Plastic Fantastic

FAIL of the Plastic Tire Iron

The first thing I needed to do to the Univega was get the front tire to hold air. Accordingly, I removed the tire and tube. I found out the tire had an oversize tube, so I simply replaced the tube with a new one of the correct size. Along the way, I discovered that my plastic "tire iron" wasn't up to the job. Note to self: carry a plastic tire iron on the road, but keep the steel ones to use at home when a "real fix" is necessary. I guess there's a reason that steel "iron" was used back in the day instead of the plastic they give you nowadays.

Along the same line, our Jaguar car club had its annual show yesterday. One of the cars, a mid 1950's XK 140 emphasized the theme of this post. From a distance, it looks like the car has some gold trim. You can see it below.

Note Gold Color Around the Headlights and Turn Signals

However, if you look closer, you can see a statement is being made.

Some Things Were Done Differently Back in the Day...

ABC Off!

Armadillo Still Mounted on Frankenbike's Rear Wheel. Sidewall Was SAD, but Tread Separation was the End of the Tire

I’ve been an ABC Quick Check Failure for many years. It isn’t that I don’t DO ABC Quick Checks, but rather that I typically make a mental note to “fix that later” as long as I decide it will not keep me from completing my immediate trip. Sometimes, that approach proves less than satisfactory. Sometimes, it merely allows one to combine multiple fixes into one session. I’m fortunate enough that this time, I got to do the latter.

This all started back in late spring. My rear tire on Frankenbike was flat one morning. Adopting my usual approach, I pumped up the tire and it held air just fine for my morning journey. The next morning it was flat once again. I pumped it up again and this time it stayed inflated for an entire week. After about four episodes, I decided that my wife’s bike needed exercise (she rarely rides it) and I’ve been using it for the entire summer. After some experience with it, I’ll make a future post about my summer with “modern” bike technology. Needless to say, while I was going through these gyrations I was making mental notes about truing my front wheel and adjusting the brakes, not to mention cleaning and lubing the chain. I also picked up a new tire; a low-cost Kenda.

This all came to a head this week when my three daughters came to visit. Suddenly, Frankenbike was needed for transport once again. I pumped up the tire, but unlike past episodes, this time, the tire went flat within a couple of houses and the kids were not really enthused about riding “Madeline.” Apparently, fixies are not everyone’s cup of tea.

To make a long story short, the family wanted to motor in to the big city (Aberdeen and Hoquiam) to go shopping. My request included four spokes and some rim tape. I already had bike chain lube handy. I provided the old, broken spoke so they could be sure to get the proper length. In due time, I had the parts, including an extra roll of rim tape (for reasons unknown). I set to work and discovered just how pleasant truing an old rim can be when you have a bike stand, a comfortable chair to work with, and you are not in any rush.

Now there ARE a few extra items that don’t entirely fit within the narrative. They include:

• This is my second Armadillo tire that failed by separation of the tread from the casing. I am now “Armadillo-free” in Ocean Shores.
• I discovered that rim strips, such as the Origin 8 I have onBuddy, are much less universal than rim tape such as the Velox I used in this repair. The Origin 8 does not come in a 27-inch size and I don’t know if the 700c strip would fit. I’m guessing it’d work fine since the rims are not that different in size, but when the “LBS” bike shop is 30 miles away, I voted for rim tape that’ll fit ANYTHING.
• I used an ultrasonic parts cleaner to clean the chain. It worked OK, but I was wishing I had either my Park Chain Cleaning tool, or my trusty can of carburetor cleaner.
• Shiny new spokes really make their 30-year old ancestors look LAME
• I'm not sure if this is typical, but my new Kenda was MUCH easier to fit to the rim than any Specialized, Vittoria, or Continental I have recent experience with. No "must use hook bead rim" nonsense, either. It also seems that 28c wide Kendas are wider than 28c Armadillos.
• While I was fixing stuff, I fixed my second floor pump as well (it had a failed pressure head) using the head from my lousy third floor pump. My favorite floor pump, shown here, is still in Texas.
• Aberdeen, besides being the hometown of Kurt Cobain of "Nirvana" fame, was also the home of America's most prolific serial murderer; Billy Gohl. While there are no records of Billy's first six years of operation, 41 bodies were recovered in his last three years in Aberdeen.

Armadillo Tire as Removed and Ready for Trash. Note the Separation Between the Tread and the Still-Intact Casing
I'm Not Sure WHAT that White Spot is, but it was on the Inside of the Tread When the Tire was Removed

God Bless Bike Mechanics

Interior of the LaVogue Bike Shop, in Hoquiam's "Historic LaVogue Building"

This last week, I was reminded that a bike mechanic is more than simply someone who knows how to turn a wrench on a fastener. He or she is someone that can get you back on the road, whether your problem was complex, or simply minor but irritating.

I decided to “multimode” by bike and bus into Aberdeen again, taking advantage of the “local knowledge” acquisition I did here on “Steve’s Day Out.” Well, as it turned out, I had problems of a different sort. My now venerable U Lock has been getting a little cantankerous lately, but still seemed to have a lot of life in it. After getting off the bus, I rode over to the nearby Walmart to see how THEIR film processing compared to that of Rite Aid. As it turns out, their film processing is both quicker and cheaper, though it is clear that the days of quick and good film processing are sadly behind us. Rite Aid has their film developing horse and buggy come by once a week while Walmart has twice a week service. Still, either of those are better than Tall’s “Camera” in Seattle which not only doesn’t handle film developing, but didn’t know of any place closer than about ten miles away.

To make a long story short, after completing my recon at Wallyworld, I rode over to Safeway in order to get groceries either not available at IGA, or with greatly superior value. Pulling up to their bike rack, my lock would not open. Golly! I tried again. Sheesh! Suddenly, it seemed I was 25 miles from home and on a shopping trip with a lock that wouldn’t open. While I felt lucky it didn’t fail with the bike locked inside at Walmart, shopping and a library visit now seemed out of the question. After considering options, I decided that the best option would be to ride over to neighboring Hoquiam and pay a visit to the only bike shop in Gray’s Harbor County.

Front of the LaVogue Bike Shop

The ride was uneventful, retracing a route I rode the week before, and in due time, I was at the LaVogue Bike Shop counter saying “I need a lock” as I plopped the frozen U lock down. The owner indicated that usually, the locks just needed lubrication and he tried that. Apparently, however, lube doesn’t help locks where the mechanism is falling apart beyond making stuff greasy. I indicated that the only thing it would be nice to save from the old lock was the cable which I use to attach the front wheel to the frame/rear wheel/bike rack combination. The owner stated he could probably get the lock apart and proceeded to put it in a vise until a potential customer diverted his attention. It is a wise bike shop owner that will ignore a bike sale in favor of hacking into a now-greasy lock.

U Lock in Happier Days

Still, I was not out of luck. The mechanic in the back of the shop inquired about the problem and I related how the lock was terminal, but I’d like to keep the cable or, if he couldn’t save it, to buy another to go with the new U lock. Being a guy with a golden touch, he cranked away on the lock and soon had it broken in two, with my old cable free to go with the new lock. In reply to my jesting “golly, if you don’t make it as a bike mechanic, you can always go into the business of breaking locks,” he said “yup, as long as I have a vise and a big hammer with me, I can break most any lock.” Well, perhaps a vise and a hammer is not the most subtle way to steal a bike, but I was reminded, once more, that bike mechanics are blessed. Anybody can adjust a working derailleur or replace brake pads, but fixing stuff not designed to be fixed is a talent not given to us all. And they DID sell me a new lock! I let them keep the key for the old one...

I Still Swear by the Combination of a U Lock and Cable

ABC and Armadillo Tires

LaVogue Bicycle Shop in Hoquiam, Washington - Conveniently Next Door to Tully's Coffee

As noted here, I've been a fan of "Armadillo" bike tires in the past. However, as noted here and here, they are not without their faults. For older bikes, I'm coming to the conclusion that Armadillos may be more trouble than they're worth.

Lately, I've had a failure progressing on Frankenbike's Armadillo front tire. Having had "ABC" failures in the past, I have kept a close eye on it. One problem, however, is that there's really no place to get a 27 inch tire here in Ocean Shores. Ace Hardware actually has "Bell" brand 27 inch tires, but they weigh at least as much as the Armadillo and I really don't trust Bell components other than tubes and helmets.

Can You See Why the Tire Was Making Funny Noises?

There IS a bike shop 15 miles away in Hoquiam. What's more, an express bus runs from Ocean Shores to Hoquiam, though I've heard tales of where it discharges its passengers - a locale nicknamed "felony flats." Luckily for me, my brother-in-law (BIL) in Everett required a visit - going to Everett and back from Ocean Shores using public transit is really a multi-day affair if you aren't going to motor there. I first stopped by the bike store in Hoquiam, but they didn't have anything much more appealing than the Ace Hardware Bell tire. I like the Hoquiam store, though it lacks the "spiff" of a Performance Bikes locale. After continuing, I stopped at a bike store I favor that's close to my BIL's house. They didn't have anything fancy, but the Specialized Trisport, made in Taiwan, seemed several steps better than the alternative Chinese "noname" tire and it was much lighter than either it or the Armadillo it was destined to replace. Reviews on the Trisport are mixed, but unlike the Armadillo, it does not indicate it REQUIRES a hook bead rim. After conversation with the bike shop guy about the tire and its intended rims, I splurged for less than HALF what it's cousin, the Armadillo, would have cost. Heck, if my tire's going to fail due to tread separating from the casing, I might as well spend a little less.

In summary and without further ado, I do NOT recommend Armadillos for old (non hook bead) 27-inch rims. They will eventually blow off same if you pump them up to their specified pressure. Their tread doesn't stay attached to the casing any better than a $5 Chinese tire, and they ride like wood. And that doesn't consider that their traction in wet conditions is, to put it charitably, "challenged." Oh, forgot to mention that they weigh a ton and cost almost as much as the excellent Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires that unfortunately are not available in 27-inch size.

Tread is Becoming "Dearly Departed" Though the Casing is Still Intact The Sidewall was Originally a Dark Red

On the other hand, even with the rubber detaching from the casing, the tire never actually went flat. Had I felt "ABC Daring," I would have pulled the rubber off the tire and ridden on the casing alone. Perhaps, someday, I will. For now, the love affair with Armadillos is OVER.

UPDATE: In response to Khal's comment, take a look here, here, and here to see more about using Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires. They're still on my "good" list though they're even MORE expensive than the Conti Gatorskins. I like them despite their own particular faults. The Contis are not available in 27" size and I'd be VERY reluctant to use folding tires on an old rim in any event.

That's the TREAD, Not a Tube! The Red is the Remaining Vestige of the Original Sidewall Color

Sad Lonely Bikes

United Spirit Arena in Lubbock

Show 'Em Your Six Guns!

Last week, as in many other places around the US, Texas Tech University graduated their Senior Class and began summer vacation. We were proud that one of my daughters was amongst the graduates. She'd been seen on this blog, such as here and here.



Mongoose Bike Had Two Flat Tires and a Cheap Lock
The Saddle Was Worse than it Looks

Still, there was a note of sadness amongst the well-deserved happiness. That was for the poor, sad, lonely unloved bikes that were left behind by students leaving for summer vacation. Some of these bikes were "Wally World" style bikes, but some were worthy of respect.

By the time we left, I was almost wishing I'd brought along some lock breaking tools, but felt better after my daughter told me that the TTU police would cut the locks and donate the bikes. I wish them a little more love in the future.

This Bike Had No Lock at All - It'd Been "Straightened Up" at the Rack by a Sympathetic Passerby



Perhaps Saddest Was this Trek with the Rim Strip Failed on the Front Tire
The Bike is the Same Model My Daughter Has.
It Had a U Lock Around the Frame but the Wheels Were Unsecured
The Bike at Left "Appears" to be Locked but Wasn't

ABC Choices

Yes, That IS a Bulge. Illustrating the Value of the "A" Part of "ABC Quick Check"

Hmm, my rear tire's had a real SLOW leak for about three weeks now. Each morning, I pump it up from about 60psi to somewhere north of 100. Now, It's developed a "bump bump bump" with each revolution. The symptom isn't getting better.

Looking at it, there's a bit of an "owie" on the tread. Look at the picture carefully and you can see it - a reverse curve that represents a bulge in addition to the gray area that is perhaps coincidentally in the same vicinity. Ironic really, considering that Big Oak just got some new Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires. THIS is the same tire, and it's only got about 4K miles on it. In the past, if babied, these tires will go nearly 6000. What has German manufacturing come to? Crimeny, these things cost almost half as much as good Jaguar tires!

Well, considering that I've been an "ABC Scofflaw" in the past, I'm considering three options:

• Change the tire and tube (remember that slow leak) before tomorrow's ride. I do have an older, but still serviceable Conti in hand. Actually, I have two, but the sidewall weaving is coming off on the second tire while the first one is mere tired (no pun intended)
• Pump up the tires on Frankenbike and simply defer the issue
• Carry the extra tire along to work tomorrow "just in case" and hope that things will stay stable for one more day (our company will be shut down next week)
• Carry the tire along and change it at lunch time, cutting the risk of a flat on the trip by some unknown fraction

My loyal reader will bet I take option 3. We shall see. Stay tuned.

Accumulations

A week ago Friday marked my 400^th consecutive commute since the last time I drove to work - February 9, 2011. Over that period of time, accumulations have built up.

Mileage Accumulations
The obvious accumulation is the mileage and how those are distributed. Namely, I tend to simply keep riding a bike to work every morning because it is set up. That mileage switches to a different bike when the first one becomes inconvenient due to maintenance or other needs. This year, I rode one bike the first couple of months, and another the rest of the year.

Wear Accumulations                 

Trunk Bag Earlier This Year

 Wear is a commuter’s equivalent of rust – it never sleeps.  For example, I noted early this year that my bike trunk bag was starting to come apart. Well, the initial wear has become a lot more wear.

Trunk Bag in Early November. Another Has Been Procured. Cracked "Superflash" is at Bottom of Photo

For another example, I note that the “love affair” with Cateye equipment has lost some of its initial attraction. The “Cateye Commuter” has experienced added failures, such as the spoke magnet. The Cateye rear light also failed and I’m using a second one that I “borrowed” from my oldest daughter’s bike. The Cateye front lights also show wear, and I minimize my use of the HL-EL-530 so that I do not experience yet another bracket failure. In truth, I’m not sure that the Cateye lights are worse than their Planet Bike equivalents. My “Superflash,” for example, regularly experiences switch failures and the plastic “on/off” switch cover has a crack in it.


One Form of Broken Cateye Equipment

The wear is not limited only to lighting and bag items either. I’ve noticed that a chunk fell out of the shackle of my Kryptonite U Lock. It doesn’t affect the function, but the typical lock reviews don’t note how durable these things are in daily use over time. The worst thing the OnGuard locks have suffered is the Velcro poops out, the paint wears, and occasionally water freezes them shut in the winter.

Pattern Accumulations                                                                                            
Over time, I’ve also become aware how little many of us actually work. I have not called in sick once since the last time I drove to work, but over that time, I find that my log reveals I work only about 85% of week days. Vacations, holidays, and business trips accumulate the other 15% of days. The 15% “off days” were accumulated despite taking “half day” vacations in 2011 while continuing to bike commute.

Equipment Accumulations
Better than in the past, I understand the plethora of “lightly used” equipment that is available in places like eBay. Frankly, in my case, I’m looking for better combinations to support my trips. That means different bags, different clothing, different bike lubricants, and so on. Sometimes the new stuff works better and becomes part of the “daily drill.” Sometimes, new stuff winds up staying pretty new. Sometimes, the new stuff is an early purchase and will be put into service when the old stuff becomes unusable.

One of Three Panniers I Now Have Accumulated

 

Therapy Like Knitting

Are Leaky Tubes "The New Knitting?"

When you ride, over time you accumulate bits that need fixing. Tubes are one such. While I sometimes repair them on the spot, more often it is hot or cold or I need to get somewhere and so I use my spare tube.

The leaky ones do not go to waste. Some fail due to things that make them impractical to repair, but many provide therapy somewhat akin to the way that some used to knit during gatherings. I went to a "BikeDFW" meeting and all the tubes shown in the above photo were either repaired or finally retired. Unlike knitting, no needles that the TSA would frown on are involved.

Bike Week ABC FAIL

When I GET AROUND TO IT, I'll Know if THIS is the Cause of a Slow Leak. UV Radiation is Hard on Bike Tires

Steve A, serial offender against the "ABC Quick Check." It isn't that I don't make the check, but the intention of doing so isn't meant to help an ABC scofflaw assess how much longer he can go on anymore than checking the oil on a car is intended to assess how many more miles can be driven before the motor freezes up. I'm bad, I admit it. You can see past episodes here. Among other posts.

This one is different. You see, this is Bike Week and it gives my normally boring commute a little extra spice. On Monday, somehow my front tire got damaged. I noticed it on the way home, but tire pressure was reasonable. On Tuesday morning, my front tire was way too soft. Contemplating things, just as motorists sometimes deliberately drive faster than the posted speed limit. I decided to just pump the thing up and ride the seven miles to work. I figured I'd carry the tire in and fix it during lunch. Little did I know what a conversation starter my front tire would become. Before you knew it, someone had placed a band aid on the tire (obviously someone with a poor eye for tire damage and a sense of humor as odd as mine). Well, at lunch, the tire was still pretty firm and I wound up riding home again on the untouched damage.

Since we met with our financial adviser Tuesday night, I put off fixing the thing until Wednesday morning. With diligent ABC technique, I'm STILL riding the bike, having determined that the tire loses about 100psi over 24 hours. Being the engineer I am, I quickly figured that if I ran it up to 120 in the morning, it'd still have 80 for the trip home without even a single stroke of the mini pump. 80 is not bad for the front tire on Buddy, particularly since my riding is biased towards smooth pavement.

All this on a bike that has a brand new replacement tire laid out for it and THREE spare tubes. But this is Bike to Work week. I'm going to the event in Fort Worth. I'd go to Richardson but FW is a straight shot and I can get to work only 1.5 hours later than usual if I skip the speeches. Maybe another year when going to work at the same time as non-government people is optional.

I think that this year I will manage to avoid losing my camera AND I'll have the secret pleasure of knowing I'm the only one there who knows how quickly his front tire is going flat. Unless, of course, the slow leak suddenly turns into a quick one. If that happens, y'all may hear how hard bike commuting really can be. But I think I'm gonna try to ride that leaker through to the weekend. If I patch the slow leak, I'll STILL have three spares which will let me keep two of them for my knobbies if we get snow and ice next winter.

Golly, I sure hope Gail, Richard, Chandra, or Warren don't read this!

Student Advice

Student Objective - ALSO Student Advice!

One aspect I like about the LAB program, despite its other warts, is the organized feedback it offers. Case in point: last weekend, a student inadvertently offered me some advice without realizing it. You can see that advice above. Yes, campers, teachers have bad habits every bit as much as any student. And, if Gail Spann is reading this, it isn't what she thinks. Even Warren would admit I was VERY well behaved about avoiding cyclocross mounts and dismounts. My recent fixie purchase should help further, but I have to drag THAT story out a while. For reasons that will become gradually clear in future posts.

It all started with Quick Stops and Instant Turns. For those not practiced in the bike handling drills common to LAB and Cycling Savvy, Quick Stops are the theory and practice of stopping a bike as quickly as possible in an emergency. You will NOT do a Quick Stop or Instant Turn every day. In fact, I cannot say I have EVER had to do a life or death Quick Stop. With luck, I never will. Still, should that day come, I hope I will be around to tell y'all how the three or four feet quicker I stopped, or the three feet quicker I turned, made a real difference. That is why we practice. Similar motives lead me to practice emergency motoring maneuvers. As in SCCA Solo Racing. What can I say, I'm an engineer?

But, bike ed has its possible downside. Today, I had one incident in which I considered initiating a Quick Stop. I also had a second incident in which I considered how ineffective the "back brake only" version of the Quick Stop truly is - and where you want to be wearing helmets the very most. Was this coincidence? I hope so. I'd rather not think that practice creates the need for the actions we practice.

Bedford Road. Scofflaw Motorist Was Off to the Right. No Cones Today...

First off, I was going down a slight incline on Bedford Road - IN Bedford, on the way home; headed towards a major coffee chain that creates a "most days" major homebound delay, when I saw a motorist and her vehicle off to the right at a stop sign. Following my usual policy, I watched the car's wheels. When they moved forward prematurely, my hands applied pressure on the brake levers and I considered potential Quick Stop options. An Instant Turn also was momentarily considered, but at close to 30MPH, was considered only as an adjunct to a Quick Stop after speed got scrubbed off. Then, the motorist recognized - or registered me - and waited. Recollections of last weekend flooded through. Once again, I didn't have to actually put any of that bike ed stuff to REAL use. Whew. The cycling equivalent of a reduction in the "DEFCON" level. Still, it was nice to know the recent practice was ready if needed.

The Offending Parking Lot. On a Day a Little More Slipperier Than Today

Before long, I was pulling into the coffee chain parking lot and exposing a BAD habit. Namely, I took off my helmet as I pulled in, which I often do to let my head cool down a smidge before I go inside. I do NOT want to start any helmet wars here, but in my experience, parking lots are one of the four situations in which helmets are the most useful. The other ones are: regular walking around or riding on slick ice, and crowded bike paths. All three situations have a lot of potential conflict and the helmet wearer is going slow. Simply said, if you wear a helmet on the road, do not take it off until you stop. That parking lot is a hotbed of potential conflict. Rantwick's mom is right.

My Dear, Departed Helmet. Killed in a Texas Summer. Still, Illustrative of Today's BAD Habit. The Helmet in the Photo Got ZINGED in Texas Heat

To make the story move forward, I took off the helmet, and held it in my left hand, leaving me with only rear braking. A car pulled out. Good thing I wasn't going fast, or I'd have made a good dent in the motorist's fender and we'd have had to argue why it was OK for him to run that stop sign when I didn't have one. I'd really rather not argue. BOTH HANDS available for braking. That's good practice. The premature helmet removal is a bad habit, and doubly so when it compromises one's ability to use the strong (front) brake. Nuff sed.

Those students learn. They also teach.

Warren Casteel Illustrates a Point in Parking Lot Drills

Renee Jordan Explains Instant Turns to TS101 Students

FOCUS!

Captain Picard Contemplates Steve's Habits...

Encore Last Post of the Old Era and More



Rim Strip Better Than Velox

I really did not plan to do this. What, you might wonder, is "this?" Well I would LIKE to talk about the direction I'm going to take this discussion, and how I've noticed that the vast majority of the 722 posts I made before today have a lot of cycling educational content and how I'm going to be looking for volunteer help to pull this all together into a step-by-step way to transform people from being "people on bikes" to the higher condition of "cyclist."

But all that will have to wait a little bit. You see, unlike my usual routine of fun and safe riding to work, this morning was, well, not any of those things. It was, however, memorable. As I told my wife when I called - "I don't think I got hurt." I didn't know at that point how much further things would go.

Everything started pretty normally. After a mile, I turned on to the half mile of bike path that is on my commute. It is poorly designed, but I still view it as a pleasant interlude, because it is more pastoral than the rest of my route. This morning, on that bike path, suddenly I was flung 15 or so feet off to the left of the trail and my elbows were on the handlebars as I tracked through the grass. For a brief moment, I thought I might go over the bars. Luck and good bike handling skills got things back under control and back on the path. With TWO flat tires. Even a cyclocross bike handles poorly with both tires flat. Looking back, I saw no obvious cause for the incident. I hoofed it home. I had a spare tube but that wasn't going to get me back on track with what were most likely pinch flats - on tires that had over 100psi in them beforehand. Sure enough, I saw a large brown rock in the path that my mind had probably registered as a leaf. Lesson learned the hard way. Actually, it was a lesson learned once again since I'd fallen on that same trail during the 25 feet of it I ride on the way home. On Valentine's Day.

February 14, About Five Minutes Before My LAST Bad Path Encouter

Well, I made it back home and didn't even notice my wonderful wife's futile attempts to find out if I was in shock or whatever. Maybe a little bit of shock. After all, it isn't every day that you simultaneously almost get thrown off your bike and get two flat tires.

Upon my return, I diligently set about reducing any familial sympathy by grumping at anybody around. I also replaced the offending tubes. In my hurry, I pinched one of the tubes, raising my flat total to three. Two front flats and one rear.

One nice aspect of all this was it was fully light by the time I set out again. What's more, I swooped by that brown "rock that looked like a leaf" with fierce abandon. I even started go get a little cocky and snapped a photo of the scene where "green Escort boy" felt it necessary to yell at me as I waited for a stoplight.

What, Exactly, Does "Teal Escort Guy" Expect Me to do at This Intersection?

Well, it wasn't over yet. While I waited at the light, I heard a sickening "bang" and my rear tire lost its air. Apparently, that tube had gotten pinched just enough to get me about three miles before giving up the ghost. Score at this point was two front flats and two rear flats.

At this point, I was out of spare tubes and out of time to get to work. While I don't often give up, four flats in one morning got me to call my wonderful wife for a ride. I admit it. I'm weak.

Fourth Flat. I Give UP!

Resolution Tested

Yesterday morning, my resolution wavered. It was dark. It was cold. The Armadillo blew off the rear rim of my wife's bike (modern tire on an old, non-hook bead rim. About 3/4 miles from home which is too close to want to fix it in the dark but far enough to let me THINK; "Golly, maybe I ought to simply DRIVE" to work. After all, I hadn't done anything to get Buddy properly tuned after I got it back from the shop (at a cost of 0.6 Jaguar Units - bikes ARE different). Even when I got home, I thought about it once again. But then, all the stuff I'd taken off to take it in appeared, the tires were topped off, and then I was suddenly off again. A close call. Seeing the dusty parking pass didn't help...

Torn Between Two Lovers

Buddy, a Couple of Years Back....

Buddy's undergoing surgery. After more than 8000 miles, combined with a ten speed rear gear set, that bike's got issues. Per the call yesterday: "YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE CHAIN EVERY THOUSAND MILES!" Well, I've changed it once, about 4 thousand miles ago. So fix whatever is worn!

Anyway, after 8000 miles, I guess I'm not surprised I need more than simply a new chain. This is going to cost some coin. My estimate - a Jaguar unit or so.

In the meantime, I'm riding my wife's bike. It is a bike with uncounted mileage. When I asked her when that bottom bracket was last rebuilt, the response was "you need to rebuild that?" That bike, while more than 40 years old, still keeps on running. So, what is YOUR definition of a "beater bike?"

40 Years and Counting. Pay NO ATTENTION to that thing that LOOKS Like a Kickstand!

Opinions Needed from my Loyal Reader

Actually, this involves TWO semi-related subjects. The first is the practical question of how much is a reasonable offer for a broken bicycle. The second is how to induce a "teachable moment" to people who've been hit by motorists recently, and on more than one occasion.

FIRST OPINIONS

Right (Drive Side) Crank Arm Looks OK. Left Looks Like "Toast"

The bicycle in question is a Specialized Roubaix. It's got a carbon frame that's too big for me, that was involved in a collision with an automobile (more on that later in the second subject) when the whole bike had about 100 miles on it. The crash broke the carbon frame seat tube. It also bent the left crank arm and the wheels are out of true. The condition of the carbon fork is unknown. Those with long memories, will remember that I've noted here how to verify the condition of a suspect carbon fork.

Road Rash on Rear Derailleur. Otherwise, Pretty Much What You'd Expect from a New Bike After a Week of Me Riding It

So, why would I consider paying ANYTHING for this? Well, the first item is that Buddy uses SRAM and the remnants of the bike in question use SRAM. What's more, last winter, I bought a ten speed SRAM Force set of shifters, for a future road bike upgrade and this bike has a ten speed rear cassette, along with a SRAM rear derailleur. It's also got a nearly new SRAM ten speed chain. The bottom line is that with a SRAM rear derailleur of any model, I'll have all the parts needed to convert the road bike from an 8 speed Shimano to a 10 speed SRAM system. That would leave the fleet Shimano-free with the exception of Frankenbike which is an entirely different subject. With the cassette, I'd be able to also have a full backup mud/snow set of wheels for cyclocross and snow weather. And chains are a wear item that one will certainly use as the miles pile up.
Stuff I could use almost right away include the rear derailleur, and the chain (Buddy's got nearly 4k miles on its current chain).

Stuff I MIGHT be able to use include the wheels if I can get back into true (by no means certain) - for my knobby tires when it snows around here, and the carbon seat post as an upgrade for the aluminum seat post on my road bike. Not that I'm really LOOKING for a carbon seat post or even for an extra road bike saddle. Also the tires, which look nearly new and those of us that use such up will eventually use any such items that come our way.

Stuff I think might be saleable would include the SRAM Apex shifters, front derailleur (it's a braze-on type which none of my bikes can use), handlebars, possibly the front fork, and the Apex brakes. I do not think the brakes would work on any of my older bikes due to the evolution of brake reach through the years. Still, some person would probably find late model brakes attractive, even if "low end." Of course, I'm really not thrilled with the idea of getting into the parts selling business.
Before I looked at the bike, I said I'd pay $100 sight unseen. That mostly gave value to the rear derailleur, and little for the wheels or drivetrain. Upon seeing the bike, the wheels look like they might be salvageable as a labor of love (they wobble, but there is no VISUAL damage to spokes or the rim), and the drivetrain without even love being needed. I'm not sure the rest of the crank system is even worth a serious dismantle, since the left arm hits the left chainstay. Even a visually good BB is suspect in such a situation. Or so my thoughts go.
Looking at the bike, I add some value for the shifters (almost new SRAM Apex), the handlebars, which are standard, the brake calipers, which are also new standard Roubaix items, and the seatpost, which I think I'm inclined to sell.
SO, y'all, what's the right amount to offer? This guy thinks a NEW, full Apex system is worth $500, and looking at eBay, I'm not sure I'd argue seriously about that. Still, I've already GOT better shifters and wheels, and am not really looking to get into the parts business, so I think the proper value is somewhere between $100 and $300. Over $150 and I think I start to lose a lot of interest and start simply looking for a good, used SRAM rear derailleur. HOWEVER, if I pass, one of y'all might want to sign up for all this? I haven't asked if the person in question wants to ship if you are not local to the DFW area.
SECOND OPINIONS
This bike comes available because the rider got hit in a "left cross situation." I didn't ask, but I suspect the rider was in the "zone of invisibility" at the far right edge of the lane as he was at the stop line. Simply moving left to be more visible might have converted a collision into a situation not even worthy of mention. Coincidentally, I had a pleasant "flat tire and quick release" experience this week. WHAT? You might ask. Well, it wasn't MY flat tire. A fellow bike commuter had a flat tire and I was fortunate enough to come along and help, without even getting cold and dirty. The RELEVANT aspect was that while he fixed his tire, he mentioned he's been hit TWICE by cars. I mentioned back I could help with that and was a bike league cycling instructor.

Joey Fixes His Tire. Buddy and Steve Offer Advice and a Tire Pump. A Tube was Ready if Needed

The question I put to my loyal reader is how do I turn these into "teachable moments?" Two people who ride bikes and three hits by cars is NOT something I can easily ignore, especially since my last real close call was back in the 70's. Motorists may not necessarily LIKE the way I ride, but they absolutely KNOW how to avoid an actual contact. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darkest Morning and First Freeze



Baby, It's Been DARK Outside!

It's Now Cold Enough to Find THESE Gloves!

Yesterday, it became clear that I am not really quite ready for winter. For a few weeks, I've looked forward to today, which marked the latest that dawn will occur in 2011. Now, we will "fall back" and even the very shortest days of December will dawn more than 15 minutes earlier.

Less expected was a freeze that woke me up. Instead of fully preparing, I got up, got ready, and then looked for the colder weather finishing touches. Wool socks and balaclavas (3 to choose from) were all ready and waiting. Ditto for the sweatshirt I wear underneath my cycling jacket. Gloves? Where ARE those durn cold weather cycling gloves? Well, not to belabor the story, other than to note I will search for both pairs this weekend. A simple freeze does not warrant things like mittens. Friday, two pairs of light gloves did the trick but that is an inelegant solution...

Exactly a Year Ago Today, the Trees Were More Colorful Than This Year

Have YOU Seen These Gloves? Me Neither, Though ALL the Other Items are Still Waiting

Arrrgh!

The Staff at my Dental Office Gather for the World!

On occasion, cycling to work is a lot like going to the dentist. Wait, today, I actually WENT to the dentist. I'll call the office "Dr S." One neat thing about the v3 commute is that things like going to the dentist on the way home are actually practical. Back in the v2 commute, it would have been nearly a 2 hour ride to get there. Now, it is under 30 minutes, and is only a couple of miles detour from a direct route home. KOWABUNGA! My first opportunity, back in February, was interrupted by an ice storm, but today was a little warmer. It was a pleasant 98F or thereabouts.Warm enough to not get chills. I brought along some extra stuff so I could be presentable. Namely a towel and my "Ski King" t shirt. I'll admit, it's tougher to clean up when going somewhere one doesn't go every day, especially on a summer afternoon. Still, either everything worked or the staff was admirably polite.

Regardless, my friendly neighborhood registered dental hygenist, anonymously identified as "N" in the center of the photo, was my main contact at the dental office. As usual, she was unflappable and truly wonderful, despite my questions about dental picks and drawing blood by accident from patients, not to mention my suggestion about dying the water in her fountain red. I hate to say it, but I was more of a PIA than usual. It is amazing all the things that occur to a patient sitting in a chair and imagining stuff while he thinks about what he might say in a blog post afterwards.

Before you knew it, I was on the road again and, conveniently enough, my local bike store beckoned on the trip home. I stopped in, mainly to see what was new in the world of cycling stuff one MUST spend money on. They had gobs of stuff, but nothing that really called out to me. I looked at saddles in particular, and my question to the sales guy resulted in a few warranty returns. Oops! Perhaps the recent spending spree on winter gear wore me out. Crimeny, I didn't even look at the price on the saddle. It was brown in any event. Can anyone imagine a brown saddle on the bike below? I certainly would consider it a bit tacky. White; definitely. Red; ditto. Black; maybe even a little TOO mainstream, but brown? Maybe Rantwick would applaud, but he liked that grey (sic in American but not in Canadian) water bottle on my red road bike.

Buddy, Waiting for my Return, in the Dental Waiting Room. You Can See the Flag at Right, Though It Probably isn't for Canada Day

Leaving, I saw people driving to their local bike store. It caused me to wonder about this driving to bike phenomenon. One day, I shall have to interview one of these species. I wonder how far they travel to visit the cycling store. I wonder why they don't simply ride somewhere directly from home. Are they cyclists or triathletes? Are their bikes broken and they don't have another to go get replacement parts? In most ways, it'd seem much simpler just to hop on the bike and ride. I guess I'm missing something.

Drive Your Bike to Your Bike Store?

The day ended well. I stopped for a little "almost home" refreshment of string cheese (lots of salt and electrolytes!) at an elementary school near home. Later, I went to my local library and, out of the blue, the librarian at the reference desk asked where I thought might be a good place to get a "vintage" bike fixed. I suggested Trinity, mostly because I think they'd treat her well. Perhaps I erred, but I'm willing to bet they know how to fix up an old three speed. I can't imagine why she'd think I know anything about bikes, though she might have been tipped off by my interlibrary loan request: Bruce Epperson's "Peddling Bicycles to America." Ya think?

Last Stop Before Home. In a "Drug Free, Gun Free, Anything Else Free" Summer Vacation Shade Zone