Montague Street Roadworks

Bike boy's path to Port Melbourne is currently being screwed over by road works on the Montague Street intersection. I inderstand upgrades are needed but the way they've constantly moved the path (and narrowed it) and run it into a zebra crossing that no car in Melbourne would actually stop for has been a constant nightmare. All of that aside they've now closed that side of the path completely but the good news is they've managed to keep a shared path open away from the traffic on the opposite side. It'll save me having to do a suicide run along Montague Street to City Road every morning for the next month and isn't really that big a hassle after all.

Check out the map below for any other Cyclists out there that use the Port Melbourne paths. The map had text on the flip-side and the bit relating to cyclists is as follows:

• The footpath currently open on the West side of montague Street will close and a new footpath on the East side will open.
• The footpath on the West side of Montague Street will reopen in December 2009.
• Eventually Montague Street will have a 3m wide shared path (both directions), as well as a 1.2m wide on-road cycle lane.

What would you say?

Bicycle Victoria are currently running a survey on the health benefits of riding to work. I knew I was better riding than not doing anything at all but this made me think about it a little more. One of the questions asked if you had to convinve someone (in 25 words or less) that riding to work was better for them what would you say? I would say something like "You save money and you may even lose some weight all while avoiding traffic jams and over-crowded trains. Do it for your self-esteem!"

I do love that quote.

Trio Bike

Trio Bike out of the UK make some really sweet cargo bikes. They differ from the rest in that the cargo section up front can be removed and converted solely into a trolley/pusher for the kids and the bike can then be returned to a traditional 2 wheeled bicycle.

The Bumble Bee colour scheme is cool although not my first choice.


The custom graphic on this one is great! I have seen something similar on a cargo bike cruising around Melbourne somewhere although I could be mistaken.

2010 Giant Range

Giant have released their 2010 bicycle line-up for Australia and Bike Boy is very interested in a couple of the new models. Here are the highlights (or lowlights) as I see them.

Giant XTC 29-1



Starting at the mountain bike end is the new 29 inch. Bike Boy has a soft spot for 29er's as they provide the most versatility when combining an MTB with a commuter. Hints from my LBS are that it will be around $2K. Decent components (Avid brakes, Fi'zi:k saddle and Shimano deralieurs) help round out what has been a great bike in the 26 inch category so definitely something to consider if you're looking for a 29er.

We then move into some of the new urban/commuter options Giant are introducing this year.

Giant Seek S


The seek models seem to be "café racers" built for the weekend ride and occasional commute. The Seek S (S for single-speed) caught my eye in the no fuss daily commuter category. Cable discs, no deraileurs, posts for full mud guards and a rack etc. I'll be doing some more research on this model over the next couple of weeks, that's for certain.

Of a similar style to the Seek, although this time with an internal geared hub, is the City Speed. It looks like a new concept commuter with a stem and bars all in one piece along with hidden cable routing inside the frame and integrated lights fitted to the bike. Certainly some nice options on this one if you were after a dedicated commuter.

Giant City Speed CS


City Speed Features


Last is the Bowery, the one up there ^^

This year I think Giant are going after a different demographic. The 2009 Bowery range had 4 models and were all decent looking rides. They all still had the Aluminium frame but different paint jobs and set ups with a flat bar and or drops. The Australia only model was a gloss black but essentially the same as Bike Boy's 08 model. For 2010 Giant have 2 models for Australia, a white with red drop bar model and an absolutely hideous green and pink flat-bar option.



Possibly the most disgusting paint job I've ever seen, and my LBS tells me they've used time-trial style brake levers to increase the "poser" cred. At least you know no-one in their right mind would ever consider stealing such an abomination!

I'll take two

Surfing through the links over at The Vine today I came across this:




It's a V12 Quad bike! Pretty ridiculous so I thought I'd share. There are a heap of them around, supercharged Hyabusa's, Smart Cars with motorcycle engines in them, and more I'm certain but this takes the cake for now.

One way to keep the bugs out

I still love failblog, and whilst I don't check it as often as I used to every now and then I come across some bicycle funnies.

Check this guy out:



I'm sure it's only because he couldn't squeeze it into his bag, but still funny.