Glad to say I'm off the streetcar and back on the bike - my first commute of the year and I flat out in scenic Regent Park. As I was sitting there with my wheel off my bike I was passed by at least 10 cyclists, including one or two messengers. I was kind of surprised that no one offered a hand.. has anyone ever had unsolicited help offered to them for a repair around town? Maybe I looked too competent.. or it could have been the neighbourhood :p

EDIT: (Even with a stubborn tube change (for some reason, Conti Ultrasports don't get along with my rims), I still got home in less time than that damned Queen streetcar takes.)

On that note, does anyone know where to get cheap CO2 cartridges in town? I prefer not to carry a pump for the times where I'm bagless.. and there's only room in my pack for an inflator.

Oh yeah, I saw Brayden (sp?) on harbord this morning. I also think I saw brad, or someone who looks very very similar on a SS or fixed bike at Shaw and Queen. Confirmation?

I get offered repair help sometimes, but its usually on a weekend rec ride. When riding around the city people are too busy trying not to get creamed that its hard to notice a cyclist, plus anyone with enough knowhow to get the tire off the rim probably knows what they are doing and probably has the gear.

I have never needed repair help, but the offers are always appreciated.

I offer help regularly but have never had a stranger offer.
Some inflators use proprietary (there is that oh too common word again) CO2 cartridges. These are bike shop only and more expensive. I can't remember if its the threaded or unthreaded ones but one type is common with air rifles and therefore cheaply available at sporting goods stores for a more reasonable price. They are not as enviromentally friendly as a good ole pump though. *requisite comment*

I think the standard is unthreaded... At least thats how it is for NO2 cartirdges.

Oh SNAP! New White bar tape and tires for the Orbea!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...y/IMG_1250.jpg
Click to see the rest!

I try to as well - with a spare/allen key set/mini chain tool, I'm good for most minor road repairs and try to help out when I can.. I even did some time at bikechain today, but I guess you can't force good karma on yourself :p


Yeah - I intentionally bought an inflator that takes unthreaded since they're cheaper.. was just wondering if anyone had bought some in bulk / had a tip on where to go.

Wow robin.. she's a beauty.

I would try Canadian Tire first.

a) I've offered help to folks before on the street and had my offer accepted. I've only ever been offered help on a rec ride out in the boonies however (when I was totally fine anyway)
b) doesn't look like I'm getting out for any sort of cv-ish ride tonight. Gotta work on some photography stuff.
c) Shizzy: Bradyn lives in our hood too
d) Robin: What kind of white tape do y'alls got at the shop? I need to retape my Lemond and was thinking of using white
e) all of the above

Zip, ziltch, nadda, none. I got this tape when I was doing a pro-deal order. I really wanted the FSA tape, but it may be ages before we order from Orange again. *Sigh*

Try Wheels of Bloor. I think they have the white FSA stuff (since they carry Cervelo, it would make sense).

Cool. I'll try out there next time I go for a spin out that way. What kind of tape is the orange stuff you are/were using on the Steamroller?

That's Salsa Goma tape. Really excellent stuff. you can even clean it. It's more synthetic than cork. We have that stuff at the shop, but not white. Damn!

went to the pedal screening.

props to the dude at bikechain for the screening.

as for pedal. meh. pretty underwhelming doc.

Looks good! I thought my light grey tires were pushing it though... :p

Werent me. I took my road bike out for the first time this year... and although I did go on queen I cut south at sudbury. Apparently there is a rider out there somewhere that looks like me that rides mountain bikes. I was out on my road bike last year along the humber river and had some guy come skidding to a stop calling out "'when did you turn into a roadie?" we were face to face before he realized I wasnt him :eek:

CO2 vs Pump. Pump all the way. I used to carry the CO2, but I got tired of paying more than the tube cost to pump up... and then you're stuck with a cartridge to waste. For the price of a season's worth of cartridges you can get a road morph and if you dont want to carry it, it has a frame mount. I find that to be a much better solution.

Zippered!!! Here's one for a very good price: http://toronto.craigslist.org/bik/302178429.html

Re: Pedal

I was there you were not!

I talked to my friend John (clipin) today and he is graciously offering up a bunch of dual use spd pedals. They came off various spinning bikes and are of the quill pedal-spd variety. There will be approx 10 pairs up for grabs. Gratis to any who would like a pair.
Also there has been some talk of re-starting up the Fixed Unwin St. sprints this summer. We used to do a weekly thing down there with incremented 300m marks painted on the road. Usually a 2 up sprint, starting at 300m....first 100 are pace to get clipped/strapped in....after that anyone can sprint out whenever the mood strikes. We used to get about 12-15 regulars out with a couple of cold ones on the sideline thrown in for good measure. We had a pretty good flag and radio system for safety and it was always a good time. Anyone here like to participate?

anyone here got a local source on eggbeater rebuild kits? Mine are definitely due. *squeeeeak* My Candy SL's (from my Lemond) look damn hot on the new cranks (on the urbanite) though.. :P

I have it in my confuser H/D, as always i D/L stuff & never watch it, how was it?

I'd be up for sprinting for sure.

I think anyone with a Norco account can get that stuff. We are pretty big into eggbeaters, but don't have the rebuild kits.

Have you tried flushing it with fresh grease? i did that on my two year old beaters, and they are smooooooth now. Your peds should have come with a grease nozzle.

If you can save a set for me that would be great. Thanks.

ooo, I'll try to swing by tomorrow and check the pedals out. I could use a set. I'd likely also be up for some sprinting etc.

That sounds like a ton of fun. Do it!

You guys seen this entry from FGG today? http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/mar/EoinMurphy.htm
Some local, and he even gives credit to Jan at High Park Cycle. Anyone seen this guy around?