- Site:
- http://bit.ly/aJEq4Y
- Miles:
- 42174 total / 1351 in 2012
- Goal:
Get one bike frame to circle the globe before it breaks. Achieve 49,804 mi / 80152km lifetime miles in 2012.
Kris R. rode: That thing I did this...
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- 37 miles
- 02:12 time
- 16.7 pace
- 1899 calories
- details
That thing I did this morning? Riding the big metal car with lots of people in it? A good idea. Although the average speed wasn't that high, the 10-15 mph headwind was more than enough to stop us from setting any speed records today.
Pedro rocks up on this lightweight Carbon Fiber thing... and I snap a photo before picking it up. Immediately alarm bells start going off. This thing is LIGHT. It felt a good 10 lbs lighter than my bike (realistically probably only about 8 lbs). It had gears, and a nice drivetrain to go with the bike. We had a north wind blowing which favored the aero position of the TT bike. Things were not looking good for the ol' Steamroller Mk II. Worst of all, the bottom bracket has finally given up the ghost and is causing all sorts of drivetrain problems, like "not spinning freely". It also sounds HORRIBLE, crackling and making all kinds of non-smooth-bearing-surface noises. Like my baby is crying in pain.
Pedro and I got down to the flat section, but he wasn't comfortable passing people on the aero bars. He quickly discovered the aero bars were a lot easier on the hands, but he also wobbled a lot while down on them. The speed increase was usually about 2-3 mph, so I was really having to work to keep with $2800 worth of rolling carbon (he bought it second hand). Pedro quickly got a bit tired so I pulled for a bit and we stopped off to get water for him, where again I picked up the bike just to make sure he wasn't tricking me by filling it with helium or something.
On the return leg, he took the road (shorter, straighter and faster, but has a traffic light) and I took the windy pathway (slower, longer by about half a mile, windy, full of ruts, tree roots and pedestrians). When the two paths rejoined I was about 40 s behind him, but it took some major effort and sprinting at 24-26 mph in to the headwind (127'ish RPM) to catch him. After that the trail got too bumpy for him to ride down on the aero bars; Lake Forest council's blocking upgrades to the trail meant the Fixie had the advantage with its super plush bar tape and flexing steel forks absorbing the hard bumps that were being transmitted directly to Pedro's hands (we both agreed he needed better gloves).
Farther down we picked up speed again; I led because I know where all of the bumps are and how to navigate through with the most comfort, before we did a speed blitz down the BGT. I don't know why, but lately I haven't been able to spin nearly as much as I could before, and I just barely hung on again on the 1% downhill stretch in to the wind at 31 mph. I think given enough tarmac, smooth enough surface and a slight downhill, I would have been in some serious trouble. The next section was pretty long and had a nice downhill gradient, but this time I got the jump on him and spun up before he had a chance to take off.
At the next intersection there was a *really* hot girl on a bike; ladies, if you have the figure, form fitting bike clothes make you look STUNNING. Red cycling jersey, lycra bike pants. We... erm... naturally felt it was too dangerous for us to pass, so we just sat back and... relaxed. Yes. Relaxed. And admired the view.
After we stopped following said distraction, Pedro split to go home and I climbed the hill to get to the top of Greenlake. I was feeling pretty hungry, so I hit Subway to have dinner next to the lake as twilight set in, before going to my hair cut appointment, getting shorn and heading home.
Although the pace home was somewhere in the 18 mph vicinity (I believe it was 17.8 mph when Pedro and I saw the hot girl on a bike), most of the slowdown occurred climbing the hill to get to the hair dresser's, and riding around Greenlake at walking speed because pedestrians have right of way.
This is probably what it's like riding with Bernard and Ernest :P. I had great fun riding home with Pedro on his super quick bike, but I think I would have enjoyed it more on a bike with gearing more suited to the pace we were doing. I think changing the ratio to 47/17 will do the trick :).
- Gear
- Weather
Your awesome!
almost 2 years ago • Like
Yo, you having probs with the new Steamroller? What gives?
almost 2 years ago • Like
All the componentry was switched from the old bike to the new one, so everything is heavily worn out. They rebuilt the headset, but after nearly 10,000 mi the bottom bracket is toast. Apparently fixed gear bikes go through bottom brackets faster than normal bikes. I've been looking for a better quality one in the same size, but no dice. A replacement part is on order already.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Trying to work out how to align a 107mm length BB to be in the same place as a 103 mm length BB. Spacers on the BB seem to be the way, but I can't find any reference to shortening, only lengthening. 4mm of spacers on the spider seems like a REALLY bad idea. Any ideas?
almost 2 years ago • Like
Since your Bb is toast why not get a 102 mm campag square taper BB (Record & Chorus fit the description), they last forever - alternatively FSA do one similar called Ultimax - that's if you are looking for 102 (03) but if its 107 the only one I know is Miche - they do 2 types the standard and an EVO light which costs x3 as much as standard. Miche also do 102 mm BB as well but their quality is no where near campagnolo.
almost 2 years ago • Like
I'm really looking for a replacement to a Sugino 68x103 square taper BB. from the looks of things, the Chorus looks like a good match. Not sure why the FSA BB didn't come up in the bike shop's database, that is a better match than the campy part, and they're local. Thanks for the suggestions! Realistically, I have to remember this is a $650 steel bike these are going in to...
almost 2 years ago • Like
If you want the part to last then .......
Is it Sugino (pt no CB-SUGI-103) you have already?
almost 2 years ago • Like
I do have a Sugino in there right now - it's what ships with the bike, but I can't locate that specific part. Looks like this from memory, but has been 5 months since I pulled it out for a 5k service:
http://harriscyclery.net/product/sugino-68-x-103mm-bottom-bracket-2140.htm
almost 2 years ago • Like
I would take Nader's advice for a 102mm symmetrical spindle if you can find one in JIS taper. The only track crank I know of that uses that length is a Sugino RD or Messenger, which have a wonky chainline anyway. Place a 1mm spacer behind the drive side cup and you wind up with the same spacing you had.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Sugino do a better one called 75 but i don't think its the same size (75 v 68) - there is also the IRD which is actually a Tange but i expect it will be same quality as Sugino - the Ultimax in titanium version rolls very smoothly and usually cheaper than Campag but i expect Campag to outlast it by 1.5 - 2x..
almost 2 years ago • Like
@Jason: I came to the same discovery RE: Messenger/Sugino RD.
@Nader: Sizing isn't correct IIRC. Tange makes both Sugino and IRD, but my supplier can only get Sugino for some reason. I would settle for something that will last 20,000 mi and cost 2-3x as much TBH. The Chorus matches that spec well.
almost 2 years ago • Like
I would like to start a petition to ban Kris from talking about his monstrous efforts (25mph into a headwind to close a 40s gap is a mighty effort) until he walks the walk and races. C'mon dude, you are clearly strong enough.
almost 2 years ago • Like
It wasn't a completely solo effort... I have a feeling Pedro slowed down slightly... plus, 1 hr 25 mins or better door to door before I buy a bike and join a team. You know that :). We didn't even get close to that time yesterday. EDIT: Oh, and I'll probably have to do something about my diet. I'll post what I've eaten the entire week on Sunday morning or thereabouts.
almost 2 years ago • Like
I was about to say "This is the nerdiest conversation ever", but then @Bernard jumped in and made it all manly and chest beaty.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Ha. More bike nerding, less chest beating! Sugino 75 BBs mate to 75 cranks, the only ISO tapers in the line, so no good. If you want a lifetime BB; Phil Wood (RIP btw) makes a 103mm JIS taper that's symmetrical; it will outlast your bike. But...for that kind of money I would suggest the SRAM Omniums w/ an outboard BB. If you wanted to spend a lot less, Velo Orange makes a nice BB with the same specs...for $34. If you want to spare the DM Community further nerdtasticness; message me, ha ha.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Oh, don't take it offline! This is sooo cute. You boys...
almost 2 years ago • Like
@Janeen it is sad when the manly guy is the one who shaves his legs. Usually Kris R is the macho one! It comes with the gender/nationality mix, I hear. Care to verify?
almost 2 years ago • Like
@Jason, actually I am calling for less chest beating, un;ess it's under the auspices of a real competition!
almost 2 years ago • Like
@Jason: Thanks for the tips! I will have to do some more research on the interwebs. Although all this browsing of parts is making me want to buy new bikes.
@Bernard: I hear it comes with being half asian.
almost 2 years ago • Like