Comments, Arguments, Bicycles...

[image via Chris 531]

Over the past couple of weeks, I've spent considerably more time moderaring comments than usual. For the most part, it's been a handful of readers getting overzealous in their debates with one another. But when hostility enters a discussion, others get sucked into it as well. All I know is: I don't want to be the Jerry Springer of bicycle blogs. I would rather have fewer comments, but retain the atmosphere of comradery that has been characteristic here thus far.

I have wondered whether discussions about bicycles are somehow more prone to conflict than other topics. Readers often tell me that they are uncomfortable commenting on various online bicycle forums and blogs, because they find the atmosphere hostile. And I understand that: I myself have a difficult time communicating on bikeforums, despite it being such a valuable resource for technical information. I also can no longer read the comments on Yehuda Moon, because of all the bickering between readers there. It is well documented that there exist genuine differences between what kind of interactions people find enjoyable: Some prefer for everything to be in the style of a debate, with technical inaccuracies in the wording of others victoriously exposed. Others favour a more nurturing, open form of communication. My own preference is somewhere in between: I like a good debate and I am fine with being challenged, as long as the underlying mood feels friendly.

[images via Schwar]

Sometimes I think that we'd all be nicer over the internet, if we just imagined all the unknown others out there as kittens. Kittens, who love bicycles - at times feisty, but ultimately sweet and fluffy, pedaling happily through the fragrant meadows. Do you really want to hurt their feelings?

But for those who can't deal with the kitten metaphor and prefer specifics, I will be more direct: I think that it is a matter of common sense to refrain from mocking or deriding others' points of view in the comments. It's not that everyone has to agree, but sometimes there are nicer ways to disagree. In the same vein, consider refraining from statements that, while technically speaking may be phrased politely, you know in your heart of hearts are inflammatory (for example: "No offense meant, but riding a blue bicycle lowers your IQ and transmits STDs"). Finally, allow me to suggest that it is best to avoid making speculative, or misleading statements about individuals or entities that can be considered slanderous (for example: "I heard that Lovely Bicycle is written in the Far East, using child labor and toxic inks"). I trust that most people understand the difference between comments that are "in good faith" and "not in good faith."

Meaningful reader feedback has been a defining element of "Lovely Bicycle" from the start, and it makes me happy to be the hostess of such thoughtful, interesting discussions. As one reader recently suggested, my posts are collaborative: I offer my views, and others offer their views in return. It's a constructive exchange, which I think works nicely. Please help me keep it that way. And think of the cycling kittens.

Just the FAQs

As 2010 comes to an end, I have finally put together a FAQ page. No juicy revelations here; just literally some frequently asked questions that could benefit from being compiled into a single post. Perhaps this will provide some blizzard reading for those stuck indoors!

Skip to questions about...
i.   the blog itself
ii.   my cycling experience
iii.  my bicycles
iv.  bicycle advice

v.   opinions on "issues"

vi.  sponsorship, review policies
vii.  bicycle photography
viii. personal stuff

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I. General questions about the blog
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What is the message of Lovely Bicycle?
I don't think there is a specific message. I am interested in classic bicycles and in various aspects of the cycling experience. But I would not call that a message, more like a theme. The post on "Functionality, Comfort, and Aesthetics" explains some of my views pretty well, as does the post on why I think bicycles are not like vacuum cleaners. 

What made you interested in the topic?
I am generally interested in design: I like to know about the history of objects and the relationship between form and function. What is interesting to me about classic bicycles, is the intriguing harmony between their aesthetics and their functionality. As for cycling in itself - I feel that it parallels the general turn my life has taken in the past few years, and I am interested in exploring that connection. I have written a little about that here.

How and why did you start Lovely Bicycle?

You can read all about that here. 

Is Lovely Bicycle a "women's blog"?
That's difficult to say. I do not presume a female audience. But by virtue of being female myself, my experiences and views are biased towards the female perspective and I do not make attempts to correct that bias. Based on the comments and emails I receive, I believe the gender ratio of my readers is about 50/50.

How long does it take you to write a Lovely Bicycle post?

An average post takes about an hour. 

How many visitors does Lovely Bicycle receive?
The website currently receives 1,800 visits per day on average. The greatest number of visitors is from North America (67%), followed by Europe (22%).

Do you answer emails from readers?

Yes, but sometimes there is a backlog and it takes me a while to reply. My contact information is listed here. 

Do you publish press releases and announcements? 

Normally, no.

What is your policy on moderating comments?

As stated here, I approve all comments other than spam, slander, inflammatory remarks, or blatant rudeness. Over 99% of my comments that aren't spam get approved.

What are your long-term plans for Lovely Bicycle?

They are more or less to carry on in the same direction. I do not have plans to expand Lovely Bicycle beyond the weblog format. 

Will there be a Lovely Bicycle Facebook page or Twitter account?

I doubt it. I don't enjoy those forms of media and have no time to keep up with them. 

What is your favourite cycling blog?

It is a 3-way tie between Let's Go Ride a Bike, EcoVelo and BikeSnobNYC. I also read the Yehuda Moon comic. 

Who in the cycling world inspires you?
Sheldon Brown.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a bicycle blog?
If your approach is goal-oriented from the start, it probably won't work. Just write about what interests you. More on that here.

Do you accept donations for Lovely Bicycle?

While I do not solicit donations from readers, I accept and appreciate them when offered - as long as they are appropriate and pose no conflict of interest.

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II. Questions About My Cycling Experience
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When Did You Start Cycling?
I rode a bike as a child and as a teenager, and you can read about that here. I then stopped at age 17 and did not start again until Spring 2009, at age 30.

How much cycling do you do now?

I cycle for transportation daily, unless I am too sick or the weather is dangerously bad. These trips typically total 3-10 miles per day. I also ride a roadbike recreationally whenever I can, but the frequency of that depends on the time of year and how busy I am.

Do you drive or own a car?
I don't drive, but I share a car with the Co-Habitant. You can read about that here. 

What is the longest ride you have taken so far?
The longest ride so far has been a metric century (64 miles). I had hoped to complete a true century (100 miles) over the past summer, but got sick and it did not work out.

What do you wear while cycling?
When I cycle for transportation, I wear my regular clothes, which tend to include skirts. When I ride a roadbike, I will wear something sporty - usually leggings and a long-sleeve tee. Here is a true-to-life illustration of both.

Do you cycle in high heels?

No, I don't feel comfortable doing that. But I have nothing against others wearing heels while cycling. More on that here.

Do you cycle in the rain?
Yes. Here are my posts about cycling in the rain.

Do you cycle in the winter?

Yes. Here are my posts about winter cycling. 

Do you cycle when it's very hot and humid out?
Yes, and you can read about that here.

How did you develop your transportation cycling skills?
Slowly and gradually, thanks to a comfortable upright bicycle and everyday experience. I always stayed within my comfort zone, and that zone gradually began to expand. There is no shortcut that I know of, to feeling comfortable cycling in traffic for transportation.

How did you develop your road cycling skills?
In the first instance, a stable bicycle with "touring geometry" was immensely helpful to me. I also raised the drop bars quite high initially, and then gradually lowered them as I got used to them. At a later stage, I found riding fixed gear to be useful in picking up roadbike handling skills.

When was the first time you rode a roadbike with drop bars?
The actual first time I tried was in the summer of 2009, but I ultimately could not do it and gave up after much disappointment. The first successful time was in the spring of 2010, on my Rivendell.

How do you care for your bicycles?

Shamefully, I don't. They are all filthy, though the rain does wash them occasionally. 

Do you do your own maintenance work, component installations and assembly?

Usually no. The Co-Habitant loves that sort of thing, so why deprive him? (More about this here.)

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III. Questions About My Bicycles

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How many bicycles do you own?
I currently have 7, not counting a couple of "projects" that are not technically mine. You can read about my current and past bicycles here.

Why so many?
I am interested in learning about bicycles - including comparing different geometries, different methods of construction, different aesthetic traditions, and different ride qualities. The only way to do that really, is via personal experience.

Why did you sell your beautiful Pashley?  
The Pashley Princess worked well for me when I was a beginner. But as my cycling skills improved, I found the bicycle to be less responsive than I would have liked, especially on hills. However, I still maintain that it is a beautiful and extremely well-made machine.

How does your Gazelle handle compared to the Pashley?
Despite being a bit heavier and larger, I find my Gazelle to be faster to accelerate than the Pashley, and somewhat easier on hills. However, keep in mind that my Gazelle is a 15-year-old "A-Touren" model, and not a current production Gazelle.

What about the Bella Ciao? 
The Bella Ciao bicycle is fast and climbs hills easier than any other upright bike I have tried (the Abici is in close 2nd place, and the Retrovelo in 3rd). But it is simply in a different category from Dutch bikes and English Roadsters, so it is like comparing apples and oranges. I have a detailed write-up about different kinds of upright bikes here.

What happened to the vintage Raleigh DL-1?
It is still here! It lives in our photo studio (in a town 14 miles away) and is my "studio bike". I am very busy when I am there and don't have time to take photos for the blog, but I will try to feature it more.

Why a custom Royal H. mixte rather than a Rivendell Betty Foy?
You can read about that here.

Of the bicycles you own, which is your favourite?

Can't really answer that! I am painfully attached to most of the ones I own now, and they have different purposes.  

Okay, but "burning building and you can only save 1 bike"?

My Royal H. mixte then. But let's hope it doesn't come to that!

What bicycles would you like to try next?

I would really like to experience "low trail geometry" - preferably on an original French randonneur or a modern (but classic) equivalent. 

If you had an unlimited budget, what is your dream bicycle?

I am not experienced enough yet to have a "dream bicycle". Ask me in 1-2 years!

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IV.  Bicycle Advice 

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What bicycle do you recommend for commuting? 

There is no one manufacturer or model that I can recommend. But I do suggest certain features, which are described in detail here. Keep in mind that my suggestions are for those who have similar priorities as I do; they are not for everyone. 

What bicycle would you recommend that can "do it all"?

I would be very careful about that. See here for more.

Internally geared hub or derailleur?

Only you can decide. I prefer internally geared hubs for transportation, since they do not require maintenance. I prefer derailleurs for long-distance hilly touring, since they allow a wider range of gears.

How many speeds are best on an internally geared hub?

There is no magic number; you need to experiment and determine that for yourself. I prefer 3-speeds, with a classic trigger shifter.  

Do I really need dress guards and a chaincase for commuting?

That depends entirely on you. Here is more on that.

What bike would you recommend for commuting, on a $500 budget?

A good, refurbished vintage 3-speed. Nobody wants to hear that, as a new bike is easier to buy. But if you want my honest opinion, go for the vintage 3-speed. If you absolutely must have a new bike for under $500, I like the lady's KHS Manhattan Green better than others I've tried. 

What bike would you recommend for commuting, on a $1,000 budget?

As of now, I am honestly not sure what to suggest. Perhaps a Gazelle 3-speed, or an Abici, if you are okay with the welded seat cluster on the former or with the unicrown fork on the latter. 

What bike would you recommend for commuting, on a $1,500 budget?

A Bella Ciao, or a Retrovelo Klara. 

What touring bicycle would you recommend?

A Rivendell. I am drinking the kool-aid and it tastes good. 

What bike shops can you recommend in the Boston area?

I consider Harris Cyclery in West Newton, MA to be the best bike shop in the area - as defined by product availability, staff knowledgeability, and quality of service. Harris Cyclery became a sponsor of Lovely Bicycle in October 2010, but I have been writing positive things about them well before that time. I also like Cambridge Bicyles and the Wheelworks. 

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V.  Opinions on Cycling-Related Issues

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Are you pro-VC (vehicular cycling) or pro-Infrastructure (bike lanes/ protected paths)?

Not to be wishy-washy about it, but I think that either could work and either could fail, depending on the context.

Do you follow vehicular road rules when cycling in traffic?
Definitely.

What are your thoughts on bike share programs?

I am conflicted on this one. Although bike share programs sound like a fantastic idea on the surface, I feel that they often involve a great deal of wastefulness. I think Mike Flanigan explains this nicely here.

What are your views on bicycle lights and high-visibility wear?
I think that good bicycle lighting is essential, and  I define "good lighting" as steady (non-flashing) lights attached to the bicycle directly and not to moving parts such as helmets or bags. I am neutral regarding high-vis wear and see it is a matter of personal choice. For the most part, I agree with the views expressed on Portlandize regarding this issue.

What are your views on bicycle helmets?
I am pro-choice. My personal views are for the most part in agreement with those expressed on Portlandize (see here and here). I will not engage in helmet debates on Lovely Bicycle. 

Are you involved in cycling advocacy or activism?

I try to avoid any kind of "isms". 

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VI.  Questions About Sponsorship and Reviews 

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Why did Lovely Bicycle become a sponsored website?
Please read about that here. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately I am pleased with how things have turned out.

How do I know which businesses sponsor you?
All businesses that sponsor Lovely Bicycle display a banner on the right margin of this website under "Sponsors". There are no other sponsors, and no paid advertising material appears on any other part of this website. 

How do you deal with bias and potential conflict of interest?
Please read about that here. 

On what basis do you select sponsors?
On the basis of liking the products/ services they offer. I have declined sponsorship offers from businesses whose products and services I do not wish to advertise.

You've mentioned collaborative projects with the bicycle industry. How will you get compensated for your involvement?
I will get paid as a consultant/designer. I do not work on commission.

Do you participate in affiliate marketing?

I do not participate in affiliate marketing of any kind, including per-click ads or text-embedded links.

How do I know when your bicycle test ride reports and product reviews are prompted by the industry?
Most of my test ride reports and product reviews are my own idea. When this is not the case, I will mention that a product was sent to me for review, or that I was requested to try the product. These disclosures will appear in the first paragraph of the review.  If a product was sent to me for free, I will likewise mention this in the first paragraph of the review. I do not accept payment for product reviews.

As a manufacturer, how do I advertise on your website, or get you to review my product?
Please contact me, and I will send you detailed information about my advertising rates and product review policies.

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VII. Questions About Photography

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How often do you take bicycle pictures?

Typically, about twice a week.  I don't do it in a "daily photo journal" sort of way; the majority of my cycling activity goes undocumented. 

You write about cycling in traffic, but I rarely see pictures of that.

I don't feel safe taking pictures, or being photographed, while actually cycling in traffic. Most pictures where you see me cycling are staged on a quiet street or in a park.

Are you and the Co-Habitant professional photographers?

Most of the pictures on Lovely Bicycle are taken casually and do not reflect our professional work - but yes. If you are interested in our work, please get in touch.

What camera(s) do you use on the blog?

In posts prior to December 2009, pictures were taken with an old Nikon CoolPix point-and-shoot camera. In posts starting December 2009, most pictures were taken either with a Panasonic Lumix LX3 compact, or with a Nikon D-90 DSLR. You can also have a look at my flickr account; camera info is listed there for each image. 

How much post-processing do you do, and using what program?
My post-processing is minimal and I use Gimp. Usually the work is limited to image cropping and colour adjustment, when necessary.

Do you have any tips for taking good bike photos?

Everyone's idea of "good bike photos" is different. I will try to write a post about my approach soon. In the meantime, here is an excellent post on this topic from ecovelo. 

May I use your images in my blog or website?

You are welcome to use my images for non-commercial purposes, if in doing so you credit Lovely Bicycle and provide a link to this weblog. Unless credit is given otherwise, all images on this site are © 2011 Lovely Bicycle. 

How can I get access to hi-res versions of your images?

Hi-res versions of most images are available for sale. Please get in touch if you are interested in purchasing a specific image. 

May I use your images for commercial purposes?

To use my images for commercial purposes, you must purchase them. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss terms. 

Are some of your photos already in use by the bicycle industry?
Yes. You might spot photos that have been taken by us in use by Zimbale, Bella Ciao, Red Barn Design, Flying Pigeon LA, Vienna Active Tours, and Royal H. Cycles.

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VIII.  Personal Questions

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Where are you from?

I grew up partly in Europe and partly in New England, USA. You have to know me personally to get more than that out of me.

Who is the "Co-Habitant"? Is he a boyfriend? husband?

We are married, but the word "husband" makes me think of animal husbandry... 

What is your educational background?

I have a doctorate in Psychology, postgraduate training in Neuroscience, and a degree in International Relations. I am also an Art School dropout. 

How old are you?

I am 31 years old.

What do you do for a living?

I consider myself primarily an artist (painting,  photography, performance), with a dayjob in academia and consulting. I have been gradually cutting down on the dayjob and focusing on the art. So far, so good. 

Why do you sometimes live in Austria?
For work. Here are my posts from Vienna.

What is your height and weight?

A legitimate question as it pertains to cycling, so I am fine answering: I am 5'7" and my weight is usually around 125lb. 

Is your hair straight or curly? It always looks different in pictures.

It is curly, but sometimes I straighten it. 

What kind of cats do you have?
They are Norwegian Forest Cats, possibly with a touch of Ragdoll. One is brown and white, the other is all brown. They are sisters. You can see pictures here.

Do your friends and family read Lovely Bicycle?
Mostly no. Only the Co-Habitant and my house-mate in Vienna know about it.

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Well, I think that is enough for now! I will link to this page on the main sidebar and and will continue to expand it over time. Thank you, everybody, for reading Lovely Bicycle!

On Bias, Ethics, and Moving Forward

It has been 19 months now since the start of Lovely Bicycle, and 3 months since it has become a sponsored website. In October 2010, this site received 50,000 visits and I now rummage through about 40 emails per week from readers.

Functioning at this level is not something I intended initially, and it poses its own set of challenges. For some time now I have been trying to formulate a general statement addressing issues of objectivity, bias and ethics, so that it is clear to my readers where I stand. Nothing here should come as a surprise if you read this blog, but sometimes it helps to make things explicit.

As far as objectivity and bias go, my position is fairly straightforward: I am not objective. I am biased. I am not a journalist and Lovely Bicycle is not a "consumer reports" type of website. I have my views, my preferences, my favourites, and every single post you read here is influenced by that.

More specifically, some of my caveat emptors can be summarised as follows:

. I have a strong preference for classic bicycles and classic components

. I think that women-oriented bicycle design has been undervalued and I would like for that to change

. I prefer hand-made products of high quality over mass-produced ones

. I value craftsmanship, elegant design and attention to detail over monetary savings

. I value and actively try to promote small businesses over corporations and brand-name conglomerates

. I value and actively try to promote independent frame builders and craftspersons, especially those local to me

. I am open to collaborating with members of the industry in creating products and services that could benefit my readers

. The work I do for a living has slowly begun to overlap with the bicycle industry, and that is something I am interested in furthering

All of this certainly disqualifies me from being anything close to an "objective observer," and that is fine by me.

The important thing I wish to communicate, is that I am an active participant in the industry and not a passive receptacle of its marketing. I regularly receive product offers from various manufacturers that I decline, because I am not interested in presenting these products to my readers. That means that the products I do accept for review, I accept because I actively want to write about them. By the same token, my choice of sponsors is an active choice, guided by my own preferences. I have turned down sponsorship offers from a number of well known manufacturers whose products I do not wish to advertise.  I have also actively approached companies whom I would be proud to have as sponsors. I am an informed and willing collaborator in the industry on my own terms, not a naïve creature who will happily write about anything she receives for free.

My approach to ethics is not to attempt objectivity or to claim independence. Instead, I opt for disclosure: I try to be as honest as I can about my preferences, my biases, and my connections with those manufacturers or shops whose products I mention. It is then up to my readers to take that information into consideration. I believe that my readers are intelligent and are able to factor these things in.

All that being said, if you read this blog I think it is clear that sponsorship has not stood in the way of my ranting against the things I dislike, just like lack of sponsorship has not stood in the way of my praising the things I like. You don't have to trust me on that - simply examine my content.

Over the next several months, some exciting projects will hopefully unfold and I look forward to sharing the details when the time comes. As mentioned previously, I am involved in several collaborations with manufacturers, including Red Barn Studio and Bella Ciao. I have also been approached about writing a book some time ago, though I don't think that is going to work out. There is no shortage of "stuff" going on, but I am trying to choose carefully and not to move forward faster than I feel is good for me. I enjoy writing Lovely Bicycle in its current form. My main goal is simply to continue - with your kind support.

Thank you again for reading Lovely Bicycle... and moreover, thank you for tolerating such a long post without pictures!

The Age of Capitalism

I will get right to the point of this post: I recently made the difficult decision to accept sponsors for Lovely Bicycle. The banners of the first sponsors will appear later this week.

The reason for the decision is simple: At this point it was either that, or discontinue Lovely Bicycle altogether. The blog has grown in many ways and now takes up more of my time than I can spare financially, cutting into my freelance consulting work. I have considered scaling back, but doing that would most likely make me lose interest entirely; I am not a person who can do things half-way. So the only alternative I saw was to accept sponsors, while doing my best not to sacrifice the integrity of my content. I hope that I have made the right decision.

If you are interested in sponsoring Lovely Bicycle and are not yet in contact with me, please see here for details. 

Thank you for reading, and thank you to all who decide to sponsor Lovely Bicycle!