Fifty Plus (50+) - Old Guys Bike Project

Entry 1 - Start

I’ve started a project to build a bike. It is nothing special, a used 1999
Cannondale R800 frame and carbon fork from ebay. Probably paid too much,
but liked the color. My reason to build is to understand better how todays
bikes go together and to make something that fits my idea of what I want to
ride. I also like to wrench but I’m tired of working on my car. I have some
ability as a back yard auto mechanic and formal training by the USMC as a
helicopter mechanic. As a result I have many tools. I’m presenting my project
here with the 50 plus forum as that is where I hang out. Not expecting to get
into too much of the mechanics; although you all can offer your 2 cents, should
you seem compelled.

The bike will be thrown together with lots of Nashbar parts. I’m using the
Nashbar compact double crank and a Nashbar extra high stem. I will be
building with a flat bar and picked up new Deore shifters/brake levers on ebay.
Got a long cage (whatever that means) Deore rear deraileur, suitable for the
11t x 34t cassette I ordered. So will have lots of gear range. Wheels are
currently Alex 450, my extra set from my Trek 1000. I’m at 255 lbs, so will be
staying with 36 spokes for awhile. I did want to fit 28m tyres to hopefully
permit some riding on packed trails, although I prefer roads.

My immediate problem is a name for what I’m building, and I believe you guys
and gals may have a suggestion, FUBAR is not acceptable. I thought of
R800GT, but GT is so cliché. Maybe Yellow Jacket, taking in account the color,
although that doesn’t strike my fancy as I’ve been stung by them too often.
Attach starting photo, missing parts on order. Brakes I’m still trying to snag a
pair at ebay.

It's not ready for a name yet...... When it's ready, you'll know the name.

It's not ready for a name yet...... When it's ready, you'll know the name.
All true, but that won't stop us from jumping all over a naming contest in here...:)

Yellow Jacket.

;)

Cheeze Whizzzzzz:)

"Maillot" something...

Entry - 27 Aug 2006

Introduction and parts picture out of the way, now time to do some work. I
received frame a few weeks ago, very fast shipment. I of course did no
research before buying, I liked the color and it was a Cannondale. Initially
disappointed with a 1 inch treaded steerer, but got over that. But I was set
back when I realized frame had downtube friction shifters, I wanted flat bar
mounted index shifting. The problem was downtube had no cable stops for
index shifting cables. Thanks to Bike Forum, I searched the problem and found
a solution, picture attached. These cable stops attach to friction shifter
mounting studs, so they are installed. Next up is to install the Nashbar
headset. I read no directions. Set parts in proper place, manage to catch some
threads on steerer tube and crank everything together with ratchet and proper
socket. Directions refer to a special tool...O well, maybe next time. Bottom
Bracket is next, but believe I’ll read directions for that, installation is not so
obvious.

"Maillot" something...
Maillot Whizz?

My favorite color scheme, so I know I'm gonna like it.

"Hand-number"
Whatever blows your skirt up if you don't like drop bars, but at least give some thought to getting a bar that sweeps back enough to put your wrists in a natural position. Maybe something like these:

I did want to fit 28m tyres to hopefully
permit some riding on packed trails, although I prefer roads.

Looking at your pic, those tires look very close to the rear brake bridge. On many bikes 25 is about as large as you can go. Depends of course on the tire manufacturer's sizing as well.

I just checked that since you mentioned. Looks like lots of room at break bridge, but not so much at BB. A true 28m should clear. Current wheel/tyre is 25m and clears even with the bend in it. (broke spoke). This is one of those surprises I got a few months ago. Thought within the same brand, Shimano, all things were interchangeable. Thought I'd install back wheel from 7200 hybrid onto trek 1000 to try out the 11 x 34 cassette. Wrong. No room for 35m tyre and to my surprise the Sora deraileur will not feed a 34t cog. Never knew DE's had gear diameter limits.

"Hand-number"
Whatever blows your skirt up if you don't like drop bars, but at least give some thought to getting a bar that sweeps back enough to put your wrists in a natural position. Maybe something like these:

I will give that some thought. Everything I have is now flat bar, but even with bars ends I do find myself around 20 plus miles looking for another place to put hands. If only I could balance well enough to ride with no hands. Don't know if it's age or weight that has reduced ability to balance.

the "Golden Cannon"...:D

That looks like a pretty sweet frame and setup. I know it will be a special bike when it's all said and done. The best way to learn is to roll up your sleeves and dig in......You have certainly done that with this one but that's terrific that you have the ability to sort things out. Good luck with the build!!

Impressive project; one worthy of taking on. As a possible name, might I suggest "Old Yeller"?

Being yellow and an over 50 bike. you could call it "Xanax"

"Old Yeller"

"Old Yeller"


ding! ding! ding!

Whatever you name it, enjoy building it and riding it. Having built and restored a few, I can't imagine ever being satisfied with a pre-built bike again.

How about "My Cannondale" A bike that pretty doesn't need an introduction.

I'm riding a 2003 R800 now, and IT IS A BIT UNSTABLE with no hands. I can do it, but only if cranking at high speed.

But I'm also over 50+. humm.

OLD YELLOW, love it!

The names are getting better. Golden Cannon, maybe yellow cannon or banana cannon. Old yeller, I don't know. For me bike isn't old. maybe Mellow Yellow. Actually I'm stuck with banana.
Maybe Cycle Banana. ByBanana. Bad Banana :D

Entry 28 Aug 2006

Directions with bottom bracket were useless. Said in part "to grease crank bolts. Installing a BB is a specilized job, take to LBS." Went online and got some tips. Established the flange goes on crank side, and what stumped me a bit, the threads on left side of BB appeared attached to BB case, couldn't figue how I was gonna thread this monster in. But discovered they come off with a firm twist and pull. The online directions referred to these threads as a lock ring. One heck of a fat ring. So now that I was feeding parts with threads in from both sides, it made more sense. Online tips suggested plumbers teflon tape on threads, and so it was done. Have enough experience to know I must be careful with fine aluminum threads, less I cross thread and ruin everything. But must say here, putting new parts together is a whole lot easier then taking apart old parts. Could actually hand thread in BB 3 or 4 turns. Anyway bolted on crank with the greased bolts, torqued to one elbow click. Decided to install stem and the flat bar I have. Mounted seat and wheels, so it actually looks like a bike. Rear cassette and chain still on order. Looking at bike I definately have to get black brake calipers. And probably other all black pedals. "Darth Yello" Now those little silver cable stops are gonna bother me.

Another surprise. Existing Trek 1000, size 56cm, son in law says it looks too small for me. I have short legs so went for stand over height. Trek is 31 1/4 inchs. With Cannondale thought I'd try one size bigger and got a 58cm. Stand over height on Cannon is 32 3/4 inch. It would appear between manufactures there is significant differences between size dimensions. I may have to ride bike with 1/2 inch shoe lifts.

Lady Finger (as in bananas)? Jaundice? Radiant? Hi watt? Eyecatcher? Saffron? Curious (Notorious '70s Swedish film "I am curious...Yellow")

that's my lot!

How 'bout the "Golden Mean"?

Entry 5 Sept 2006

Project pushed aside while I prepared house for Ernesto tropical storm, cut
grass and actually rode other bike before rain. Was not too impressed with
Nashbar cassette, looked like it belonged on a Wal-Mart bike, also weighed
significantly more then the SRAM cassette I replaced. But it was only $20. I’ll
ride the 11 x 32 to see if that’s what I want, maybe will go back to 12 x 26.
Had purchased special socket to remove cassette lock ring. NOTE: Real bike
mechs do not read next line. To hold the cassette I went without the special
chain holding tool and just wrapped a rag over cassette teeth and held with
water pump pliers. Water pump pliers work so well on so many things, a real
must tool.

Took another break and checked other names for Yellow jackets, and looked
up names of war planes and choppers. Currently leaning toward Hornet for
project name. Or more properly Cannondale R800 Hornet.

Back to work. Mounted shifters and brake units, mounted derailleurs, ran
derailleur cables, shoved on bar grips, using dish washing fluid as lube to slide
them on. Bolted on bar ends, then bolted on a typical wire bottle cage, but
cage just didn’t look right. Found a carbon cage on ebay, should provide a
little bling. Although may lose that bling when I put in my Propel water bottle.
The Propel water wasn’t that good, but the bottle at 27+ oz.. is great. While
at ebay, finally just used a Buy it Now and got the Black Shimano 105 brake
calipers. I’m getting ready to ride this bike and still have no brakes. Finished
the night with placing a new chain and trying to adjust derailleurs with no
knowledge of what I was doing. Finally gave up, put bike aside and will read
directions. The Hornet is looking good.

After taking attached pic, I just had to test ride. About 50 feet into ride I went for brakes.
So ride was short, not good dragging feet. Discovered double FD will respond to 3rd shift
and shifted chain onto crank arm. Will have to fix that. With directions in hand I'm back
to adjusting RD.

Yellow Menace.

;)

Very nice bike, BTW.

Velo-yellow

Entry - 15 Sept 2006

New Shimano 105 brake calipers arrived on the 11th, and were installed that
night. Also attached bottle cage and re-adjusted derailleurs. I can’t seem to
get access to all nine cogs, so for now I have eight speeds, starting with a 12
cog. Installed smaller, sleeker Bontrager Sport Saddle for pictures, but don’t
believe I can ride on that small butt pad. On 13th, I drilled and tapped stem
to install small piece of flat bar I previously cut off to narrow the flat bar to
520mm width. This is to be my custom mount for the very basic Cateye Velo 5.
This completes my project for now. I did not saved any money. Spent $ 743
for everything. Twice what the used 2004 Trek 1000 cost me. I did learned a
few things. I would like to take the Trek 1000 and Cannon R800 to my favorite
riding venue for a shake down ride on the Cannondale and a direct ride
comparison to the Trek. Unfortunately it’s been raining here for 2 days.

Well, it looks good (even with those crazy bars!)

Did you mean that you can't get to the largest cog at all or that you have chain rub when you do?

"Banana *****"

I put an 11 x 32 cassette on. The guide pully doesn't appear to come out from wheel enough to feed chain onto the 11 cog. I have the 12 to biggest 32 cog. I'm thinking a washer between derailleur and hanger will move DE out and therefore the guide pully out. Actually wasn't too concerned about losing the 11 cog. If I find no advantage with a 32 big cog and the 34 small ring, I may go back to the original 8 sp 11 x 26 cassette.

O' and it does remind me of a banana.

How about the Golden Hind.



Well, it worked for Sir Francis Drake. (in heraldry, a 'hind' is a doe). A golden deer should be fast. The ship certainly had a fair number of cannons as well.


The Golden_Hind (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/64/Goldenhindatbrixham.JPG

Well, you saved me. I am NOT going to build a bike anytime soon.:o

I think "CrossChain" would be a nice name.

I am no real authority on the subject of bike names other than to say I don't ride with people who don't name their bikes. I mean, you need to take this naming business serious or people will talk about you later and ask "who would put that kind of moniker on a bike"?

That said, naming a bike is not like naming a child. Its relatively easy to name kids. I know. I have four of them. Besides, they won't let you have a birth certificate until you name the child.

But a bike....ah....a bike acquires its own name depending upon how the rider (not the builder, which is what you currently are) feels about the bike. Just look at how you felt about the bike during the build process. If you pour your feelings out at this time it could have a name such as "Bloody Knuckles", "Brakeless Wonder", or "One Cog Short".

Like fine wine, your feelings for the bike will mature over time. Of course you may wind up calling it the "Yellow %#@*&&%$" but here's wishing for your bike a more affectionate name.

Good luck.

Entry - 3 Oct 2006

Well there has been lots of rain in September, then I was without car after
smashing my car on way to Shoo Fly Classic bike ride. Next year will be my
third attempt to make the Shoo Fly, hopefully that will happen. I did manage
93 miles in 4 rides on the “Cheese Cannon” before I snapped another spoke and
put rear wheel so far out of true I’m dragging both sides of rim on brake
calipers. And yes, “Cheese Cannon” seems to fit. It’s yellow and I love
cheese. Name just rolls off the tongue. I’ll give partial credit to DG, as he
suggested Cheese Wiz... As to ride, well I set it up like my Trek 1000, with flat
bar, and the same wheels. So I guess it’s no surprise I can’t detect any
difference. I’m able to ride my entire route thru the Oley Valley with the 50t big
ring on front and just shifting the rear. Also not needing the 32 teeth big cog.
So I’ll be putting the 12 x 26 cassette back on rear wheel. Maybe I’ll get some
use from the small ring. Next project is to build a front wheel.

congrats on getting this baby built & on the road: Cheese Cannon rides again!

Still remember that photo of your car's front end 'bent' on way to Shoo Fly Classic.

And yes, “Cheese Cannon” seems to fit. It’s yellow and I love
cheese. Name just rolls off the tongue. I’ll give partial credit to DG, as he
suggested Cheese Wiz... .

Well there you go. In reference to my earlier post...the bicycle names itself over time.

Last Entry - 18 Feb 2007

I'm digging up my original thread to announce the Cheese Cannon is gone. There really wasn't much of a difference I could detect between the Cheese Cannon and the Trek 1000. I put all of 291 miles on him/her till I was drawn to the entry level Specialized Roubaix frame for sale at ebay by Kwok Ki Pang at Tiawon. If I can believe the sales hype, the sloped top tube frame should be more comfortable for me to ride. It does have carbon seat stays which will hopefully dampen the vibrations the all aluminum Cannondale frame transmitted into my butt. The Cheese Cannon gave up brakes, cranks, wheels, shifters and parts to tie them all together. My Trek 1000 was refitted with it's stock aluminum fork and the Easton EC30 carbon fork was modified to fit the integrated head set on the new bike. Didn't really want to ride an all black stealth bike, so had some decals made up to name bike after my email handle, Bierhaus. And since I may build another bike someday, I chose a model name of Bertolette. That does build on the French tie in of the Roubaix name and also is one of the roads I ride on: Bertolet Mill Road. I used the alternate more Frenchie spelling. This coming week some decent weather arrives, so will take a proper ride. I took some pics but it appears black bike on sunny day with snow back ground is not a good choice.