Introduction

This is a blog for nyc bicycle riders. I'll be bringing you updates on traffic patterns, bike shops, bike happenings, bikes, and bicycles.
As a full-time bicycle user that lives in downtown manhattan, I strictly use my bike for all trips. The few times a month I don't (due to heavy rain, icy/sleet, drunken laziness), I always regret it. I ride a steel frame Peugeot. It's a black single speed track bike. I've had it for over 5 years and the bike must be at least 20 years old. I recently minimized the bike from a 12 speed to the single speed. The transition has been great. I was resistant, because I'm not a fucking hipster, and well, we all know how hipsters look on the single speed and fixed gear bikes, fucking stupid, but hip.
NYC is definitely a city that is single speed friendly. No hills, lots of bike carrying to get up and down stairs, the need to lock your bike to non-bike friendly street furniture, all good reasons for a single speed in the city.
I didn't do the job myself. My crank fell apart about a month ago near MSG as I was on my to a rehearsal. Thinking about how much it would cost to get it fixed in the city, and knowing that I was going to be spending the night in Queens, I figured, might as well haul it out on the train and take it to a shop out there. So I brought my bike to Astoria bikes on 28th ave and 36st. For 110 dollars, I got a new chain ring, a freewheel cog, new chain, new crank set, and the labor. It took them one day to do the job. I'm not sure there is a shop south of Inwood that would beat that price. My bike lost about 5 pounds of weight without the derailleur, gear shifters, and cables. The ride is so much smoother now, and I now fully sold on the pros of a track bike.