My project for the next 2 weeks
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Extreme bike makeover.
Stuff
- 105 brake calipers
- (anodized blue) seat clamp
- (anodized blue) water bottle cage bolts, because I’m fancy like that
- 2x (black) top tube cable clamps
- (anodized blue) track chain
- (anodized blue) fancy-ass aluminum bar end plugs
- (black) brooks bar tape
- (black) stem, with a 17 degree angle. I'm old.
- (black) cane creek crosstop levers
- dura-ace brake cables
- (black) 44t chainring
- (anodized blue) chainring bolts
- (anodized blue) dice valve caps, because I’m fancy like that
- (black) hub axle bolts
- Shimano spd pedals, plus a pair of sneakers that have cleat attachments so I can wear road shoes and also not look like a douche
- (anodized blue) 17t fixie cog
- (black) 17t singlespeed cog
- (anodized blue) headset cap with a custom .svg design, because I’m fancy like that
Tools
- Freewheel remover
- Anti-seize compound
- Micrometer
- Tool rollbag
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Haven't you got any arse butter?
I'm no expert, but...
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@doctor-phibes said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
Haven't you got any arse butter?
Not unless I go to Chipotle today, my friend!
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@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
44t chainring
Hahaha what a rookie mistake. You totes need a 43t
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@89th said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
44t chainring
Hahaha what a rookie mistake. You totes need a 43t
Well, actually I would want a higher gear ratio—something closer to 2.9 or so maybe—but 43 would get me closer to 2.5, which would lead to a fewer number of skid patches, so I'm sticking with the original ratio I was usinglol yeah I just decided to stick with what I had and keep it easy. -
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@klaus said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
So you want to convert an existing bike to a fixie?
Got a picture of the bike?
Nah, I guess the correct nomenclature is to say I'm converting a track bike into a tarck bike: just tricking it out some.
It'll make me no faster, I just want to do it as a building project.
It's a 2015 Fuji Track bike. In my opinion they give you about the best value for your money that you can ask for—as good as a Kilo TT. It's a little behind the times in terms of parts (handlebars are 26mm, not OS 31.8, the hub is a freewheel, hubs aren't sealed, etc.), but there's nothing wrong with it, it rides well and it has good componentry where it matters. I bought it back in 2015 as new and it's still riding with no problems.
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This is taking longer than I thought. For one, because international supply chains are, to put it lightly, jacked at the moment. For two, because of shit like this.
- Bought the appropriate tool to remove the freewheel.
- Waited 2 weeks for delivery.
- Tool came in. Tried to replace freewheel. Won't budge an inch. So,
- WD-40'd the hub, and while it was drying,
- Took the 30-minute drive to Home Despot to buy the biggest damn crescent wrench they have.
- Drove home.
- Tried again. After about 25 minutes, I got it to move a millimeter.
- More WD-40
- Got the bastard off. Holy crap there was literally a nest of hair around the freaking thing, no wonder it didn't want to move.
- Cleaned the freewheel threads, installed the new one, and noticed with ironic satisfaction that in order to remove this one, I would need to buy a new removal tool altogether. Because of course. Fucking freewheels.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having any fun, though. So far I've replaced:
- stem
- chainring
- chainring bolts
- chain
- freewheel cog
- headset cap
What's left:
- bar tape
- brake levers
- brake cables
- bar ends
I can't do any of that until the cables come in, but they've been delayed (thanks COVID), so that's all on hold at the moment.
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Acetone and transmission fluid make pretty good panther piss for rusted or stuck nuts and bolts. Some guys use 1/3 acetone to ATF, some guys go 50/50, some guys don't use but 10% acetone.
Always remember, Operation Valkyrie was an act of sedition.
Warning: I post things that interest me. Read and comment at your own discretion. -
@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
Holy crap there was literally a nest of hair around the freaking thing, no wonder it didn't want to move.
Admit it, your man-bun got caught in the chain.
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@jolly said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
Acetone and transmission fluid make pretty good panther piss for rusted or stuck nuts and bolts. Some guys use 1/3 acetone to ATF, some guys go 50/50, some guys don't use but 10% acetone.
What's the viscosity like? This stuff's gotta penetrate about an inch or so of very tight threads.
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@doctor-phibes said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
Holy crap there was literally a nest of hair around the freaking thing, no wonder it didn't want to move.
Admit it, your man-bun got caught in the chain.
Honestly I think it was cats.
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@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
@jolly said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
Acetone and transmission fluid make pretty good panther piss for rusted or stuck nuts and bolts. Some guys use 1/3 acetone to ATF, some guys go 50/50, some guys don't use but 10% acetone.
What's the viscosity like? This stuff's gotta penetrate about an inch or so of very tight threads.
Pretty thin.
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@Klaus it's getting worse, man.
Amazon gave up on delivering me some brake cables. Gave up! I've never heard of that before. Just no inventory.
I called around at 5 different shops in my area, big and small, and they don't have them, either.
Shop #6 purports to have them in stock. I'm skeptical, because online inventories aren't always accurate. But they cost freaking $60. Last year, they would have cost $30.
Freaking ridiculous.
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@aqua-letifer said in My project for the next 2 weeks:
@Klaus it's getting worse, man.
I know. I'm considering to buy another bike, but right now seems to be the worst time ever to do that.
This week I had to buy an overpriced used cassette because the one I wanted wasn't available in any shop.
It's starting to feel like East Germany: Rather than buying what you need, you buy what's available, just to have it when you need it.
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Done.
My back is killing me but I'm done.
