Off The Beaten Path is my blog about the goings-on at Bicycle Quarterly and Compass Bicycles: Rides we do, how we keep our bikes on the road, new products, glimpses of topics in upcoming issues of the magazine, and more.
Bicycle Quarterly is our passion. The magazine existed long before we ever thought about developing and selling bike parts. As we learned more and more about “real world” bicycles, we found that many of the parts needed to make these bicycles were no longer available. We founded Compass Bicycles to make these parts available again. We sell the parts we use, and we develop the components that we need for our own bikes.
Bicycle Quarterly remains strictly independent of Compass Bicycles. The magazine often features other companies’ products, and sometimes is critical of products we sell.
As a personal space, this blog charts my involvement in both companies, rather than strive for the independence of Bicycle Quarterly. The blog is a way to share what we are working on, where we ride, and what is on our minds. We encourage discussion in the “comments” section to develop each subject. Enjoy!
Jan Heine, Editor, Bicycle Quarterly
The timing is perfect… I’m a new subscriber to BQ.
Best of luck, Jan; looking forward to learning (and contributing).
Peace,
BB
Same as Bobby. What a wonderful gift from another rider in my coffee shop riding group.
Looking forward to the enlightenment and insights.
Andy Cheatham
Pittsburgh
As someone who has (nearly) all the BQ issues filed away for future reference (and enjoyment), I welcome this blog! I cannot get enough of BQ!
Oops, add me to the email updates, please.
I am sure this is going to be a very interesting site. I have all the copies of Bicycle Quartely and I am looking forward to the good stuff coming this way.
Tell Hermanson, Sweden
Really enjoy the blog as it adds to an already very fine magazine.
I am still adjusting to the rando bike style as I am a long time
20mm to 25mm wide tire kinda guy, but with every year that
passes I find my appreciation for the bicycle grows as well.
Really enjoy the blog as it adds to an already very fine magazine. I am still adjusting to the rando bike style as I am a long-time 20mm to 25mm wide tire kinda guy, but with every year that passes I find my appreciation for the bicycle grows as well.
+1
Have enjoyed BQ for years and hope it continues.
Thank you for your great editorial work and expanding the awareness of cycling for pleasure and fitness.
Please subscribe me to the blog.
Go to http://janheine.wordpress.com/feed/ and you can subscribe to the blog.
Very nice blog. Clear and objective technical articles.
Thanks for the comments, Gary. Whatever happened to your excellent “bikethink” web site?
Dear Jan,
In search for new tires I encountered your blog. I thought “look if this Dutchman can enlighten me”. Your tire test didn’t help me much, but I am really happy to have found your site! Great stuff. I almost want to pick up the restorationproject of my 1958 Locomotief! But I am lacking time and money…..
Keep up the good work
Jeroen Kleijn
The Netherlands
Recently read the latest issue of the magazine where you talked about not putting much weight on one’s hands and arms while riding. This has always been difficult and wonder how to change my riding style to avoid sore wrists. Almost all riders I see seem to be leaning on the bars.
To get weight off your bars, there are two things to consider: 1. Move your handlebars far enough forward so that your hands no longer are below your shoulders, but stretched forward. 2. Now that your back (instead of your arms) is holding you up, move your handlebars up high enough that the inclination of your back is in tune with your power output and your core strength.
As we discussed in the latest Bicycle Quarterly, the inclination of your back should balance the upward thrusts of your pedal strokes. The harder you pedal, the more inclined your back should be. Unfortunately, many modern bikes try to look “racy” by placing the bars lower than the seat, but since many beginning riders don’t have the power output to balance a low position, bike makers have shortened the reach and have the riders lean on the bars. Getting the bars higher and further forward would be a better solution, but it wouldn’t be as easy to sell.
Wrist problems also may be caused by vibrations. Reducing vibrations is most effective at their source, so wider, more supple tires are your best remedy. Another thing is to change hand positions from time to time, and get handlebars that allow multiple positions.