Getting back on the old saddle.
10-19-10, 10:53 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Getting back on the old saddle.
8 months without a smoke so I boogied to a few bicycle shops here in the Sac area to see which bike to buy as a reward. I was shopping for a entry level MTN bike to ride the trails along the American river and take photographs. Currently I have a old 85 Nishiki Sport and a 97 Specialized Crossroad, the last new bike I bought. 13 years ago.
Bob's Cycle Center located in Fair Oaks provided great customer service, While at Performance the salesmen left me standing there while they just chit chatted at the check stand.
City Bicycle Works were better but watched me like a hawk while I test rode a few bikes...
Then I went to the closest shop by my home called Elite Bicycles......in Citrus Heights. lot of cool looking bikes...low riders.....fixies.....BMX......AND USED !! And damn good prices!! But I'm a traditioanlist and over 50 now.
Screw it all!!!
I went home and grabbed my old Crossroads and headed back to Elite. And instead of buying a new bike for 300-600 bucks I just picked up a new chain and a sealed bottom bracket along with the 49.99 tune up special. The "Wrench" pointed out on my old hybrid two loose gears on the cassette which is why the chin slipped when I mashed down on the pedals. (I worked on those myself a few years ago. I wonder.....) Heck! That was one of the main reasons I stopped riding that bike. That and it feels like I'm riding up hill even on flats. I'm hopping the new bottom bracket will cure that. Those old ball barrings have to be worn by now. I rode that old crossroads on many a dirt trail over the years and figure with a few budget parts it will be as good as new. I still can work on my own bikes! I just don't know where I put all my bike tools!
Bob's Cycle Center located in Fair Oaks provided great customer service, While at Performance the salesmen left me standing there while they just chit chatted at the check stand.
City Bicycle Works were better but watched me like a hawk while I test rode a few bikes...
Then I went to the closest shop by my home called Elite Bicycles......in Citrus Heights. lot of cool looking bikes...low riders.....fixies.....BMX......AND USED !! And damn good prices!! But I'm a traditioanlist and over 50 now.
Screw it all!!!
I went home and grabbed my old Crossroads and headed back to Elite. And instead of buying a new bike for 300-600 bucks I just picked up a new chain and a sealed bottom bracket along with the 49.99 tune up special. The "Wrench" pointed out on my old hybrid two loose gears on the cassette which is why the chin slipped when I mashed down on the pedals. (I worked on those myself a few years ago. I wonder.....) Heck! That was one of the main reasons I stopped riding that bike. That and it feels like I'm riding up hill even on flats. I'm hopping the new bottom bracket will cure that. Those old ball barrings have to be worn by now. I rode that old crossroads on many a dirt trail over the years and figure with a few budget parts it will be as good as new. I still can work on my own bikes! I just don't know where I put all my bike tools!
10-19-10, 11:18 PM
#2
ES&D
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Once you get your bike sorted out, the ARBT would be a good place for you to re-acquaint yourself with the ol' saddle.
Oh, and you might want to take another look at your sidewalls before you wander too far from the home, too.
Congrats on kicking the cancer stick habit. You are talking about tobacco, right?...
Oh, and you might want to take another look at your sidewalls before you wander too far from the home, too.
Congrats on kicking the cancer stick habit. You are talking about tobacco, right?...
10-20-10, 06:34 AM
#4
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First, congratulations on 8 months without a smoke. Second, congratulations on reintroducing yourself to your old friend.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
10-20-10, 06:39 AM
#5
feros ferio
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Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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Your bikes are not old (see my signature, below)!
To follow the title of your thread, old saddles are best, anyway, just like nicely broken-in shoes. I have put 50k mi / 80k km on my Brooks Pro, and it probably still has at least 20% of its useful life remaining.
To follow the title of your thread, old saddles are best, anyway, just like nicely broken-in shoes. I have put 50k mi / 80k km on my Brooks Pro, and it probably still has at least 20% of its useful life remaining.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
10-20-10, 08:14 AM
#6
Dharma Dog
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With proper care, a traditional cup & cone bottom bracket should last years. The cartridge bb's, in my experience, will start to go loose (or even self-destruct) at around 14,000 km, about 8,500 miles, if you ride in wet Vancouver conditions. Probably longer if you live in Arizona or SouCal.
L.
L.
10-20-10, 10:16 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have a a B17 myself! That's another thing. I have to recondition my butt!
10-20-10, 12:29 PM
#8
Time for a change.
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Nothing wrong with an oldie that is well maintained. Just don't tell the wife that as the C.F. 15lb beastie is just around the corner if you look for it.
Give it a year or so to rediscover the legs and lungs and you will be looking at the Current range of bikes- "Just to see what they are like"
Welcome back.
Give it a year or so to rediscover the legs and lungs and you will be looking at the Current range of bikes- "Just to see what they are like"
Welcome back.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
10-20-10, 01:20 PM
#9
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Just do it. You know you want it. You know you need it.
2011 Specialized Roubaix. Go for it. You deserve it. Life is short. Life on Planet Earth may be wiped out in a week by a rogue (or as MTBers say, rouge) comet or asteroid. It definitely will be wiped out in year 2012. Then you'll never be able to ride a CF bike.
Don't wait.
2011 Specialized Roubaix. Go for it. You deserve it. Life is short. Life on Planet Earth may be wiped out in a week by a rogue (or as MTBers say, rouge) comet or asteroid. It definitely will be wiped out in year 2012. Then you'll never be able to ride a CF bike.
Don't wait.
10-25-10, 07:34 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just picked up the old Beast today. All tuned up and ready to fly........tomorrow.
10-25-10, 07:37 PM
#11
Senior Member
Quitting smoking is the best thing you have EVER done for yourself. Well done. Now get on your bike and ride.
10-26-10, 09:19 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Amazing difference with that new bottom bracket. SmooooOOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOooooth...........
I had him save the old bracket and it looks kinda shot. I still need a new cassette.
I had him save the old bracket and it looks kinda shot. I still need a new cassette.
10-26-10, 10:31 PM
#13
"Chooch"
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With proper care, a traditional cup & cone bottom bracket should last years. The cartridge bb's, in my experience, will start to go loose (or even self-destruct) at around 14,000 km, about 8,500 miles, if you ride in wet Vancouver conditions. Probably longer if you live in Arizona or SouCal.
L.
L.
Congrats on quitting smoking and returning to cycling. Sounds like a "WIN-WIN" to me!
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