A few T-giving funnies, a former co-worker sent these to me. Good for a few yuks...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tools, Tires, Tubes, etcetera .. $$ ..
I needed a new bike tool.
Since I was buying a 'new' fork, which of course needed the steerer tube cut down, I had to have a new tool. Of course, I read several blogs and bulletin board postings of folks saying.."You don't need a tool...just hack it off...use tape as a guide...hose clamps...mark it with a sharpie...plumbers tubing cutter...eyeball it and hope for the best...take it to your LBS...etc, etc. All great advice nuggets, but I've hacked tubing with a hacksaw before and I can tell you, if I ever cut it in a straight line it was divine providence at work. Just eyeballing it wasn't gonna cut it, at least for me. So I purchased a Park Tool SG-7 Oversized Adjustable Saw Guide. My cache of mostly working bike tools continues to grow!
It seems you need a special bike tool for everything now. I purchased a new bike take-off FSA crank (read used price, but unused part) with the 'new' style external bottom bracket, and of course you need a special wrench to tighten the bb cups into the frame. No homemade tools will cut it here, so drop the Park BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Wrench into the shopping cart. Cha-ching!
I purchased these tools from Speedgoat.com. I discovered if you spend $100 or over, you will get shipping for free. So of course I threw in some Panaracer Rampage 2.35" 29er tires, tubes, and an SRAM 9-speed chain. That easily pushed me over the $100 free shipping limit, and Merry Christmas to me!
Cha-ching! $$ :>)
Note to self: I must now purchase my lovely wife an extra nice Christmas present.
-Dwight
Since I was buying a 'new' fork, which of course needed the steerer tube cut down, I had to have a new tool. Of course, I read several blogs and bulletin board postings of folks saying.."You don't need a tool...just hack it off...use tape as a guide...hose clamps...mark it with a sharpie...plumbers tubing cutter...eyeball it and hope for the best...take it to your LBS...etc, etc. All great advice nuggets, but I've hacked tubing with a hacksaw before and I can tell you, if I ever cut it in a straight line it was divine providence at work. Just eyeballing it wasn't gonna cut it, at least for me. So I purchased a Park Tool SG-7 Oversized Adjustable Saw Guide. My cache of mostly working bike tools continues to grow!
It seems you need a special bike tool for everything now. I purchased a new bike take-off FSA crank (read used price, but unused part) with the 'new' style external bottom bracket, and of course you need a special wrench to tighten the bb cups into the frame. No homemade tools will cut it here, so drop the Park BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Wrench into the shopping cart. Cha-ching!
I purchased these tools from Speedgoat.com. I discovered if you spend $100 or over, you will get shipping for free. So of course I threw in some Panaracer Rampage 2.35" 29er tires, tubes, and an SRAM 9-speed chain. That easily pushed me over the $100 free shipping limit, and Merry Christmas to me!
Cha-ching! $$ :>)
Note to self: I must now purchase my lovely wife an extra nice Christmas present.
-Dwight
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Slowly, I visualize
A few more parts came today.
My brake levers, seatpost, and seat showed up. What a great opportunity to assemble a few things on the bike!
I've also assembled my handlebars, grips, stem, and brake levers. Yeah, I know I'll have to remove the grips to install the shifters, but I just wanted to visualize those parts on my bike. I was standing downstairs in my combination laundry room/showering facility/bike shop holding my bars up next to the frame, seat and seatpost installed, trying to imagine myself sitting astride my latest masterpiece :>)
I picked up a lightly used 29'er suspension fork on eBay, an OEM Rock Shox Dart 3 unit. It's considered entry level, but it's also inexpensive as far as 29'er forks go and I'm sure it will work fine for it's intended purpose. Besides, it leaves room for future upgrades if I get the notion! Plus, I won't be as nervous as I would be if I were cutting a steerer tube on a $500 fork.
Once the fork comes, the steerer tube cutting and headset installation shall commence!
-Dwight
My brake levers, seatpost, and seat showed up. What a great opportunity to assemble a few things on the bike!
I've also assembled my handlebars, grips, stem, and brake levers. Yeah, I know I'll have to remove the grips to install the shifters, but I just wanted to visualize those parts on my bike. I was standing downstairs in my combination laundry room/showering facility/bike shop holding my bars up next to the frame, seat and seatpost installed, trying to imagine myself sitting astride my latest masterpiece :>)
I picked up a lightly used 29'er suspension fork on eBay, an OEM Rock Shox Dart 3 unit. It's considered entry level, but it's also inexpensive as far as 29'er forks go and I'm sure it will work fine for it's intended purpose. Besides, it leaves room for future upgrades if I get the notion! Plus, I won't be as nervous as I would be if I were cutting a steerer tube on a $500 fork.
Once the fork comes, the steerer tube cutting and headset installation shall commence!
-Dwight
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Cruising the Ramby (Pictures!)
Since the mercury hit mid 50's today, I thought I'd take the trusty Ramby out for a spin. Ya know, I don't think I've ever posted photos of the bike in it's completely finished state. So for your viewing pleasure, a few pictures of my pride and joy!
After all, I'm still calling this blog "My Rambouillet Build". Even if I've finished building it :>)
After all, I'm still calling this blog "My Rambouillet Build". Even if I've finished building it :>)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A few good parts
My first shipment of 29'er build parts arrived on Thursday.
Easton EA70 Monkey Bars (hi-rise), Easton EA70 stem, Cane Creek S-3 headset, handgrips with locking collars, alloy headset spacers, and star nut. I'm still looking for a good used fork on eBay. I was bidding on a Rock Shox Dart 3, but it got away from me at the last minute. However, several others showed up on eBay and I'm watching them intently. Hopefully my luck and my bidding skills will improve! However, I did win a bid on a slightly used Avid 160mm disc brake set, which should be arriving within a few days.
I've ordered several other parts which were shipped in two shipments. I found an excellent deal on a saddle, seatpost, seatpost locking collar, and some Avid brake levers. The shipment was divided into two parts and the seatpost locking collar, a 30mm Surly constrictor, arrived today. Fits perfectly!
I've recently received some very helpful information from a fellow blogger regarding a homebuilt headset press tool. (Thanks Gravelo!) I plan on scrounging the local hardware store tomorrow to acquire the necessary pieces. I'll let you know what I come up with.
-Dwight
Easton EA70 Monkey Bars (hi-rise), Easton EA70 stem, Cane Creek S-3 headset, handgrips with locking collars, alloy headset spacers, and star nut. I'm still looking for a good used fork on eBay. I was bidding on a Rock Shox Dart 3, but it got away from me at the last minute. However, several others showed up on eBay and I'm watching them intently. Hopefully my luck and my bidding skills will improve! However, I did win a bid on a slightly used Avid 160mm disc brake set, which should be arriving within a few days.
I've ordered several other parts which were shipped in two shipments. I found an excellent deal on a saddle, seatpost, seatpost locking collar, and some Avid brake levers. The shipment was divided into two parts and the seatpost locking collar, a 30mm Surly constrictor, arrived today. Fits perfectly!
I've recently received some very helpful information from a fellow blogger regarding a homebuilt headset press tool. (Thanks Gravelo!) I plan on scrounging the local hardware store tomorrow to acquire the necessary pieces. I'll let you know what I come up with.
-Dwight
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Bits and Pieces
I began scrounging for parts for my winter 29'er project.
I'm hitting eBay a bit harder on this project. I'm thinking I might find some better deals on some components...suspension forks for 29'ers tend to be expensive and I won't be as picky as far as using brand spanking new components. Good lightly used components in some areas will work just fine.
So far, I've got a couple of bids in on some used hydraulic disc brake components and a used suspension fork. I'm also thinking about picking up a rigid fork as well, but I haven't yet decided. I've already purchased some discounted closeout components from Jenson's, including a Cane Creek headset, Easton handlebars and stem, grips, and a few other miscellaneous hardware items. Not high end items, but good serviceable stuff and probably more than adequate to the task at hand. I think I can build up a great bike with decent components without having to break the bank.
I'm still planning on building up some good wheels, and this will probably be my largest expense.
I found some WTB rims that look nice, and if I can find some decent disc brake hubs I'll be in business. Maybe I'll find some smokin' deals on some wheels out there, but I'm just not in any huge hurry right now.
Since I've purchased a bare frame, I'll either have to take it to my LBS to have the headset cups installed or I could be a bit more adventurous and do that particular task myself. I'm choosing the adventurous route. Headset presses aren't inexpensive, however, I've been doing a bit of internet research and some very resourceful individuals out there have been building their own headset installation and removal tools on the cheap. So I'm going to give that a try (great blog fodder, of course!)
-Dwight
I'm hitting eBay a bit harder on this project. I'm thinking I might find some better deals on some components...suspension forks for 29'ers tend to be expensive and I won't be as picky as far as using brand spanking new components. Good lightly used components in some areas will work just fine.
So far, I've got a couple of bids in on some used hydraulic disc brake components and a used suspension fork. I'm also thinking about picking up a rigid fork as well, but I haven't yet decided. I've already purchased some discounted closeout components from Jenson's, including a Cane Creek headset, Easton handlebars and stem, grips, and a few other miscellaneous hardware items. Not high end items, but good serviceable stuff and probably more than adequate to the task at hand. I think I can build up a great bike with decent components without having to break the bank.
I'm still planning on building up some good wheels, and this will probably be my largest expense.
I found some WTB rims that look nice, and if I can find some decent disc brake hubs I'll be in business. Maybe I'll find some smokin' deals on some wheels out there, but I'm just not in any huge hurry right now.
Since I've purchased a bare frame, I'll either have to take it to my LBS to have the headset cups installed or I could be a bit more adventurous and do that particular task myself. I'm choosing the adventurous route. Headset presses aren't inexpensive, however, I've been doing a bit of internet research and some very resourceful individuals out there have been building their own headset installation and removal tools on the cheap. So I'm going to give that a try (great blog fodder, of course!)
-Dwight
Friday, November 14, 2008
Juiced!
I've been out of town this last week on business in Mosinee, Wisconsin. It's not the most enticing location in November, and it rained most of the time I was there. I'm certain if it weren't so cold and dreary, the scenery would have been much more enjoyable. I ate well, though!
A close up headtube shot
In my combination bike wrenching/laundry room, clamped in the stand:
After I was done unpacking my frame, I found a nice surprise in the bottom of the box. A package of organic sports chews, a.k.a. gummy 'Sharkies'. A tasty treat!
I had to get up with the dawn patrol this morning to catch my flight, wheels up at 6:07 a.m. I didn't relish the thought of getting up at 4 a.m., but I did get home before noon and was able to relax a bit this afternoon.
While I was resting and relaxing, the UPS guy surprised me by dropping off a package...
...which after opening, appeared to contain a plastic wrapped bike frame of some sort
The frame unwrapped
In my combination bike wrenching/laundry room, clamped in the stand:
After I was done unpacking my frame, I found a nice surprise in the bottom of the box. A package of organic sports chews, a.k.a. gummy 'Sharkies'. A tasty treat!
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