The Demise of the Brooks B-72 and a Bike Tube Explosion

When my Rivendell Sam Hillborne was first built up several years ago, I tried out a variety of set ups to find one that would work well for me. Initially, I tried to use it more as a road bike with drop bars and a narrow saddle, but the problem was that the top tube is a bit long for me to use comfortably in this manner. As saddles and handlebars were exchanged, I ultimately found a good fit with my inverted Albatross handlebars and a Brooks B-72 saddle.

The B-72 seemed to be a perfect fit for this bike. Then, one day I was attempting to fix a squeaking problem under the saddle with some oil and it got a bit out of hand. The oil ended up drenching the saddle and I had to let it sit out for some time to dry and get back to some sense of normal. Not too long after this event, I realized that the sides of the saddle were splaying far too much for my comfort and I decided to go to a leather shop and have the saddle laced underneath to keep this from occurring. It wasn't anything novel, and I'd heard of many others doing this very same thing, but generally it was done to older saddles that required some extra love as the years had passed. The shop I decided to visit for my fix did a wonderful job at carrying out my request and things went along smoothly. One slightly annoying factor was the need to deal with the laces any time the saddle was adjusted. Most people would probably set up their saddle and be done, but mine always seemed to need a bit of tweaking from time to time.

After some years of use, the B-72 is showing wear, but doesn't look too bad from the top, considering it's seen rain, snow, hail and many bright and hot sunny days.

The saddle was originally sent with a special bracket to help use this saddle on a modern seatpost. As can be seen from the under side of this saddle, there are two rows of rails that need to fit on the post. When Sam had set up the saddle, he found using the special bracket to be a nuisance, so he opted to use only the two rails on the bottom of the seatpost. Never thinking anything of this, I went about using the saddle for years in this manner. 

Over the last year or so, I've noticed a bit more spring or squish in the saddle, but assumed this was simply due to it breaking in over time. I've ridden the saddle for about four years now, so I just believed that this was the nature of leather saddles. After a recent longer ride on the Hillborne, I was concerned about the movement taking place on the saddle. One side seemed to be inordinately full of movement and squishy. I asked Sam to check it out, but when I returned to see how things were going, he'd made the shocking discovery that the saddle was actually broken. Not the leather, but the rail had completely split. 

It's easy to see here that the lower line of rails and the upper line have converged into a single one over time due to pressure and improper use.

This is obviously no fault of the saddle, and if anything, I'm impressed that it held up so well to the abuse it was put through over the time of use. However, it's always a good reminder that there is usually a reason for the "extra" parts that are included. The bracket for the rails on this saddle is definitely not extra and as a precautionary thought to anyone else who might be doing this right now or pondering not using the bracket on a modern seatpost, I thought I would share the tale.

My much loved B-72 is now a part of the saddle graveyard and I am experimenting with other saddles we have to see if I can find the right fit without purchasing a new one. Lesson definitely learned.

This past week, we've had some pretty warm days here in Colorado. On one of these hotter-than-I'd-prefer days, Sam decided to take his road bike to work in the car so he could get in a good ride at lunch (he's training for a race this weekend, so any little bit helps). As he got started on his lunch time ride, he realized he had a flat tire. Instead of spending his lunch riding, he ended up at a bike shop to buy some extra tubes, after which he changed out the flattened tube for a new one. When he pulled out the old tube there were tiny little dimples in it and one had a small puncture.

It seemed odd, but he didn't think too much about it. As he returned to the car to drive home at the end of the day, he opened the back of the car only to discover that the other tube had completely - well, the best way to describe it is - exploded.

As you can see, the tube is pretty well shredded. The only thing we could determine was that it just got so hot in the car that the tubes expanded, causing the ultimate destruction. The tube that had been replaced was just fine, but had only a few pounds of pressure in it (which likely saved it). While we do have a bike rack that the bike could've traveled on, I suppose it seemed easier in the early morning moments to just toss the bike in the back of the wagon. Another lesson to be learned though when it comes to hot summer days and fully inflated road tires/tubes.

Have you taken a shortcut or left out a piece of something and had it go awry? Any lessons you've picked up while riding (or traveling) in summer heat? Stay safe out there.

Bike Updates (or, my laziness has set in, so I'm combining posts into a quick update)

I don't know what has happened to my blogging schedule. Somehow, I've found myself in near melt-down mode over the last several weeks, and have been avoiding any "unnecessary" activities, which apparently includes writing here. Oddly, I have little to say these days, so I thought perhaps a simple update on the bicycle happenings would be an appropriate catch up for today.

First, like many areas across the States, it's been fairly mild weather-wise. It does make it a lot easier to get out and ride because it generally means simply adding an extra layer (or two) depending on the temperature. We have had a few dumpings, but fortunately, they have (mostly) melted quickly. I am quite certain we are in for a good snow bath sometime in the next 1-2 months, but that remains to be seen. Temperatures, however, have been on the warm side, staying fairly consistently in the 25-40 degree Fahrenheit temperature range.

The Bella Ciao is in the process of being sold to a lovely woman in Chicago who is excited about getting the bike. If all goes well, she should be riding it around very soon. I am happy that it's going to someone who will enjoy it, and that it will get regular use... and if it doesn't go to her, I remain positive that the right individual will come along.

Although it went largely unreported here, I actually purchased a Soma Buena Vista mixte frame some time ago and have been attempting to get that built up; however, it's yet another project that has gone by the way side with too many non-bike projects taking place these days. So, it will be sold to avoid the gathering of "extra" stuff around the house. It was just one of those projects that started strong and then, unfortunately, fizzled out. I am trying my best to avoid these "deals" that seem to come my way. It seems I am quite incapable of saying no to a project when the price is right. I'm working on it, but I believe it is some sort of personality flaw that needs some repair.  Secretly (or not so - as I've just typed it out here), I have hopes of another project bike, but I think I need to wait and make sure it's the right one, and that there is the time/funds to devote to it.

So, the bicycle herd is dwindling once again, and not too many changes have taken place with the remaining rides. One fun change was the handlebar tape on the Hillborne. I felt that it was looking to masculine, and needed a bit of a feminine splash of some sort, so a couple of months ago I decided to switch out to a raspberry colored bar tape. I have to admit, it's a bit of a different look, but it's growing on me. What do you think?

Other than these few changes, life continues on. Hopefully, your winter rides are going smoothly. Before we know it, spring and warmer weather will be here. Happy riding!

Brooks B17 Select Follow-Up

Saddles can be such a difficult thing to choose. Just because one person loves a saddle doesn't mean it's necessarily the right one for another individual. I am aware of many ladies of various shapes and sizes who love their Terry saddles, but I have yet to find one that I find comfortable. After deciding to move forward with the purchase of the Surly Pacer earlier this year, I went through quite a plethora of seats for the bike, and ultimately settled on a Brooks B-17 Select that I was able to find locally. I chose it because I've been fairly happy with Brooks on most of my bikes, and because after trying out several other cushioned saddles, I realized that the cushioning did more harm than good when riding distances longer than a few miles. As you may recall, I was a little concerned about how hard the saddle felt to the touch (I believe my more precise phrasing was something like my fingers rapping on it sounded like a woodpecker in a tree).

After having the saddle now for a few months and having a bit of time with it, I am pleased to report that, while it is still not broken in, it is becoming more comfortable each time I ride. I think I am most amazed that something that is still hard as a rock can be more comfortable than a saddle with gel or other cushioning material. This one may be a challenge to soften, but I am certainly not disliking the ride even while I wait out the break in period. I'm a bit hesitant to ride it these days because we've had snow, followed by extremely cold days, which have created a lot of large icy spots on the roads (we have warmed slightly though, so perhaps it will melt off in the coming days), but I'm sure it will still get used through the winter months, depending on road conditions.

One of the other odd realities of this saddle has been how different the color of the leather has become. When I purchased the B-17 it was a very light, natural color. It wasn't white, but certainly not as dark as the honey color sold on other B-17 models. Even though I had noticed a change in the saddle color over time, when comparing the photos of day one compared to its current state, I am amazed at how much darker the saddle has become. I wouldn't say it's quite honey colored yet, but I'm wondering how much darker it will become over time and with continued proofide application? I hadn't experienced this phenomenon with my other Brooks saddles (likely because they have been dark brown or black and it simply isn't as noticeable), but I am interested to see if it continues to darken or if it has reached its darkest level of saturation. Has anyone had experience with this specific saddle and the color-changing issue? I'd love to know what your experience has been. I don't find the color unattractive, I'm just a bit surprised at how much darker it has become.

{Part 2} The Surly Pacer: Modifications to Make it Work

The ongoing saga of the Surly Pacer set up continues, and I am finding that I do enjoy riding this bike. The changes that have taken place are definitely helping with comfort and (hopefully) with the longevity of this bike in our household. After writing about round one mods on the Pacer, I figure it's a good point to check in again.

Since the last post, the first thing to get switched out were the handlebars. While I continue to attempt to make drop bars work for me (in various forms, on different bikes), I believe that it is very near impossible for me to find comfort with any model of drops for rides longer than 10 miles or so. I am at a loss as to the why's of this, and I wish there was something scientific or even specific that I could point to as to the reason they don't work, but every time I try, it seems to be unsuccessful in the long term. So, rather than fight with it on the Pacer, I decided that a switch out to the Albatross bars might be the answer.

Somewhat surprisingly, these handlebars do seem to work well. I've been on a couple of longer rides with them and I don't return with aching hands or numb fingers. Stylistically, I think it makes the Pacer look more like a cafe racer type of bicycle than a road bike, but I've never really been one to follow the rules very well, so why should my road bike set up be any different? I have these mounted in the "unconventional" manner (flipped upside down), and it seems to work well.

The other change that has taken place is the saddle. I had mentioned that the temporary Public Bikes saddle was working in the short term, but that it wasn't a long term solution. The main reason for this is that after any sort of distance over 18-20 miles, I begin to go numb in the rear. It doesn't seem to matter if I rise up out of the saddle for a bit or not, the squishier saddle just doesn't work for long rides for my bum. I'm currently trying out a Brooks B-17 Select. While I am a Brooks fan, I have to admit that the leather on this model seems to be supremely hard (I actually knocked on it while we were adjusting it and it sounded like a woodpecker in a tree). I've never experienced this extreme on any of the wider saddles (the B-72, B-67, B-18, or B-66), so I'm prepping myself to deal with a lengthy break in process so many Brooks riders bemoan. I've proofided it up to make it as pain-free as possible, but I have a feeling that I'm in for a rocky few hundred miles (at minimum, I'm sure) to get it to a more comfortable place.

For now, these changes seem to be adequate to make the bike ride-able and comfortable. While "adequate" isn't really the word I'd like to be using, until I have more time to ride some distance, I'll refrain from shouting from the mountain tops about the glorious set up of this bike (though I do find it to be interesting and unique). As with all modifications, one change can sometimes create other issues, so I'm somewhat wary of the outcome. Stay tuned!

**A few more photos of the Pacer's set up can be found here, if interested.

Part 2 - Public Bikes Review: A More "Real World" Opinion

I recently posted a review of Sam's and my experience test riding two different Public Bikes models while we were in California. It was exciting to have the opportunity to test ride something from a company that I've pretty well followed since their inception; but let's face it, nothing can compare to using a bike in every day life. The experience of a relatively short-term "test" ride just doesn't quite feel the same as, say, riding a bike for commuting to work, or fetching groceries from the market, or any other of a number of activities that take place via bike. Because we ended up loving the bicycles so much during our test rides, we decided to make other sacrifices (such as this) in order to afford purchasing these.

*Image from Public Bikes

After riding the bicycles nearly daily since our test ride, I thought it was important to point out that I still feel the same way about this bike, and if anything, my enjoyment has grown since the initial test ride. Because I don't ride the V7 model, I can only comment on my J7 (though perhaps Sam will offer his opinion on the V7 in comments at some juncture). To date, the only item I've switched out on this bicycle is one that I said I would change even while test riding it: the saddle. In my opinion, the seated position is simply too upright to support sit bones properly. The Brooks B-67S was my saddle of choice. I found a sale online and decided it was worth a little money to actually find full comfort on this bike.

If you have some patience, waiting for retailer demo/floor models is a great way
 to save some $$ on Brooks products.
Winter time purchases, CL, or E-bay finds are sometimes less expensive as well,
particularly if you don't mind a slightly used model.

I've now gone on joy rides, visited friends, and hauled stuff with the bicycle. I've gone up and down fairly steep hills, traveled on varying terrain (cement, asphalt, dirt, gravel), and tested the brakes and shifting thoroughly. It seems to do quite well regardless of the situation or length of ride. My longest jaunt was about 12 miles, and I felt as though I could've continued to ride quite easily. Despite the longest ride being one that found me hauling groceries home on a very hot day, I still found it quite a joy to ride. It's almost surprisingly easy to get around on, thanks, at least in part, to the lightweight steel used on these bikes.

I haven't quite been able to put my finger on what it is that works so well for me on this bicycle. I've owned both some pretty inexpensive and fairly costly upright style bicycles over the past few years, and they were all comfortable to ride and use regularly, but there is definitely something that seems easy (for lack of a better word) about these Public Bikes. I will say that with the exception of my cruiser bicycles, this is the first bike I've felt comfortable riding in flip-flop type sandals though. Generally, I am a klutzy individual and I find that if I'm not wearing shoes that are well-attached to my feet, I have the potential, and even propensity to fall (or do something else incredibly stupid or embarrassing). However, the set up on this bike makes it perfect for my not-so-graceful self to ride in literally anything (I dare say I would even ride in bare feet should the need arise).

Public Bikes removable basket (note: bungee strap sold separately)
*Image from Public Bikes

My one and only issue thus far with this bicycle is the removable rear rack basket. It's difficult to tell in the above picture, but basically there are springs with rubber ends under the basket that easily attach/remove from a rear rack. While the basket makes shopping and transportation a lot easier, I find that when riding, it tends to slip toward the saddle, and I end up with it under my bum. Then, I start feeling for it to push it back to the outside of the rear rack. Whether empty or full, this is a constant nuisance while riding with it on. When I recently visited Public Bikes website, I couldn't locate the basket for sale any longer, so perhaps they're working on another model (or maybe they've just sold out for now). My solution will likely be a bungee to help keep it in place while in use.

My opinion on the bicycles is overall quite positive. My only real objection to the Public Bikes' looks is the website advertisement that is now placed on the chain guard of new models. I'm not sure I like the idea of their website being a constant advertisement on my bike. Wasn't the Public name emblazoned there enough? I have no issue sharing with others where I purchased my bicycle, but it seems a bit forced upon the owner in this instance.

Public Bikes website sticker on the bicycles - it doesn't seem so noticeable here,
but it's definitely visible in person
**Image from Public Bikes

For comparison purposes, I have tried to think of something I've owned that is equivalent or close to the same kind of bicycle. Since that hasn't been an easy task, I will compare it to the Pashley Poppy/Princess. I would say that it is difficult to compare the two because they are fairly different (other than both being upright/loop frame bicycles made of steel). I could go on about the differences (internal hub vs derailleur, 3/5 speed vs 7 speed, standard Brooks saddle vs average cushioned, synthetic fabric saddle), but those are easily discovered in any quick search. As for riding style, the Poppy provides a slightly more forward leaning riding position (though still upright), less room in the "cockpit" so to speak (though this may be entirely in my head as there is plenty of room available, even for a larger rider), and I feel as though I'm using slightly different leg muscles on each of the bikes. In regard to looks, they are quite different. The Pashley's are hand built, lugged frames, and made from a different kind of steel. The Pashley bicycles are obviously elegant and beautiful, and there isn't any comparison in my opinion. This is not to say that the Public J7 is not beautiful in its own way, but it's definitely a more simplified, understated, functional kind of beauty (which certainly isn't a bad thing).  Oddly though, I've actually had more questions and comments from passers-by about the Public J7 than I've ever had about either of the Pashley bicycles I've owned. I've found this strange, but it also means that there must be something attracting attention in regard to the Public bicycles as well.

Though opinions can change over time when utilizing a bicycle, or even modify as strengths, likes and dislikes change, this seems to be a good all-around city bike option. Having ridden it nearly daily for just under a month now, I know I would make the same decision and purchase it all over again, which I think says a lot. Often I have regretted bicycle purchases almost immediately, and wished I'd opted for another avenue. It's nice to know that this is a solid and reasonable way to get around town, and still have something that you enjoy riding.

***UPDATE***

I've edited this post to say that I took the comments of the poster regarding the rear rack and we adjusted the way it sits to help level it out. Happily, it now seems to keep the removable rear basket pretty steadily in place. So, I say thank you to the anonymous respondent! I appreciate the tip and it seems to have resolved the issue. It was a simple fix and it did the trick.

The Leather Hole Punch Hunt: Finding Brick House Leather Co

Yay! The saddle for the Hillborne is now laced and back where it belongs. I'm so happy. I feel as though Tony's been out of commission forever, and I know it's been at least a month now between waiting for the handlebars for so many weeks and trying to find someone who could punch holes and lace the saddle up for me.

Over the weekend, Sam and I traveled at least a hundred miles attempting to find someone who could simply punch some holes in the saddle.  After all the traveling, we realized that there was a leather shop here in Longmont, and though they are closed over weekends, today I was able to pay the store a visit and have everything resolved quickly and for a very reasonable price.

In fact, I have to say (for any locals who happen to read this), if you have any need for leather repair/service/etc, Brick House Leather Co is definitely a place to check out. The owner is super sweet, and was able to help me out right at that moment. As an added bonus, she's also a seamstress, and is willing to do minor things such as hemming, adding zippers, or even buttons to garments. As a shorter person, I was happy to hear this, and will definitely be visiting again. I was also interested that the owner makes her own leather conditioner that is organic (unlike many that are made from petroleum by-products), and while I haven't yet tried it, when mine runs out, I'm anxious to give it a try.

For now, my two bicycles seem to be whole again, and now I can just ride (which is completely wonderful!). The weather even seems to be cooperating for the time being, so I think that means it's time for a good long ride.

Small Bicycle Changes/Additions

I haven't been writing much about bicycles these days... there just seems to be so many other things on my mind. However, that certainly doesn't mean they aren't being used, and that transformations aren't continuing.

On the lessening-the-number-of-bikes front, Sam has officially eliminated one more:  one of the mountain bikes. The Surly was the one to go, and a happy new owner in Boulder was the recipient of this build. Sam is now down to his self-set requirement of "only" three bicycles: The Diamondback mountain bike, the Surly LHT, and his little folder (which I suspect he is eventually going to sell - or replace... but that remains to be seen).

As for me, the replacement Nitto Noodle bars finally arrived for the Hillborne. I swear, I could have driven cross-country and back several times in the amount of time it took to ship these from a few states away. Regardless of the slow shipment, I am glad to have these Noodle's back on the Hillborne, as I think they are the best choice for me on this ride. In addition to the new/replacement bars, I also got an awesome deal on some Brooks leather handlebar tape, and decided to use it instead of replacing with the old cork tape. It's definitely a more saturated/rich look, but I also think it's something I will enjoy.

Brooks brown leather handlebar tape on the Nitto Noodle bars

In addition to the handlebars, I am in contact with a local bike shop that sells/repairs Brooks saddles. My intention is to have them punch holes in the B72 so that I can lace it and prevent the spread from the softer style saddle, as I seem to need the width of this saddle riding in a more upright style on this bicycle. I'm hoping to have that project finished by end of month, at the latest.

Someday soon, this saddle won't "spread" when I ride... YIPEE!

The final little item related to bicycles was the receipt of a front and rear light mount for the Pashley Poppy. I have removable lights for the Hillborne, and decided that, since I will never be riding both at the same time, I could just get mounts and use these on either bike, rather than purchasing separate lights for each bike.

Pashley Poppy front mount for my Cateye head light

Pashley Poppy rear mount for my PDW tail light

So, there you have it... my lack of bicycle love is simply a lack of posting, and truly the attention to the two-wheeled transportation is continuing. By this time next month, I could be writing about new bicycle adventures in a new neighborhood. Time will tell.

Saddle Test

Does something seem wrong with this picture?

How about if I put a picture up from a different angle and crop in a bit more to see a certain section of my beloved Pepper Potts (Pashley Princess Sovereign) bicycle?

After posting the other day about my saddle issues on the Hillborne bicycle, I decided to put the Pashley saddle on the Hillborne to see how much difference it made.  It's a little strange to see Pepper in such a naked state, but rest assured, she won't be without saddle for long. While in class last night, Sam was kind enough to make the switch so that I could test it out today.

I have to admit, it's a little strange to see Pepper's saddle on Tony, but I think it works visually, so I was down for a test ride. Not surprisingly, the wider saddle made a world of difference in saddle comfort. I didn't go for a horribly long ride, as the wind has decided to try to kill us all with these 20-35 mph (or higher) winds for the last couple of days, but the ride quality was extremely improved over the narrower saddle.

I cannot believe what a difference it made. I know that the wider saddle is something that will be more comfortable because my handlebars are significantly higher than they 'should' be for a typical touring bicycle. I had zero pain in my sit bones, and I didn't feel any unnecessary rubbing on the sides of my legs/crotch area, which was one of my fears about a wider saddle.

Though the wind was beyond brutal, the sun was shining brightly, and I am happy to report that a wider saddle seems to be in my future for the Hillborne, and hey, if anyone happens to be in the market for a Champion Flyer S, I'm selling one for a decent deal!

Saddle Discomfort

I went for a little ride today on Tony Stark, the Sam Hillborne. There was nothing special about it, and it wasn't even that far (only about 5 miles), but it was nice to just be on a bike. For your nauseating pleasure (and it does make me ill watching it because it's so jumpy and I turned the camera too much), a brief snippet of the ride today.

I also made a bit of a discovery... one that I think has been apparent for some time now, but I keep denying it: my saddle isn't supporting my sit bones. I've read quite a bit about saddles over the last year or so, and I've been on enough bicycles to know when a saddle feels good and when it doesn't. I keep denying that this one isn't working for me, but I don't understand why I'm in such denial. Maybe it's because it's a Brooks and I believe it should feel good, or maybe it's because I'm stubborn at times and just keep thinking that I'll break it in eventually, but I did try a little test on my ride today to see if it really is the lack of support.

Brooks saddle on Tony... Can't even find wear spots from my sit bones,
even after many, many miles of riding

Most of the time when I ride this bike, I have my hands either on the hoods or on the top of the bar, and I believe, in combination with the bars being set higher than the saddle, it's creating too much pressure on my backside on a seat that doesn't have the support in places it is needed. So, I tried leaning over on the drops of the bar to see if that helped, and, sure enough, it relieved the pressure on the sit bones. Hmmm.

Now the question becomes, do I keep the handlebars up high (where I am most comfortable) and find another saddle that is wider, do I continue to deal with the discomfort (which becomes far worse when on longer rides), or do I drop the handlebar height and keep the saddle as is (potentially causing more issues with my hands)? My gut tells me to leave everything as is and try out another saddle, but they aren't cheap and I hate to give up on something with out a fight. The other issue with a wider saddle is that I question how comfortable it will be when leaned over on the drop portion of the bars.

Pepper Potts Brooks Saddle, B66s

There is the option of taking my Brooks saddle from Pepper and trying it out on Tony to see if that might be an option. Then, if it does work, I just have to basically exchange one for the other(which of course, means selling the current saddle, and buying a replacement). Though I'm not quite sure which option is the right one, at least I'm ready to admit defeat (at least somewhat) and start looking for a better solution. After all, there is no reason I should be sore after a little 5 mile ride.

The Hillborne Ride

This morning was the maiden voyage on the newly built Hillborne, and because I don't enjoy doing things just a little bit, I decided to ride in with Sam this morning to his job, and then come back alone. The round trip is slightly more than 19 miles, and, all things considered, it wasn't too bad. There are, however, a few things that I think need some adjusting:


- I think that the long stem we got to keep the handlebars more upright, is probably too long. While it's nice to be a bit more upright, I find that I'm putting too much pressure on my hands, and I think I need to find the balance between what is too high and having the bars too low.

225mm stem seemed like a good idea in theory, but perhaps isn't in practice?

- The actual handlebars on the bicycle, I believe, are tilted too high. When I try to utilize the lower part of the drop bars, I find myself struggling to find a comfortable place. I think a slight tilt can resolve this issue.

Handlebars, pre-taping, but in the same position.

- The saddle, which is easily adjusted, is likely too low because when I got home from the ride the front of my knees were killing me. Part of me thinks this could be that I'm not used to pedaling with purpose, but, more than likely it's the height of the saddle.

Brooks Flyer S saddle

- I'm not sure how I feel about the fenders. I think in my head I was thinking that this could be a commuter, exerciser, all around bicycle, but I have a feeling that it will more than likely be used as something for exercise purposes, with maybe occasional trips to a location for a purpose, so I'm thinking that they can come off. They created quite a bit of work in the installation process, and I'm not enjoying the noises that they make. Beyond the rubbing noises from the tires (which could likely be addressed and resolved), every time I go over any sort of rock or debris (on the roads around here that equates to approximately every two seconds) it gets caught up and makes horrendous noises. It's kind of distracting, so I'm thinking that perhaps taking them off is the solution.

Fenders, after removing Grand Bois tires and putting Schwalbe's on instead.

While I very much wanted to keep the Grand Bois tires on the bike, I came to realize that it wasn't practical to keep them and the fenders. Even though there should've been plenty of clearance, the two weren't cooperating. Instead, the Schwalbe Marathon tires were mounted. They seem to ride nice enough, but I think it makes the bike look more "boyish" and I'm missing the look of the lighter colored tires.


- The palms of my hands are killing me. It's not the muscle, but rather the skin. I wore gloves (which I normally don't) and I thought that would be enough, but they aren't doing well. I suspect that this has something to do with some of the above mentioned handlebar issues, but time will tell.


The ride this morning made me realize that I need to do more cycling to keep myself used to all of this. If one goes too long, it seems to take its toll. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all goes, and resolving the seemingly minor issues. Overall, I like the bicycle and remain hopeful that it's going to be THE bike.

To Restore, or Not to Restore... THAT is the Question

So, the lovely Raleigh/Triumph three speed bicycle currently sits in the garage after our fun camping trip this summer. While it was nice to have a bicycle to ride on vacation, I feel as though there are improvements that could be made to this bike. After Sam took the time to clean the bicycle, we discovered that the hub is actually in pretty good shape (as in almost new, despite the fact that it's a 34 year old bike), and overall it's in decent shape, but I was thinking that it would be nice to make it a bit easier to peddle with a larger cog on the back, getting a nicer saddle (the Brooks has now spoiled me that's on the Pashley) and perhaps grips, and I'm thinking about changing the wheels, simply because I hate trying to find 27 inch tires. They do exist, but the ones that I want don't seem to be readily available. Then I think that it is a back up bicycle, so perhaps it isn't that big of a deal. I'd also like to repaint the bike and find some new decals and a head badge to complete the look. I suppose the question is, do I really want to spend the time/money as an investment in this bicycle when it runs perfectly well now?

I can't help but think how pretty she'd look though if she had some restoration done. I think the biggest thing is that I'd want it to be a different color, but the classic colors would be the black or the darker green color, much like the Pashley. I thought about a red, but my word, I've had so many issues with red bicycles, that I feel it would be a jinx on her. I also thought about a brown or possibly cream color. I guess I feel as though it's a commitment though once I start the project. It obviously wouldn't all have to be done at once, but if I started it, I would want to finish the job.

On the side of not wanting to put in the work is of course the costs involved, the fact that the bicycle is a bit cramped for my preferences, despite the reality that the frame size is actually larger than the experts say I should be riding, and it was supposed to be the bicycle I could actually just kind of throw around and not worry about. If I do put the work in, I won't want it to be mistreated (not that I would really mistreat her anyway, but I just don't have the paranoia I would have).

The debate rages on, and in the mean time, I keep my eyes open

for any deals that might sway

me into working on the project, like a Brooks B66s/B67s saddle for one quarter the regular price, as an example, or finding 27" Schwalbe Delta's in a nice cream color. A girl can dream, right?

Another Ride on the Pashley

Today was ride two with the Pashley, and all went well. This one was a bit longer ride (about 15 miles round trip), and she did great. I had to run to Lowe's to get some spray paint, and I figured, rather than wasting a drive, it would be a good opportunity before the day got too warm to go for a longer ride to test things out. I decided to take the St Vrain trail out to Lowes, and then rode the highway back home, just see if there were any differences from cement to pavement. After the second ride, I can say that all seems to feel pretty good, except for the grips. I think the pattern from these grips may be permanently engraved in my palms now, so I believe that new grips will be in the future. I tried riding with less weight on my hands, but it didn't really seem to matter. I've looked at Brooks grips,
but I just think they are so expensive, but who knows? Maybe if I keep my eyes open I'll find a deal somewhere. Or, perhaps I just need to look and see what's out there. I have also considered cork grips, but they seem to be quite a pain to have to deal with. Some have talked about having to use adhesive on the handlebars to get them to stay and then needing to coat them with some kind of polymer of some sort, so I'm not sure I want to go that route either. Then there are the Portland Design Dapper Dan grips, which could be a possibility, but again, I just don't know. Part of it is the look... I want something that looks right on the bicycle, but I don't know what exactly that might be.

The other issue that came up, and actually had before, but I thought it was just me being weird, is that the bike doesn't seem to like shifting into, or remaining in second gear. I was coming up the dreaded long hill on the highway and it kept slipping back and forth from easier to harder peddling. I'm not sure if this is a simple adjustment the bike shop can deal with, or if it's a typical problem for the Sturmey Archer hub. I did take a quick look on Google to see if there are reported problems (admittedly, I didn't make this an all day adventure), but didn't seem to find anything. I'm not horribly concerned, as I think it can be resolved, but thought it was interesting that it just didn't like second gear.

Other than those two things, all seems to be going well. I still need to grease up under the Brooks saddle, so perhaps I'll work on that a bit later. The Brooks saddle is a bit hard, but I'm told it will break in, so I'm giving it a chance. I'm not in pain or anything, so I can definitely wait it out to see how it goes. Especially for a saddle they say can "last a lifetime." We shall see. I also need to get the registration card off in the mail so that I'm all taken care of if anything were to happen to any of the parts. I have to say though, I am really enjoying this bike so far, and not feeling every little bump in the road is a joy. If I can get the grip situation resolved, all will be right with the world.

Now, if I can just get my sunblock before summer is over, I should be all good!

Sludgy Ride

We FINALLY got to take the bikes out today for a ride. We thought that all of the snowy, icy mess was gone, but we learned otherwise pretty quickly. Overall though, it wasn't a bad ride, and it was nice to be able to ride Phoebe and test out the new Brooks saddle.

Other than it being up my crotch the entire 20+ mile ride, it wasn't too bad. The up side is that my tail bone didn't hurt (which is usually what happens after that length of a ride), but the not so fun part is that now my hip bones seem to hurt. We did fix the saddle so it wasn't pointed upward once we arrived back home, so that should help the other issue. I know I need to give it some break in time, so we'll see how it comes along. Hopefully, it will work out well. Phoebe just looks so pretty though with her newly mounted front basket and the pretty new saddle.

Overall, it was a good ride. Sam got filthy (perhaps mud flaps are in his future - or some other sort of city bike with mud flaps already in place?). A nice stripe of brown was running from his head to his rear from all of the crap we rode through. Still it was good... other than the head wind all the way out.

He doesn't look too tired at the end of the ride here, so I think he'll make it another day. Now, it's time to get warm and stop coughing as the wind really didn't help the cough at all.