All about bicycles

[AaeCee]

I have this coming in the mail.

You have regained my respect, sir! You are indeed a true commuter.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

After 22 years of faithful service, I finally replaced the original carbon fiber fork on my road bike. As I understand it, these babies fatigue and eventually fail. I wasn’t real interested in doing a face-plant at high-speeds into the road so it had to be done. Finding a new carbon fork with a 1-inch steerer tube was no easy task. Everyone moved to 1 and 1/8 steerer tubes 2-decades ago.

While I was at it, I replaced the threaded headset with a Chris King Nothreadset. As shown in a previous post (about my new bell), I also replaced the 120mm Alien stem with a 110mm stem from Thomson. I also replaced my damaged 44CM bar with a 46CM Carbon unit (also from Thomson). It is much more comfortable now. And finally, the old single-pivot Cane Creek brakes were replaced with a set of dual-pivot Dura Ace brakes. Now it actually stops. Bombing down a mountain pass with the original brakes took balls of solid brass - and a fair amount of faith.

It is my greatest hope this bike gives me 20 more years.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

After 22 years of faithful service, I finally replaced the original carbon fiber fork on my road bike. As I understand it, these babies fatigue and eventually fail. I wasn’t real interested in doing a face-plant at high-speeds into the road so it had to be done. Finding a new carbon fork with a 1-inch steerer tube was no easy task. Everyone moved to 1 and 1/8 steerer tubes 2-decades ago.

While I was at it, I replaced the threaded headset with a Chris King Nothreadset. As shown in a previous post (about my new bell), I also replaced the 120mm Alien stem with a 110mm stem from Thomson. I also replaced my damaged 44CM bar with a 46CM Carbon unit (also from Thomson). It is much more comfortable now. And finally, the old single-pivot Cane Creek brakes were replaced with a set of dual-pivot Dura Ace brakes. Now it actually stops. Bombing down a mountain pass with the original brakes took balls of solid brass - and a fair amount of faith.

It is my greatest hope this bike gives me 20 more years.

Now that’s what I call a bike!

 

[tiboy]

My oldest bike (Moots Vamoots) is from 2001. But I replaced the carbon fork after T-Boning a deer at 39mph. Come to think of it, quite a few parts were replaced in 2008. Coincidentally, that’s about the same time I lost my descending stones.

 

[AaeCee]

https://www.coloradocyclist.com/schwalbe-g-one-allround-tire-700x38

In the FWIW category ...

My 'off road' riding is primarily on a relatively flat hard packed gravel trail, for which I specially built up a crazy fixed gear mongrel/beast. It's a 30 mile trail in each direction so I can rip it and get a great workout, but my main point for mentioning this is the tires.

I had limited room on the old track frame I used, and the biggest tire I could fit was a Continental Gatorskin (puncture resistant) 700cx32. It's a great compromise, providing a quick ride with enough grip and absorbency for the surface, even at lower pressures. Bottom line is that if a 32 is fat enough for you, it's a very good broad purpose tire and readily available.

 

[dmatthews]

After 22 years of faithful service, I finally replaced the original carbon fiber fork on my road bike. As I understand it, these babies fatigue and eventually fail. I wasn’t real interested in doing a face-plant at high-speeds into the road so it had to be done. Finding a new carbon fork with a 1-inch steerer tube was no easy task. Everyone moved to 1 and 1/8 steerer tubes 2-decades ago.

While I was at it, I replaced the threaded headset with a Chris King Nothreadset. As shown in a previous post (about my new bell), I also replaced the 120mm Alien stem with a 110mm stem from Thomson. I also replaced my damaged 44CM bar with a 46CM Carbon unit (also from Thomson). It is much more comfortable now. And finally, the old single-pivot Cane Creek brakes were replaced with a set of dual-pivot Dura Ace brakes. Now it actually stops. Bombing down a mountain pass with the original brakes took balls of solid brass - and a fair amount of faith.

It is my greatest hope this bike gives me 20 more years.

Cool wheels

 

[alantig]

I didn’t get to ride this summer because of my wife’s knee replacement, but we had plans to get out in late October when I had a week off. But dumba$$ me broke my foot, so no riding this year.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

But dumba$$ me broke my foot, so no riding this year.

Yeah but you should see the other guy.

 

[bodia]

Yeah but you should see the other guy.

Wait, it's Alan, he probably broke it trying to get it out of his mouth after making some crack to the Mrs

 

[alantig]

It was a barbecue sauce related incident.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

The new bike is finally assembled. I took some glamour shots while its still clean. Time to get it dirty.

 

[dmatthews]

She's a peach!

 

[veinbuster]

Damn!
It looks fantastic.

 

[ducmike]

The new bike is finally assembled. I took some glamour shots while its still clean. Time to get it dirty.

Wow, that build looks amazing. I bet it's an amazing ride too. Mission accomplished!

 

[ducmike]

I love the bell too. I don't think I have seen one mount to the stem, who makes it?

My gravel bike has the flat bar tops with a sharp taper to the round stem part, very hard to mount stuff to them.

 

[AaeCee]

The new bike is finally assembled. I took some glamour shots while its still clean. Time to get it dirty.

Sooo badass, and what great attention to detail! A real work of art.

Just out of curiosity, what is the final weight? Despite the fat tires, rack, and fenders, I'd bet < 20lbs. or right about there ... excluding the cool bell of course.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

How forgiving is the saddle?

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I love the bell too. I don't think I have seen one mount to the stem, who makes it?

Its actually a 5mm steerer-tube spacer mount. It's made by Portland Design Works. Link is HERE.

My gravel bike has the flat bar tops with a sharp taper to the round stem part, very hard to mount stuff to them.

I have the same problem, as you can see. That why I had to go with a steerer-mount solution.

Just out of curiosity, what is the final weight? Despite the fat tires, rack, and fenders, I'd bet < 20lbs. or right about there ... excluding the cool bell of course.

I didn't weigh it before completing it but I have a pretty accurate scale that shows it (with fenders, lights, rack, and bell) just a hair under 24.5 pounds.

The 'cool bell' was too blingy so I stripped the clear coat and put it in a container with vinegar and salt overnight. Looks much better now. It should patina a bit more over the next few days.

How forgiving is the saddle?

This saddle sucks. I have a Selle Anatomica H2 on the way which should resolve the issue. I would have gone with a Brooks B17 and called it good but the H2 is designed for riders my weight. The stock saddle (not shown) was too narrow for my sits bones.

 

[bodia]

Its actually a 5mm steerer-tube spacer mount. It's made by Portland Design Works. Link is HERE.



I have the same problem, as you can see. That why I had to go with a steerer-mount solution.

I didn't weigh it before completing it but I have a pretty accurate scale that shows it (with fenders, lights, rack, and bell) just a hair under 24.5 pounds.

The 'cool bell' was too blingy so I stripped the clear coat and put it in a container with vinegar and salt overnight. Looks much better now. It should patina a bit more over the next few days.

This saddle sucks. I have a Selle Anatomica H2 on the way which should resolve the issue. I would have gone with a Brooks B17 and called it good but the H2 is designed for riders my weight. The stock saddle (not shown) was too narrow for my sits bones.

Dig! Totally dig!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Dig! Totally dig!

Thanks Jim.