Bye, Bye, Green Bike

Our last morning commute together. I never got completely comfortable on this bike. I also had issues with the gears, as in, too-high and too-low issues. I turned in my first draft and I hope they let me review more bicycles and accessories in the future. It was fun having new responsibilities in my commuting. I was tasked with evaluating this guy, and I liked the process. It was fun to try out a new bike, even though I didn't fall in love like I was afraid I might.

Matt took this yesterday when we were off for President's Day. We aren't photography lighting experts, obviously.


I had ambitious gols for the holiday, but we mainly carried out our weekly tradition of The Bachelor watch party. A screen-shot I took of Courtney's strained, un-sympathetic face was used on I Hate Green Beans Bachelor re-cap blog. (!!!)

Tonight after I dropped the Nirve bike off at the shop that built him for me, I scurried over to the bus stop and waited patiently. I haven't used my metro card in so long I had no idea it was completely empty and I had to get off the bus. I ended up taking a cab, and that's just fine. We've been so lucky with this awesome winter. I know everyone must be sick of hearing about it, but this time last year I was doing good if the snow was clear enough for me to commute three days a week. I can barely remember the last time I wasn't able to bike to work. I am grateful for this warm winter. 

That Bicycle Fit Diagram

Here's that diagram. I couldn't explain this speaking so I had to draw it. 
Saying something nice: Those freakin' chromoly tubes are amazing over bumps. If I do buy a bike in the future, I will not overlook the goodness of them. This bicycle is also very lightweight and even though the handlebars are wider than my Linus, it's easy to maneuver this light guy into the storage closet where it hangs out while I work.

Monday I rode the Nirve bike. I'm trying to feel better about it after my exhausting ride around Central Park last Sunday.

My coat is Jordache vintage. Gap jeans, dolce vita pax boots. Headband and gloves are from K-Mart. 

Nirve Mixte Review Diary

I took the Nirve Wilshire Mixte on probably the biggest single ride we will go on before my review is due to Momentum. I've been doing my daily work commute, which is about 8mi. round-trip.

Today was 29º and very windy and I took it around the big loop in Central Park - about 6miles, plus getting over there and coming back. 


Doing the big loop was a lot more work than I expected on this bike. I'm just not sure about the gears on this bike. I feel like 1 and 2 are really high gears and 3 is quite low.



I don't want to be all, like, "On my single-speed, blah, blah, blah-" So I won't.

I made a video immediately, to collect my thoughts and because I was exhausted for some reason, but there was a lot of wind so watch it if you like, but I'll re-cap below.


Riding this over to Central Park and doing The Big Loop felt like a lot of work.
This bike has 3 gears. 1 and 2 feel higher than I would like, and 3rd gear seems really low.

It is fun to put the bike down in the 3rd gear on flat, straights and get crazy speed.

However, I am not a fan of speed because I envision however fast I'm going correlates to how fast my delicate, precious skin could be skidding on asphalt, so I do prefer to keep it slow.

I have a geometry issue with this bike. I'm going to have to make a diagram to explain it.
I've struggled to get the seat-height right and I need to show you a diagram to justify my conclusion.

I think these fancy tubes are why it handles bumps so gracefully. This also shows you the glittering green paint.


A portrait.


I got a bell added. I feel less-lawless and this is the most polite-sounding bell ever. I need to find out exactly what it is. It's not as blaring as you sometimes need among the noise in the city, but it's a really pleasant sound. If you're shy about being rude ringing your bell, this is your bell.


I put my basil brand wire basket-pannier on the rear rack and secured it with a bungee.


That's it for today. Please let me know if you have any questions because I've never reviewed a bicycle before. My first draft is due in about a week and I should have a few more commuter-rides on it 'til then.

I'm Going to be Fair and Maybe Organized

I'm reviewing a bicycle and I'm reviewing what I wore today.

Here we are on our morning commute. 

Part A. What I wore.
Basic Denim button-up shirt; I feel sloppy in this, so I dress it up with suspenders

And a silk necklace I made.


My faux fur was benched for a while because it smelled so nasty from exhaust. Bastard trucks! 
It was a gray day, so I went with my bright white bern helmet. J Brand jeans, Gap booties, Kate Spade bag has to be worn because I forgot to bring a basket for this bicycle. 


Part B. The Bicycle.
For every negative thought I write here about this bicycle, I'm going to write a positive.
I want to keep everyone in suspense until my official review comes out in Momentum Magazine.

First, the bad news: This front logo thingie is peeling off.


Great news that will be repeated again and again and again because I can't get over it- This guy takes bumps like a freakin' cadillac. I don't really understand why, but when I go over bumps, like that nasty patch in Times Square, this bike feels very comfy and doesn't jar. I have to stand up a little and brace myself on my Linus those bumps are so bad.

This guy is smooth. Yes, I think this bicycle is a guy. A young man, not just a boy.

I also loved putting it in the low gear going around Central Park and passing the heck out of some other bikes.

But I need a basket. The handlebars are too light to carry even this small handbag without being a little loosey goosey.  But it's silly and dangerous to carry your handbag on your handlebars anyway.


Some people have real problems and I'm glad I'm not one of them.

I'm a dirty two-timer

Notice a new friend in this photo?

I feel like I'm caught in a scandal and cheating on my lady. I mounted an unfamiliar frame this evening and it felt a little dirty. I'm going to have this Nirve Wilshire Mixte bicycle for a few weeks, and I'm going to write a review for Momentum Magazine.

I feel like I'm going to get busted by my bicycle, Kate the Linus.

The only thing I can tell you about this green bicycle so far is that it does not have a bell, so I felt even more scandalous when I realized I was being a law-breaking hooligan with no bicycle bell. 

Ok, I can also tell you it's delightfully lightweight and has a sturdy kickstand to keep it erect for a quick photo shoot in the dark.

I rode home along the newly re-opened East River Esplanade next to some gorgeous full-moon light.


I am very excited to be doing this review for Momentum. I'm excited to participate and write a review based on my opinions as a Lady Bicycle Rider.

Good night and good luck!