0 Degrees and Riding / My New Trek Earl Update

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2013/01/0-degrees-and-riding-my-new-trek-earl-update/

This mornings commute with 0 degree temps and windchill sitting at -15, creates the most peaceful time of year on the lake front. Usually full of runners, joggers, rollerbladers, cyclists, tourists, and other fun bike path adventurers, the frozen breeze of 0 degree day clears the waters edge of all but the hardcore. Today I was one the four cyclists, and two runners that occupied the lake front path during my ride in.

It has been over a week now with my new Trek Earl, and I am loving it more and more. Especially after a few changes I've made. Added some fatter rubber, 45c wide tires replaced the 28c stock tires, and swapped the 17t stock freewheel with a 21t. I traded higher top end speed for quicker acceleration, and in the city, for the bike I am looking for, this is splendid. The wider tires are a softer ride and suck up some of the vibration that is produced by the bumpy city streets. Also, they look a bit snazzier. My next planned change is the handlebar, I would like it wider then the chopped down stock bar. So much for getting a bike and not changing it, but what would the fun in that be?

Chicago River - Needs to be colder than 0 degree F to freeze this saucy waterway

Chicago River

A day for goggles and SRAM scarf

One other feller on the lake front path

Chicago

Chicago

Trek Earl

Added some fatter rubber

Changed the gear ratio up to a 21t in the back.

Bar Mitts! Didn't even need gloves with these.

Chopped chain guard, no more clank clank clank.

Demon llama!

My New Trek Earl

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2013/01/my-new-trek-earl/

I was in need of a lock up bike. Something simple, low maintenance, fun to ride, and cheap. I did not want something too flashy, bike thefts are going up around these parts, and I wanted my lock up bike, to stay, locked up.

Enter, Trek Bicycles, Earl. Single speed, urban goodness, with chain guard, and bottle opener. Yes, there is a built in bottle opener.

My goal was to not upgrade anything, but I couldn't help myself, and tossed on a stronger pair of metal platform pedals, two bolt seat post, and Bontrager Evoke saddle. Aside from my little changes, I also modified the fender a bit. Cut off some of the front of it so it does not rattle up against the chain ring. Easy peasy. Done.

Trek Bike Earl. ABUS Futura. Side view. (lock not included)

Chain guard. Boom. With a slight modification.

Off on the maiden voyage we go...

What a fun bike to ride!

Just push pedals, and enjoy your ride.

One gear leaves no thinking about shifting. Easy riding geometry with a rise bar, reminds me of big bmx bike. The only things I am going to change after the first ride is add fatter tires and a slightly easier pedal gear ratio. I would like more cushion in my rubber, and be able to accelerate easier off of objects or jumps.

That night when I got home, I welcomed Earl home properly, by using the built in bottle opener.

Trek Earl sports a built in bottle opener.

Tossed my lock on the frame, and took Mr. Earl to the grocery store last night. No special bike gear required.

Built in place to store your lock and open your beverage of choice.

Earl locked up.

The Trek Earl is available from Village Cycle Center!

Here are some more pictures of my sweet Trek Earl.

Here is some technical stuff about Earl you may want to know.


Frame - Trek chromoly, with double top tube that holds U-locks and has a built-in bottle opener
Fork  - Trek steel
Rims/Wheels  - Bontrager aluminum
Hubs - Aluminum, sealed bearing ( actually, they are not sealed bearings, the spec is off.)
Tires - Bontrager H2, 700 x 28c
Crankset - Aluminum 3-piece
Chainrings -  44T
Rear Cogs  - 17T freewheel
Handlebars - Steel
Tape/Grips  - Kraton flanged BMX
Stem -  Bontrager
Brake Levers -  Tektro aluminum
Brakes - Tektro dual-pivot
Pedals - Nylon platform
Saddle - Earl BMX style
Seatpost - Steel


Updates and Further Review of my new Trek Earl:
0 Degrees and Riding / My New Trek Earl