It was actually a big order of various stuff from Swobo.. as far as I know it's all sewn in San Francisco. Hooray NAFTA.

I should have called them and asked if they would ship it using a method other than UPS, but apparently I had a brain fart and didn't think about the consequences when I ordered it via the web. I called Swobo a couple hours ago, but they haven't returned my call.

My last PBK order hit me with some fees. I think it was a total of $15 on a $70 order. It wasn't too bad, and was still a good deal, but it was a bit annoying. I've found if you can make a bunch of small orders from PBK and just use the free shipping deal.

icing on the cake:

"CONCORD, ON, CA 25/01/2008 13:52 THE RECEIVER DID NOT HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE ON THE 1ST DELIVERY ATTEMPT. A 2ND DELIVERY ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE"

Did I see any ups guy? Nope.

that is what i did, i split an order into 2, both had free shipping anyways

and didn't get hit with anything

i hear they tend to mess up orders but haven't had any problems personally

I keep ordering a Sora Kit hoping they mess up and send Durace... nothing yet :)

Ha ha! That's exactly what happened to me. I finally checked online to find out where my order was and it was showing the third delivery attempt. Of course no notice on my mailbox etc. I called them and they promised next day so I stayed home all day. No show. I then checked the site and it showed third delivery attempt failed (this after putting notes specifically for the driver in the foyer of my apartment). I called them again, tore a strip, they called the driver and he pooched by a couple of hours later.....

You guys are getting me worried about the gentle bum caressing I'll get when my Mike Garcia wheels get here in a few days. They went via USPS and WERE made in the USA, but I'm still busting out the Phil's grease to let the tax man slide it in easier.

thanks for the visual.

USPS is at worst $5 handling fee + taxes. It's the couriers you have to be careful with.

I'm going to look into clearing the customs stuff myself, but since the goods have already gone through their broker, I'm afraid I may be too late. But, still holding out hope!

Also: this was a delivery to my office, so clearly there was nobody here. *eye-rolling* Reception didn't turn away any UPS dude.

I was being ups'd something a few months ago. I was in the kitchen doing dishes. The dog goes nuts when the mailman comes. So the dog goes bananas, I go to the front door and the UPS is driving away and a sticky on the mailbox, saying noone home. What!?!, bastid didn;t even try the door or the doorbell, both of which work.

Sounds like $5 + Tax... ? Or is that $15 seperate of that?

USPS is the only way to receive stuff. UPS/Fedex will result in ana secks. I'm surprised no one has jumped on that Bianchi frame, $175 but it does look like there's some rust everywhere

I'm finally fixed! The ENO went into my Giant frame with a perfect chainline. I'm a little sketched out by the inability to coast when I would normaly; i.e.: adjusting my chrome bag. Also, I have to get used to positioning my left crank such that I can push off from a stop, but this is fun!

P.S.: riding fixed immediately made me realize how bad/unaware/inconsiderate most people are on the road.
P.S.S.: Hi Wes! Hope you don't get too much of teh secks from UPS!

Engage front brake, rotate crank, clip in - win! I usually don't even bother doing that, instead just roll forward and clip in on the roll.

I usually just sort of lift my left foot up (which is attached to my pedal)... that lifts the whole bike up a bit and the crank rotates around and I just drop it when it's hot... err.. in position.

edit: ups is closed on the weekends, I guess I should have predicted that, huh?

Hey anybody knows where to get a tool to remove the dust cap on MKS pedals (GR-9: 2 small holes diametrically opposed)? They could use a overhaul. I guess urbane or curbside (who carry MKS pedals) have it...

True. And for reference, the viewable area on this screen is 7'x5'. The 150" is 11'x7'. :o

I may go out in June when it comes in. :D

Amen. The two most enlightening moments in cycling for me were riding fixed the first time and riding track the first time. Both such humbling and sobering moments. And I'm hoping that like learning fixed once you get used to the technical bits, you just zen out and feel your way forward.

Happy Saturday everyone! Anyone rolling today? I've got a appt's at 11 and 1 but am around after.

I'm gonna be heading out to the Beaches Cycle Solutions at some point.

I'm not familiar with that pedal, but I'd guess a pin spanner might fit if it's threaded.. or just pry it out gently if it's a press fit.

Dura ace track hubs - 28h, does Shimano say they are good to go for radial lacing? Shimano lists several hubs that are compatible with radial but they don't mention any track stuff.

bent paper clip? :)

Not for me today, just came home from spinning class at the gym. Discovered I'm a masher through and through.

Note to self: when slowing down on bike at gym, skipping is not advisable.

My trainer workout this morning started with a 30' warmup.. zone2 heart rate.. 100+ rpm. That's harder than it sounds. Mostly because you have to go into a pretty easy gear to stay in zone2, and spinning 100+rpm in an easy gear == deadspot city. :P I guess that was the point.

If I recall correctly, Shimano will not cover any issues under warranty if their Dura Ace hubs are radially laced. There must be a thread on that in the main forum but I think the search is still down.

The shimano docs says that these are covered for radial, but no others:

HB-7800 / HB-6500-A
HB-5501-A
HB-7700 (24,18,16,12)
HB-6500 (18)

I've omitted the MTB hubs. But i'm not sure if they have an updated document that includes newer models or lwkjfa;d blah.

Searching shimano for stuff is like needle in a haystack. I might just say F it and pick up one of these that are desinged for radial.

http://www.totalcycling.com/images/l...146_175142.jpg

Very expensive though, but very good.

I really wonder about radial on the streets of Toronto, you don't think they might be too delicate? I am pretty big though, so I know I could never get away with it but then again, I am riding 28h Miches and haven't had a problem......yet.

Rob you were talking 16/20 f/b right?
You weigh like 130-140 soaking wet?

I've got that funky radial on the non-drive side of my rear wheel, I'll be getting it relaced to 2 or 3x. I've got a couple spokes that insist on coming loose. I like the clean look of the radial but man the roads around here.

I would recommend going to see Malcolm at Biseagal and getting him to drill a little hole in your dustcaps. Then you can periodically grease inject them with a grease gun (a bit more often this time of year because of all the muck). Then you'll basically never have to repack them. It saves you a lot of time/effort/trouble. He did that for me and it was totally worthwhile.

Missed CM, didn't get going out of the east end until 6:20, so no hope of making it. No riding for me today I don't think, pretty sure my BB is on it's very last legs based on last nights ride with trailer... Need to take it into the shop next week I guess :( That and the fact that I'm pretty tired since Thursday I think I'll take the day to chill, tidy up and bake a cake with my little one.

Doing the hill sprints (on foot) on Thursday felt fine at the time, but it's caught up to me now I guess - especially after hauling the trailer cross-town into the wind again :p The first run I did was up Colborne Lodge Rd from Queensway level, I got a hefty heaving stitch when I did Spring Rd though, that one was much harder :p

Assuming the planets align, anyone want to see MASH SF and the Bootleg Sessions next week? I've also got the Lucas Brunelle stuff somewhere.
I was thinking Thursday night apres work - my place isn't huge but I could probably fit upto 8 and have shelter for bikes.

About the MKS dust caps... I they're threaded, with four little holes (too small for a pin spanner).

I'll try the paper clip :) The little hole might be nice, but it would gives no access to the crank-side bearings I'd guess...

I'm not sure about the internals of the MKS pedals, but that's how I grease my various Crank Bros and Speedplay pedals. Just jam the tip of the grease injector into the end of the spindle (using the appropriate manufactured supplied adaptor dingaling), and just keep squeezing grease in there. You'll see the old nasty stuff start to squeeze out of the crank side of the spindle through the seal. Once you see clean grease coming out, you're done.

Speaking of which, I bought two tubes of Phil grease at MEC this week and the end is too small to thread into my grease injector. d'oh!

on my way out to run some errands and grab a coffee. if anyone wants to meet up, give me a ringadingding.