The Biking Thread

[washing machine]

I was putting what I thought were the finishing touches to the touring bike I've been working on but it turns out that the brakes aren't compatible with the levers that I had hooked them up to. Live and learn, eh. Anyway I went to the only LBS left in the area and they said to just get this other kind of brake since the frame looked like it could support them so I ordered a pair. They get here and it turns out that while the bike does have holes in the appropriate spots, they aren't the correct kind of holes. So I spent part of my day drilling out the holes to the diameter they need to be, which was really me taking a metal bit that was slightly larger and putting it through the hole and then using a bigger one until it was the correct size. The fork was tough because it was probably 1/4" thick on both sides so that took awhile. The rear one was/is harder because it's inside a triangle so I'm trying to figure out how to make a hole in it. I have a plan but I'm kind of winging it at this point. Luckily it's a steel frame so it's OK for the stresses.

Always like hearing about your bike projects. Have any photos handy?

[bune]

I'll take some when I get home. The hardest part was cleaning up the shavings that were everywhere without getting any splinters in my fingers. Luckily rags are cheap.

[washing machine]

I'll take some when I get home. The hardest part was cleaning up the shavings that were everywhere without getting any splinters in my fingers. Luckily rags are cheap.

https://www.grainger.com/product/ULLMAN ... IDPPLARECS

[bune]

That would be useful, but I'd still have to get the splinters off somehow.

My next purchase is going to be a rat tail file to make sure the holes are burr-free.

[Chris_H_2]

just had a dropper post installed. i'm pretty anxious to try it out (if only we could finally avoid a frost and the trails would dry out around here).

[bune]

bottle cage holes



two of the bottle cage rivnuts installed.



new brakes installed - you can see the posts for the old ones still.





rear brake hole. still have some drilling to do to make the hole bigger.

[Chris_H_2]

i wish i was smart and handy enough to build a bike from scratch

[bune]

don't let the shiny frame fool you - it's just a Trek 520 that was in really shit shape that I stripped the paint from. I've waxed the frame instead of having it painted again and so far it's holding the rust at bay and we had a pretty moist winter. I'm sure that will change when I take it out in actual weather though. :/

[Dev]

Popped a tire 20 km from home yesterday.

Looking at pannier bags.

[surfndestroy]

$500+ worth of work being done on my bike. New casket in rear, new chain rings up front, new chain, new rear rim, new rear rotor and break pads. Every two to three years the tune-up gets expensive.

[bune]

I would say that your LBS is taking you for a ride (lolz) if that's what they're charging. What kind of bike do you have and what kind of riding do you do?

[washing machine]

Bune, those cage rivets might inspire me to do the same to my restored Schwinn.

[surfndestroy]

I would say that your LBS is taking you for a ride (lolz) if that's what they're charging. What kind of bike do you have and what kind of riding do you do?

It's a heavy duty commuter bike. All prices Canadian and heavily taxed. Free healthcare does not pay for itself.
Back casket $30
Chain $35
Front Chain ring $115, it's a little specialist
Back rim $150
Stopped listening at that point for rear rotor and metallic pads.
I definitely pay a parts premium to go a little lighter and heavier duty than stock parts. I ride year round and it is my work commute.
I should get about 12k miles (or three years) out of this upkeep. Over that time I should only need to replace brake pads, tubes and tires.

[bune]

Bune, those cage rivets might inspire me to do the same to my restored Schwinn.

After having a hell of a time finding what they were called + finding them to order and then paying too much for them, I accidentally found some in the local Ace Hardware while looking for a screw. So start there first. They're called rivnuts, btw.

Also be sure to ask your LBS if they have the tool handy: It's an expensive thing to buy for just a couple nuts.

I would say that your LBS is taking you for a ride (lolz) if that's what they're charging. What kind of bike do you have and what kind of riding do you do?

It's a heavy duty commuter bike. All prices Canadian and heavily taxed. Free healthcare does not pay for itself.
Back casket $30
Chain $35
Front Chain ring $115, it's a little specialist
Back rim $150
Stopped listening at that point for rear rotor and metallic pads.
I definitely pay a parts premium to go a little lighter and heavier duty than stock parts. I ride year round and it is my work commute.
I should get about 12k miles (or three years) out of this upkeep. Over that time I should only need to replace brake pads, tubes and tires.

Ah, Canadian. but wtf is a casket? Because I picture something that Kiss would sell you when you call it that.



Pics of the brakes installed.

I'm not happy with the install - namely the other brake posts are kind of in the way - but it's the best I can do without hacking them off.

[washing machine]

Clean looking calipers there.

[bune]

Yup, straight from Amazon.

[Dev]

68 km in just under 7.5 hrs

[Dev]

75.60 km on the bike today not including what was probably about a km rip home after eating at the end.

[Dev]

I had a pair of ortlieb city panniers come in today but I hated them and returned them. I think I will get the classics.

[surfndestroy]

75.60 km on the bike today not including what was probably about a km rip home after eating at the end.

That's a pretty good ride. I max out at about 90km and can still call my bike my friend. What did it take you, 3-1/2 hrs?