f4rrest

Why.

These are like frustration in a box, as all of them that I've had develop intermittent problems.

caloso

This particular one was recommended by a friend. It was only $22 and I have low expectations. If it lasts through the end of the year, I'll feel satisfied.

rfmarotti

1990 Trek 750

IMG_1863.jpg

IMG_1867.jpg

sjanzeir

The Phoenix girly bike I posted earlier:

















First, the why: I needed something that would be easy to maneuver while I accompanied my wife on her tricycling (is that even a word?) around the neighborhood, and any of my adult-sized Treks are just too big and cumbersome to handle at the rather low speeds she tends to run.

I considered getting a Trek Jet 20 to replace the earlier one that we gave away to our nephew, but that thing is knee-murderously slow (about 32 gear inches,) not to mention the fact that it would've needed a very long replacement seat post (and seat) and handlebar stem for me to be able to use it, both of which are very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain locally.

This, however, fits the bill just nicely, given its design and geometry. That said, the one that I really wanted was the Feida (see the post I linked to above,) but, to my dismay, I found that they had sold it already!

Of course, given the quality (or lack thereof) of the components on this thing, there was no way that it would work well and be rideable right out of the shop. So I loaded the thing into the trunk and drove straight from the toy shop to a small bike repair shop near my house run by an Indian dude.

First order of business: Replace the tubes. I had inflated the tires hard at the toy shop where I picked it up, but by the end of the short 10-minute drive to the repair shop, they were virtually completely deflated. The original tubes were made of cheap rubber so porous that they probably would've worked better as bug traps!

After rummaging through his pile of used parts, he dug out an unsold, brand new 12-incher and took off the cast-aluminum brake levers and side pull calipers, which we replaced the stamped-sheet-metal originals with.

We also found a bad rear axle, but with the clock approaching midnight (the law says he's supposed to shut down by 11:00 pm,) it was easier and faster just replace the entire rear wheel assembly and deal with the original axle later.

We also replaced the rubber pedals, which practically disintegrated in my hands while I was wrenching them off, with plastic-framed ones of reasonable quality, along with a longer seat post that put me a$$ a little too far backwards for optimal balance. That's about to be corrected soon with a longer but straighter post.

After riding it around the neighborhood a few times, I found that the brakes still were far from being up to snuff, so I cannibalized a set of old blocks from an old 16-incher we had lying around the house, which improved things a bit, but not much. Then I figured that the thicker, wider brake calipers' arms were pressing against the fenders, so I bent the fenders in a little with a pair of pliers. Slightly better. Then I found that the brake blocks were way out of alignment on each side, so I bent the caliper arms accordingly to bring them to be as opposite each other as possible. Much better, but still not as good as I'm hoping (i.e. as good as the brakes on the aforementioned Jet 20.) It's still a work in progress.

I also removed the spring-loaded stand (the type that raises the rear wheel off the ground.) Next, I'm going to strip off the fenders and the luggage rack to expose her inner beauty!

StarBiker

I had a 91' that was NM and like a dumbass I sold it. I made good coin on it, but I should have kept it.

Nice bike. It will serve you well.

SpeshulEd 

I kind of bought two bikes yesterday

Carbon...
2017 Cannondale Supersix Evo HiMod Frame 54cm
Red eTAP Electronic Road Group (Shifters, Front/Rear D)
Supacaz - Super Sticky Kush - Neon Pink
Cannondale SISL Crankset
KMC X11SL Chain: 11-Speed 116 Links Ti Nitride Gold
SRAM XG-1190 11sp cassette, 11-28t
ENVE Compact Road Bar 31.8 x 42cm Black Logo
SRAM Red caliper brake set, F/R - black (eTAP)

Steel...
All City Mr Pink 55cm

bmohan55

New Felt Z4

crazyravr

All at Western Bike Works.
- Garmin 810
- Sensors
- Front and rear lights

After shipping and conversion about half of what all this would cost me in Canada.

sjanzeir

And I just located one yesterday (Thursday) evening!



I spent the afternoon in Bab Makkah (literally: Makkah Gateway,) one of Jeddah Al-Balad's (Downtown Jeddah) commercial districts where the off-brand bike shops are. They pointed me towards one shop that might have had my Feida, and indeed, I bought their very last one (although I would've preferred it in yellow like the one I saw at the toy shop earlier.) I used the dact that it had a few scratches, a slightly bent fender, and a small tear in the saddle to haggle, and ended up getting it for 350 riyals (about $90) as opposed to the SAR429 price.

I also got a longer seat post for about 2.5 bucks to replace the original, which is too short.

I rode it the half-mile or so from the shop to where I parked my car, and then rode it again around the neighborhood this morning. The 20x1-3/8 tires certainly make for a harsh ride, but it feels a little smoother and more consistent than the Phoenix. The rear band-type drum brake works surprisingly well, but I haven't yet put it through an overheating test. Like the Phoenix, though, those brake levers certainly must go!

Oh, and I also learned that I probably was a little too hasty getting that Phoenix: I found a version of it in blue at the same shop!

ltxi

BB bearing removal tool.

f4rrest

Dang. Merry Christmas!

Airtorn

new for the wife's tri bike

jeffreythree

We stopped in Academy tonight and found some $15 long sleeve Canari Flash jerseys and a $10 Microlyte jacket in my size while wandering around waiting for the others. Hopeful thinking on my part since it is still in the 90's here.

Grundee

New helmet

and one of these guys

AristoNYC

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...ve-mag-trainer

$330 shipped.
CycleOps THE SILENCER DIRECT DRIVE
Heres to hoping it is an upgrade to my Kinetic By Kurt Road Machine.

TakingMyTime

NICE!

Although will need to buy another cassette for the unit. I don't see anyone else even touching that price. I may just pick one up.

TakingMyTime

^^ Fine Print. Out of stock

AristoNYC

I must have purchased the last one. (hopefully it ships)

ncbikerdude

I am at it again and I bought a Stages power meter, which they just replace the crank and while having that installed and went ahead and bought the new Sworks aerofly handle bars in matte black. Also new white bar tape! I should be done for awhile on my road bike!!

k_kibbler

Stages should give you cadence so you can lose the Garmin sensor.

noodle soup

My latest gear acquisition



Thanks Oakley

ltxi

A Park Tool BB30 bearing removal tool.

Jean3n16

tires and tubes and a bike mount pump

adamhenry

Park ATD-1.

Sy Reene

I'm curious on the Stages PM stuff.. can you give them your own crankarm to glue their sensor to, instead of buying the whole thing? Ie. at a lesser cost?