tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59782773148291109302024-02-20T21:55:11.415-08:00long haul truckingTRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-81401008564595292752011-02-13T07:24:00.000-08:002011-02-13T07:24:34.440-08:00Bike is 99% there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvebMbD-jYgGRcgUCGaKf5UNZYYlHk_n_iJSlkVG_LECaFpcHsrRFc0UULbJrwcAmDv8XZLtwE0_QNPjXEAY_TFkeRNSopzr7Cg0buBmfrfpjV7_b8cvrU40sd_jdgvMlU8xuGs3B3gA/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvebMbD-jYgGRcgUCGaKf5UNZYYlHk_n_iJSlkVG_LECaFpcHsrRFc0UULbJrwcAmDv8XZLtwE0_QNPjXEAY_TFkeRNSopzr7Cg0buBmfrfpjV7_b8cvrU40sd_jdgvMlU8xuGs3B3gA/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the first look at the final bike now named Edna in honour of my wife's nan. The first ride ended in mild disaster as the chain seperated (hey we were working on this at 12 last night :) so it'll be off the road again until tomorrow.<br />
<br />
I'll take so more pictures when it's all operational but here she is.<br />
<br />
Dead excited.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmL8zvM2jfESiVsJ6vu-zWCcHDgjWcy-sSEBikH6bhqeMbUvDgU48YpORCo_vhp1_wgTUF4tHASO7tWK3VwqbOmMEwnvVZ5L9luhVfoDSXFjcF2XW4px-2gwdGYmnOId9Fkp7w6p_4bD8/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmL8zvM2jfESiVsJ6vu-zWCcHDgjWcy-sSEBikH6bhqeMbUvDgU48YpORCo_vhp1_wgTUF4tHASO7tWK3VwqbOmMEwnvVZ5L9luhVfoDSXFjcF2XW4px-2gwdGYmnOId9Fkp7w6p_4bD8/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical that the rain kicked off just as I wanted to go for a ride.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOjsXdbgiUfLz3rt2b6lscAF9xhmASeEWagJI20RgJvbcvYqSxT2fhs_GB028zl6f4wT9kvA7Ywc_w6865-uG2VSXePEyFrqOmzvMUNqJH4HIwaht8Fq6DYKA-aUUZvujb4PAib6OPVY/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOjsXdbgiUfLz3rt2b6lscAF9xhmASeEWagJI20RgJvbcvYqSxT2fhs_GB028zl6f4wT9kvA7Ywc_w6865-uG2VSXePEyFrqOmzvMUNqJH4HIwaht8Fq6DYKA-aUUZvujb4PAib6OPVY/s320/IMG_0991.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here with the bastard to fit Surly Nice Front rack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-18633509132715846862011-02-04T02:38:00.000-08:002011-02-04T02:38:19.434-08:00Everso Slightly Camp<a href="http://www.raymears.com/getimg.cfm?img=Hilleberg_Akto_Tent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.raymears.com/getimg.cfm?img=Hilleberg_Akto_Tent1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The bike is well and truly on the way now with just the last one or two things to be fitted. We're now on the nitty gritty like cache batteries like <a href="http://www.thinkbiologic.com/products/reecharge-power-pack">Biologic Reecharge</a> or <a href="http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp">E-Werk.</a><br />
<br />
Which means we're onto lightweight tents, mats, sleeping bags and panniers. I'm not a great camper. I'm 6'2 and overweight. This doesn't make a great campee. I also have mild claustrophobia, but I think that's in confined spaces with other people. Tubes. 2 man tents etc.<br />
<br />
Why the fuck do you want to camp then? I hear you ask. Well, I do love it. In fact, I love it so much I started looking at tents the minute I bought the LHT frame. I like all the gear. I love being outdoors. I love being that close to the stars. So I'm going to get into this big time.<br />
<br />
So, I have some contenders for tents: <a href="http://www.vango.co.uk/force-ten/helium-superlite-100.html">Vango Helium Superlite 100</a> <a href="http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/msr_2011_hubba_tent.html">MSR Hubba</a> and <a href="http://www.tauntonleisure.com/hilleberg-akto-tent/p866?source=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=comparison_shopping_feeds&utm_nooverride=1#tdesc_9">Hilleberg Akto.</a><br />
<br />
All of them seem ludicrously expensive so far, so I'm looking for light and cheap alternatives. The quest continues.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-24572843198597954582011-01-10T02:46:00.000-08:002011-01-10T02:46:46.501-08:00Wheely Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytoXpivsFvdnDRGQ-wwDJx3UJXPpomGLEmFysrwUGIQhSLO5P7EuJuZI5-fK95Gym1BxHxtKjEiLor9GuV91sUWr_aU9gsTjSiMeNv6wmEYMKcj3EZCQSn5di3ErlV6ix4Z9mzJb0DlM/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytoXpivsFvdnDRGQ-wwDJx3UJXPpomGLEmFysrwUGIQhSLO5P7EuJuZI5-fK95Gym1BxHxtKjEiLor9GuV91sUWr_aU9gsTjSiMeNv6wmEYMKcj3EZCQSn5di3ErlV6ix4Z9mzJb0DlM/s320/IMG_0221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here's my wheels being built by Ciaran. It was a fun evening of screwing spokes in, truing stands, pizza and Grolsch. Massive thanks to him for showing me the dark arts. Its hardly dark but it certainly is laborious and tedious.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't have the patience myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cm0Opl0M-MQEb80J1w7rovqHl5xag8hRMDBbzs8Ab0YjqH5T0MqLe4xqZnahTq7GmpQXNkzDE9FqmEhp6tNOHb0xTmTxWbdxQr7e7aYcDC_5anRXj4bdzWW8_4rOxRl7AswinOazpvM/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cm0Opl0M-MQEb80J1w7rovqHl5xag8hRMDBbzs8Ab0YjqH5T0MqLe4xqZnahTq7GmpQXNkzDE9FqmEhp6tNOHb0xTmTxWbdxQr7e7aYcDC_5anRXj4bdzWW8_4rOxRl7AswinOazpvM/s320/IMG_0222.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First wheel has all the spokes in but its all slack and needs loads of tension. The dynamo hub looks awesome against the Mavic Rim.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkSDtuM1-x-leyXuCYb9bC6vzoaZkbFzTxon2xLQ_XZBjs6KpzRUyljAXQjwXWJ4eKEV7EaH-0cA4ryGCCcEDrI84Ze9qz2fAQwmN09lzVgRsznTt-9BmaPkcuw4Idb_UMmGJhvA9KTY/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkSDtuM1-x-leyXuCYb9bC6vzoaZkbFzTxon2xLQ_XZBjs6KpzRUyljAXQjwXWJ4eKEV7EaH-0cA4ryGCCcEDrI84Ze9qz2fAQwmN09lzVgRsznTt-9BmaPkcuw4Idb_UMmGJhvA9KTY/s320/IMG_0223.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a cat for company whilst most of the tensioning was done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioobFCSegDSqk3Z6MtWQl7YziIYoFveGJ9jhoojE5pv-1JFBZHtJOy28EBYf3HFj9BEs88zoibh2MB4kjh3I0pWILxTNQuv5VvHtu9XJgveX_vqDmGH5quK_Rv5SC0-eMKqJWO493hn3s/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioobFCSegDSqk3Z6MtWQl7YziIYoFveGJ9jhoojE5pv-1JFBZHtJOy28EBYf3HFj9BEs88zoibh2MB4kjh3I0pWILxTNQuv5VvHtu9XJgveX_vqDmGH5quK_Rv5SC0-eMKqJWO493hn3s/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last few spokes adjusted and we're and riding home at 12.30 pm. Cold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-64257010785180652532011-01-03T05:39:00.000-08:002011-01-03T05:39:33.363-08:00Christmas Bounty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx3S0_sbeiMsTOsahew-M_Z_8YchvH_HKYj1CLuzYkc-Lyh5ncYtyxbYwZO2yGdCGcCC_y3y3E9YeX7WWpovWM24fDdxrzEUUBWeWcGxMcriKpj3mWu_bHBKbDVDUHI9t7TDW1Cfy2Qo/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx3S0_sbeiMsTOsahew-M_Z_8YchvH_HKYj1CLuzYkc-Lyh5ncYtyxbYwZO2yGdCGcCC_y3y3E9YeX7WWpovWM24fDdxrzEUUBWeWcGxMcriKpj3mWu_bHBKbDVDUHI9t7TDW1Cfy2Qo/s320/IMG_0920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This crazy picture has my bike in there somewhere with some new notable additions. Regular subscribers to this blog (2 of you) will note new brakes, bottles and cages, plus front and rear derailleurs. All lovingly supplied by my wife and mums (in-law and the one who's put up with me since birth) for Christmas. It may have been a cop-out asking for these things for Christmas, but it sure has helped me out. A (nearly) complete drivetrain.<br />
<br />
I also got some Dura-Ace bar end shifters from the wife but they're staying in the box until I do the final build.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZMgqs-aORn1BBsccCLPIAFABQJmhbr0eosVVg1qlVSDt_GyYSbppJ-T0sge6HjxUUu601mQLk1Sr7lgmxLOlRPnDbhOO9RU-n5_MTDuIoVx2SZo_bHOR-X4-vwex5A0ZXZkKvSnwCnA/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZMgqs-aORn1BBsccCLPIAFABQJmhbr0eosVVg1qlVSDt_GyYSbppJ-T0sge6HjxUUu601mQLk1Sr7lgmxLOlRPnDbhOO9RU-n5_MTDuIoVx2SZo_bHOR-X4-vwex5A0ZXZkKvSnwCnA/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shimano XT Rear Shadow medium cage. I'm hoping I don't need the long cage because I couldn't find any evidence to suggest I'd need one on a tourer. It looks pretty sweet.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIz_n1Wbfkzb_Y09uU9qpsB_MegaQhLplH49SIMUagzz-doArgCDFNHemXBcUJxRrAhkFxo5_TIymCuhvNAMnq-uqv43x0sY1dqIwFVFCIeBv9Hc63HLPiiniOIxuRt2Kvzjw1_x8qEI/s1600/IMG_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIz_n1Wbfkzb_Y09uU9qpsB_MegaQhLplH49SIMUagzz-doArgCDFNHemXBcUJxRrAhkFxo5_TIymCuhvNAMnq-uqv43x0sY1dqIwFVFCIeBv9Hc63HLPiiniOIxuRt2Kvzjw1_x8qEI/s320/IMG_0916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awful picture of the XT front, but there it is.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUwkdEknxUBmOCzIuQSEPmwXnFCJlx3Hdm1dAX237tOtf7cz-82kX10BIOtLt17OpWaZ28w-gPOR2SyhJXym68VOP6GtjbwCOkP7_Kt8e6WpCxcwU92hcBW6EcDP7k2WYnnYLzRbBb3c/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUwkdEknxUBmOCzIuQSEPmwXnFCJlx3Hdm1dAX237tOtf7cz-82kX10BIOtLt17OpWaZ28w-gPOR2SyhJXym68VOP6GtjbwCOkP7_Kt8e6WpCxcwU92hcBW6EcDP7k2WYnnYLzRbBb3c/s320/IMG_0917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avid Single Digits. I went against the Shorty's in the end due to reviews of them not being as powerful as V-Brakes. I like my face. And teeth. Stopping when I want to is proven to help them stay nice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So there you have it. The bottles are Camelbak so thanks Mrs Proud for spending the extra lolly on getting some lush bottles. And managed to squeeze the brake levers in on a sale before the VAT hike here in the UK. I'll get these tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Wheels to follow this week I hope.<br />
<br />
<br />
Nearly at the rideable stage folks. It's looking gorgeous.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-75756533703390565322010-12-15T14:25:00.000-08:002010-12-15T14:27:11.820-08:00Crash Course in Building Wheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amsracing.com/weird_stuff/square_wheels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://amsracing.com/weird_stuff/square_wheels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Managed to finally get my rims and hubs now. So next week I'll be learning how to build wheels. This I'm assured is relatively simple and how a low probability for me to fuck up.<br />
<br />
Watch this space mind. I could probably break anything.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-26869351989117414652010-11-18T12:24:00.000-08:002010-11-18T12:24:30.740-08:00MI5 without Bodie and Doyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/whiteindustries_m15_rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/whiteindustries_m15_rear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After much deliberation (and most of this was cost) I've decided the rear hub will be a MI5 by <a href="http://www.whiteind.com/">White Industries</a>. It is the most complimentary to the SON hub in terms of looks and has nothing short of messiah-like praise wherever I've looked.<br />
<br />
And so it should have.<br />
<br />
It's ludicrously expensive.<br />
<br />
However, this is a bike for life and for the most part I'd to have parts that I can point at and say I bought that in 2010 whilst pointing at it with a stick in later life.<br />
<br />
It leaves the dilemma of which rims to get for them both. They're both 36h and that has cut the amount of rims I can choose from. I'm hoping for either DT Swiss TK's or Mavic Open Pros, but its proving a bit of a ball ache so far.<br />
<br />
In other news...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/avid%20single%20digit%20sl%2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/avid%20single%20digit%20sl%2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've already gone against the Avid Shorty's and gone all V Brake. Despite not quite looking the part, I'd quite like to stop.<br />
<br />
Will tell you more about the rims when I make a decision.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-12737200571195953652010-10-31T09:51:00.000-07:002010-10-31T09:51:02.191-07:00On the way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdh4jdUQ-WMVc7Qu7Mb9Xbhy0Heu2XEm8leAO9akAh8BW5A_hV3O2iL_URwjUns-MXQ8fwWzMYn1VoHZYdVwMr8smdNGepK5sCbrIilYNwHF7D6Ayawv5gszAAavjytxNLYs7RIsCMQ/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdh4jdUQ-WMVc7Qu7Mb9Xbhy0Heu2XEm8leAO9akAh8BW5A_hV3O2iL_URwjUns-MXQ8fwWzMYn1VoHZYdVwMr8smdNGepK5sCbrIilYNwHF7D6Ayawv5gszAAavjytxNLYs7RIsCMQ/s400/IMG_0909.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a little while since new parts have been added to the bike. My other stupidly expensive hobby of playing the bass guitar has sapped money out of me. I make this out to be a chore but actually i'm getting brand new guitar which is very exciting (even if it is already a month late, but this isn't the blog in which to whine about this stuff.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyroad, here's some pictures of where I'm at so far. Not much further, but I'm not scrimping on gear so it's a 'build slow, build strong' mentality. Enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3VVHpJZGqvZT4DiPV5ZX6bXvEfjFOw0IENyqTeNfLAxbHe5itofTRlRVkY-dlOkXgQdv64n_8vAduy_sOaMC2eq7B_5ooLauS9J1wdogIES7Qe3FtZBx9NBlnnfEIuKRuAOlMlAiQ50/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's some jolly headset caps for a nice guy called Fast Freddy located here http://www.fast-freddy.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVpP-7DJKdaPkiqiIEv_VdkmdUnxsSkQ3y9AjHb4bRT-aYDr34xxSmLu-ZZZd3QsYAhFuY_LlR31Pc9ZuEWNCUYdkrPX7P8ags7wZYqBUjDudbqaslMW43GNe66z_2hcOUpi5PvCKuaE/s320/IMG_0899.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nitto Noodles at 48cm. Probably the last pair on the planet :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVpP-7DJKdaPkiqiIEv_VdkmdUnxsSkQ3y9AjHb4bRT-aYDr34xxSmLu-ZZZd3QsYAhFuY_LlR31Pc9ZuEWNCUYdkrPX7P8ags7wZYqBUjDudbqaslMW43GNe66z_2hcOUpi5PvCKuaE/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U41ll-0Sj2l03shn3ZXoMQDeGu68FHLdCwqGx-HmO1g3n_fflTcm0DJ4swrgTEDZSVXg02CuTms0hEqP9di1aJI1587lS84rSE6ke6UrhtBbCcSJPF2OLS2cAmh_bl7SGOtlOPipoVY/s320/IMG_0900.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VO Saddle with silver springs. Bad luck Brooks. Also, I've experimented with different types of 'silver' on the headset spacers to make it look a little different. So far I'm pleased with the results.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U41ll-0Sj2l03shn3ZXoMQDeGu68FHLdCwqGx-HmO1g3n_fflTcm0DJ4swrgTEDZSVXg02CuTms0hEqP9di1aJI1587lS84rSE6ke6UrhtBbCcSJPF2OLS2cAmh_bl7SGOtlOPipoVY/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3MKoiulpL25IHihqyMPF32Xv3lZBdZ0ZD2iw170yTu0FjXHY6zKUNrbiQoy0U-6iiI3eXQfVv1AhnnhkSRlEUDFOFtpb9WxBIfk1ous7FDPduVj3dHvEjPEjaOAwOteBuCJvedaiqK8/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already seen these, but thought I'd show them again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3MKoiulpL25IHihqyMPF32Xv3lZBdZ0ZD2iw170yTu0FjXHY6zKUNrbiQoy0U-6iiI3eXQfVv1AhnnhkSRlEUDFOFtpb9WxBIfk1ous7FDPduVj3dHvEjPEjaOAwOteBuCJvedaiqK8/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4gPOdGYz61SlQeST15il2lldv_5LbqvbhMRFqur1mf6BMnx4IhQZYeUVmT6zSWF38tSTuWXHMh04Hd0nfIIOlssVT4_HQnX2-n43b3_sDNkStCiw5-lejatcDSB_dtPdVhHBRwmMHM/s320/IMG_0903.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surly Decals. None in the UK so these came all the way from Niagara Falls. Weirdly, no white LHT decals so the Long Haul Trucker decals has been omitted from the build. Not that fussed really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4gPOdGYz61SlQeST15il2lldv_5LbqvbhMRFqur1mf6BMnx4IhQZYeUVmT6zSWF38tSTuWXHMh04Hd0nfIIOlssVT4_HQnX2-n43b3_sDNkStCiw5-lejatcDSB_dtPdVhHBRwmMHM/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BXIHEGeYFf7RwAbCy60Wy0jPmIjdhVzDNfar1pEG7PSosaOAcQBs93TdQOCBAqOdTppwNDSJNHmUaUG0vjbyI20qiig-zaAlMjU50EPI8cVp3zk24dPVAr9qRx4DqNJWAOcezu9Tz4/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SON delux 36h hubs. We'll see if this was worth the investment later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BXIHEGeYFf7RwAbCy60Wy0jPmIjdhVzDNfar1pEG7PSosaOAcQBs93TdQOCBAqOdTppwNDSJNHmUaUG0vjbyI20qiig-zaAlMjU50EPI8cVp3zk24dPVAr9qRx4DqNJWAOcezu9Tz4/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-27018792822541169542010-10-19T04:46:00.000-07:002010-10-19T04:46:08.530-07:00Where have all the posts gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.unconditional.co.nz/christchurch/files/2009/01/question-mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.unconditional.co.nz/christchurch/files/2009/01/question-mark.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Just a quick note to say I've not died and lots has happened to the bike recently. Just not got round to taking any photos as I can't find my camera.<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure its 'somewhere safe' (ie under a bed or somewhere) and will endeavour to make sure I have some stuff to show you soon. I've gotten to the derailleur selection bit and still 'umming and aaahhing' over what to get. My friends say LX but I'm tempted to go XT.<br />
<br />
We'll see next time eh?TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-16386858957177142442010-10-05T06:03:00.000-07:002010-10-05T06:03:18.097-07:00Arty Farty Parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQK-wC31gQBhuyzaprLTf5k89Y0ASAP7Ttpjp3yrTb9uBt3dPwVJhoAUoZEruy_2Nunegngsx-Kdokbrnkko4lcf21Eq-jYsp8eNArTXfASQK8T4tQLKRQ019yjEPFvSOfRHu7JTH1R4/s400/VO+saddle+8+brn+copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQK-wC31gQBhuyzaprLTf5k89Y0ASAP7Ttpjp3yrTb9uBt3dPwVJhoAUoZEruy_2Nunegngsx-Kdokbrnkko4lcf21Eq-jYsp8eNArTXfASQK8T4tQLKRQ019yjEPFvSOfRHu7JTH1R4/s320/VO+saddle+8+brn+copper.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Well, this choice was one of the hardest I've had to make to date.<br />
<br />
The saddle.<br />
<br />
Nearly 90% of people I've quizzed on saddle choice for a touring bike have pointed toward a <a href="http://www.brooksengland.com/en/Shop_ProductPage.aspx?cat=saddles+-+touring+%26+trekking&prod=Flyer">Brooks Flyer</a> and have ridden one for 30 times around the world/since the Jurassic period/born with one pre attached to their bums. And there are threads on touring bike sites which seem to endlessly wax lyrical about sofa style comfort on huge distances.<br />
<br />
I do have a Brooks saddle already on my Steamroller. A Team Pro which I have to say took a few rides to get my 'nether regions' to return to their normal colour after riding it for a few miles. Now however its one of the few saddles I've ever ridden without the need cycling shorts. Plus, they're British, handcrafted and horrifically stealable in Central London.<br />
<br />
So, back to the Brooks Flyer. Nothing but good reviews. Everywhere I looked. Everywhere.<br />
<br />
But I had a problem with it. A major problem.<br />
<br />
Black rails.<br />
<br />
I wanted silver. To go with the silver part for the rest of the bike. So it matched. I'm an Art Director/Designer. I like things to match.<br />
<br />
I wrote to Brooks and said they said they don't do the Flyer with silver rails.<br />
<br />
I sighed. I hovered over the 'buy' button and then stopped.<br />
<br />
Stick to the plan.<br />
<br />
Silver is what I wanted. I wanted a retro feel saddle with springs. And the only other company I could find that were able to offer me the good were Velo Orange again with their VO Saddle range. <br />
<br />
First impressions from out of the box were it looked cheap, felt plasticky and was very heavy. However, after putting it on the frame I found a bit of love for it. It's bulky sure, but it has a classic feel to it and I'm sure when the ultra tough leather has bedded in a bit it'll look the part. I liked the drawstring idea to stop it flairing over time and it does have the additional 10mm length on the rails for the all important adjustments you don't get on Brooks. Plus and a big plus, you get Silver rails.<br />
<br />
Obviously, ride purists would argue against merely accepting parts to make the bike look good opposed to making it ride good. Only time will tell. Chances are I'll ride it until it dies. It hasn't had bad reviews. Just more people ride Brooks.<br />
<br />
Besides, decisions like these are the reasons why God invented eBay.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-65585519290389891882010-09-22T09:55:00.000-07:002010-09-22T09:55:54.379-07:00SON Hubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-cc4hCBIZ2JxvroAOckwXmq7pp5bJfbGVmybFwndoM9-iqBsNWHDKWVxOBGjQt30e5u10mdzy1vFgxsf35B888UgyYCYSRmhoSexBAnsVEY0NtX72VAZmzN7uJ8EAiPpJMp9i7qq324/s1600/sondelux_silber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-cc4hCBIZ2JxvroAOckwXmq7pp5bJfbGVmybFwndoM9-iqBsNWHDKWVxOBGjQt30e5u10mdzy1vFgxsf35B888UgyYCYSRmhoSexBAnsVEY0NtX72VAZmzN7uJ8EAiPpJMp9i7qq324/s1600/sondelux_silber.jpg" /></a></div>2 words.<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
Please.<br />
<br />
After much deliberation decided to go all dynamo for the LHT. More to follow on this as I look for a complementary rear hub. From here I'll be looking into the heady world of <a href="http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp">E-Werk charging</a> to see if this has any advantages in charging whilst moving.<br />
<br />
Dynamos aren't all girlie shopping bikes; with a trip round your mates house for Findus Crispy Pancakes with frozen peas. These days the technology is far more reliable and a lot more German. <br />
<br />
As well as the awesome lighting options too. Will tell all when I find other options.TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-42887525840813960752010-09-04T10:16:00.000-07:002010-09-04T10:16:23.575-07:00First Draft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipARhSyIBr2BenotTV_99OiUECemZNtpJERucdpEEQB4keJEiiFB7UhILtt9GjZDMKT0ujpx9Kh16F9e0RZ-6629JdBSnyvMMYANxfOwCZB1kt5OwlbvM5_ujJQLDR73yFvYcYyxhNHHk/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipARhSyIBr2BenotTV_99OiUECemZNtpJERucdpEEQB4keJEiiFB7UhILtt9GjZDMKT0ujpx9Kh16F9e0RZ-6629JdBSnyvMMYANxfOwCZB1kt5OwlbvM5_ujJQLDR73yFvYcYyxhNHHk/s320/IMG_0764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Managed to get the frame home again without scratching up and down the train so it's made it onto the workstand.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fortunately, its the same colour as the front room so its largely gone unnoticed by the wife and cats. I've quickly thrown everything I've bought on so far. And that is:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">VO headset</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avid Shorty 6 Brakes</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sugino XD Crankset</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">MKS Sylvan pedals (they're lying around, but I have some spare Crank Bros Egg Beaters too)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think its beginning to look rather swish. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, wheels next I reckon.</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-25915172463250541932010-09-02T04:01:00.000-07:002010-09-02T04:07:33.000-07:00The Cost of (not being able to) DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/images/diy-manual_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/images/diy-manual_300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just got back from <a href="http://www.evanscycles.com/">Evans Cycles</a> so for the first time in a long time I can get a professional bike shop to fit my headset onto the trucker. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the past I've made all sorts of bikes up and traditionally there's one or two 'howling' errors to be made. Getting the headset on is one of them. However with a bit of wood, a gentle touch of the hammer (oxymoron alert!) and the comprehensive guide by the bikers guru <a href="http://www.bikemagic.com/maintenance/how-to-fit-a-headset/3014.html">Bike Magic</a> I've managed in the past to shove on a few headsets without too much drama or swearing. And more importantly, they've worked and run true.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I realised that this cro-magnon approach probably wouldn't be advisable for a brand new bike. Although the tools for the job aren't ludicrously expensive, I'd use them less than say, my <i>Sony Walkman</i> with the <i>Ghostbusters</i> soundtrack stuck in it. Which currently resides in the loft under the sort of dust usually reserved for way-below-par Christopher Lee films and/or drawing crudely drawn penises. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, fighting every screaming male gene in my body to not buy the tools and do it myself, I decided to let 'real life monopoly board game for bike shops' <i>Evans</i> take a pop at putting it on. I know a few people that work there, so I know its not run by idiots. I do take umbridge however to their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL5cKyM9BYY">Dad's Army opening credit style takeover</a> of local bike shops. Making this the <i>Pret a Manger</i> of bike shops.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can spit and hit 2 Evans from my office window.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whilst presumably having a skinny mocha which I picked up from one of the 4 Prets I passed on the way back from the office toilet to my desk.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, having descended into the gloomy depths of Evans flagstore on Mortimer Street, it took awhile for someone to serve me. No problem, I'm in no hurry.And when I was eventually served a nice man booked the bike the bike in and we chatted away about the build I'm doing and it was all going swimmingly until I asked for a labour quote...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'£37.50' he said.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'You are joking' I replied.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'Erm... no'. He looked around nervously.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'You are joking' I replied.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'All the prices are up there'. And he points toward a blackboard.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I look up to the blackboard.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'You are joking' I replied.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He looks at me. He isn't joking. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He means it. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shit that's expensive. Could I seriously moonwalk out of the shop now keeping eye contact and watch his face get smaller as I ascend the stairs? Should I laugh heartily, clap my hands 3 times and disappear in a puff of smoke? Only to then reappear to collect my frame/forks and disappear again?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shit.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's expensive.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The actual headset only cost £30. So that's *counts fingers* £67.50 to buy and fit a headset. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fucking ludicrous. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After a look that suggested I may make a run for it, he asked if he should continue to book it in. He did explain that even he thought it was a 'tad on the expensive side' but wasn't at liberty to offer 'anymore of an opinion on it' lest he be flayed and hung outside the shop to be pecked to death by crows.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I said yes, figuring that backing out now is too complex and I'd like this done asap. I can collect it after lunch.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After a Pret sandwich.</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-64178468782070419122010-09-01T02:06:00.000-07:002010-09-01T02:06:46.112-07:00Mellow Velo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm4qS05oh7w_SJti8zKoSEpKUHrQEVCEHD6vQiBwKZz4cZLP2-nvZ5MFrGYNOq6v_OqxLLjo7qHUuD05GbS7mVnqIZvS9Lg4cQQWXHt5ImxTz2mZp21Ez6eJRGGPW6sxguMvfzqRj9AI/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVm4qS05oh7w_SJti8zKoSEpKUHrQEVCEHD6vQiBwKZz4cZLP2-nvZ5MFrGYNOq6v_OqxLLjo7qHUuD05GbS7mVnqIZvS9Lg4cQQWXHt5ImxTz2mZp21Ez6eJRGGPW6sxguMvfzqRj9AI/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not much to say about this really. Its a Velo Orange headset from the ever amazing </span><a href="http://www.freshtripe.co.uk/" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Freshtripe</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. Purveyors of all things shiny and nice. VO are an American company and seem to do very well on the conversion/touring/vintage market and as soon as I got rid of the <i>XL Fire Eye</i> I knew this would've been the next choice. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Obviously wanted a <i>Chris King,</i> but never ever had a problem with Headsets both expensive or mid-range, so can't justify the £99 price tag for a name.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Frame now been resprayed. Headset fitting tomorrow. Yay.</span>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-31319235929190652232010-08-26T03:08:00.000-07:002010-08-26T03:23:55.904-07:00Beige Grey? Chrome?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NLfWlMEOPNmeEwvnSjg5TbG_Eag7pYX7STFW75RNMkFkkL6I279vVLcYfaW_t37RonEkejKTjeO8MhjY434_ZYp9_q5XSlhswxzAA3sTFJ6rKl6Lw5YUiJLuXUiN-3-k0z_1GqUV_5g/s1600/Picture+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NLfWlMEOPNmeEwvnSjg5TbG_Eag7pYX7STFW75RNMkFkkL6I279vVLcYfaW_t37RonEkejKTjeO8MhjY434_ZYp9_q5XSlhswxzAA3sTFJ6rKl6Lw5YUiJLuXUiN-3-k0z_1GqUV_5g/s320/Picture+10.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borrowed from the LFGSS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabaLR9K549NueTa5YKDVglwGIKgp9yqGVZpnGhvZ3DVdZBNNsDk0o7eT5DZLziYR2UTEAhO0yLazRPQbuHtY3g83cFLjuzBTM-eNQ0d5G6mcyy7BGMT2AbtMRfogB-Kk9K34_3pKQEVQ/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabaLR9K549NueTa5YKDVglwGIKgp9yqGVZpnGhvZ3DVdZBNNsDk0o7eT5DZLziYR2UTEAhO0yLazRPQbuHtY3g83cFLjuzBTM-eNQ0d5G6mcyy7BGMT2AbtMRfogB-Kk9K34_3pKQEVQ/s1600/Picture+8.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the colour in RAL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, here is the final colour choice after a fair amount of deliberation. And a look at this <a href="http://www.lfgss.com/thread17439.html">thread about the RAL colour schemes</a> from the ever awesome <a href="http://www.lfgss.com/">LFGSS</a> or <i>London Fixed Gear and Single Speed</i> forum has various powder coat frames and forks at available at <a href="http://www.armourtexltd.co.uk/Powder%20Coating.html">Armourtex</a>. I have a half baked idea about chrome plating the forks and maybe I will in the future, but for now I'm sticking with flat colour.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Unless I can find a good chromer I suppose. Hmmmm. And they would do it for a good price? Hmmmm.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, the idea to move away from blue/black was to make it have a vintage feel and really ping off the brown/honey colours I'll probably end up with from <i>Brooks</i> line (saddle and tape). And even though the bike shown above has a <i>Charge</i> saddle is does enough to sell the colour to me. And it feels old Surly colours like Curry Squit or Beetroot poo. This blue malarky feels a little too sensible for my liking.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chrome forks? Wonder who sells them as the cheapest I've seen to chrome them has been £120.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And this will definitely mean swapping my headset for a silver one. *sigh* </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More research it seems.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THB</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com1Greater London, UK51.449814 -0.011676651.236091 -0.47859559999999995 51.663537000000005 0.4552424tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-55500874367563535452010-08-25T10:08:00.000-07:002010-08-25T10:08:30.524-07:00It's arrived<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSNDRICKp4IaBKC3lYF96CnlUGLig7JpOOsOVEIQAFgY7g52icqwsg3HG7NpNwT8sSB6RsgvbjzHBMNVjNCPL95J3OmbkqTck8QvIhzZ2UlbRNmeoBIE5rqQJ-9EtQqvfHGjhrD9fHD8/s1600/catandbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSNDRICKp4IaBKC3lYF96CnlUGLig7JpOOsOVEIQAFgY7g52icqwsg3HG7NpNwT8sSB6RsgvbjzHBMNVjNCPL95J3OmbkqTck8QvIhzZ2UlbRNmeoBIE5rqQJ-9EtQqvfHGjhrD9fHD8/s320/catandbike.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Got the frame last Friday which was a tricky gig trying to weave through <i>London's Underground</i> system with a large box. This being hindered of course by my own consumption of beer in celebration of it being a day ending in Y.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I wasn't alone in my descent into what British people do best, which is trying to erase some deeply embedded guilt by consuming an entire wave of lager. London was awash with others in much the same state. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">However, singletons take note, I was inundated with drunken questions about the box. By none other than the fairer sex. All these years I'd tried a multitude of various 'pulling' techniques with varying success but had I known all I needed to do was attend pubs and clubs carrying a suitably large box*, it would've made life more simple.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I made it home with most of my clothes intact having been ravaged by laydeez on the train almost feverish to find out the contents of my box (the truth would've bored them to tears) to find 2 cats we've just started to foster. Both incredibly cute and handsome. And here is the unfortunately named <i>Monkey</i> taking his place as chief 'guard'.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The bike is cool and I quickly chucked the brakes on it to see if they looked good. First signs are they do.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Onwards I guess now.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THB</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">* One girl did ask if I had a dead body in there. I blame the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBT6OSr1TI">The Daily Mail.</a></span>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-5451798088172943632010-08-24T04:14:00.000-07:002010-08-25T10:23:16.188-07:00From 58 to a 60cm. Experiment time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDpswfPVfg07qMfD_l6u_mV0b_uvyGPX33BjCLuADnb_pEIR5em3soy8zdRgoQudmpUF0v02Z6zmxRGWwVg__ypYiEPTrt2jWGp_k3KiOB04DEq6Aw7qZJyNz6KUIaZXw32ADIRvwYis/s1600/4266567650_36c0d0d327_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDpswfPVfg07qMfD_l6u_mV0b_uvyGPX33BjCLuADnb_pEIR5em3soy8zdRgoQudmpUF0v02Z6zmxRGWwVg__ypYiEPTrt2jWGp_k3KiOB04DEq6Aw7qZJyNz6KUIaZXw32ADIRvwYis/s320/4266567650_36c0d0d327_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I originally ordered a 58cm frame for my LHT based on my experiences with my Surly Steamroller which I did with intentionally long seatpost and smaller frame so I can whip through traffic with higher control. And shake my fist at drivers easier.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Besides, I always like the look of smaller bikes. Big bikes looks so clumsy (like me).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But after looking at <a href="mailto:surlylht@googlegroups.com">the surly lht google group</a> and various flickr groups it seems as though the fit needs to be more precise. Makes sense I suppose, given that I'll be doing heavier mileage on the LHT and the Steamroller is my City Whip and only does about 20 miles a day. But some of the most fun I can have after a dull day at work.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, the bike frame has arrived now (a pic will come tonight) and so the parts will be ordered one or 2 parts at a time.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As mentioned before I got a <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12142">Fire Eye Headset</a> in XL and black (it was cheaper). Still wondering about it. Should I have got silver? Should it have been a Chris King ;)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THB</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-42490997276624966692010-08-04T08:14:00.000-07:002010-08-24T04:21:49.482-07:00The Only Mistake?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogYjRaYusIe0Nf3zg6699N4LDEGBoZT3WQY7uKWJ33DvoO9KmikGGSn1omrkknOGmMSxe2jmE_sGbvaK9XgROIzTyfoMjNHKy8LvZQkInrQVT1mbXulVQmFXZuTvL1mRBeUBL4hTgPWc/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogYjRaYusIe0Nf3zg6699N4LDEGBoZT3WQY7uKWJ33DvoO9KmikGGSn1omrkknOGmMSxe2jmE_sGbvaK9XgROIzTyfoMjNHKy8LvZQkInrQVT1mbXulVQmFXZuTvL1mRBeUBL4hTgPWc/s400/IMG_0569.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">Got my Avid Shorty 4 brakes today. A massive d'oh moment as they're black not silver. Must pay attention more when ordering stuff. Also got a Fire Eye Stem. It's massive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">Now upgraded to Shorty 6's and they arrived in spiffing silver. However, my love for a cantilever bike build my be shortlived as I'm reading a few people having bad experiences with these brakes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">If they're full of fail, I'll swap to a V Brake and see what happens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">In the meantime, they do look very swish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-574551730622109642010-08-03T01:39:00.000-07:002010-08-24T04:23:36.203-07:00Back In Black<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;">Wasn't amazed at the colour choice for the Long Haul Trucker, so I had a quandry. Wait for the 2011 models and hope for a change or take the frame up to <a href="http://www.armourtexltd.co.uk/">armourtex</a> and have it resprayed.<br />
<br />
In the past Surly have done some nice <a href="http://www.route66bicycles.com/long%20haul%20trucker.JPG">colours</a> for the LHT, however the stock colour for 2010 is Blue or Black.<br />
<br />
Now, I've never liked black bikes. They're too commuter-ish. And although the blue is nice, my MTB is blue and I fancy a different colour.<br />
<br />
Still, I wrote to Surly:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Hey there,</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> I'm very much into building up a LHT but not too enamoured by the colours, so I thought I'd ask what the 2011 colour scheme might be if there's a colour change. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> No worries if not, I'll just get the frame resprayed.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
And they replied (probably wondering why I'd spelt colour wrong):<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The 2011 LHT will look just like the 2010 – black and blue all over (again).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">No color change is in the works. Warm up the powder coater.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Eric Sovern</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Surly Bikes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;">So, seems like I may be off to Armourtex. Now, what colour shall I go for?<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
</span>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5978277314829110930.post-79793238585602645922010-08-02T07:58:00.000-07:002010-08-24T04:23:03.739-07:00I've bought the frame<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD29mbFFQgvVmimxM6VdYxH6EPezcOqtCJFOPvBNmdbpnjrHG5kubrgoxrwpyYUvMobbDoVOc1pE85-3Lk-8swYsQm_7GxjftPElKsSWx3_gmp_gI2cNf3LBlknypDjoaFPCxrr6IGuCo/s1600/FM6858.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500827274415746754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD29mbFFQgvVmimxM6VdYxH6EPezcOqtCJFOPvBNmdbpnjrHG5kubrgoxrwpyYUvMobbDoVOc1pE85-3Lk-8swYsQm_7GxjftPElKsSWx3_gmp_gI2cNf3LBlknypDjoaFPCxrr6IGuCo/s320/FM6858.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 233px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Finally ordered a 58cm 700c Surly Long Haul Trucker frame and will build it up very slowly (mainly due to space restrictions in a London flat). I shall endeavour to tell a story of all the parts I buy and the trials of putting it all together. All the workings out and maybe co-erced decisions made by anyone following this blog.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm being helped along the way by 2 friends who both work in bike shops. One for general advice on putting together a new bike (I've made 2 rat bikes in the past which are both excellent, but I doubt I want to whack in my new headset with a hammer etc :) and another who'll be showing me how to build the wheels.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once the bike is complete then I can start telling the stories of the actual rides. Which hopefully will include a nice trip to Norway or maybe Northern Spain.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until then, I hope you can benefit from my journey of putting it all together.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THB</div>TRAINHITSBOYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000354666744698931noreply@blogger.com1