Yeah, I always forget that Phil Wood makes spindles in some wacky lengths. Seems like the potential added flex from using a spindle that long defeats the purpose of using stiff Sugino 75s, but it's not my bike...

You're not wrong of course, technically, but how many people are really using them primarily for (or benefitting at all from) their stiffness in the first place? 75s just look ******.

What happened to Pake? Their website is gone.
And will Affinity ever make more frames?

I'm getting a killer deal on a Giant Omnium frameset from a dude at the track. I have everything to piece it together except for a wheelset. Any recommendations for a strong wheelset that is relatively light? I won't be doing a whole lot of standing starts with it, so I don't think I need something that's laced 32.

Was considering the LA30 wheelset, as I hear they're pretty close to Ellipse wheels, but don't know how dependable the 8mm bolt on hubs are going to be.

They won't be a problem.

Yeah, more of a -can it be done- sorta thought.

Needless to say, I'm not going to be trying out after a few nights of cruising the net. No fixed NB disc for me with my current part outfit. At least SS will be far easier to get sorted.

According to conversations we had with a source at Somafab a few weeks ago, the future of Pake is uncertain.

Affinity is a little weird to deal with. We've been hearing about a re-stock for nearly a year now. It's is a one-man show and I'm not sure if Jason is doing too many other things or what...

Any idea what the specs are on the LA30s? Really contemplating pulling the trigger, but just trying to identify who makes the parts? Hubs/spokes/rims. I think I remember seeing Kinlin for the rims, and Novatec for the hubs, but I'm not too sure.

I'm not really supposed to disclose those details, but you may have answered your own question.

What torque wrench do you use around the shop?

My hands and my brain.

If I do need to occasionally bust out a torque driver, it's an old reliable Snap On my dad gave about 20 years ago.

I'm usually fine with metal parts, but I'm a bit worried about crushing or cracking my CF handlebars and steer tube.

A good rule of thumb if you don't have a torque wrench is: if the bolts are tight enough to prevent the part from moving, they're tight enough.

S'up, Flyguy? What is the highest kgf you'd go on these Araya SA-30 rims?

Do I win a prize for stumping you, Scrod?

What's the maximum spoke tightness in Kgf you'd recommend for those Araya SA-30's I bought from you?

Even Google appears not to know on this one. Do you think 120kgf is pretty safe? Can I go slightly tighter on the rear, since both are technically drive-sides?

Am hoping I can get down there this weekend or next week to take a look at them stems.

What would be the factory reAR spacing on a 1984 trek 610? 126mm 6 speed?

Can you recommend a 44t or 46t 3/32" 130 bcd chainring replacement for my SRAM S300 crankset? Can't find one on retro-gression

Holy crap, has it really been six years?

While I’ve really enjoyed having you guys ask all kinds of questions ranging from silly to technical, the shop has become far too busy and takes up way too much of my time to keep up with forum stuff. The real questions seem to be coming less often these days and most times people are just asking about stuff my shop sells. I also feel that a few people who were asking me questions a not long ago are now able to answer a lot of this stuff on their own so it’s a good time to bring down the curtain.

I’m super glad to have been able to help so many of you when you’re stuck trying to figure something out but here’s the thing - I learned everything I know by researching things myself and getting my hands dirty. I was a confused noob once too and certainly wasn’t born having a long grey beard and the ability to build wheels in my sleep. It’s totally ok to **** something up, learn from your mistake and do it right the next time. They’re only bikes, after all…

In all sincerity, I have such incredible appreciation for the support Retrogression has gotten on BFSSFG from the early days in our 250 sq-ft, centipede-infested basement shop in Beverly, MA to what we’ve become in San Diego. It’s been a long time, a long journey, a lot of hard work and our passion for track bikes only continues to grow (despite the nay-sayers who claim the scene is dead).

If anyone misses me, I’m always easy to reach by email and will still drop by the forum from time to time to ruffle some feathers.

¡Adois, amigos!