Sunday, January 10, 2010

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Soma Rush completed

All I need now is some decent weather. I picked up a bunch of parts from ebay on a recent trip to the US.

A friend gave me a set of purple Aerohead rims a few years ago (I wonder why?) I laced the front up to an old Record hub (also donated), and the rear to a fixed/fixed Formula. It was brilliant to true them through the fork, as looking through the steer tube made it extremely easy to dial them in perfectly.



Setting it up to measure the fork (and with the tubulars I will sometimes use).



Finally finished. I ended up cutting the fork a bit longer than I had expected, but better too long than too short.


I found an S6 headset cheaper than I could find an S2--- unfortunately it was brown, rather than the advertised black (on ebay). For what I paid, I cannot complain.


I chose a road setup to stay compatible with the chain rings I have already collected on my other two fixed bikes.



With a steel fork, pedals, and everything, it weighs in at 8 KG.




It will never be this clean again-- especially after a Stavanger winter.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bike progress




The Rush is coming together. I laced up a wheel yesterday, and tossed a few parts on tonight. All I need to do is cut the fork, add the chain, and away I go.

Returned from US trip

Our trip to the US was marked by a few odd events: an emergency landing on the way to San Francisco (some poor guy had a heart attack), followed by a strike at the hotel where I was staying (they banged on drums, blew horns, and yelled through bullhorns to disturb guests--- almost around the clock). Then Julian came down with chicken pox. Aside from all that, the trip was excellent, and it was wonderful to see friends and family again.

Friday, October 16, 2009

New arrival


Ebay! From USA--- something is a bit fishy with the postage. I purchased this through an ebay store--- since it was only $70 for shipping-- from the US. Actual shipping on the box was a bit over $50?!? My guess is they printed their own label based on weight, and the post office never caught on. I tried shipping a bike here when I moved, and it was well over $300-- since it was oversized. Anyway-- I don't care. I cannot buy anything like this locally right now. The same frame is cheaper on Speedgoat but costs much more in shipping.

It is exactly what I wanted-- track geometry, no unnecessary braze-ons, bosses, or cable stops, a size that fits, steel, and lightweight. Now I just need to build it up. Frame looks in good shape-- no need to chase, face, or ream anything (I hope!).

It amazed me that USPS parcel tracking tracked this right to my door---- in Norway! Sent an email when it arrived and everything.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Somewhere in suburban London

I arrived last night-- no idea where I am. It is strange hearing so many people speaking English. I was picked up at the airport by a driver holding a sign--- wearing a suit, driving a Mercedes. Hopefully I will hitch a ride with someone to Paddington.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Gullkilden sucks

I will never do business with Gullkilden again. I purchased a gift for Lise's birthday at Gullkilden in Kvadrat, with the expectation it matched other jewelry that she already owned. I specifically asked if I could receive a refund if it did not match, and was assurred it would be no problem. Of course it did not match, so I returned it with the receipt two days later. I was only offerred in-store credit--- and was explained by a very adamant store clerk that they do not offer cash refunds (that it wasn't written on the receipt).

First of all, the receipt is issued AFTER purchase, so it is a bit dubious to use that as the basis for a return policy. Secondly, this simply cannot be legal. It was less than a week-- with the original receipt-- on an item in original condition (no engraving or anything). I am not particularly happy about this. Norway return policies are weak to begin with--- but this place has no return policy at all.

Time to revive this blog


I stumbled across a really cool article about track bike geometry written by Don Walker.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Ride report


1, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

I live on a peninsula, and my rides generally take me the same route-- south. My riding time is quite limited these days to commuting. When I manage to get out, I need to maximize my workout, so I head for the hills on a personal time trial--- hitting about 1400 feet of elevation.

Starting out a little after 6am while the kids are still asleep. The light isn't the greatest for photos.


2, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Heading toward Sandnes


3, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Early morning sun


4, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


5, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Heading to the other side


6, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Downtown Sandnes


7, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


8, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


9, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


10, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


11, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

No traffic this morning


12, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


13, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


14, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Looking back toward Stavanger


15, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Right turn


16, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

The road up


17, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


18, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


19, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


20, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


21, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


22, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Cows


23, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

What is a ride without cows?

Sheep


24, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Sand


25, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Winter sand is still on the road.

The ride down


26, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

The road is a a bit narrow, and the sight lines are poor.

From near the top


27, originally uploaded by filtersweep.


28, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Sidis and Look


29, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Look


31, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Over 10,000 miles and still going strong. I still have no desire to upgrade to a new ride.

Dale


32, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

A former insane asylum--- now for asylum seekers.

In a state of disrepair


33, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Dale


34, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

End of the road-


35, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

Dale- end of the road, time to turn around.