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06-16-07, 12:02 AM
Well, I knew my Volkscycle conversion's days were numbered due to a poorly brazed headtube lug, but I finally killed it today. I rode a good 15 miles running errands and ****, enjoying the warm weather and generally having a good time. Then I went to the wonderful local bike coop and installed a new bottom bracket next to a sweaty, nasty crackhead, finally fixing my ****ed up chainline (it only took 9 months). As I was riding home enjoying my buttery smooth new BB and chainline, I hit a smallish pothole and I hear "ting Ting TING TING, and the front starts to flex more than normal. I hop off the bike, fearing the worst.
Alas, it was true, the lug had peeled away from the downtube some more, and pushing down on the handlebars produced a creaking sound. I rode the remaining 1/4 mile at walking pace.
It was so sad. To most people, it was just a janky conversion, but it was my first fixed gear, first real bike, first bike I built from the frame up. I rode it nearly every single day, rain or shine, for a year. I guess it's a good excuse to buy a nice new frame (Angus, Steamroller or Rush, maybe another lugged road frame if I come across a nice one), but I just want to ride my old bike.:cry: Now I have to ride my roomate's gary fisher hardtail. Not nearly as fun/efficient/pretty.
It really bummed me out that the final voyage for my trusty steed was such a mundane one instead of some epic ride, and that my frame failed literally 40 minutes after fixing the chainline issues. It was so nice to sprint or backpedal without an ugly grinding noise coming from my drivetrain, and I could feel the improvement in efficiency. Looking at it leaning against the wall after having served me so well and knowing I won't be able to ride it again is making me sad:(
R.I.P.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/mrgerbik/P3191556.jpg
Alas, it was true, the lug had peeled away from the downtube some more, and pushing down on the handlebars produced a creaking sound. I rode the remaining 1/4 mile at walking pace.
It was so sad. To most people, it was just a janky conversion, but it was my first fixed gear, first real bike, first bike I built from the frame up. I rode it nearly every single day, rain or shine, for a year. I guess it's a good excuse to buy a nice new frame (Angus, Steamroller or Rush, maybe another lugged road frame if I come across a nice one), but I just want to ride my old bike.:cry: Now I have to ride my roomate's gary fisher hardtail. Not nearly as fun/efficient/pretty.
It really bummed me out that the final voyage for my trusty steed was such a mundane one instead of some epic ride, and that my frame failed literally 40 minutes after fixing the chainline issues. It was so nice to sprint or backpedal without an ugly grinding noise coming from my drivetrain, and I could feel the improvement in efficiency. Looking at it leaning against the wall after having served me so well and knowing I won't be able to ride it again is making me sad:(
R.I.P.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/mrgerbik/P3191556.jpg