For the first time in my life, I have the perfect bike for me. It was built by Michael, the owner of Klink Cycles in Eugene, to my specifications, out of used parts when possible, for $250. It looks goofy but it feels great–I finally decided to get completely over aesthetics and go for ergonomics when it comes to my primary form of transportation. Bicycles have been hurting my posture for too long.
My specs:
Frame/wheels/tires OK for Eugene streets and Joshua Tree dirt roads.
A low top tube for easy stepping over, to accommodate recent back and hip limitations.
A shock absorbing seat post for butt, pelvis, and low-back comfort.
A “sweet cheeks” seat with no crotch and no nose for crotch comfort.
A tall handlebar stem for upright posture.
Handlebars with a certain amount of curve and flat-palm grips for hand wrist and hand comfort.
Michael spent a couple of hours with me, tweaking and changing out parts, then having me ride around until I found a complaint, then re-tweaking. He was amazing and this bike is amazing.
Nathen's Miraculous Escape 
September 21, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Yeah, I’ve been complaining about bikes forever. I never liked the leaning forward position and the angle my neck needed to be in order to see ahead. I didn’t like my shoulders hunched forward and all that weight on my wrists and hands, especially on bumpy dirt roads around here. Traditional seats were too hard on my butt… like sittin’ on a brick. So darn uncomfortable! I’ll have to try yours when you bring it down.
Mom
September 21, 2011 at 5:18 pm
lock it good!
September 26, 2011 at 7:24 pm
That looks AWESOME. Having a bike that really fits what you need is such a change — and such subtle things make such a difference.
Yay!
For me, I prefer a hard seat and good nose (guess who steers with her hips), but I like upright, both to see better in traffic and to keep weight off my already-taking-a-beating wrists.