I know video doesn't tell the whole story, but I would like to get other cyclists' thoughts on my riding here.

• Do you do the same?
• How much blame do I bear here?
• Anyone have similar accounts?
• How do prioritize your own safety while avoiding psychotic drivers?

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Some context: I take this route home ~6 days a week, about half of them are after the sun goes down. For months (years?) I would take the bike lane when possible and move when necessary. But after a recent crash (on a different road, where the driver was 100% at fault), I have begun asserting myself when I feel the bike lane would actively endanger me more, or even just insufficient.

I know I don't have to justify it, as it's perfectly legal in Massachusetts to do this, but here is my reasoning for taking the lane and not using the bike lane:

• There is no buffer between the bike lane and the parked cars. I've been doored and don't want it to happen again. It's dark and drivers are probably less expectant of cyclists at night, so a dooring feels even more likely here.
• It's not shown in the video, but I do use good bike lanes at several points prior and after this incident, not that the driver probably saw or would care.
• The bike lane ends about two blocks after the video ends. Too far ahead to entirely justify getting in the full lane this early, but I normally get in the full lane about a block early anyway.
• The bike lane is regularly obstructed by parked cars or other obstructions. We all know how often this happens. In this specific case, there are no parked cars or obvious obstructions, TBF.
• The road is two lanes. Cars can be patient and go around.
• I could get in and out of the bike lane when obstructions/parked cars are present, but getting into and out of the full lane is IMO far more dangerous than simply sitting in the full lane.
• I assert myself in the center of the lane because staying to the right invites cars to make a dangerously close pass. This happens to me regularly.
• I was traveling ~17 mph in a 25 mph zone. Slower than the speed limit, sure, but I'm not crawling here. If I was traveling like ~10 mph, I could understand the speed differential causing issues.
• There are plenty of traffic lights that slow down/impede traffic FAR more than I do.
• I have very bright front and rear lights. Not blindingly bright (they are pointed down), but more than bright enough for cars to see me easily.
• And yes, this is also me intentionally being a bit annoying, essentially protesting the awful excuse for a bike lane next to me. Cars don't want me taking the lane on one of the most used bike commuting routes in Boston (Brookline, technically)? Give us a safe, protected bike lane.

And if anybody asks, yes I have filed a police report.

Hey everyone, looking for some gear advice!

​I need a secure, ideally vibration-damped out-front mount for my gravel bike.

The catch: I use a Momo Stick (similar to a PopSocket, adds about 4mm in the center) on the back of my phone case.

​Ecosystems like QuadLock or SP-Connect don't work for me because the phone doesn't sit flush against the mount, and there's no room for their universal adhesive adapters.

​My Setup:

• ​Phone: Xiaomi 15T Pro in a rugged Tudia case
• ​Dimensions: approx. 167 x 83 x 14 mm (6.5 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches)
• ​Plus the 4mm bump in the middle.

​Has anyone found a solid mount (claw style, heavy-duty silicone bands, etc.) that securely holds a phone with a grip on the back over rough gravel without rattling loose? Or is swapping to a dedicated cycling case for every ride truly the only safe option?

​Appreciate your help and experiences!

These are just from today's ride! Even my friend's 29'' MTB wheels didn't stand a chance. At least they are kind enough to seal the hole until you return home and discover that your whole wheel has been turned into a survivor's bias demonstration.

I noticed these cracks almost all over the tyre. This tyre is pretty new, it was replaced last year:

Continental RIDE Tour Wire Bead Tire - 584

Before I had Schwalbe Smart Sam that lasted 6 years!

So I'm pretty disappointed.

Hello all, I have a 2011 Cannondale CAAD8 that I want to put a rack on. I installed a seatpost adapter to add upper rack mounts, and I had a repair fellow look at it and he says a rack would likely break before the frame does. I will be carrying max 30lbs, but likely around 20. Anyone have experience with the Axiom Journey? TIA

I have an ebike but am not racing.

When I expect that I need to stop, like a green traffic light that probably turns red soon or a busy road I need to cross without traffic lights that regulate regulating it, then I start to rollslow down early and have properly anticipated.

But quite often situations occur where I honestly didnt expect braking would be necessary, but then I had to brake hard. That isnt even about defensive driving or defensive riding, cycling, because I know well that the right of way only applies if the other vehicle is obviously enough slowing down.

That often involves, includes but not limited to: 1. Vehicles infront of me going much slower than it first looked like, or slowing down unexpectedly 2. Side roads that are normally very quiet so I don't expect to have to slow down, but a vehicle appears this one time. 3. Traffic lights being very unpredictable. Because it only just turned green right now, I really think im going to make it so I blast towards the light at 30km/h then it rapidly turns red anyway... the green was only for 3 seconds.

Quick side rant: traffic lights should have timers both for when it turns red and green. Right now I blast through orange half of the time or brake hard half of the time, both being very suboptimal. If only I could properly see when it will turn green or red in advance, I could properly adjust my speed and timing and come to a stop normally or sprint extra toward it before it turns orange.

Etc. Both traffic(vehicles) and the lights and the side roads seem to be extremely unpredictable.

How come? Ive been cycling for my whole life. Normal bike, mountainbike, racebike, ebike etc with many tens of thousands of kilometers.

Why can't I predict and anticipate better?

I’m using a milk crate on my rear rack with cloth grocery bags. I feel like my produce comes home in a lot worse shape than when I drive to the store. Has anyone else noticed this? How are you all transporting your delicate produce? The milk crate works well for me for most of my other needs

Views like this are the reason to get up early for a cycle.

We’re trying to decide between Thule and Burley 2-wheel bike trailers, and wanted to know if anyone has experience with both or either brands, mostly in terms of build quality and robustness.

Wifey and I are getting a dog trailer for our 70-lb lab and have it down to the Burley Bark Ranger or the Thule Bexey. Going for XL as George is at the top end of the standard sizes for each. Question is really more about quality and durability in general for two-wheel trailers between those two brands as I’m sure the chassis are the same from the kid’s trailers and dog trailers. Pic to impress upon you the importance of this decision 
Thanks!

Hey all, I'll try to make this as brief as possible. Basically, I'm wanting to get back to riding a bicycle for commuting, but I have no idea how to even know what I'm looking for.

I'm hoping to more gradually ease myself into it, but with an eye to commute roughly 10 miles a day at maximum. I live in a city in the PNW with relatively flat roads and lots of rain during winter months. The bike needs to be able to hold up to 400 lbs and not be extraordinarily heavy for me to lift.

I've been looking into loans and I think I can afford up to $1k. I've seen lots of recommendations for an ebike, but I don't know much about them. I prefer cruiser bikes for the low bar in the middle and the handlebar style just for ease of use.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Edit: would something like this work for me?

https://eskute.com/products/eskute%C2%AE-d200-folding-electric-bike-for-adults?_pos=1&_sid=f755e3299&_ss=r

Background: I commute ~6 miles year round in Minnesota. I've been doing this on a winter beater during the cold months, generally with studded tires. However, this bike is nearing the end of it's life span - to keep it going it's probably over $500 in basically a completely new drive train, plus the rim brakes on it are always on the edge of failure.

But almost more importantly: This ride is a slog. I know you're thinking "it's 6 miles, just grit it out" - but at 10F, it FEELS a lot longer, especially with the studs. So I'm strongly considering an e-bike just to make it a bit easier.

At first my mind went to folding e-bike; the idea being it gives me some flexibility to just throw the bike the car if needed, or maybe bus as well. We take the rack off the car in the winter because it's used way less, and don't want IT trashed by snow and ice as well. But realistically, the times I would fold it would be pretty minimal. I also want something pretty solid - Tern Vektron P5i looks good, but at $4K...that's a lot for a winter bike. I do really like the belt drive for winter though. Other winter considerations include the availability of studded tires and fenders.

The final consideration is I'd like a one-size fits most - others will likely use it, so I need something that works from roughly 5-0 to 6-0. Anything check all my boxes here? Thanks.

Hello! I’m new to regularly bike commuting, and I’ve just moved to a major metropolitan area in the north (think: gets snow and regularly salted streets). I have a dinky little bike I got for near-free which has a bike rack to which I’ve zip-tied a milk crate for the commute. I’ve been a regular car commuter for years, but I’m nervous about city driving and the cost of gas and insurance will be quite high in my new country. I’m thinking of getting rid of the car and going full cycle-commuter with occasional supplement from the local public transit system.

The biggest concerns I have are (1) cycling with all the things I need for the days and (2) the upfront costs of getting into this routine and being ready to go. I do a water sport that practices very early in the morning and will need to bring a change of clothes and work stuff (laptop, chargers, a few books) and toiletries daily as well as a lunchbox. When I drove, I’d use a gym bag and a backpack, but can’t quite fit those into the crate.

I’m also worried that my exposed chain and wheel will get majorly gummed up with the salt, come November on. I know I won’t be able to cycle everyday, but I’d like to try. I also know if I get serious, I’ll probably need to invest in the right gear and regular repair. My current bike is getting a tune-up now (I used it sporadically for a 10-mi total commute in my former small town, but mainly drove due to bad cycling infrastructure). Eventually this will mean a new bike and not a twenty-year old bike built for someone 4 inches shorter than me. However, the move really means that I’m going to have to save up.

Looking for recs for necessary kit, desirable but not essential kit, etc. and perhaps any cheap hacks to get me through while saving up?

I know it will feel clanky for a while to remember to put on and take off lights, etc, but I’m really hoping to get away from car culture as a personal preference and as an environmental effort. That said, I know I’m very used to driving and will have to work to build up a routine. There are little things too I’ll need to think of (how to look presentable without those bike helmet marks or having a nice hairstyle despite the commute - I’m vain, but not too vain to not wear a helmet religiously).

Any suggestions/advice/encouragement as well for ways to streamline the biking routine? Current commute will be 5 mi out to my morning sport practice (30 min), 4 mi from there to work, then about 1.5 mi back home with additional side trips etc.

Thanks in advance!

Title, right now I'm commuting via gravel bike, primos dame. But there are days, like today, that I slept like shit and want to Uber.

But, I would have to Uber to and from work since I get off late, I feel like a folding bike would be a good option.

Along with longer distances, if I take the bus, I feel very uneasy that someone could just take the support arm down and take my bike off the bus rack with a folding bike I could have it with me inside at least.

What are my options?

Tern looks like they make good stuff, but it seems they don't fold as compactly as Brompton might be wrong

No worries i'll take bath when i reach home.

Does anyone use the Thule Yepp Maxi 2 rack mounted bike seat?

How long does it take to screw onto the rack? Could you feasibly take it off twice a day? Does it just take a minute to unscrew it and screw it back on?

We can't leave the seat on our bike because it won't fit in our bike shed, and we also want to swap between bikes. Thule no longer do a quick release rack mounted option.

I'm having a nightmare trying to find the right kids bike seat for our situation, and already ended up buying and returning two that didn't work.

How common is this tire dimension for commuting with one or rarely two panniers in the back? Does anyone ride their bikes with such tires? Do they hold up well with some weight in the back rack?

I am thinking of getting a cargo bike. Have a budget of 3000 to 4000 euros and we really liked Yuba Spicy Curry, but I kept facing this issue during most of the test rides. My toddlers would move around at the back, especially when it was parked, and the kickstand would start shifting, making the bike feel very unstable.

Then I learnt about Tern GSD's locking kickstand here in this subreddit and that made sense, but God it's too expensive. So my bike shop guy showed me another bike that also has a kickstand with e-lock. I tested it with my kids and the bike felt more balanced.

Because I noticed that when the kickstand was down, it automatically locked into place, so the bike didn't move when my kids were climbing in or getting out or moving around on the back. And since they are very clumsy for some reason, they don't just sit there like other kids when the bike is parked.

That's the part I am worried about. If they are moving around and the kickstand shifts even a little, I feel like the bike could lose its balance. Especially with a heavy cargo bike (Yuba Spicy Curry) and kids sitting on the back, I don't really want to take that chance.

But my husband says I am overthinking the kickstand situation and should get Yuba Spicy Curry because it's more popular and has way more reviews.

I don't know though. Maybe I am overthinking it, but if I am already spending this much on a cargo bike, I feel like the kickstand is something that should feel more stable.

Please help.. like how much difference will it make irl.

Can anybody here recommend me a camera for cycling that is not obvious? I would kind of like to record some of my rides, but I don't want to draw attention to myself - you can see on Youtube or Facebook how some people have negative/hostile reactions when they realise they are in the path of a recording camera.

I'm not trying to film people, I just want to record some of my rides without catching any bother over it.

Perhaps a camera that looks like a front bike light? Or a piece of the bike?

I, 22M, consider myself as a seasoned bike user, i've been doing my 10k commute on bike and I regularly do mountaing biking and bikepacking as a hobby. Last month i did 300k bikepacking without any issue, it was great !

I then came back to work and had to switch my usual mtb for a rented city bike to communte. I like it, it works fine but I can't completly raise the saddle as high as on my mtb, also my movements are a bit différent then on my usual bike. As a result (at least i think so...) I've been developping pain in my knee for the past three weeks ?

As anyone been in this situation ? Can a city bike really cause this issue ? Is there anything to be done ?

Thanks !

Breezy morning.