Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Pee Wee Herman early on grew up in Peekskill “Maggie” tells me.
Cal
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Mowing the front and side lawn was a hard workout because it became overgrown due to the July heat dome. The grass jammed the mower and I had to go over areas repeatedly to get an even cut. What a mess.
Anyways prison work I look upon as cross training. Today I kinda hammered just mowing the side and front. I’m tired.
The new slow pitch jogging rod was delivered. So light in weight, and it pairs nicely with the purple anodized Accurate reel. The action is moderate with a fast tip. Under load the rod bends in a parabolic manner. I threaded the line and hooked up an 80 gram jig to test the loading and unloading. This is going to be a nice setup, and it verified my belief that the Fenwick World Class rod at 7 foot 8 inches has really great action for long-fall jigging.
I really-really like this new rod-reel setup. So balanced and light. For jigging I have this new rod for slow pitch and the longer Fenwick for long fall.
Thursday is “Maggie’s” cover reveal not Wednesday. Today I shot some IPhone video that will be utilized for the cover reveal. Basically people and bookstores can pre-order.
Snarky Joe is up to no good. He has given me GAS for an “All-Road” bike. My Newsboy is a substitute, but is an old school mountain bike set up with gravel tires. I kinda lack the high gears for honking down hills, and I basically spin out.
Cal
Anyways prison work I look upon as cross training. Today I kinda hammered just mowing the side and front. I’m tired.
The new slow pitch jogging rod was delivered. So light in weight, and it pairs nicely with the purple anodized Accurate reel. The action is moderate with a fast tip. Under load the rod bends in a parabolic manner. I threaded the line and hooked up an 80 gram jig to test the loading and unloading. This is going to be a nice setup, and it verified my belief that the Fenwick World Class rod at 7 foot 8 inches has really great action for long-fall jigging.
I really-really like this new rod-reel setup. So balanced and light. For jigging I have this new rod for slow pitch and the longer Fenwick for long fall.
Thursday is “Maggie’s” cover reveal not Wednesday. Today I shot some IPhone video that will be utilized for the cover reveal. Basically people and bookstores can pre-order.
Snarky Joe is up to no good. He has given me GAS for an “All-Road” bike. My Newsboy is a substitute, but is an old school mountain bike set up with gravel tires. I kinda lack the high gears for honking down hills, and I basically spin out.
Cal
Last edited:
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Hopefully the Raleigh fork will be threaded tomorrow after work then I’ll work on the bike over the course of my upcoming 4 days off.
I think I’m going to add a bit of flourish to the fork and paint the crown lug the same as the frame. I need to get some bright red primer for this paint. My 4 days will be spent surface prepping and painting the chips of the frame, painting the fork, and possibly installing the headset and fork.
The Suntour rollercam brakes are getting a complete overhaul down to bushings. Springs and rollers are being replaced. I need to get some matching length M6 stainless bolts for mounting. I *might* coat the roller arms in black epoxy, just as I did with the brake lever clamps. Then they will match the NGC 982 cantis on the fork. The red anodized Gorilla brake booster will be reinforcing clamping power up front and helping to prevent squeal.
I need to take some accurate measurements, do a little math and find out where I need to add a spacer to keep a straight chainline (if at all.)
I really want to keep the original black Nitto trials bar but if I’m hunched over too much, I’ll stick on an Answer riser bar.
I found a used (open package) HiteRite which will do seatpost dropping duty. I wish I could put one on the Breezer, seeing that Joe Breeze invented it, but the clamp is in front of the post, not behind, so no compressed springs hanging just below my middle bits.
Days off will be busy.
Phil
I think I’m going to add a bit of flourish to the fork and paint the crown lug the same as the frame. I need to get some bright red primer for this paint. My 4 days will be spent surface prepping and painting the chips of the frame, painting the fork, and possibly installing the headset and fork.
The Suntour rollercam brakes are getting a complete overhaul down to bushings. Springs and rollers are being replaced. I need to get some matching length M6 stainless bolts for mounting. I *might* coat the roller arms in black epoxy, just as I did with the brake lever clamps. Then they will match the NGC 982 cantis on the fork. The red anodized Gorilla brake booster will be reinforcing clamping power up front and helping to prevent squeal.
I need to take some accurate measurements, do a little math and find out where I need to add a spacer to keep a straight chainline (if at all.)
I really want to keep the original black Nitto trials bar but if I’m hunched over too much, I’ll stick on an Answer riser bar.
I found a used (open package) HiteRite which will do seatpost dropping duty. I wish I could put one on the Breezer, seeing that Joe Breeze invented it, but the clamp is in front of the post, not behind, so no compressed springs hanging just below my middle bits.
Days off will be busy.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
My post parallel’s Phil’s, Some proper sized tubes for some skinny 26x1.25 tires will get delivered today, and some grease and anti-seize compound.
I also loaded up with more XT 9-speed 11-34T cassettes while they are stil available. Only $59.99 each. The idea here is keep the bike as is because it will be good-to-go, but on the shelf is a full blown kit to upgrade from 7-speed freewheel to a 9-speed cassette. I have a complete XTR long cage 9-speed drivetrain and even a spare set of custom built wheels built on White Industries sealed bearing hubs. The rims are period correct Mavic 231’s which are narrower and lighter than the Mavic 261’s that came with the bike.
The idea here is to kinda convert this 1990 vintage mountain bike into a more road worthy bike by mounting lightweight Rene Herse tires that are skinny gravel tires. The 12-28T freewheel has a limited range of gearing when compared to a modern bike, but really it has enough gears for the Empire State Trailway since they are vehicle free rails to trails.
I would take this bike also on gravel rail to trails also.
Presently weighs 23 pounds on my $8.00 digital luggage scale. I expect to loose a few ounces of rotating mass by installing properly sized tubes. I used the tubes that came with the bike that are made for 1.75 width to 2.1 wide tires just to mount the skinny 1.25 tires.
Looking forward to getting this bike on the trailway. With skinny tires the lack of rotating mass makes this new/old IBIS both quick and fast. I’m reminded why I love steel bikes: they flex and have a lively feel, unlike aluminum that hat has a dead feel. Titanium has the same give as steel, but the dampening is quicker. A Ti bike does well to dampen road shock and irregularities, but somehow also offers a precise stiffness because of the fast dampening.
Because of my Steel and Ti bias I am all old school. Kinda like favoring old cars from the 50’s and 60’s.
Cal
I also loaded up with more XT 9-speed 11-34T cassettes while they are stil available. Only $59.99 each. The idea here is keep the bike as is because it will be good-to-go, but on the shelf is a full blown kit to upgrade from 7-speed freewheel to a 9-speed cassette. I have a complete XTR long cage 9-speed drivetrain and even a spare set of custom built wheels built on White Industries sealed bearing hubs. The rims are period correct Mavic 231’s which are narrower and lighter than the Mavic 261’s that came with the bike.
The idea here is to kinda convert this 1990 vintage mountain bike into a more road worthy bike by mounting lightweight Rene Herse tires that are skinny gravel tires. The 12-28T freewheel has a limited range of gearing when compared to a modern bike, but really it has enough gears for the Empire State Trailway since they are vehicle free rails to trails.
I would take this bike also on gravel rail to trails also.
Presently weighs 23 pounds on my $8.00 digital luggage scale. I expect to loose a few ounces of rotating mass by installing properly sized tubes. I used the tubes that came with the bike that are made for 1.75 width to 2.1 wide tires just to mount the skinny 1.25 tires.
Looking forward to getting this bike on the trailway. With skinny tires the lack of rotating mass makes this new/old IBIS both quick and fast. I’m reminded why I love steel bikes: they flex and have a lively feel, unlike aluminum that hat has a dead feel. Titanium has the same give as steel, but the dampening is quicker. A Ti bike does well to dampen road shock and irregularities, but somehow also offers a precise stiffness because of the fast dampening.
Because of my Steel and Ti bias I am all old school. Kinda like favoring old cars from the 50’s and 60’s.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Do you want to bend that rear triangle to accommodate the wider hub?
Phil
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Seems like my bike needs support the need for an all-road style bike. My days of racing are my past, and now distance and comfort are what my riding is about. I have a need for an expanded range of gearing, both low and high.
Mountain bikes have low gearing, and road bikes have tall gearing, but because of where I live a 20 inch gear on a road bike would be great because the hills can be long and steep. Then on the downhills you don’t want to spin out, because on descents you can do 50 MPH.
There has to be a really perfect balance of responsive handling, but also stability.
My least favored bike was my Ti Basso (Litespeed mountain bike) but now somewhat set up more like a gravel bike it still has the low gearing of a mountain bike, but still is lacking the taller gearing of a road bike. The smaller 26 inch wheels somewhat limit the ceiling on my top gears.
It surely is comfortable. I disliked the long wheelbase (42 inches) thinking it was sluggish, but now love the stability it offers. It is kinda relaxed, and that basically is the state of mind I am pursuing as my lifestyle. This is a bike I can get on and ride easily 4-5 hours.
Yesterday’s workout mowing my overgrown lawn with a push mower and all the jamming really made me ripped. Perhaps I am just about 150 pounds and at 5’10” its pretty lean, but mean. My entire body was kinda hammered and I was a tired old man.
Cal
Mountain bikes have low gearing, and road bikes have tall gearing, but because of where I live a 20 inch gear on a road bike would be great because the hills can be long and steep. Then on the downhills you don’t want to spin out, because on descents you can do 50 MPH.
There has to be a really perfect balance of responsive handling, but also stability.
My least favored bike was my Ti Basso (Litespeed mountain bike) but now somewhat set up more like a gravel bike it still has the low gearing of a mountain bike, but still is lacking the taller gearing of a road bike. The smaller 26 inch wheels somewhat limit the ceiling on my top gears.
It surely is comfortable. I disliked the long wheelbase (42 inches) thinking it was sluggish, but now love the stability it offers. It is kinda relaxed, and that basically is the state of mind I am pursuing as my lifestyle. This is a bike I can get on and ride easily 4-5 hours.
Yesterday’s workout mowing my overgrown lawn with a push mower and all the jamming really made me ripped. Perhaps I am just about 150 pounds and at 5’10” its pretty lean, but mean. My entire body was kinda hammered and I was a tired old man.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Since you love the Basso, why not turn it into a road bike of sorts? Add a drop bar with the proper controls, change your chainrings to something like 53/40 and your cassette to a 11-30?
A new bike is fun but if you already have one that you can do 5 hours on easily, it’s going to be hard to find that same level of comfort on a different, strange frame. A set of chainrings, cassette, shifters, handlebar and stem are also way cheaper than a new (to you) bicycle.
Just sayin’.
Phil
A new bike is fun but if you already have one that you can do 5 hours on easily, it’s going to be hard to find that same level of comfort on a different, strange frame. A set of chainrings, cassette, shifters, handlebar and stem are also way cheaper than a new (to you) bicycle.
Just sayin’.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
The new/old IBIS is still going to be a 7-speed. The bike only needs the chain to be oiled and the bearings regressed. The bike is kinda good-to-go. Everything is remarkably fresh.
The 9-speed kit is on the shelf to future proof the bike. Keeping and maintaining the 7-speed to me is not practical or cost worthy, especially when I have a full blown kit just laying on the shelf. I started loading up the truck with XT 9-speed cassettes because they are finally in stock and available at a great price.
Next would be to stock up on chainrings. I also have a stockpile of 9-speed chains.
Anyways no 9-speed conversion is going to happen in the near future or anytime soon. I love the bike as is. It stands right now as a kinda trophy bike because it is all vintage correct.
Here is what I changed: Rene Herse 1.25 wide gravel tires; period correct Ti seatpost 29.4mm; Bontrager Ti straight bar; IBIS chro-mo saddle; and I upgraded the peddles to XC Pro to match the hubs and drivetrain. All these parts I had on hand. The IBIS seat is the only part that is modern and not period correct.
The bike has balanced handling and is both fast and quick. The limitation though is the gearing. The skinny tires only measure 25 inches in diameter so my top gear, 48x12T is a 100 inch gear. Basically prone to spinning out the cranks on descents.
The Pedersen SE rear brake is a Suntour branded/licensed version and it really is an assett. I don’t have a problem with modulation, and it feels great.
Also had to raise the stem, and that involved replacing the front brake cable for added length.
Like I said: a trophy bike.
Cal
The new/old IBIS is still going to be a 7-speed. The bike only needs the chain to be oiled and the bearings regressed. The bike is kinda good-to-go. Everything is remarkably fresh.
The 9-speed kit is on the shelf to future proof the bike. Keeping and maintaining the 7-speed to me is not practical or cost worthy, especially when I have a full blown kit just laying on the shelf. I started loading up the truck with XT 9-speed cassettes because they are finally in stock and available at a great price.
Next would be to stock up on chainrings. I also have a stockpile of 9-speed chains.
Anyways no 9-speed conversion is going to happen in the near future or anytime soon. I love the bike as is. It stands right now as a kinda trophy bike because it is all vintage correct.
Here is what I changed: Rene Herse 1.25 wide gravel tires; period correct Ti seatpost 29.4mm; Bontrager Ti straight bar; IBIS chro-mo saddle; and I upgraded the peddles to XC Pro to match the hubs and drivetrain. All these parts I had on hand. The IBIS seat is the only part that is modern and not period correct.
The bike has balanced handling and is both fast and quick. The limitation though is the gearing. The skinny tires only measure 25 inches in diameter so my top gear, 48x12T is a 100 inch gear. Basically prone to spinning out the cranks on descents.
The Pedersen SE rear brake is a Suntour branded/licensed version and it really is an assett. I don’t have a problem with modulation, and it feels great.
Also had to raise the stem, and that involved replacing the front brake cable for added length.
Like I said: a trophy bike.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
I live at the “Gateway to the Hudson Highlands” and that geography means some hills are both long and steep. One steep hill is Hudson Avenue that leads from the Peekskill train station. It is a quarter mile in length to Washington Avenue which is the first main road that heads north and south. Just this section is brutal in a 20 inch gear because of the length and steepness.
I can ride it, but Hudson Avenue continues to climb another mile, although not as steeply. I see people walking their bikes up this 1/4 mile climb all the time.
Know I have a road bike already, a Ti Basso (rebranded Litespeed Classic).
Setting up a triple perhaps on the road bike with a 9-speed 11-34 would work but that also is fraught and not so EZ-PZ.
What is easer would be is set up the IBIS SS Avion with the 11-34T 9-speed with the 48/38/24 on the bike now. A 17.65 low and a 109.09 top gear with a 25 inch tire 1.25 wide. If I converted over to a Schwable Billy Bonkers a pump track specific tire with a gravel like thread for asphalt that has a full 2.1 inch width I get an 18.35 bailout gear; a 20.8 granny gear; and a reasonably tall 113.45 gear inch high gear.
To sum it up: a mountain bike even with a 2x11 suffers with a lack of high gears; a road bike lacks the low gears that would be practical where I live; and basically a triple would serve me well.
Kinda divine intervention how the SS Avion seems to be ideal for this conversion, or I could do this to the Newsboy.
I have my training loop which is an hour long. The Hudson Avenue climb from the train station is part of that loop. Doing the loop twice is brutal. Think high threshold of pain. I may not be fast like Mike the skinny hipster, but I know I am strong. This is a fast workout, but at times I’ll do a second loop to beat myself up. Know that heading south down Washington leads to the valley where my house is, so pretty much this is my cool down after maxing out my heart rate.
I will first max out the 2x11 on the Newsboy with an 48/32 up front. I have a long cage derailleur on that bike with a 45T max cap. The frame has a 1 3/8 derailleur hanger to promote a possible extension of the max cap. I have both 11-40T and 11-42T XT cassettes 11-speed stockpiled.
The triple with a 3x9 though looks better suited for what I need.
The Newsboy kinda resembles an English 3-speed with the leather saddle and a mustache bar. Mucho early vintage boutique parts, many not available anymore. Early Paul’s Moon Units that were big, Grafton brakes, Ti high rise stem… In other words it is like a bike museum.
Cal
I live at the “Gateway to the Hudson Highlands” and that geography means some hills are both long and steep. One steep hill is Hudson Avenue that leads from the Peekskill train station. It is a quarter mile in length to Washington Avenue which is the first main road that heads north and south. Just this section is brutal in a 20 inch gear because of the length and steepness.
I can ride it, but Hudson Avenue continues to climb another mile, although not as steeply. I see people walking their bikes up this 1/4 mile climb all the time.
Know I have a road bike already, a Ti Basso (rebranded Litespeed Classic).
Setting up a triple perhaps on the road bike with a 9-speed 11-34 would work but that also is fraught and not so EZ-PZ.
What is easer would be is set up the IBIS SS Avion with the 11-34T 9-speed with the 48/38/24 on the bike now. A 17.65 low and a 109.09 top gear with a 25 inch tire 1.25 wide. If I converted over to a Schwable Billy Bonkers a pump track specific tire with a gravel like thread for asphalt that has a full 2.1 inch width I get an 18.35 bailout gear; a 20.8 granny gear; and a reasonably tall 113.45 gear inch high gear.
To sum it up: a mountain bike even with a 2x11 suffers with a lack of high gears; a road bike lacks the low gears that would be practical where I live; and basically a triple would serve me well.
Kinda divine intervention how the SS Avion seems to be ideal for this conversion, or I could do this to the Newsboy.
I have my training loop which is an hour long. The Hudson Avenue climb from the train station is part of that loop. Doing the loop twice is brutal. Think high threshold of pain. I may not be fast like Mike the skinny hipster, but I know I am strong. This is a fast workout, but at times I’ll do a second loop to beat myself up. Know that heading south down Washington leads to the valley where my house is, so pretty much this is my cool down after maxing out my heart rate.
I will first max out the 2x11 on the Newsboy with an 48/32 up front. I have a long cage derailleur on that bike with a 45T max cap. The frame has a 1 3/8 derailleur hanger to promote a possible extension of the max cap. I have both 11-40T and 11-42T XT cassettes 11-speed stockpiled.
The triple with a 3x9 though looks better suited for what I need.
The Newsboy kinda resembles an English 3-speed with the leather saddle and a mustache bar. Mucho early vintage boutique parts, many not available anymore. Early Paul’s Moon Units that were big, Grafton brakes, Ti high rise stem… In other words it is like a bike museum.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
My point about the Ibis SS is that any change to the drivetrain involving 8 or more cogs means you will need to bend the rear triangle to fit the hub.
If you play it right, you can get a NOS XT M730 or M732 hub, build a wheel around it keep your 7 speed gearing and not have to bend your frame. Even going with $200 NOS freewheels is s better than bending a very uncommon, one of a kind (these days) bike. It’s not like me putting an 8 speed hub into my beat up Univega.
I’m part of another forum and a recent discussion involved a guy purchasing a Colnago Master Mountain, all original, then he asked about how to change it to a 1x11 speed. Myself and everyone else in the thread opposed the idea of bending a rare bike just to put in a more modern drivetrain, when with a little research and talking to some old heads, the bike can be kept as original indefinitely.
Realistically, you could get one more 7 speed freewheel, and with proper maintenance it will probably last the rest of your life. Joe’s 6 speed can easily be converted to a 7 speed by taking off the smallest cog then adding a 12/13 cog pair.
Phil
If you play it right, you can get a NOS XT M730 or M732 hub, build a wheel around it keep your 7 speed gearing and not have to bend your frame. Even going with $200 NOS freewheels is s better than bending a very uncommon, one of a kind (these days) bike. It’s not like me putting an 8 speed hub into my beat up Univega.
I’m part of another forum and a recent discussion involved a guy purchasing a Colnago Master Mountain, all original, then he asked about how to change it to a 1x11 speed. Myself and everyone else in the thread opposed the idea of bending a rare bike just to put in a more modern drivetrain, when with a little research and talking to some old heads, the bike can be kept as original indefinitely.
Realistically, you could get one more 7 speed freewheel, and with proper maintenance it will probably last the rest of your life. Joe’s 6 speed can easily be converted to a 7 speed by taking off the smallest cog then adding a 12/13 cog pair.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Thanks for the explanation and concern. The bike is really great as a 7-speed. I kinda love it. I worked after dinner to pack all the sealed bearings. I oiled the new chain that came with the bike, and I lubed the brake posts. I even added more anti seize to the seatpost.
Still have to repack the headset and use some anti seize to the stem.
When I inspected the seat tube it is clean and free of any rust. Kinda like a new bike.
Anyways with new tubes the weight dropped down to 21 1/2 pounds. Like I said it is both fast and quick, and I love the ride.
This bike is ready for the trailway tomorrow.
Cal
Thanks for the explanation and concern. The bike is really great as a 7-speed. I kinda love it. I worked after dinner to pack all the sealed bearings. I oiled the new chain that came with the bike, and I lubed the brake posts. I even added more anti seize to the seatpost.
Still have to repack the headset and use some anti seize to the stem.
When I inspected the seat tube it is clean and free of any rust. Kinda like a new bike.
Anyways with new tubes the weight dropped down to 21 1/2 pounds. Like I said it is both fast and quick, and I love the ride.
This bike is ready for the trailway tomorrow.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Today we did a rigorous hike at Tea Town which is south of Peekskill. “Maggie” has type “O” blood and iot seems that blood type is most favored by mosquitoes. We will likely stay off wooded trails until the fall.
As an adventure we then drove to Pawling to see the village without our bikes just to see it without distraction. Gathered a lot of information and learned that the out and back from Pawling to Poukeepsie and then over the Hudson is a 57 mile out and back. The reported elevation change is something like 500 feet, but the way they figure that is by addition over the entire out and back.
Basically it is an easy ride.
We figure in Mahopac the blind curves and the rolling of the hills there might be just a connection between two rail to trails.
So now it looks like I have a Calzone Century that is easy to do. I have to figure out if I need to start at Yorktown Heights or Granite Springs, but pretty much I could drive not Far East of Peekskill and ride an out and back that has no motor vehicles.
I can see me putting on lots of mileage that would make me both strong and fast.
Cal
As an adventure we then drove to Pawling to see the village without our bikes just to see it without distraction. Gathered a lot of information and learned that the out and back from Pawling to Poukeepsie and then over the Hudson is a 57 mile out and back. The reported elevation change is something like 500 feet, but the way they figure that is by addition over the entire out and back.
Basically it is an easy ride.
We figure in Mahopac the blind curves and the rolling of the hills there might be just a connection between two rail to trails.
So now it looks like I have a Calzone Century that is easy to do. I have to figure out if I need to start at Yorktown Heights or Granite Springs, but pretty much I could drive not Far East of Peekskill and ride an out and back that has no motor vehicles.
I can see me putting on lots of mileage that would make me both strong and fast.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
This gives meaning to securing a new winner 12-28T. I would want to keep the bike all XC Pro. I even change out the pedals to XC Pro with grease guard. This bike will stay a Suntour 7-speed.
Cal
This gives meaning to securing a new winner 12-28T. I would want to keep the bike all XC Pro. I even change out the pedals to XC Pro with grease guard. This bike will stay a Suntour 7-speed.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Cool about sticking to all original spec for the bike. It could qualify for a place at MOMBAT!
I dropped off my fork for the Raleigh (it's a late 80s Fuji fork) at another local shop and they are going to try to get the threading done today.
I decided to paint the crown of the fork to match the rest of the frame. I'll be doing that after the fork comes back from the shop.
I have today and tomorrow off work, so besides the normal housework type chores, I'll be doing prep and painting of the chips on the Raleigh frame. I should be soaking the rollercam arms in something to get the grime off.
Phil
I dropped off my fork for the Raleigh (it's a late 80s Fuji fork) at another local shop and they are going to try to get the threading done today.
I decided to paint the crown of the fork to match the rest of the frame. I'll be doing that after the fork comes back from the shop.
I have today and tomorrow off work, so besides the normal housework type chores, I'll be doing prep and painting of the chips on the Raleigh frame. I should be soaking the rollercam arms in something to get the grime off.
Phil
jszokoli
Well-known
Cal,
I'll give you the 13-28 New Winner I have, from what Phil says you could take the 12 off the freewheel you have and swap it on to that one. I bet it won't be the 12 that is the cog that gets worn out...
Joe
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The 12/13 pair on the 7 sp Winner right now will fit perfectly. Remove the 13 from the 6 speed and replace it with the 12/13 pair from the 7 speed.
No one but people who never oil, measure or replace their chains, has ever worn out a 12 tooth Suntour cog; aside from maybe time trial monsters like Miguel Indurain.
In other news, I prepped the Raleigh frame and but a nasty looking base coat over all the paint chips. I applied the paint using sponge brushes and cotton swabs, so it is not precise at all; anyway it's a base coat. I'll be sanding the excess paint, then adding a second coat tomorrow using a lot more precision and a needle-point brush. It was warm and relatively dry today, so the paint set up and had the potential to build boogers pretty quickly. When I'm done with the painting, and 2000 grit sanding, it'll cure for a couple days then I'll add a coat of wax to give it all an even shine.
Here's some photos:
This is the "mountainside" head tube gusset with the style added by one of the marketing designers at Raleigh.
Here's a closeup of the signature of the designer, John Olsen.
The fork just came back from having threads extended, so I'm heading back out to paint the crown lug and also paint the Nitto stem to match.
Phil
No one but people who never oil, measure or replace their chains, has ever worn out a 12 tooth Suntour cog; aside from maybe time trial monsters like Miguel Indurain.
In other news, I prepped the Raleigh frame and but a nasty looking base coat over all the paint chips. I applied the paint using sponge brushes and cotton swabs, so it is not precise at all; anyway it's a base coat. I'll be sanding the excess paint, then adding a second coat tomorrow using a lot more precision and a needle-point brush. It was warm and relatively dry today, so the paint set up and had the potential to build boogers pretty quickly. When I'm done with the painting, and 2000 grit sanding, it'll cure for a couple days then I'll add a coat of wax to give it all an even shine.
Here's some photos:
This is the "mountainside" head tube gusset with the style added by one of the marketing designers at Raleigh.
Here's a closeup of the signature of the designer, John Olsen.
The fork just came back from having threads extended, so I'm heading back out to paint the crown lug and also paint the Nitto stem to match.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Mighty beefy brace and that down tube looks mighty oversized. A stout frame for sure.
That’s going to be a very cool bike.
Cal
Mighty beefy brace and that down tube looks mighty oversized. A stout frame for sure.
That’s going to be a very cool bike.
Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Phil...soak it in Naptha (lighter fluid) or for really nasty grime, clear PVC pipe cleaner.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Cal, I stepped on this frame sideways while doing my ghetto alignment. It is extraordinarily stiff. Supposedly the three main tubes are triple butted and considering the oversize tubing and how stiff the frame is, the tubes must look like expensive plumbing. It’s all 4130 Reynolds, during the period that Raleigh was part of Tube Investments which owned Reynolds as well.
I painted the fork crown lug with the same paint as the frame to provide a nice transition from cherry red blades to the pepto bismol head tube. The stem got the same treatment of paint.
Tomorrow I’ll be doing sanding then a final coat over each chip, which is going to take quite a while.
I already am on the lighter fluid. I have containers of Coleman fuel which is almost pure naptha. My Benz diesel engine loved running on it during fuel pump and injector cleansing.
The rillercam brakes might still get a coat of black epoxy, if I get the motivation to do it.
Phil
I painted the fork crown lug with the same paint as the frame to provide a nice transition from cherry red blades to the pepto bismol head tube. The stem got the same treatment of paint.
Tomorrow I’ll be doing sanding then a final coat over each chip, which is going to take quite a while.
I already am on the lighter fluid. I have containers of Coleman fuel which is almost pure naptha. My Benz diesel engine loved running on it during fuel pump and injector cleansing.
The rillercam brakes might still get a coat of black epoxy, if I get the motivation to do it.
Phil
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I had mucho fun riding the IBIS Avion today on the Empire State Trailway. This bike is mighty comfortable and is also speedy.
I learned that I need to pump up the rear tire about 5 PSI more than the front because I had a lot of sidewall bulge on the rear. The 70 PSI on the front was fine for my weight and position.
During and after the ride I tweaked the seat position. In the end I raised the seat about a quarter inch and also moved it back a bit. I took notice of how I kinda ride an aggressive and low mountain bike position with most of my weight back and over the rear wheel. Perhaps this is due to the IBIS Mountain Trials style I have.
The low forward position helps lower the center of gravity, and exploits the aggressive geometry.
I was stunned at the ride quality of the Avion. Just so balanced and smooth. A really great bike for mucho long rides, and that is the space I’m in now. I would love to get an IBIS Ti MoJo frame to use the wheels and 9-speed XTR kit I have on the shelf. The bikes are similar but from different eras of IBIS history. The MoJo is the newer bike. Not to be confused with the IBIS full suspension bikes.
Would be great to get a Ti Mojo Pre-Vee brake to have the “Hand-Job” rear cable hanger that was an interesting feature, investment cast by a jeweler, a clenched fist held the cable housing for the rear brake.
My Ti Mountain Trails has a Hand-Job and “Moron-Tubing” internally butted titanium with more metal on the ends. Scot Nicol is a funny guy and he has an alter ego/person he calls “Chuck IBIS.”
Anyways the Avion is both comfortable and smooth.
I used this SeaSucker bike rack on the Audi for the first time. Wanted to protect the condition of the Avion since it is so clean. This bike rack Mike the skinny hipster raves about uses suction cups and vacuum to mount the rack directly on metal and glass. Kinda mucho crazy, but it works really well.
The bad is that you have to remove the rack because it not only is a high dollar item, but is really easy to steal/remove.
What is key is that it has to be mounted to a clean surface.
It is kinda unusual to see one in use in the wild. The Audi and the bike kinda stood out on the ride to the trailway. Kinda drew attention because it makes people wonder what is holding the bike to the roof. Can’t be a suction cups they think, but it is.
So I’m in love with the IBIS Avion. Such a pretty bike, and kinda stunning looking. It looks good as a mountain bike with skinny tires and the two tone teal and purple paint draws in the eye. Oh so retro.
The Suntour XC Pro has very smooth shifting and a solid feel that exceeds my 11-speed XTR. The shifts seem more direct and purposeful. Also I like having a triple for the extended gear range as well as the close ratios.
BTW Induran is half man and half race horse. That guy loved tall gears.
Cal
I learned that I need to pump up the rear tire about 5 PSI more than the front because I had a lot of sidewall bulge on the rear. The 70 PSI on the front was fine for my weight and position.
During and after the ride I tweaked the seat position. In the end I raised the seat about a quarter inch and also moved it back a bit. I took notice of how I kinda ride an aggressive and low mountain bike position with most of my weight back and over the rear wheel. Perhaps this is due to the IBIS Mountain Trials style I have.
The low forward position helps lower the center of gravity, and exploits the aggressive geometry.
I was stunned at the ride quality of the Avion. Just so balanced and smooth. A really great bike for mucho long rides, and that is the space I’m in now. I would love to get an IBIS Ti MoJo frame to use the wheels and 9-speed XTR kit I have on the shelf. The bikes are similar but from different eras of IBIS history. The MoJo is the newer bike. Not to be confused with the IBIS full suspension bikes.
Would be great to get a Ti Mojo Pre-Vee brake to have the “Hand-Job” rear cable hanger that was an interesting feature, investment cast by a jeweler, a clenched fist held the cable housing for the rear brake.
My Ti Mountain Trails has a Hand-Job and “Moron-Tubing” internally butted titanium with more metal on the ends. Scot Nicol is a funny guy and he has an alter ego/person he calls “Chuck IBIS.”
Anyways the Avion is both comfortable and smooth.
I used this SeaSucker bike rack on the Audi for the first time. Wanted to protect the condition of the Avion since it is so clean. This bike rack Mike the skinny hipster raves about uses suction cups and vacuum to mount the rack directly on metal and glass. Kinda mucho crazy, but it works really well.
The bad is that you have to remove the rack because it not only is a high dollar item, but is really easy to steal/remove.
What is key is that it has to be mounted to a clean surface.
It is kinda unusual to see one in use in the wild. The Audi and the bike kinda stood out on the ride to the trailway. Kinda drew attention because it makes people wonder what is holding the bike to the roof. Can’t be a suction cups they think, but it is.
So I’m in love with the IBIS Avion. Such a pretty bike, and kinda stunning looking. It looks good as a mountain bike with skinny tires and the two tone teal and purple paint draws in the eye. Oh so retro.
The Suntour XC Pro has very smooth shifting and a solid feel that exceeds my 11-speed XTR. The shifts seem more direct and purposeful. Also I like having a triple for the extended gear range as well as the close ratios.
BTW Induran is half man and half race horse. That guy loved tall gears.
Cal