tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701235498990518262024-02-21T04:41:44.358-05:00A Connecticut CyclistOne bike geeks experience living and cycling in southeast Connecticut.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-77253566529606066892016-04-23T10:42:00.000-04:002016-04-23T10:42:58.831-04:00<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had one day off before having to work a 6 day stretch. The weather was warm and sunny, so I headed out for a ride. I had no particular direction in mind but the wind helped me determine my first turn towards Whippoorwill Rd in the hopes that it would be a bit sheltered. As I was traveling along Whippoorwill I passed a small parking area with a map of the trails that it led to. On the map they showed a dirt road so naturally I had to check it out. Well the road proved to be less extensive than the map led me to believe and every off shoot soon became too rough for the likes of me. Never the less it was a good warm up.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpthkSRCrXRiwKFV-4DYTbYiWAYvaNoGAchppCW_60Zte_TuFsC0oHBEMXpU8Vbx1Cl42-FYtRQfycq88hbkW6cXUen9asIBBuNuH1NlyLwnnaRqgABEpik97kM3psKN_bszfQYwLDkHs/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpthkSRCrXRiwKFV-4DYTbYiWAYvaNoGAchppCW_60Zte_TuFsC0oHBEMXpU8Vbx1Cl42-FYtRQfycq88hbkW6cXUen9asIBBuNuH1NlyLwnnaRqgABEpik97kM3psKN_bszfQYwLDkHs/s640/IMG_1339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At this point I decided I would head over to Ashlawn Farm to get a frozen coffee drink. As I headed up the multi use path over the bridge there was a RUSA sign announcing a rest stop feast just around the corner. Looking up the path I saw two randonneurs. Well the thought of some sort of a brevet route coming through my neck of the woods peeked my curiosity so I kicked it into 2nd so I could catch up to the riders up ahead. I passed them on the bridge and a little bit later the male rider passed me. We continued back and forth like this for a while and at one point I asked him where he had come from. He told me he had come from Westfield Mass, holy crap no wonder I passed them on the up hill of the bridge! A 300 km brevet is 190 miles! RUSA's idea of just around the corner turned out to be about 3 miles to Saybrook Point Monument Park. Later I learned it was the Old Saybrook 300 km hosted by <a href="http://newhorizonsbikes.com/articles/berkshire-brevets-2016-pg67.htm" target="_blank">Berkshire Brevets</a> . Old Saybrook was the midway point control before the randonneurs headed back to Westfield.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNo1-Aogna97Uqqin0u7DO_zoZxk_cw7UDAwJWichU1DtjztrYsNuOLXg_0zPwdPBlMlIHYy8X_fHMuTG_gLPG7HI06lYcbfqrfeH4qShPgtXmVJCRzOvufH6FJglcneQMawKbNtnTyg/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNo1-Aogna97Uqqin0u7DO_zoZxk_cw7UDAwJWichU1DtjztrYsNuOLXg_0zPwdPBlMlIHYy8X_fHMuTG_gLPG7HI06lYcbfqrfeH4qShPgtXmVJCRzOvufH6FJglcneQMawKbNtnTyg/s640/IMG_1324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After I discovered where the control was I meandered around Saybrook point. That's when I discovered a thorn in the sidewall of my front tire. Of course I was compelled to pull it out, at which point sealant began bubbling out. I don't have a tubeless set up and on the Soma I use tubes with Schrader valves which aren't ideal if your going to put sealant inside the tube, but it is possible to remove the core from a schrader valve.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7xFVDxjib9jtDje4CuKFmYy8MMHXxMyxJQIhFNgEdeHRUl6dH22FxufKi6EGtaieHDqYggIjsWJktEGzSv_lzXm409BlKWhh0YxsDcJKjpYv7sYMlDn-6Krbcre-gxCvUPqaouhFspY/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7xFVDxjib9jtDje4CuKFmYy8MMHXxMyxJQIhFNgEdeHRUl6dH22FxufKi6EGtaieHDqYggIjsWJktEGzSv_lzXm409BlKWhh0YxsDcJKjpYv7sYMlDn-6Krbcre-gxCvUPqaouhFspY/s640/IMG_1327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to put sealant into my tubes after one too many sharp metal objects had pierced my tire and tube. Now the sealant was put to the test. I wiped away the bubbling sealant but it just came right back, so I decided to pedal up the road a bit then stop and check the tire again. Less than 200 ft later I stopped and the sealant was still bubbling, so I leaned the bike to the side of the hole for a moment and spun the tire. At that point the sealant seemed to be congealing so I went on my merry way. Ten minutes later I arrived at the coffee shop. No doubt the tire had lost some pressure but the tube seemed to be sealed. After wiping away the dried sealant I could no longer see any signs of the piercing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge78OMJGoTH996yNWnCbYORcftjSdo8nwA5zumXrzWPP0kNbUGcjq1QcatVAKimQspkzALqGA4mNeRRH_w1KNrsa9kGqK9MlHjA0-8TULX56fyPUEds52ohxVhen6wglZae_dYLnenxJ4/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge78OMJGoTH996yNWnCbYORcftjSdo8nwA5zumXrzWPP0kNbUGcjq1QcatVAKimQspkzALqGA4mNeRRH_w1KNrsa9kGqK9MlHjA0-8TULX56fyPUEds52ohxVhen6wglZae_dYLnenxJ4/s640/IMG_1328.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know there's dry rot on the side walls but I have never had a problem riding tires like this. I will take a closer look at the tire and tube in the near future but several days later it is maintaining it's pressure. I use <a href="http://www.joes-no-flats.com/?categoryId=12881" target="_blank">Joe's eco sealant </a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.zite.co.il/uploaded/images/444_d7c91b880ebbbf0ee2b727fcfc282997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.zite.co.il/uploaded/images/444_d7c91b880ebbbf0ee2b727fcfc282997.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> It doesn't contain any latex and I believe it is better for use inside tubes than some of the other sealants on the market that ball up after about 6 months.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-2167610750851164102016-04-04T18:19:00.000-04:002017-01-04T20:53:01.571-05:00Bridgestone MB-2<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep I did it again, started a bike project without taking pictures first. I purchased this 1992 MB-2 last winter. The bike was in good shape but the paint and decals were shot. It must have spent a lot of time on a bike rack because it was scratched beyond anything I've ever seen. The former owner did make some attempts to touch up the scratches with blue and black paint, yikes! As usual I started cleaning the bike, then out came the rubbing compound. One thing led to another and parts started coming off. Ultimately it led to a full paint job done by me and Testers. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IGHbPgggVa5UkaqW_np5pIOzVuAlVesz-d_9tY9ZqlkLQDRxGkGoJIhTQkYdCD2iSartjXS3ntfL34oWxK6mZufNZnwCGtYJtUzHwwX3sMMIjhfBrzDGlS_BYtsBTi8eTW7LkpoIcXA/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IGHbPgggVa5UkaqW_np5pIOzVuAlVesz-d_9tY9ZqlkLQDRxGkGoJIhTQkYdCD2iSartjXS3ntfL34oWxK6mZufNZnwCGtYJtUzHwwX3sMMIjhfBrzDGlS_BYtsBTi8eTW7LkpoIcXA/s640/IMG_1307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I made my own decals, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">which is why the down tube decal isn't true to the original on the MB-2. </span>I </span><span style="font-size: large;">printed the decals on waterslide paper, applied clear coat to keep the ink from running off the paper and then </span><span style="font-size: large;">applied </span><span style="font-size: large;">them to the frame.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It's a real pain and I don't think I'll try it again.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1AyQUd8qmgEVgWdTXtZYWhcsHtJDrp-dGb1SGAqxfXLAzr3G75ZW8AgtuF_HH-vX2GKsyDaP4EM0Xu_Nrx_guAFHd4lR8kJAj767nYL_lcLvYlcJFCYY-YJ7DKZoqczOU87eE-P_oyk/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1AyQUd8qmgEVgWdTXtZYWhcsHtJDrp-dGb1SGAqxfXLAzr3G75ZW8AgtuF_HH-vX2GKsyDaP4EM0Xu_Nrx_guAFHd4lR8kJAj767nYL_lcLvYlcJFCYY-YJ7DKZoqczOU87eE-P_oyk/s640/IMG_1296.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Originally I tried to set the bike up with drop bars but ultimately I couldn't overcome the extra long top tube. At 24 inches it's 2 inches longer than my other </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> drop bar </span>bicycles</span><span style="font-size: large;">. The 49 cm frame came with a <b>long</b> stem, straight riser handlebars, and grip shifters. The stem may have been original but the grip shifters and handlebars were not. I originally tried a Nitto Technomic 50 cm stem on the bike but switched to the Nitto Dirt Drop stem to try and get the handlebars higher with the drop bars installed. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iS4urSVjSOgnyi8EEErmBdVrp4v7EHUsKKdelLVe5SkeUcrV7LRpaRsEJprnHfxhu9uB4W24_ZmRa2f9cd3iNPV6XP_ZbT6uMxFlCkDETbImU5mUVulm2d_j6jZfZeiFMLd9H3yH5aw/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iS4urSVjSOgnyi8EEErmBdVrp4v7EHUsKKdelLVe5SkeUcrV7LRpaRsEJprnHfxhu9uB4W24_ZmRa2f9cd3iNPV6XP_ZbT6uMxFlCkDETbImU5mUVulm2d_j6jZfZeiFMLd9H3yH5aw/s640/IMG_1301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I used a pair of inexpensive plastic fenders I had hanging around. I cut the rear fender shorter since there's nobody ever riding behind me. On the front fender I made and extension to the existing mud flap using a piece of old tire tube and some rubber used to make gaskets. It's a bit of a kludge but provides a bit more protection than before.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After riding the bike for a while I realized I was using the middle 34 tooth chainring with a 7 speed 11-28 cassette 98% of the time. So I decided to go to a 1 x 7 setup. At the time I had been borrowing a rear wheel from another old mountain bike because the rim that came with the MB-2 was shot. I had my LBS replace the rim, unfortunately I didn't know that the rear freehub body was dried out until I put a new cassette on and gave it a spin. It spins fine but is rather loud due to the lack of lubrication. I tried to service it but it requires a special tool that Shimano no longer makes. There is a way to make a tool (thanks You Tube) but I haven't gone that route yet. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since this bike is supposed to be for bad weather </span>I decided to just ride it as is. When the hub dies I'll replace it. Who knows how long it will last. My goal with this bike was to use the parts I had on hand with a few exceptions, IE: the rim and dirt drop stem. Also when I made it a 1x, I had to change to a shorter BB, a 38 tooth chainring, a Sugino chainring guard, and a 11-34 cassette. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0ygcXin9-swk90o3ow7lRP6stBbv7j7rYNcB_wciPOkc4pBlsOhXqpGfPWbq16D9O2kOR4Fk1omI3DJK17CIqQsSSbg0bYuWjPNOqaODPwbdz53XS0AzwUJbI-jybZjZy0gL1aPGeTo/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0ygcXin9-swk90o3ow7lRP6stBbv7j7rYNcB_wciPOkc4pBlsOhXqpGfPWbq16D9O2kOR4Fk1omI3DJK17CIqQsSSbg0bYuWjPNOqaODPwbdz53XS0AzwUJbI-jybZjZy0gL1aPGeTo/s640/IMG_1293.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Rivendell Saddle Sac and the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Brooks B68 saddle which is no longer made. If you want a wider Brooks saddle you now <b>have</b> to buy a sprung saddle! The Saddle Sac makes a nice trunk.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivey8RbyPwDJP3HFkLVDTCIgI5Ns3izWV8pW5rpOob8qelZ2hn5VCsenSawqt_qvBmHxF9Q9sCDqg6Mewd8SEqaaNLriYwCm5nb2241LTCGxCHsTrBCcwH6BefC54KggFhnAtIwEmwmvI/s1600/mb2+cockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivey8RbyPwDJP3HFkLVDTCIgI5Ns3izWV8pW5rpOob8qelZ2hn5VCsenSawqt_qvBmHxF9Q9sCDqg6Mewd8SEqaaNLriYwCm5nb2241LTCGxCHsTrBCcwH6BefC54KggFhnAtIwEmwmvI/s640/mb2+cockpit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nitto Dirt Drop - MT-10, is the tallest of all the 1 inch quill stems. 35 degrees of rise, 100 mm extension and 155 mm from minimum insertion. Picture a heavy duty Nitto Technomic stem inserted to it's minimum insertion mark, which gives you 6" of rise, then take 80 - 100 mm of extension and angle it up 35 degrees, that's the Nitto MT-10 in a nutshell. I should say that is the MT-10 long quill in a nutshell. The short quill Dirt Drop has only 90 mm from the minimum insertion mark. The shorter version seems to be more commonly found. I found the long quill at <a href="http://www.benscycle.com/p-2500-nitto-dirt-drop-mt-10-riser-quill-stem.aspx?" target="_blank">http://www.benscycle</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">With the swept back handle bars I'm not even close to using all of the stem's potential height. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00_yoXmEbKJmZeGP4H0An7ZhkuuvuZhPTsTLbtYbxFEeCNduimKRAAdNypD0vdYoF6V9Y6WkfS1WbmVowX1Se-RC1msUyTMTGJZqPco8oc8n5WdngN4cub5qEKb3kWjDmr7z8ucqpasM/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00_yoXmEbKJmZeGP4H0An7ZhkuuvuZhPTsTLbtYbxFEeCNduimKRAAdNypD0vdYoF6V9Y6WkfS1WbmVowX1Se-RC1msUyTMTGJZqPco8oc8n5WdngN4cub5qEKb3kWjDmr7z8ucqpasM/s640/IMG_1283.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I <span style="font-family: inherit;">made h<span style="font-family: inherit;">andlebar grips from</span></span> remnants of used Brooks leather tape wrapped around <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">bits of</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">g</span>el <span style="font-family: inherit;">p</span>ads. The addit<span style="font-family: inherit;">ional grip areas ar<span style="font-family: inherit;">e <span style="font-family: inherit;">wrapped with Newbaums cloth tape<span style="font-family: inherit;"> w<span style="font-family: inherit;">ith</span> two coats of <span style="font-family: inherit;">clear wax free shella<span style="font-family: inherit;">c </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to keep the tape from fading and fraying.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 32px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0utKtMsX9k9mZG-HQ7GjiUqWh36cerA5Y8MxgfIEA1Ax_zbKjey9WnrgeVP451LTRT8JqQ6SLn1OGfcrp6ryS7D_98DtVQ3XxiJRgjOOOLcBpRczbb-JQDLWvAidPW25AP8QrfYCQpk/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0utKtMsX9k9mZG-HQ7GjiUqWh36cerA5Y8MxgfIEA1Ax_zbKjey9WnrgeVP451LTRT8JqQ6SLn1OGfcrp6ryS7D_98DtVQ3XxiJRgjOOOLcBpRczbb-JQDLWvAidPW25AP8QrfYCQpk/s640/IMG_1287.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grip shifters are hardly a classic look but they are as easy to use with bulky winter gloves as they are with bare hands. I also like the fact that you can shift several gears at once like a friction, or indexed bar end shifter. You can't do that with rapid fire shifters which is kind of ironic. The front derailleur also gets a bit of trim with grip shifters, rapid fire shifters don't allow for any trim. Sometimes I think the bulky collar of the grip shifter is kind in the way of my hand space but other times I think it provides I nice place to keep my hand from slipping forward. </span><span style="font-size: large;">When I finally have to replace the rear hub the shifter will also have to be changed because newer hubs are 8,9,or 10 speed compatible and I won't try to rig it with a spacer just to keep it 7 speed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The handlebars are Civia Duponts that I had hanging around. They are very similar to the Nitto Albatross handlebars except they are 22.2 mm wide readily accepting shifters and brake levers used on mountain bikes but they are too narrow for bar end shifters.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUiAjeSCnAnQKHYmbEN0XifnD-CTcdf3TxEiwTy5AOz1d6vY4BetrOduslEUNXVMiqHOL6PUGSdd3R3cUPVl7llgPdbSqAUEcLg9wvZnAdqLq3tRuze1_FcN2Zgi_U2tYO0VGNXycskM/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUiAjeSCnAnQKHYmbEN0XifnD-CTcdf3TxEiwTy5AOz1d6vY4BetrOduslEUNXVMiqHOL6PUGSdd3R3cUPVl7llgPdbSqAUEcLg9wvZnAdqLq3tRuze1_FcN2Zgi_U2tYO0VGNXycskM/s640/IMG_1312.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The MB-2's frame and fork were constructed with Ritchey Logic Prestige tubes, and the rear diamond was constructed with Logic CroMo ,unlike the top of the line MB-1 which had 100% Ritchey Logic Prestige tubes. From what I've read the logic tubes had shorter butts allowing longer thin sections. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Deore XT linear pull brake was an upgrade that the previous owner made. Oddly he had it mounted in the rear using the left hand brake lever mounted upside down on the right side. The original cantilever brakes were mounted on the front with their original lever. I just flipped the brakes and levers around. Since the front brake is generally stronger I wanted the superior linear pull brake up front. I replaced the rear Dia Comp cantilever that was part of the MB-2's original set up with an Avid Shorty that I had in the parts bin. If nothing else they are easier to set up with adjustable spring tension for centering the brake arms and shoes.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNli1koWPg34BtE4i3EPLB0U0rbHj2KRvu3YI88cUfsL1dKVqBWkc8TqLzxnDpj-I31a7PtXkUzM-MTLIojX9w-bEBFobYlDAM2AnVuWSTyPzgLjese98Pdt9HuALNKDeZ8KRFwgY6_Y/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNli1koWPg34BtE4i3EPLB0U0rbHj2KRvu3YI88cUfsL1dKVqBWkc8TqLzxnDpj-I31a7PtXkUzM-MTLIojX9w-bEBFobYlDAM2AnVuWSTyPzgLjese98Pdt9HuALNKDeZ8KRFwgY6_Y/s640/IMG_1284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The original Deore XT rear derailleur and Specialized crankset remain. Both wheels were replaced at some point and from the looks of them with their purple alloy nipples and wheelsmith spokes I think they were built by my LBS. Below is a list of the original build specs. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVirxN5gN1hNkusO4eRPvlNZbzVI0jNN-8u4ZCbWhyphenhyphenbRz-zyCiaybImMVl3cZoFUt8TPIqtzHxvIOKcSqL5LFHE1fWECxodPf1POq6sbnKLkvvNYmSe30ZIq_xZOhL-SqMCRo9PqSq_o/s1600/MB-2+specs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVirxN5gN1hNkusO4eRPvlNZbzVI0jNN-8u4ZCbWhyphenhyphenbRz-zyCiaybImMVl3cZoFUt8TPIqtzHxvIOKcSqL5LFHE1fWECxodPf1POq6sbnKLkvvNYmSe30ZIq_xZOhL-SqMCRo9PqSq_o/s640/MB-2+specs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The complete Bridgestone 1992 USA catalog can be found here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1992/1992.pdf" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1992/1992.pdf</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6yvEulC1uTuGaJveGLYF6Exo8qS9uO8rK30tri0aTnJK0AM5GP4TAAoT1usVpAej7ykAjKsw-_3nkloH5bfOsCrj6HnMFKzseyg0ISoI5nwiM2qSBnXALdhtMMno2UKeZjRGLgxt3Uo/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6yvEulC1uTuGaJveGLYF6Exo8qS9uO8rK30tri0aTnJK0AM5GP4TAAoT1usVpAej7ykAjKsw-_3nkloH5bfOsCrj6HnMFKzseyg0ISoI5nwiM2qSBnXALdhtMMno2UKeZjRGLgxt3Uo/s640/IMG_1309.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A Wald medium basket is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">zip tied</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> to $12 Sunlite Gold Tec <span style="font-family: inherit;">front rack</span>. Also zip tied to the rack is a piece of the old handlebar with corks plugging the ends, which gives me a place to mount my headlight under the basket.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uzjJGQPjQXx8y38nxPHHO_iqq2USDBtwHK5oBR6Cyp8oP7zo8VMuwjpzhsz1RiS4WYHfjQ9dnHpUpTAQ1r5etftXzXKByTOpxs-0SOBYWIf6cf07OU6nAajECFRVXl3WCANfBZ7LcPQ/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uzjJGQPjQXx8y38nxPHHO_iqq2USDBtwHK5oBR6Cyp8oP7zo8VMuwjpzhsz1RiS4WYHfjQ9dnHpUpTAQ1r5etftXzXKByTOpxs-0SOBYWIf6cf07OU6nAajECFRVXl3WCANfBZ7LcPQ/s640/IMG_1304.JPG" width="496" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So all and all with the various changes I'm probably out of pocket $300 for the bike and parts. I'm sure there will be more changes to come. As anyone who is a big enough bike geek to read all this knows bikes can go through several iterations before they finally settle into their final state.</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LAhjRtD8mGwtcuBwD93cGnsOPGMwVLe4JtNk2KhVUsTIIs5_uhmBEJBXHKm3XSIM9WHdqVoUMWUBsXX6DoGCPYjZR40dFzb_iLVIRwmtNI1E9C30xBxkRxSg5-U9jfgTcTUp9Igf5Gc/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LAhjRtD8mGwtcuBwD93cGnsOPGMwVLe4JtNk2KhVUsTIIs5_uhmBEJBXHKm3XSIM9WHdqVoUMWUBsXX6DoGCPYjZR40dFzb_iLVIRwmtNI1E9C30xBxkRxSg5-U9jfgTcTUp9Igf5Gc/s640/IMG_1315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Happy riding</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-62425280647975474232016-03-25T17:12:00.000-04:002016-04-05T12:27:20.111-04:00Errandonnee March 13th 2016, Wrapping it up<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday March 13th, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I headed out around noon, </span><span style="font-size: large;">once again it was a beautiful day to be out on a bike. I decided to change up my usual route to work by taking Whippoorwill Rd. Although this is probably a bit of a shortcut I don't usually go this way because it is slightly hilly, which may cause the "shortcut" to take longer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was riding along Whippoorwill I saw two cyclist out in front of me quite a way. As so often happens I decided to see if I could catch up to them. As I got closer I could see it was a man and a woman resplendent in hi-viz jacket and vest. Eventually I was able to catch and pass them while pedaling up hill. This</span><span style="font-size: large;"> doesn't happen often but when it does i</span><span style="font-size: large;">t's always fun. They were clipped into their carbon fiber bikes while I was riding a 1992 mountain bike in "street clothes" and sneakers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepa-H8gTANiQHMXk6LMxmWn0_A-2dPIQazd_eE90xX4IH-o_1CRrWm9yb_s2M65L4v-HnG9Tp6PqB5RQwHH-H6mRbPjv_EMddhhav3enrKav2JiNmr0l_Rbiaee2s6k3sMt_Gtx79HNY/s1600/coffee%2527s+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepa-H8gTANiQHMXk6LMxmWn0_A-2dPIQazd_eE90xX4IH-o_1CRrWm9yb_s2M65L4v-HnG9Tp6PqB5RQwHH-H6mRbPjv_EMddhhav3enrKav2JiNmr0l_Rbiaee2s6k3sMt_Gtx79HNY/s640/coffee%2527s+market.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I stopped for lunch at Coffee's it was pretty busy even though it doesn't look that way in the photo. All the action is to the right complete with outdoor seating. While I was sitting outside I noticed that the couple whom I had passed had also stopped for a bite to eat. Another woman who was on her way inside noted my Brooks saddle as she walked by. When she came out she stopped to take a closer look at my bike. She was quite interested in my saddle sac from Rivendell Cycle Works. After lunch I took my usual route on the Post Rd to work in East Lyme.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2FmgSev8qyh0Lu6QUfA0YtkcA94LCUMtrQitfSu3oXX_Hsqf09_ROECA_pTUHgPdIBbTD-6d-LFbVzWMgUS3wTR17hvuZ5cw2GdgiWQ4CTfgHk9J7y5Da2quNn4a3qHRS04z0jy3Vu0/s1600/GVC+front+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2FmgSev8qyh0Lu6QUfA0YtkcA94LCUMtrQitfSu3oXX_Hsqf09_ROECA_pTUHgPdIBbTD-6d-LFbVzWMgUS3wTR17hvuZ5cw2GdgiWQ4CTfgHk9J7y5Da2quNn4a3qHRS04z0jy3Vu0/s640/GVC+front+door.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The bosses cat greeted me at the office door. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8p4SrSzhC7yQ3ITHm-sPNHSeAAmhxeU7NtB2XkEVHu3TK4fc6JBTmcGl2Q-zeVedfopJC0qeaCSPFZ0-A6xAY4NVROOC2IwQ9HuiXs91058Fc8PXJj6gTn1gjU_nJnzUyYABX9O1b1Q/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8p4SrSzhC7yQ3ITHm-sPNHSeAAmhxeU7NtB2XkEVHu3TK4fc6JBTmcGl2Q-zeVedfopJC0qeaCSPFZ0-A6xAY4NVROOC2IwQ9HuiXs91058Fc8PXJj6gTn1gjU_nJnzUyYABX9O1b1Q/s640/IMG_1269.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> On my way home I stopped at my sisters house for a visit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After visiting with my sister I once again veered off my usual route taking Four Mile River Rd to Rte 156. I made a slight detour to explore</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek8zF_BiwXX2G0dtxJNAbUj3cKwLgTRdRsKbrX-pn1-sCKZdwB1d420EyvCObnrZmIViz_UXLigdshq3oitRqZNnpzzB8c1HvRnZJU7qzfikEjL4T89debfF-ceQecfqUNtcRrj1J3HY/s1600/Driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek8zF_BiwXX2G0dtxJNAbUj3cKwLgTRdRsKbrX-pn1-sCKZdwB1d420EyvCObnrZmIViz_UXLigdshq3oitRqZNnpzzB8c1HvRnZJU7qzfikEjL4T89debfF-ceQecfqUNtcRrj1J3HY/s640/Driveway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> This dirt driveway is only about 1/4 mile long,but I had to check it out. There's just not that many dirt roads close to home. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoUhfisorBQiGcy6ljLV-9eVqDynGW0WxhEYcQrCDhwDLcvZVGcQKDfjrDpt3_ooh7x4oh8K3HrFx3s9YR_E-q2YhBHlKximhcSnFcRblQKyIhgdZkJ8KZjVfB_oB_3NgATH5YZZ0mHU/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoUhfisorBQiGcy6ljLV-9eVqDynGW0WxhEYcQrCDhwDLcvZVGcQKDfjrDpt3_ooh7x4oh8K3HrFx3s9YR_E-q2YhBHlKximhcSnFcRblQKyIhgdZkJ8KZjVfB_oB_3NgATH5YZZ0mHU/s640/IMG_1273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> After a brief stop at my house, I headed out to get dinner and a birthday cake.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn7YI7ncecAXE_FjdSjwxwC5egcHTy_ep4GiVLalkKzHef3QnMrtZoDy5pvXMxSZJuU2PGr3ii9CtI-Jiv1zzGM7TC0_kTVB8hqcZYxvoau-fA8devaw78vDKKZqoMfGKDzFicjLDVU8/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn7YI7ncecAXE_FjdSjwxwC5egcHTy_ep4GiVLalkKzHef3QnMrtZoDy5pvXMxSZJuU2PGr3ii9CtI-Jiv1zzGM7TC0_kTVB8hqcZYxvoau-fA8devaw78vDKKZqoMfGKDzFicjLDVU8/s640/IMG_1276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> It's a bit of a crunch stuffing two pizzas into a medium saddle sack. </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3Rd8oX9MQci0J3T0Axeu1gOmKArsrXu6jedmJKcLhgfL_-5Z6A6Z-yz9-b2D3V8rWkvynwle2iNX4m0ekLY5n1BZeCXnOqxOxCuRozI5-RvBu-T3IT7owNwig1RmWcut9m5gY7jJi6E/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3Rd8oX9MQci0J3T0Axeu1gOmKArsrXu6jedmJKcLhgfL_-5Z6A6Z-yz9-b2D3V8rWkvynwle2iNX4m0ekLY5n1BZeCXnOqxOxCuRozI5-RvBu-T3IT7owNwig1RmWcut9m5gY7jJi6E/s640/IMG_1277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Loaded up and ready to head home and I have my headlight</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLPki39yIArGvzLvEs-DJ3cOKDonfHJBeZNkCKz52OSr24qwmZxHu1iN94P7YWR2KzzG6sxIsOBaH0LQYSmCGm3_eBPR8gCA1xLNkVVCDvfpaQxQfbKkGoHvZ8UVVQ6xdUPDRhgE24mE/s1600/bday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLPki39yIArGvzLvEs-DJ3cOKDonfHJBeZNkCKz52OSr24qwmZxHu1iN94P7YWR2KzzG6sxIsOBaH0LQYSmCGm3_eBPR8gCA1xLNkVVCDvfpaQxQfbKkGoHvZ8UVVQ6xdUPDRhgE24mE/s640/bday+cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Pizza, salad and cake time for a birthday party.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Total Miles - 34.75</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">11. <span style="color: black;">Social - Stopped for lunch at Coffee's Deli</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> Observation - Lots of other cyclist had stopped for lunch at </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Coffee's, but half of them had their bikes parked on top of their</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">cars :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">12. <span style="color: black;">Work </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> Observation - The bosses cat was waiting at the front door.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">13. <span style="color: black;">Social - Stopped by my sisters house for a visit.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">14. <span style="color: black;">Wildcard - Picked up Cake at the bakery.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> Observation - Finally put my headlight on my bike :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">15. <span style="color: black;">Personal Business - Picked up Pizza and Salad</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> Observation - Two 12 inch pizzas get a little crunched when </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> you stuff them into a medium Rivendell Saddle Sac.</span></span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span> </span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1022978591" target="_blank"> http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1022978591</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Note - the bike used to complete the 2016 Errandonnee challenge was a repainted 1992 Bridgestone MB-2 that was rebuilt for errands, bad weather and fun. Together we rode 83.75 miles for the entire challenge.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-91214065127176445272016-03-22T21:09:00.000-04:002016-04-04T21:53:13.711-04:00Errandonnee March 11th 2016<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday March 11th the weather was decent so I decided I would ride to the chiropractor's office as I often do. Because I was in the midst of an errandonnee challenge bringing some clothes to the local donation container was a no brainer. As I was riding I noticed that I forgot my headlight again. I meant to grab it but my arms were full with clothes on my way out the door, and that was that.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HaoBkMs54WRRNtCnRl8NnP7K3Pwid7iV713l827vmf7osXr0DHmdjqLYQqilUO0RdHu1H-TPK2AxTOJkyG99op6ykOCNKz-Dvz0FKIf-KDINMoOg4C1TA49VRb2Ra-NoOtiV1zxCMvM/s1600/0311161558a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HaoBkMs54WRRNtCnRl8NnP7K3Pwid7iV713l827vmf7osXr0DHmdjqLYQqilUO0RdHu1H-TPK2AxTOJkyG99op6ykOCNKz-Dvz0FKIf-KDINMoOg4C1TA49VRb2Ra-NoOtiV1zxCMvM/s640/0311161558a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the chiropractors office a bit early so I went across the street to Finders Keepers to kill some time. While I was there I found a side table for $20. It would need to be stripped and refinished but the price was right. Unfortunately I didn't have enough cash on hand, so I put a deposit down. She agreed to hold the table if I would pick it up the next day.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODQknn5LTqQY5COUjgVvsRDarpoFBPWqF2XtvG_cgqbklM1qfKu2BhWnvkHA-3jqLUedM7S-mBTG3LpaCQOjmaWip7PQZ2LiqYJ_4cKRSwJ_NsHGvH08jhc5xOTUZWrxbpBHc1D4IMKM/s1600/0311161706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODQknn5LTqQY5COUjgVvsRDarpoFBPWqF2XtvG_cgqbklM1qfKu2BhWnvkHA-3jqLUedM7S-mBTG3LpaCQOjmaWip7PQZ2LiqYJ_4cKRSwJ_NsHGvH08jhc5xOTUZWrxbpBHc1D4IMKM/s640/0311161706.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can barely make out the sign for Bank of America</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There was about an hour of daylight left when I finished at the chiropractor so I rushed over to the bank. It was tough to get a picture for the errandonee challenge without getting other people in the photo who might not want to be photographed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I got back to Finders Keepers just before she closed for the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I was working all of the next day in a completely different direction I decided to take the table right then and there. An older gentleman at Finders Keepers admired the set up of my bike and its utility. He also suggested that I might want to get a child trailer to bring with me when I know I'm going to be picking up larger items. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ah</span><span style="font-size: large;">, well there's the rub I wasn't planning on purchasing a table and that's the way it usually is. You just never know what you might come across when you're out on your bike.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After a few false starts I figured out the best way to strap the table to the back of my bike with the 2 tie downs I had and the 2 leather straps used to close the saddle sac. I put the drawer of the table in my front basket with my purse weighing it down a little. I tied the purses strap to one side of my basket. This arrangement kept the drawer from bouncing out of the basket.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTzkoaA07eUJz2L1LZbvvYbFhK7pkVeeibR32VuJl3O0dtAd0TWYLmNd1VuQlV13ZI_YDQIx6XgnYZMe3FjawACV7IUaIBXNRdStdaZUDuhDARn4HzMzAo4BKKtcms3BJIUSuqoeKMgs/s1600/0311161758a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTzkoaA07eUJz2L1LZbvvYbFhK7pkVeeibR32VuJl3O0dtAd0TWYLmNd1VuQlV13ZI_YDQIx6XgnYZMe3FjawACV7IUaIBXNRdStdaZUDuhDARn4HzMzAo4BKKtcms3BJIUSuqoeKMgs/s640/0311161758a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nice to see the reflective cables on my bike showing up so well in the camera's flash.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HivkPOgIbiakbGb37L7zL_yn_XXKaxHXFIaUd1vLVUGVG8xsvsK592sdqZE3gpGrR73OESpbJoGAa-yZlmhvlc2g9eCK21RaJhl5c5gSAY_HVp8Y-CgmddeVwtINDD0oS-VcT4RfdDE/s1600/table+on+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HivkPOgIbiakbGb37L7zL_yn_XXKaxHXFIaUd1vLVUGVG8xsvsK592sdqZE3gpGrR73OESpbJoGAa-yZlmhvlc2g9eCK21RaJhl5c5gSAY_HVp8Y-CgmddeVwtINDD0oS-VcT4RfdDE/s640/table+on+bike.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total miles - 13</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">6. </span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">You carried what on your bike</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Brought some clothes to the local donation box</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Observation - I forgot my headlight again!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">7. </span> Non-store Errand - Finders Keepers</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">8.</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Personal Care - Chiropractor</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">9.</span> Personal Business - Bank</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Observation - ATM's are really busy on Friday evenings. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">10.</span> You carried what on your bike - Brought a telephone table home from Finders Keepers. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Observation - Carry more straps and bungees on your bike. Also saw three deer in a field who were all staring at me the crazy lady with a table on her bike.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1020452367" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1020452367</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-48186472959388534242016-03-15T21:06:00.002-04:002016-04-04T22:01:08.491-04:00Errandonnee March 9, 2016<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The forecast called for unseasonably warm temps on Wednesday, so what better way to spend it than on a bicycle errandonneering. My first stop was bottle returns and lunch. Both could be conveniently done at the Big Y. I went to the Big Y in Old Saybrook rather than the one in town because Kolhs is located next door and I had some birthday shopping to do. Once I was over the Baldwin Bridge I headed to Bokum road which exits onto rte 153 in Essex. Bokum is a quiet curvy road with soft easy ups and downs which I prefer compared to the more direct busy roads.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqu18rtymlKTQF0pmKGcCdml6ggt6Nx9nzIgQEHSQweOqZsAP24lwtSUVTBF_DBlaITxK-U_bhGe1nGnsCYuzgq6TWM580dT-jW4zeUOaB_GIZt4KerQk95h6lFkN0foese9bdUkVNs4/s1600/Parked+at+Kolhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqu18rtymlKTQF0pmKGcCdml6ggt6Nx9nzIgQEHSQweOqZsAP24lwtSUVTBF_DBlaITxK-U_bhGe1nGnsCYuzgq6TWM580dT-jW4zeUOaB_GIZt4KerQk95h6lFkN0foese9bdUkVNs4/s640/Parked+at+Kolhs.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Big Y to the left, Kolhs to the right</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No luck finding a gift so I decided to go to Goodwill in Clinton then double back to Tanger Factory Outlets. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkPc1j9jPwmdR4QZQ_5spASlXy7gCQqGHWTzvlMI0tb-kW4VJt7CMQhzQmQsxmuuQyoGZOSW6QGDk-QiZvKUTnNWhyphenhyphenkQ0CiFxpTdcbzIEtMPYPU7pCuMFlmk5Mhl1NBhEk3xoFo9SB34/s1600/Good+Will.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkPc1j9jPwmdR4QZQ_5spASlXy7gCQqGHWTzvlMI0tb-kW4VJt7CMQhzQmQsxmuuQyoGZOSW6QGDk-QiZvKUTnNWhyphenhyphenkQ0CiFxpTdcbzIEtMPYPU7pCuMFlmk5Mhl1NBhEk3xoFo9SB34/s640/Good+Will.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The weather was sunny and 60 degrees on a March day in Connecticut, so on the way back from Goodwill I did a little exploring of roads unknown to me like Indian Trail which led to Grove Beach. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHgOehs_0swRsNsXzXgY4jShQjuDVr63epyz3TrcfBobkagWgP716MWmXmYEX1z5eKc28m0UdAmL6vT9A1evBFRzcN1bBP-CXex-yncCfSHnmAhFBkHMjPlUITabmNbxfujRBX3hxlPs/s1600/grove+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHgOehs_0swRsNsXzXgY4jShQjuDVr63epyz3TrcfBobkagWgP716MWmXmYEX1z5eKc28m0UdAmL6vT9A1evBFRzcN1bBP-CXex-yncCfSHnmAhFBkHMjPlUITabmNbxfujRBX3hxlPs/s640/grove+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grove Beach</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Old Clinton road eventually led to McVeagh road where I explored a park with several athletic fields. My phone was just about out of juice so I turned it off in case of emergency, but a nice lady walking her dog helped me get my bearings and gave me directions to Tanger Outlet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q1mpVerMaQMKFbuP8O8LFxGJP6ojzw-fhZ-ScfhwX5NaXyYFyaCCtB8MhIccqdmMlitLAkT9i62yFD_EPHGjv2oDlcwztUm5l1Jpg3HAtrBjwA7X_LJbWtbCl3i8ZFbx3ygiRuotJHI/s1600/Tanger+Outlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q1mpVerMaQMKFbuP8O8LFxGJP6ojzw-fhZ-ScfhwX5NaXyYFyaCCtB8MhIccqdmMlitLAkT9i62yFD_EPHGjv2oDlcwztUm5l1Jpg3HAtrBjwA7X_LJbWtbCl3i8ZFbx3ygiRuotJHI/s640/Tanger+Outlet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tanger Factory Outlet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After perusing several stores I finally found the birthday gift I was looking for. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> W</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith my phone off and no computer on my bicycle </span><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't know exactly what time</span><span style="font-size: large;"> it was, but the sun was looking low in the sky. Now my decision to leave my headlight at home was looking like a bad one. No time for dilly dallying anymore, the most direct was prudent and I still had daylight when I went into my final two stores. This time it was the Big Y in Old Lyme. What..? Yes always save the grocery's for last so cold stuff stays cold, plus it's better for you and the grocery's if you don't drag them around all day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSb7EuS3A6TT16LFcUTsb8Wal_AnvA-P1tUA5-Cdu-PR-ZU5S7eSzpBcVSduGdB1zZf5YZYNtd0Wmbp__aAHvHSXcO_XEl_1ovTYPOr7vj_um1pgScdJZEQS4q3nIWHVF7dzAsJqYjVM/s1600/Package+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSb7EuS3A6TT16LFcUTsb8Wal_AnvA-P1tUA5-Cdu-PR-ZU5S7eSzpBcVSduGdB1zZf5YZYNtd0Wmbp__aAHvHSXcO_XEl_1ovTYPOr7vj_um1pgScdJZEQS4q3nIWHVF7dzAsJqYjVM/s640/Package+store.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Final stop at the package store, running out of day light</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I rode home in the dark with my </span><span style="font-size: large;">tailight and </span><span style="font-size: large;">little purple spoke lights on but no headlight! It's a good thing I know the roads of the final stretch so well. Still I was grateful when I could use the light of the cars coming from behind, especially in darker patches.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1012737609" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1012737609</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total miles - 36 </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1</span>. Non-store errand - bottle returns / lunch </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Observation - The Big Y in Old Saybrook has both indoor and outdoor tables.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">2</span>. Store errand - Goodwill </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Observation - It was pretty busy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">3</span>. Store errand - Big Y in Old Lyme</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Observation - The beer at the Old Saybrook Big Y was less expensive hence my trip to the package store.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">4</span>. Personal Care - Getting out on my bike on the nicest day of the year so far.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Observation - Deciding not to bring my headlight because I would surely be home before dark was a bad choice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">5</span>. Wildcard - Exploring some unknown routes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Observations - I learned that Westbrook high school and middle school are located on McVeagh road.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Note - Although I visited more stores than I can even remember the rules state each category can only be used twice.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-90857580973629745382016-03-06T19:12:00.000-05:002016-04-05T12:24:57.976-04:00Leap Day Meander<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnPEbB1zdVROd8-ryzhTR-cTLfDp0PCeR5I7LPbnT3VY3SZUV9G1GqXf-shYqSd76FpJQgHmXdGG9XtaUX-_mG3Oyn-2GWkBdMfZnsfn8wppOO7pjI6_sY13z-OHU3mtrZXF5LK28eU8/s1600/0229161501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnPEbB1zdVROd8-ryzhTR-cTLfDp0PCeR5I7LPbnT3VY3SZUV9G1GqXf-shYqSd76FpJQgHmXdGG9XtaUX-_mG3Oyn-2GWkBdMfZnsfn8wppOO7pjI6_sY13z-OHU3mtrZXF5LK28eU8/s640/0229161501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday February 29th we all got an extra day and it was a good one to be outside here in southeast Connecticut. A lunch time shower was forecast to pass through the state, inconvenient but the kind of rain you can wait out. With that in mind I headed over to Old Saybrook to run some errands and enjoy the mild temps. I spent an hour or so in the coffee shop while the showers passed by. Once all was clear I headed home. I may not ride in the rain deliberately but it's still good to have fenders for the times when you get caught or the roads are just wet from fog in the early morning.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk6S41cAe26lvSSNoES8JVY_vFPH9awFdU53hkuu7Yc-4VmRECKl11GhECEzwbCufA3D6pg2n5sdGWIZKBeQ8gnomO1CjC-WbP-nB9Bsy3XZ8aQwVQfUPb5horE8exWXV3k2QFOJl5es/s1600/0229161459a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk6S41cAe26lvSSNoES8JVY_vFPH9awFdU53hkuu7Yc-4VmRECKl11GhECEzwbCufA3D6pg2n5sdGWIZKBeQ8gnomO1CjC-WbP-nB9Bsy3XZ8aQwVQfUPb5horE8exWXV3k2QFOJl5es/s640/0229161459a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> It was too nice to ride directly home so I rode down to the DEP boardwalk on the Connecticut river.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcgonSuGUsf5tjFWBX04IQSNcUiN4s8d4bxsjgySepjhzoxH1wy9xWPghic1ERmcv5G6_TgKHRXsRvhxlnoN9PVMD2DEvLV3QLiWMOcJT8rnKNM7j5l3xwiwYLfIETMxDpqX1hr0J8_o/s1600/0229161505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcgonSuGUsf5tjFWBX04IQSNcUiN4s8d4bxsjgySepjhzoxH1wy9xWPghic1ERmcv5G6_TgKHRXsRvhxlnoN9PVMD2DEvLV3QLiWMOcJT8rnKNM7j5l3xwiwYLfIETMxDpqX1hr0J8_o/s640/0229161505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Since I last posted about my Soma San Marcos I have made a couple of changes, the obvious one is the medium Wald basket. An addition to the basket I changed from the Nitto Randonneur handlebars to Velo Orange's Chris's rando handlebars. Mostly because I wanted a wider drop handle bar. I'll have to write about them in more detail in another post.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7LPUotKiMtFyqdEamZzZ7sQWknP5NH8fiVAcv76F8IvvEii-ZFGVJ57eyUn55vsk5VThwyxF8VFXm-3j_3dvT_v5iPT25CCbRjyxyQyPo9FmZNaHFrScfKP9Ckjhr7nHyGRfBQ5UPDg/s1600/0229161447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7LPUotKiMtFyqdEamZzZ7sQWknP5NH8fiVAcv76F8IvvEii-ZFGVJ57eyUn55vsk5VThwyxF8VFXm-3j_3dvT_v5iPT25CCbRjyxyQyPo9FmZNaHFrScfKP9Ckjhr7nHyGRfBQ5UPDg/s640/0229161447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPu-P8yfYINBcTO_An_ezxJDVMcH-UC0Qx1vNlS4dXc6E1Pw2f0h1LQze3T2cneUMp91GZvqmOupB-iw75WZVWPwuO5fpuosF8_myPCHxZFfD86HENYvLYiV3UpEtW04cuTj5gFhWu68/s1600/0229161446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPu-P8yfYINBcTO_An_ezxJDVMcH-UC0Qx1vNlS4dXc6E1Pw2f0h1LQze3T2cneUMp91GZvqmOupB-iw75WZVWPwuO5fpuosF8_myPCHxZFfD86HENYvLYiV3UpEtW04cuTj5gFhWu68/s640/0229161446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-32828261366744652282016-01-18T14:24:00.000-05:002016-01-18T17:10:24.500-05:00Classic Meets Modern<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Almost 2 years ago I acquired what I believe is a 1979 Peugeot PV10 . Searching through various online catalogs </span><span style="text-align: justify;">I found this Picture of a PV10. </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> It is from a 1979 French catolog and was the closest match to the components that were on the bike. Using Peugeot's serial numbers to date a bike is said to be a bit dubious but, going by the serial number, decals and components It would appear to be circa 1979</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCHICRetNIPMUoBxOG28PEWfFKpeUD7RnyZfUQ27rs6ssE_m-rC5Kl8b6mJlOcpj8GaDG9e7S1JlkJoJFMPqXnrX8cE72YE3PG7ArFOCdjQM0LVxtCo1ZcRS_l4LRl-tBzJOZsRO3gl4/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqMi_Tdjn8-A0kHvwY1dfN0yDJzoOCHF2HsWIt8fLZK0J-iFGFqntuvP38rSBRoipZAAGi4sTQMkY3m7J-acJTqobGDJvHqbG2SJpK6vrSrcnpQstrMKeQo7w1vOsJeEiTHkR52zU_sI/s1600/Peugeot_1979+pv+10.jpg+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqMi_Tdjn8-A0kHvwY1dfN0yDJzoOCHF2HsWIt8fLZK0J-iFGFqntuvP38rSBRoipZAAGi4sTQMkY3m7J-acJTqobGDJvHqbG2SJpK6vrSrcnpQstrMKeQo7w1vOsJeEiTHkR52zU_sI/s640/Peugeot_1979+pv+10.jpg+crop.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The bike as I came by it had everything in the picture accept the seat post, saddle and pump. As far as I'm concerned it was lucky that I stumbled upon this bike in my size while I was visiting my local bike shop. Most of the bikes on craigslist these days are low end or overpriced.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RQ5sR-GfsjuXwBeqatSHf5LMe5oERzzbA5U3Eyba_UxVsrP8bw2kJA_3jRdTjkdLDXo7bK6J8Ma8qCR2AbjGA1-7JiXOgmAr-xfAuWKdbxK-McJxgOKJHLAeIiLV_G_kI3vXmmoIdLY/s640/79+Peugeot++PVN.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Here's a picture of the bike after I began to rebuild it. I should of taken photos of it before I did anything but I get so excited when I get a new project that I forget to document the original bike before I start to clean it up and rebuild.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6imyObUZjeOxK8NtTP1DNK8dROmr181uGn_BvcHISme8vsCAvmZRPz47fhyphenhyphenBytSwcL6WGvfuBcdY9T8-TYOjeefJdBlxtrx3xSWhGowupqk2lGhvm_InmSJKLb0ok8TY4qNtcLtPW28/s640/Stronglight+105+BIS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stronglight 105 Bis Crankset with 52 x 42 chainrings. Love the drillium!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6imyObUZjeOxK8NtTP1DNK8dROmr181uGn_BvcHISme8vsCAvmZRPz47fhyphenhyphenBytSwcL6WGvfuBcdY9T8-TYOjeefJdBlxtrx3xSWhGowupqk2lGhvm_InmSJKLb0ok8TY4qNtcLtPW28/s1600/Stronglight+105+BIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_MgesXbHraN-mXGATRVRTD-qPz_pDpcxB2oMIX-b1MSWuju3fWWdLBhQ0Cddcf_wO7loMqosZ3p2l7iMcC_3oXmyfQf4MIrD69aIfQWAQrRNMnaWG4G6xpqcQwNFcew7ObcefT6pU4/s1600/Mafac+brake+levers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_MgesXbHraN-mXGATRVRTD-qPz_pDpcxB2oMIX-b1MSWuju3fWWdLBhQ0Cddcf_wO7loMqosZ3p2l7iMcC_3oXmyfQf4MIrD69aIfQWAQrRNMnaWG4G6xpqcQwNFcew7ObcefT6pU4/s640/Mafac+brake+levers.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mafac non aero brake levers with more drillium</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_MgesXbHraN-mXGATRVRTD-qPz_pDpcxB2oMIX-b1MSWuju3fWWdLBhQ0Cddcf_wO7loMqosZ3p2l7iMcC_3oXmyfQf4MIrD69aIfQWAQrRNMnaWG4G6xpqcQwNFcew7ObcefT6pU4/s1600/Mafac+brake+levers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf4cWNN-fMgwudkYhW8xFFVv9Tk8RlQAWbsTrBwh9kYbIeh_Pb5e0hl1DL0llLISNa33Sc45ahYtEucZEA7tl1iSOBQ91_QJNFyrwqCJl6qaUKF450Yi3f78EVghiX0D74JaI3weU5n4/s640/Winter+2014+005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">New rear wheel on the left next to the original on the right</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf4cWNN-fMgwudkYhW8xFFVv9Tk8RlQAWbsTrBwh9kYbIeh_Pb5e0hl1DL0llLISNa33Sc45ahYtEucZEA7tl1iSOBQ91_QJNFyrwqCJl6qaUKF450Yi3f78EVghiX0D74JaI3weU5n4/s1600/Winter+2014+005.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The original wheels were Mavic 700c tubulars with Normandy hubs and a Malliard 5 speed freewheel. I thought a long time about the way in which I would rebuild this lovely old bike. I toyed with the idea of riding tubulars, and tried to figure out a way to keep the cool Stronglight cranks. Ultimately I knew the 42 - 52 chainrings were just too large for me to ride up hill. Even if I used a 12-36 cassette my lowest gear would be about 31 gear inches which for me just isn't low enough when climbing longish steep grades. So I had a new set of wheels built with Mavic Open Sport rims, Ultegra hubs, Ultegra 10 speed 12-30 cassette, Wheelsmith butted spokes and alloy nipples. Practical wheels which suited the bike but allowed me to use </span>clinchers. The tires I selected were 28 mm <span style="font-family: inherit;">Grand Bois, Cerf, Extra Leger. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwGPXcw1O3T1_Ug8Py-BUYVYg6KjeRyC4xvd0PRkRAFh6RwY8crRVQRJ7B9kiPTW5VVVVPDrvRJGQ4I9uU1flu3SpyUtTvkI34zqMeaOFP08wgZ1nIVXiGOMsy_mxNdOE5Sm4uUHmuc/s1600/Grand+Cru+50.4+BCD+Cranks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwGPXcw1O3T1_Ug8Py-BUYVYg6KjeRyC4xvd0PRkRAFh6RwY8crRVQRJ7B9kiPTW5VVVVPDrvRJGQ4I9uU1flu3SpyUtTvkI34zqMeaOFP08wgZ1nIVXiGOMsy_mxNdOE5Sm4uUHmuc/s640/Grand+Cru+50.4+BCD+Cranks.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;">I replaced the Stronglight cranks with Velo Orange's Grand Cru 50.4 BCD 46 x 30 cranks. </span> I think the they look appropriate for a bike of this era. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">The 46-30 chainrings combined with the 12-30 cassette gives me a gear inch range of 26.7 - 102.2 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Because of the french threading it was fortunate that I was able to use the existing loose ball bottom bracket and spindle with the new crankset. Since I spread the rear dropouts 4 mm to accommodate a modern cassette hub it would have been ideal if I had a slightly longer spindle to compensate for the change in the chainline. That was not to be the case so the shifting is slightly compromised. Meaning the chain will rub on the next chainring when shifted to the furthest sprocket. Of course one is always advised to avoid that sort of shifting anyway. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXESWvv2wIgufP2UGiUzfcj77eeKWEeYqLWDbYWkalgvCd_z8jIRxnqpLHjN_3psDPgZaWJJsUpU4EkxmYTmcCD_HJCD8Pz46fZHwq_enGspy3FTHoaIXscFVqxc3CqvgBjAF403Vue8o/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXESWvv2wIgufP2UGiUzfcj77eeKWEeYqLWDbYWkalgvCd_z8jIRxnqpLHjN_3psDPgZaWJJsUpU4EkxmYTmcCD_HJCD8Pz46fZHwq_enGspy3FTHoaIXscFVqxc3CqvgBjAF403Vue8o/s640/IMG_1040.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The only original parts that were used were; the bottom bracket, headset, and brakes. The original pedals were Atom with french threading so they can only be used with the original crankset. The Peugeot stem was too short for me and the Phillipe handlebars just weren't as comfortable as the Nitto 115 that I replaced them with. I kept the Weinmann 605 sidepull brakes because I didn't want to alter the frame in any permanent way by drilling out the brake mounting holes. Modern brakes have recessed bolts not the nutted bolts common on most older single pivot brakes. Also the reach is longer than most modern dual pivot brakes. I would have used the original front derailleur but it was a cheap plastic Simplex common on Peugeots in the 70's and broke in my hands when I picked it up! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgZXDCVIl0ANvCv5cY8G5uI-cCyLStKxrRtOywr0yhCcBWeFpGEuD3RAh5MxGLYWnpBN-x1mVJ3v0agIMcxd6IpkrLTT1hPpx7onqHgZIfjMQoY0V3RLrmS3mt22AF8hcSuc5891ByS8/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgZXDCVIl0ANvCv5cY8G5uI-cCyLStKxrRtOywr0yhCcBWeFpGEuD3RAh5MxGLYWnpBN-x1mVJ3v0agIMcxd6IpkrLTT1hPpx7onqHgZIfjMQoY0V3RLrmS3mt22AF8hcSuc5891ByS8/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Down tube shifters just aren't my thing and I had a perfectly good set of ShimanoTiagra 4600's lying around so that was kind of a no brainer. The front and rear mechs were used Shimano 105 and Ultegra respectively that I picked up at the bike shop. The 26.6 seatpost was an oddball size that limited my choices so long setback wasn't going to be an option. Without a long setback seatpost a Brooks saddle was out of the question for me. I made a lucky guess and ordered a Selle SMP TRK which I found to be comfortable. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ5-W0RsJntLVxeGN5rR0j2KDFbfO18AdJS2Ry8JVS_-kzax7fZJ7vLw0DMUwIgH85jpgfGf6fcVHFStSMMo26nUjIPWAWW0PY-cmgh1MXqoYi1M-fP1UgfjxbtjYfwGvIodeFc9_I7k/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ5-W0RsJntLVxeGN5rR0j2KDFbfO18AdJS2Ry8JVS_-kzax7fZJ7vLw0DMUwIgH85jpgfGf6fcVHFStSMMo26nUjIPWAWW0PY-cmgh1MXqoYi1M-fP1UgfjxbtjYfwGvIodeFc9_I7k/s640/IMG_1068.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Even with the modern drivetrain I feel the essence of the bike was maintained. Velox bar ends and a tool roll attached to the saddle with a Christophe toe strap give a slight nod to the era.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-54911888498011056412014-05-02T11:46:00.000-04:002016-01-18T17:03:10.377-05:00Soma San Marcos, an in depth review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is my 51 CM Soma San Marcos purchased and built in Late September 2012. Built as an alrounder with a retro / randonneur vibe. For those who may not be familiar, the San Marcos was designed by Grant Peterson of Rivendell Bicycles for Soma Fabrications. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">ALERT - this post is filled w/technical data that some may find boring. If you just want to know about the overall feel of the bike, just look at the pics and skip down to the final few paragraphs.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCPXfC2DuZfInYSixbY1qI3oQ07lrB-kfkAkhMNcELEWKIQ_mWNRzIjpKB2FdwTR0-1gMt6bXd39sQHmqwK2wmU1rbFxsNrCkDo7rZpVQJMVrsuGP88a8PtybpCjf69Y1qdIPdGVH_GM/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCPXfC2DuZfInYSixbY1qI3oQ07lrB-kfkAkhMNcELEWKIQ_mWNRzIjpKB2FdwTR0-1gMt6bXd39sQHmqwK2wmU1rbFxsNrCkDo7rZpVQJMVrsuGP88a8PtybpCjf69Y1qdIPdGVH_GM/s640/IMG_1003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Obligatory garage door photo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even before my Cannondale was stolen from my garage I had already been searching for a new bike. I was looking into a semi custom Gunnar and playing with the geometry on bike CAD when I discovered the Soma San Marcos. I plugged the specs into <a href="http://www.bikecad.ca/1398130566665" target="_blank">Bike CAD</a> and realized the San Marcos would give me the fit I was looking for at a much lower price, $800 vs $1650. Some may argue that there is a difference in quality between the two frames. The San Marcos is Tange Prestige with a Tange Infinity fork, while the Gunnar's are made from True Temper. I believe the main tube thickness for the San Marcos is a respectable 9/6/9. The feel of the Tange is compliant without being noodlish. I decided to pull the trigger and started collecting parts for the build.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzCAtW8ut_uFPqEOUTfwrh-vuIR3nV4t2zLgD-WqdiDPgfxRhNvCSWuB9km0HO57IyHVSVbe4jIvdXqMjHs3Hla-oNl3eJySgPNgBtXBwIDyrk2Zc0h67izbWa2OAV1KTBXZKeVvZA6U/s1600/Soma+private+beach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzCAtW8ut_uFPqEOUTfwrh-vuIR3nV4t2zLgD-WqdiDPgfxRhNvCSWuB9km0HO57IyHVSVbe4jIvdXqMjHs3Hla-oNl3eJySgPNgBtXBwIDyrk2Zc0h67izbWa2OAV1KTBXZKeVvZA6U/s640/Soma+private+beach+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Steve at Niantic Bay Bicycle built the 650b wheels at my request with Synergy machined side wall rims, Ultegra hubs, Wheelsmith double butted spokes and alloy nipples. At the time Velocity's 650b Synergy rims were the lightest ones available but the machined side walls were on back order for quite awhile. Eventually they came off back order and the build began.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM7VC9hg8yVBDRA-HUdK4d0RPFa3un472rm9qp5H9AbTE4iVYXx_A4T8RwRNbHxd-i9-kCRQR5COb9eVvwqpiycy9QEjZxiCaq3wGKtXDKLBCOHQkKumzGPWe9jPQUC29K0oCgtbYX-0/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM7VC9hg8yVBDRA-HUdK4d0RPFa3un472rm9qp5H9AbTE4iVYXx_A4T8RwRNbHxd-i9-kCRQR5COb9eVvwqpiycy9QEjZxiCaq3wGKtXDKLBCOHQkKumzGPWe9jPQUC29K0oCgtbYX-0/s640/IMG_1006.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The astute may notice dry cracks on the sidewalls.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I originally purchased a set of Dia Comp 610 center pull brakes, but the brake arms did not reach far enough on the rear. I lucked out because the shop had a rear Paul Racer hanging around. It had been too short on another build, so I got it at cost! As you can see in the photo, the Paul Racers are just barely long enough.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhcFXEeuB73krntG9yByl0T71g0p4_x5b0FAxm9W1vPSEHeu_y0BBsWbJnsCFi-B1SsQYAVonRJRWvc8ZxGwvyoDoiMvc6wiyngyXIB1PpsbjlcaR7UmPxLUBg3WfsdoAFXtktmItS-w/s1600/Soma+fork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhcFXEeuB73krntG9yByl0T71g0p4_x5b0FAxm9W1vPSEHeu_y0BBsWbJnsCFi-B1SsQYAVonRJRWvc8ZxGwvyoDoiMvc6wiyngyXIB1PpsbjlcaR7UmPxLUBg3WfsdoAFXtktmItS-w/s640/Soma+fork.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Classic Rivendell Lugs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">About 9 months after the initial build I up graded the front brake to a Paul Racer. I immediately felt a significant difference in the braking power.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r4fbAHdqUeCAM7aLoJ4FhgTrYEZnGiJ_c6u-DZTUWKKCgaqUDCOndyvSa4U-FAIV062N3KXdS7CYPr5D2xWEKmltaV_mMStssWWX1lAkSkxzGk2T4nTHedGEJNzwtf5yV3aqxS2f_6E/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r4fbAHdqUeCAM7aLoJ4FhgTrYEZnGiJ_c6u-DZTUWKKCgaqUDCOndyvSa4U-FAIV062N3KXdS7CYPr5D2xWEKmltaV_mMStssWWX1lAkSkxzGk2T4nTHedGEJNzwtf5yV3aqxS2f_6E/s640/IMG_1012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cane Creek 100 Classic threaded headset and a Funky Monkey</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even before I up graded the front brake, I changed the cable hanger to a Paul Components Funky Monkey. It kinda of s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ounds like a Ben and Jerry name doesn't it? </span>Weird name, nice product. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Funky Monkey's barrel adjuster is by far the easiest to adjust of all the cable hanger barrel adjusters I have tried. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The added length of the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Funky Monkey</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> reduces the amount of cable running from the barrel adjuster to the brake reducing the potential for cable shutter on a larger bike. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being able to adjust the Funky Monkey's barrel adjuster easily is vital since I've found it necessary to loosen it in order to open the brakes via the quick release when I want to remove the wheel.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIaBTz0CtM0nB13MnjmUp6e8ZFfrpPlFnwSjqm2ZfSj2sHvSnlcudWjfy49lBOqokRd0D0wOKXay4A1CnP7FvjDYscrzNdZxAMBRHMoOq5HI5OljDjM2OBNXy3LkeJqOWpE4kroeaoEY/s1600/Shimano+105+shifters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIaBTz0CtM0nB13MnjmUp6e8ZFfrpPlFnwSjqm2ZfSj2sHvSnlcudWjfy49lBOqokRd0D0wOKXay4A1CnP7FvjDYscrzNdZxAMBRHMoOq5HI5OljDjM2OBNXy3LkeJqOWpE4kroeaoEY/s640/Shimano+105+shifters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shimano 105 STI Brifters</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Initially I had set up the bike with Shimano Tiagra brifters, since I had used them on the Cannondale and found them to be adequate. The new, at the time 4600 Tiagra line had just become 10 speed and had benefited from the higher end components trickle down affect. The Tiagra's price point was a little easier to handle at the time of the initial build so that is what I put on the bike. The 4600 Tiagras had a different shape from the 4500 Tiagra I had on the Cannondale but I got used to it and found they shifted well with the 105 rear derailleur and IRD Alpina front derailleur. I later changed to the 105 brifters pictured above.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To me the 105 brifters have a nicer shape which is both more comfy and visually more appealing. The 105's also pull more brake cable thus increasing modulation. The cables exit at the handle bar making it easier to mount a small bag. One note about the 105 shifters, when shifting from the small 24 tooth chainring to the 36 tooth ring I have to give the shifter 1.5 shifts to get it to shift up to the 36 tooth ring. Interestingly with the Tiagra shifter the front derailleur was able to shift to the middle ring with only 1 shift. It was a little slow but it got there in one swing of the brifter's arm. Perhaps the extra turn the cable makes inside the brifter to allow it to exit at the handle bar creates just enough cable friction to cause this sub-optimal shifting with non Shimano parts. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoIDCcNXePy_zCHvMSC13QacXg3_HHBx6aUMahIkNvV4Ri7XlrCtGXlZvxwnTpYLbYn5L6x8EzpuYzln6Yakqa4gLIKv2SNAJqp1iSPgs_9OuN-8ScuNpH61M73-5qPLZ7ibsvvBrCYg/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoIDCcNXePy_zCHvMSC13QacXg3_HHBx6aUMahIkNvV4Ri7XlrCtGXlZvxwnTpYLbYn5L6x8EzpuYzln6Yakqa4gLIKv2SNAJqp1iSPgs_9OuN-8ScuNpH61M73-5qPLZ7ibsvvBrCYg/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Note the flare of the 105 shifters</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had purchased a Nitto Randonneur handle bar for another bike, so when I was changing the shifters I decided to try them. Originally I had used the Nitto B115 drop bar, but I wanted a little more length in the ramps. I really love the shape of the Randonneur bar, the flare is very comfy and creates a sort of hip at the first bend. The increased length of the ramps allows me to move my hands more and gives my whole body a choice to be more upright or more aero. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Funny how one change leads to another. After I changed the handle bar to give me what was essentially about 10 cms more reach I found I wanted </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my Brooks saddle</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> setback more. Sadly I removed the beautiful Thompsons zero setback seat post and replaced it with an old Sun Tour seat post w/setback which I found to be much more comfy. Eventually I changed to a Velo Orange Long Setback seat post which allows micro adjustments to the seat angle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LEIvFnl31DhqaFkVLWov0ntI5fgOYPXYnxxCT0Rzq_-KMfyVUqQa-59IPB1YidUJw5WUllKmhQovqSmRRgKW0ke3CyYrbtpxYoXcuH3hTmwYyUtB18td1PflxZOIRYEvMRc79_m1Q_w/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LEIvFnl31DhqaFkVLWov0ntI5fgOYPXYnxxCT0Rzq_-KMfyVUqQa-59IPB1YidUJw5WUllKmhQovqSmRRgKW0ke3CyYrbtpxYoXcuH3hTmwYyUtB18td1PflxZOIRYEvMRc79_m1Q_w/s640/IMG_1007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Velo Orange long setback seat post with Brooks saddle set all the way back.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsT43lDIqEfQolVC4BsXFBRW6s-Os2a0P8BB9v1nA49IWYhdR4V-9aPCUVW3usREDQ9qMW1bVsR1-ODJd24P6cs9KuJqzUsc8b_n9CvnVv5eVYpo2VDBpHez2UWfVPuMjsXI0ZzWRXeI/s1600/Nitto+Randonneur+bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsT43lDIqEfQolVC4BsXFBRW6s-Os2a0P8BB9v1nA49IWYhdR4V-9aPCUVW3usREDQ9qMW1bVsR1-ODJd24P6cs9KuJqzUsc8b_n9CvnVv5eVYpo2VDBpHez2UWfVPuMjsXI0ZzWRXeI/s1600/Nitto+Randonneur+bars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Nitto Randonneur handle bar and a Nitto stem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The final change to the original build was the fancy gold Jagwire housing. I had to change the cables since I was changing shifters so I decided to go ahead and change the housing too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17tiQvh51qUsHPqhfrngXgCeD3CPDU23MonRHLw05fa8vTeyg5qP5i0Cevgm8vji6NbyqiG_DTgtLs61vX6Okh1BOmw2N-McDAquZf8zl1ZfkSGDb787GMbeB1wtQZ3890zGbcFcERP0/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17tiQvh51qUsHPqhfrngXgCeD3CPDU23MonRHLw05fa8vTeyg5qP5i0Cevgm8vji6NbyqiG_DTgtLs61vX6Okh1BOmw2N-McDAquZf8zl1ZfkSGDb787GMbeB1wtQZ3890zGbcFcERP0/s640/IMG_1009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul Components Light mount with Light & Motion Urban 550 light attached.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is the final Paul's product I have on the San Marco. It's their light mount which I have stuck a handle bar plug into and mounted it to half of an old brake arm, which I then mounted to the front rack. I used the brake arm to allow the light to be mounted a bit lower which makes it much easier to remove when needed. Otherwise it would be dead level with the rack, which sometimes causes interference with items on the rack. I like having the light mounted at tire height beneath the front rack. You can see the road well without shining your light into the eyes of oncoming traffic and the cargo on the rack never interferes with the light's beam.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlhmskaF3BYmIy-a4EbJ9m2rsEMdcnXgy_HBbcHpHin7R7YgMmQbYiDMD55kzJ8Z5LQfLZx9y3vOzQzgBWdEshp7XtaJ-nQmBHGd5rVo1gpKe1vKpr8tw5a5blin94YFG91ntxP6EqXo/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlhmskaF3BYmIy-a4EbJ9m2rsEMdcnXgy_HBbcHpHin7R7YgMmQbYiDMD55kzJ8Z5LQfLZx9y3vOzQzgBWdEshp7XtaJ-nQmBHGd5rVo1gpKe1vKpr8tw5a5blin94YFG91ntxP6EqXo/s640/IMG_1002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My front rack hack </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I only have one beef with Soma. Why didn't they have midfork braze-ons in the first place? The new 2014 models all have midfork braze-ons, but the original models didn't. So you have two options, use p-clamps to mount a front rack or get a different rack that allows you to mount to the dropout eyelets. The later is what I chose to do, although I think such an arrangement may increase the fork's stiffness.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Originally I had a small cut down Wald basket mounted to the rack. This was quite convenient but baskets can also cause limitations in regard to the size of the load you can carry. IE. I couldn't carry a 12 pack flat on its side. Thus my rack hack was born. It is the top part of the Wald basket bent to approximately a 10 x 10" square which I clamped onto the Velo Orange front Constructeur rack. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74bP7umg0UKskIeEQI28Xteo3YjzikyCOiyhQlOuAxCpM8i8Bfh5_EdK4ub6eb1tVFyTeMLotPq3IW2Z8nVPVmdGY5I011ZcLKXP47j9dckyMzyVbvzjcFXzpiWEhC0ZVXt8GyIqmVU8/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74bP7umg0UKskIeEQI28Xteo3YjzikyCOiyhQlOuAxCpM8i8Bfh5_EdK4ub6eb1tVFyTeMLotPq3IW2Z8nVPVmdGY5I011ZcLKXP47j9dckyMzyVbvzjcFXzpiWEhC0ZVXt8GyIqmVU8/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Front rack in use, semi wet rain gear on the bottom with stuff from store on top all strapped down with a basket net.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The VO. Construteur front rack is quite strong and light at 425 grams. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbbgpj-ENhYkfRxdqmPHZO4HDWm2NZhoEQZKvUSFBuJU60DIpJk7pl_cOBVH_1sdvrV81R1D4rjIDs-8uay21GTtCtLxm-mJXVnJz8FEnWoRqf20ABELo4lP6orfDN4ACNgh8Q8y3HQs/s1600/vo+rear+constructeur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbbgpj-ENhYkfRxdqmPHZO4HDWm2NZhoEQZKvUSFBuJU60DIpJk7pl_cOBVH_1sdvrV81R1D4rjIDs-8uay21GTtCtLxm-mJXVnJz8FEnWoRqf20ABELo4lP6orfDN4ACNgh8Q8y3HQs/s1600/vo+rear+constructeur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">note the way the rack attaches to the fender in two places</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also installed a VO. Construteur rack on the rear of the bike. At 365 grams it is one of the lightest rear racks available. It is a bit small at 4.3 x 10.23 inches, the hooks of my inexpensive panniers just fit on the rails. The rack is mounted to the fender and the rear dropout eyelets which is surprisingly</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> sturdy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQWVYWFttX6-dZC7KVp0Lo5XoBKe7TNrCpBnIdkDzzO-euKpKmQq3dh_d-ahiXQPgvEFTd8QOYoXfWLJl_8yD3oW8ZSWXPyenrQs7h6EZQ1jcYdUzCs6rUci6NJImXhPkDSrwXi1BNRY/s1600/Velo+Orange+Cranks+and+pedals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQWVYWFttX6-dZC7KVp0Lo5XoBKe7TNrCpBnIdkDzzO-euKpKmQq3dh_d-ahiXQPgvEFTd8QOYoXfWLJl_8yD3oW8ZSWXPyenrQs7h6EZQ1jcYdUzCs6rUci6NJImXhPkDSrwXi1BNRY/s640/Velo+Orange+Cranks+and+pedals.jpg" width="459" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Velo Orange Cranks and touring pedals</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The crankset is a Velo Orange triple </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">with 24, 36, and 48 tooth chainrings. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love my triple, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">combined with an Ultegra 12-30 cassette it gives me 21-105 gear inches. Now that's range! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm also quite fond of the VO. Touring pedals. They are super light at 236 grams for the pair while being plenty comfy and grippy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I mentioned earlier I am using an IRD Alpina front derailleur. I chose the Alpina because it is supposed to provide better shifting with the smaller 48 tooth outer chainring. Perhaps if I ran a Shimano 105 front derailleur the shift from the small to the middle ring would be cleaner? I wish Shimano would be like Sram in regards to having the same amount of cable pull for the road and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">mountain </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">shifters. This would allow both groups to be interchangeable and make it easier for someone like me who prefers to run smaller chainrings with STI shifters. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All that being said, I don't spend a lot of time in the smallest chainring. Most of the time I only have to shift from the 24 to the 36 tooth ring when I start out in the morning, since I </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">park the bike for the night with it in the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">smallest chainring and sprocket.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94GCWg2p7G3igM5T3JILSZjX1Ogca82Sw4nq8S2G4b4qATBEi-TSzvpJp-RXKlKabfAacF7Lark6tnOVEgNbFrY9qoaO7s4HYageqKw0xCpI6kqxsbSj2kGtSZKpY49ALXphEykN5KAE/s1600/Rear+Fender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94GCWg2p7G3igM5T3JILSZjX1Ogca82Sw4nq8S2G4b4qATBEi-TSzvpJp-RXKlKabfAacF7Lark6tnOVEgNbFrY9qoaO7s4HYageqKw0xCpI6kqxsbSj2kGtSZKpY49ALXphEykN5KAE/s640/Rear+Fender.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The final bit of Velo Orange bling are the hammered fenders. Initially I had the VO. Zepplin 52 mm fenders for 650b wheels mounted but they were really wider than needed for 32 mm tires. Also it was my first time mounting a pair of aluminum fenders, hence errors were made. Here's a tip for anyone who has never installed metal fenders; squeezing the width of the fender to make it narrower effects the radius, essentially making it larger. I Eventually got the Zepplins installed but decided to change to the 45 mm hammered fenders later on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like the look of both fenders but the hammered fenders hide small scratches. I attached a Spanniga Pixeo Xba tail light to the rear fender, which required 2 holes to be drilled.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGvmE75QgeUCM_cwqn1ps7j3cX0p0TmhRNmAFG5hWcYyyX_19w-DqrIBNIMLNVK1F-1_VH05sc4Eq9yIXgYPCzJ6TBzhtihYuwS7l1s4bU5iog42DRFO6SS527ugC9EoRkJeryMO0Rxw/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGvmE75QgeUCM_cwqn1ps7j3cX0p0TmhRNmAFG5hWcYyyX_19w-DqrIBNIMLNVK1F-1_VH05sc4Eq9yIXgYPCzJ6TBzhtihYuwS7l1s4bU5iog42DRFO6SS527ugC9EoRkJeryMO0Rxw/s640/IMG_1005.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first set of tires were Hutchinson 650b x 32 mm. I managed to get about 2300-2700 miles out of them before I had to replace the rear tire which was just about ready to go. Currently I am using the Grand Bois 650b x 32 mm Cypress tires. As you can see in the photo above, the sidewalls are getting cracked and dry. I also have a co</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">uple of small gashes in the tread of the rear tire, but I still have quite a bit of tread left. They have been run for approximately 2000 miles. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZPX-qMcj0oPras936Isw_qW6wG96CEKj-Ov7wm-x2jO1ZFrtg6KlmIv8MvVJwGJHN_CTOXvSvD1KG0wKS9tML0uJNzdi2RcTKej5q2XDW5opSSRLsG-8XoeyLMqWkZTG5GvnhDkoSn8/s1600/San+Marco+at+Tiffany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZPX-qMcj0oPras936Isw_qW6wG96CEKj-Ov7wm-x2jO1ZFrtg6KlmIv8MvVJwGJHN_CTOXvSvD1KG0wKS9tML0uJNzdi2RcTKej5q2XDW5opSSRLsG-8XoeyLMqWkZTG5GvnhDkoSn8/s640/San+Marco+at+Tiffany.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Soma San Marcos with the original build June 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that's pretty much the build and some of my thoughts about it but what do I think about the finished product and the frame itself? After riding 4500 miles I can say I am completely in love with this bike 95% of the time. The other 5% of the time I wished the bike were a bit lighter. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not really a heavy frame at about 6 lbs for the frame and fork, and I tried to select the lightest parts I could while still having all the features I wanted. Before I put the racks, kick stand and bag with gear on the bike it weighed 26 lbs. Once I added the racks, etc. the bike gained 5 lbs. To loosely quote Grant Peterson,"it's hard to build a useful bike for less than 30 lbs". The five percent of the time when I wish it were lighter I'm usually carrying some weight and/or going up hill or against the wind.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lets get back to the 95% of the time when I am completely smitten with this bike. First thing is the fit, it's everything I hoped it would be. When I first started riding this bike It was like it was made for me. The Cannondale fit me pretty well once I had the stem extender installed, so that was my starting point when I started plugging dimensions into bike CAD. The San Marcos is 2 cm longer in the top tube, which I was a bit worried about, so I used a shorter </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">50 cm</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> stem. Once I started riding the bike I was happy to have a little extra room to stretch out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am using a Nitto Technomic stem with about 4 inches of rise. Let me first say I love the threaded stem with it's ease of height adjustment. Also I personally prefer the aesthetic of a threaded stem. I must also compliment the geometry/design that Grant Peterson used on this bike. With a longish head tube set at 71 degrees, the higher you raise the stem the more it moves back towards you, effectively shortening the reach.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also love the slacker seat tube angle of 71.5 degrees. That is an angle that is extremely hard to come by in a 51 cm frame, the typical angle is 74-75 degrees. My knees appreciate the slacker angle and I doubt that I would be able to use a leather saddle with their usually shorter seat rails if the seat tube angle was any steeper. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9alAwPZB6Eu_tzvruaIEytMUSGpcSyLxdvxAUADjmSmjzvRifrtRA2Hj27pO2OwnfpqJfWvIOxdKIrJQ5k5Bp5ji-yusLxX8Fg4A9g_shDt4QMINNIWAWj792p7bgJObFnaYeiS8jFq0/s1600/Nehantic+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9alAwPZB6Eu_tzvruaIEytMUSGpcSyLxdvxAUADjmSmjzvRifrtRA2Hj27pO2OwnfpqJfWvIOxdKIrJQ5k5Bp5ji-yusLxX8Fg4A9g_shDt4QMINNIWAWj792p7bgJObFnaYeiS8jFq0/s640/Nehantic+entrance.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another uniquely Grant Peterson design is the lower bottom bracket height. With my seat set at maximum height for me I am still able to comfortably put my toe down while remaining seated at a stop light. The bike suffers no clearance issues due to the lower bb. On the contrary I have ridden it through wooded trails filled with rocks and roots with nary a problem. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">The ride is sublime. It rides like a Cadillac, smooooooth. I'm sure it must be the combination of the Tange Prestige steel and the supple 650b tires. On the road the ideal tire pressure for me is 60-55 psi in the rear and 40-35 psi in the front. Being a 51 cm bike I'm sure it is stouter than it needs be since a small diamond frame is inherently strong. On the other hand I have no worries that the tubes will dent easily and I have full confidence it can handle any load I pile onto it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Aesthetically I never grow tired of looking at this bike. The color is a pearlescent turquoise which photographs more like a light blue. It is a difficult color to capture. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Unless I one day have a custom frame built for myself, I am sure I will be riding the San Marcos for a long time.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-77048091963454020702014-03-20T14:40:00.002-04:002016-01-18T16:48:12.833-05:00Errandonnee 2014<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">March 3, 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3gRAte70yuk87l5YC_0otNAS6YzRQ-Z1hELry5r10F_CsQ_tj7GnIG1st-yG4VDPU3cUbUP5Sn2MKSVeiBOiLylQWpsCXKu0MzcFMNzzPBtW5Zl0bY5GwtT3beo31SdlC8Inn0dDUNE/s1600/140308_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3gRAte70yuk87l5YC_0otNAS6YzRQ-Z1hELry5r10F_CsQ_tj7GnIG1st-yG4VDPU3cUbUP5Sn2MKSVeiBOiLylQWpsCXKu0MzcFMNzzPBtW5Zl0bY5GwtT3beo31SdlC8Inn0dDUNE/s640/140308_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My winter bike parked outside of work.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1_xU5bdVVQL2oh9PYdyClhDemT8xrpmco7-fHXtXSwKmPKmATaSbjnQj7FtDS15hyphenhyphenP6zqgYYCjQr8U86DRoS9Hl4SLQro5c4cNzQqxalx0lNCk5hDWR8r1PSY3gmT3mNVH_w92bfQXk/s640/027.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Back at work after running some errands.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; height: 305px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 217px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9JJwQYxcmOjJ8Ozm1G6v_d6gMqy7NMezNPFuEqqTXtiWQ11v1yziSIOKjLGSAqFx7AqE4o4iXg9Xr6vclLC4IxuxbuRg0ClOdbUKgfv57tah6U7Nz6fqHAvcyDqU02S4Zn3fMRJir6c/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9JJwQYxcmOjJ8Ozm1G6v_d6gMqy7NMezNPFuEqqTXtiWQ11v1yziSIOKjLGSAqFx7AqE4o4iXg9Xr6vclLC4IxuxbuRg0ClOdbUKgfv57tah6U7Nz6fqHAvcyDqU02S4Zn3fMRJir6c/s640/IMG_0945.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Home at last</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1_xU5bdVVQL2oh9PYdyClhDemT8xrpmco7-fHXtXSwKmPKmATaSbjnQj7FtDS15hyphenhyphenP6zqgYYCjQr8U86DRoS9Hl4SLQro5c4cNzQqxalx0lNCk5hDWR8r1PSY3gmT3mNVH_w92bfQXk/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1_xU5bdVVQL2oh9PYdyClhDemT8xrpmco7-fHXtXSwKmPKmATaSbjnQj7FtDS15hyphenhyphenP6zqgYYCjQr8U86DRoS9Hl4SLQro5c4cNzQqxalx0lNCk5hDWR8r1PSY3gmT3mNVH_w92bfQXk/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Destination</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Work, bike shop, lunch</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I rode my bike to work. During my lunch hour I went out to pick up some tire sealant at my LBS and some lunch at Subway. I finally arrived home 13 hours later.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Observations - The Serfas 500 light does a great job lighting my way in the dark.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Total Miles - 30</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">March 10, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexNJTyo6qSxM6diJN39FLtpvK3Fhk7ykEgGDiNxK28tqTyjDh5IGAirT7Z68L2PUHLG7AE2h_wo6Y9gSOmL6aRlQ7Ty3t_DZ-owpv2TsVuyLNhAsiZ6PmMRs46489tBqY6-3eRPi8mPI/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexNJTyo6qSxM6diJN39FLtpvK3Fhk7ykEgGDiNxK28tqTyjDh5IGAirT7Z68L2PUHLG7AE2h_wo6Y9gSOmL6aRlQ7Ty3t_DZ-owpv2TsVuyLNhAsiZ6PmMRs46489tBqY6-3eRPi8mPI/s640/IMG_0946.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Poised to go to the store and return some bottles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLO9LNLfYUp0rpB0CQN47lj6kS1ysoZKvRTiW0GxjbTkRC1n4BQYci27TLmdllqoQpzgtZ7F0mGxo8p_UuWQXvshhy9tesp3IKh_XDcPk2SNqEITu26d1sKc0gJI0VtfcNuVyN6CLiDE/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLO9LNLfYUp0rpB0CQN47lj6kS1ysoZKvRTiW0GxjbTkRC1n4BQYci27TLmdllqoQpzgtZ7F0mGxo8p_UuWQXvshhy9tesp3IKh_XDcPk2SNqEITu26d1sKc0gJI0VtfcNuVyN6CLiDE/s640/IMG_0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">High security at the Big Y</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvACFY5qd7LOIY8KDmgGtHTLghjMQGr4an5Gr3aGaOqyUjiWXLiIckF85C1xmt5ssHTR1mL-LpGoYdgnKozo0JPiIQPcoWiQHsC5_jTllI0T4TytqSxI-DX-q-_xqxF4AqSs5hxLj2pg/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvACFY5qd7LOIY8KDmgGtHTLghjMQGr4an5Gr3aGaOqyUjiWXLiIckF85C1xmt5ssHTR1mL-LpGoYdgnKozo0JPiIQPcoWiQHsC5_jTllI0T4TytqSxI-DX-q-_xqxF4AqSs5hxLj2pg/s640/IMG_0948.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just the essentials, beer, coffee and milk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Destination</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grocery store; Big Y and A&P package store.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I learned how much I can fit in my front basket with a six pack.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Miles - 5</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">March 12, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWvLrwoP4XNFw-4Z2l28JoDEHMkgpLwsonmlkV-1iMP0ppjqtbpbGMUboKT-aJAdcOIsZWIkoOYTXv11yhfvAQ7Pn_JcNjjxC1g0smYN_zIDVDg3igASk0mFIy_YRmAlHky22Dqgf6jM/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWvLrwoP4XNFw-4Z2l28JoDEHMkgpLwsonmlkV-1iMP0ppjqtbpbGMUboKT-aJAdcOIsZWIkoOYTXv11yhfvAQ7Pn_JcNjjxC1g0smYN_zIDVDg3igASk0mFIy_YRmAlHky22Dqgf6jM/s640/IMG_0953.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP3rQrSbsAS1Y3xlFrqX4BZT-MrYL_I_YFm9-EEc_gZSvhkyb1PfS4SllUewTfJ53YRWUoowMCHZL2ISu-PuWCVFdJ0PKdun8x3zlySl1oEpTeQ7XsMqJ93pbjL1bJ8x5G5xthP682zc/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP3rQrSbsAS1Y3xlFrqX4BZT-MrYL_I_YFm9-EEc_gZSvhkyb1PfS4SllUewTfJ53YRWUoowMCHZL2ISu-PuWCVFdJ0PKdun8x3zlySl1oEpTeQ7XsMqJ93pbjL1bJ8x5G5xthP682zc/s640/IMG_0952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Destination</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personal Care - Chiropractor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wild Card - Staples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Observed - Geese eating something green in the ice.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Miles - 16</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March 16, 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPsYyJOWyEKnuHwhHCjCGsJ8II9bTLyxHbtgSlpHi8vqA7tEhWHsi53tNI9MfYjGOGUM-MOQeHm5pDhNnEDYU6M43Bk-O7QJ7q2HI5SYRHhVq0Coh_Y4oPZy8SHpyHnhq_4kUlAFa-pE/s1600/grocery+shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPsYyJOWyEKnuHwhHCjCGsJ8II9bTLyxHbtgSlpHi8vqA7tEhWHsi53tNI9MfYjGOGUM-MOQeHm5pDhNnEDYU6M43Bk-O7QJ7q2HI5SYRHhVq0Coh_Y4oPZy8SHpyHnhq_4kUlAFa-pE/s640/grocery+shopping.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bike parking at Stop & Shop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPnOoaBvn946WwHMutU8TzUFYGxdfu-id7ZjcXJsNl3_8J8w_khlVrzEwz-s3CG55ltQgHGvP3gDI31YP-g8Zm6axsbV8qUBdjjO9Ra0RAV34JlhEcOGK-Fp3kG8X6u92B_9fpl-f-YA/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPnOoaBvn946WwHMutU8TzUFYGxdfu-id7ZjcXJsNl3_8J8w_khlVrzEwz-s3CG55ltQgHGvP3gDI31YP-g8Zm6axsbV8qUBdjjO9Ra0RAV34JlhEcOGK-Fp3kG8X6u92B_9fpl-f-YA/s640/IMG_0980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">All loaded, 60 lbs or so </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Destination</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grocery store - Stop & Shop in Old Saybrook, CT</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Observation - My bike is sweet!</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Miles - 10</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">March 18, 2014</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-nhCa9k9ghdcy-PZotpn1T2UgiDgZ3Qw72l69_rNQIPzXQj1rz1PWy26Szc2sUkyuVq6Ue1gTeqJOTIqrOjVB8pQ32HmWAQEPywtexzolxC5fyvfCothSfw8Es5dyOHy2w2KAMQBx3Q/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-nhCa9k9ghdcy-PZotpn1T2UgiDgZ3Qw72l69_rNQIPzXQj1rz1PWy26Szc2sUkyuVq6Ue1gTeqJOTIqrOjVB8pQ32HmWAQEPywtexzolxC5fyvfCothSfw8Es5dyOHy2w2KAMQBx3Q/s640/IMG_0982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My Soma San Marcos parked at work after running a few errands during lunch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02CjeaUAt9g5yxp1v7nF6DXaGkHnBbnvI9-LA338-so9_2xVh7LKclDHuZpmziFZzkcs5MlPWnnj7_w2mVklU3WGB7xvJYpjlJodujCnPfWNa3j47OBWsj7Ds-3lIFpRdLaZsF_x-hSY/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02CjeaUAt9g5yxp1v7nF6DXaGkHnBbnvI9-LA338-so9_2xVh7LKclDHuZpmziFZzkcs5MlPWnnj7_w2mVklU3WGB7xvJYpjlJodujCnPfWNa3j47OBWsj7Ds-3lIFpRdLaZsF_x-hSY/s640/IMG_0983.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stopped at the library on the way home from work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-At1lCV8SXn_8uIKvg0daJs75IXqJuI6bIdEEVo4-WMiI3cmEqR2EVe6vI7Mnrjkt0g4tjgxRNVDO_EjCuOqdY2eyE55F6o3vkT_k740Kpr0upDi_uwYXKKWVapW7lfixtf5JPvkzVwE/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-At1lCV8SXn_8uIKvg0daJs75IXqJuI6bIdEEVo4-WMiI3cmEqR2EVe6vI7Mnrjkt0g4tjgxRNVDO_EjCuOqdY2eyE55F6o3vkT_k740Kpr0upDi_uwYXKKWVapW7lfixtf5JPvkzVwE/s640/IMG_0984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Back home at 6:30 PM</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Destination</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Work and library</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Observations - The library has lots of DVD's but they're difficult to select without using the computer catalog.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Miles - 23</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">March 19, 2014</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5UWirwHfZ64U-wkaXFSnupwwHTQ4Esi84_mAtFSzy591lFAiuvhHr3LuOz_ynybRfbIMT5xFOtkAWDUlJbpZt2tAtc9REAIpdVuPNNeXNpG80N4igrf4G8H88F-0EzjbOz8u2us9VpQ/s1600/Pedal+Power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5UWirwHfZ64U-wkaXFSnupwwHTQ4Esi84_mAtFSzy591lFAiuvhHr3LuOz_ynybRfbIMT5xFOtkAWDUlJbpZt2tAtc9REAIpdVuPNNeXNpG80N4igrf4G8H88F-0EzjbOz8u2us9VpQ/s640/Pedal+Power.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stopped at Pedal Power for their grand opening</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Destination</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Bike shop and personal care, (chiropractor) again</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Observations - Head winds really stink.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Miles - 16</span></li>
</span></ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total Miles - 100</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-64759654144560497722014-03-07T13:37:00.000-05:002014-03-07T13:37:12.758-05:001984 Trek 500 Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I picked up a 1984 Trek 500 at bike show/swap in Dudley. At that time the bike was built as a fixie which didn't interest me at all. So I purchased the bike without its wheels and chain. It had bull handlebars, an inverse brake lever and track pedals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mostly what I wanted was the frame. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bikes original configuration was a drop barred sport bike. It came in two colors, mariner blue and pewter as pictured below. Mine is blue. Now that the bike is in at least its third configuration very little from its original build remains. I think the headset is the only original component left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vintage-trek.com/images/trek/84Trek_14_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.vintage-trek.com/images/trek/84Trek_14_72.jpg" height="640" width="556" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I built up the Trek 500 to be my winter ride. It's worked out fairly well. The tires could use a little more width but you can only use as wide of a tire as the bike will allow. The only studded tire I found that would fit was Schwalbe's 30 mm snow tire. It doesn't have as many studs as their 35 mm Marathon Winter tires, but sometimes I think that's a good thing since the 30 mm snow tires are slow enough. The sidewalls have a nice reflective coating. When I don't have the studded tires mounted I use Soma's New Express 32 mm terracotta tires. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8TROuGCT-o1QEVHwNANvYq5sc6LtmAnQwJkmS3_8vGb_TksxD4xaIS3B540ndj7ENjrz7v5-z_b7KyZqS3ekh07S1AorpiSHcNqtPMadCbsFIr0GUdZV_wGDWSZX35h_z-s6yszo8Dc/s1600/Winter+2014+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8TROuGCT-o1QEVHwNANvYq5sc6LtmAnQwJkmS3_8vGb_TksxD4xaIS3B540ndj7ENjrz7v5-z_b7KyZqS3ekh07S1AorpiSHcNqtPMadCbsFIr0GUdZV_wGDWSZX35h_z-s6yszo8Dc/s1600/Winter+2014+021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition to studded tires, I'm using a Nexus 8 speed internal gear hub with a kick brake. This set up has worked very nicely allowing me to mostly just ride and not worry about cleaning off the bike after every sloppy ride. I have a center pull brake on the front but it's pretty useless when conditions are wet and icey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cockpit consists of a 90 mm Nitto Technomic stem which is quite pretty to look at when you're riding. I only mention that because Grant Peterson has pointed out the importance of a good looking stem since its in your field</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of vision most of the time. Anyway the rest of the cockpit is Velo Orange's ever so difficult to pronounce handlebars VO Montmartre, which are 42 cm wide. If I had to do it again I would select their Left Bank handlebar which is 49 cm wide with a little bit of flare in the grip area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An inverse brake lever controls the front brake and a JTek bar-end shifter allows easy logical shifting of the Nexus hub.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Logical because you shift up to move to a higher gear and down to move to lower gear.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCIYaCrmJptte0Wq3zqShm5M7-Jz6pp3SS7ZqRD3iqQxgZaP2IHyiN-uvJ8AQ91RxO9k_PNuSk4kRLekapmvnwADyxoVKO3Efc4IgNJxFQr1JRPgBKAw3Vawg54uo268i3Wy9eblVOuM/s1600/Winter+2014+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCIYaCrmJptte0Wq3zqShm5M7-Jz6pp3SS7ZqRD3iqQxgZaP2IHyiN-uvJ8AQ91RxO9k_PNuSk4kRLekapmvnwADyxoVKO3Efc4IgNJxFQr1JRPgBKAw3Vawg54uo268i3Wy9eblVOuM/s1600/Winter+2014+023.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To keep the road crud off of me, I mounted a pair of SKS Longboards. I've found the bear claw pedals to be quite comfortable and grippy, plus I think they look cool. To finish the build I added a Brooks b68 in honey with matching honey bar tape, and a Wald 137 basket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_ZjLxIJ3stfNHPo3RQll-2qotP8jOKuwU0kqBLt41XnJqLsNSiaudHjGvWp6pMZI0LBOrG3lL7AfX_n3ryRPsQL0bpbow5osGLO5Nhl4V0XCUHfWFGxhqsm7CCpJLFUCgRn2dpdxrkY/s1600/Winter+2014+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_ZjLxIJ3stfNHPo3RQll-2qotP8jOKuwU0kqBLt41XnJqLsNSiaudHjGvWp6pMZI0LBOrG3lL7AfX_n3ryRPsQL0bpbow5osGLO5Nhl4V0XCUHfWFGxhqsm7CCpJLFUCgRn2dpdxrkY/s1600/Winter+2014+010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A couple of notes: Before I mounted the basket I had a funky old rack that I hacked to make a light sort of porteur rack. I wasn't crazy about the look of it but I think it worked better than the basket in regards to the amount of weight and volume it held. Ultimately I would like to put a real porteur rack on, if I can find one that isn't too heavy or expensive, this is my dilemma. Of all the bikes I own, this one handles front loads the best. Probably due to its mid-trail geometry, somewhere in the mid forties.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCqCvonlIOilRUd0VJHIq0CoNjygS2Jk0ChGdzstcV8Z8FE-QLMLIV7UVYBkuC2LVm5Lanj9eNK55NUM7wVrJ8kw_ulJ68y8YbJGKmagUqjdH6tTynmwiZdgRS3a9VIJMTQBabWPSh-M/s1600/Winter+2014+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCqCvonlIOilRUd0VJHIq0CoNjygS2Jk0ChGdzstcV8Z8FE-QLMLIV7UVYBkuC2LVm5Lanj9eNK55NUM7wVrJ8kw_ulJ68y8YbJGKmagUqjdH6tTynmwiZdgRS3a9VIJMTQBabWPSh-M/s1600/Winter+2014+011.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Truth be told I'm not that wild about the Brooks handlebar tape. It is difficult to work with and it offers no cushion. The last bit of problem I've been having is a common one with Brooks saddles. I need more set back even though I am using the VO long set back seat post, it's still not enough. I am constantly pushing back. Raising the saddle height has helped a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There maybe some changes made regarding the saddle set back, front rack and maybe the handlebars as I continue to tweek the fit.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-27103250135644054132014-03-05T17:38:00.002-05:002014-03-06T09:57:09.986-05:00So Long Febuary, Hello March<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone I know feels the same way, we've all had it with winter. Here in Connecticut we thankfully dodged the bullet on Monday, while the Mid-Atlantic region got slammed with snow. On the roads the snow has receded from most of the shoulders, so riding a bike is much easier. Here in Southeast Connecticut most of the landscape remains covered with at least 6 inches of hard snow. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl9rLS15fUVhOJSB7_9HrfqIrh4bV8ljJjyo7ZUTrDbjRByaXTqnmf18tOuzW9P0TjxlmFPOw_RcWMzDiyT4XRGKKGfSiOMvEL6hGtHJO9fAgHzwGrZ7flLEbl95GblR8MSIjLk42H8Q/s1600/CT+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl9rLS15fUVhOJSB7_9HrfqIrh4bV8ljJjyo7ZUTrDbjRByaXTqnmf18tOuzW9P0TjxlmFPOw_RcWMzDiyT4XRGKKGfSiOMvEL6hGtHJO9fAgHzwGrZ7flLEbl95GblR8MSIjLk42H8Q/s1600/CT+River.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since March began, I'm trying to bike commute to work more frequently than I did the past two months. On both Sat. 3 -1 & Tues. 3 - 4 I left for work on my winter bike with the temps looming around 9 -10 degree's. Fortunately it wasn't windy on either of those days. Today we've made it into the 40', so </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">hopefully that will be the new trend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not just the cold and the frozen cruddy looking stuff along the roadsides, and the never ending shoveling, but it's also the grey dreary sky's day in and day out, that our getting really old. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmtog4FSAA_1mhCdHhK_4sNvqqkzgINmORUs_onGkbxPkea6spZ0R0MByEK8E64qG9Yx9kg5sgtyAoU3reAija9alv0YzFkzOlX-nEeWyMF1UJZrpYIl-dRtn0il6qylk21fMEdnLVEM/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmtog4FSAA_1mhCdHhK_4sNvqqkzgINmORUs_onGkbxPkea6spZ0R0MByEK8E64qG9Yx9kg5sgtyAoU3reAija9alv0YzFkzOlX-nEeWyMF1UJZrpYIl-dRtn0il6qylk21fMEdnLVEM/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The stores all think it's spring, replacing winter clothing for short sleeve shirts, shorts, and bathing suits. About a month ago toe warmers became hard to find. Baseball mitts and bats replaced them, so I ordered a lg. box from Amazon today. I can ride with just my shoes when its in the forties but below that I need neoprene booties and or toe warmers.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN3KP374sIAi-bWw5UIU0dPI0j6rO1iZm9C6r0SqIV02og6IZz9YmKox-6uCjmdYR8s5cdSNE9E2ilJu1_BHMjzkOxpY7wiTASxFct_ra9rNv7-DUIE8H24itzFnizhXaOvIlP63VT1k/s1600/Winter+2014+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN3KP374sIAi-bWw5UIU0dPI0j6rO1iZm9C6r0SqIV02og6IZz9YmKox-6uCjmdYR8s5cdSNE9E2ilJu1_BHMjzkOxpY7wiTASxFct_ra9rNv7-DUIE8H24itzFnizhXaOvIlP63VT1k/s1600/Winter+2014+024.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a picture of the Old Lyme town beach parking lot on Feb 2nd. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Under the snow is rutted ice, which I found virtually unridable.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42hA5J4QC8xcYIJ_nKMHROAQL6_0TT2zgQ-LpjMRvNYujQ16WXWkmxhVzlHQa17eGXh4m-y-gMEJstFVxaQ9jj9W8FKXicvckWY0fnZfomz2R5vto49TUDeZNVboxMqMMl77hmqF2TTY/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42hA5J4QC8xcYIJ_nKMHROAQL6_0TT2zgQ-LpjMRvNYujQ16WXWkmxhVzlHQa17eGXh4m-y-gMEJstFVxaQ9jj9W8FKXicvckWY0fnZfomz2R5vto49TUDeZNVboxMqMMl77hmqF2TTY/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 days later the same parking lot after some rain and a couple of warm days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This weekend we spring ahead, longer days yea, but it seems early this year.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-55566714287597006172014-03-02T12:37:00.000-05:002016-01-18T19:19:56.882-05:00Sam Hillborne<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love the sage blue color and the build specs on this Rivendell,Sam Hillborne. Truly a great "country bike".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsefAIVZO25tRHtfbJzFdrsQO5yKqLXuYAAI1UwCZoyQx-GKHAs1Gl4cCib4Y0aSsxQzDcz8Frv8zHV1JLHP84lEJm15vGpjDmt7Dt0i1dfYE9Y0XqCmjywvUaiVHm7K2DphhlSXK9XHE/s1600/Sage+Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsefAIVZO25tRHtfbJzFdrsQO5yKqLXuYAAI1UwCZoyQx-GKHAs1Gl4cCib4Y0aSsxQzDcz8Frv8zHV1JLHP84lEJm15vGpjDmt7Dt0i1dfYE9Y0XqCmjywvUaiVHm7K2DphhlSXK9XHE/s640/Sage+Sam.jpg" width="640" /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-45173962490454633132014-02-24T12:02:00.000-05:002014-02-24T12:02:33.815-05:00Amtrak and Bicycles<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've recently come across a lot of discussions about multimodal bicycle travel via train, Amtrak mostly. I of course have had my own problems trying to use Amtrak on a more recent bike tour, but that's a story for another time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">One of the discussions that first came across my radar was a post by <a href="http://janheine.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/a-winter-adventure/" target="_blank">Off The Beaten Path, A Winter Adventure</a></span> . <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Most of the discussion about bikes and trains took place in the comments section. The gist of it was how limited or in some cases completely nonexistant bike access is on Amtrak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="AmTrak Train" class="alignright size-full wp-image-231" height="213" src="http://drivethenation.com/files/2012/08/AmTrak-Train.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image Source: <a href="http://cliffsrailpictures.smugmug.com/">http://cliffsrailpictures.smugmug.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">A post at <a href="http://bikeportland.org/2013/12/03/citing-nonexistent-policy-amtrak-workers-haul-away-portlanders-bikes-98029" target="_blank">bikeportland.org</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">describes an encounter on Amtrak's Texas Eagle, experienced by writer Ely Blue and publisher / filmmaker Joel Beil. For a full account click on the link. A brief summary of the story goes like this: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">They were traveling overnight on a sleeper car with their Brompton folding bicycles brought on board as carryon baggage. In the middle of the night they were awakened and berated for doing just that. After a heated discussion it was agreed that the attendant would put the Bromptons in the baggage car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.harriscyclery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0087_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.harriscyclery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0087_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Image Source - harriscyclery.net</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">For the record folding bikes are allowed as carryon baggage. It appears that it is not uncommon for Amtrak employees to be unaware of their policies regarding bikes. Blue states this inconsistancy as the reason they purchased the folding bikes. Most of Amtrak's trains don't allow bicycles accept for a limited number of trains on certain lines, which require the bike to be boxed and checked as baggage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">BikePortland.org posted a follow up;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Amtrak states that folding bicycles are always allowed onboard. They will be lauching a new program that hopefully willl allow all employees to keep up with the latest policies regarding bicycles. If this occurs the multimodal bike tourist won't be left at the mercy of each Amtrak employee they encounter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Adventure Cyling Association is advocating for better service for bicyclist by joining Amtrak's new task force with other bike adovocacy groups. The focus is to expand bicycle service on Amtrak lines. For more info check out these links: </span><br />
<a href="http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/positive-amtrak-news/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/positive-amtrak-news/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/new-developments-for-bicycle-services-on-amtrak/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/new-developments-for-bicycle-services-on-amtrak/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the state of Connecticut there aren't any Amtrak trains that allow bikes to be checked as baggage or even to be shipped via train. The Shoreline East commuter train <u>does</u> allow bikes to be rolled on! Here is a copy of their policy: <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Bicycles are permitted on board SLE trains operating between New Haven and New London (including all intermediate stations) only. All bicycles must be stored in a safe and secure manner to allow emergency egress by passengers. The cyclist should remain in close proximity to the bicycle, and must obey instructions of the train crew.</em></span></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I read this as bikes must be somehow secured at the end of the cars where there is more space and the bicyclist must sit in a near by seat because they don't want to be responsible for your bike. The Part about obeying train crew instructions seems ambiguous to me and possible code for being denied access.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Since this post is getting long I'll sign off for now. Stay tuned for more to follow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-28599933643400314462014-02-21T20:05:00.001-05:002014-02-22T10:01:55.544-05:00Back After Two Years<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes its been 2 years since I've posted anything to this blog. What happened? It's been so long that I don't really remember. I do know that writing a blog requires commitment and more work than you might think and sometimes you just get tired of posting and run out of ideas. Well the dry spell is over and lots has happened since I last posted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all the Phillips Project has gotten as far as some cleaning and a lot of disassembly. The poor thing has been lying in pieces for about 2 years. Not to worry though, I will get it done one of these days. There's just too much other stuff to do first. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Ww77E8uAupdj2oGXFNl0DK3vOKFOUp9kT05b03tKMVd3NTLSZoA0x1NNR3MNkD_5ySWSs_4e1Z1ynmxQMk6pFoU7pOBVd4YyhSTNTBWdY8LIidd_YJpkFHdi2H156guvyRlLhSpMPY/s1600/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Ww77E8uAupdj2oGXFNl0DK3vOKFOUp9kT05b03tKMVd3NTLSZoA0x1NNR3MNkD_5ySWSs_4e1Z1ynmxQMk6pFoU7pOBVd4YyhSTNTBWdY8LIidd_YJpkFHdi2H156guvyRlLhSpMPY/s1600/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Part of the Phillips tear down included a stuck stem</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like any good bike geek the fleet has changed quite a bit in the last 2 years. The Cannondale Synapse was stolen right out of my garage back in August of 2012. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER8diiRpKxgGfvX9OZB2JxoTpSzRGLZqAcTnWWY93KZdN55iuf0W6anUm370OBbGB9RMOCYSw1IQfq_67wHW0NUZMTXTc-vo7hd-Z6w_xDkxnHyAhv4jNwy5twt-P5GokuuEnzUF9cv0/s1600/smith+neck+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER8diiRpKxgGfvX9OZB2JxoTpSzRGLZqAcTnWWY93KZdN55iuf0W6anUm370OBbGB9RMOCYSw1IQfq_67wHW0NUZMTXTc-vo7hd-Z6w_xDkxnHyAhv4jNwy5twt-P5GokuuEnzUF9cv0/s1600/smith+neck+002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cannondale Synapse Feb. 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a horrible feeling to walk into your garage, look at the spot where you last left your bike only to find its gone! You start to look around as if you might not remember where you last left your bike. Thank goodness for home owners insurance. I was in the process of having a new bike built and was planning on selling the Cannondale. In the end I probably got more money from the insurance company than I could have sold the bike for. Still it was bothersome that someone came onto my property and took my bike while I was inside my home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a tag sale a week earlier and had moved everything that wasn't for sale (including the Cannondale) to the back of the garage. That way I didn't have to try to drag everything out in the early morning before all the early birds showed up. Note to self, always conceal your valuable, and desirable stuff from dishonest people that might be scoping out your tag sale for nefarious reasons. Also always keep the garage locked.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-59879084655995900142011-12-12T20:28:00.001-05:002012-02-04T09:51:49.057-05:00The Phillips Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oD8KoDkwEi6U4NNxsWjRFD8T-O82GJxG_BaT_NqHvrguBJ4Bcs9BYqp_xsZpi2xoeiqrftpr3d0DPxsLSuJW2aiI8UnoNVzB3dWLpHiUOwRxPhAE2thOirgO6SMxkPH2YRJLIF0FWm8/s1600/Philips+bicycle+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oD8KoDkwEi6U4NNxsWjRFD8T-O82GJxG_BaT_NqHvrguBJ4Bcs9BYqp_xsZpi2xoeiqrftpr3d0DPxsLSuJW2aiI8UnoNVzB3dWLpHiUOwRxPhAE2thOirgO6SMxkPH2YRJLIF0FWm8/s640/Philips+bicycle+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1964 Phillips 3 speed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last spring a coworker gave me a Phillips roadster that had been hanging in her grandfathers basement for as long as she could remember.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PZU9tzwuK8og0CwozxXAnUXT0_e6xVgALfgPZtHEl7aIOxmTUF8zR0ULaHnD7L761vAyCmYbsFTTjO0OQ1m6wPCjwSW0bSHFzoRvX6O-wLIkxQ3zQjyi3t_dT7RiL4edqRMzG8WiAcw/s1600/Philips+bicycle+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PZU9tzwuK8og0CwozxXAnUXT0_e6xVgALfgPZtHEl7aIOxmTUF8zR0ULaHnD7L761vAyCmYbsFTTjO0OQ1m6wPCjwSW0bSHFzoRvX6O-wLIkxQ3zQjyi3t_dT7RiL4edqRMzG8WiAcw/s640/Philips+bicycle+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Sturmey Archer hub says "64" which is a pretty </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">accurate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> way to ID the year of manufacture on an old roadster. </span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgJZ4ZNtXUrEpIH9gFYmEV9QgpP-ZZ-uzDwU8eer0oIzc5thOPz8GMW6rKpRvmGMaFPrmxs_7BHHYufjpWCTtfsJlQ8Vn5rspSIUKLJewMPiasbwrYkTEUHb9-ESse83jFkpgnUpLAQ8/s1600/Philips+bicycle+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgJZ4ZNtXUrEpIH9gFYmEV9QgpP-ZZ-uzDwU8eer0oIzc5thOPz8GMW6rKpRvmGMaFPrmxs_7BHHYufjpWCTtfsJlQ8Vn5rspSIUKLJewMPiasbwrYkTEUHb9-ESse83jFkpgnUpLAQ8/s640/Philips+bicycle+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The front hub looks to be an old dyno hub. I will definitely see if I can improve on that fender line ;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2KGjs-O0S0M8CZrgBfZiakUliYNgVmpGhphZCWphvAe0VvkwAMAfM2ceWe9Ea8TQB-6O_8dMK-dW984jkRDYtSrtwawElLZCwqGjNbH6YlCxZ1pRZvN1NzdcPw2eFGoPdeelQ0P20F4/s1600/Philips+bicycle+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2KGjs-O0S0M8CZrgBfZiakUliYNgVmpGhphZCWphvAe0VvkwAMAfM2ceWe9Ea8TQB-6O_8dMK-dW984jkRDYtSrtwawElLZCwqGjNbH6YlCxZ1pRZvN1NzdcPw2eFGoPdeelQ0P20F4/s400/Philips+bicycle+004.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I love the Phillips chainring but I'm not so wild about those old cotter cranks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YzzBokgjGCpEYBihzCHPbVEHf-5fU30g9h2-8Ww8B8clZLUH5LEKXgEJPF9Q6Q8sEwQIf2jUCLMv5SHwQF5-LUV9Fy4vlQMMd_c1EHIpT74zTIFs6sMarej43tvSrrLZc0Qo-vYXofg/s1600/Philips+bicycle+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YzzBokgjGCpEYBihzCHPbVEHf-5fU30g9h2-8Ww8B8clZLUH5LEKXgEJPF9Q6Q8sEwQIf2jUCLMv5SHwQF5-LUV9Fy4vlQMMd_c1EHIpT74zTIFs6sMarej43tvSrrLZc0Qo-vYXofg/s400/Philips+bicycle+014.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The headbadge is definitely one of the cooler ones I've come across. I've done a bit of searching online and I haven't found any Phillips bikes with the sword on the seat tube that you can just barely see in the photo above.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh-iHNVVQSbMineZqiutwfaJoc5FIHjZUaUMp5jv9_n-iiCekhU6vL1Ywv51zeTH-nShcC6r-rlzt5ewFph3kHLyWM9DkMQviMBGOpaROM6DoVmFsp8plO6PLPQFFqijzT56ZvU4FA4Q/s1600/Philips+bicycle+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh-iHNVVQSbMineZqiutwfaJoc5FIHjZUaUMp5jv9_n-iiCekhU6vL1Ywv51zeTH-nShcC6r-rlzt5ewFph3kHLyWM9DkMQviMBGOpaROM6DoVmFsp8plO6PLPQFFqijzT56ZvU4FA4Q/s640/Philips+bicycle+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I doubt I will be able to find another one of these pedals in new old stock condition. I might just have to go with plain block pedals.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrDFPUCXIv8jOaIOnJ1RzKExQlVvufeXuTko054t05UtNQiLqMeCcpr8OtcqZXLt3rkp6qAkXLJ9_BaVbFvYnhOYCFrm3rd27VsLUOkYD5rWFG-UMpcIxzhZqFjzkPFcLOaukM7xBH4k/s1600/Philips+bicycle+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrDFPUCXIv8jOaIOnJ1RzKExQlVvufeXuTko054t05UtNQiLqMeCcpr8OtcqZXLt3rkp6qAkXLJ9_BaVbFvYnhOYCFrm3rd27VsLUOkYD5rWFG-UMpcIxzhZqFjzkPFcLOaukM7xBH4k/s640/Philips+bicycle+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That pedal doesn't quite look right, does it? In case you didn't notice in the first picture the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">seat-post</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and saddle are missing as well.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGyiJ4LDZKpDM7sEphu0dNoCvMQCXYQR6awEvVvw4IxHdRNbsr289_-LSuKLOXaogubYXDrd5gwApzHurL7u42LSGsotiqd9pudMey6g4a7dkv0_ynAFv7aeQzRl_YcPdPNDqUFU3zxQ/s1600/Philips+bicycle+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGyiJ4LDZKpDM7sEphu0dNoCvMQCXYQR6awEvVvw4IxHdRNbsr289_-LSuKLOXaogubYXDrd5gwApzHurL7u42LSGsotiqd9pudMey6g4a7dkv0_ynAFv7aeQzRl_YcPdPNDqUFU3zxQ/s400/Philips+bicycle+009.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There's a lot of surface rust and oxidation on this old bike, I see a lot of steel wool in my future.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmRm-zuFFku1mzu6X3O_19EFwWl5SNhCYaDOsvmC25PsOgnS4IZX67-iygkaXgKHOT5NKwx2dyLFdcfjmQWR5Nghr2edZ8d_x7kUqsuU_UPb-ptgmmw1OOgAozckDRWNjslMNlutxn-8/s1600/Philips+bicycle+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmRm-zuFFku1mzu6X3O_19EFwWl5SNhCYaDOsvmC25PsOgnS4IZX67-iygkaXgKHOT5NKwx2dyLFdcfjmQWR5Nghr2edZ8d_x7kUqsuU_UPb-ptgmmw1OOgAozckDRWNjslMNlutxn-8/s640/Philips+bicycle+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I haven't found any of these old hand grips on ebay or even any pictures of bikes with grips like that. I think I've got my work cut out for me with this one. My plan is to restore the bike to as close to original working order as I can over the course of this winter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12-98 Fairway Ln, Old Lyme, CT 06371, USA41.290189955885644 -72.295532226562540.908873455885647 -72.9272462265625 41.671506455885641 -71.6638182265625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-13215990137164842732011-12-08T16:40:00.001-05:002012-01-06T14:21:30.871-05:00Der Pendler (The Commuter)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I want to try to ride all winter, something I've never tried to do before. I know once the roads get covered in sand and ice I won't be riding on 23 mm tires. I love my Cannondale with drop bars but like most carbon fiber road bikes built today it's limited to skinny tires. Enter the Schwinn Mesa my nephews old mountain bike that has been languishing in his parents garage for several years. </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJ_OqnE85thPeNgC6aosHo6DPKsVOr8AHqN9ADpeaNe1lvQOVBcYxNy-_KrbiFmygKFBm6SjEGbEk27vVTPwa5aBmjxQChuMiKF_vtwnTUzTlbU0gL1USV6jO_k7nTA7nq3nSMpiiSII/s1600/Das+Commuter+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJ_OqnE85thPeNgC6aosHo6DPKsVOr8AHqN9ADpeaNe1lvQOVBcYxNy-_KrbiFmygKFBm6SjEGbEk27vVTPwa5aBmjxQChuMiKF_vtwnTUzTlbU0gL1USV6jO_k7nTA7nq3nSMpiiSII/s640/Das+Commuter+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2000 Schwinn Mesa after a bit of work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My nephew and I picked this bike up at a bike shop when he was around 15. This was just before Schwinn was bought by another company and consequently began offering bikes in department stores. He bought it with his own money and some birthday money I was kicking in towards the purchase. We went to the bike shop because the bike he had from Walmart hadn't even survived a year. The Mesa was an entry level Mountain bike but it was what he could afford and a step up from the Walmart bike. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought it would make a perfect winter bike, with its wide tires and ample clearance for fenders. Also I wouldn't feel like I should wipe it down after riding through puddles of slush since it's aluminum and previously ridden in the woods by a teenage boy. Aka it won't rust and it's not mint or expensive. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4wqSuJVJgbWXfZT6HY6QIDqZIeWucfRARaJfb-qzaJWMFO25pmVuX5AQkIaPhSRVvtzqutOJS1GyNiMgwdF-Qm27hO1VpW3q80fBmYHvjmgU2ExhUJDtQlV8OA5bIgMSvnfuQSMHPcs/s1600/More+Schwinn+bits+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4wqSuJVJgbWXfZT6HY6QIDqZIeWucfRARaJfb-qzaJWMFO25pmVuX5AQkIaPhSRVvtzqutOJS1GyNiMgwdF-Qm27hO1VpW3q80fBmYHvjmgU2ExhUJDtQlV8OA5bIgMSvnfuQSMHPcs/s640/More+Schwinn+bits+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the bits I replaced</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should have taken pictures before I stripped the bike down but at least I can show you some of the parts I replaced. I changed the tires to the more road friendly 1.95 Kenda Kross. The handle bar was all steel and too straight for my tastes, so I replaced it with the lighter aluminum Civia Loring handle bar to give me a more upright position. The original stem was also all steel and too long. Instead I used a shorter aluminum stem by Dimension. There wasn't really anything wrong with the grips but I went with a more ergo grip from Serfas. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The original </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suntour</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">triple </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">crankset's middle chainring was showing a bit of wear but the whole crankset had to be replaced because the chainrings were riveted together. I installed a Shimano Acera triple which was pretty similar to the original accept the chainrings were bolted not riveted. For some unknown reason Schwinn had used an E type front derailleur which is really unnecessary in a hard tail mountain bike. I opted for the bolt on Shimano Alivio FD. The worn out bottom bracket is not pictured but it was also replaced, and of course I replaced all the cables and housing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>(Note for those that are unfamiliar with "E type" front derailleurs, they attach to the bottom bracket and general only need to used on bikes with rear suspension.)</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wPU-Q2SfdLOfWM8BHbv62cll8ATV6JeTIWCjdTGbVL6iEvV4xcVWCz2GRaI-PH95eMx9x33zMBT4odp2aafnwRY4bj4v2KViQYanIxl7aMXgZQ7ZsGrscIumSoJVd7gJxgAlkVjbCGI/s1600/Das+Commuter+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wPU-Q2SfdLOfWM8BHbv62cll8ATV6JeTIWCjdTGbVL6iEvV4xcVWCz2GRaI-PH95eMx9x33zMBT4odp2aafnwRY4bj4v2KViQYanIxl7aMXgZQ7ZsGrscIumSoJVd7gJxgAlkVjbCGI/s640/Das+Commuter+004.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New front derailleur, crankset, and Shimano a530 pedals</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm trying out the Shimano a530 in order to have the option of clipping in or not. The plastic chainring gaurd allows me to ride in regular street clothes without a pant leg strap. My goal is to be able to ride in cycling specific gear or civvies which is why ended up with a rather plush seat.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR9d0DJVNGCs0d4NvMj6i2hViyOIQ3VdVczN75yXR56PpjYGFfKIze23i7m23M6Vp9g81k4yLO-fuDU0BKU1OKlQ3ym-uSRjp_HM9FUvcuOniObXwrn7KtKk8RINpS50sjA-1pTJQYZ8/s1600/Das+Commuter+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR9d0DJVNGCs0d4NvMj6i2hViyOIQ3VdVczN75yXR56PpjYGFfKIze23i7m23M6Vp9g81k4yLO-fuDU0BKU1OKlQ3ym-uSRjp_HM9FUvcuOniObXwrn7KtKk8RINpS50sjA-1pTJQYZ8/s640/Das+Commuter+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found the Schwinn seat really uncomfortable so I thought I really lucked out when I found a Specialized Reva which had come off of a brand new bike, marked down to $25. The Reva is very similar to the Specialized Lyndia I have on my Cannondale but, unfortunately I didn't take into account how upright my position on the bike was going to be and ultimately I needed more padding under my seat bones. I'm using a Serfas dual density saddle, DDL-CT Women's with a deep groove or cut out, so far</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">quite comfy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQNxilS6lZAVxWFB5q-L0H3JHQBHIVxUAfQ3K-04yJzTigucojHQF7Zxdgpmg8oPG9lU8vtRYU81Rosx15xtFgs9CEPnsGjtnPkRE43i98QYO50ro4md0l_-hc-gVsQx1paoY1F2KlFw/s1600/Das+Commuter+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQNxilS6lZAVxWFB5q-L0H3JHQBHIVxUAfQ3K-04yJzTigucojHQF7Zxdgpmg8oPG9lU8vtRYU81Rosx15xtFgs9CEPnsGjtnPkRE43i98QYO50ro4md0l_-hc-gVsQx1paoY1F2KlFw/s640/Das+Commuter+005.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the bike only has a 7 speed shifter it also has an 8 speed Shimano Acera rear derailleur which I was able to use. I happen to have an 11-30 cassette laying around so I used it with the 13 tooth sprocket removed, other wise it would not fit the hub. Ideally it would be nice to have the 13, jumping from 15 to 11 isn't ideal but with 3 chainrings the perfect gear can be found.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gfc0ypw6zp0nBe2EUMz85OrxDge61WLEGIpz-IsCnoFnKI07a971rZJYJFaXXYANECPUREbMxVYSnT4zh-kxSeiq8_9ETTUZT4cXFxrKqvYVwmZa2Kkn9CR8VywLhVF4JG2HBxKbwcg/s1600/Das+Commuter+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gfc0ypw6zp0nBe2EUMz85OrxDge61WLEGIpz-IsCnoFnKI07a971rZJYJFaXXYANECPUREbMxVYSnT4zh-kxSeiq8_9ETTUZT4cXFxrKqvYVwmZa2Kkn9CR8VywLhVF4JG2HBxKbwcg/s640/Das+Commuter+006.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally I installed the rack and fenders. I purchased Sunlite chromoplastic fenders because they were cheap, and now I know why. Its not that the fenders themselves are any different from other chromoplastic fenders but the fender stays and limited hardware are another story. The stays are one piece of stainless steel that wraps from one side to the other with the ends looped so they can be bolted to the eyelets in the drop outs. The problem with this system is the lack of easy adjustment to fit to each bike. In the front I was able to rebend the stainless steal to the right length but in the rear they were so long that I had to cut and bend them. Getting stainless steel to bend exactly the way you want without special tools is quite difficult because it is so hard. I ended making them just a bit too short. Fortunately I was able to find several fender stays in a box of spare fender bits at Niantic Bay Bicycle. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP7o4MdtW4kwyZMuTcyUvR_HRs9IvVUGCdfbFUieuFrUvPEzOOLiTUuJUitwCu9-KEvmqGX7hY0BfIZGxL_qUN1Rb23LPmZjOT4AmOOh5_h-O1Hdb5-Mib9lRf88D-efm8mhHsNvYPFA/s1600/Fall+2012+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP7o4MdtW4kwyZMuTcyUvR_HRs9IvVUGCdfbFUieuFrUvPEzOOLiTUuJUitwCu9-KEvmqGX7hY0BfIZGxL_qUN1Rb23LPmZjOT4AmOOh5_h-O1Hdb5-Mib9lRf88D-efm8mhHsNvYPFA/s640/Fall+2012+005.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little creativity was called for with this fender install</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.axiomgear.com/img/prod/streamliner-road-dlx-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.axiomgear.com/img/prod/streamliner-road-dlx-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Axiom Streamliner Road DLX</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew going into this build that I would have to come up with a way to mount the fender stays to a suspension fork without eyelets. I decided to use the quick release skewer and an "adapter" like the one that came with the rack on my Cannondale. I had to make the adapter and ended up using a toilet flange repair kit. All I had to do was cut off the ends of the metal flange and shape them with a grinder. Using the quick release skewer to hold the rack in place is kind of a pain when you need to remove the wheel but its doable. The rack pictured on the right is similar to the one </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have on my Cannodale Synapse.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSehADYGOBrzTvefXeEiYzP-znPj2wow9SCGvvKgR3nO8Cw6d_QHptdPPbJyBmIrrOVBpX1EYgiyylBxZI2rcJYBvf9P-bGXYeEdYIEGN5YULRlBqN7sh6IQ-03OfFFUbxdfLE2eigwY/s1600/Das+Commuter+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSehADYGOBrzTvefXeEiYzP-znPj2wow9SCGvvKgR3nO8Cw6d_QHptdPPbJyBmIrrOVBpX1EYgiyylBxZI2rcJYBvf9P-bGXYeEdYIEGN5YULRlBqN7sh6IQ-03OfFFUbxdfLE2eigwY/s640/Das+Commuter+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to think this bike was too big for me and I rode it with the seat practically sitting on the top tube. The seat tube is 21 inches long and the standover height is about 31 inches. As far as standover clearance goes I'm right at the limit. Even so I have raised the saddle height several times. I think I have the fit dialed in now and I find it to be comfortable, fun and stable. In the future I may want to make some more upgrades to further winterize:</span><br />
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*New suspension fork with disc tabs.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*New disc capable front hub</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Disc brake for the front</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Internal gear hub</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All this requires money that I shouldn't spend at the moment, but in the mean time I can research and dream.</span></div>
<div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-44395725863550511572011-12-02T19:56:00.000-05:002014-03-02T13:08:41.930-05:00Local Frame Builder<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was at Niantic Bay Bicycles today Andrew Watson, a local frame builder stopped in to show off one of his latest builds before he delivered it to its new owner. I believe he said the bike weighed right around 16lbs. The components are Sram Red and the hubs are white Industries, the frame is steel. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLjZSDMAbaJ__3Yn_oV_F4pM7_yS8lsp3tGY7TNp2eu-JS2bqCA0Zm3Y-IsxOJ4lRQJ0ybY27D2zgFp0FeTsKi7I3cdhPj6nlFV0eWZOo79L2YEIA3NXF0E22eoqzx-JAnDYFPuzdOf4/s1600/the+simple+kind.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLjZSDMAbaJ__3Yn_oV_F4pM7_yS8lsp3tGY7TNp2eu-JS2bqCA0Zm3Y-IsxOJ4lRQJ0ybY27D2zgFp0FeTsKi7I3cdhPj6nlFV0eWZOo79L2YEIA3NXF0E22eoqzx-JAnDYFPuzdOf4/s400/the+simple+kind.jpeg" height="367" width="550" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Go to <a href="http://www.watsoncycles.com/Frames.aspx?ProductId=13">Watson Cycles</a> to check out more pictures of this bike.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-83214737373155396712011-11-13T07:56:00.001-05:002011-12-07T09:58:43.154-05:00Bicycle Lights<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your shopping for a headlight for your bike it can be a bit overwhelming. So I thought I would share my recent shopping and research into bicycle lighting. Its a little better than it used to be since most of the industry seems to have settled on lumens as the best way to describe a light's strength. Whats a lumen and what is the difference between lux, lumen and watts? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/public/V2a30ndQ1r2AVK5alfNxN1F5V2HHbbUYX-bI4jPt4ZXXth4kHKYJbOnjNT1N_Fywa0aJmlEolBrfBvGbZJWcB5RhaV-49YMH39g2QGBYrJCeiDZZJFxqPB4aKZodxDP_8jknfpyXfnhGMzkrT6LK2t-S6luQHRWUwTr-wjA7XkLXkpRJc_ADgZAM84kzrM-CPkanVsyDErVjFUqcOegvkV2YeQYKQDZ9Nw2LW3U4uOctKG7rxP7-Sa8zEXm2n5GflEvlOlUIFNFLyqr8UGuDp_-5uuowARqt1B2rjEYV46mXKl3yzwVK8BqjiFV3YgFwK-RpWg8iOvDnBVePRXOKN_5UE40kLRPrBQ-C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/public/V2a30ndQ1r2AVK5alfNxN1F5V2HHbbUYX-bI4jPt4ZXXth4kHKYJbOnjNT1N_Fywa0aJmlEolBrfBvGbZJWcB5RhaV-49YMH39g2QGBYrJCeiDZZJFxqPB4aKZodxDP_8jknfpyXfnhGMzkrT6LK2t-S6luQHRWUwTr-wjA7XkLXkpRJc_ADgZAM84kzrM-CPkanVsyDErVjFUqcOegvkV2YeQYKQDZ9Nw2LW3U4uOctKG7rxP7-Sa8zEXm2n5GflEvlOlUIFNFLyqr8UGuDp_-5uuowARqt1B2rjEYV46mXKl3yzwVK8BqjiFV3YgFwK-RpWg8iOvDnBVePRXOKN_5UE40kLRPrBQ-C" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lumen - measures luminous flux, the quantity of light emitted by a light source.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lux - measures the amount of luminous flux spread in a square meter by a light source. Sunlight on an average day ranges from 32,000 to 100,000 lux. Moonlight = 1 lux. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watts - The amount of power consumed by a light source.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LEDs (light emitting diodes) are pretty much the industry standard, which simplifies things when shopping for a light. There are different types of LEDs, Cree, and Nichia to name a few. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are 3 types of power sources;</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dynomo hubs which generate power when the wheel is rotating. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rechargable lithium ion batteries.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disposable Batteries such as AA, AAA etc. Of course you can get these in a rechargable type as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When selecting a headlight you should consider where you will be riding. Dark roads, well lit roads, or trails. Some lights are only meant to increase your visibility to traffic, these are usually less than $50 dollars. This is a bit obvious but I'll say it anyway, In my experience traveling on well lit roads you only need a to be seen light, as even some of the brightest lights get washed out and add nothing to your ability to see. For trail riding you should get as much light as you can afford, obviously trails are unlit and strewn with rocks, branches, and holes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you ride at night in a variety of lighting conditions getting a light that falls in the middle of the extremes described above is the best bet. Since I fall into the later of the categories I will focus on mid-range lights that will suit a variety of conditions. The price range for lights ranges from double digits all the way to $950. My budget cuts off at about $150 so that's where I've concentrated this overview.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JPjxRn8KL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cygolite Expilion 350-Lumen USB Rechargeable Headlight" border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JPjxRn8KL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Cygolite Expillion 350</b> - an all in one light offering 7 light modes, Run time - 2 hrs. @ 350 lumens. USB or AC rechargeable. Handle bar mount only.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List price $109.95</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.cygolite.com/products/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cygolite.com/products/index.html</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cygolite offers other Expillion lights ranging from 400 to 170 lumens.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmFwNlV-1OTFzULPvWSxd3-igCrb8sxn_umVdA9FL_imhgJNX3sJrnqf8Nbm7xlwAp8O564o_i2FhT8ooAuCSNe2cV4daAJ4w7PG4b8PxZ2BhwrrbBnuq1zjaJmdr79DReUOP7-jzxZQ/s1600/Cygolite-Expilion-350+mtbr75ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmFwNlV-1OTFzULPvWSxd3-igCrb8sxn_umVdA9FL_imhgJNX3sJrnqf8Nbm7xlwAp8O564o_i2FhT8ooAuCSNe2cV4daAJ4w7PG4b8PxZ2BhwrrbBnuq1zjaJmdr79DReUOP7-jzxZQ/s640/Cygolite-Expilion-350+mtbr75ft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cygolite Expillion 350 75' beam test from mtbr's 2012 light shoot out</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31xph0y%2BGbL._SS400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31xph0y%2BGbL._SS400_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Gemini Titan</b> - 900 lumens, 4 light modes, light and battery pack mount on the helmet or handle bars. Run time - 4 hours on high. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List price $99.99 </span><a href="http://gemini-lights.com/products/titan" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://gemini-lights.com/products/titan</a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.lezyne.com/images/led/super_drive/super_drive_l.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SUPER DRIVE" border="0" height="400" src="http://images.lezyne.com/images/led/super_drive/super_drive_l.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lezyne Super Drive</b> - 450 lumen, All in one light. 4 light modes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Run times - 1.5 hrs @ 450 lumens, 2 hrs @ 300 lumens, 4 hrs @ 150 lumens and 5 hrs on flash mode. Handle bar mount only. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">USB rechargeable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List Price $110 <a href="http://www.lezyne.com/led-lights#panel-1" target="_blank">http://www.lezyne.com/led-lights#panel-1</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lezyne also makes 2 other models at 300 and 150 lumens.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_3YybET4op-VU261uVkU-IgneXzN_ey-KqtOF6Ys8oO4i0MhlsdI3d9GPgfM_IpauMPQzau1kV6l8z-H1vkeinxvnF9kNgoMwiEceIF_wqRsqD_3TZI-pQyKgpP7T0_GeMW6tXJF8os/s1600/Lezyne-Super-Drive+mtbr75ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_3YybET4op-VU261uVkU-IgneXzN_ey-KqtOF6Ys8oO4i0MhlsdI3d9GPgfM_IpauMPQzau1kV6l8z-H1vkeinxvnF9kNgoMwiEceIF_wqRsqD_3TZI-pQyKgpP7T0_GeMW6tXJF8os/s1600/Lezyne-Super-Drive+mtbr75ft.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Lezyne Super Drive 75' light test from mtbr's 2012 light shoot out </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2U3OMf2HFwtyGYnhXF__pEPeb9_2J5x2iz8Fp8gNC85IUvzlefhhethJWxjVnbqHZWd2leig3CfvQr64sDON8iEI7Mg6jmfUe0jagUVezDkU7YO1P_PVik3RdPC5ia2R81AG-yXVJD4/s1600/Lezyne+Superdrive+bikeradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2U3OMf2HFwtyGYnhXF__pEPeb9_2J5x2iz8Fp8gNC85IUvzlefhhethJWxjVnbqHZWd2leig3CfvQr64sDON8iEI7Mg6jmfUe0jagUVezDkU7YO1P_PVik3RdPC5ia2R81AG-yXVJD4/s640/Lezyne+Superdrive+bikeradar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lezyne Super Drive beam test from bike radar.com<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hhs8It4yL._SS400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hhs8It4yL._SS400_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Magicshine MJ-816 - </b>1400 lumens, Handle bar mount with O ring, separate battery pack and switch. Run times on highest setting vary between 2-3 hrs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List Price $120 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One note about this light, the battery pack was recently recalled by GeoMan</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Magicshine MJ-816 front light" src="http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/accessories/lights/front/1317392770122-xcp8ode0i7k7-670-75.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Magicshine MJ-816 beam test from bike radar.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.niterider.com/images/MiNewt.600%20Cordless/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://www.niterider.com/images/MiNewt.600%20Cordless/003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless</b> - 600 lumens, Run times - 1.5 hrs @ 600 lumens, 3 hrs @ 400 lumens, 4.5 hrs @ 275 lumens. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.5 hour USB rechargeable. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Handle bar and helmet mounts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.niterider.com/rechargeable-new/minewt-600-cordless-new/" target="_blank">http://www.niterider.com/rechargeable-new/minewt-600-cordless-new/</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List Price $150</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kq5vK5HSOQ0KTrQDt6XHhE1h8AY6QlGfd5Wu3CKWX-_TWgskNh5_jBH9xFC3rfs7syGcUoLMjHwfb8pn8rRT4MkyHLm9R6IJzgbAoOSH7uQxaQfyClNTaE6t_Oxp82Vcz9nblzbL92M/s1600/Niterider-Minewt-600+mtbr75ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kq5vK5HSOQ0KTrQDt6XHhE1h8AY6QlGfd5Wu3CKWX-_TWgskNh5_jBH9xFC3rfs7syGcUoLMjHwfb8pn8rRT4MkyHLm9R6IJzgbAoOSH7uQxaQfyClNTaE6t_Oxp82Vcz9nblzbL92M/s640/Niterider-Minewt-600+mtbr75ft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless 75' beam test from mtbr 2012 light shoot out</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zQVD6UenSRyxF8LoHds6Qo4VMsy0qp8VhkcrL6sRjR0uAhNitmXtVqdrWeQxowoivN9EjRUn1LMT7I4LoGAmZ5YF6cafze-1I0-MI4m94VVFPLtUVE1O0F__7S30-7Du9wLpA1fDGAs/s1600/Niterider+MN+600+bikeradar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zQVD6UenSRyxF8LoHds6Qo4VMsy0qp8VhkcrL6sRjR0uAhNitmXtVqdrWeQxowoivN9EjRUn1LMT7I4LoGAmZ5YF6cafze-1I0-MI4m94VVFPLtUVE1O0F__7S30-7Du9wLpA1fDGAs/s640/Niterider+MN+600+bikeradar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless beam test from bike radar.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeJD9jpUyUYaewn7ctsPoEwUdFCv83vyzwuhF10W2Oehlj_ilphsJkm30rKI9GTaqSIx-rd4Jy7dAKzynINRwL-QKmyKbohp0HtKz5QFoW-rz-jQPuhTC46c4IoRZxbwg4kyLPhe1G9g/s1600/Niterider-newt-600+mtbr+100ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeJD9jpUyUYaewn7ctsPoEwUdFCv83vyzwuhF10W2Oehlj_ilphsJkm30rKI9GTaqSIx-rd4Jy7dAKzynINRwL-QKmyKbohp0HtKz5QFoW-rz-jQPuhTC46c4IoRZxbwg4kyLPhe1G9g/s640/Niterider-newt-600+mtbr+100ft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless 100' trail beam test from mtbr<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/TSL-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/TSL-500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Serfas True 500</b> - All in one design, Run time 1.75 hrs @ 500 lumens, USB or AC rechargeable, Handle bar and helmet mounts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">List Price $150 <a href="http://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=899" target="_blank">http://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=899</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serfas also offers the True light series in 250 and 150 lumens</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_zXSQn6SaP-IqCOqaQYpp7g13rwl_Kr179NHM6j63AyjgMuarNHe5BoXN9vHu6SnU9F43FF1Cc3YA3eDyEIEQnl9sLywe4bPefUuG81qijGUXHDkwuhaVWWfvsXCvcICrkJuHp-70v8/s1600/Serfas-True-500+mtbr75ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_zXSQn6SaP-IqCOqaQYpp7g13rwl_Kr179NHM6j63AyjgMuarNHe5BoXN9vHu6SnU9F43FF1Cc3YA3eDyEIEQnl9sLywe4bPefUuG81qijGUXHDkwuhaVWWfvsXCvcICrkJuHp-70v8/s640/Serfas-True-500+mtbr75ft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serfas TSL 500 75' beam test from mtbr 2012 light shoot out</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTE-hUZzR6T7tN-640WsEDF5XPOtJd1z2Ue5aR4LXaHzIuF1gDF2tfMHfeNhN78Xu01N2KCYfhWqtZaCFHV-P9hGWrAmDqL7XgsQmi3wuGDZIq-xGfTf1l8Ojs1K9IRHWD59noKbMEZg/s1600/Serfas-True-500+mtbr+100ft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTE-hUZzR6T7tN-640WsEDF5XPOtJd1z2Ue5aR4LXaHzIuF1gDF2tfMHfeNhN78Xu01N2KCYfhWqtZaCFHV-P9hGWrAmDqL7XgsQmi3wuGDZIq-xGfTf1l8Ojs1K9IRHWD59noKbMEZg/s640/Serfas-True-500+mtbr+100ft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serfas TSL 500, 100' trail beam test from mtbr </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the information I've included in this overview was obtained from the following links which you may also find helpful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-bike-lights-shootout" target="_blank">http://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-bike-lights-shootout</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/buyers-guide-to-mountain-bike-lights-186" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/buyers-guide-to-mountain-bike-lights-186</span></a></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-19091909893680364322011-11-03T21:22:00.000-04:002011-11-22T12:30:11.675-05:00Online or Bricks and Mortar?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I recently read a </span><a href="http://janheine.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/a-future-for-independent-bookstores/" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" target="_blank">blog post</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> by Jan Heine the editor of Bicycle Quarterly, about the disappearance of Independent bookstores due in large part to Amazon.com. He noted that an internet query for bicycle components may also lead to Amazon.com. This got me thinking about my own experiences shopping online and at local stores. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8wOcBpseEAU2ubqAFKeH_60jVPWQMlbE_GV5F4oCGEVqlb9FJoENViu8IcH0blIdWoZkuNtfj3Qh2zILUzr66ZNvxMOB408g2wAu9qHOZkLVXENJzErXRbtDW9hCwA4AsHXrcXjaGc8/s400/Capture.JPG+2.JPG" width="400" /><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am a big user of the internet, I like the convenience of looking up just about anything online and sometimes the savings that can be found when shopping online. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm certainly not rich and must live within my means so saving money is an important factor when deciding where and what I buy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> On the other hand there are some shopped for items that have to be looked at, touched and tried in the 3 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">dimensional</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> world. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When it comes to buying bicycle components and gear I try to use my local bike shop. I know they work hard in a business they love, but they're not getting rich while doing it. Sometimes they have what I want in stock, other times they have to order it. I work for a small business so I completely understand that you can't carry everything, and if your business is somewhat seasonal you have to keep an even closer eye on your overhead and cash flow. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some might use a local shop to try an item then go home and see where they can buy it the cheapest. Others just use the internet for the convenience of not having to physically make a trip to the store. Both methods put the individual shopper before their community. If we don't patronize local businesses, particularly independent ones they won't survive and the jobs and tax dollars that they provide will be gone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For every $100 spent in a local independent brick and mortar business at least $68 goes back into the local economy. Spend $100 at a big box or chain store and only $43 returns to the local economy. Spend $100 online and the local community sees none of it unless they are located in your area.[1]</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If I was
wealthy I would just shop at my favorite independent stores without
price shopping. I would consider it my civic duty to perhaps pay a
little more knowing the benefits to the local economy as well as the
individual business.<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://boatinglocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Niantic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://boatinglocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Niantic3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's how I manage my budget restraints and try to support my local independent businesses; I get an idea of how much an item costs via the internet then I go to the shop and see if they have the item in stock at a similar price. If the shops price is the same or just a few dollars more I happily buy it there. I weigh in the shipping cost and the instant gratification of having the item in my hands right then and there. Sometimes they don't have what I am looking for, but they are always willing to order it. In which case I use the same criteria to make my decision. Of course small items that are not that expensive I just purchase locally and when it comes to cycling specific clothing I always shop local because I need to check the fit. You don't save any money if you have to pay for return shipping. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope this gives everyone some food for thought and perhaps the next time you need to shop for a bicycle related item or something else you will consider your local independent business. Without them our main streets will become homogenized with one chain store or franchise after another.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/F/C/1/xy_FC1648C6-1BB0-4E1D-A854-A4BB41566AFF__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/F/C/1/xy_FC1648C6-1BB0-4E1D-A854-A4BB41566AFF__.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">1. Civic Economics 2008 study, Chicago IL</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-19154615650781060502011-11-01T14:30:00.000-04:002011-11-03T11:41:43.418-04:00Bike Show at The Dudley Flea Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.craigslist.org/5Y15T05W43n53k23oebara727d9f1c2f61b6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.craigslist.org/5Y15T05W43n53k23oebara727d9f1c2f61b6a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Give Thanks for Bikes Show</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sunday November 20th</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7AM until its over</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Large indoor bike show with all kinds of bikes and parts</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Free Admission</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">$25 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">for display space</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the Dudley Flea Market</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">10 West Main St, Dudley, Massachusetts </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dudleydorightfleamarket.com/art/dudleyseq-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.dudleydorightfleamarket.com/art/dudleyseq-1.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For more info call 800-336-2453</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For Directions <a href="http://www.dudleydorightfleamarket.com/directions.htm">Click here</a></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-79820811531562207052011-10-27T12:10:00.000-04:002011-10-27T12:36:56.417-04:00Mystic Cycle Centre Presents:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Halloween Ride Night</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mysticcyclecentre.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/skull.285133831_std.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://mysticcyclecentre.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/skull.285133831_std.gif" width="164" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Saturday Oct 29th</span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: orange; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7:00 PM at Bluff Point</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>State Park</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: orange; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b><a href="http://mysticcyclecentre.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/mmysticlogo.2983741_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> for more info call 860-572-7433 </span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-69403191545070065242011-10-26T12:50:00.001-04:002011-10-26T19:33:03.582-04:00Bicycle Safety<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Connecticut's 3 foot law enacted in 2008, Public Act 08-101 requires CT drivers to allow at least 3 ft. of space when passing a bicycle. Connecticut is one of 19 states that have passed this law, but how many non-cyclist know about it? With almost no infrastructure in the state, it is extremely important that motor vehicles know about and follow the 3 ft. law. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.3feetplease.com/images/usa-3feetplease.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.3feetplease.com/images/usa-3feetplease.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently read an article in the Shoreline Times, a weekly local newspaper sent in the mail, about bicycle advocates in Madison, CT. The article spoke about a recent bicycle accident on the Boston Post Road in Madison that prompted Rich Nace, a local resident to contact the first selectman about bike safety. For some members of my family who read the article it was the first time they had heard of the 3 ft. law, they were surprised by the law and pointed out the article to me. I otherwise wouldn't have read the article because I generally toss the Shoreline Times right into the recycle bin when it arrives and I'm sure I'm not the only one. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.3feetplease.com/images/its-the-law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.3feetplease.com/images/its-the-law.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think we need an advertising campaign like the <i>click it or ticket</i> signs and tv ads promoting the seat-belt law. Random newspaper articles just don't reach enough people. Motor vehicle drivers who do not cycle need to understand that they don't own the road exclusively. The message of sharing the road, driving with regard to other people's safety and the 3 ft law needs to be in every car and truck drivers mind when they are driving. Too often the only thought seems to be getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, and curses to anyone who slows them down. How many times </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while you were cycling</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have motor vehicles passed too closely, honked or shouted at you because of their belief that you don't belong on the road?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information about the 3 foot law click <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.3feetplease.com/about-us">here</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-91964503403068643092011-10-25T14:42:00.000-04:002011-10-25T14:42:44.054-04:00First Saturday Bike Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wordpress.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hammo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://wordpress.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hammo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saturday November 5th 10:00 AM</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guilford Harbor to Stony Creek, 18 scenic miles on road</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Organized by The Shoreline Greenway Trail</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Helmets required</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For more details <a href="http://wordpress.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org/2011/10/1st-saturday-bike-ride-november-5-at-10am-guilford-to-stony-creek/">click here</a> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-553707107668354872011-10-24T21:59:00.001-04:002011-10-24T21:59:36.757-04:00Wald's Front Basket<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A while back I discussed the availability of silver front racks for under $80. I believe I only found five of them and the two that I was interested in were on back order. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to mount a Wald basket to a front rack rather than the handle bars </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or better handling and stability</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://waldsports.com/files/WaldSports/137_139_250px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://waldsports.com/files/WaldSports/137_139_250px.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ordered a silver Wald 137 like the one pictured above from my local bike shop. One look at my Peugeot with its mustache handle bars and brakes sticking out in the front and I knew that I wouldn't be able to mount the basket as intended anyway. Having the basket in my hands I really wanted to put it to use, front racks be damned. So I began by taking the legs and handle bar hardware off. I knew I could easily shorten the legs, I just needed to devise a way to secure the basket to the fork crown. At first I tried using the handle bar hardware. After messing around with it for a while it became obvious that it wasn't sturdy enough, luckily I had an extra mounting bracket from the rear rack. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVyS7FufFNVd6-Ze8sb87lOidGWHHyQdoJPcZR_YYS455wgpPfPYkaStPkhQmEVv1Xmejx_nAeJok4xQAmgh2_DY42JgB0uf5im21-tCZVZvACBVCj1mpZ0dnAvBO58YozWFGTz-4y-I/s1600/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVyS7FufFNVd6-Ze8sb87lOidGWHHyQdoJPcZR_YYS455wgpPfPYkaStPkhQmEVv1Xmejx_nAeJok4xQAmgh2_DY42JgB0uf5im21-tCZVZvACBVCj1mpZ0dnAvBO58YozWFGTz-4y-I/s400/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It wasn't too difficult to shorten and shape the legs to fit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sLA_AamXmrC4uM_G6TOCGzBUjTZckhxYL1kt5RdNjI-N_JW601NfXygaPDtyK5_jtomUDwnoVSfA1s59KTiHTdp3XXdgm7yueDMGPuZ_GAqSXf9__gueyp7-jt2kpwp7anl0hEqt_gk/s1600/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sLA_AamXmrC4uM_G6TOCGzBUjTZckhxYL1kt5RdNjI-N_JW601NfXygaPDtyK5_jtomUDwnoVSfA1s59KTiHTdp3XXdgm7yueDMGPuZ_GAqSXf9__gueyp7-jt2kpwp7anl0hEqt_gk/s640/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I used the handle bar hardware as a sort of metal strap that I could attach the bracket to. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpkkh73RGMx76qr5ckRalFsFczJlsxUU1j697krmErUwUJ8kz8Ks5ftrQjsF1LGcWlrwjaxZzqDzdULuZeirdhJ_99kvd9ES96CvaGLABLKO9_o8Vo2mGNvsP_4QFs3aVgx8aA4x5NvQ/s1600/TD+event+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpkkh73RGMx76qr5ckRalFsFczJlsxUU1j697krmErUwUJ8kz8Ks5ftrQjsF1LGcWlrwjaxZzqDzdULuZeirdhJ_99kvd9ES96CvaGLABLKO9_o8Vo2mGNvsP_4QFs3aVgx8aA4x5NvQ/s640/TD+event+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to shape the bracket and get a longer bolt to hold it and the brake to the fork. I left the bolt a little longer for future use when I install fenders. As you can see the headset and the bracket are just a 3-4 millimeters apart which is just enough to allow the fork to turn without rubbing against the bracket. A wood bottom was in order to hide the unsightly handle bar hardware and ensure that small items wouldn't fall through the bottom.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc3dEkTX_1wdbA6IYJthECBPVSNj47k1VdB0nRV_VQ4q7ZIsSTV2STLkAOzwdJ7aikdFG9Xzr17FutFTVBBXs9dv0FWe1m0pvxIrYm0-8Y5ErzhuX9DS988od1GNE3SJZwzi1pZ8Zp0I/s1600/TD+event+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc3dEkTX_1wdbA6IYJthECBPVSNj47k1VdB0nRV_VQ4q7ZIsSTV2STLkAOzwdJ7aikdFG9Xzr17FutFTVBBXs9dv0FWe1m0pvxIrYm0-8Y5ErzhuX9DS988od1GNE3SJZwzi1pZ8Zp0I/s640/TD+event+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bottom is one piece of pine with grooves cut into it so it would appear to be several pieces of wood. I stained it and applied several coats of shellac before bolting it to the strapping.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu89mtRSgbRN8uyRFbAxG6k1Y04OHCZHluaHKgaSSHC6tEND_PnHvdcUlsJ65Hcq9UJov02dYXeQA-zcOIFdxMpZf6eckaAUes-c3sqCw1u09m-h_Bg9tfz3B8Jijl1UG8YhO5gMb9ZcM/s1600/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu89mtRSgbRN8uyRFbAxG6k1Y04OHCZHluaHKgaSSHC6tEND_PnHvdcUlsJ65Hcq9UJov02dYXeQA-zcOIFdxMpZf6eckaAUes-c3sqCw1u09m-h_Bg9tfz3B8Jijl1UG8YhO5gMb9ZcM/s640/Peugeot+and+Irene+aftermath+031.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Finished Product<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-970123549899051826.post-40412598517824060322011-10-20T11:38:00.002-04:002011-10-20T11:39:52.639-04:00The Dirty Dozen Hill Climb Race<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saturday November 5th </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9:30 AM </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cycling Concepts </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2343 Main Street</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Glastonbury, CT</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cyclingconcepts.com/images_2011/2011%20Dirty%20Dozen%20Flyer.pdf" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dirty Dozen Link</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0