11/5/22 8:28 AM

A couple of weeks back, I organized a small reunion of U of Chicago friends, and we had a blast. But some of these friends are Californians, and 40-odd years after starting grad school, like to sleep in. As an East Coaster, I was getting up hours before those folks.

So, with free mornings, I went out and rented a Lyft bike. An oddly-comfortable 3-speed, it took me all over campus, and then I checked it in at the Reg. When I came out, no conventional bikes were available, so I took an eBike. Heavy. Clunky. Awkward. Until you get on and start pedaling, and then that thing became pure sex.

These are simple one-speed units, and true PITAs if the battery runs out, but I could very easily see something like this becoming an addiction. I briefly considered checking one out for the trip back to Midway Airport (but didn’t, as the El Orange Line is a killer deal).

I am now certain that, when the time comes that hills are not merely unpleasant, but insurmountable, that I will be getting an eBike.

11/6/22 2:24 PM

Due to ongoing ankle problems, my wife purchased herself a Trek Domane LT+ almost a year ago. It's proved quite a success. I swapped out the drop bars for flat bars, and also lowered the gearing. She only uses it for a couple of rides each week where she would otherwise have problems keeping up, and very rarely needs to use the e-assist on anything other than the lowest power setting.

Now, when we go riding in the mountains, I sit her wheel.

<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h9CFweyX7-dSLebLaGW12zGpUqfYFBKJn3lqwdPSfYrafCH3h8PN8FgzJIHLzsTu8Ixst5vQATe9jemN7parYLDDdrJ6fTcZ1EK9jx33BC9oiUiwqSdg0RyKGajMiPjoKYabL81Njk4=w2400?source=screenshot.guru"> <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h9CFweyX7-dSLebLaGW12zGpUqfYFBKJn3lqwdPSfYrafCH3h8PN8FgzJIHLzsTu8Ixst5vQATe9jemN7parYLDDdrJ6fTcZ1EK9jx33BC9oiUiwqSdg0RyKGajMiPjoKYabL81Njk4=w600-h315-p-k" /> </a>

11/6/22 2:32 PM

I test rode the Alloy one. It felt pretty normal except the stack. I still like the RSL long/low geom with not so lax front ends. So i just stayed in drops for tne ride.