General Cycling Discussion - Ahhhh, my baby is back.

Just before X-mas I took my bike into the shop to have the yearly maintenance and overall done. While I was there, I asked the mechanic about a crack I saw on the bottom bracket. I thought it was just a crack in the paint, but he informed me it was actually a crack in the frame. Luckily, it was still under warranty, so they would get it replaced and do the major maintenance on it while they had it all apart. They also had to replace the bottom bracket.

I quickly found out I was also able to pick a new color for the new frame, which was kinda cool I thought since I'd never been super happy with the color of my old bike. It was supposed to take 2 to 3 weeks to have it all done, but when the frame came in, the manufacturer had sent the wrong sized fork, so they had to send it back and get a new one. Well, I finally got it back on 1/31/04, after having given it to them on 12/23/03.

I can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can finally take it out. All told I got a new frame, new bottom bracket, new headset, and a new fork... all for the cost of a bottom bracket and yearly maintenance (approx $162).

Here's a pic of the new frame:

Here's the old version for reference:

Love the spanky silver colour. Glad you found the crack in the frame before it got to be a major problem.

Love the spanky silver colour. Glad you found the crack in the frame before it got to be a major problem.

Yeah, I love the new color too. Turned out WAY better than I thought it would. It was kinda hard to pick a color scheme from looking at a brochure.

I'd been getting some odd creaking noises from my bottom bracket area, but never thought much of it since it tended to do that from time to time. I usually just tightened the BB or the lugs in the cranks and that would stop the noise. But when that wasn't fixing the noise, I started to worry. Luckily I noticed the crack and decided to ask about it when I took it into the shop next. I'm just glad I didn't wait longer.

nice! It looks sharp!


I would go nuts if my bike wasn't in my care for more than a week :p

That is the ugliest stem that I have ever seen. Does it double as a radio antenna? If so, I hope that you get good reception because there is no excuse for that monstrosity hanging off your bike.

That is the ugliest stem that I have ever seen. Does it double as a radio antenna? If so, I hope that you get good reception because there is no excuse for that monstrosity hanging off your bike.

:D :D

Don't mind him P. B. Walker, he's just teasing... :)

BTW, since you had to replace the fork, why didn't you just cut it high enough, and add spacers, so you don't have to use a 45 deg. stem?

it seems to me like it is a large-size bike, with an equally tall headtube. I think its possible that the steerer tube IS uncut.

nice! It looks sharp!


I would go nuts if my bike wasn't in my care for more than a week :p


I was having some pretty bad withdrawals. And when the wrong fork came in and they said it would be another 2 weeks, I almost started crying right there in the shop. LOL.

Luckily I had an old mountain bike I could ride in the mean time, which turned out to be a good thing since it's been snowing a lot here. I probably wouldn't have been able to take this bike out anyway.

:D :D

Don't mind him P. B. Walker, he's just teasing... :)

BTW, since you had to replace the fork, why didn't you just cut it high enough, and add spacers, so you don't have to use a 45 deg. stem?


Well I agree, it's is an ugly stem. I had to go to it with the original frame/fork because it was so low for me that I was having back pains and pains in my hands. In fact, I ended up with some nerve damage in my left hand after an 8 hour ride. Since the old fork was cut down, they couldn't make it any taller. They did have this fork extender thing they could add, but the mechanic scoffed at it and suggested I not go that route. So they gave me this steep steep steep stem. I didn't like it, but it fix the problem. They also did some adjustment to my saddle height and position to get me in a more upright position.

Anyway... when I found out they had to get a new fork, I immediately called them back and asked them not to cut it down, but to leave it at it's original length. They did that, and there are spacers on there now. They told me to ride it a few times to see how I like it, and if I think I can lower the handlebars, then I should come back and they will fit it with a less steep stem. It looks like it's been raised at least 1/2 inch with the spacers. I didn't take a measurement before I took it in, so I have no real reference. I do remember that the handlebars were about 3/4 inch lower than the seat and they look to be about even now. So I'm hoping I can go with a lower stem now. Just gotta wait for the snow to go away so I can take it out and see how it feels now.

But you are right... I never liked that stem.

it seems to me like it is a large-size bike, with an equally tall headtube. I think its possible that the steerer tube IS uncut.

I specifically asked about that, and they said they left it uncut.

Just before X-mas I took my bike into the shop to have the yearly maintenance and overall done. While I was there, I asked the mechanic about a crack I saw on the bottom bracket. I thought it was just a crack in the paint, but he informed me it was actually a crack in the frame. Luckily, it was still under warranty, so they would get it replaced and do the major maintenance on it while they had it all apart. They also had to replace the bottom bracket.

I quickly found out I was also able to pick a new color for the new frame, which was kinda cool I thought since I'd never been super happy with the color of my old bike. It was supposed to take 2 to 3 weeks to have it all done, but when the frame came in, the manufacturer had sent the wrong sized fork, so they had to send it back and get a new one. Well, I finally got it back on 1/31/04, after having given it to them on 12/23/03.

I can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can finally take it out. All told I got a new frame, new bottom bracket, new headset, and a new fork... all for the cost of a bottom bracket and yearly maintenance (approx $162).
Here's a pic of the new frame:

Nice bike! What model is it..Tourmalet?

it's a poprad.