Urbane Cyclist is a Downtown Toronto worker-owned co-operative bike shop, founded in 1997. We want to help you with your bikes, all your parts and accessories, and share what it's like to work at a worker-owned co-op with you!
Such a great looking bike! Wish it didn't come along with that high of a price tag, esp when you can build something better than it for more than 4,5 maybe even 6 times less.😮💨😮💨
You might be able to build a fat tire e-bike for "cheap" but Tern tests their frames to much higher standards than even many of their competitors - *This is an off road rated cargo e-bike* that has been thoroughly tested by a leading global brand. To top that off a Bosch electrical system means that it is certified safe and tested to various different national standards. So at face value...sure large tires and electric parts might be common ground, but at that point you are just comparing apples to oranges.
Re: your questions about the Zicla (plastic) ramps at TTC loading zones: the Bloor West Bikeway extension you are on was done with "quick build" construction aimed at getting bike infra into areas before larger road resurfacing is scheduled. The basic concept for installing more "proper" bike lanes in line with Toronto's complete streets ideals, means they have to wait for a planned road resurfacing to justify putting in more permanent features such as raised/elevated bike lanes. Some of those raised lanes exist on the newly redone parts of Bloor around the Annex and ROM, as well as on College right outside your shop! The loading zone ramps have been redesigned after initial versions using metal ramps sustained a lot of winter plow damage. Other attempts used actual paving for the ramps, but that can cause issues with flooding in the rest of the lane, which becomes ice in winter. Lots of difficult challenges to overcome for the city's cycling team! I personally think the Zicla ramps are a reasonable compromise for now, though I don't love riding over so many of them and I worry about them in winter.
16:41 YES! It's scary when you are crossing, especially with kids, and cars don't do a full stop. Due to the glare on the windshield it's often impossible to make eye contact and determine whether they have actually seen you or they are just distracted on their phone. By law drivers can't enter an intersection when there are pedestrians crossing it, but VERY few drivers do that. If they are rolling, their foot is not on the brake pedal and they could run over you so easily.
Great video! Regarding the discussion about accessibility and car-centrism/bike infrastructure: It's also worth noting that A LOT of disabled people either can't drive due to their disabilities (eg. blind/visually impaired people) or don't drive because they can't afford to (because driving is expensive and disabled people generally have lower incomes than non-disabled people). Car-dependency greatly limits the mobility and independence of disabled people who either can't or don't drive. Disabled people are also disproportionately likely to be killed or seriously injured in pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions. Creating walkable and cyclable streets that prioritize the mobility and safety of vulnerable road users is absolutely an accessibility issue. And as someone who is passionate about accessibility advocacy, it really annoys me when people who clearly don't actually care about accessibility bring it up to defend a status quo that harms so many disabled people.
As a disabled person who doesn't drive, THANK YOU! It's obvious that they don't care about disabled people when they imply that we only use cars, rather than advocating for multiple modes of transport.
Yes! Totally this! Veronica very lightly touched on this same point in discussing how cities are EXCLUSIVELY designed for able bodied folks within a certain income bracket and within a very narrow age range but this is fully part of the exact same discussion! The idea that it is often not viable just to exist somewhere outside of a certain experience range is so heartless... but also super deeply rooted in how our societies are structured. Really glad you took the time to point this one out, especially the big idea at the core of this, which is that "access" is often brought out as a defense FOR cars, when in reality it is being hindered by cars!!!
I think they seem temporary because the city is trying to get as much bike infrastructure built as quickly and cheaply as possible. And upgrading in the future like they are currently doing on bloor
The irony is...bike lanes are CHEAP compared to car infrastructure. Look at the budget to create a singular highway overpass for reference. We are glad to have a bike lane extended but we should be creating safe streets from the ground up not just slapping ramps everywhere and patting ourselves on the backs. A good measure of safety in bike infrastructure is "can kids use this without being in mortal danger" and generally in Toronto I would say that would be a resounding "NO" therefore....we could do much better. Bloor is good - College is good BUT still have many possible improvements to make them *GREAT* -Owen
@@urbane-cyclist I totally agree! The city did do some outreach to ask if they should prioritize more kms of quick build lanes or less kms of permanent lanes. I think the outcome of that was ppl wanted more kms of quick build to build out the network as fast as possible. Great video btw!
You guys didn't even get to Kipling station and turned around because you thought it was Mississauga 😂 For context the 26 Mississauga Bus has a drop off at Islington station which is why you saw it. The lane itself continues to Kipling! Fun video.
Haha to be fair...its a long ride as a loop and the 360 Camera only has so much memory/battery life! Also it was hot as heck on our shoot day- it was over 2 hours round trip! -Owen
For sure, I found it a bit more funny because you turned around almost exactly where I live, so if that was Mississauga suddenly I would be in for a heck of a surprise!
I deleted my previous comment as the tone was a little aggressive, and I do think more advocacy for better bike infrastructure is always great! I apologize for any offense from the previous comment.
19:53 The High Park plan is still to make it car free. Part of that will be a TTC bus into the park from High Park station. I had one of the park delivery drivers ask me about my cargo bike. Are there any bike logistics companies starting up in the city? That'll be a crucial piece for making the park car free.
2:01 It's eye opening to look at all the bollards that protect municipal and utility assets along streets, like padmount transformers, communication boxes, and gas lines. So many are knocked askew from collisions. The legacy of incompetent driving laid bare smh
I actually have never taken any bike on a bus. So sadly I am not well versed in the compatibilities of bus racks and these bikes! Seeing as these are cargo bikes - the would likely be relatively heavy once fully accessorized and its likely that the accessories would also limit compatibility with a bus bike rack. So I think the effort to lift any cargo bike onto a bike rack is often a non-starter but this could vary depending on the buses and racks in different areas.
@@urbane-cyclistFirst, thanks for the reply. I was thinking the compact cargo bikes might be an exception. Tern says theirs is the length of a regular bike in their advertising. I was thinking of bags or it's contents being removed from the bike and carried onto the bus. For me it would open up more possibilities, destinations, farther than I'd ride. I'd just not add much width via racks although I think one could pull off a centered "milk crate" or just a wide bag on a narrow rack. The length and weight of these makes me think it may be possible, especially the Tern. I was just curious if anyone has tried it. If someone has please tell us about it.
Great in-depth video! Really appreciate the model-specific info and technical breakdowns. One question I had that might take some niche knowledge: How come the White back-roller classic (SKU: F5300) don't say "Classic" on Ortlieb's website like the rest of the lineup? Is there a material or size difference specific to the White classic back-rollers? On Ortlieb's website, the white rollers claim to be .6'' larger in upper width measurement than the rest, but only in inches, the difference is not reflected in their metric measurement. They're also harder to find at third party retailers. Are they being discontinued? At any rate, I ordered a pair from Ortlieb directly and am interested to compare side-by-side with a different color if I see another rider with this pannier. :D
They should be the same size and material. These are available as Classic, Free, Plus variations on this bag which are all the same size. Likely just metric vs silly imperial shenanigans. Plus is obviously different and free says FREE right on it so as far as I know it is likely just a CLASSIC but perhaps their naming convention may have changed to not reflect this?
@@urbane-cyclist Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed reply. So check this out: the white panniers arrived today and what you've said seems correct. Material and size appears to be the same as all the other back-roller classics, and so I couldn't be happier. Why it doesn't have the "classic" printed on the bag? Could be anyone's guess. Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase. This video was a great guide for a first time buyer. Lots of good and niche info about the product lineups - very cool & thanks again.
I actually hate when other cylists are turning right (by passing me on my left) when we are at a red light. 1 - it is illegal and 2- it's annoying af because when my light is green, we can hit each other because the person doing it think she have time to make the turn. Just wait your turn to make the move, it's really that simple. Otherwise, most points are valid. Especially people going the wrong way on a bike lane. That one.... :(
I personally don't see a huge problem with the first part of what you described but it sounds to be about more specific case once you elaborated. If someone turns right if its actually a red....you don't have the right of way to continue straight/forward so it should be a non issue. But what you describe here is someone filtering or "shoaling" up to the front without time and cutting you off once you get a GREEN - yes THAT is very annoying and is very little gain for them and just adds a potential hazard/conflict to you.
Splendid video. So many have been waiting and needing this! An offroad cargo ebike that can carry heavy weight for long distance is what all campers and outdoors enthusiasts have been waiting for. This opens up a whole new market for ebike manufacturers. The video we all really need and want to see next is its loaded capacity of 390 in its offroad environment. This is what we have been waiting for for so long. The performance of max load offroad is what this new market should be showing and improving on. 😊
I think the largest barrier for a fully loaded off road riding is that many trail systems exclude power assisted vehicles and other users are not always pro-pedal-assist. Ironically many folks drive car to places to ride bikes while pedal assist means no need for a car at all often but I hope these sentiments change with time! Obviously ATV type trails are OK but these can be challenging with a regular bike let alone a loaded one!
Thank you, very very very useful , complete presentation. Yes Brooks Saddles are work of an art and the most virtual quality of a Saddle, nothing comes even close to the design and workmanship.
Thank you for this information. I'm moving to Toronto to do my master's, and my main mode of commute/transit, at least in the summer and good weather, will be cycling. To get to university, Google maps is recommending I use Bloor or College street coming from the West side of Toronto, so I will be using it at least a few times per week. I love my bike, and I love biking and can't wait to bike around Toronto and try some of the trails. I prefer biking over public transit that is crowded, has delays, sometimes with sketchy people, and takes longer. Plus it saves me money. As long as it isn't raining, snowing, freezing cold, or a long distance, I use my bike to travel. I am coming from Montreal that has amazing bike lanes and infrastructure. So sad to hear the bike lanes I will be using most in TO are uneven and bumpy.
You're going to love the cycling infrastructure! We're super grateful for it, and even though we have some thoughts and feedback on the execution, we'd love EVEN MORE bike lanes all over!
Okay, I have a question Ill watch the whole video maybe it answers me. My friend got this really nice custom beach cruiser and it had a bell gel seat cover on it. I was just looking it over I took that cover off and boom a brooks 😮 the leather had a crack in it and I told him what I know about them and showed how much they cost new is there a way to get the leather repaired? Can you send it back and pay to get it fixed? He has no interest in it but I do I can probably get it for free. I mentioned to himI got a nice cushiony seat to give him in exchange and he said he's with it.
Once the leather is cracked it's likely been completely dry for a long time, maybe also exposed to the elements. The fibers in the leather are cracked so even after rehydration it will likely still continue to grow. You can try to fix it but you're likely just buying some time. Worst case scenario you will likely learn something along the way! Good luck!
The wind is a significant danger to a rider’s hear health as it damages hearing at an exponential rate. Earplugs that keep out high wind noise and other damaging frequencies while allow others (like vehicle sounds and sirens) are essential.
Got my orox built up today and did 40 miles on it and like you tour was my go to assistance mode for most of the ride with only using emtb when going up 9% or steeper gradients and turbo was just for a giggle. Absolutely love it, lucky to work in a bike shop so borrowed our demo bike for a few days before commiting to ordering one for myself!
Just get aftershockz or some other bone conductor. Had an ear infection and they were the only way I could listen to music. So it's not blocking your ears.
31:15 I find that people respond best when I slow down to their speed and greet them with a friendly "Good morning!". In my head I may be thinking other words if they are walking shoulder to shoulder or being completely oblivious of their surroundings, but I don't want them to think of cyclists as jerks.
