Hi all!
Still working with the tires, but I think I've got myself a bulletproof combo now. I had a rim-induced flat from the remaining Denali wheel last week. Concluded that the problem was due to my lack of high pressure rim tape (remembering that the original tires were only to be inflated up to 80 psi). Replaced tape with cloth medical tape, problem solved! No more flats.
And for that matter, no pinch flats either. I unintentionally gave my tires a ride of hell last night riding over limbs, potholes, and just about every obstacle in the road because my lights weren't charged and I couldn't see. Not only did I not get a pinch flat, but both of my rims are perfectly in true. Trust me when I say I hit some HUGE holes and debris. Both the stock Denali rim and the replacement rear Weinmann rim are very tough, as are my tires and the original Kenda tubes that my bike came with.
1163 miles now, no problems. Except for the rim flat mentioned earlier, which was due to an error on my part. I'm used to the vibrations now and the bike rides really nice with the 23c tires.
But, I have an update on another front. The Denali now has a stablemate!
The amusing part of it is, it's also a department store bike, but a vintage one. And, like the Denali, also one of above average quality for department store selections of the time. Allow me to introduce my 100% steel, lugged frame (looks like an exact copy of a Reynolds 531 frame although I don't believe it to be one) Free Spirit Sovereign 12 speed road bike with a three piece cottered crankset and 27" wheels initially sold at Sears in the early 1980s:
As you can see, she's still missing a few parts. I'm waiting on brown leather-like bar tape and a new set of downtube shifters to install and make this bike completely functional, but it's almost there.
About a week ago I rescued this bike from the side of a road where the owner had left it propped up on display, I'm guessing in hopes that someone would come along and restore it. I happily obliged. When I picked it up, it was a rusty, seized mess. It's no longer rusty nor seized. I managed to save almost all of the original parts, including both derailleurs, the crankset, wheels, tires, tubes, and even the chain. The only component that was really a write off were the shifters, as one lever was snapped in two. Cables and housings were also replaced. I also replaced the original pedals because they would have been too time consuming to remove the rust from, and the seat because it made rude noises when sat on.
Interestingly, the seat you see pictured is the original Denali road seat from the bike this thread was originally made for. I've developed a liking for that seat, it's actually a decent stitched leather (or more likely pleather) seat that provides decent padding and support, and is actually very visually pleasing. I think part of the original problem I had with the seat stems from my complete unfamiliarity with any decent bike seat, and perhaps the extra 60 pounds of fat-ass I was carrying at the time. I don't think I'll be putting it back on the Denali because I've gotten that bike so perfectly adjusted that I don't want to mess with it. But it will serve my new old bike very well.
If you want to read the full story on the restoration of my vintage steel road bike, including before and after detail photos, you can find it here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hat-have-I-got
The thread is still in progress. I will be updating it again when I finish getting my parts, but I don't intend to do any kind of ride report thread there as I don't think I need more than one of those.
I'm sorry to say that the cold months are fast approaching, and with it and the acquisition of this new road bike it's likely that the Denali will start seeing fewer and fewer miles until the warmer months come back. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with it, but it lacks a chaingaurd and I've already noticed some stains on my ankles the times I've had to wear long pants to keep warm. Plus, I've developed sort of an inclination towards having seasonal bikes. To me, the Denali feels like my fast summer bike, when I push myself and attain speeds I couldn't before. I love flying around on that bike.
The Sovereign, on the short test rides I've taken it on, has a completely different character. It's freakishly smooth, and comfortable. It's also more laid back in the way it feels to the rider. I don't feel the need to push the envelope, even though the capability is there. It seems more adept to simply encourage me to sit back and enjoy the ride wherever it may take me.
That being said, I enjoy both bikes too much to simply put one away completely for an entire season. I'm sure I'll be riding the Denali plenty during the winter, and the Sovereign plenty as well during the summer. But you can bet when I need a bike for a fast ride that will be pushing my limits I'll be calling on the Denali, and when I need a bike to keep me comfortable when the world around is anything but I will be depending on the Sovereign.
Since this thread has become more "Boro's Bike Blog" than anything else, I'll likely be keeping tabs here on the Sovereign as well as the Denali. I'm sure both will be seeing many miles.
My ramblings for today!
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