Reflection, Reparation, Repentation, Rejuvination, and Recreation

Reflection, Reparation, Repentation, Rejuvination, and Recreation
Having fun on the Midnight Beast

Friday, September 28, 2012

Just Wheelin' Around

OK so the weather has been freakin perfect for awhile now. the leaves seem to be turning now(late?) and the trails have been unusually dry.
I've had the time to mess around with my bike and ride as much as I want in the mornings. I'm thankful for that. I don't abuse it, I have daily chores and plenty catching up to do around the yard and the house. I'm lovin the temps and the air this time of year--makes working outside finally bearable after this past sweltering summer....
Anyways, back to the wheels.
I got those new Chargers from Blackstone Bicycles. I've been riding the SunRingles DiscoFleas for at least 3 seasons now. The rear rim is wobbly partly due to the replacement of 3 broken spokes, the bearings crunchy like granola. The front still straight and true, but the bearings crunchy like rice crispies (not as crunchy as granola but with some snap, crackle, and pop!). The DoF rims, at least in my mind, have always been too narrow, allowing the tires to flop abit cornering at lower than 28 psi and not really take advantage of the full tire tread. Add to that, the tubeless conversion kits haven't been great with these, I've sheared two rear valve stems and it 's not easy to get the beads to seat and air in the tires(but once aired up, np)
Thus were the reasons for a Total Wheel Replacement. Even though I could have just replaced the sealed bearings, and continued to replace spokes, and kept up the tire pressure, I talked myself into these nice, wider rims with new hubs and slightly heavier-gauge Wheelsmith spokes and brass nipples.
Ironically, with the extra width, heavier looking spokes, and beefier rim, the weight adds up to about the same! I now use 2oz less sealant with the new Stan's-endorsed rims with BST, and lose 3 oz without the need for the conversion kit. And it will be nice to have the cromoly freehub body, the alloy makes cassette removal a PIA what with it getting 'notched' from the SRAM cassette...
Now I have also had time to replace my bearings( there was  a re-learning curve here since it's been awhile since I replaced the cartridge bearings in my NukeProof hubs , ( still have the 26" non-disc wheelset, if anyone wants to buy it, light and fast as hell...) but it all came back to me once I found my hammer and vise-grips).
and contemplate having the rear rebuilt with a newer rim......then selling the set, of course, I don't need any more wheels hanging around 'til they go out of style then are worthless.......so, again, these wheels are also FOR SALE!
Next, I will report more on the wheels/tires performance and playing with  various tire pressures.....
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Friday, September 21, 2012

Up and running. So far, tires are holding air nicely. Started with 28 psi. Second ride, I let it down to 25. Seems to be good initially...

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Just finished with the front-- rampage 235...Took 30 seconds more and windex...

Sweet! Just mounted my old Jones to my new Charger with with my old floor pump! First try! No compressor needed!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Bike Lane?

So, here in Q-Town, we apparently have made great pedal-strokes towards integrating bicycles onto our streets......
A guy on a bike recently got hit by a car. He said he was riding in the 'bike lane', between the lines. This is where he was riding......
Quincy, Mass,  City of Geniuses.

Tool Kit


No Lyme

Just to confirm, the doxycylene did the job, the Lyme is gone, and I'm back to 'normal'.