Second post. That's a pretty amazing record for someone like me. I wasn't lying when I said I was overly ambitious. It's actually a pretty good sign that I'm willing to keep up with this blog, let's just hope it transfers. I spent a lot of time thinking today (though I was still suprisingly productive at work). What's worse is I had a lot of great things to say but it appears I have forgotten nearly everything. Oh well, might as well get to the bike.
I hit a bit of a snag today. Well I guess it wasn't a snag, probably not even a setback, but for someone like me, it might as well have been an overturned semi that was full of cacti lying right in the bike lane. I thought I found a great place to get a frame. I called the guy and he said he had all types all sizes. So we get to talking and apparently what I'm looking for (49cm track frame, or 51cm road frame with horizontal dropouts) was either recently sold, or part of a fully built bike. Sigh. Its depressing that the most intregal part of the whole operation seems to be the most difficult to find. Now I know for a fact there is a shop around here that carries a frameset in my size and the color I want. It's practically perfect in every--except it's about $300. Double sigh. As a last resort, however, I may decide to go that route, seeing as I was gonna have to pay a mechanic to assemble the headset and possibly the bottom bracket, this takes care of that expense. If I hustle I may be able to get the remaining parts for sub $200. Like I said, it's a last resort.
In other news, I've settled on what I will do for wheels. I will purchase the parts separately and assemble the wheel on my own. I actually already have the tools to do so and what better way to learn how to replace a broken spoke? I was advised that it is cheaper to purchase wheels over ebay than it is to have it built locally, but I made an oath to build this machine up from scratch to the best of my ability and that is what I am going to do. I thought long and hard about this and I think it is the best thing to do.
So, two updates in a row? Might this be a trend? Absolutely not. In fact it's unlikely I will post again until the weekend. The plans right now are to purchase smaller simple items that have no reason to be purchased online at my local bike shop (heretofore referred to as LBS) and just play the waiting game for my frame. There is one out there, I can feel it. Well, not really, if I could most of this post would have been replaced with "Yay I got a frame :D" but you get the idea. There are many pawn shops I have yet to browse and many websites I have yet to click, the game has only just begun.
In closing, I would like to explain the purpose of this blog in greater detail (in reality I don't remember what I said yesterday and don't care to re-read it). As I was preparing for this endeavor I spent time looking at other peoples writings on the subject. It was all disappointing. I know that much of my generation is dumber than a bundle of hair when it comes to basic literary skills, but being constantly bombared by it is just embarassing. As such, I hope any future fixie-building hopefulls stumble upon these humble writings and, along with greater insight into the mechanical process, but also learn a few basic grammer rules. With that I bid thee adieu.
Good news though, I already had a pair of pedals to use:
Total expenses to date- $0.00
I originally found it surprising to know that even in this vast network of social transaction that we call the internet, there are only a few participants with the ability to articulate themselves in a proper and well-spoken manner. Now, I find it surprising to discover that there actually exist such people.
ReplyDeleteIn this blog it is quite apparent that you're eager to share yourself with a world that understands you. You want to affiliate yourself with those who may have similar interests, and create somewhat of a sub-network through which to continue your personal transactions of passionate escapism. Unfortunately, I think that both you and I are alone in these desires.
We both have dreams that we'd like to fulfill. Although yours is something that I can't quite relate to, I find it interesting to read about your continued efforts in pursuing those dreams. I love the passion with which you express your words and desires. Currently this blog is a self-sustaining entity, and I think it will need to be for some time to come.
After all, you mentioned that you were unsure of how long the blog would last. That means that you're wondering how long the fire and drive to write to a silent audience will be kept aflame. My answer to that question is simple: it'll last as long as you can take it. A person may love acting enough to flail around on an empty stage... but without an audience eventually they'll pack it up and go home.
Well done! I will follow this closely and hope to see the finished product soon. Good luck and if there is any way I can help just let me know.
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