100mm Travel and Disk Brake

Just back from the garage, where a mis-labelled fork (Manitou R-Seven Pro with cantis that did not have cantis) led to a mechanical disk brake upgrade (Avid BB7 Mechanical, XT lever compatible) and a little shop project. Keeping the white fork and buying more stuff was easier than returning it for a black model with cantis. I had the Neuvation MTB wheelset kicking around anyway, so why not enter 2001?

Too lazy to get the headset redone, I found the same WTB Momentum Comp ST I put on the frame in 2005 and kept the races in place using new bearings. I suspect that is a no-no.

The last item was a new Michelin XTC Extreme 2.0 tire, to match the rear. It doesn't, again a 5 year delta will do that, but its close enough, should be more reliable than the 12-13 year old Green Silica Michelin of the old wheel.

Took it for a spin in the dark of midnight, in the rain. Feels like 1/2 a new bike,
I notice the front is raised significantly, the travel is huge and super adjustable, the new tire is noisy, and the brake modulates nicely/fine with the rear V-Brake.
Bunny hopping damped severly, have to find some curbs to hit with this fork.

Thinking about all this, I wonder if I tightened the stem to the steerer enough, better leave a note for myself in case I do ride in the sloppy hills tomorrow am.

Roll Call 2011-09-17

11 bikes in the fleet as of today.

I took the camera out to take shots of the Xtracycles and just kept on going, deciding documenting the existence might be good for insurance purposes.

I congratulated myself on the uniqueness of form and function of each machine until I realized I have 3 roadbikes, 2 of them carbon and now without the fenders
to make it "The World's Coolest Rainbike", the Giant is redundant. And the frame looks way too small given the crazy seatpost length. Guess its supposed to be that way, being compact, maybe the fashion has changed.

So thinking about selling off Xtracycles, Santana Tandem, Giant and even (gulp) the big Pinarello. I like the fact all are in good running shape and actually used. Mismatched tire models/colors, dust, filth on the MTB, messed up handlebar tape.
Drivers all, no wallflowers in this bunch.

Bicycle Fleet Weights

All weights in Lbs. Procedure was to weigh myself, then weigh byself holding the rig, then recheck both by doing it again.

Focus w/lights & saddle bag: 18.7

Giant TCR w/lights and fenders: 18.1

Ti MTB (dusty/dirty): 24.2

Pinarello, no tools no lights: 20.7

MTB w/Extracycle + bags, full fenders, child seat, stoker bars, padded deck, bike lock: 52 lbs


TODO: tandem, single speed....then could get into B's bikes too...

Focus Finally Dialed IN

I write this as a record to say that the FOCUS is finally dialed in. The
new bars have been terrific, the second new cable has fixed the Shimano
shifting, and the last step was tightening the cassette down with my old
mountain-bike tool for the purpose - no rattles!

The bike feels good, eats up the miles and now that its working, I really
am starting to enjoy the Shimano shift-brake levers.

New Bars, WCRB Getting Miles in the Seattle Weather of Berkeley

Got carbon bars on the FOCUS finally. No test ride yet, been using the WCRB - world's coolest rain bike - for the few times I have been riding of late.

Weather has been terrible, better riding in Dec/Jan than Feb/Mar, and the daylight savings time + work have been killing me.