Interbike report: Electric bikes and a new twist on the bakfiets
This new cargo bike from Madsen Cycles, will be available in Portland soon. Retail price is $1,299.
Products
Bike-to-work pants: Khakis that keep you safe
The new Bike to Work Pants. Via BoingBoing.net, here’s a cool new product from San Francisco that was unveiled at Interbike this week — the Bike to Work Pants by Cordarounds. They’re just a regular pair of khakis, but with hidden, reflective powers. From their website:
Showers Pass unveils new “Portland” line at Interbike
The “Portland” cap and jacket.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) I may not be at Interbike (the big bike industry trade show going on right now in Las Vegas), but I’m still looking to share as much as I can from local companies who are at the show (read my story from last week for what other … Read more
Updated: In case you were wondering: Xtracycles are taking over
[See end of story for updates.] Kids, cargo, or both; longbikes rule.(Photos © J. Maus) I can remember a time not too long ago, when Xtracycles were an oddity. They first started showing up at bike industry trade shows in the late 1990s and they were a novel, fringe product that only true bike geeks … Read more
Too hip for a helmet? What if it looked like a hat?
A reader sent me a link (thanks Charles!) to a company that has found a way to make helmets look cool — in a stylish Portlander sort of way. Check out the designs available from Copenhagen-based Yakkay: They call it, “Brainwear for smart people.”
Portland-based shoe company will expand cycling product line
Keen’s Commuter, an SPD-compatiblesandal released last year, was their first bike-specific product. Keen Footwear, who moved their headquarters to Portland in 2006 (and didn’t waste any time featuring us in their product catalog), has just announced an expanded line of cycling products. Keen unveiled an SPD compatible sandal (the “Commuter”) in early 2007 and now … Read more
Bike poster proceeds will go to non-profits, memorial fund
All sales of this poster will be donated to the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund.(Stencil design by Roll Hardy) Locally owned and operated Stumptown Printers has decided to donate all proceeds of their series of limited edition bike posters to local non-profit groups and a fund that raises money for bike safety programs. One of the … Read more
Made in Portland: A very classy pair of bicycle shoes
Handmade, leather bicycle touring shoes… and they’re also good for dancing.(Photo: Jeff Mandel) Remember Jeff Mandel of ExIT Shoes? Back in January I shared photos and a story of his handmade leather bicycle saddles. The other day, I came across his latest creation — a bicycle touring shoe. According to his blog (Mandel posts an … Read more
Showers Pass moves to Southeast Portland
Showers Pass, designers of popular rain-gear, are now based in Southeast Portland (they were previously in the Southwest Hills area). I have been meaning to do a story on them, but I noticed Bicycle Retailer & Industry News Magazine had a story on them today: Showers Pass Moves, Boosts Management
Product Peek: Gary Fisher Simple City
Joel Grover, head buyer for the Bike Gallery, stopped by BikePortland headquarters this afternoon to deliver my latest test bike — a Gary Fisher Simple City. It’s a pretty basic, flat-bar townie bike. It’s got a 3-speed internal hub, rear coaster brake (front hand brake) and it weighs about 25 pounds. I shot a quick … Read more
Want sustainable transportation? How about a bamboo bike trailer?
A bamboo trailer built in North Portland by Elden Clark (notice the bottle-capped screw heads).(Photos © J. Maus unless otherwise noted) North Portland resident Elden Clark hopes to turn his love for building bamboo bicycle trailers into a business. I first spotted Clark’s work on a flyer he’d posted outside of a bike shop. Then … Read more
Putting the Yuba Mundo to work
Big bag of chicken feed? No problem. But two wooden screen doors?(Photos © J. Maus) On Saturday, I decided to put the Yuba Mundo through a few paces. When he dropped it off last week, local Mundo man Jeremy Towsey-French said the bike excels at carrying awkward loads. With that in mind, I decided to … Read more