Did you ride today? (3 Viewers)

[jembourbe]

Well, I rode yesterday. Great ride, cool and dry air. Nearly fall like weather in the morning.

11.25 mile loop, and somehow missed a turn in the woods. Overall, quality ride except for the broken spike on the rear wheel.

I went to the bike shop for a new spoke and wheel true, and the mechanic wants to sell me a new wheel set. Says my rear wheel is “compromised.” Haha. I don’t think so.

It’s a Reynolds carbon wheel set with zero problems over the last eight seasons. I’m not giving up without a second opinion.




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They'll price the repair to make the sale look good, too.

Replacing a spoke isn't that hard. Depending on what kind of fee therapy the shop gives you, it might be something to add to your skill set. Really good bike shops are treasures, but the rest can be treacherous upsell dens.

 

[ravewoofer]

They'll price the repair to make the sale look good, too.

Replacing a spoke isn't that hard. Depending on what kind of fee therapy the shop gives you, it might be something to add to your skill set. Really good bike shops are treasures, but the rest can be treacherous upsell dens.

I do about 85% of all work on the bike. I've never invested in the big stuff, like truing stand, headset press, etc. I just might start.
The thing about this shop is that they were good for years, like 15-20. Now, it's upsell, baby. And the mechanic did say, to rebuild ( ie, new spokes, etc) would cost nearly as much as outright buying. I let him know that was hard to believe. Seriously, I go in with a broken spoke. How hard can that be? Right? I've done that many times with different bikes. But no, How's a new wheelset sound? F him, and the horse he rode on. Can't say that yet, until I have my wheel back in my possession.

 

[Paddler Ed]

I had a broken spoke, and in the end it turned out the rim was cracked in about 3 or 4 places - I may have ridden for too long with said broken spoke to get home, so the remaining intact spokes took the load and then pulled/cracked the rim where they had the extra load on them.

I did end up with a new wheelset, aided and abetted by a knackered freehub...

 

[jembourbe]

I did a group road ride on my Epic E-faux full sus mtb. The road speeds eventually cooked me, but it was kinda fun.

 

[SmoothLC]

I do about 85% of all work on the bike. I've never invested in the big stuff, like truing stand, headset press, etc. I just might start.
The thing about this shop is that they were good for years, like 15-20. Now, it's upsell, baby. And the mechanic did say, to rebuild ( ie, new spokes, etc) would cost nearly as much as outright buying. I let him know that was hard to believe. Seriously, I go in with a broken spoke. How hard can that be? Right? I've done that many times with different bikes. But no, How's a new wheelset sound? F him, and the horse he rode on. Can't say that yet, until I have my wheel back in my possession.

The bike industry is crashing . . . even down to the LBSs.

 

[ravewoofer]

I had a broken spoke, and in the end it turned out the rim was cracked in about 3 or 4 places - I may have ridden for too long with said broken spoke to get home, so the remaining intact spokes took the load and then pulled/cracked the rim where they had the extra load on them.

I did end up with a new wheelset, aided and abetted by a knackered freehub...

Well, I got the wheel back totally knackered, wobbling so bad, it would barely run between the seat stays! I brought the wheel back to the original shop where I bought the bike, and lo and behold, the carbon rim is fine. The mechanic changed out 4 spokes, so now the wheel is perfect. And, it's guaranteed. The other mech at the first shop, put in all sorts of notes on their sales system about how neither he, nor the shop could be held liable for a "compromised" wheel blah, blah, blah.

What a fool. Last time I go there...

I won't name and shame as it's not the store's fault, just the psychopathic mechanic.

 

[gilamonster]

Sucks, but at least your bike is back on the road.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Well, I got the wheel back totally knackered, wobbling so bad, it would barely run between the seat stays! I brought the wheel back to the original shop where I bought the bike, and lo and behold, the carbon rim is fine. The mechanic changed out 4 spokes, so now the wheel is perfect. And, it's guaranteed. The other mech at the first shop, put in all sorts of notes on their sales system about how neither he, nor the shop could be held liable for a "compromised" wheel blah, blah, blah.

What a fool. Last time I go there...

I won't name and shame as it's not the store's fault, just the psychopathic mechanic.

I've just been to my preferred LBS here, and it was interesting for the want of a better description; I have this overwhelming feeling that they are just letting go. 30 minutes later I was at the other shop, and the customer I'd just seen in the first shop was walking out the other shop with a AU$4k bike - if you're not willing to work with someone on that sort of sale, then there is a problem. As it is, the first shop has missed out on a load of work/business from me because their work:cost ratio seems out of whack to me.

The good mechanic (who picked up my wheels) has been poached by another industry, and it's now left to the owner to do most of the wrenching (and he's not that keen on spinning the tools is my feeling, but is very competent).

In the meantime, I've been training my apprentice to help:

Ended up with a pretty much full SLX build with Deore brakes (6100 levers/6120 calipers) and DT Swiss 350/Stans rims as a wheelset

The WTB Rangers were a complete pig to get on the rim, but eventually got there with them and a load of washing up liquid.

Build so far: (excuse 7 month's debris on the sofa, I stole her play mat to do the build on!)

The bars will change (Ritchey Kyote or Buzzard), and I'm planning on about 50mm of spacers under the stem to bring it up to being an upright old-skool style mountain bike.

Next weekend I will hopefully have the outstanding parts to get the build finished (cranks, chain, shifter) and have worked out a saddle.

 

[CruiserTrash]

Met up with @RodrigzCrzr and @OGBeno earlier this week and went for a short spin to the Arkansas river and back. Good times, great oldies.

 

[OGBeno]

Met up with @RodrigzCrzr and @OGBeno earlier this week and went for a short spin to the Arkansas river and back. Good times, great oldies.

View attachment 3923735

Good times. Glad we could sneak away and ride a bit!

 

[SmoothLC]

Nope, didn't ride. But I did go and was a "runner" to support the annual Little Red Riding Hood women's bike ride.

The ride was started by Alice Telford in 1989. She led a remarkable life and passed earlier this year.

If you know of any woman riders who are looking for a fully supported ride in a beautiful location (Cache Valley - IMO one of the best if not the best valley's to ride in Utah), tell them to check this one out. Distances from 17 to 100 miles.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Grrraagh -

1. I've lost my Shimano cassette tool somewhere... or it's fallen out somewhere in a car (I need to empty my everyday Land Cruiser properly to check)
2. I didn't twig that I had the old fashioned International Standard brake bosses on the frame and that I'd got post mount calipers (which is about all you get now) so I need to order adapters

Also need to get some new bolts and lock washers for the disc to hub mounting, as they are one use and I've scavenged some discs off an old set of rims I had lying around... but scope creep plays a part here and I can possibly get a bigger front rotor that then also gets me new bolts...

50mm of spacers on the list, and then go from there with the bar position - going to pull the Kyote bar I already have off the other bike, and fit that up and see how it feels before I make the order for bars.

 

[1FZj80]

1. I didn't twig that I had the old fashioned...

I had an Old Fashioned tonight as well.

 

[jembourbe]

I had an Old Fashioned tonight as well.

I had a Bee's Knees

 

[OGBeno]

Some city night riding with Jenna last night. Tucson is a fun night riding town…

 

[jembourbe]

I had an extra helping of speed and pain with this group tonight

 

[Paddler Ed]

Put the Kyote bars on the new bike at the weekend... definitely the way to go, but want more height... so just ordered a set of Buzzards to go on top of the 50mm of spacers!

Last bits are trickling in now, I expect to have everything next Monday or Tuesday (ordered the last bits I think I need yesterday and today), and picked up a take off saddle yesterday from the LBS.

 

[OGBeno]

Night Ride…. Strawberry Moon.



Start off with a lazy sunset ride with friendo…

Then of course ya go to the bar before it closes for a couple of beers…

Then you are thinking…. Fǔck it…. Let’s ride!!

(this is iPhone night photo. …. I’m also technologically inept)

Don’t booze and ride!!

Good night riding regardless.

 

[stayalert]

Dang man, You're supposed to keep the red stuff on the inside......

 

[stayalert]

off the couch & out the door Downer Forrest Gravel loop