fixed impressions

OK, sorry. If you’re going with a front disc only and fixed rear, then read the post below replacing $700 with $350.

Geez.

G

Brakes.

I recently replaced the brakes on my (seldom discussed) coaster ‘cross bike. Not to get off subject and get caught up in (god forbid) gears and coasting, but the issue is brakes.

Again.

I replaced the brakes only because I acquired some NOS Suntour XC Pro canti’s. Probably not anybody’s favorite, but the price was right (slightly more than the price of a set of xt cartridge v-brake pads), they look cool and as I almost always argue: work well enough.

Well enough.

In this world of escalating complexity and new features on bikes, I’m remiss. I still contend to have had only 2 or 3 rides where water/mud/oil ever rendered my rim brakes ineffective. And even then I was still having fun. Why do I need $700 worth of new levers, calipers, mineral oil, and “oh, by the way” an all new wheelset.

I’m not a fast rider, but I can tell you for sure that that $700 will NOT make me any faster. It will not make me more confident. And it surely will NOT make me a better rider.

It’s a choice. Ride your bike or put money into it. I can admit that I’ve invested over $2,000 in my Ti Kona hardtail. Most of that in the mid-90’s. Since 2000, I’ve replaced the brake pads twice, many tubes, one rear tire, two chains, and one rear brake cable. Total operating expense: $72.00. Though it wasn’t my everyday ride, once I stopped “upgrading” and expensifying it, it’s performed flawlessly. It’s been ridden a lot.

Moral.

You may have your “better modulation” and “more power”. And you’ll always be able to out-brake me! Wahoo. Whatever.

Ride, have fun, but keep the $700 and buy a Mac mini. Or a Nano. Or better yet a season pass.

Cheers

Yes, this photo is from last year. But you get the idea.

Sunrise coming late
greens to golds and apples red
autumn tones elate

Not-shifting in to fall.

Forgive the pun, but “not-shifting” is one irresistible wordplay from the fixer vernacular.

De-urbanization.

Once again, relocation beckons. For the second time since my arrival in Burlington, VT, my rental has sold.

A quickening.

Round here, rent is high relative to property values, because there are so many students, and because Burlington is the urban (sic) center of VT.

SO. Back to the country I go. I’ve found a spot where I can experience VT dirt road living. Hinesburg. And previous posts here will verify that there is excellent, hard MTB riding there. The price is hard to beat and the voice in my head is telling me that VT is home and to buy property. The plan is to move to the country, save money, buy a car, improve credit rating, buy property. Something like that. My rooting reflex has finally kicked in. And of course the desire to live in the country….to have a dog….to be able to ride my MTB from my back yard.

A rooting.

Here’s to living on a dirt road in North VT. CHEERS!

G

Backcountry skiing, I’ve determined, is turning out to have great potential here in VT. I was worried that the snowpack would be too shallow mostly to cover small woody plants and tree starts that punctuate the VT woods. What I failed to consider was the amount of, well, let’s call them old logging roads. They’re plenty wide enough to ski, seem to be everywhere, and in inimitable New England style they tend to go straight down the fall line. I don’t think any of the early road cutters every cared about grade. They just cut to get the logs out. Downhill. I’ll be able to ski in my backyard if this place works out.

A relaxing.

Back to fixed reality.

The REK (fixed commuter :: a.k.a. shredder) is continuing to prove itself to be a great tool. The thing just goes, steady. Steady non-speed (thanks MC -ed.) I really haven’t been able to keep up my commuting plans being “forced” to drive with necessary trips related to my job. At least they give me mileage compensation. Anyway, the REK is smooth as silk. I’m basically running a Campy road hub with a “blue Loctite Brand” lockring. If you know what I mean. Truth be told I haven’t really ever put the “lockring” to the test. In several months of commuting no major panic braking has been required. I think I ride to avoid that. Part of the fixed thing is exactly that. Ride safely. Feel the road and the situation. Get there smoothly and safely. Back to the setup. I saw a similar setup this summer on a Bottechia. Very nice (Brian.) Had the bike and the opportunity. I found the REK had a 126mm spacing with the normal oddball Campy 9.5mm hollow axle. Got myself a nice 10mm cromoly track axle and some nice bolts and thought I was ready to go. Of course I hit a roadblock on the first try, realizing that the cones weren’t cross threaded, but they were the wrong size. Damn Campy. Any way, a trip through a labyrinth of parts bins finally yielded the cache. Figuring that a re-dish was possible so that I could have both a decent chainline AND a relatively easy re-dish. If I’ve lost you I apologize, but converting quick release hubs to fixed or free single speed use is a specialty of mine….and I know for many of you too! The wheel also was hand laced, tied and soldered. I figure the wheels are from ‘78. They are true, and I must have done a good job on the re-dish since I’ve rode her hard and with one heavy lopsided pannier and that rear is true. Of course I should point out that rear wheel truing on fix is somewhat irrelevant. If it don’t hit nothin’, it’s all right! So the REK just rocks on….and the “Loctite Brand” is living up to its reputation. By the way I have fully leg-locked on a downhill on pave and not slipped it yet…with over 200lbs of bike and author. Besides, with clips and straps, I’m never really sure a leg-lock will work. I’ve pulled out a few times and ended up on the front brake anyway.

Over and Out

Listen to the Shows.

Please use my bandwidth. I pay for it!

Gonterian.

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