Pro bike mechanics

Pro Bike Mechanics

Beer, scissors, tyres - #sopro

Quick version

Bike mechanic challenge

If your back wheel is so bent that the tyre rubs on the frame, drink a beer, and cut the edge of the tyre off with a pair of scissors, so that it no longer rubs - bike mechanic genius!
#sopro

The long version

I have several bikes, well a lot of bikes, I adhere strictly to the rule of n+1 http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#12. Recently I have sold several of them as I prepare to downsize my life, which means that I am down to a mere 5 (Race bike, fixie, MTB, singlespeed, tandem, beater - actually - that's 6, but you get the idea!).

My beater is a beauty - I bought it in 2006, new for 150 GBP. It is a Claud Butler MTB, which originally was a 3x8 speed. It was very badly built, not surprising for a 150 GBP bike - the frame geometry is terrible, nothing ever fit particularly well. Despite that, it has been an absolute workhorse - it has seen me through a couple of years of adventure racing, trail riding in forests and recently has seen me through a tough Boston winter, being kept outside. Despite that it has gone on and on, through the crazy snow, and me leaving it locked outside without it being actually locked!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUNjZJerlSc&list=UUnHivw3dRZQpUeLiqzDJB8Q

After the winter things were getting pretty bad. The rear wheel was struggling and more of an oval shape rather than round, and the derailleur was shot to pieces. So I decided to convert it to a single speed. I whipped off the front derailleur, the rear brake (it was rubbing), and disconnected the rear derailleur. It has still been trusty, and I love riding it - taking it on the trails round here, commuting every day, and jumping off kerbs like an excited schoolchild on every trip. It's inherent value is now considerably less than the lock I use to secure it - in fact, I would literally be more upset about the loss of the lock if it got stolen.

However, it is now completely shafted. Recently I added on some locking skewers so I wouldn't have to worry about the wheels being stolen, for the few cents they are worth.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Lock-n-Roll-Skewers/dp/B002K2IYPY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1408678064&sr=8-8&keywords=locking+skewers

However, the jumping and the years and the snow have taken their toll. On Sunday the hub collapsed so that the back wheel constantly rubbed on the frame. I attempted some TLC, checked the bearings, and decided it was shot. Of course, a new wheel would cost approximately four times the entire value of the bike so I am doing all I can to keep it going.

So, after a couple of beers, I hit on a genius idea. If the wheel is so bent that the tyre rubs on the frame - cut off the knobbly bits of the tyre with a pair of scissors - and hey presto! no more rubbing. Genius.

#sopro

Boston Bike Party

The Boston Bike Party is one of my favourite things to do in Boston. A monthly critical mass of bicycle lovers who just want to hang out and enjoy the city on two wheels.

The group is young (just over one year old) and has some great organisation. Routes are scenic and well monitored by other riders, controlling safety at intersections. On the rides are a couple of guys who tow trailers with enormous speaker systems, playing the agreed set lists. Frequent stops allow a little light dancing and some photo opportunities. The usual characters can be found on two wheels: the guy who plays drums, a guy with his dog in a panier bag, a tandem, and of course "wheelie kid", It's great fun, and is well-loved by the Boston locals, always giving a cheer when they see us riding around.

Boston people get involved!

https://www.facebook.com/BostonBikeParty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLhv73D3H54&list=UUnHivw3dRZQpUeLiqzDJB8Q

Beantown to Ptown May 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRsBNMpkzOM

http://www.strava.com/activities/145659531

The fellowship of the 9 was formed, 9 strong men and women, and bold, brave enough to carry themselves all the way to Ptown (and back again), to defeat the twin evil beasts of holiday weekend boredom and excessive holiday cookie consumption.



The intrepid fellowship, formed of representatives from the far flung corners of Middle Mass, had a simple mission. Carry the impression of the missing member of the group, to Provincetown and back again, within a day.

Living across the four corners of Boston, the fellowship met up in dribs and drabs. Like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, as the first of the fellowship (The Doc, The Swede, The Big German and The Brit) convoy met first at Peets Coffee in Harvard, then picked up more rats, sorry fellows, as the pipes were played across Boston and to Boston South train station. The evil hordes had contrived to dusrupt our intrepid travellers, by arranging a mighty army of runners cutting off all the roads connecting Cambridge to the train station. "5k woo-hoo" came the rallying cry from The Mustachioed One, as a unit we steeled ourselves and broke through the ranks of the evil hordes and made it through to the train station.

Tea and doughnuts were procured from DDs at the train station, trusty steeds were housed aboard the carriage at the rear, and intrepid explorers were away. A short 60 minute spin to Buzzard's Bay for a mere 20 USD, sold by a man with a patriotic belt buckle. Seats for the steeds were luxurious, less so for our travelers, legs had to be tessellated into limited space akin to a game of tetris, and of course, noone could sit near The Big German.

Disembarking the train, our heroes set compasses, heads, and GPSs and started to wind through the countryside. The path was not straight, and our heroes lost bearings, and left the path several times. There was a great deal of nerves as they rode over a huge bridge over the Cape Cod canal, and at one time the evil road bit hard on the wheels of The Doc, sucking air from wheels, and leaving her empty. How many riders does it take to change an inner tube? Pretty much all of them as it turns out!

The path straightened and escaped the wild roads. Big metal cars were banned from these roads and the compatriots relaxed as they span through the countryside, through fields and parks and past lakes with motorboats. Our intrepid 9some were speedy, much speedier than the other users of the path, and coordination was required to navigate through the hoi polloi.

Sustenance was required, we picked up another intrepid member of the crew - C-Dog the ball player - and searched for the right combination of the major food groups. Thankfully, D'Angelo (burp!) was willing and able to meet our requirements.

As we reached the end of our journey, the road climbed and descended, rolling towards the final destination, then finally we were there. Entering Provincetown, we were delighted and happy and very happy to see the sea and sand and sun. A swift fish and chips and three pints of beer later, I was feeling human again. The cold came in out of the sun, so much so that The Green One purchased a souvenir (green) Cape Cod hoodie. We shivered our way onto the ferry (62 USD, including bike) and snored and dribbled our way back to Boston seaport, approximately 1.5 hours. When we got back we donned lights and jackets and cycled back through the city. It was bizarre to see the drunkards on a bank holiday Sunday night as we were riding around. As we made our way through the city, one by one we melted away, and returned to our lairs, tired, happy and with fond memories of a cracking day out.