Last night I stayed up past my bedtime as my new Schwalbe Big Apples (26×2.35) had arrived. Naturally when I came home at 10pm they were sitting at my door just begging to be put on.
And yes, I did. Then I rode to work today and realized that the rear fender, Planet Bike model, really was too small (still is), but more importantly, because the plastic brace holding it to the stays, the tire would rub from time to time. Not good.
After work I went one of the LBS’s in my area and looked at new fenders. They didn’t have anything I considered really useable (more of the same model I have, or some in the wrong color). Then I got creative and used a zip tie. Works great, you can hardly tell.
Of course I still bought something…a new Wald basket. I didn’t need all the bits and pieces to make it slip on and off my handlebars, which is a neat idea but…too much stuff to deal with. So basically it’s just zip tied to my little rack (also recent from a different LBS – actually McCully where this bike was born – sort of).
The tires are great. With only about 40-45psi they eat up pretty much all the bumps in the road.
In any case the bike is coming along. I still have to build a rear wheel and get a new front one, but that stuff should be along soon.
The bike isn’t really my size, though with all the adjustments I’ve made it’s very comfortable. There’s a lot of stem showing and I’ve had to raise the heck out of the handlebars to get ’em even with the Brooks saddle (yes, under that plastic rain cover is a black B-17), but on the whole it’s a lot of fun.
I’ve also adjusted the brakes and really like these Shimanos. Expensive? Yes, but I got a discount and heck, they look good, almost as good as they work.
Aloha!
Via Flickr:
Bits and pieces are coming together!