I have to mention specifically my experience here with Crosslake Sales. I had some trouble figuring out everything with my bike and the components. They consistently responded with lightning speed to every question and inquiry I had, they presented me with better options and have definitely made a return customer out of me! I definitely recommend their ebay store, and if you have any needs for bike supplies give them a click!
Happy hunting.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ninja Bike
With the incredible help of Jim Duthie, I have been steadily building over the past month my dreamy new Ninja Bike. It all started from an idea....
A bike that is:
Stealth (silent, black, capable of being safely reflected and running dark, nondescript, nimble)
Tough
Easily transported on my back
Light
It's a bike I can commute on and ride on secret missions (to my girlfriend's house for example), and a bike I can be sneaky on. Hence the bike took form with Jim's help and some easy imagination. It's a track bike, and it is a single speed. No clicking, no whirring, no jangling of spare bits and bells, no derailer to gum things up. Simple, straightforward, easy to mount and dismount, and easy to ride no handed (for those moments when you need to grab onto an overhead bar to flip up onto, duh).
I started buying parts about a month ago with the wheels. I was able to find an all black set, spokes, hubs, and rim (NON MACHINED - essential to remain all black) on ebay. The wheel set is great.. back wheel is set up for flip flop single speed and fixie!
Next was the frame and as this is a crucial part it was the hardest choice. I thought about going for a Mercier TT from bikesdirect, or just buying one from bikeIsland, but I found a great deal on ebay again from CrossLakes Sales. It's an aluminium frame, comes black with no stickers and a great price tag!
A bike that is:
Stealth (silent, black, capable of being safely reflected and running dark, nondescript, nimble)
Tough
Easily transported on my back
Light
It's a bike I can commute on and ride on secret missions (to my girlfriend's house for example), and a bike I can be sneaky on. Hence the bike took form with Jim's help and some easy imagination. It's a track bike, and it is a single speed. No clicking, no whirring, no jangling of spare bits and bells, no derailer to gum things up. Simple, straightforward, easy to mount and dismount, and easy to ride no handed (for those moments when you need to grab onto an overhead bar to flip up onto, duh).
I started buying parts about a month ago with the wheels. I was able to find an all black set, spokes, hubs, and rim (NON MACHINED - essential to remain all black) on ebay. The wheel set is great.. back wheel is set up for flip flop single speed and fixie!
Next was the frame and as this is a crucial part it was the hardest choice. I thought about going for a Mercier TT from bikesdirect, or just buying one from bikeIsland, but I found a great deal on ebay again from CrossLakes Sales. It's an aluminium frame, comes black with no stickers and a great price tag!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Yet another sad tale of misunderstanding
You can just read this article on the BBC about the Dongria people in India being pushed off their land (unless the supreme court of India prevents it, which they might!) for development. But first let me sum up: Vedanta mining company has already taken some land and kicked off the people living there (which raises the question about land rights... if you and your ancestors have been living on a land longer than any government has existed but never wanted, needed, or taken legal right to the land, how can any one else claim the land? but they can! and they do all the time!!!) and now they want to mine the sacred mountain of the Dongria people.
Vedanta claims:
But here's the misunderstanding that leads to almost every one of these confrontations! "Better living conditions" means something different to every people and person, so who are they to say a road into their land is better or worse? Just as our pristine wild lands are disappearing to development, so are our pristine cultures. And I believe they deserve just as much protection as the land and animals we work so hard to save.
Vedanta claims:
"They will be there where they are today. The only thing is that if that area develops they will get better living conditions, because we may develop some roads, some better infrastructure, better communications, better living conditions."
But here's the misunderstanding that leads to almost every one of these confrontations! "Better living conditions" means something different to every people and person, so who are they to say a road into their land is better or worse? Just as our pristine wild lands are disappearing to development, so are our pristine cultures. And I believe they deserve just as much protection as the land and animals we work so hard to save.
Republicans are LIARS (but they're not the only ones)
Showing their absolute disregard for truth and the people who pay their salaries this crap they spread. How can ANYONE vote for this party? Maybe people just like being lied to.
Check it out: Officials spread false 'not a drop spilled after Katrina' talking point in support of offshore oil drilling
Check it out: Officials spread false 'not a drop spilled after Katrina' talking point in support of offshore oil drilling
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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