I had so much fun riding fixed on the SURLY Cross Check I decided I needed to set up a dedicated fixey for the road. I found an old road bike hanging up upstairs with the used bikes at the Bike Doctor that looked perfect. I offered Dave $75 plus a case of beer and ordered myself in a Suzue track hub. I rebuilt the rear wheel and presto – for less than $200 I had a fixey for the road.
I can’t remember exactly when I built this up. It was the fall of 2004 when I built up the Surly… I think it might have been more or less at the exact same time or right away afterwards. I probably rode it a bit until the snow started flying and it has been my #1 bike for getting around summer bike (when I’m not towing kids) ever since.
I have no idea of the origin of the bike as it has no headbadge or decals – it did have one decal on the top tube when I got it that said “Sport Swap”….!? It’s lugged and brazed steel and I imagine butted cro-mo. It had a bizarre mix of components like a campy front derailleur with Dura-Ace cranks (really, really OLD Dura-Ace cranks… but Dura-Ace none the less!)
Later spoke started breaking on the front wheel so I replaced it with a wheel I had kicking around for a previous project bike, and in the summer of 2005 I took the rocket out for a 100km road ride (the only ride I did outside of town – let me tell you IT HURT!) and it occurred to me 50km from home as my knees felt like exploding and my ass HURT that perhaps the seat post was a bit short – so it was replaced with a cheap and cheerful post. Recently I swapped over my black Brooks Saddle then I decommissioned the Cannondale ‘cross bike. That’s about it for “upgrades”. Oh I might have put new tires on….
In the picture above THE ROCKET is rigged for a long road ride – for ripping around town my pump and tools and stuff would all be stashed in my Push bag.
The gears are 54x18. Tall gear to push up hills but at least I don't spin my legs off coming back down!
Just curious if you use a spoke tension meter? I've been debating if this is a necessity or just a "nice-to-have".
ReplyDeleteI mostly adjust spoke tension (guessing on proper amount), straighten rims (using the "marker method") and replace broken spokes.
I have not and don't plan to build wheels from "scratch". Would you recommend a spoke tension meter considering my level of monkeying around with spokes?
I've never used a spoke tension meter. I can't really make any sort of recommendation one way or the other...
ReplyDeleteI guess the fact that an idiot like me can put a wheel together without one and not have it fail (so far...) makes me wonder what they're good for...? But then, SOMEONE must find them useful or they wouldn't make them, right?