Sunday, December 27, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Cool Video


Purdy cool vid with all the riders. I seem to remember that Jared Leto played Steve Prefountaine in the movie "Pre."

I don't understand why the full length video cannot be embedded.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Interesting...but who makes it and is it available



This should revolutionize the time trial and triathlon industry. Makes sense to me.

New tubes and tires...check

Today I replaced the knobby tires with new Specialized Nimbus tires, tubes and a locking front skewer. Spent most of my time degreasing and flossing the cog. Total time invested today: 2 hours. Total amount invested including bike $164. Took it for a ride and it rides so smooth for a 15+ year old bike that has seen a whole lot of garage time. No pics today.

Unfortunately, I didn't make the Luminaria ride today. Couldn't convince anyone to go with me. I hope the ride the year is really well organized. Seems several folks from last year had no interest in it this year for that reason.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

We'll miss you, D!!!


My Friend and one of the best bike wrenches in the US, Dennis (he doesn't want me to use his last name) Angelo is moving to Philadelphia to take a new job. Dennis is leaving Jax on December 28. It must really be a great job to leave the sunny and warm climate for the frigid Northeast. Best of Luck to you, Dennis. We know you'll be back for a vacation.

Git r done







New BG Sport Seat, New BG Grips and old school lock. Total investment including bike $110. Next step will be New Nimbus Tires, new tubes and Globe pedals. Should begin to look more like a commuter bike after that. Could possible have it done this weekend in time for the Riverside Luminaria Ride.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

One of the coolest rides in Jacksonville

Although the video isn't great and doesn't do justice to the ride, the Riverside/Avondale Luminaria Ride sponsored by the North Florida Bicycling Club is an awesome event. I beleive there were substantially more than 250 riders, probably closer to 500. Monkey Lights would work great on this ride.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

No bike is safe from thieves but....

If a thief wants wants my bike, he is going to have to work hard for it. I am trying to make it harder for thieves to get my bike if they should happen upon it when I am not around.
  • U shaped lock and Cable lock with combination
  • trying to find another bike to lock mine to for more locks
  • always park my bike next to one that is better looking
  • carry a pump so I can flatten one of the tires
  • locking front skewer and seat collar, thieves usually don't carry a metric allen wrench
  • disable it by taking the chain off the rear cog
  • put a note on it when I leave than I am watching it constantly and will shoot a thief-assuming most thieves can read.
  • loosen the nuts on the bars slightly so once a thief puts pressure on the bars, he/she will bust their tail falling down. Yes, I want to hurt a thief.
  • don't leave computers, lights, seat bags, GPS units or other easy to remove items that would temp thieves.
  • When I do have to lock it, put it in a place I can see frequently or check back on it often.
  • Never leave a bike locked up overnight. It screams "TAKE ME"
  • Carry a small club (mini baseball bat) in my backpack, so I can beat the crap out of a thief if I should happen upon them after they have successfully managed to get pass all of the above.

Thieves are cowards, if they knew they would get a ticket to jail, they might be less likely to steal a bike.

Think like a thief. Make it harder for thieves to be successful. Enjoy your ride and don't be a victim. Be vigilant and observant.

Steelrider2

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rebuilding my wife's commuter bike

Specialized makes a great bike and this bike should build up nicely as a commuter.

I didn't do a very good job of journaling my bike, so I'm going to try to do a better jog with this one.

Other than the lock and bottle cage, this was the way I bought this bike. Bought it about two years ago for $40.00 off of Craigslist.org. I finished my bike back in the spring and my wife liked it so much I am working on hers.
I will work on it in stages. First stage is to replace the seat and bar grips. Replacing the seat with a Specialized Women's BG Sport and the grips with Specialized BG Ergo Grips. The cost is $40 for the seat and $25.00 for the grips. I bought the lock for $5.00 of ebay and the cage cost $5.00. To date, I have spent (including the bike) $115.00.
I don't have a budget but will not spend more than I think the completed bike would sell for.

To be continued....

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

This falls under the category of "got to have it...now"

Monkey Lights are the coolest thing. Although the video is kinda long, the stuff is way cool. Can't wait to purchase.