Dear Scrod,

If I ever came over, could I crash at your place for a week?

As long as you'd be okay with Mofo (my 18 lb cat) sleeping on your neck.

yeah if you can find a used capo, they are sweet bikes, especially the raw aluminum
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=221366

Hi Scrod,

My fg is a Fuji Del-Rey conversion. The bb I use is a Sugino 103mm BB3 and my cranks are a mix of a 170mm Bulletproof spyder w/a RR 48t chainring and some generic 170mm square taper NDS crank. So far in 3+ years I've gone thru 2 of these bbs. After a period of time...maybe 6 mos, I experience a 'ka-chunk,ka-chunk, ka-chunk' while pedaling. Usually under stress. Then it'll go away and come back. I've repacked the bbs a couple of times each which helps for a while, but the hitch in my getalong comes back.

Btw, I commute 42 mi rt w/79.1 GI 48x16 on rolling terrain w/some 6-8% climbs and decends. 500 ft drop to work and a 500 ft climb home. It's also impossible to disassemble the cartrige to replace bearings w/o destroying it(I tried :o).

So, my question is this: Is it worth it to me to invest in a pricer bb say a Phil or Campy for 100.00+ or just factor the cost(43.00 @ bikeisland) into my commuting budget? Get a new one every year or so? Outside of cost what's the differences between the Sugino and/the P or C? Harder bearings? Better materials? Close tolerances, etc? All of the above? Thanks alot, nash

That's a weird one and without having the bike right in front of me, I may not be able to give you an answer.

I've actually never had any trouble with my Sugino 103mm BB - or even various Shimano UN54 BBs ( which are considered by many as "cheap") - so it's hard to say. The only thing I can think of off the top of my melon is that the mismatched crank arms have different Q-factors and it's putting some kind of strain on one side of your BB. Either that or your BB shell was never faced properly and the BB spindle isn't sitting in there perfectly straight with the BB installled. I would probably start by chasing the BB shell.

Because I've never had issues with "cheapo" BBs (except the damn GXP that came with my Omniums), I don't really have an opinion of why pricey BBs are better.

Only Scrod is capable of having a cat named Mofo.

Ha...that's my boy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...a/memofo-1.jpg

Mofo is a cutie. What is this I'm hearing about Chinese Dodicis? I was debating between a Gara and a Leader 725 for my next bike. If they're gonna be Chinese, I'm leaning toward Leader. Made in 'Merica, si?

No.

When it comes to the Dodici Gara - they went and changed a lot of what I like about the frame for 2012. The flat chainstays, butted downtube and new dropouts are bunk IMO:

http://fixie-factory.com/shop/528-17...-gara-2012.jpg

The older model is much nicer:

http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/eCommI...0000001209.jpg

Thanks alot for your rs.

Yeah, a good mechanic/guru friend of mine made this suggestion as well. Originally, I had a matched set of Bulletproof cranks, but the NDS cranks rounded out in pretty short order, so I replaced it w/one I picked up at a co-op nearby. Have sold off one of my vehicles(going car-lite+...got a scooter, sold the pick-up), so I've got some extra coinage. Plan on getting a matching set of Sugino 103mm bb and RD-2 crankset.

I think it's either what you and my friend spoke of or my stroke is off a little. That would explain similar problems from 2 different bbs. Thanks again.

Meh, I'd still get the Leader. There aren't really any decent bikes in that range made in America are there? And I agree to an extent about the new Gara. The stays look odd to me.

:-)

Awwww....

cat ate your mustache

lolwut?

lol scrods!

Dear Scrod,

On my messenger bag shoulder strap there's at least a foot and a half of extra nylon that flaps in the breeze as it was apparently made for giants. Is there any foreseeable reason that I might need that extra room at some point or can I chop it shorter with a clean conscience?

Big loads need extra strap.

Awkward loads sometimes need extra strap. Sometimes I use more strap if I need to lower/raise center of gravity while I'm riding.

I would never chop mine--I just find a good way to 'keep' it. Looping it under the main strap works.

Good to know. I'll get creative with strap retention.

get a thick rubber band to hold them rolled.

hailandkill - increasing trail by adding more rake will be good when going fast but may make your steering feel a little sluggish at slower speeds.

Also, see here:

http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/trail.html

I use a velcro strap like the ones for tying up computer cables.

Dear Scrod,

I have no bike and I'm slowly gaining weight. At least six months until I have a bike again. Also, my knee is still f*cked up from getting hit so I can't run. What would you recommend: yoga or spastic dancing?

Two words: portion control.

Also - if you drink soda, stop.

These two things helped with weight loss the most. Also if you drink, cut down a lot.