hope someday we have a products like car alarm for bike..if someone come near the bike or should try to removed or shake it then sensoe will go off when there movement..
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Yes – the Van Sweringen is based on a Dutch bike souped up by the Dutch Bicycle Company. It’s a luxurious (if heavy) ride. Others have likened it to a Cadillac (both in how it handles and how it feels).
@jersey rider: I wonder if a bike-lock alarm could be rigged up like the type department stores use on their expensive merchandise. Sounds costly, though, and it probably would only work in areas with high foot traffic; otherwise the would-be thief could just disable the alarm before breaking/cutting the lock. *sigh*
There are a couple of motion detector based alarms on the internet, none made by a big company that I would really trust.
The big problem with something like that is that if you were locked at a bike rack and someone jostled your bike getting their own in or out, it would go off.
Long time ago… I had a H-D with a Motorola radio on the handlerbars that was set up in the Ham band. I used to park it where I could see it when I’d stop for a bite and take my hand-held in and talk to people as they walked by. “Hey, Baby, wanna go for a ride?”, “Don’t touch me!”… It was worthy of a “Candid Camera” episode…
In my opinion, this is the best style of bike for a city bike. When going to work, shops, church, theatre or wherever. The rear wheel lock is a wonderful European thing that provides that extra bit of security.
Just one question: Why no chain guard? The internal hub gearing allows for a fully-enclosed guard, but your bike seems to have nothing at all. I am guessing that (being Dutch) it came with a guard that was subsequently taken off. Why?
It is interesting to compare the photo of Rick’s bicycle with the Van Sweringen in today’s comic. Rick drew it very well, particularly in the last frame. I can make out the front dynamo hub, the bell, lights, rack – even the lack of chainguard. I even see the air pump attachment – but no pump. I’m guessing that Rick normally rides around without the pump.
I also ride around without the pump, since my Pashley’s Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres have never, ever got a puncture.
Even the style of rear rack was drawn with detail – I can see the bungee cords in the last frame.
It was great fun comparing the bike in the photo with the bike drawn in the last frame of today’s comic.
Widsith: I think you have to ride a well broken in leather saddle to understand why they are the most comfortable. It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else. I had a 5’6″, 300# friend that had this HUGE padded seat, with a sheepskin besides. He had to ride mine one day (obviously not broke in for him) and even he had to admit that it was surprisingly comfortable.
“It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else.”
Here’s one. There is a very well broken in Brooks on the Motobecane LeChampion I’ve been riding the hell out of since 1976. Fearing for my beloved Motobecane’s safety alone in the bike racks all day, I recently bought an inexpensive Fuji for commuting that came with a generic lightly padded channel-top “Fuji” plastic saddle. Wow – it’s just so much more comfortable, wish I would’ve made that discovery years ago. Why does anybody still ride on a leather saddle?
“It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else.”
and
“Here’s one. (edited) …. Why does anybody still ride on a leather saddle?
And here is one the other way around – I miss my brooks B17 so badly when I ride my newer bike. I’m buying another . I think a lot depends on your particular backside.
Awww, his bike misses him.
aww… wish my bike miss me as much as Yehuda’s Van Sweringen
i would love to see someone build a real V.S. maybe Mike Flanigan at A.N.T.
I reckon it would be so cool if you could arrange some sort of remote control that would make your bike bell ring. It would freak a lot of people out!
@Martin Hartley: If such a thing existed, my bike would startle the HELL out of people; it’s got a fairly loud electric horn…
DRV-LSS plates? A nice touch, Rick
dude, hilarious! haha. maybe put a “Kit” style audio device, ala night rider.. “Goodbye Yehuda”.. “
hope someday we have a products like car alarm for bike..if someone come near the bike or should try to removed or shake it then sensoe will go off when there movement..
I can’t tell on my dying monitor…is that a BLUE car?!
@Guest: Rick Smith owns (owned?) the real-life version of Yehuda’s Van Sweringen. It’s an Azor Mechanic’s Series 108. Photos here:
http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc368-ricksmith0907.html
All,
The comments tool just upgraded with a new interface and new features. Please feel free to tell me of any issues you experience while posting comments. Include the browser you’re using. If you’d like avatars turned back on, tell me that as well – the standard avatar is distracting which is why I’ve turned it off (and because few readers used an avatar).
@Capateto @Guest
Yes – the Van Sweringen is based on a Dutch bike souped up by the Dutch Bicycle Company. It’s a luxurious (if heavy) ride. Others have likened it to a Cadillac (both in how it handles and how it feels).
@jersey rider: I wonder if a bike-lock alarm could be rigged up like the type department stores use on their expensive merchandise. Sounds costly, though, and it probably would only work in areas with high foot traffic; otherwise the would-be thief could just disable the alarm before breaking/cutting the lock. *sigh*
How about an alarm cable lock?
http://www.aerostich.com/cable-lock-alarm.html
There are a couple of motion detector based alarms on the internet, none made by a big company that I would really trust.
The big problem with something like that is that if you were locked at a bike rack and someone jostled your bike getting their own in or out, it would go off.
I love it! My kids are always making fun of my bell.
Blue car alert! The bike is speaking!
Long time ago… I had a H-D with a Motorola radio on the handlerbars that was set up in the Ham band. I used to park it where I could see it when I’d stop for a bite and take my hand-held in and talk to people as they walked by. “Hey, Baby, wanna go for a ride?”, “Don’t touch me!”… It was worthy of a “Candid Camera” episode…
Hi Rick,
I love your bike! It reminds me of my Pashley.
In my opinion, this is the best style of bike for a city bike. When going to work, shops, church, theatre or wherever. The rear wheel lock is a wonderful European thing that provides that extra bit of security.
Just one question: Why no chain guard? The internal hub gearing allows for a fully-enclosed guard, but your bike seems to have nothing at all. I am guessing that (being Dutch) it came with a guard that was subsequently taken off. Why?
That’s awesome. I want this one on cafe press stuff
.
It is interesting to compare the photo of Rick’s bicycle with the Van Sweringen in today’s comic. Rick drew it very well, particularly in the last frame. I can make out the front dynamo hub, the bell, lights, rack – even the lack of chainguard. I even see the air pump attachment – but no pump. I’m guessing that Rick normally rides around without the pump.
I also ride around without the pump, since my Pashley’s Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres have never, ever got a puncture.
Even the style of rear rack was drawn with detail – I can see the bungee cords in the last frame.
It was great fun comparing the bike in the photo with the bike drawn in the last frame of today’s comic.
Thank you, Rick!
In “The Wizard of Speed and Time”, there was a heck of a bicycle alarm. Anyone else seen that movie?
I see from his bike that Rick is another of those ‘iron butts’ that rides a Brooks saddle.
My Brooks B17 is the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden. I like it because I DON’T have an “iron butt” myself
@Paul Metz
“The Wizard of Speed and Time”, there was a heck of a bicycle alarm. Anyone else seen that movie?”
Yes, and I was thiking about that movie again recently, but I haven’t seen it since the early 90′s
Rubberside Down!
Widsith: I think you have to ride a well broken in leather saddle to understand why they are the most comfortable. It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else. I had a 5’6″, 300# friend that had this HUGE padded seat, with a sheepskin besides. He had to ride mine one day (obviously not broke in for him) and even he had to admit that it was surprisingly comfortable.
“It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else.”
Here’s one. There is a very well broken in Brooks on the Motobecane LeChampion I’ve been riding the hell out of since 1976. Fearing for my beloved Motobecane’s safety alone in the bike racks all day, I recently bought an inexpensive Fuji for commuting that came with a generic lightly padded channel-top “Fuji” plastic saddle. Wow – it’s just so much more comfortable, wish I would’ve made that discovery years ago. Why does anybody still ride on a leather saddle?
“It’s not like you meet leather saddled riders that want to go back to anything else.”
and
“Here’s one. (edited) …. Why does anybody still ride on a leather saddle?
And here is one the other way around – I miss my brooks B17 so badly when I ride my newer bike. I’m buying another . I think a lot depends on your particular backside.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/210854734/Electric_bicycle_alarm_system.html
not the most sophisticated, but check out the manufacturer’s name…Steel Fist, indeed!