Hi Throsteno,
Thank you- I appreciate that.

The EBB is fixed by 2 set screws, not a clamp.

The rims are DTSwiss X470. Apparently they changed their stick-on logo- these (logos) look different than my other set.
Cheers,
J

What makes it look slightly 'off' is the fender mounts, if they were mounted horizontally it would have looked just that tiny bit cleaner.

Oh and Doohickie, I subbed to your new blog :D

It's all good. I was going to say something like, "Do I look like the kind of guy that can afford Banjo Brothers?" but after checking their prices... yes I am; their prices are very reasonable. They're larger under seat bag costs roughly the same as what I paid for this old Schwinn thing.

Paul,

Check out Alan's blog.....www.ecovelo.info

He did a write up on the bike yesterday I think.

Yup. That crate is gone now. It wasn't sturdy enough and too big. I would like something slightly smaller and stiffer. But since this bike will get overhauled when my Big Dummy goes into service I don't want to do anything now. Ideally, I'd like to find a used Topeak rackpack with a locking mechanism that's compatible with the rear rack and hack that mechanism onto a basket to make it easily removable.

The commuter will get all new cables (compressionless Nokon brake cables and sealed Gore derailleur cables), 180mm rotors and metallic pads, new RD, new cassette, crankset and chain and maybe a DIY lighting kit like the one you have. Then it might get a proper basket too. It'll be my backup bike.

This bike evolved kind of organically over time with function and comfort as top priorities. I was making changes to it gradually as I saw a need. It may not be pretty (although, like you, I like the way it looks!) but it's reliable, strong, it handles great, can haul lots of stuff and is certainly visible :D I can do 40+ mile rides on it comfortably too. I may even swap the frame for the Troll frame if I have the money. The current frame is too small.

Oh, and my Stem Captain clock arrived yesterday:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/2011/02/15/cockpit.jpg

COOOOL! I've been wanting the thermometer one for a while now, just so I can brag to my buddies exactly how cold it was outside!

Major cool points!

I just looked up the captain stem cap, never thought I would have stem cap envy. That is the coolest, and there is a LBS in town that carries them.

I love it. I'm brainstorming how to get their thermometer somewhere there too :D BTW, they have them with a white face too, if you'd prefer and gold, blue and red case colors. I ordered mine directly from them. I got two, one for my Big Dummy too!

Here is a better picture:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/2011/02/15/01.jpg

This is my bike for when I need to ride the train during peak hours, and can't take my good commuter on board. Its a pink/green Kent Avalanche!

http://c0013649.cdn1.cloudfiles.rack...com/x2_49fb18e

How does that little clock secure into the steerer? Do you have to remove the top cap completely? I'd like to get one myself, but I'm wondering how the headset doesn't work loose (I've got a rental MTB at the moment whose stem simply will not stay straight; it needs the top cap to keep the fork in place).

It replaces the top cap with a taller, hollow one, and the clock (or compass, thermometer, etc.) fits into it and is held in place with an o-ring.

Ah, ok -- got it. I think I'll send the link to my wife. :thumb:

Like Funky said: it has two parts: a hollow stem cap with raised sides and the clock itself. Remove the existing cap. Using the existing bolt mount the Stem Captain cap then just insert (press in) the clock into the cap. The clock has this grippy, soft rubberband around it that hold it securely in place.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/2011/02/15/04.jpg

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/2011/02/15/05.jpg

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/2011/02/15/06.jpg

That's so cool

BTW, the cap doesn't really hold anything in place. Many caps are just plastic. It's how you do this right. First, keep the stem loose, rest the bike on the floor make sure all the headset parts, spacers, etc come in place properly then tighten the cap just enough to pull everything together. Then tighten the stem bolts. It's the stem that actually holds the fork and headset in place. Once you tighten the stem you can remove the cap, it doesn't do anything any more.

Oh, and the steerer tube can't protrude over the stem. There needs to be at least 2-3 mm but not more than 5mm between the end of the steerer tbe and the edge of the stem clamp so the re is enough room to pull up any slack when you tighten the cap.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/...fb3ce116f2.jpg
fuji lomo by Flsimages, on Flickr

laundry day

The big box store bike that I got 4 years ago as a stop gap, bought it from a friend who had only riden it a couple of times.

Its still going strong after all this time, its only had 1 new wheel and that was after a meeting with a rather large pothole.

It normally sports panniers rather than the handlebar bag put this was taken on a short ride this morning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36342454@N02/5450296575/http://www.flickr.com/photos/36342454@N02/5450296279/http://www.flickr.com/photos/36342454@N02/5450296279/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36342454@N02/5450296575/

(it wont allow me to put the photos in for some reason)

Only things that I have changed/added for the commute are the tyres Schwalbe City Jets, Rack, and bar ends. For what it is it rides nice but I have been looking for another bike for the weekends and fun rides.

Oh, I know; finally did my first ground-up build last year. Im saying that the stem on the POS rental bike I've got (although not the worst that anybody's seen on BF, according to a thread I started last week) won't stay secure enough to keep itself pointed straight, at least not without cranking down the stem bolts hard enough to strip the threads. I figure that if it can be turned sideways, it can also be pushed upwards. The only thing truly keeping it all together is the top cap, and it's adding just enough pressure to keep the stem from getting knocked out of alignment.

Besides, on the roadie with its carbon steerer tube, I'd rather have the cap taking the brunt of the load and not clamp the stem any tighter than it needs to be.

If you're going to keep the bike for a while you might consider a shim, no? I'd be afraid to ride with an insecure stem :eek: Ah, I'm carbon-free, I wouldn't know :D I never caught on to the carbon craze. I had a carbon bike once, didn't like it, but I think the steerer tube was still aluminum.

Rode home in the freezing rain today. I dislike riding in the rain, but I did get to test out the rain cover on my new Topeak trunk bag:

http://i.imgur.com/oIEysl.jpg

On the way home I spotted a unicycle commuter coming the other way. He was riding on the sidewalk, which must take some mad skills since the majority of the sidewalks around here are covered in an uneven layer of frozen, rutted snow. He gave me a nod on the way by, but all I gave him was a slack-jawed look of disbelief. I wonder if he was running a studded tire.

Finally took a pic in commuter mode
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...0217110729.jpg

The only thing I take to work is a thumb drive and I don't have to change clothes. Makes for a low hassle commute.

http://bobbeasley.com/trek23.jpg

But now we can't see that fly rack of yours.

Finished operation summer bomber, thanks for the pedal Monsterpile they are great
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/100_0284.jpg

Fizzaly that bike looks fantastic and its not just the pedals. LOL