Current Projects chat and miscellany

Working on this. Building a rear rack as well. Will have gears and such. Just figuring out stuff slowly.

^Looks great, functional.

Looks fun. What did you do to get this 650b conversion to work? How did you do it with the brakes?

Everything (apart from the tires) was done as cheaply as possible: the wheelset cost about £100 new from ebay; brakes are Tektro long-drops that I got locally for about £20. 26" tubes in both wheels, but latex on the front (can't notice any big difference).

Looks ace, interesting way to give a Pinarello a new lease of life. How was the ride over 200km?

Lovely Pinarello!

It's the most successful modification yet, I think. The ride is the best I have ever tried, was a little uncanny at first as you are almost completely isolated from the road: no chatter, no nothing. And the big volume tires make this strange hollow sound that I had to get used to. But then it is just unbelievably comfortable -- I thought my 27 mm Pavé tubs were the pinnacle of comfort, but there are, apparently, levels to this shit (as the song goes). The bike was comfortable for the entire 200 km, I was less so; I guess I am more of a 100 km person.

I see that I use the word "comfort" quite a lot in the above post, the bike was actually very well behaved apart from the comfort as well, even loaded up with about 8 kg luggage.

Sveinung, do you think the bike is slower now? How has the geo changed (lower BB...)?

Steering will feel very slightly quicker due to the smaller diameter wheels that's for sure.

Pretty much the same as my experience with my 650b with the new Compass 38mm tyres, take quite some time to get used to the lack of road buzz that usually make you think you're going fast.

Sveinung, I dare you put a low trail fork on it.

Low rake fork you mean? Trail is a calculated figure based on rake and HT angle ;)

Cute.

Pinarello looks fun, I chuckled at the banana holster. Have you considered full length mudguards?

Sveinung, do you think the bike is slower now? How has the geo changed (lower BB...)?

Steering will feel very slightly quicker due to the smaller diameter wheels that's for sure.

Pretty much the same as my experience with my 650b with the new Compass 38mm tyres, take quite some time to get used to the lack of road buzz that usually make you think you're going fast.

Steering was very nice, quick but in no way nervous. Will test it sans luggage on one of these days, however, I slid out in a wet roundabout at around km 100 and apparently hit my knee -- couldn't cycle up from the train station today.

When it comes to speed as in directional speed, it seems to be as fast as with 700c. I did a lot of leaning my elbows on the handlebars, flat back, pushing the large (53t) ring and the lower gears (14-13-12), which was surprisingly effective.

Sveinung, I dare you put a low trail fork on it.

I am already tempted :) What are the best alternatives for 1 inch threaded? Preferably cheap.

Pinarello looks fun, I chuckled at the banana holster. Have you considered full length mudguards?

Yes, but not a lot of money left now, and these work for the occasional shower (had a few of those Saturday). The banana, unfortunately, fell out during some singletrack early on in the day!

Soma might be releasing a low trail fork in the near future, so that's the only OTP option I know of so far.

6/10 internet bike

I take it that you are from HHSB world

this is current projects, not bike porn.

^ agreed. Lovely first build too!

Soma might be releasing a low trail fork in the near future, so that's the only OTP option I know of so far.

If only was disc compatible...

Working on this. Building a rear rack as well. Will have gears and such. Just figuring out stuff slowly.

Rad!

First attempt to build road bike

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/933746/carrera.jpg

Noice.

Second part of my gitane piste. ....

tubs on the streets?

looks ridiculous. in quite a bad way

Fades&doublespok

Pretty much slave by numbers, but something isn't right. I don't think the wheels suit.

Needs a clincher rear disc

Nothing done yet the front gonna change, the crank as well.

^^ It's the bars for me .. Would prefer risers.

Went to a garage sale and picked up a teak table for £70 and the dude threw this in for free, bargain! Now what shall I do with it.....?

It looks like my size so i'll take it for £70 and you get a free teak table...