How to adjust your bike

While I am far from being a professional bike fitter I do spend my days designing bikes and a big part of that is ergonomics. I also spend a considerable amount of time riding through town where it often surprises me how many people are riding bikes that are either way too large or way too small for them. Others are riding bikes that may fit them, but they just aren’t adjusted properly with the seat being too high or too low.

Addressing Earth Overshoot Day

Although it may sound ominous, a shadow hangs over us here in Denmark & this year it is recognised on the 16th of March – I am referring to “Earth Overshoot Day”. This sobering date marks the point when we, as Danes, have exceeded our per capita allotment of what is estimated to be a sustainable consumption of our planet’s resources. Everything we consume from now until the year out represents the excessiveness of our lifestyle. Although this is a symbolic date it illustrates clearly the disproportional gap between our lifestyle and the earth’s resources.

Shedding light

Being able to ride your bike at night is a central part of an urban cycling lifestyle, and while it may seem like a simple “no-brainer” there are some considerations to be made when choosing your lights. More is not always better and the rules vary from place to place across Europe. Bike lights have two functions: One is to help you see in the dark and the other is to help make you more visible to others, be they cyclists pedestrians or motorists.

An electron wind – understanding e-bikes

At Coh&Co we produce unique bicycles ideally suited for the urban environment. A growing portion of these are e-bikes. E-bikes have been around for almost 130 years, it is however first during the past decade or so that they have managed to come of age. Much of this is due to battery technology and controller technology. Modern lithium-ion cells have a power density greater than 4 or 5 times that of an old-fashioned lead-acid battery from yore. Just as important as power density, they have gotten much smaller occupying less than one-twelfth of the space when measured in Wh/L. That means there is much more zoom for the room and less weight to push around.

A following breeze – understanding e-bikes

Anyone who cycles regularly has experienced the feeling of soaring. Soaring on a bike is the sensation that all is as it should be. You feel like you are in great form and the bike accelerates almost effortlessly. You’re ahead of the game and you’re feeling good. Unfortunately, this is sometimes followed by a bit of a downer when on your return trip you discover that the wind is against you and your legs and bicycle are both slower and heavier than on the trip out.

Cycling to work

One of our recurring themes here at Coh&Co is commuting. We love to ride and we love to take a roll on the weekends, but it is in everyday life that bikes get under your skin. Getting up in the morning and juggling the kids out the door to climb into the family VeloSled where they can finish breakfast as you discuss school or afternoon plans. Enjoying the wind in your hair as you soar through town and even getting to the top of that irritating hill before the final stretch to the office are all seasoning on a daily commute. Quality time with kids, getting off the train to unfold your folding bike and zip off the final kilometer or two are all quality moments that invigorate.

On the road

I enjoy packing my bike and setting off into the sunset to spend a few days or even a couple of weeks ambling down the road ahead. Together with friends, or even alone, I enjoy exploring the nature and countryside along the road and the villages and towns I stumble upon. Over the past 7 or 8 years I have taken many trips short and longer and somehow the anticipation of what’s around the next corner and the pleasure of relaxing with a beer or a cup of coffee at some roadside inn never seems to diminish.

Oh My God! My Grandfather had those!

Gevenalle shifters, initially introduced as Retroshift, evoke a sense of nostalgia with the term “retro.” However, despite the nostalgic connotations, the Gevenalle shifting system is anything but outdated. While paddle shifters and STI-style shifters may offer comfort and aesthetics, they struggle to match the Gevenalle system in terms of shifting speed, indexing performance, compatibility, lightweight design, and durability.

Quick tips on bike maintenance

There’s no way around it: Bikes need maintenance from time to time. Although keeping your bike oiled up and clean is a crucial factor in ensuring the longevity of your bike, the constant maintenance can feel like a hassle. However, appreciating the necessary maintenance and learning about the health of your bike can not only prolong its overall lifespan, but also enhance the joy of riding the bike. Here’s a couple of general tips on bike maintenance and how often to do it.

Exploring the urban outskirts

Living a daily life in the big city can be an exciting and fast-paced experience offering new challenges and variety every day. For the type of person that enjoys this way of life,  it is what keeps life interesting and the everyday fresh. However, sometimes the big city can become a little overwhelming, even for the best adapted city dweller. In these cases, a short day trip to the urban outskirts can be a much needed break, and what better way to explore these often beautiful  and less crowded parts of the city than by bike.