bike update

28 Apr 2006

Ordered new tires for the bikes last week, which should be in on Tuesday or Wednesday. Amanda’s takes 26” x 1 3/8”, and mine are 27” x 1 1/4”. The shop I stopped at (Bike Peddler) had those sizes but not with the right bead, so I just ordered some. $13 a pop. Not bad.

In the meantime, this gives me some time to get everything else scoped out and fixed if necessary. I believe I’ve got the brakes on mine all fixed up – I bought a new brake cable and lubed up the cable jacket and retightened everything and it seems to work fine.

The wheels on my bike both have a slight wobble – nothing I’m seriously worried about, but I thought I’d try to remove it nonetheless. I tried tightening the spokes strategically to true the wheel, but it didn’t do much good, even though some of the spokes were quite loose. I hear it’s near impossible to true an older wheel anyway, so I am not too worried.

Next up: Sunday the frames get a much-needed bath. De-greasing with Simple Green, touch-up paint if needed and then lube all-around. I bought some silicon-based wet lubricant that should work on pretty much everything.

New tires go on probably next weekend. After that? Who knows, maybe we can actually, you know .. ride them.

Which reminds me, we need to get helmets (Safety first!). Anyone have a recommendation for a good cruising helmet (that is: convenient, comfortable, not too dorky-looking, not super-awesome-lightweight-aerodynamic-bike-dork-helmet)?