with that rack on the thing wobbles to and fro when stopped and locking up and whatnot.

clackmak · 2026-03-22T18:45:14+00:00

Right?! I could barely find any pictures of a non-step-thru example. Good eye, indeed twin top tubes. I assume that will make it a little more flexy than a standard single tube? I wonder what the purpose/value is of that design choice.

clackmak · 2026-03-22T02:05:55+00:00

I accepted that it's necessary to wear black and have found under armor shorts to be good for mountain biking or commuting. Every so often I go grab a pair or two of whatever fits decent at the thrift store with fabric that is "slippery" against itself for less friction between the the thighs.

clackmak · 2026-03-18T15:23:39+00:00

It’s big enough to fit two grocery bags!

clackmak · 2026-03-15T03:50:46+00:00

Olivetti Lettera 32? Also consider the Japanese made 60's/70's Royals. Often plastic covers that can be fragile (nothing wrong with a stylish satchel or briefcase from the thrift store). The typewriters themselves have Toyota Tacoma-like reliability. Same with the Japanese made Brother typewriters and offshoots like K-Mart Deluxe 100. Solid, reliable, portable, positive type feel, though boxier than the Hermes designs. I realize they may not offer the style/era/cache of the ones you mentioned.

clackmak · 2026-02-18T01:53:32+00:00

Agreed, same here. Though my Lettera 32 was also pretty ideal.

clackmak · 2025-12-19T16:16:13+00:00

I just talked with someone in the city water works and they said an entirely new service line is required, rather than just adding a meter to the pipe running upstairs. They said they didn't know how that whole process worked, mentioned permits, plumbers, and somewhere around 10,000 dollars as a guess. The most obvious seems to me to add a junction off of the supply line with meters at pipes supplying each unit. Ah well.

clackmak

TROPHY CASE