Our friend Neile Weissman has been working hard to ensure cyclists get improved access on the George Washington Bridge. This is important.

He writes us:

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Fellow Cyclist,

Between now and February 15, the Port Authority is taking public comments on its 10-year Capital Plan.  Now is the chance to call on them to include wider paths on the George Washington Bridge.

Please take a few moments to email the PA and the Governor.  Even a one-sentence email will make a difference.

Thanks!

Neile Weissman
Complete George | Facebook | Twitter

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Email!

The Port Authority

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo *important*

NJ Governor Chris Christie *important*

Sample Statement

“I call upon the the Port Authority to include the upgrade of George Washington Bridge paths to national standards in its 10 Year Capital Plan, both for the safety of all users, as well as to support the growth of bicycling across the region.”

Speak!

1/31 from 5-8PM at 4 World Trade Center (prep 1-2-3 minute versions of remarks)

2/7 from 5-8PM at 2 Montgomery Street, Jersey City

2/16 from 12-2PM at 4 World Trade Center

Call! 

Your NYC Councilmember to support Resolution 1072-2016

Find your local Councilmember

Follow Us!

Complete George on Facebook

Background

Starting in 2017 the Port Authority will undertake a $1.9 billion reconstruction and recabling of the George Washington Bridge.  This will include ripping out and replacing the 1931-era 7’ paths.

With weekend use averaging 3700 cyclists per day and growing at 10% per year, this should be the opportunity for the PA to widen the paths to national standards, instead they plan to restore them as “sidewalks.”

More Info 

Complete the GWB

Image at top. Cyclists’ Proposal for the GWB: (2) 10′ paths for cyclists. (2) 7′ paths for peds-runners on the upper level. 9′ high anti-suicide barrier. Rendering by Joseph Lertola.

Customers often ask what is special about the B&M lights I use, recommend and sell for HP Velotechniks and Cruzbikes. A picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps. The photo above shows the even, bright and wide throw of light from a Busch + Müller (B&M) Lumotec IQ-X. The cones are about 5 yards apart.

With its state of the art optics, the IQ-X from Busch + Müller has made it possible to break the 100 Lux barrier for Dynamo Headlights, making the IQ-X, at 100 Lux, the brightest dynamo powered bicycle headlight. In addition, this high-end headlight emits an extensively wide beam pattern that is superbly even, bright and wide.

In addition, the light assembly is as attractive — don’t you agree? — as your HP Velotechnik or Cruzbike bike or trike. The CNC alloy housing doubles as a heat sink, which helps keep the LEDs cooler and, therefore, brighter. Side visibility is ensured by allowing light to emit via the lateral slits in the housing. The light switch is embedded in a ring of blue light at the rear of the housing. Includes a sensor-controlled Ride Light and stand light.

Features:

• IQ-X Technology: 100 Lux
• CNC Alloy Housing
• Extensive Beam Pattern
• Close Range Light
• Side visibility light
• Sensor controlled DRL (day ride light)
• Stand light
• Multi-joint Bracket
• Switch Off/Senso
• Screw on reflector

For more information, visit the B&M website.

A customer recently wrote me with several questions about a configuration for a new HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx.  If you too are considering buying a Grasshopper fx, you may be interested in our notes.

Hi D__  M____,

My answers to your Q’s below, marked “RM.”
>>I’m a little concerned that I may need the rear rack (sooner or later) for more storage capacity. Is it possible to order that separately later on? For that matter, how about adding the low-rider later on in case I do decide to try a tour/trip?

>>If these racks can be separately ordered later, how difficult is to add them later? Is that something I could do myself or would it require a mechanic?

RM:
Yes, you can order the rear- and low-rider rack later, as an add-on.
They are surprisingly tricky to install.  I recommend you ask the dealer to do the work.

>>In addition, would adding a rear rack later (if possible) affect the rear light, which HP Velo installs on the back of the rack?

RM:
If you order a light system WITHOUT the rear rack, the light is mounted on the back of the seat.  That rear light may optionally be moved and remounted on the rear of the rack after a rear rack is installed.  Whether that re-mounting is easy depends on how much wiring the factory left when originally installing the light to the back of the seat.

>> In terms of suspension, is it overkill to upgrade that in case I occasionally use more weight capacity than 100kg on both back and front? Is it damaging in some way to almost always under load the suspension?

RM:
No, it is not damaging to under load the suspension, but it would be damaging to OVER load it.  I’d probably recommend ordering the suspension with the spring you’d use most of the time.  If you decide to plan a tour or find yourself frequently carrying heavy items (groceries, hardware, bricks…), then I’d buy the harder springs at that time and install them in the suspension.  The rear spring on the DNM DV22 shock is particularly easy to replace.  This might suffice as your “heavy load” option if you are like many people and load their cargo on the rear rack, which mostly affects the rear shock.

Just some notes,
Robert

I pronounce it like the people at the company in question: “sram.” One syllable. Not “s-ram,” two syllables.

Like the guy in this video introducing SRAM’s Red wireless derailer system.

News from HP Velotechnik

Your 2017 Dollar Goes Further: Most Prices Unchanged for Base Models from HP Velotechnik

In early November of most years, HP Velotechnik publishes new prices for continuing models. Compared to 2016 prices, the new 2017 prices for base models remain mostly unchanged.

Scorpion fs 26 base model: unchanged at $4590
Gekko fx 26 (USA): unchanged at $2390
Gekko fx 20 (USA): unchanged at $2290
Grasshopper fx base model: unchanged at $3290
StreetMachine Gte base model: $40 increase to $2990
(New prices effective Nov. 1, 2016.)

This simple comparison does not reveal something unusual they’ve done for customers. In the new pricing schedule, they are now including customs and duties in the retail price but not origination fees — the cost of shipping costs from Germany to USA. This is notable because the net 2017 price that many customers see on their final receipt will turn out to be slightly lower for many models in 2017 because duties, especially for two-wheelers, have been very high in the past.

HP Velotechnik Offers New Options

Drivetrain:

2017:  SRAM GX 30-speed drivetrain with SRAM 500 SL bar-end shifters for under seat steering. This replaces prior years’ Shimano XT 27-speed drivetrain with Dura-Ace bar-end shifters.
The 81-speed trike drivetrains still use the XT 27-speed.

Human-generated Electricity and Lighting: Big Upgrades in 2017

While the high-end SON Delux dynohub remains HP Velotechnik’s premium option for an electric power source, they’ve added the SP 8-Series Dynamo Hub as a low-cost option. More about the SP 8-Series Dynamo Hub here.

Regardless of which you choose, both dynamo hub systems include the incredible, new 100-Lux IQ-X headlight from Busch + Müller (B&M). This is an amazing light, representing yet another break-through from B&M. See the other article in this newsletter.

Meanwhile, the Dymotec 6 tire dynamo is paired with B&M’s new 80 Lux IQ Fly Premium headlight. B&M’s Dymotec 6 remains a great low-cost, low-weight option and is the basic light for the Grasshopper fx/Air.

Features of IQ Fly Premium:

• Extensive light field
• Light at close range
• Stand light & sensor (a.k.a., parking light)
• 80 Lux with front reflector

Pedals: Shimano PD T780 pedal

As an upgrade from the (cheap) standard pedal that comes with HP Velotechnik trikes and bikes at no extra cost, they now offer the newer PD T780 pedal, part of Shimano’s Deore XT product line. This is a really fine pedal that costs less when ordered with a new HP Velot. than it does at standard retail prices.

The Pre-Built Scorpion fs 26 is here.

Only available in the USA.

This past summer, HP Velotechnik began offering a pre-built Scorpion fs 26 “USA” model for United States customers. It could be ordered and delivered in only 7-10 business days instead of the 5-7 weeks typical for custom models. It includes a few commonly-requested upgrades at a good price: $5057. Warehoused in the USA.

Specs:
Your choice of ErgoMesh, ErgoMesh XL, or BodyLink seat.
Drivetrain: SRAM GX 30 speed with SRAM 500 SL Bar-end shifters; Full-suspension (medium payload) with RockShox Monarch RL rear shock; Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes with parking brakes; front boom with derailer tube; standard color option: white/grey.

Just a shout-out to the people at Bend-It Cycling.  I saw them again at the Recumbent Cycle Convention this past October in Cincinnati.  Nice guys.  I hope they do well.

http://www.benditcycling.com/

They make practical cycling shorts and shirts for recumbent riders.

I just received a shipment of recumbent bike shorts as well as a recumbent bib short!  They look great.  I particularly like bib shorts in general so I look forward to testing these soon and writing a review.

Be sure to drop by their site the next time you’re buying recumbent bike shorts.

Bib wishes,
Robert

Discounts at New York City Recumbent Supply

Grasshopper fx, demo model: $3,890. Save $700.
While supplies last.
(Photo above shows a model that is similar but not identical to the one for sale.)

Specs

• HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx
• Color: Magic Green
• Front boom with derailer tube
• Body link hardshell seat
• Steering: above seat tiller, foldable stem
• Drivetrain: standard SRAM dual drive 24 speed
• Short cranks: 155mm
• Front shock: Grind 2 AL, standard medium spring
• Brakes: disk brakes Avid BB7
• Light system w/ SRAM D7 disk hub generator and IQ Fly front light
• Water bottle set: bottles, cages, mounts
• Mudguards, SKS black
• Kickstand, swing arm, Pletscher Zoom
• Rear rack

Do you want to learn how to ride a Cruzbike?  Or learn advanced handling skills for your current Cruzbike?  Join Maria Parker, Rob Matson and other members of the Cruzbike Tribe.  We’ll host a Cruzbike school on Sunday Nov. 6 at the Chamounix Mansion in Philadelphia.  Address: West Fairmount Park; 3250 Chamounix Drive; Philadelphia, PA.

Register here:
http://cruzbike.com/come-ride-events

Cruzbike will also be at the Philly Bike Expo Nov. 5 – 6, 2016.
Separate registration required
http://www.phillybikeexpo.com/