Handsome Doggie Porteur in the 18ème

This is a handsome bike. I think it might be a Pista from before they started clear coating over the labels, so there are no labels. The components are mostly Campy, that saddle is the Brooks with the hammered rivets. Everything about this bike is thoughtful, which is why it is so odd that it hasn't moved from this parking space in three weeks, apparently forgotten. It has rained almost every day, on to that beautiful saddle.

In three weeks no one has even touched this frame pump!

The bag is a Rixen & Kaul doggie bag.

SoWa Bike

This bike was getting a lot of attention at the SoWa Open Market (Sundays in the South End). There was an Italian family touching it, I got to feeling a little bit uncomfortable with their enthusiastic appreciation - it seems that bike groping etiquette is different across cultures. Would you touch another person's bike? Most particularly, would you explore the firmness of their Brooks saddle?

White Raleigh is very Orange

As a Raleigh fan, of course this Carleton-made Reynolds 531 Gran Sport caught my eye as it was parked in Kendall Square. It's been updated in a manner consistent with my personal preferences to make an attractive, practical city bike.

I was particularly delighted to see such a functional front rack, and all the more happy when I got back to my desk and saw that there is currently a coupon available for exactly this rack: Velo Orange Porteur Rack

The whole bike seems to have been updated with Velo Orange parts - racks, grips, handlebars, saddle, bag, and I particularly like those chrome fenders.

I'm not sure about the bag though. It is looking a lot floppier here than my Giles Berthoud bag, on which it was modeled. I would be interested in speaking with the owner of this bike and learning how much exposure the bag has taken. It's all academic though, while one thing is certain - this bike will catch your eye, even if you're running late. Gotta go!

Brooks Saddle Bummer

Someone was working in the shed where I keep my bike and accidentally got latex paint on the saddle. Such a bummer!

I've been doing my research about how to get it off, and have a few ideas to try, but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has experience with this to share?

How do you get latex paint off of a Brooks saddle?

Old School Raleigh Sports

This bike stood out among her peers due to her vintage perfection. How many Raleigh Sports still have their pumps? Not many.


Gleaming chrome always pulls me in...

Lovely Bike Morning

Overheard while sitting outside at a café:

Oh, I'm just over here.

Is that your bike? It's lovely! What year is it?

(admiring chatter while Charlotte frantically digs her camera out and gets whatever shot she can of the lovely green Raleigh with the Brooks saddle)



What a perfect day for a bike ride! I'm jealous.

This chic cyclist and her friend are right, today was a delicious day to be on a bike. Hope you're enjoying it!

Handsome 3 Speed

Every time I see this guy he is impeccably turned out. Look, even his shoes are recently shined.

Sunny 3 Speed

This classy three speed bike made me smile. I love the white sidewalls on the tires, the beautifully broken-in Brooks saddle. For necessary modern upgrades we have the Continental Kool Stop brake pads and the Planet Bike blinkie, both of which I enjoy on my own bike (more on that soon).


Those worn cork grips complement the brown frame perfectly, and Grant "Beausage" Petersen would certainly approve. The Crane bell is the perfect touch, of course, and I can't neglect the vintage basket. Everything is perfect.


Since starting this blog I've learned to appreciate many subtle things about old 3-speed bikes (painted fender stays? check!) This one has them all. Perfect.

Handsome Cyclist MGH

I'm happy to be feeling better and ready to start blogging again. I missed you guys.

I have for you here a handsome gentleman spotted near MGH. I got several photos of him but it was difficult to capture the gleam of his bike. Despite the muck everywhere his bike was obviously well cared for. It looks like a perfect city bike - fenders, rack, basket, chainguard, and a sprung Brooks saddle. Beautiful.

Happy start of street cleaning day!

International City Bike

You all know that I'm a fan of the Raleigh International, particularly that model's chromed lugs. I was interested to see this copper International, all dressed up in city components. It certainly makes a lovely singlespeed, and the bridgepiece for the rear brake is effective in protecting this bike's tail light. It has the original cranks and pedals, and I believe the rear brake was put on the front because the brake pads were jammed all the way up in the slot, yet you can see that the clearance of the wheel looks like mine after I'd changed from 27" to 700c wheels.

The bike is a looker, and if my experience is any indication, it will attract the attention of old men everywhere, internationally. It's fun to strike up a conversation with them, I'm not sure if they miss their old bikes or their old youth, but they're every one of them nostalgic. Aren't bikes fun?

Simple City Bike

I just liked the clean lines of this bike, it's clearly a useful bike. I was especially amused by the plastic bag tucked in the Brooks saddle. Yep, I've got one of those too (though mine's in the bike bag).

Philosophical Question: If you were walking down the street in a sudden downpour, would you use that plastic bag to cover this stranger's saddle?

Carved Brooks Saddles

Photo by karagleather

I first came across these saddles on the to be, inspired blog, but the entire Flickr set is worth checking out. Kara does absolutely gorgeous work. I'd love to see a Western styled custom Brooks saddle.

Updated photo of my commuter

I'm pretty happy to have finally found a silver rear rack. I think the bike is starting to look really good. Next question is whether to service the rear wheel (and lose the plastic pie plate) or build new city wheels with an internal hubs. I go back and forth. Bike projects are fun though!

Perfect Green Raleigh

I think this bike may be perfect in every way. Beautiful old frame, gorgeous Brooks saddle, working headlight, great colors, Carradice bag, and those streamers. Those streamers get me every time. On whole, a perfect balance of practicality, classic aesthetics, and whimsy.

Beautiful Bike Flowers

Happy May Day!


Xue was the first to respond to the free Friday bike flowers, and here they are on her bike. I think they look better on hers than mine! Helps that her bike is so cute.

It adds a nice touch of springtime, and when she's ready to move on the flowers come right off.

This photo of the bikes in the grass may be my favorite, just because it reminds me of lounging on a warm summer day. Happy bikes, happy day.

This dad has great taste in bikes

Dad and his nice bike just dropped Junior off at day care. He's not wearing a cycling cuff, he has a chain guard to go with what looks like an internally geared hub.

This photo reminds me a bit of the Porn for Women book (that link is safe for work). The Amazon description states:

"Give the fairer sex what they really want - beautiful PG photos of hunky men cooking, listening, asking for directions, accompanied by steamy captions: "I love a clean house!" or "As long as I have two legs to walk on, you'll never take out the trash." Now this is porn that will leave women begging for more!"

I wasn't so into the book, but this dad with the baby seat on a sexy bike?
Not bad... :)

Rainy Day Portrait

It is raining today, and I didn't see a single fellow cyclist on my way into work. I'll try again on my lunch break. In the meantime, here's my bike in his raincoat.

A charming group effort

I chanced upon this lovely lady and told her about this blog, asking to take her photo. She already knew of the blog (how exciting!) because her friend had been featured on the blog twice already.

This lovely lady then went on to explain to me how she came by her bike. It, and basically everything on it, as well as the maintenance for it, have been gifts through the last few years. That dynohub of hers I was lusting over? That was last year's birthday present from a group of friends. The parts go on like that. She pointed out her light which attaches to the dynohub is modern, and doesn't go as well with the overall 'look' of the bike. I have been looking into these dynohubs, and it seems her friends are very wise, the modern light will save her many headaches and blown lightbulbs.



I just love that she has streamers.

Porteur Bike Noir

Photo from Cyclofiend.

I was recently drooling (virtually!) on these gorgeous French porteur bikes. They seem to be largely ignored by the fans of the Dutch bike but I think they're super-sexy. Then it dawned on me - my bike is starting to look a bit like them! I guess my time in Paris made a deeper impression than I thought.


I still want that chainguard, and I can't decide on a front rack or a front basket. Black or silver? So many choices!

Product Review: Nitto Periscopa stem

This is really just an excuse to post another photo of my beloved bike.

The new stem is a Nitto Periscopa from Rivendell. It is intended to "shorten the cockpit" and that it does. I take a larger frame because my legs are long, but then I feel like I'm reaching too much for the handlebars. This stem has completely changed that. As I ride around town I have noticed that I'm finally getting things to exist where I intuitively reach for them. That's proving to be good when attempting to take photos, ride a bike, and stay safe in Boston traffic, all at the same time.