Look At Me

Areyoulookingatme?HEYLOOKATMEwaitnowlookSERIUSIVEGOTSUMMINTOSAY.

One Giant Turd

God, vomit--please just stop, stop god no.

Raleighish Schwinn Cool Guy Bike

This latest project took 6 months to complete for some reason, but I just completed it. So nice. So many kinks along the way. So frusterating. But looks pretty. So pretty.

The bike use to be a typical 10 speed sport touring Schwinn World Sport or something with drop bars and 27" wheels. The owner approached me about doing a basic tune up, and I asked him how much a tune up. Well it eventually evolved into a complete rebirth for the frame, and the results are satisfying. Stuff like this is always exciting to watch happen and develop.

The owner was about to switch from a car to bike for commuting, so that's were most of the inspiration came from. Environmentalist wet dream right there... Anyway, I think in total the parts cost came around to $400ish not including labor and new powder coat. Through a shop it probably would have been more like $800ish, so its crazy to think about how a little know-how and right connections can save you money. 

One thing I came to terms with this build is that I'm a terrible wheel builder despite building over 50 wheels at this point, and that I'm probably happier not being a shop mechanic. I'd probably be good at it since I'm doing so damn well in food service, but it might kill projects like this for me, so it's nice to have a bit of autonomy over such endeavors.

Some of the parts also got stolen while being stored at the Evergreen Bike Shop, but luckily the majorly important part that was thefted (the rear rack) was replaced thanks to a generous donation from Ben C L to the Keep-Chris'-Stress-Level-Down cause.

The original derailer hanger striped out, so I had to use a clamp on variety... A very stressful last minute change. P.S. look at that small ring, wtf. Came stock on the crankset. Oh and Primo Super Tenderizer pedals are pretty sweet. 

The fork was a nightmare to deal with. First, the fork crown race was 26.4 instead of 27.0, unexpected since it was a Tange fork (JIS vs. ISO.) Second, the walls of the steerer were ridiculously thick, making only old school BMX and MTB stems fit. I had to compromise with this POS stem, but it worked fine for the job. Also, the clearance on the front is way less than the back--annoying...

The Sanyo hub and B&M Lumotec Fly+ light are decently bright, considering the price. Sorry, Blogger is doing weird photo orientation stuff that I can't figure out.

The Not-So-Secret Secret Project

Here's a hint.

Post MTBing photos

I forgot to bring my camera along, so I'll you get is the after bike pics.

Max and Gabe's black Surly collection...

Yup I took the Lotus. One and only.

     It was super fun albeit terrifying. Steep head and seat tube angles with minimal rake and short chainstays don't make for a stable bike when climbing and descending fast. Unsurprisingly. The first 15 or so minutes kinda scared the crap out of me because the rear wheel kept jack knifing and the front would unexpected pop wheelies on the accents. No matter how dedicated I was about shifting weight, that thing just didn't want to stay up right. Eventually though I got use to it though and pretty soon I was as comfortable as I would be on my old cyclocross bike. I really want a real deal mountain bike, but secret project may just put that off for the time being.

     Fyi the Pacenti Pari-Motos did surprisingly well even on the most sedimentary of terrain. My rear wheel is only partially thrashed--impressive considering all the roots and giant rocks I rolled over.  Oh yeah also switched to Nitto Jitensha bars. They are sweet for commuting--less so for MTBing.

     Listening to Adele. So good.

Another 650b Conversion

This one by Tanner:

Before...

...After.

Coming Back

The b-log has been a bit quiet recently due to lack of camera cable and me losing some interest. There has been plenty of projects going on these past two months or so to merit a few post, so hopefully I'll be able to update more in the next week or so. But I'll start with the most relevant change. And the reason why I'm going to hell:

 

On a whim, I switch from some old rando Nitto drop bars to Scott AT-2s. The reasoning has to do in part with the fact that I have a secret project brewing, which I'm sure I'll probably update soon about, but lets just say having a drop bar road bike just seemed a little redundant to have. The stupid part is the secret project won't be ready from months--maybe even a year out, so this was probably an awful idea, but I like it.

I think the thing I'm most stoked on are the Deore thumbies that I got off this old beat up Stumpjumper that was on craigslist. First indexing that I've had that I've been really sold on. Also friction ready, of course. These bars are kinda take or leave it for me--they were kind of a temp fix until I order some Nitto Jitensha bars. Sans front derailer because I'm lazy.

Also new are these XTR cantis that I recently brazed post on for. I like their 'bite' more than the center pulls that were on before (D Compe rear, Mafac Racer front.) Throw on the ridiculous Nitto rear rack on there, and I have one of the weirdest hybrids ever.

I think a lot of it is a result of coming to terms with the fact that I wasn't doing any recreational rides with the Lotus anymore since it wasn't really equipped to be self-supportive for anything longer than 80 miles. As result, I've only been commuting on it, and I wasn't in love with the Nitto randonneur bars, so... Once I get some bars with a bit more swep back, I think this will be pretty dialed in.

I think I am coming closer to touching the spirit of Sheldon Brown with this one... Or Satan, which ever.