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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Tue Jul 06 2004 - 17:02:48 EDT
In a message dated 7/6/04 12:02:43 AM, Jim Alexander writes:
<< After really analyzing our capability to hoist and more importantly
properly stow a scooter aboard, I think I have abandoned the idea in favor of just
getting a couple of bikes.
Now the issue becomes one of deciding which way to go with bikes. The
options obviously are folding vs. non-folding and the option of purchasing motorized
versions. I have basically located three different types of motorized bikes.
At bikemotor.com they sell motorized Dahon Mariners of either the 20" or 26"
size. Another outfit called Island Hopper sells a slightly different
motorized bike and lastly there is an outfit right here at our marina that is selling
a new motorized folding bike that seems well engineered. >>
Jim,
I applaud your decision to select a bicycle rather than a scooter or moped.
Both your wallet and your heart will thank you. A couple of years ago I posted
a little piece on bikes. Here it is again. Incidentally, I once had a
motorized bike with a roller pressing on the tire. Both the roller and the tire wore
out at an extraordinary rate. Not good at all.
BOAT BIKES
Many boat owners carry bicycles on board for shoreside transportation. They
are convenient, cheap, and do not require licensing in most venues. For a
number of years I biked ten miles to and from work every fair weather day. It's not
that I'm an eco-freak but just that I was willing to trade a half hour ride
each way for the hassle of auto traffic and parking. My son and I were members
of a bicycle club and took long rides through the countryside on Fall weekends
after the boat was in winter wrap. As you can guess, I have definite opinions
on suitable bicycles for boats.
Folding bicycles are the Devil's invention. Bikers cherish bikes with stiff,
light weight frames. Most folding bicycles have neither. Multiple joints in
the frame encourage a definite wiggle. If not immediately, then after a season's
modest use. The hinges welded to the crossbar and downtube are heavy and the
strain they impose on the bicycle's frame means that it must be constructed of
thick walled tubing. This makes the frame heavy for its size. The total
weight of a good road or mountain bike is 24 to 28 lbs. Most folding bikes weigh in
on the far side of 30 lbs, often as much as 35 or 36 lbs. In addition, most
folding bikes have small wheels, 16" to 20". This gives a bone jarring ride on
all but the smoothest roads. Sure, they fold up into compact packages but the
purpose of a bike is to ride, not to store. After a few wiggly, bumpy rides on
a hard to control folder, the average yachtsman will call a cab instead.
That's not to say that all folding bikes are bad. Some are quite good. The
Moulton is an example. But they are quite expensive. A lot of precision
machining goes into making joints that won't loosen, attached to lightweight high tech
frames to keep the weight down.
So, if a yachtsperson has the room, he or she should get a full sized, medium
priced, lightweight mountain bike or hybrid bike in the $400 range, give or
take a hundred dollars. Buy one without suspension. Suspensions add weight and
are desirable only for off road riding. These bikes are available in rust
resistant aluminum frames. Most of the components are aluminum as well and, if
given a reasonable amount of care and periodic lubrication, will hold up in a
marine atmosphere. I can store two Raleigh hybrids on the side decks of my
Willard and still move from bow to stern easily. The bikes have a lifetime frame
guarantee. The boat doesn't.
If you have a little more money or less space, I recommend a Montague folding
bicycle. This is essentially a standard bike where the front half of the
frame pivots around the seat tube, the tube that goes from the seat to the pedals.
I believe that Dahon distributed them for a while. A modification of this
bike is the one designed by DARPA for Special Forces, Paratroopers, and Marines.
A civilian version costs about $650, weighs 29 lbs, and folds into a package 3
ft by 3 ft by 1 ft. Unfolded, you have a 24 speed mountain bike with 26"
wheels. Large bike dealers carry them or they can be ordered from Montague at
www.militarybikes.com. For those who don't need to drop their bikes from
airplanes, slightly less rugged versions are available at lower prices.
Larry Z
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