Category: gear

Catching Up On Some Project Bikes

I have a couple of bikes in the garage that am working on for some friends.  One you have seen bits of, is the Trek 613 650b conversion.  All of the parts I needed for the build made it in this week, and I have started to fit it all together.  Today I made a wooden mandrel to dimple the 50mm Berthoud fenders for a clean fit. 

Things are just a little tight at the fork crown and chain stays.  With the block I am able to support the form of the fender while using a steel tube and hammer to form the fenders into the indentation.  It turned out better than expected.  I took an abundance of pictures and hope to have a full write up completed in the coming weeks.  For now, here are the test fit pics.

 

Next it all comes back apart, the headset will be polished and re-built with loose ball bearings, spread and align the rear, replace the bottom bracket and bolt everything back together.  Should be done this week.

Another fun little bike was wrapped up this past weekend.  A co-worker of my wife had this old Nishiki Prestige kicking around.  It came in filthy and covered with a fresh ly hatched set of baby spiders.  A thorough cleaning, lube, new brake shoes, tires headset and tape.

 

It is still a little rusty and tired, but a very fun bike with life left in it.  The Tange 2 tube set has a nice ride to it. 

I also was able to pick up a couple of shirts this week

A pair of honest rugby shirts, MADE IN THE U.S.A.!!!  I am very happy with the initial sample pair.  (more on that soon too)

Garage Sale Expanding

Today is looking to be a good day to ride to the market.  The rain has passed, temps are cool and crisp. 

Until then, I have started adding more to the Garage sale section of the site.  Today will be frame pumps, handlebars and saddles. 

 

Possibly more tonight, some modern and vintage tires, a few seatposts, etc

Thanks for taking a look

White Industries M16 Wheelset Added to the Shop

I am still working through my extras and  spares that need to move on, and have added a very nice White Industries wheel set to the Wheel Goods page nested into the Shop / Garage Sale.

I am asking $400 shipped, details and pics in the Shop.

I will be adding more stuff to the shop this weekend and in the coming weeks.  Some used gear, some new.

Change is in the air.

 

Wald 867 Handlebar Review

I bought this bar to get some rear sweep in the grip area for my S&SUB.  Over the years I have used more upright bars then I can keep track of, from super cheep to the Nitto Albatross (B-352AA is my Fav).  The Wald offering comes in at about $20, they are chromed steel for high bling factor and they are made in the U.S.A..  They seemed like a worthy candidate for this budget build.  My inital impressions are good.  On the plus side they are comfy, cheep, made domestically, the straight front will not interfere with the load and they seem pretty strong.  Downside is a bit of slide in the stem (possible stem issue), short grips and they are kind of heavy.

 

The dimensions are, 50cm wide tip to tip, 26cm of straight section in the front, 9cm of rise and 13cm of straight return at the grips.  The return on the grips is almost straight with just a smidge of flare.  The grips are really short, no room for levers and shifters at all.  I have the brake levers here pushed as far into the bend as possible without the levers flaring out too much.

Overall I like these bars in spite of their limitations.  In the application on this bike, single speeds or other times you will not need more than brake levers, these are a perfect and affordable upright bar.  I would buy them again if needed and recommend them if they meet your needs.

As an aside, the keen of eye may have noticed my NOS Jim Blackburn parking brake.  I am not sure if these are still made, but it is fantastic for keeping the bike still while loading.