This is my last text update. I have gathered my final pieces and begun the process of constructing my new machine. About the only bit of real labor that needs be done is to cut the steerer tube on the fork to size. That will be taken care of within the next two days. Also I've encountered an issue with my seat post and tube. Firstly it was a pain in the ass to get the seat clamp on but after much grease, hitting, and swearing I was able to do it. Unfortunately, when I got it I discovered that it didn't tighten properly so my seat isn't exactly secure. It doesn't appear damaging enough to compromise the project but it's certainly not something I can ignore.
When all things considered, I think that I have had a bit more trouble than I should have with this but it has allowed me to learn more than I otherwise would have. I know that next time it should be easier...but probably more expensive. I can say with great confidence that this has been a fun little adventure, especially recieving all sorts of packages in the mail at work.
Well I guess that's all I really have left to say now. For any future readers, don't hesitate to email me with questions or advice. I not be an expert but I'm certainly no fool.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Such Is Life: In The Homestretch
Well it looks like I'll top out at 15 posts. Seems like relatively few when compared to some other fancy blogs out there but for me it's nothing short of a milestone. I'm going to be killing two birds with one stone with this: longest blog ever and first bike built ever--at least by me. With as much progress as I've made it's amazing how quickly I can be halted. My frame is going to be the death of me. Power tools are the epitome of oxymorons: if you use them to build or repair something, so often that thing ends up worse off. You can use you're imagination here for the details.
Good news though is that the rest of my drivetrain (and replacement fork) has been shipped and all should be here by this time next weekend. I allowed myself a slight delay but since it's a learning process it doesn't really bother me. So I spent $124 on my wheelset, 50$ on my cranks and $25 on the rear cog and lockring. That brings my total so far to: $381. That's not to shabby considering I have found a possible stem for another fifteen. Even though I could have done this all for cheaper if I really tried I feel satisfied knowing that I was able to make the bike I really wanted and for the budget I set.
As these are probably going to be some of my last words before I complete this project and close this blog, I would like to wish anyone who decides on an undertaking of their own good luck. I've learned a lot in these past few months about both bikes and myself. It took a minute before I stopped letting setbacks discourage me. It may seem like I never lost sight of my goal but there were a few times, particularly in the beginning, that I was really considering to just abandon my quest and just buy a whole bike. I can say though that the more progress I made the less I wanted to stop. Maybe it's just that I didn't want to feel like I wasted my money but I'm okay with that.
In conclusion I would like to say that when I begin work on my next project, I will likely post pictures, but don't expect an epic. I doubt I would have much more to say.
Good news though is that the rest of my drivetrain (and replacement fork) has been shipped and all should be here by this time next weekend. I allowed myself a slight delay but since it's a learning process it doesn't really bother me. So I spent $124 on my wheelset, 50$ on my cranks and $25 on the rear cog and lockring. That brings my total so far to: $381. That's not to shabby considering I have found a possible stem for another fifteen. Even though I could have done this all for cheaper if I really tried I feel satisfied knowing that I was able to make the bike I really wanted and for the budget I set.
As these are probably going to be some of my last words before I complete this project and close this blog, I would like to wish anyone who decides on an undertaking of their own good luck. I've learned a lot in these past few months about both bikes and myself. It took a minute before I stopped letting setbacks discourage me. It may seem like I never lost sight of my goal but there were a few times, particularly in the beginning, that I was really considering to just abandon my quest and just buy a whole bike. I can say though that the more progress I made the less I wanted to stop. Maybe it's just that I didn't want to feel like I wasted my money but I'm okay with that.
In conclusion I would like to say that when I begin work on my next project, I will likely post pictures, but don't expect an epic. I doubt I would have much more to say.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Money + Obsession = Stuff
So last night I said that I would probably make some more purchases after I finished my posting. Well I didn't. But I did just now :) I pretty much settled on a gearing. It's a bit low but I figure it would be a good place to start (and maybe help with my horrid pedal stroke) and if I decide I want something a bit higher later, it's only a matter of finding a cog with fewer teeth. As always, I wont share the pricing until the item is at least on it's way. I can say I got a decent deal on the crankset. I'm not as sure about the cog and lockring but I don't believe there is as much of a price gap as there might be with other parts.
Now that I have a visual of what my bike looks like, I really wish I had a stem. It seems that the one part that most people don't even realize is a part is what's keeping this from really looking like a bike. The handlebars are part of what makes a bicycle a bicycle and the humble stem is apparently overlooked. What I'm really looking forward to, however, is taping the bars. I just replaced the tape on my current speed demon and I can see why all those fancy magazines tout it as being an "upgrade" because it really did make a difference. I pimped my ride, yo.
It's certain that my headset will be installed by this weekend and I see no reason to put off buying a stem any longer than that. With glorious payday fast approaching, it is in the plan to purchase said stem on this coming saturday. I think I should probably mention that, although I started on my Super Advanced Pedal Retention System weeks ago I haven't done anything else since. Knowing myself as well as I think I do, it probably wont be done until after I get my crankset installed. I understand that it really doesn't matter whether I have a crank arm to attach a pedal to or not because I'm going to have to keep the pedal detached as I sew on the straps, but I feel I will be much more motivated to complete that task once I reach a point where pedals might actually have a purpose.
After going over the list of things I still need to do I seem almost impressed with myself. It's very short. This is my 11th post and I'm starting to wonder if I'll make it to 20. I like nice even numbers so unless I stop at 15, I'l figure out a way to make it to 20 even if the last few are just pictoral updates. I still expect to post again this weekend so be on the lookout.
Now that I have a visual of what my bike looks like, I really wish I had a stem. It seems that the one part that most people don't even realize is a part is what's keeping this from really looking like a bike. The handlebars are part of what makes a bicycle a bicycle and the humble stem is apparently overlooked. What I'm really looking forward to, however, is taping the bars. I just replaced the tape on my current speed demon and I can see why all those fancy magazines tout it as being an "upgrade" because it really did make a difference. I pimped my ride, yo.
It's certain that my headset will be installed by this weekend and I see no reason to put off buying a stem any longer than that. With glorious payday fast approaching, it is in the plan to purchase said stem on this coming saturday. I think I should probably mention that, although I started on my Super Advanced Pedal Retention System weeks ago I haven't done anything else since. Knowing myself as well as I think I do, it probably wont be done until after I get my crankset installed. I understand that it really doesn't matter whether I have a crank arm to attach a pedal to or not because I'm going to have to keep the pedal detached as I sew on the straps, but I feel I will be much more motivated to complete that task once I reach a point where pedals might actually have a purpose.
After going over the list of things I still need to do I seem almost impressed with myself. It's very short. This is my 11th post and I'm starting to wonder if I'll make it to 20. I like nice even numbers so unless I stop at 15, I'l figure out a way to make it to 20 even if the last few are just pictoral updates. I still expect to post again this weekend so be on the lookout.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Uphill Both Ways...In The Sand
It feels like I've hit a wall. After making so much progress in a short amount of time I have literally done nothing for at least a few weeks. No, I didn't abandon, I just ran into a long line of progress slowers. All is well though, once I get my headset installed and buy a stem, I will have an almostly perfectly functioning bike. I went through the list of all the things I need to do and its surprisingly short and simple. I wanted to order the cranks this past week but I lost my debit card so had to wait for the nice bank to send me a new one and because my paypal is connected to my debit card, I needed to wait until I get my new card to update the information otherwise I would get nothing. I have found some decent cranksets though and I should expect to get soon. Actually I might order it after I finish this post--but no promises.
I have a confession to make. I through the bike together as best I could and took pictures to show off. I kinda wanted to wait until I had as many parts as possible before I did that, just to surprise myself, but I couldn't resist and I wanted to make sure it was going along as I planned. It is :) I imagine this is what it's like to watch a child grow up but without all that pesky parenting.
In case you forgot (like I did) I'll recap what I have purchased: saddle, frameset, wheelset, bar tape, handle bars, pedals, Super Advanced Pedal Retention System, and chain. Is that it? Well it's all I see on my kitchen table so it must be. My total expenditures still rest at under $300 which is perfect since all of the other things I've priced total much less than $200. Maybe once the masterpiece is complete I'll be able to buy a hundred dollar messenger bag to complete the "hipster" facade. Actually the purchase of a $200 messenger bag would be far more appropriate, but then I wont have enough for a $50 lock and cycling cap.
That's it for now, next update should hopefully be after the completion of my frameset. At least I hope so. Until then may you not be run over by a French TV News Car.
I have a confession to make. I through the bike together as best I could and took pictures to show off. I kinda wanted to wait until I had as many parts as possible before I did that, just to surprise myself, but I couldn't resist and I wanted to make sure it was going along as I planned. It is :) I imagine this is what it's like to watch a child grow up but without all that pesky parenting.
In case you forgot (like I did) I'll recap what I have purchased: saddle, frameset, wheelset, bar tape, handle bars, pedals, Super Advanced Pedal Retention System, and chain. Is that it? Well it's all I see on my kitchen table so it must be. My total expenditures still rest at under $300 which is perfect since all of the other things I've priced total much less than $200. Maybe once the masterpiece is complete I'll be able to buy a hundred dollar messenger bag to complete the "hipster" facade. Actually the purchase of a $200 messenger bag would be far more appropriate, but then I wont have enough for a $50 lock and cycling cap.
That's it for now, next update should hopefully be after the completion of my frameset. At least I hope so. Until then may you not be run over by a French TV News Car.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
It Only Took Twice As Long
I haven't given up. In fact, I feel more inspired than ever. Today I finally recieved my bicycle frameset. Due to the aforementioned technical mishap it took a minute longer but at least it's here. Now I have what might resemble a bicycle scattered throughout my apartment. Hell with some skillful duct tape work it could even look like a bike which is quite exciting. Have you ever put together a jig saw puzzle? Well if you have then you know what it feels like to get the entire border put together. Sure it's simple to find all the proper pieces and figure out where they might go, but you know that that is the first and most crucial step to finishing the master piece. My frameset is the puzzle border. Relatively easy to obtain but without it, all the other parts will never look like a bike.
Alas, as soon as someone closes the door, someone else decides to open a window. Such is the predicament I currently find myself in. What my next task is, is finding all the specific parts that might run up some dough in parts and labor. I'm referring to the rear cog, stem, and crankset of course. I still haven't settled on a gearing. I know what I'm going to be using the bike for so it's not like I have to take terrain or distance into account. The problem is that I don't really know how to ride a fixie. It's true. I don't even know how to skid stop or track stand. If I choose a gearing that's slightly high, once I get up to a comfortable cadence I may not be able to stop well. I know I can learn but I don't really want to resort to adding breaks if I can avoid it. This is something I can dwell on for a short while though, as I still have to get my frameset put together and lack a headset press.
I can't close without basking in my own glory for a moment. I have managed to stay within my budget and not go all out buying the things I want as soon as I see them. It's kind of a growing experience. I do hope that anyone who reads might understand how easy it is for cyclists to buy things and that holding back is a challenge. I'm not sure what I am going to get next but there's a few cranks I have my eye on. I also have to find a stem but I have a feeling that's going to get taken care of when I go to the shop for my headset. I wish I could say that will be taken care of this weekend but I had a slight mishap with my debit card this week so funding might not allow for it. It's all good though because with next weekend comes payday so it is entirely likely that I will accomplish yet another major step in this build at that time.
The tour de France has been quite riveting so far by the way, in case anyone cares.
Alas, as soon as someone closes the door, someone else decides to open a window. Such is the predicament I currently find myself in. What my next task is, is finding all the specific parts that might run up some dough in parts and labor. I'm referring to the rear cog, stem, and crankset of course. I still haven't settled on a gearing. I know what I'm going to be using the bike for so it's not like I have to take terrain or distance into account. The problem is that I don't really know how to ride a fixie. It's true. I don't even know how to skid stop or track stand. If I choose a gearing that's slightly high, once I get up to a comfortable cadence I may not be able to stop well. I know I can learn but I don't really want to resort to adding breaks if I can avoid it. This is something I can dwell on for a short while though, as I still have to get my frameset put together and lack a headset press.
I can't close without basking in my own glory for a moment. I have managed to stay within my budget and not go all out buying the things I want as soon as I see them. It's kind of a growing experience. I do hope that anyone who reads might understand how easy it is for cyclists to buy things and that holding back is a challenge. I'm not sure what I am going to get next but there's a few cranks I have my eye on. I also have to find a stem but I have a feeling that's going to get taken care of when I go to the shop for my headset. I wish I could say that will be taken care of this weekend but I had a slight mishap with my debit card this week so funding might not allow for it. It's all good though because with next weekend comes payday so it is entirely likely that I will accomplish yet another major step in this build at that time.
The tour de France has been quite riveting so far by the way, in case anyone cares.
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