kjlem-
I work in Maastricht, The Netherlands. And also in Valkenburg. I am from Belgium and moved 15 km across the border.
And no, I come into companies and see how people get stuck in their lifes, hate the job they do and buy stuff to make them happy , big tv, once a year a brochure holiday.. And people say to me, you shine happiness. I walk out in summer into the sun not knowing Whats comming next.
Every day is different, meet different people and I have freedom . Doesnt matter were I cycle. I am never sick, never overslept . Messengers are like a community , we are Friends and meet eachother in the city. Do events like alleycats, night rides , meet eachother for beer and campfire in summer.
We have fixed rounds and urgent rides come into those rounds . Money is fixed and every ride/round is different.
I love the urgent rides. But Valkenburg is all the time the same, more like a village we deliver for pharmacie. Nobody call me for urgent stuff thats Nice about it, but sometimes I have a ride to another village for 8 km and when I come back another package is there for the same village 😁 thats having a bad day.
You are reading a single comment by @kjlem and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
Yves
I see a lot of vintage parts like they are new . In the past things get build to last a lifetime.
My surly chainring worn out after 35 000 km
Tires 9000 km = 4 months.
Front wheel , 6 months (I use my front brake a lot, 100 deliveries a day..)
Bottom bracket and headset 6 months and wheelbearings 6 months. But I change all bearings at 6 months . I don't want to find a shop when its to late. I have everything spare at home. But after the 6 months they are almost worn out.
About the chain , I can't find a better one then izumi. I have a chain checker tool and at 2500 km the chain is worn out 75% Sometimes in winter I cycle longer with the chain and you can see that its not going straight any more. I cycle 400 to 800 altitude a day.
Rear wheel is hand build with a surly ultra new hub and front wheel is what I can find in good condition and a quality wheel.
The sram crank is new since yesterday. Before I had a sugino messenger rd2 and never had a straight chainline.
I was thinking about a disc fork but the 38mm rake of the steamroller fork is what make the bike so good.