Originally Posted by oddjob2

Thanks Bob for all your coordination efforts! It was a grand experience.

Also, a special thanks to Noglider's wife, Carol, for being the special operative for wrapping the gift and keeping Tom in the dark as to origin. Tom, I picked up on more than one thread some reluctance to perform bb/hub overhauls, so maybe you can make jewelry instead out of all the bearings!


Also, thank you again Shoota for the classy Italian Racing Bicycles book!

Happy New Year everyone!

Originally Posted by bikingshearer

Many thanks to the Pastor, and many apologies for the tardy response. My wife has all her mail-order stuff sent to my name at my work address (the home porch is not at all secure and her work won't allow personal deliveries like that - my boss doesn't care), so the box that came from Noglider on the 23rd looked like just another Amazon delivery for the wife. It did not get handed to me until Saturday as we were walking out the door for a weekend family obligation.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying I am an idiot. This should not be a surprise.

Once I finally dug into the box, I discovered a great underseat bag - photos will follow soon. Noglider must have noticed that my current collection of such bags are all Riv banana bags or copies thereof. They are great, but they do hold (and tempt me to carry) a whoooooole lot o' stuff - I have been teased about riding with a "steamer trunk." This one caries a goodly amount without the excess space I don't really need on most rides, and is smartly designed. Many thanks, noglider. Excellent call.

Originally Posted by noglider

I get the hint. I'll be repacking some bearings this winter and spring. I am, as you know, overdue. I used to love to do it. I guess I've just done it enough.

And thank you for the gear.

Originally Posted by noglider

I think replacing bearings is highly overrated. Sometimes things happen like Merkel's story, but as Dane says, it's a judgment call, and you're qualified to make it. I rarely repack my bearings, and keeping them adjusted properly means I can tell if I'm damaging them.

I once took a three month tour and added oil to my hubs and BB periodically. It's a decent strategy if you're prepared to continue to practice it.

Originally Posted by Stevensb

Thanks to B Dub for the excellent and thoughtful gifts! Campy crank dustcaps, Cinelli stem and bar tape will all be put to good use this year. Please excuse the cell phone photo.

Brad