A short video from our ride this past Sunday.
You're welcome.
Later.
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Bicicleta Gorda Anaranjada
I starting building up the new Pugsley this morning. Unlike the old one, this one actually looks like a mountain bike.
Compared to my old medium Pugs, this new large frame has a shorter seat tube, longer top tube and longer head tube—all good things.
The handlebars are just a placeholder for now. I haven't decided what to use, but it may well be another pair of Jones bars.
The rear end takes either a 135mm QR (currently, with Surly adapter washers) or 142mm thru axle. I am happy to have a DT Swiss 350 hub in back so I can easily convert it to a 142mm thru axle with new end caps. This will make wheel removal much easier, which has historically been a huge hassle on Surly bikes with newer Shimano derailleurs.
Speaking of Shimano, I have not decided how to approach the drivetrain. I have an XT 11-speed setup ready to go, but an 11-42 is lacking gear range for a fat bike. You can put a tiny chainring on the front to compensate, but then obviously lose some high end. This bike will eventually have another wheelset built for it so I can use it on vacation like I did with the old Pugs. A 32-tooth chainring is the smallest I want. So maybe Sram Eagle is the way to go.
Later.
Compared to my old medium Pugs, this new large frame has a shorter seat tube, longer top tube and longer head tube—all good things.
The handlebars are just a placeholder for now. I haven't decided what to use, but it may well be another pair of Jones bars.
The rear end takes either a 135mm QR (currently, with Surly adapter washers) or 142mm thru axle. I am happy to have a DT Swiss 350 hub in back so I can easily convert it to a 142mm thru axle with new end caps. This will make wheel removal much easier, which has historically been a huge hassle on Surly bikes with newer Shimano derailleurs.
Speaking of Shimano, I have not decided how to approach the drivetrain. I have an XT 11-speed setup ready to go, but an 11-42 is lacking gear range for a fat bike. You can put a tiny chainring on the front to compensate, but then obviously lose some high end. This bike will eventually have another wheelset built for it so I can use it on vacation like I did with the old Pugs. A 32-tooth chainring is the smallest I want. So maybe Sram Eagle is the way to go.
Later.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
New Pugs
I just ordered a new Pugs frame. As I mentioned before, I kept the offset fat wheels and tires from the old one, so it won't take much to build up. I bought it for 25% off, which is nice.
The new model addresses the issues I didn't like about the old one. I moved up to a size large from the previous medium (they shortened seat tube lengths), so I will feel much less cramped. Should be fun.
Later.
The new model addresses the issues I didn't like about the old one. I moved up to a size large from the previous medium (they shortened seat tube lengths), so I will feel much less cramped. Should be fun.
Later.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thinning
The Pugs is gone.
I probably hadn't used it in fat bike mode since Roger and I rode on the beach in Monterey, and that was Christmas of 2017. I enjoy riding a fat bike in certain situations, but this particular bike wasn't my favorite. The geometry is weird and outdated.
I substituted a bunch of parts I wanted to be rid of, so there wasn't anything on the bike I was in love with—narrow bars, long stem, 10-speed drivetrain, torn seat, creaky seatpost, heavy tires, really old brakes.
I kept the most expensive part of the bike, the 26x4 wheels and tires, so there is still the possibility that I build a new bike. I am looking at the new Pugsley numbers in an effort to determine if they corrected the things I hated about the old one.
Later.
I probably hadn't used it in fat bike mode since Roger and I rode on the beach in Monterey, and that was Christmas of 2017. I enjoy riding a fat bike in certain situations, but this particular bike wasn't my favorite. The geometry is weird and outdated.
I substituted a bunch of parts I wanted to be rid of, so there wasn't anything on the bike I was in love with—narrow bars, long stem, 10-speed drivetrain, torn seat, creaky seatpost, heavy tires, really old brakes.
I kept the most expensive part of the bike, the 26x4 wheels and tires, so there is still the possibility that I build a new bike. I am looking at the new Pugsley numbers in an effort to determine if they corrected the things I hated about the old one.
Later.
Friday, April 03, 2020
Spacing Out
The purchase of the Jones created a situation where there was one more bike in the garage than hooks to hang them on. A huge problem, I know. I sold the Casseroll and the world is back in sync again.
I had actually been trying to sell the Salsa since last August, long before purchasing the Jones even entered my mind.
I bought the Casseroll new in 2009 as a single speed on clearance for $735. I unloaded some of the parts on eBay for about $250 and felt pretty good about it.
The only original parts left when I sold the bike were the frame, fork and brakes. It was built with mostly Dura Ace 9-speed parts originating in the last century. I sold it for $550. It was a good bike, but I saw an opportunity to unload a very old parts set and clear some needed space. The current gravel bike also made it redundant.
Later.
I had actually been trying to sell the Salsa since last August, long before purchasing the Jones even entered my mind.
I bought the Casseroll new in 2009 as a single speed on clearance for $735. I unloaded some of the parts on eBay for about $250 and felt pretty good about it.
The only original parts left when I sold the bike were the frame, fork and brakes. It was built with mostly Dura Ace 9-speed parts originating in the last century. I sold it for $550. It was a good bike, but I saw an opportunity to unload a very old parts set and clear some needed space. The current gravel bike also made it redundant.
Later.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Dirt Bag
In olden times I carried everything I needed for a ride (spare tube, tools, food) in the back pockets of my jersey. These days I wear mountain bike clothing which is generally pocket free, so I use various bags.
My favorite up to this point has been a "gas tank" type of bag. Unfortunately, the Jones truss fork design puts a pinch bolt right at a bag attachment point. It works, but that bolt grinding back and forth as you turn would make short work of the bag.
I picked up this Surly bag which fits in the loop of the Jones bar.
We'll see how it works.
Later.
My favorite up to this point has been a "gas tank" type of bag. Unfortunately, the Jones truss fork design puts a pinch bolt right at a bag attachment point. It works, but that bolt grinding back and forth as you turn would make short work of the bag.
I picked up this Surly bag which fits in the loop of the Jones bar.
We'll see how it works.
Later.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Finished
I finally finished the bike. Like with any build, there are always things you overlook—a disc brake adapter, cable housing, 32 mm seat clamp—and have to order.
For the most part everything went smoothly. Time to ride.
Later.
For the most part everything went smoothly. Time to ride.
Later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)