DogBoy
I've been going through a series of commuting, going past the store, having a realization that I needed something, and picking it up after going home, coming back with the trailer etc. I decided it was time to go xtra, so I could have the capacity to add a gallon of milk or ice and bread etc. anytime I'm out.
Total cost was $450 incl tax for the free-radical kit, plus the extra chain and housing I had to buy because I cut the first one too short. I also used the derailleur housing for the brake, so I ended up having to buy housing for both the brake and derailleur cable.
Anyway, I got the kit, put the bike in the stand and went to work. Not counting time going to the bike store and back, it took me about 3 hours to get everything the way I want it.
Here are some pictures. They are not works of art like some of the ones I've seen on here, but they show what I've done.
Here are some highlights:
Pic 1: view of the finished product.
Pic 2: close-up of my lock carrier. This is a length of PVC pipe painted black and zip-tied/velcroed to the bike.
Pic 3: Here is a close-up of my front fender attachment technique...zip ties. You can also see that I used some old innertube on the v-racks to keep the water out. I can't remember where I read about that, but it might have been here...anyway, whoever it was, good advice. And its not in the instruction booklet.
Pic 4: This is the view from the rear. This represents 4 blinkies, 2 reflective red bits from the bags, and 2 reflective velcro ankle bands. I figure they help me to be seen, and if I ever find I need one, A spare will be on the bike.
Pic 5: This is a really bad shot of my headlight/front reflector set-up. Dinotte 5W spot. Its good enough for me.
Pic 6: My solution to the rearview mirror...mirror is designed for road bars, but taped onto the bar-end with the wide bars I find I can see almost as well as I can on my motorcycle.
Pic 7: This is what I carry in case my CO2 misfires. You can also see my campus style pedals with spd/platform.
Tomorrow is the first commute on the new beast. Wish me luck. I'll be carrying a few extra tools just in case...including the cell phone :)
So, what did I miss in this setup?
Total cost was $450 incl tax for the free-radical kit, plus the extra chain and housing I had to buy because I cut the first one too short. I also used the derailleur housing for the brake, so I ended up having to buy housing for both the brake and derailleur cable.
Anyway, I got the kit, put the bike in the stand and went to work. Not counting time going to the bike store and back, it took me about 3 hours to get everything the way I want it.
Here are some pictures. They are not works of art like some of the ones I've seen on here, but they show what I've done.
Here are some highlights:
Pic 1: view of the finished product.
Pic 2: close-up of my lock carrier. This is a length of PVC pipe painted black and zip-tied/velcroed to the bike.
Pic 3: Here is a close-up of my front fender attachment technique...zip ties. You can also see that I used some old innertube on the v-racks to keep the water out. I can't remember where I read about that, but it might have been here...anyway, whoever it was, good advice. And its not in the instruction booklet.
Pic 4: This is the view from the rear. This represents 4 blinkies, 2 reflective red bits from the bags, and 2 reflective velcro ankle bands. I figure they help me to be seen, and if I ever find I need one, A spare will be on the bike.
Pic 5: This is a really bad shot of my headlight/front reflector set-up. Dinotte 5W spot. Its good enough for me.
Pic 6: My solution to the rearview mirror...mirror is designed for road bars, but taped onto the bar-end with the wide bars I find I can see almost as well as I can on my motorcycle.
Pic 7: This is what I carry in case my CO2 misfires. You can also see my campus style pedals with spd/platform.
Tomorrow is the first commute on the new beast. Wish me luck. I'll be carrying a few extra tools just in case...including the cell phone :)
So, what did I miss in this setup?