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There are rotational changes being made all around you. In every bike’s period of operativity, there will be the different configurations. These are just natural facts. Fighting, resistance, “ostritching”- these are flimsy blinds blown away by the Real…
Hey! I swapped out my handlebars.
As things of this sort will do, this old switcheroo sent a cascade of subsequently required changes through my pile(s) of bike parts. The shift housings weren’t long enough, so I swapped in short sections and in-line barrel adjustors with the new cables. And, the brake lines (hydro) were also not long enough, so I put back on the cable activated BB7s (wow. They are squealy! I forgot how squealy. Like, kind of a bummer squealy. BUT. They do work, and they were to hand) And the porteur styled big-assed front rack came off to go on another bike, so the little front rack found a home here.
http://www.airmaxfreedom.com nike air griffey max
By default, that bike got a tune up. There are further changes in store, for sure. And that’s just how it goes in the life of a bike geek.
With any “new” bike comes the feverish need to get on and ride it real quick. I rode that bike over to the seedy grocery, which I habituate on account of I feel more at home in the harsh yet dingy lighting there rather than the fancy joint a couple blocks away. Nobody blinks as I stroll through the aisles with my bicycle. There, I bought their cheapest 12er and lashed it to the front rack. It was to serve as a fender of sorts. I had one toe strap, and one Surly junk strap (by far their smartest piece of gear), and it took the 2 in combination to fully tie down my fender.
That arrangement suited me just fine for approximately 42 minutes. I began to notice an increasing rattle which I assumed was the hoopty strap job working loose. It was actually the bottom/side of the fender getting so water-logged that it was beginning to give way, allowing movement of the easter eggs. Hence the rattle.
Guess how I figured that out. Now ask me why I’m partial to canned beers. Now fuck off.
None of the preciouses was damaged, so I didn’t have to shotgun any of them, though it would not have been too troubling if one(s) had. I quickly stowed these loose cans on and about my person, flipped the fender over so the wet/soggy side was the top, re-lashed it and continued my ride.
So dialed.
My ride was one of kindness and generosity for all persons. I was not riding for the paltry “training” reasons the typical racerist uses to justify their time aboard a bicycle. I was not riding for “fun” like a common clown. I was not riding “for a cause” and annoying the shit out of my associates and co-workers by shaking them down for donations. I was not riding to promote the latest iteration of product X,Y, nor Z.
This jacket stowage is either sheer laziness or pure genius. You pick.
I rode for the people. For the people, I stashed beers in the woods in 2 very separate locations.
Easter eggs for all my friends! Ask somebody.
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“So dialed” hahaha. All forms of stowage are genius. Dude, grab a few cans of that Never Wet spray. Buy case. Spray case. Instant fender. I’m almost tempted to try it mahself.
I put a pair of Nitto Albatross bars on my Long Haul Trucker last year. For handling heavy loads up front, it was a solid and necessary swap.
Man, I was on the edge of my seat until I found out the preciouses were unharmed. Genius.
Nitto Albatross? Got ’em on the Crosscheck. Also fenders, rack, panniers and kickstand. And a fixed gear of 48:20 for around 68 gear inches. So the only cable I had to futz with was the front brake; the rear brake being not but a vestigial appendage on a fixed gear.
Don’t haul much beer on the bike because eighty proof is my drug of choice. But if I did, I’d do it on my 1993 Fisher HooKoo. Ginormous grocery panniers can carry two 30-packs and I could probably bungee two more to the rack.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
I have had great success with whatever version of these (wider /steel) Nittos (northroad/alabatross) on other bikes. My aim here is to make this bike ez to jump on and rally, without changing shoes/pants/underwears/etc.
After sliding down some steep and rainy hillsides today, I’m a head back to something straighter on account of your hands are not secured on these and tend to fly off on your (mildly) technical singletracks.
It is perhaps worth a post of it’s own to discuss these incredibly relevant and momentous findings.
To me, it boils down to how I ride the bike in question. These 3-speedy bars are cool cool cool on a tyre of 42mm or less. Bigger, and you are into meats and a wider bar is your friend.
Of course, run what you brung dictates you use existing stock?
This Bulleit Rye is pretty OK.
Spot on, Reverend. My aforementioned Crosscheck previously sported a nice wide flat bar and barends. More manageable in the twitchy stuff; confidence-inspiring, even.
But back issues and a blown-out wrist dictate a more upright riding position, and for that, the Nittos seem to do the trick.
PBR? I appreciate the generosity, but dunno if I can get it down. Not that I think it’s fiscally responsible to leave a 12’r of dales pale ale in the wood. May as well leave a trail of dollar bills to get home