The cyclist site has a quick post about the state of steel bikes, including some popular models, and a discussion on the resurgence in steel frames.  We’ve only reviewed one steel road bike on RoadCycler.com, the popular Bianchi Brava (a great bike!), but there are many more out there; many of them from artisan framebuilders.

Wired’s Gadget Lab has a quick rundown of the Park Tool Cable Stretcher.  I haven’t had to use this yet, so I’ll have to take their word for it that it’s a recommended tool (when hasn’t a Park Tool done the job well…).
From Park Tool site:
Commonly referred to as a “4th Hand”, the Park Tool Cable Stretcher pulls cables tight. It features one-hand operation with a thumb lock to hold the cable tight while your hand is removed to tighten pull-up bolts and nuts.
I’ve been looking around for more tools …

Most people who lock their bikes up in a big city every day usually just remove the quick release bike seat in favor of a more permanent system in order to keep their saddle out of the hands of thieves.  Not this clever individual.  Instead of locking the seat in place, why not take it with you, and use the empty tube to hold your umbrella in case of that unexpected rain shower.

Mike Mandiburg at Eyebeam wasn’t willing to settle with a simple reflector or a little blinking light on his bike. He worked on a project called “Bright Bike” that has increased the visibility of bikes by wrapping nearly the entire bike in 3M’s Scotchlite Plus Reflective 680 Series Engineering Grade Vinyl, and now the bike reflects a light (such as headlights) right back to the source.
This is a pretty amazing idea, that could see some success if they are able to figure out how to create kits for others to use.

Bright …

Trek was either fed up with the number of dry cleaning bills sent to them from dress pants stained with grease, or decided to try and improve on an old idea for their two new commuter bikes.  The $930 single-speed District, and the $990, eight-speed Soho feature a quiet carbon-fiber composite belt in place of the greasy old chain.

Minneapolis’ own Handsome Cycles has put together a final prototype build for their ‘Handsome Devil’ frame, according to their blog.  While apparently the photo on their blog doesn’t do the frame justice, it still looks like a sweet commuter with plenty of details you wouldn’t normally find in a “cheap” bike.  They were initially planning on shipping the bike at $359, but due to an increase in shipping charges, the frameset will debut at $379. 

The Make blog is following a Virginia man’s progress as he works to custom build a hauler/cargo bike with electronic assist power.  His plan is to have the bike easily haul 80 lbs. of cargo.   As of right now, he is still waiting on the parts to build the bike (which he will document in part 2 of the segment).  What is interesting is a detailed list of the parts he chose, and the reasons for choosing them.  The frame he chose is an obvious one, the Surly Big Daddy …