Post your Centurion Ironman.. For the love of 80s paint jobs!
08-29-20, 04:21 PM
#8976
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,586
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1086 Post(s)
Liked 859 Times
in
488 Posts
It came with an older black Vette seat but my wife really likes this plain Jane WTB on her current bike, so might stick with it. I think a white Terry would be perfect but we'll see.
It cleaned up really nice. Nothing stuck and just had to be a little bit insistent on the seatpost. Car polish followed by turtle wax on the outside. Silicone lube on the inside.
Regreased and repacked the hubs, bb, and headset.
That's pretty much all I can do until some stuff shows up in the mail.
The rear wheel is a freewheel, not the UG 105 it should have come with. Bummer. But it sure will make monkeying with the gearing a lot cheaper.
I'm considering rebuilding the rear wheel. That Araya seems like junk and has a few curb dents. I've got a 36 hole rim in the garage that would be fine. Since I'm also considering 650b on this, I'll probably leave it as is until I make a decision.
08-29-20, 07:27 PM
#8977
Senior Member
Looks great.
It came with white cable housing and a regular Freewheel.
Looking forward to your finished build.
Here's an ad from '87 triathlete magazine.
It came with white cable housing and a regular Freewheel.
Looking forward to your finished build.
Here's an ad from '87 triathlete magazine.
Likes For texaspandj:
08-29-20, 11:21 PM
#8978
Full Member
Centurion Ride Report
Last night, everything was prepped and ready for riding today. I woke up this morning and checked my phone, and started with two things:
1) Air quality rating was "Unhealthy for all"
2) The calendar reminder I set back in June popped up, "Ride 100 miles today"
I set off north towards the better air. Ten miles in, trying to breath through my nose, I was all snotty, not warmed up yet. At ~ 18 miles I was almost at the southern edge of SF; air was definitely better but cold waves of fog were blowing across the road. Stupidly, I hadn't planned that SF would be colder, and stay colder. I know better, but any plan of riding up to the bridge was out of the question.
I abandoned the idea of going far north, turned back and decided to climb to the "SF Bay Discovery Site". Cause, when in doubt seize the high ground, right? And climbing will warm me up. I didn't remember or check in advance that there are stretches of 10-15% grade going up. If my knees hurt tomorrow, that's the section that will be why.
Also, feeling that I'd lost a purpose for the day, I decided to step up the photojournal of the day.
The trail to the marker has bikes allowed, but they don't do much to make it easy to get through the gate::
From there it's a steep but nice paved road up to the top:
At the top, the spot where the Portola expedition of Spanish exporers first say the SF Bay, I thought I'd see how the fog was clearing up.
The beautiful Pacific Ocean, to the west:
and the view NE, over the bay:
On the way down, I did see some clearing to the south, over the Crystal Springs chain of reservoirs (build in the notch of the San Andreas Fault):
I headed south, eventually pulling up near the south end of the reservoirs at the Pulgas water temple, where water from the Sierra Nevada dumps out into the reservoirs:
Sadly, that was also closed, along with two sets of trails that are normally sources of water and bathroom. I had stopped at a gas station for Gatoraide, so there was no emergency. But it was cumbersome.
Continuing south, ~ 35 miles in, I was calculating how far I had to go to get 60+ miles. My throat hurt to swallow, my nose was running. Not *badly* but at the noticeable and annoying level. I rode and thought, "Why does this feel like something I have to do, not want to do? I wish this was a fun ride..."
So I decided to cut down out of the hills. I went to where we've sometimes done charity ride post-ride-food. And I had a training lunch, focused on protein, fats, and complex carbs:
From there, I did a flat loop that I've done with my kids, along the Foster City border. I was tempted to stop for a photo to caption "Beautiful San Francisco and the Bay Bridge, across the water". But you'll have to imagine a bland rectangle, the bottom half dark grey-green water and the top half light grey-brown haze. Kind of like this photo of the San Mateo bridge, but without the bridge:
From that loop I was headed home, but realized that it was only going to be 59-60 miles. I added a few flat kicker miles. I felt good, but the 350 feet of climbing to get home was a good reminder that this was as full a day of riding as I really needed.
Final tally was 62.4 miles and 4400 ft of climbing.
The Ironman was great, fun, aggressive and fast. The work to change the gearing, rebuild thinigs, and the time riding to get used to the more aggressive position all payed off.
I hope everyone's 8/29 was great!
1) Air quality rating was "Unhealthy for all"
2) The calendar reminder I set back in June popped up, "Ride 100 miles today"
I set off north towards the better air. Ten miles in, trying to breath through my nose, I was all snotty, not warmed up yet. At ~ 18 miles I was almost at the southern edge of SF; air was definitely better but cold waves of fog were blowing across the road. Stupidly, I hadn't planned that SF would be colder, and stay colder. I know better, but any plan of riding up to the bridge was out of the question.
I abandoned the idea of going far north, turned back and decided to climb to the "SF Bay Discovery Site". Cause, when in doubt seize the high ground, right? And climbing will warm me up. I didn't remember or check in advance that there are stretches of 10-15% grade going up. If my knees hurt tomorrow, that's the section that will be why.
Also, feeling that I'd lost a purpose for the day, I decided to step up the photojournal of the day.
The trail to the marker has bikes allowed, but they don't do much to make it easy to get through the gate::
From there it's a steep but nice paved road up to the top:
At the top, the spot where the Portola expedition of Spanish exporers first say the SF Bay, I thought I'd see how the fog was clearing up.
The beautiful Pacific Ocean, to the west:
and the view NE, over the bay:
On the way down, I did see some clearing to the south, over the Crystal Springs chain of reservoirs (build in the notch of the San Andreas Fault):
I headed south, eventually pulling up near the south end of the reservoirs at the Pulgas water temple, where water from the Sierra Nevada dumps out into the reservoirs:
Sadly, that was also closed, along with two sets of trails that are normally sources of water and bathroom. I had stopped at a gas station for Gatoraide, so there was no emergency. But it was cumbersome.
Continuing south, ~ 35 miles in, I was calculating how far I had to go to get 60+ miles. My throat hurt to swallow, my nose was running. Not *badly* but at the noticeable and annoying level. I rode and thought, "Why does this feel like something I have to do, not want to do? I wish this was a fun ride..."
So I decided to cut down out of the hills. I went to where we've sometimes done charity ride post-ride-food. And I had a training lunch, focused on protein, fats, and complex carbs:
From there, I did a flat loop that I've done with my kids, along the Foster City border. I was tempted to stop for a photo to caption "Beautiful San Francisco and the Bay Bridge, across the water". But you'll have to imagine a bland rectangle, the bottom half dark grey-green water and the top half light grey-brown haze. Kind of like this photo of the San Mateo bridge, but without the bridge:
From that loop I was headed home, but realized that it was only going to be 59-60 miles. I added a few flat kicker miles. I felt good, but the 350 feet of climbing to get home was a good reminder that this was as full a day of riding as I really needed.
Final tally was 62.4 miles and 4400 ft of climbing.
The Ironman was great, fun, aggressive and fast. The work to change the gearing, rebuild thinigs, and the time riding to get used to the more aggressive position all payed off.
I hope everyone's 8/29 was great!
Likes For tgot:
08-30-20, 09:04 AM
#8979
Senior Member
I did my 26 mile route on my '86 Ironman. Then another on my '87 Ironman, then another on my '88 Ironman, then 20 miles on my '89 Ironman and finally 2 miles on my Diamond Back Apex, Total 100 Miles!
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
Last edited by texaspandj; 08-30-20 at 09:16 AM.
Likes For texaspandj:
08-30-20, 10:04 AM
#8980
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
I did my 26 mile route on my '86 Ironman. Then another on my '87 Ironman, then another on my '88 Ironman, then 20 miles on my '89 Ironman and finally 2 miles on my Diamond Back Apex, Total 100 Miles!
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
08-30-20, 12:56 PM
#8981
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,729
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2152 Post(s)
Liked 3,402 Times
in
1,203 Posts
Well done, sir!
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
08-30-20, 07:57 PM
#8983
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
Kind of a long day, but the HnHH is behind me (us)
Sort of began yesterday, as we rolled at 7:30 for 48.12 miles and 3,033’, riding between climbs.
A warmup.
I knew I was ready. Always should be a warning. Last night I tested the ‘88 Ironman and all was OK.
Up at 4:30 to type the cue sheets, just the turns, we're grownups, and getting lost is part of the game.. Load the truck. Drive 35 min to the park. The plan: a “three-dog” crazy eight loop on a loop. A gas station near the park where we start, and another 18 miles away. 3x36, then, with a shortcut to limit it to 100 or so. At least that was the plan. I told her I wanted fairly flat.
We arrive early, bathrooms are open! Get the bikes out. Another couple arrives, then two more guys. As they are admiring the Ironman, I turn the bar. It moves; the fork doesn’t quite follow. WTF? We take a look. Modern stem on an Innicycle headset adapter. Stem bolts are tight. Pull one out, aluminum curls coming off. Stem is toast. The last thing she said was “maybe take a spare bike...”
So I say, “you guys take off. I’ll drive back and swap bikes, catch you by going backwards on the first loop.” Off they go. Off I go. I drive straight to my storage unit, sitting on my balls in Spandex, drop off the IM, pick up the ‘85 Colnago. It’s older, heavier, and tired from 210 miles last weekend. So am I. But it’s proven. I drive back to the park and take off.
I try to read the cue sheet backwards. I miss the first turn, and realize it, so I go "out the normal way. I figure at 9.5 miles, I can turn around and catch them at the end of the first loop. I get back at about 20 miles. It’s not flat. Not Not Not. The group is not back, they hit headwinds, so I turn and go back out, correctly, backwards. Easy Peasy, I’ll meet them, right? Not. Road construction cuts a 40-yard swath across their route to me, so they turn around and detour, with their first loop to end at 41 miles. I come to the construction and turn around, too. They ended at 41, with me at 29. At least we're all at the park. After loop 1, I am only down 12 miles, mostly by riding harder than I should. Interesting enough, one guy is out of water, and takes my last bottle. Another comes over and picks up a Gatorade and walks away. One guy says he’s done, so he gets a Yeungling. One gal decides she has other stuff to do, so she leaves her husband with us. The temperature is rising.
We take off for loop 2, but of course we can’t go backwards. So, one guy says “I know the roads.” Always a warning. By the time we get 18 miles to the only gas station,, folks are not agreeing on routes. I fill my lady’s water bottles and mine with ice only, and get a cup out, so we can then mix them. Same guy who picked up the Gatorade decides he needs ice, so I give it to him and go back in to get my stuff. I come back out to “why did you go back in?“. Because 1.Someone else took my Gatorade at the park and 2.The same person sat on his bike here and couldn’t be bothered to go in AND GET HIS OWN STUFF. Whatever, miscommunication and riding is what it's about, so off we go.
During loop 2, I get a texted pic of my truck doors wide open. The lady who had things to so, sh shut them. Thanks!
During loop 2, three of get into the zone, and of course we miss a turn. We realize this a few miles out, turn around, and we hustle back. This helpsme, as now I’m only 9 miles down on the group (which is now two). But the two guys are off “total,” too, with some mileage I'm not sure they wanted. On hills. Did I say it was not flat. Wasn't. Wasn't. Wasn't.
We finish loop 2, we have one guy at 81 and he splits, the same guy who "needed my Gatorade and convenience store ice. Seems he finds a big jug of iced Gatorade at the end, from his car.. Imagine that. No Yuengling for him. My lady is at 81. One guy is at 84 and he’s done, so he gets a Yuengling. He was up for 75, and this one got him.
Now there are 3 of us. My lady needs 19 miles for her hundred, Ben needs16, and I need 26. I'm only 7 down on the "intended route." Ha! Off we go, loop 3. We decide it's out and back to get our mileage, period. My lady finishes at 101, Ben at 104 as he paced with her on the return.
I have to go farther, and yep, I miss the same turn, again. I find not one but two dead end roads, trying to avoid the "Deluge" climb I've now down 3 times. Nope, have to backtrack. I started rationing my final water at 92, sipping at 94,96, and 98, when "alles kaput." Sting's "moment of doubt and pain" comes to mind. I see two riders ahead of me and decide to catch them. I do. They are casual, going about 25 miles. I don't even mention where I'm at on that. I finally roll in, right at 7:00 hours. My folks were there. Good People!
109.8 miles.
6,638’ of climbing.
7:00:46 at 15.7 avg moving time.
I'll take it.
Nice and flat.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-31-20 at 01:58 PM.
Likes For RobbieTunes:
08-30-20, 09:59 PM
#8984
Full Member
08-30-20, 10:32 PM
#8985
Senior Member
08-30-20, 11:58 PM
#8986
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Saturday, August 29, was my fifth anniversary of resuming cycling and my fifth failed attempt at meeting an arbitrary distance/time goal in the hottest weather of the year. I'm starting to look forward to achieving these failures. And it never gets any easier. I just go slower. (Greg LeMond lied.)
Each year since then I've attempted a full century and haven't managed to finish one yet. I have done a metric century a couple of times.
I did 48 miles Saturday, a little short of the full century I'd planned. I planned to ride 50 before noon, take a nap (the afternoon temperature was estimated to be 105F), and finish that evening. I figured as long as I finished by midnight it counted.
I had ridden 65 miles Wednesday evening, my last prep ride, and felt great. In fact, I should have done my full century that night. But I wanted to save energy for the official date. Dumb. Next time I'll ignore arbitrary calendar stuff and just ride according to my own body.
First mistake was leaving late, around 9 am, based on my estimated time to finish 50 miles and get home before the hottest part of the day. I didn't allow for complications.
On Saturday, even with months of careful heat conditioning, I still overestimated my ability. I expected the temperature to reach over 100F by 1 pm, but I expected to be home resting by then.
Didn't turn out that way.
According to my bike computer the temperature shot up from the 90s to 126F, then settled down to a comfortable 115F. I suspect my bike computer is reading reflected heat off the pavement, and probably about 10 degrees too high. But the freshly chipsealed and black painted road was like an oven. I can see from the bike computer's thermometer when I was on and off that 8-10 mile segment.
I decided to ride the first 50 miles around a lake to the west, mostly rural roads. I hadn't ridden that route in almost a year but hadn't heard any negative reports from other local cyclists. But the roads were a mess. A long stretch of formerly smooth paved shoulder was now the fresh hell of new chipseal, the worst I've encountered yet. It felt like railroad ballast with a little black spray paint. Making it worse, I'd just swapped from perfectly good 700x25 tires with latex tubes to 700x23 with butyl tubes. The combo felt like the Flintstone's rockmobile tires.
When I reached the farm/ranch road to the lake, the formerly semi-passable asphalt was now a chopped up and neglected mess of chunks of asphalt busted up by road machines, but never finished. Apparently the county commissioner did whatever they could afford to do quickly and just dumped a mishmash of gravel, railroad ballast, pea gravel and sand willy nilly. I was riding the brakes on every downhill, eyes popped out goggling for soft patches of sandy pea gravel that would make the skinny tires plow in.
I was an hour behind schedule when I decided to take a chance on an unfamiliar farm/ranch road that I knew friends had taken before and hadn't mentioned any problems. Fortunately the road was great, no problems.
But the weather changed very suddenly, from partly cloudy and 90s to clear blazing sunlight and hot. I'd felt cold fronts blowing in during autumn and spring changes, but this was the first time I'd experienced a sudden hot front in Texas -- although I'd experienced the Santa Ana winds in Southern California. The temperature suddenly increased 10 degrees, from the mid-90s to mid-100s. My bike computer claimed the temperature peaked at 126F but I'm doubtful. That computer tends to overestimate by 10 degrees, and seems to read heat off the pavement rather than ambient air temperature. But the pavement definitely felt hotter than 110F.
Fortunately I did not underestimate my need for water. I knew there wouldn't be any place to get refills along the route I planned to take. Besides the usual pair of 24 oz bottles (both with electrolytes, one frozen so it's still cold more than an hour later), I added a new hydration pack that held 2 liters of plain water. An O-ring wasn't sealing so there was a slow leak down my back and it actually felt good. It was so slow it didn't drain the bag, just a gradual seeping.
I had two puncture flats in the final 5 miles home, and was down to about 8 ounces of hot water. But it was still water. That was the worst part of the ride. Mostly the psychological element of being so close to home and baking along the roadside.
I got home at 2 pm, two hours behind schedule, and decided to take a nap and cool off, then start again around 6 pm to finish another 50 miles before midnight.
I slept until 11 pm.
I thought about riding Sunday to finish that 50 miles. Nope. Slept until 6 am. Got up, had coffee, stumbled around like a zombie, went back to bed at 8 am, slept until 2 pm.
No more summertime daylight attempts at centuries, or any specific goal other than to just ride my damn bike until it's no longer fun.
Next time I'll go with my natural body clock and ride at night.
Pearson Ranch, highest elevation of the ride. In one hour the temperature shot up from the mid-90s around Lake Weatherford to 115F, per my bike computer. Probably closer to 105F. 30 miles from home, decided to head back when the heat suddenly increased.
First of two flats, less than five miles from home. Hottest part of the ride. And I made the mistake of using Continental Ultra Sport II tires, tough but extremely difficult to remove and remount. Fortunately I carried a pair of heavy duty tire levers and Kool Stop bead jack, but it was a mistake switching from comfy 700x25 Conti GP Classic skinwalls with latex tubes, to the 700x23 Ultra Sport II with butyl tires. Go with what you know.
Managed to stab myself in both legs with the chainring and freewheel on the flat repairs.
Stopped to bleed air pressure from tires after plowing in soft fill dirt in chewed up road. This farm/ranch road was in good shape last time I rode, but that was a year ago.
This highway was smooth pavement only a couple of weeks ago. They'd just resurfaced it earlier this year. No idea why it was freshly chipsealed but it was horrible. I used the right side tire track whenever possible, checking my mirrors constantly.
Second flat repair in final 5 miles home.
Best part of ride, around Lake Weatherford. Was tempted to pull over for a swim.
Turnaround point, 20 miles home.
Each year since then I've attempted a full century and haven't managed to finish one yet. I have done a metric century a couple of times.
I did 48 miles Saturday, a little short of the full century I'd planned. I planned to ride 50 before noon, take a nap (the afternoon temperature was estimated to be 105F), and finish that evening. I figured as long as I finished by midnight it counted.
I had ridden 65 miles Wednesday evening, my last prep ride, and felt great. In fact, I should have done my full century that night. But I wanted to save energy for the official date. Dumb. Next time I'll ignore arbitrary calendar stuff and just ride according to my own body.
First mistake was leaving late, around 9 am, based on my estimated time to finish 50 miles and get home before the hottest part of the day. I didn't allow for complications.
On Saturday, even with months of careful heat conditioning, I still overestimated my ability. I expected the temperature to reach over 100F by 1 pm, but I expected to be home resting by then.
Didn't turn out that way.
According to my bike computer the temperature shot up from the 90s to 126F, then settled down to a comfortable 115F. I suspect my bike computer is reading reflected heat off the pavement, and probably about 10 degrees too high. But the freshly chipsealed and black painted road was like an oven. I can see from the bike computer's thermometer when I was on and off that 8-10 mile segment.
I decided to ride the first 50 miles around a lake to the west, mostly rural roads. I hadn't ridden that route in almost a year but hadn't heard any negative reports from other local cyclists. But the roads were a mess. A long stretch of formerly smooth paved shoulder was now the fresh hell of new chipseal, the worst I've encountered yet. It felt like railroad ballast with a little black spray paint. Making it worse, I'd just swapped from perfectly good 700x25 tires with latex tubes to 700x23 with butyl tubes. The combo felt like the Flintstone's rockmobile tires.
When I reached the farm/ranch road to the lake, the formerly semi-passable asphalt was now a chopped up and neglected mess of chunks of asphalt busted up by road machines, but never finished. Apparently the county commissioner did whatever they could afford to do quickly and just dumped a mishmash of gravel, railroad ballast, pea gravel and sand willy nilly. I was riding the brakes on every downhill, eyes popped out goggling for soft patches of sandy pea gravel that would make the skinny tires plow in.
I was an hour behind schedule when I decided to take a chance on an unfamiliar farm/ranch road that I knew friends had taken before and hadn't mentioned any problems. Fortunately the road was great, no problems.
But the weather changed very suddenly, from partly cloudy and 90s to clear blazing sunlight and hot. I'd felt cold fronts blowing in during autumn and spring changes, but this was the first time I'd experienced a sudden hot front in Texas -- although I'd experienced the Santa Ana winds in Southern California. The temperature suddenly increased 10 degrees, from the mid-90s to mid-100s. My bike computer claimed the temperature peaked at 126F but I'm doubtful. That computer tends to overestimate by 10 degrees, and seems to read heat off the pavement rather than ambient air temperature. But the pavement definitely felt hotter than 110F.
Fortunately I did not underestimate my need for water. I knew there wouldn't be any place to get refills along the route I planned to take. Besides the usual pair of 24 oz bottles (both with electrolytes, one frozen so it's still cold more than an hour later), I added a new hydration pack that held 2 liters of plain water. An O-ring wasn't sealing so there was a slow leak down my back and it actually felt good. It was so slow it didn't drain the bag, just a gradual seeping.
I had two puncture flats in the final 5 miles home, and was down to about 8 ounces of hot water. But it was still water. That was the worst part of the ride. Mostly the psychological element of being so close to home and baking along the roadside.
I got home at 2 pm, two hours behind schedule, and decided to take a nap and cool off, then start again around 6 pm to finish another 50 miles before midnight.
I slept until 11 pm.
I thought about riding Sunday to finish that 50 miles. Nope. Slept until 6 am. Got up, had coffee, stumbled around like a zombie, went back to bed at 8 am, slept until 2 pm.
No more summertime daylight attempts at centuries, or any specific goal other than to just ride my damn bike until it's no longer fun.
Next time I'll go with my natural body clock and ride at night.
Pearson Ranch, highest elevation of the ride. In one hour the temperature shot up from the mid-90s around Lake Weatherford to 115F, per my bike computer. Probably closer to 105F. 30 miles from home, decided to head back when the heat suddenly increased.
First of two flats, less than five miles from home. Hottest part of the ride. And I made the mistake of using Continental Ultra Sport II tires, tough but extremely difficult to remove and remount. Fortunately I carried a pair of heavy duty tire levers and Kool Stop bead jack, but it was a mistake switching from comfy 700x25 Conti GP Classic skinwalls with latex tubes, to the 700x23 Ultra Sport II with butyl tires. Go with what you know.
Managed to stab myself in both legs with the chainring and freewheel on the flat repairs.
Stopped to bleed air pressure from tires after plowing in soft fill dirt in chewed up road. This farm/ranch road was in good shape last time I rode, but that was a year ago.
This highway was smooth pavement only a couple of weeks ago. They'd just resurfaced it earlier this year. No idea why it was freshly chipsealed but it was horrible. I used the right side tire track whenever possible, checking my mirrors constantly.
Second flat repair in final 5 miles home.
Best part of ride, around Lake Weatherford. Was tempted to pull over for a swim.
Turnaround point, 20 miles home.
08-31-20, 03:41 AM
#8987
Senior Member
A hunerd is a hunerd is a hunerd
Saturday, August 29, was my fifth anniversary of resuming cycling and my fifth failed attempt at meeting an arbitrary distance/time goal in the hottest weather of the year. I'm starting to look forward to achieving these failures. And it never gets any easier. I just go slower. (Greg LeMond lied.)
Each year since then I've attempted a full century and haven't managed to finish one yet. I have done a metric century a couple of times.
I did 48 miles Saturday, a little short of the full century I'd planned. I planned to ride 50 before noon, take a nap (the afternoon temperature was estimated to be 105F), and finish that evening. I figured as long as I finished by midnight it counted.
I had ridden 65 miles Wednesday evening, my last prep ride, and felt great. In fact, I should have done my full century that night. But I wanted to save energy for the official date. Dumb. Next time I'll ignore arbitrary calendar stuff and just ride according to my own body.
First mistake was leaving late, around 9 am, based on my estimated time to finish 50 miles and get home before the hottest part of the day. I didn't allow for complications.
On Saturday, even with months of careful heat conditioning, I still overestimated my ability. I expected the temperature to reach over 100F by 1 pm, but I expected to be home resting by then.
Didn't turn out that way.
According to my bike computer the temperature shot up from the 90s to 126F, then settled down to a comfortable 115F. I suspect my bike computer is reading reflected heat off the pavement, and probably about 10 degrees too high. But the freshly chipsealed and black painted road was like an oven. I can see from the bike computer's thermometer when I was on and off that 8-10 mile segment.
I decided to ride the first 50 miles around a lake to the west, mostly rural roads. I hadn't ridden that route in almost a year but hadn't heard any negative reports from other local cyclists. But the roads were a mess. A long stretch of formerly smooth paved shoulder was now the fresh hell of new chipseal, the worst I've encountered yet. It felt like railroad ballast with a little black spray paint. Making it worse, I'd just swapped from perfectly good 700x25 tires with latex tubes to 700x23 with butyl tubes. The combo felt like the Flintstone's rockmobile tires.
When I reached the farm/ranch road to the lake, the formerly semi-passable asphalt was now a chopped up and neglected mess of chunks of asphalt busted up by road machines, but never finished. Apparently the county commissioner did whatever they could afford to do quickly and just dumped a mishmash of gravel, railroad ballast, pea gravel and sand willy nilly. I was riding the brakes on every downhill, eyes popped out goggling for soft patches of sandy pea gravel that would make the skinny tires plow in.
I was an hour behind schedule when I decided to take a chance on an unfamiliar farm/ranch road that I knew friends had taken before and hadn't mentioned any problems. Fortunately the road was great, no problems.
But the weather changed very suddenly, from partly cloudy and 90s to clear blazing sunlight and hot. I'd felt cold fronts blowing in during autumn and spring changes, but this was the first time I'd experienced a sudden hot front in Texas -- although I'd experienced the Santa Ana winds in Southern California. The temperature suddenly increased 10 degrees, from the mid-90s to mid-100s. My bike computer claimed the temperature peaked at 126F but I'm doubtful. That computer tends to overestimate by 10 degrees, and seems to read heat off the pavement rather than ambient air temperature. But the pavement definitely felt hotter than 110F.
Fortunately I did not underestimate my need for water. I knew there wouldn't be any place to get refills along the route I planned to take. Besides the usual pair of 24 oz bottles (both with electrolytes, one frozen so it's still cold more than an hour later), I added a new hydration pack that held 2 liters of plain water. An O-ring wasn't sealing so there was a slow leak down my back and it actually felt good. It was so slow it didn't drain the bag, just a gradual seeping.
I had two puncture flats in the final 5 miles home, and was down to about 8 ounces of hot water. But it was still water. That was the worst part of the ride. Mostly the psychological element of being so close to home and baking along the roadside.
I got home at 2 pm, two hours behind schedule, and decided to take a nap and cool off, then start again around 6 pm to finish another 50 miles before midnight.
I slept until 11 pm.
I thought about riding Sunday to finish that 50 miles. Nope. Slept until 6 am. Got up, had coffee, stumbled around like a zombie, went back to bed at 8 am, slept until 2 pm.
No more summertime daylight attempts at centuries, or any specific goal other than to just ride my damn bike until it's no longer fun.
Next time I'll go with my natural body clock and ride at night.
Pearson Ranch, highest elevation of the ride. In one hour the temperature shot up from the mid-90s around Lake Weatherford to 115F, per my bike computer. Probably closer to 105F. 30 miles from home, decided to head back when the heat suddenly increased.
First of two flats, less than five miles from home. Hottest part of the ride. And I made the mistake of using Continental Ultra Sport II tires, tough but extremely difficult to remove and remount. Fortunately I carried a pair of heavy duty tire levers and Kool Stop bead jack, but it was a mistake switching from comfy 700x25 Conti GP Classic skinwalls with latex tubes, to the 700x23 Ultra Sport II with butyl tires. Go with what you know.
Managed to stab myself in both legs with the chainring and freewheel on the flat repairs.
Stopped to bleed air pressure from tires after plowing in soft fill dirt in chewed up road. This farm/ranch road was in good shape last time I rode, but that was a year ago.
This highway was smooth pavement only a couple of weeks ago. They'd just resurfaced it earlier this year. No idea why it was freshly chipsealed but it was horrible. I used the right side tire track whenever possible, checking my mirrors constantly.
Second flat repair in final 5 miles home.
Best part of ride, around Lake Weatherford. Was tempted to pull over for a swim.
Turnaround point, 20 miles home.
Each year since then I've attempted a full century and haven't managed to finish one yet. I have done a metric century a couple of times.
I did 48 miles Saturday, a little short of the full century I'd planned. I planned to ride 50 before noon, take a nap (the afternoon temperature was estimated to be 105F), and finish that evening. I figured as long as I finished by midnight it counted.
I had ridden 65 miles Wednesday evening, my last prep ride, and felt great. In fact, I should have done my full century that night. But I wanted to save energy for the official date. Dumb. Next time I'll ignore arbitrary calendar stuff and just ride according to my own body.
First mistake was leaving late, around 9 am, based on my estimated time to finish 50 miles and get home before the hottest part of the day. I didn't allow for complications.
On Saturday, even with months of careful heat conditioning, I still overestimated my ability. I expected the temperature to reach over 100F by 1 pm, but I expected to be home resting by then.
Didn't turn out that way.
According to my bike computer the temperature shot up from the 90s to 126F, then settled down to a comfortable 115F. I suspect my bike computer is reading reflected heat off the pavement, and probably about 10 degrees too high. But the freshly chipsealed and black painted road was like an oven. I can see from the bike computer's thermometer when I was on and off that 8-10 mile segment.
I decided to ride the first 50 miles around a lake to the west, mostly rural roads. I hadn't ridden that route in almost a year but hadn't heard any negative reports from other local cyclists. But the roads were a mess. A long stretch of formerly smooth paved shoulder was now the fresh hell of new chipseal, the worst I've encountered yet. It felt like railroad ballast with a little black spray paint. Making it worse, I'd just swapped from perfectly good 700x25 tires with latex tubes to 700x23 with butyl tubes. The combo felt like the Flintstone's rockmobile tires.
When I reached the farm/ranch road to the lake, the formerly semi-passable asphalt was now a chopped up and neglected mess of chunks of asphalt busted up by road machines, but never finished. Apparently the county commissioner did whatever they could afford to do quickly and just dumped a mishmash of gravel, railroad ballast, pea gravel and sand willy nilly. I was riding the brakes on every downhill, eyes popped out goggling for soft patches of sandy pea gravel that would make the skinny tires plow in.
I was an hour behind schedule when I decided to take a chance on an unfamiliar farm/ranch road that I knew friends had taken before and hadn't mentioned any problems. Fortunately the road was great, no problems.
But the weather changed very suddenly, from partly cloudy and 90s to clear blazing sunlight and hot. I'd felt cold fronts blowing in during autumn and spring changes, but this was the first time I'd experienced a sudden hot front in Texas -- although I'd experienced the Santa Ana winds in Southern California. The temperature suddenly increased 10 degrees, from the mid-90s to mid-100s. My bike computer claimed the temperature peaked at 126F but I'm doubtful. That computer tends to overestimate by 10 degrees, and seems to read heat off the pavement rather than ambient air temperature. But the pavement definitely felt hotter than 110F.
Fortunately I did not underestimate my need for water. I knew there wouldn't be any place to get refills along the route I planned to take. Besides the usual pair of 24 oz bottles (both with electrolytes, one frozen so it's still cold more than an hour later), I added a new hydration pack that held 2 liters of plain water. An O-ring wasn't sealing so there was a slow leak down my back and it actually felt good. It was so slow it didn't drain the bag, just a gradual seeping.
I had two puncture flats in the final 5 miles home, and was down to about 8 ounces of hot water. But it was still water. That was the worst part of the ride. Mostly the psychological element of being so close to home and baking along the roadside.
I got home at 2 pm, two hours behind schedule, and decided to take a nap and cool off, then start again around 6 pm to finish another 50 miles before midnight.
I slept until 11 pm.
I thought about riding Sunday to finish that 50 miles. Nope. Slept until 6 am. Got up, had coffee, stumbled around like a zombie, went back to bed at 8 am, slept until 2 pm.
No more summertime daylight attempts at centuries, or any specific goal other than to just ride my damn bike until it's no longer fun.
Next time I'll go with my natural body clock and ride at night.
Pearson Ranch, highest elevation of the ride. In one hour the temperature shot up from the mid-90s around Lake Weatherford to 115F, per my bike computer. Probably closer to 105F. 30 miles from home, decided to head back when the heat suddenly increased.
First of two flats, less than five miles from home. Hottest part of the ride. And I made the mistake of using Continental Ultra Sport II tires, tough but extremely difficult to remove and remount. Fortunately I carried a pair of heavy duty tire levers and Kool Stop bead jack, but it was a mistake switching from comfy 700x25 Conti GP Classic skinwalls with latex tubes, to the 700x23 Ultra Sport II with butyl tires. Go with what you know.
Managed to stab myself in both legs with the chainring and freewheel on the flat repairs.
Stopped to bleed air pressure from tires after plowing in soft fill dirt in chewed up road. This farm/ranch road was in good shape last time I rode, but that was a year ago.
This highway was smooth pavement only a couple of weeks ago. They'd just resurfaced it earlier this year. No idea why it was freshly chipsealed but it was horrible. I used the right side tire track whenever possible, checking my mirrors constantly.
Second flat repair in final 5 miles home.
Best part of ride, around Lake Weatherford. Was tempted to pull over for a swim.
Turnaround point, 20 miles home.
You did it! 100 miles or 100° is all the same to me.
08-31-20, 04:25 AM
#8988
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
Suffering strikes when it wants.
Sneaks up and bangs us on the butt.
Good on you, as you adapt and overcome, over and over.
Iron-ass dude right there. BravoZulu
There's a word for this kind of fun.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 09-01-20 at 06:21 AM.
08-31-20, 11:41 AM
#8989
Full Member
That guy is going to talk to the other guys and gals who rode, and wonder "Why didn't I get a Yuengling?"
08-31-20, 02:00 PM
#8991
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
I did my 26 mile route on my '86 Ironman. Then another on my '87 Ironman, then another on my '88 Ironman, then 20 miles on my '89 Ironman and finally 2 miles on my Diamond Back Apex, Total 100 Miles!
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
I haven't worked out in anyway for Two weeks. But I felt confident heading out on my first 26 because I knew I was going to really take it slow. And so I resisted picking up the pace when I noticed a cyclist creeping up behind me. We talked a little before he made his turn and it turns out he had owned a MV Ironman and said he wishes he still had it, all this while riding a Carbon with Shimano wireless.
Second 26 miler I picked it up a little because I felt ok.
The third 26 miler I ran out of two bottles of water/energy drink. My wife called at that precise time and then brought me what I needed.
Then a 20 mile route my wife rode with me just for support. She's a trooper. About a 1.5 miles from turn around I got a cramp in my left hamstring (first time in my life) once it subsided we were back at it.
I was still 2 miles short of a 100 so I hopped on my newly acquired diamond back Apex and did my 1 mile course...twice.
2nd 26 miles, 86° Easy lemon squeezy.
1st 26 miles 81° Easy peasy.
3rd 26 miles, 100° and wind, not so easy.
@Robbietunes
Last 20 miles, 104°, not really FUN at all...and More wind.
Pics
08-31-20, 03:00 PM
#8992
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
You people are all tough ----------! (every word I put in there doesn't seem appropriate)
Last edited by seypat; 08-31-20 at 03:03 PM.
08-31-20, 03:16 PM
#8993
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,153
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2362 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times
in
1,191 Posts
09-03-20, 08:43 PM
#8994
Senior Member
I've ridden my Diamond Back Apex 3 days in a row until the rain came and spoiled the party.
I had posted how I planned to get a WM bike after repairing then test riding them..they took me back to being 11 years old and riding my Kmart specials and having fun. But instead I talked my riding buddy into us buying mountain bikes and I gave up on the WallMrt bike.
Bottom line I haven't been on my Ironman and my buddy can't ride this weekend. Maybe next week.. maybe next week.
We have national class trails in our Cameron Park. Currently I only ride on the multi path portion called the river trail. It's relatively short and as I head to the turnaround the river is on my right meanwhile the left is where the serious trail rider veins are. It's relatively safe til the last quarter mile then it gets tricky. I have a good engine but my mountain bike handling skills are suspect. Doesn't help that this particular model isn't really a good bike for trails but perfect for having fun.
Keep the rubber side down Ironkids...I'm trying to do the same.
I had posted how I planned to get a WM bike after repairing then test riding them..they took me back to being 11 years old and riding my Kmart specials and having fun. But instead I talked my riding buddy into us buying mountain bikes and I gave up on the WallMrt bike.
Bottom line I haven't been on my Ironman and my buddy can't ride this weekend. Maybe next week.. maybe next week.
We have national class trails in our Cameron Park. Currently I only ride on the multi path portion called the river trail. It's relatively short and as I head to the turnaround the river is on my right meanwhile the left is where the serious trail rider veins are. It's relatively safe til the last quarter mile then it gets tricky. I have a good engine but my mountain bike handling skills are suspect. Doesn't help that this particular model isn't really a good bike for trails but perfect for having fun.
Keep the rubber side down Ironkids...I'm trying to do the same.
09-03-20, 09:00 PM
#8995
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
Ok IM experts a question. This thread has peaked my interest over the years in picking up an IM, however I just completed refurbing a 89 Specialized Allez and they appear (no blasphemy intended) at a glance to be similar (duck)...? any IM folks own both and can tell me the differences in broad strokes.....?
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently
)
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently
)
09-04-20, 12:23 AM
#8996
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,701
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1946 Post(s)
Liked 2,008 Times
in
1,107 Posts
Ok IM experts a question. This thread has peaked my interest over the years in picking up an IM, however I just completed refurbing a 89 Specialized Allez and they appear (no blasphemy intended) at a glance to be similar (duck)...? any IM folks own both and can tell me the differences in broad strokes.....?
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently)
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently
)
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
09-04-20, 12:58 AM
#8997
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
Funny just sold the Trek 520 today but that was to reduce the herd not keep it the same. Hmmm
Likes For ryansu:
09-04-20, 07:06 AM
#8998
Senior Member
Ok IM experts a question. This thread has peaked my interest over the years in picking up an IM, however I just completed refurbing a 89 Specialized Allez and they appear (no blasphemy intended) at a glance to be similar (duck)...? any IM folks own both and can tell me the differences in broad strokes.....?
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently)
Inquisitive in Seattle
(Side note as an apartment dweller my room for vintage bikes is unfortunately finite and I am at 5 currently
)You could look up the differences in geometry and flesliders vintage-centurion.com website would have the catalog with geometry listed.
09-05-20, 01:11 PM
#8999
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,586
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1086 Post(s)
Liked 859 Times
in
488 Posts
Is a project bike really ever finished?
Here it is.
I'm not sure yet if I love the Celeste bar tape or hate it. Those tiny handlebars meant that a bottom up wrap would look funny with finishing tape up top, so I went top down. We'll see how it holds up.
The white hoods are sticky and I can't seem to unsticky them, black hoods are very affordable and will be showing up on Tuesday.
The rear wheel is off my Spectrum, the 14-28 freewheel I'm planning to use will also be showing up on Tuesday.
I've got one of those water bottle cages that looks like a bird on it's way also.
Nobody should love big anodized green CNC pedals on this bike. I might be able to talk my wife into SPD but probably not. Maybe just pedals like pictured in silver.
It rides great and shifts perfectly. I think it's got lighter action than my DA 7400 stuff. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. The brake levers or possibly brakes (single vs double pivot) are way better than my old 7400's. With the new pads, completely comparable to any modern dual pivots caliper.
The seat is a Ritchey Vector from the bin. It'll stay on long enough to see if she likes the bike or if it's going back up for sale. Assuming she loves it, we'll probably shop for a Terry or similar ladies design, bonus points for white.
Here it is.
I'm not sure yet if I love the Celeste bar tape or hate it. Those tiny handlebars meant that a bottom up wrap would look funny with finishing tape up top, so I went top down. We'll see how it holds up.
The white hoods are sticky and I can't seem to unsticky them, black hoods are very affordable and will be showing up on Tuesday.
The rear wheel is off my Spectrum, the 14-28 freewheel I'm planning to use will also be showing up on Tuesday.
I've got one of those water bottle cages that looks like a bird on it's way also.
Nobody should love big anodized green CNC pedals on this bike. I might be able to talk my wife into SPD but probably not. Maybe just pedals like pictured in silver.
It rides great and shifts perfectly. I think it's got lighter action than my DA 7400 stuff. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. The brake levers or possibly brakes (single vs double pivot) are way better than my old 7400's. With the new pads, completely comparable to any modern dual pivots caliper.
The seat is a Ritchey Vector from the bin. It'll stay on long enough to see if she likes the bike or if it's going back up for sale. Assuming she loves it, we'll probably shop for a Terry or similar ladies design, bonus points for white.
09-05-20, 01:20 PM
#9000
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I just returned my Ironman back to the original Suntour GPX setup. For a couple of weeks I experimented with a Shimano 600 Tricolor RD (which I didn't realize until recently was an 8-speed) and Shimano L422 Light Action downtube friction shifters (nominally 6-speed, but easily cover 7 speeds and will probably pull enough cable for 8-speed).
It was an interesting experiment. Mostly I was curious about the sorta-retrofriction design of the L422 shifters. From looking at diagrams of various retrofriction shifters this particular Shimano does appear to be a genuine retrofriction design, but I might be missing some nuance that differentiates it from the Simplex.
The right side RD lever worked much better than the Suntour GPX lever in friction mode. I had to tighten up the L422 lever retaining/friction bolt several times, just guessing at the appropriate tension while retaining smooth shifting. But once I got it dialed in it was smooth. The GPX is a great index shifter but miserable for friction -- it relies solely on brute force of the combination of metal and plastic washers. In order to prevent ghost shifting when I stand to pedal I had to crank down the tension until shifting felt like shoveling cold mud.
The left side/FD GPX lever (friction only already) ain't bad, very similar to the L422. Both demand some experimenting with bolt tension to prevent ghost shifting without messing up the smooth shifting feel. It has micro-click detents and spring resistance, just like Shimano and others. I could't feel any difference between the Shimano's all metal construction and the Suntour's mix of metal and plastic bits and washers.
Regarding rear derailleurs, the Suntour GPX and Shimano 600 Tricolor are remarkably similar. Everything is pretty much the same, from size and weight to articulation. The only difference I could discern was mostly due to differences in pulleys.
A couple of years ago I complained -- a lot -- about excessive drivetrain friction in the Suntour GPX group, which I finally traced down to the cheap, plain sintered bearing/bushings. Switching to inexpensive but good Tacx delrin sealed bearing pulleys made a big difference in drivetrain smoothness (and conserved my energy, which dwindles with age, so every Watt counts).
The original Shimano 600 Tricolor (early Ultegra) had a very smooth running Centeron sealed bearing pulley. But I went ahead and changed it to the same Tacx pulleys for a fair comparison.
However the Tacx pulleys seem to be a better fit with the Shimano RD. I had to reverse the setup for the Suntour GPX RD, putting the upper pulley on the bottom and vice versa.
Both seem to run comparably smoothly, although the Shimano 600 Tricolor RD ran more quietly with the same pulleys. I suspect that's the difference in swapping the upper/lower pulleys.
The friction setup was a bit quieter overall, mostly because it's possible to trim the derailleurs easily and dial out any slight chain noise. With index shifting there's often one or two gear combos that clatter very slightly no matter how carefully the drivetrain is adjusted.
I might experiment a bit more with the Ironman components. Or maybe I'll use another bike to try various derailleurs, etc. Overall I like the looks of the GPX components. The derailleurs, brakes, etc., look pretty sleek and the blue-gray finish goes well with the blue/white Ironman.
It was an interesting experiment. Mostly I was curious about the sorta-retrofriction design of the L422 shifters. From looking at diagrams of various retrofriction shifters this particular Shimano does appear to be a genuine retrofriction design, but I might be missing some nuance that differentiates it from the Simplex.
The right side RD lever worked much better than the Suntour GPX lever in friction mode. I had to tighten up the L422 lever retaining/friction bolt several times, just guessing at the appropriate tension while retaining smooth shifting. But once I got it dialed in it was smooth. The GPX is a great index shifter but miserable for friction -- it relies solely on brute force of the combination of metal and plastic washers. In order to prevent ghost shifting when I stand to pedal I had to crank down the tension until shifting felt like shoveling cold mud.
The left side/FD GPX lever (friction only already) ain't bad, very similar to the L422. Both demand some experimenting with bolt tension to prevent ghost shifting without messing up the smooth shifting feel. It has micro-click detents and spring resistance, just like Shimano and others. I could't feel any difference between the Shimano's all metal construction and the Suntour's mix of metal and plastic bits and washers.
Regarding rear derailleurs, the Suntour GPX and Shimano 600 Tricolor are remarkably similar. Everything is pretty much the same, from size and weight to articulation. The only difference I could discern was mostly due to differences in pulleys.
A couple of years ago I complained -- a lot -- about excessive drivetrain friction in the Suntour GPX group, which I finally traced down to the cheap, plain sintered bearing/bushings. Switching to inexpensive but good Tacx delrin sealed bearing pulleys made a big difference in drivetrain smoothness (and conserved my energy, which dwindles with age, so every Watt counts).
The original Shimano 600 Tricolor (early Ultegra) had a very smooth running Centeron sealed bearing pulley. But I went ahead and changed it to the same Tacx pulleys for a fair comparison.
However the Tacx pulleys seem to be a better fit with the Shimano RD. I had to reverse the setup for the Suntour GPX RD, putting the upper pulley on the bottom and vice versa.
Both seem to run comparably smoothly, although the Shimano 600 Tricolor RD ran more quietly with the same pulleys. I suspect that's the difference in swapping the upper/lower pulleys.
The friction setup was a bit quieter overall, mostly because it's possible to trim the derailleurs easily and dial out any slight chain noise. With index shifting there's often one or two gear combos that clatter very slightly no matter how carefully the drivetrain is adjusted.
I might experiment a bit more with the Ironman components. Or maybe I'll use another bike to try various derailleurs, etc. Overall I like the looks of the GPX components. The derailleurs, brakes, etc., look pretty sleek and the blue-gray finish goes well with the blue/white Ironman.