Autobuys recently had their chance to take part the Cash for Clunkers deal through the federal government, well now bicycle buyers had a trade-in program of their own. A local bike shop in Marquette, Michigan, Lakeshore Bike had their Cash for Bike Clunkers deal which offered owners of older (but still working) bicycles at least $25 for their trade-in. For higher-end bikes owners would get even more for their “bike clunkers.” The payment could then be put towards a new bike at their shop. Matt Calcaterra, owner of the shop, said that they will attempt to recondition the bikes that are traded-in and either recycle or resell them. If they are unusable then they will be stripped for parts.

It’s not just the auto-industry that is hurting in these slow economic times, the bicycle industry is feeling the pain as well, and this is one way that a smart small business owner has tried to attract customers who other wise might not come in to purchase a bicycle.

I’ve seem some pretty crazy folding bikes, a lot of artist like to make their own variation of folding bikes that look cool, but don’t serve their purpose all too well. That is to be easy to fold, ride, and be lightweight. Well this crazy looking folding bike not only looks artsy and cool, it actually works pretty darn well! Called the Contortionist bike, it folds quick and easy, and in a way I have never seen before. It folds down in a crumple like manner and then can be pulled along with little effort much like luggage with roller wheels. The designer, a 24 year old lad from London, claims the main feature is that the bike can fold to within the circumference of its wheels.

He could not find a folding bike he liked, so he designed one of his own, he says it can take a lot of punishment and have fun with it, yet it will still fold and hold up to the abuse. It also appears that there is no chain and the pedals are not connected to anything at all, it must have some sort of internal design which is pretty darn mind boggling.

Sanyo recently released their Eneloop carbon fiber electric bike, it comes in a cool all black design that doesn’t make you look like such a hippy as you go green. It weights in at only 42 pounds, which is still pretty heavy but hey its electric powered. It charges in 3.5 hours and has a range of 62 miles via its lithium ion battery. It even features a dynamo-based recharging system that kicks in as you cruise downhill or brake. The new Sanyo electric bike is not cheap however, it goes for $6,700 and is due out in Japan on October 1st. At that price you can go with a full featured electric bike, but you wouldn’t look as cool as you would riding on something carbon fiber.

-Ray

Bicycle riding was very popular in the United States as it was in Europe in the early 1900’s. A very rare bicycle from the early days of bike riding was recently discovered, the last surviving copy of a chainless 3-speed bicycle produced in early 1900. Called “The Hill-Climber,” it is the first mult-speed bicycle made in the United States. If is currently being restored and will be debuted at the 32nd Annual LeMay Auto Collection show August 29, 2009 in Washington.

SEATTLE, July 15 /PRNewswire/ — A bicycle believed to be the first production model in America to employ multiple-speed gear ratios has been found and is being restored to original condition. When found, only the patented gear-changing mechanism was still attached to the rusty frame. A nationwide search for replacement parts and information about the company that produced it has been undertaken.

Before this discovery, the first-known production multi-speed bicycle was marketed under the Columbia brand in 1903. It featured a two-speed “kickback” hub, and was also a chainless bicycle. The story of “The Hill-Climber” has recently been published in a book titled “Restoration.” It is available on the Amazon-affiliate website Createspace at https://www.createspace.com/3382245

The inventor of this 3-speed bicycle, Peter J. Scharbach, called it “The Hill-Climber.” It was originally produced by Scharbach/Hoerth and Company in San Francisco in 1902. Research shows that the company also tried to produce an early automobile. It is not known how many of these bicycles were sold during its production years from 1902-1904. Chainless bicycles are manufactured today by a few companies, but the product form is not widely known to bicyclists.

The surviving Hill-Climber, a frame with a shaft-drive (like an automobile) instead of a chain, has three bevel gears at the rear wheel, and shift linkage to change speed ratios. It was stored in the basement of a retired dairy farmer outside of Pe Ell, WA, after spending most of its life on his farm junk pile. His father, John K. Muller, and many residents of the area invested in a manufacturing company formed with the inventor in late 1903. Assembly operations were moved from San Francisco to Chicago in early 1904. Mysteriously, all their investment was gone by the end of the year, and the company folded.

A descendant of the inventor was found living in Arizona. His great-grandfather was a blacksmith, inventor and entrepreneur whose patent for the chainless bicycle is still being referenced today. Remnants of the bicycle business are a few surviving photographs taken at a product roll-out event in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, c.1902. An advertising flyer, and other surviving documentation, was found in the possession of relatives of John K. Muller.

The bicycle is scheduled to be on display at the 32nd Annual LeMay Auto Collection show August 29, 2009, near Tacoma, WA.

If you’re a golfer and a cyclist then this is the perfect accessory for you. This gold caddy on the go attaches to your bike and holds your golf bag and all your gold accessories. No funny golf pants needed! It goes for $199 from Clean Air Gardening.

The two men who stole Lance Armstrong’s race bicycle were recently convicted. One of the men, Lee Monroe Crider, 40, will get three years in state prison after pleading no contest to second-degree burglary and grand theft. The secone man Dung Hoang, 33, also pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property and will get three years of probation and 90 days in jail. It just goes to show that crime doesn’t pay, especially if that crime is against a rich and famous Tour De France winner like Lance Armstrong.

There are bicycle enthusiasts who ride their bikes for exercise and to keep in shape, but for enthusiasts like Bob Maddox in the US it’s all about going fast. How fast? How about 73mph with the help of a small jet engine. Maddox isn’t a stranger to jet powered bicycles, last year he built a jet powered bike that went 50mph. His next attempt shattered his previous record, powered by dual-exhaust pulse jet engine Maddox went 73mph on a deserted back road. He uses two engines that have been combined to cycle as one larger engine that features a throttle and even a push button start. We’re waiting to hear about Bob Maddox hitting 100mph.

“As the environment, gas prices and health awareness continue to make headlines, it’s exciting to provide a service that addresses these critical issues,” said company president/founder George Gill. “Now, cycling is more available for enthusiasts and casual cyclists alike.”

The popular bike rental site RentaBikeNow.com is offering their services for the North American bicycle market. They are the only coast-to-coast bike rental site that rents bikes, accessories and offers tours to tourist bike riders across the country. RentaBike.com has been used worldwide by millions of users who want to reserve bikes for rent online from many bike rental shops at locations they are traveling to for vacation. Users just have to select a location, date, and type of bike before their vacation to have their rented bike waiting for them when they arrive. They offer mountain bikes, kids bikes, recumbent tricycles, comfort bikes and beach cruiser bikes for those heading towards the tropics. Check out their one of a kind services at www.rentabike.com.

-Ray