BikeHacks

Runnur Haiku Contest - Winner

Thank you to everyone who submitted haiku for our Runnur giveaway. 




The winner is . . .

James from Tucson!

Harmoniously,
We can exist with our gear.
Runnur keeps minds clear.

 

James will receive a Runnur and we will publish his review after he has had some time to exist with it. 

Ivan from  Mérida, Venezuela did not make the deadline, but here are his contributions.

Not for a laptop

Just for all the essentials

Runnur is demential

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Living on a mountain town

Riding up the hills' a great effort

Carrying stuff to city's north

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Sexy as hell this is

Runnur, that is the name they give

A better way to live

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For this is the prize

Haiku's a difficult one

A Runnur you've won

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Bagged better than in hand

A backpack is way better than that

But this strip surpasses all

Braking Bad? No. Braking Good.

I must say that I am both stoked and morose that Breaking Bad is coming to an end.  I can't wait to see how it ends, but on the other hand I don't want it to end.  I have not watched a live finale of a show since Seinfeld, but I plan to watch live to see what Walter, or should I say Heisenberg, does with a giant machine gun and a vial of ricin. 

What does the series have to do with this bike blog?  Well, nothing except for a play on words to encourage bike commuters to use their brakes. Most commuters seem to think that braking is a terrible thing to do.  How do I know?  Well more than a few times a day oncoming riders veer into my lane when they should absolutely not do so.  Oncoming riders on the narrow bike path can absolutely see me coming at them and yet they consistently steer into my lane as they go around runners, walkers, dogs, etc. 

Message to bike commuters -  YOU HAVE BRAKES AND YOU SHOULD USE THEM. 




It is not logical or courteous to veer into oncoming traffic when you have the ability to gently press your fingers down to reduce your speed until it is safe to pass. Braking is NOT bad. Braking Good, not Braking Bad.

I would expect bike commuters to exercise common courtesy, however this does not apply to all those on the road.  Whenever I see a Lycra Clad Warrior coming at me, I automatically assume that no rational action will be taken by him or her.  The LCW would not slow down to help his or her grandma up from a fall.  These individuals will let nothing hinder their cadence and I automatically assume defensive tactics. 

Getting to your destination 30-60 seconds later is not going to cause the world to fall off its axis. Depress those brakes and stay on your bike a little longer.  After all, spennding a little extra time on a bike is good, not bad. 

Bike Shifter Hack

Reader Toby didn't want to spend his hard earned cash on an expensive flight deck upgrade, so he came up with his own elegant and funtional solution.  Take it away Toby . . .

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Not wishing to spend  money on upgrading the flight deck on an old Claud Butler touring bike that I fully restored, I looked for a way to change gears from the hoods and also from the drops like a standard roadbike flight deck while keeping things looking as tidy as possible.



I had and old tatty Dawes mountain bike fitted with old Shimano GS200 seven speed so had a go at fitting them to the bike.



The hardest part was getting the angle right on the bracket holding the shifters so that they were at the best angle to reach from all the required positions and have just enough room to fit my fingers, which are somewhat on the large side anyway, around the hoods.



Taking it on a few rides now I find that it works really well. I could do with a faster top gear than the 14 tooth fitted freewheel gives but it rides beautifully.

Hack to Make Shimano Casettes Play Nice on Campy Drivetrains

Most hacks on this site are pretty basic in nature, thanks to reader Galen we have something gearheads should enjoy.

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I've always loved Campy groups but most of my fleet is built with Shimano and SRAM. And who wants to purchase a dedicated set of wheels to run with the Campy groups? So I came up with a little hack to make my strictly Shimano-compatible freehubs & cassettes play nice with the Campy bikes: the Bici Mod spacer kit. You just add the spacers to your existing Shimano cassette and voila.



It's a lot less cost and hassle than swapping freehubs and buying Campy cassettes, and is both cleaner and cheaper than in-line adapters.




I've use this to run Dura-Ace cassettes on a Record race bike, Shimano 12-30 cassettes on Specialized 29er wheels on my Veloce-equipped 'cross bike, and a whole bunch of other combinations. Run the wheels you want with the group you want on the bike you want. Done.

 

Runnur Haiku Contest - Entry 4

Thank you to everyone who submitted haiku for our Runnur giveaway/review.  Sorry for the delay in posting these entries, my day job has me runnuring around.  We will be reviewing all of the entries and will run a post announcing the winner soon.  The winner will receive a Runnur and write their own review for posting on BikeHacks.com. 

                                                          Photo credit goes to Earth2Eartha

Rick - Otsego, MN

runnur holds my gear
riding down the bumpy trail
safe and sound are we

* * * * * *

Jason - Arcata, CA

Riding my bike fast.
No pump, patch or levers. Boom!
Should have bought a Runnur.

- - - - -

No space for my stuff.
No pump, patch or levers. Boom!
Should have bought a Runnur.

* * * * * * *

Aaron - Sacramento, CA

grab your sash before riding
lots of pockets for hiding
quick reach for finding

- - - - -

great for guys and gals
hold this and that for your pals
and water, say dals?

- - - - -

Over the shoulder
Helps for when you get older
And you need a holder

- - - - -

First you pick your color
Then you show off your new Runnur
Where's mine, others will wonder

* * * * * * *

"Bicycle Bill" - La Crosse, WI

Foam tube with shoulder strap
Used to hold a sixer of beer
Has matured, now called RUNNUR.

- - - - -

All superheroes
Need a utility belt.
Challenge accepted!

- - - - -

Why settle for one?
Buy two, wear crossed over chest.
Bad-ass bandoliers!

* * * * * * *

Summa - Location Unknown

Runnur help me please!
Messenger bag moves around
Panniers are for dorks

* * * * * * *

Leslie in Bartlesville, OK

Cute pink Runnr
You hold lipstick, keys, cash, tools
This girl covets you.

* * * * * * *

Tim - Brattleboro, VT

Here are my haiku -
seeping out like cool fall air
lets go for a ride

- - - - -

haiku are poems
quite short and quick to the point
to show big ideas

- - - - -

too many pockets
stuffed with distractions and tools
weigh my trousers down

- - - - -

it isn't a belt
a backpack would be bigger
this is just enough

- - - - -

riding my bike no hands
don't carry too many things
keep your life simple

- - - - -

if you can't fit here
do I need you on my ride
I probably don't

* * * * * * * 

James from Tucson

Runnur could hold guns,
But I don't need one with this.
It makes me look tough.

- - - - -

Tools, snacks, specs or phone,
things that help us get stuff done.
Utility,BOOM!

- - - - -

Harmoniously,
We can exist with our gear.
Runnur keeps minds clear.

- - - - -

A traveler yearns.
For order which eludes us.
Runnur solves it all.

- - - - -

Can utility
Exist with convenient bliss?
Only with Runnur.

- - - - -

More the merrier?
Not for the purest biker.
runnur pack it in.

* * * * * * *

Bob in Fair (Not Excellent) Haven, NJ

I mount my bike again
the world now flows beneath its wheels
I, bike, essentials, runnur- One.

- - - - -

Bicycles on the grass, alas!
Gertrude Stein has a tire that's flat!
Alice opens up her runnur.

* * * * * * *

Heather - Oakland, CA

Dress, skirts have no pockets
And pant pockets are too shallow
How will I carry stuff?

* * * * * * *

Laura - Austin, Texas

Clink clank smash, Typical sounds
But my bag overflow-eth no more, sigh
Runnur has saved this Vagabonder

* * * * * * *

Erik - Cleveland

I need to carry stuff
That stuff becomes to heavy
My pants start falling

* * * * * * *

Ty - Augusta, GA

Wear a book bag?  No.
Ride to be free, mobile.  All
I need in a strap.

- - - - -

Bikers value speed,
low weight, and mobility.
Runnur fits the bill.

- - - - -

"I bike with a bag
that my laptop fits in."  "Sure,
just try not to crash."

* * * * * * *

J - Upstate NY

Runnur under raincoat,
Autumn rainride home:
Enjoying the hiss.

* * * * * * *

Lehi of Pasadena

Turn of the wheel
Essentials in my back
Today, the world is mine.

- - - - -

Runnur on my back,
saddle on my ass,
Carry all my stuff!

- - - - -

Day and night,
Pedals in n' out
Runnur for my stuff

- - - - -

Wallet, phone, and lock.
Runnur carries all
Oh, crap! I almost Crash'd!!!

- - - - -

Green light, red light.
Runnur reflective strap
Son't need to stop at all!

- - - - -

Stars in the night,
Runnur on my back,
The night is mine.

- - - - -

Coffee for my crank,
pedals for my crank,
Runnur for my stuff

- - - - -

A poem to write
A runnur to win
My bike is waiting for me.

* * * * * * *

Jeff - Pottsville, Arkansas

the road sings my name
the Runnur carries my life
my pockets are full

* * * * * * *

Andrew, Oneonta NY

Sluggish, a weight weakens me
only through restraint
can I realize freedom, speed

Derailleur Chain Tensioner Hack

Reader Sam built a cool RecycleCycle and had difficulty with chain tension.  His solution? Hacking a front derailleur with a genius result.

His RecycleCycle is a thing of beauty and the full flickr set will likely cause envy.  My favorite in the set is this one =)

Jumpy Bike Chain

Reader Gabriel from Brazil had a jumpy chain and wanted to keep it in place.  He submitted the following text and pictures.  Not sure about this one as far as functionality, reader comments are welcome.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm from Brazil and my bike chain was jumping off. Well...some pvc pipe, wire and tape and . . . It doesn't anymore.

DIY PVC Bike Rack

To me this falls into the category of a hack that takes a lot of effort for very little reward, but to each their own.  Submitted by reader J Hanks.

* * * * * * * * *

I stumbled across a PVC rear bike rack on this a site but found no instructions so I went my own way.  I started with 2 10ft x ¾inches, 10 pk of T joints and 10pk of Elbows.

I never figured out how to attach it to the rear of the frame, then somehow I took my seat and post out and figured another T joint would slide right in there.  I used one 1 inch T around the seat post and 1 in to ¾in adapter to a ¾T joint.  I then used zip ties and bungee cords to try to secure it.  Another option might be to drill a hole through my seat post to secure the 1in T joint.

Runnur Haiku Contest - Entry 3

Thank you to all those who have sent along Haiku entries for our Runnur giveaway. There is still plenty of time to enter before the September 16th deadline.  See the review and contest announcement post for details on how to enter.




Steve - Location Unknown

I Am No Juggler
Leave it to the Runnur Strap
I'm a Cyclist

* * * * * * *

Rod - Saskatoon, Sask

Runnur carries stuff
cargo bikes cannot carry
with style and pizzaz
_ _ _ _ _

no ordinary
sling shoulder bag or backpack
Runnur wins my heart
_ _ _ _

when there is no rhyme
all our needs can be carried
Runnur haiku wins

* * * * * * *

Luke - Location Unknown

When walking just walk,
when pedaling just pedal,
above all come prepared.

* * * * * * *

Cody of Casper WY

Spelling words wrong is funnur,
than packing a grande bag; a bummur.
Wishing I had a Runnur.

_ _ _ _

You need all that clutter?
Those jimcracks distract inviting giant-bag envy.
Boil your wants into needs.

* * * * * * *

Scott from SYDNEY

Runnur
It’s more fun than wearing
Your wife’s undies

* * * * * * *

Jeff McBride - Jacksonville, Florida

Riding light again as always.
Never fully prepared, my inner MacGuyver withers.
Quickly outside with gear guilt.

* * * * * * *

Bee Thor - Location Unknown

I look like a wookiee
Yelling screaming that i got a Runnur
Turning 3CPO into a fixie

_ _ _ _

Not European, Its a bandoleer
No filing cabinet under half my ass
Exploding wallets now the past

_ _ _ _

Bandoleer is the new look
No more bulging bags full of junk
Simple elegant what I want

_ _ _ _

Simple solution for my junk
Can't carry more crap than I need
No more sore broken back

* * * * * * *

Tatjana Debeljački, Serbia

sweet dark cherries
children in circle treading on them
bicycle wheel is turning

_ _ _ _

THE SUN IS LOW
OVERBRIMING THE RAINBOW COLOURS
SCREECH BICYCLE

_ _ _ _

stellar  bicycle
the trap stellar knots
above the sand


* * * * * * *

Bridget in Nashville, TN

Commuting daily -
Snacks gear wallet phone and tools
Backpack is bulky


* * * * * * *

Laura- Nashville Tennessee

I am the engine
Commuting, riding for fun
Less bulk means more speed

Shopping Cart and Tandem Bike Love Story

There once was a lonely tandem bicycle, longing for a partner.  An old hobbled shopping cart was lonely as well.  Thanks to the work of reader Joel, these two were able to get together and have a beautiful relationship.  Cue the romance music . . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I made a basket out of a shopping cart for a tandem bicycle.



I welded a cut cart to a seat post for the rear, and now we can go get groceries easily! Always get tons of thumbs ups, some people even asked if I bought it online. Nope!



The cart was from a local store (asked the manager for one with a busted wheel). picked it up with a normal bike and rode home dragging it along side of me, very noisy but got it home!

A seat post for the mount, welded braces to help support the load. The seat post is locked in place normally so you can remove the basket and re-attach the rear seat. The basket was designed to fit between the rear rider's handlebars so the basket does not spin.



The cart was shortened so it was not so tall. I had to weld rebar across the front of the basket so the cart's door would stay in place.

When I ran this idea past friends we all thought it would be too top heavy, hard to balance with all the weight, etc. Turns out it is very stable and centered, and even with heavy loads you barely know you have 20-50lbs back there.

I've transported simple stuff like food, but more challenging things like a drill press, large postal boxes, tool boxes, guitar amp, among other things.



Some carts come with cup holders near the handle, so I took that cup holder and attached it to the handle bars. Took the scrap pieces from the cart and recycled them as well.



We live in Missoula Montana, a very bike friendly city so we always opt to ride when possible to run errands.

We call this bike the TRUCKFIGHTER, and it's tough!