Getting back into cycling

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Meanwhile my friends fixie. Just about perfect IMO (drop bars and a straight stem would get it over the line).

I like the idea of a flatter stem, (maybe 10mm longer, too,) but instead of drop bars I'd be inclined to look for an interesting flat bar, maybe something like the old "moustache" bars that Bridgestone used back in the day...

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I've got a s/s. (I think fixies are scary, but Pete's friends' blue - DeRosa? is very pretty!) I pieced mine together because I needed a crap bike to ride 3/4 of a mile twice a day 4 times a week that could be left locked to a pole on the sidewalk in any kind of weather. I think the furthest I took it was five or ten miles. It's fun, and then it's not, almost like a light switch.

I've been riding track bikes in the local velodrome since I was a kid. Would I use them on the road?
- I do but only on "my track". It's basically a flat ring road near my house.

I like these. Great invention

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I like the idea of a flatter stem, (maybe 10mm longer, too,) but instead of drop bars I'd be inclined to look for an interesting flat bar, maybe something like the old "moustache" bars that Bridgestone used back in the day...

Not for the bike I posted but these would be really cool for updating an older single speed mountain bike. Note flat bar controls.

"Surly Corner Bar" (chrome moly not alloy)

[herr_oberst]

I love the white industries ratcheting cog, but I went cheap. I bought a kit that has spacers to replace cogs on a freehub. I've got an 11 and a 12 on, since I had to make do with a bike that has vertical dropouts which required me to make a tensioner from an old derailleur.

[sc_rufctr]

Cool

[look 171]

I rode a fixed gear bike for two winter seasons spinning around the RoseBowl / golf course all by my lonesome self and went on a few group / training rides with it way back in the late 80s. Being young, dumb, and the pros do it so why not me /us, right? I could have cause serious wreaks to myself and others who need to go back to work the next day after the training ride. Herr's pic of the single speed was exactly what I did only I had a cog but always had brakes.

[otto_kretschmer]

ugh..

I need to practice more. I eventually got the holes drilled in the right spot (the first time thank G)

With silver brazing I got it too hot and had a problem seeing the silver flow. I had to get out the dremel and clean it up and used some body filler to make it smooth before I shoot the primer.

I spread the filler with a finger. I wore a latex glove and poured a little alcohol on my fingers first to help smooth it out. Its all sanded now and ready for paint.

I'm still unsure about where to put the pump. I'll probably get a short pump and put it above the new water bottle mounts.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

ugh..

I need to practice more. I eventually got the holes drilled in the right spot (the first time thank G)

With silver brazing I got it too hot and had a problem seeing the silver flow. I had to get out the dremel and clean it up and used some body filler to make it smooth before I shoot the primer.

I spread the filler with a finger. I wore a latex glove and poured a little alcohol on my fingers first to help smooth it out. Its all sanded now and ready for paint.

I'm still unsure about where to put the pump. I'll probably get a short pump and put it above the new water bottle mounts.

Frame pump? People still use those things? Co2 is my friend.

I have tubless now, but on my other bikes, I run only these tubes https://www.amazon.com/Tubolito-Unisexs-Gravel-Bicycle-Orange/dp/B093H7SGS5?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ARIZE2JCT3XTI

Super light, resist puncture much better then traditional rubber tubes. DId I mention it is super light so you can be faster.

[sc_rufctr]

A friend just picked this up for $50!

[sc_rufctr]

My stationery frame is now painted. (POR 15 base coat with POR 15 Top Coat)

I'll let it sit for a few days and then start the build.

[sc_rufctr]

As of this morning (It's 7 am here). It's not perfect but I'm feeling rather chuffed

Have a great one!

[otto_kretschmer]

I'm in Paint Hell right now. I tried lacquer paint, primer and clear and its a joke. I let each coat dry a day and I can peel it off with my nails. I'm stripping the frame back to bare metal and going to use a single stage enamel; paint with catalyst. I still have some green from my 911 and it may still be good.

frustration

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

I'm in Paint Hell right now. I tried lacquer paint, primer and clear and its a joke. I let each coat dry a day and I can peel it off with my nails. I'm stripping the frame back to bare metal and going to use a single stage enamel; paint with catalyst. I still have some green from my 911 and it may still be good.

frustration

All the best Mate... Just keep going! (At the very least you're learning)

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

All the best Mate... Just keep going! (At the very least you're learning)

I'll paint something every five years and its like I have to relearn how to do it every time. This is the first time using lacquer on a car/motorcycle/bicycle, and the last time.

[sc_rufctr]

Well my attitude is... "How hard can it be?" I apply that to most things in life.

With paint it only has to be about 95% good. Paint is never 100% perfect and polishing/finishing can get you very close.

[flatbutt]

Tangent alert. Do you guys track your performance? My Edge 130 measure aerobic / anaerobic performance. No matter how much sprinting I do the computer says "No anaerobic benefit".

How do you guys get anaerobic?

[otto_kretschmer]

no,

I don't have a bicycle computer because all it tells me is I'm getting slower the older I get.

[sc_rufctr]

The only thing I do is ride every day (except when it's raining). The less distractions the better.
- All the smart stuff looks good & if I was a pro I'd have and use it all but... I'm not and I'm not getting any younger.

Regardless at the end of the day nothing works better than doing the work.

Signed "The Basturd"

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

no,

I don't have a bicycle computer because all it tells me is I'm getting slower the older I get.

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

The only thing I do is ride every day (except when it's raining). The less distractions the better.
- All the smart stuff looks good & if I was a pro I'd have and use it all but... I'm not and I'm not getting any younger.

Regardless at the end of the day nothing works better than doing the work.

Signed "The Basturd"

I get that but I must monitor my heart so I don't ... you know...die. My Dr says that I need to get anaerobic but dang that's gonna kill me. I get my heart rate up to 140 on some climbs but rarely on the flats. Maybe I'm over thinking this stuff.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I get that but I must monitor my heart so I don't ... you know...die. My Dr says that I need to get anaerobic but dang that's gonna kill me. I get my heart rate up to 140 on some climbs but rarely on the flats. Maybe I'm over thinking this stuff.

In your unique case you're not over thinking it.

The best advice I can give you as a non doctor: Don't do ANYTHING you're not comfortable with.

There's no need to push yourself to improve your fitness. Just daily movement and not over eating alone puts you in the top 5% of fitness in the general population.

What I find astonishing in a lot of young people: The size of their arses. Truly astounding.