Sad Lonely Bikes

United Spirit Arena in Lubbock

Show 'Em Your Six Guns!

Last week, as in many other places around the US, Texas Tech University graduated their Senior Class and began summer vacation. We were proud that one of my daughters was amongst the graduates. She'd been seen on this blog, such as here and here.



Mongoose Bike Had Two Flat Tires and a Cheap Lock
The Saddle Was Worse than it Looks

Still, there was a note of sadness amongst the well-deserved happiness. That was for the poor, sad, lonely unloved bikes that were left behind by students leaving for summer vacation. Some of these bikes were "Wally World" style bikes, but some were worthy of respect.

By the time we left, I was almost wishing I'd brought along some lock breaking tools, but felt better after my daughter told me that the TTU police would cut the locks and donate the bikes. I wish them a little more love in the future.

This Bike Had No Lock at All - It'd Been "Straightened Up" at the Rack by a Sympathetic Passerby



Perhaps Saddest Was this Trek with the Rim Strip Failed on the Front Tire
The Bike is the Same Model My Daughter Has.
It Had a U Lock Around the Frame but the Wheels Were Unsecured
The Bike at Left "Appears" to be Locked but Wasn't

Saddle Comparisons

My Commute Bike Saddle, After Four Years of Steady Use. It Is/Was a "Specialized Phenom"

Over the last year or so, I've come into the possession of not one, not two, but THREE new saddles. One is a replacement for my erstwhile Specialized saddle that's been worn almost beyond recognition. The other two are the main topic of this post.

The two saddles are very similar in some respects. One is a Brooks Swallow and the other is a Berthoud Aspin. As you can see, the shapes and sizes of the two saddles are VERY similar. Shown beside them is the third saddle; a Specialized "Toupe" that's made of modern materials

At Left is the Brooks, With the Berthoud in the Middle and the Specialized at Right

Comparing the two leather saddles, I'm surprised at how similar they are in some respects while still being entirely different. As you can see, there's not a whole lot of shape difference between the Brooks and the Berthoud saddles.

 

Both saddles are leather with steel rails. That being the case, there are more differences in the construction details than you'd expect. The Brooks leather is thinner than the Berthoud, and is riveted to the steel frame. The Berthoud uses Allen screws that attach to a plastic frame.



The "Swallow" Rails Are Well Below the Saddle and are Set Up for a Saddle "Nose Up and Back" Position Compared to Berthoud

In addition to the attachment and construction differences, the makers used different rail approaches. The Brooks saddle rails are entirely well beneath the saddle while the Berthoud rails are tucked up higher. In addition, the Brooks rails intend for the saddle to be placed further back on the seat post and in a "nose up" position compared to the Berthoud. The rails are clearly different relative to the otherwise similar saddle shape in that regard. Even easier to spot are the different philosophies of the saddle frame design. Brooks is a "steel is real" outfit while Berthoud is NOT. Which is better? Personally, I sort of like the notion that I can replace the leather and polycarbonate is a pretty good material, but how often do you replace leather anyway?

 

Brooks Above and Berthoud Below. Note How the Rails and Frames Differ. And Yes, the Leather on the Berthoud IS Thicker

Comparing weight of the two saddles, the Brooks is a touch heavier than the Berthoud, tipping the scales at 499g compared to 484g for the French entry. IMO, the Brooks steel frame more than offsets the thicker leather and threaded fasteners used on the Berthoud saddle.

 

Brooks is 499g, Berthoud is 484g

Neither saddle is light, however, compared to the modern Specialized Toupe, with its titanium rails and synthetic materials. The Specialized entry tips the scales at less than half the weight of the two leather saddles. It will not, however, last the way the two "real" leather saddles will, based on how my first saddle wore.



"Modern" Specialized Saddle is Much Lighter, Though it'll Also Wear Out Quicker

Which of these is the most comfortable over time? I think it depends on the rider and what the rider is doing. Myself, I'm putting the Specialized Toupe saddle on "Buddy" to replace the saddle in the top photo. The French saddle is going on "Madeleine." The Brooks is going to replace the Selle Italia on "Frankenbike."

Conveniently, the new "official" saddle cover for rainy weather storage that I got will work on all three saddles. Of course, when it is used, it'll reside underneath one of those cheap, plastic shopping bags that "green" types want to ban. My favorite cheapies are bags from Wally World.

Saddle Cover of Heavy Duty Latex. Suitable as the Lower Layer Underneath a Cheap Plastic "Disposable" Bag

Inspired by Scott

On occasion before, I have admitted to aviation inspiration in my cycling, such as here, here, and here. In my last cycling commute, on April 5th, I took my cycling commute inspiration from another source; a fellow University of Washington alum. Scott Crossfield.

Scott appeared in a supporting role in "The Right Stuff" as a "civilian pilot" of the D558-2 that was the first plane to exceed Mach 2. Less well known was his attitude towards flight that was demonstrated in his role as chief contractor test pilot in the X-15 program. Scott endured much in that program, including a vehicle that exploded under him, and another that broke as he performed an emergency landing. Even so, in his last X-15 flight, he followed orders and did not exceed Mach 3 or climb into space. Watch the embedded video starting 46 minutes and 50 seconds in and for the following minute.

That example was my inspiration for my commute on April 5th. I went in and came home. No close calls, no "death on my left," no attempts to advocate cycling by exaggerating its danger (no links for this one, but I'm sure my loyal reader can think of many such sites and organizations). Simply getting the job done.

Thanks, Scott. UW Aero Class of 1947. Watch starting at about 46 minutes and 50 seconds in to the video. The entire show is, IMO, worth watching but that segment contains Scott's recollections and attitude. Simply getting the job done. So now we can move on to new topics...

Scott Crossfield Gets the Job Done Starting at 46:50

 

Go Outside, Shaggy

Chandra, Contemplating Coffee

 

Shaggy Goes Outside

Last Friday, I made my last commute. It passed without any events of note, much like the 487 bike commutes that preceded it. No close calls. No motorists out for blood. But that is the event of a post not far off in the future. In the meantime, today's post means a lot more. It may represent the last time I see "Shaggy."

Honda Stickers

Hopefully, it will not be the last I see of Chandra, first noted on this blog here. It was nearly four years ago - crimeny, where has the time gone? Since then, there have been many shared experiences. We went to cycling school together - twice. We also went to instructor school together. Besides various rides and other events. For a sampling of them, go here. Greatly neglected in all these events has been Shaggy, the long-suffering dog, and the Honda with the bumper stickers on it.

It seems that Chandra is leaving North Texas, and his last day at work here was the same as my own. I hope we'll have more to do together in the future. Still, it may be the last time I saw Shaggy in all his glory...

Chandra in "High Vis"

April Fifth

Sidi Shoe Wear...

For the last week or two, around our house, some of what passes for humor has revolved around April fifth. This started when I noted that my Sidi cycling shoes were getting tired. My wife noted: "they only have to last until April fifth!"

Saddle Wear...

Rust Up Front...

Before you knew it, the wear on Buddy's saddle was being judged by the same standard.

After all, if all goes well, April fifth will be my last bicycle commute.

A Meaningful, Meaningless Award, Soon to be Obsolete...