Hard to believe that there are two bikes in there.
I feel like I have to clarify that you are looking at my garage. I do not have bikes on the wall or greasy, green carpet in my house!
Later.
Showing posts with label Cozumel Project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cozumel Project. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Pack Rat
The bikes are packed up and ready to go. The amount of disassembly required to cram them in the boxes surprised me a bit. The hotel room build when we arrive will take a bit more time and effort than I anticipated. As long as there is plenty of beer, I will be OK.
Hard to believe that there are two bikes in there.
I feel like I have to clarify that you are looking at my garage. I do not have bikes on the wall or greasy, green carpet in my house!
Later.
Hard to believe that there are two bikes in there.
I feel like I have to clarify that you are looking at my garage. I do not have bikes on the wall or greasy, green carpet in my house!
Later.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Shake It
We took the travel bikes out for a shakedown ride yesterday after work. Going back to my racing days, you never want to enter a race with a freshly assembled bike. I think the same principle might apply to taking a bike to a foreign country—we don't want any surprises.
The bikes performed just fine. The only issue I noticed was my front hub loosening up a bit.
The ride itself was fun. The bugs and allergens were out in full force, so that part wasn't so great.
I am somewhat nervous about this trip, so an hour on the bikes helped ease my mind a bit. I think being a long-time cyclist makes it more difficult, though. Under normal circumstances, say a road trip, I would be prepared for anything. My car would be filled with spare parts, tubes, tires and every tool necessary for any repair. That won't be the case on this trip. We will be stripped down to the bare essentials, and the thought of it makes me feel naked.
Still, even if we were to have an issue, the worst that could happen is we sit on a beautiful beach and drink beer. That's about the best plan B you can have.
Later.
The bikes performed just fine. The only issue I noticed was my front hub loosening up a bit.
The ride itself was fun. The bugs and allergens were out in full force, so that part wasn't so great.
I am somewhat nervous about this trip, so an hour on the bikes helped ease my mind a bit. I think being a long-time cyclist makes it more difficult, though. Under normal circumstances, say a road trip, I would be prepared for anything. My car would be filled with spare parts, tubes, tires and every tool necessary for any repair. That won't be the case on this trip. We will be stripped down to the bare essentials, and the thought of it makes me feel naked.
Still, even if we were to have an issue, the worst that could happen is we sit on a beautiful beach and drink beer. That's about the best plan B you can have.
Later.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Complete
I finished assembling my travel bike this morning. It's not as cool as Jen's but it will do.
It's mostly all the same parts as before, but I did treat myself to a new crank set. The old Truvativ cranks that came with the bike were creaking like mad in Monterey, and I can't handle any noises emanating from my bike. The new Shimano Zee cranks look pretty bombproof and should stand up to anything I (and baggage handlers) can throw at them.
It's been a long, costly project but I think it will all be worth it. I can't wait to do some foreign exploring with them.
Later.
It's mostly all the same parts as before, but I did treat myself to a new crank set. The old Truvativ cranks that came with the bike were creaking like mad in Monterey, and I can't handle any noises emanating from my bike. The new Shimano Zee cranks look pretty bombproof and should stand up to anything I (and baggage handlers) can throw at them.
It's been a long, costly project but I think it will all be worth it. I can't wait to do some foreign exploring with them.
Later.
Monday, March 25, 2013
One Down
I finished up Jen's bike today. What a cool little ride. Everything went together very easily, and the bike rides smoothly and quietly. I couldn't be happier.
Time to start building mine.
Later.
Later.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Powder
Well, the frames came back from powder. No, not the really white guy from the movie:
From Performance Powder Coating in Orangevale. They turned out pretty good:
After a little overspray cleanup with a razor blade, the stainless couplers look really cool:
Space check—Jen's little frame fits in the case with with room to spare:
Now it's time to start building.
Later.
From Performance Powder Coating in Orangevale. They turned out pretty good:
After a little overspray cleanup with a razor blade, the stainless couplers look really cool:
Space check—Jen's little frame fits in the case with with room to spare:
Now it's time to start building.
Later.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Another Update
We picked up the frames today from Steve Rex. Everything looks good.
Here's a close-up of a joint:
Opened up:
Two Pieces:
Additionally, I also had the brake cable stops moved to the left side of the top tube to improve cable routing.
Now they just need to go to the powder coater. Hopefully I can get them down there tomorrow.
Later.
Here's a close-up of a joint:
Opened up:
Two Pieces:
Additionally, I also had the brake cable stops moved to the left side of the top tube to improve cable routing.
Now they just need to go to the powder coater. Hopefully I can get them down there tomorrow.
Later.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Enter Sandman
After our successful trip to Monterey, we are taking the plunge and having the couplers installed on our frames.
I took them to a local powder coat shop and had them sandblasted. Later today they will head to Steve Rex to be hacked in half.
His estimate for getting them back to us is three to four weeks, so we will be cutting it close for our NEW vacation time in April. (Yes, I now have a valid passport.)
Later.
I took them to a local powder coat shop and had them sandblasted. Later today they will head to Steve Rex to be hacked in half.
His estimate for getting them back to us is three to four weeks, so we will be cutting it close for our NEW vacation time in April. (Yes, I now have a valid passport.)
Later.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monterey Weekend
We spent the long holiday weekend in Monterey. The main purpose for the trip was to have some fun, of course, but Jen and I also wanted to try out our "Cozumel Project" single speeds in a travel scenario.
We arrived Friday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. Since we couldn't check in to our hotel until 4:00, we rode down to the wharf and had some food. Jen and I enjoyed some chowder in a bread bowl while Spencer opted for a slice of pizza.
The next day we rode north on the bike trail.
The morning temperature was a bit cool, but the forecast was for highs in the low 70s.
Towards the end of the bike trail there are a few pieces of fun singletrack.
I even coaxed Jen into railing some.
The boy looks good on his new 24-inch-wheeled Felt.
The three of us cranked out a little over 20 miles and we really enjoyed the riding and the scenery.
Later in the day we headed to Santa Cruz. I had never been to the Boardwalk. It made the clientele at the state fair seem downright charming by comparison.
Jen blasts me with a laser as I return fire with the camera flash. Probably not the only exchange of gunfire that night.
Sunday came and we again rode north. It was cool and overcast to start.
More trail riding.
Eventually the marine layer burned off, temperatures climbed and smiles were more frequent.
After three straight days of riding, the boy faded a bit at the end of the 22-miler. Still, he gutted it out and didn't complain.
We watched a couple of these guys for a bit. It looks like fun.
After the ride we spent a few hours at the aquarium before dining at Louie Linguini's on Cannery Row.
On the last day we went for a short spin before checkout. Here the boy poses in front of some local "artwork."
Monterey shot from the north.
All told we rode 62 miles over the weekend. It wasn't a lot for the adults, but it was like boot camp for the boy. He will sleep well tonight.
Jen loves her single speed. The bikes worked well in a vacation setting, meaning we were taking in the scenery at a relaxed pace—not hammering out training miles. I feel the bikes could be geared a bit higher, but that is something we can play around with. Otherwise, the bikes fulfilled their purpose of being simple, durable and easy to maintain.
We are pretty sure we will take the plunge and have the couplers installed.
Later.
We arrived Friday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. Since we couldn't check in to our hotel until 4:00, we rode down to the wharf and had some food. Jen and I enjoyed some chowder in a bread bowl while Spencer opted for a slice of pizza.
The next day we rode north on the bike trail.
The morning temperature was a bit cool, but the forecast was for highs in the low 70s.
Towards the end of the bike trail there are a few pieces of fun singletrack.
I even coaxed Jen into railing some.
The boy looks good on his new 24-inch-wheeled Felt.
The three of us cranked out a little over 20 miles and we really enjoyed the riding and the scenery.
Later in the day we headed to Santa Cruz. I had never been to the Boardwalk. It made the clientele at the state fair seem downright charming by comparison.
Jen blasts me with a laser as I return fire with the camera flash. Probably not the only exchange of gunfire that night.
Sunday came and we again rode north. It was cool and overcast to start.
More trail riding.
Eventually the marine layer burned off, temperatures climbed and smiles were more frequent.
After three straight days of riding, the boy faded a bit at the end of the 22-miler. Still, he gutted it out and didn't complain.
We watched a couple of these guys for a bit. It looks like fun.
After the ride we spent a few hours at the aquarium before dining at Louie Linguini's on Cannery Row.
On the last day we went for a short spin before checkout. Here the boy poses in front of some local "artwork."
Monterey shot from the north.
All told we rode 62 miles over the weekend. It wasn't a lot for the adults, but it was like boot camp for the boy. He will sleep well tonight.
Jen loves her single speed. The bikes worked well in a vacation setting, meaning we were taking in the scenery at a relaxed pace—not hammering out training miles. I feel the bikes could be geared a bit higher, but that is something we can play around with. Otherwise, the bikes fulfilled their purpose of being simple, durable and easy to maintain.
We are pretty sure we will take the plunge and have the couplers installed.
Later.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Cozumel Project Update
After months of searching, I finally found a frame on eBay for Jen. I missed out on a really cool pink Surly and a nice Gunnar to other bidders, but won this one. It has been really difficult to find a steel, v-brake, single speed frame in an extra small or small. Really difficult.
Everything went together very smoothly except for the rear brake. The fact that On One runs their cable guides on the right and the cramped quarters of the small frame made the cable routing tough. The Avid brakes I tried first felt horrible.
Luckily I had an old Paul Motolite brake lying around. The beauty of this brake is that you can reverse which side the brake noodle is on, which was perfect for this bike.
Unfortunately, we haven't been out for a real ride yet, but the initial driveway review was positive.
The single speeds will go with us on our upcoming trip to Monterey. If they work for us in that setting, and we are happy with only one gear in a travel scenario, we will proceed with having couplers installed by Steve Rex.
Later.
Everything went together very smoothly except for the rear brake. The fact that On One runs their cable guides on the right and the cramped quarters of the small frame made the cable routing tough. The Avid brakes I tried first felt horrible.
Luckily I had an old Paul Motolite brake lying around. The beauty of this brake is that you can reverse which side the brake noodle is on, which was perfect for this bike.
Unfortunately, we haven't been out for a real ride yet, but the initial driveway review was positive.
The single speeds will go with us on our upcoming trip to Monterey. If they work for us in that setting, and we are happy with only one gear in a travel scenario, we will proceed with having couplers installed by Steve Rex.
Later.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday SS
In the good old days I had every Wednesday off. Now it's every other Wednesday. This was a move instituted by management a couple years ago when the State of California was furloughing us three days per month. The logic was we didn't have enough coverage with all the time off. Now the furloughs are gone, but our old schedules have not returned. Funny how that works.
After enduring my telework shift today, I made it out for a quick ride. Once again I took the single speed. Even though the route I chose was mostly road, there is enough dirt to make it OK.
The ride was only 15 miles, but with 1200 feet of climbing—enough to max my heart rate a number of times.
The last couple of rides have been on the Cozumel Project bike. I am trying to perfect the positioning and dial it in so I can decide if it's worthy of becoming the travel bike. Here's how it looked today:
Changes include a longer fork to get the bars higher, wider bars and a shorter stem. It feels OK, but the bars could be a touch higher. I really wonder if I should try to find a larger frame.
Later.
After enduring my telework shift today, I made it out for a quick ride. Once again I took the single speed. Even though the route I chose was mostly road, there is enough dirt to make it OK.
The ride was only 15 miles, but with 1200 feet of climbing—enough to max my heart rate a number of times.
The last couple of rides have been on the Cozumel Project bike. I am trying to perfect the positioning and dial it in so I can decide if it's worthy of becoming the travel bike. Here's how it looked today:
Changes include a longer fork to get the bars higher, wider bars and a shorter stem. It feels OK, but the bars could be a touch higher. I really wonder if I should try to find a larger frame.
Later.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Cozumel Project
Recently I bought this bike for a mere $200 from a guy on Craigslist.
Why Would I buy a cheap steel single speed with 26-inch wheels? Simple. I'm going to cut it in half.
Jennifer and I are going to Cozumel, Mexico early next year, and we thought it would be cool to ride around the island for a week. We decided to hunt for some cheap bikes that we could have S&S Couplings installed on.
If you are not familiar with the couplers, they look like this:
When installed on a bike, they allow you to break it in half for travel.
The whole bike fits in a regulation suitcase, so there is no extra charge for an over sized piece of luggage.
Since the high point of the island is a whole 49 feet above sea level, we figure single speeds will work just fine. And the simplicity of the single speed helps ensure we have a trouble-free bike in a foreign country.
So with my bike purchased, I am on the hunt for something similar but smaller for Jen.
We're going to Mexico!
I'll post updates of the process as they happen.
Later.
Why Would I buy a cheap steel single speed with 26-inch wheels? Simple. I'm going to cut it in half.
Jennifer and I are going to Cozumel, Mexico early next year, and we thought it would be cool to ride around the island for a week. We decided to hunt for some cheap bikes that we could have S&S Couplings installed on.
If you are not familiar with the couplers, they look like this:
When installed on a bike, they allow you to break it in half for travel.
The whole bike fits in a regulation suitcase, so there is no extra charge for an over sized piece of luggage.
Since the high point of the island is a whole 49 feet above sea level, we figure single speeds will work just fine. And the simplicity of the single speed helps ensure we have a trouble-free bike in a foreign country.
So with my bike purchased, I am on the hunt for something similar but smaller for Jen.
We're going to Mexico!
I'll post updates of the process as they happen.
Later.
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