I mostly need to figure out the remount. I can dismount fine, but every time my brain says, "ok, run alongside the bike then just swing your leg over and leap on!" my body says "you crazy, *****" and more or less refuses. (Actually what happens is I hesitate and fall over or look stupid or just stop. Doesn't help that I had my rack on the bike -- will be taking that off soon -- and when I swing my leg over the back wheel, I smashed the inside of my ankle on it. Ouch.) Also I've never done barriers and given how short I am, they will be a challenge. I will be practicing this weekend.

It helps to watch video of it. When you remount, it's all about commitment.

Committing to bring your leg up, up, up. Make sure you bend the knee and bring your arms out

Committing to not do a little hop-jump with your left leg.

To avoid sensitive areas, try to mount on the inside of your right thigh, then square your hips out.

In other words, trust that you're bringing your leg up high enough, and the rest will follow through. First it takes a lot of commitment. Then it's practice, then it becomes natural every time.

I got my BB swapped out today. And, of course, the one I replaced it with, despite trying to measure and basing length off of most stock cranksets, it was too short. Did some moving of stuff, got the chainline back to basically-normal. And since I have longer bolts and having to swap my chainring guard to the inside, it rubs ever so slightly on my chainstay. So many problems, constant aggravation. Kind of want to throw my bike out in the road right now.

today I sold my fork

Don't throw it in the road! Ship it across the lake to me haha. But seriously... I have no advice. Where is Scrod when you need him?

Today I saw a sign that said that cyclists have to follow stop signs along my commute route put up by UC police; because of me! Seeing it I remembered that I did blow that exact stop sign (it's 3 way) while there was a female UC cop directing traffic that day and I remember vaguely that a female voice (most likely hers) called for me to stop. I feel honored and now I'm tempted to steal that sign and hang it up back home.

definitely steal the sign.

today i repacked these:

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSC_0005.jpg

smoothest hubs ive ever used. the bearing system on these are unlike anything ive seen before...

edit: also about to adjust my hoods because they are giving me palm issues.

...got my first paycheck at my new job!
now to see how long it lasts before it magically turns into bike parts...

Today I went to the unemployment office to see what was up. They have to call me back. Lame. Then I went to an LBS to see if they could use an unpaid, inexperienced mechanic/shop-monkey just so I have something to do during my downtime, and so that I can learn more about fixing on bikes. The shop manager wasn't in, so they have to call me back too. Double lame.

What's different about them?

Well off the bat, loose ball hubs/ BBs are much smoother than cartridge based ones.... than comes the high end ones such as the superbes with higher tolerances and workmanship, the design of the bearing system (no seal drag) and more in the case of these, proper care by longjohns and the previous owner.

That is why I say that for example, using a protype BB from ben's with 75's is taking away part of the 75 experience when you ride them.

The unemployment office is likely just verifying why you are no longer employed. If you quit voluntarily, you can't collect unemployment. If you were let go for business reasons out of your control, you are eligible. Also, there is no shame in collecting unemployment. It's YOUR MONEY. We all contribute to the system like a forced savings account. There is a ledger with your name on it that lists how much money you've contributed. They then just give you that money back at a certain rate. High earners contribute a lot and get bigger weekly checks, low earners contribute a little and get smaller weekly checks. Only when you exhaust the money that you put into the system do you start spending other people's money. Also, the money you put in "expires" after a certain time and stays in the pot without your name attached to it.

If you do get unemployment, getting a low paying job might not be a great idea. Let's say you are are due $200/week (for a round number) in unemployment compensation but make $125/week at the bike shop you are considered to be "under-employed", the unemployment people will only cut you a check for $75 ($200 - 125 = 75). This does lower the rate at which you withdraw your money from the system, but you don't have any more loot in your pocket at the end of the week. If you expect to be gainfully employed within a few weeks/months, it may be better to wait for the big job instead of taking small jobs.

EDIT: Also, unemployment compensation is considered taxable income. So, you can pay taxes on it now by having it taking out automatically or you will have to pay on it later at tax time.

So, it really depends on:
1) How long you expect to be unemployed
2) If the temp job pays more than your unemployment

Yeah, I've been through this before. I am eligible, since I was cut due to lack of funds. The bad part, is I owe the IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security) a little bit of money. A former employer closed up shop so I got unemployment, and then he reported that all of his employees got rehired. Cue IDES saying I now owe them $300. Between that and $2000 worth of payroll bouncing, there is a lawsuit in action. My lawyer told me not to pay IDES until the suit is over, one way or the other.

its kinda like a sealed bearing with no inner race. the inner race is part of the cone on the axle.

like the one on the left.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/...fb2d5a.jpg?v=0

Today I got my new rear wheel!
http://i.imgur.com/ApRKz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zYySH.jpg

Nice. You went with straight-gauge spokes?

Thanks! Just double checked the spokes in a panic. They are double butted but it's a 2-1.8 and it's fairly gradual. If you feel the spoke you can tell though.

There's one spoke that almost looks butted but I can't really tell. You will be able to tell by looking closely about 1/2" from where the spoke meets the nipple.

i don't think that all spokes are butted at the same distance from the nipple

Close enough. They're usually all between 1/2" and 1". Either way, you'll see it in that general area when looking for it.

Today was a good day, squeezed in some sprint work. Tomorrow, I get up early to do some more sprint work then have to shuttle up to a family reunion. Sunday is a rest day.

today i, drove home from work in torrential rain and the babysitter[my wife works nights 3 days a week and there is a 2hr overlap] is like, 'umm, there's water coming in the window'

nope, water is coming through the roof into the crawlspace in my kids room and then its running into the wall and coming out of the window frame. sure, that should be cheap.

http://geekinheels.squarespace.com/storage/mta_fml2.jpg

i have so much salsa in my beard right now....
http://f00.inventorspot.com/images/D...ist_custom.jpg

Well it appears somebody's in a state of denial.... :rolleyes:

You'll notice when you have them both set up side by side on bikes w/o rear wheel.

Yea, but do you notice it while you're riding?

Today, my ex texts me after not talking to me for over a year. :/ bad fall out, dont need this.

That sucks... One of mine did that right after I got married. Just ignore.

In matter a fact I do, considering the lots of experience I have from riding different bikes, especially the smooth and frictionless power transfer in the drive train during pedaling and even unpowered coasting (just letting your legs move with the pedals, applying no force whatsoever). I can also notice the flex in cranks taking away from power transfer and during skids/ backpedaling.
Nevertheless I will admit it's something you have to have the capacity to experience and tell the difference between; although mathematics and physics would stand on my side technically speaking.
But it all ends with you believing and acting on what you want, but I stand firm on what I posted.

EDIT:
@Scrod - Not to attack you, but have you ever ridden a SG75 looseball BB for a longer period of time? Maybe you should after you've had your fill with your protype and post back on the matter; that way you cannot be biased based on the price points of the two BB's as you appear to be now.