Bike build 101

Now for the bike related post of the day (past month). Managed to pick up a used cross frame (an older aluminum Redline Conquest Cyclo-X) and parts and got the majority of the necessary items for my build in last night. Still need some rim tape, stem spacers and a new stem since the two stems I got from the guy with the frame 1 1/8” and the fork is 1”. Once I get that tonight after work though I should be set to build it all up. Hopefully I’d screw anything up since this will be my first official full build, though not having deal with the headset was probably the biggest blessing in my eyes (I’m clueless and scared of this).

The frame looks just like this one. Nothing flashy and definitely used, but it'll certainly do the trick.

Last night I got the bottom bracket and cranks installed, added a new Deore LX rear derailleur and got the cassette all set up on the Mavic CXP22’s. Tonight hopefully I’ll be able to pull the rest together and have it ready for a ride tomorrow. I’m likely going to need to change out the chainrings when I get to racing but for now I’ve got a 53/38 with I believe a 12/25 on the cassette. Definitely WAY too heavy for cross racing.

The rest is all pretty basic, used Ultegra from derailleur, basic 144 or so bars, used (borrowed) shifters/breaks, a pair of tektro brake levers for the flat bar section and the old seat off my Fuji Track bike for now. The Ritchey Pro Logic cranks probably weigh more then the bike itself but changes will come in time. For now though I’ve spend more then enough money on bike stuff, its time to start putting some into the house instead.

I’m hoping that if I can get the cross rig built up tonight or tomorrow I’ll get out and spend some time on it though I’m also really itching to get out on the mountain bike. I had so much fun the last time I went (which was a while ago) I just wish I could get out all the time. I was going to try and go early last Sunday and then watch the Charm City Cross and cheer on some friends and teammates but ended up doing a dump run and yard work with my brother in law instead. The cowbells will have to wait a little longer. Sunday instead of going to the Ed Sandor Memorial cross race I’ll be heading to Baltimore with the family for the final home game for the O’s against the Yanks. I kind of hate going to those games since there are always more Yankees fans then O’s fans; it’s a little embarrassing.

A lost connection

A slow and quiet Friday to close out fiscal 07; seems like the perfect time to lay out some thoughts on the long neglected journal I call a blog. Writing is tough lately due to my complete lack of internet access away from work, though hopefully that will change sometime in the relatively near future. It’s amazing how much I really have relied on the internet for information and entertainment over the years. My current set-up of no internet and no cable makes me more productive with getting things done, but it is also pretty tough to handle sometimes. Road maps and the yellow book have once again become permanent allies over the past few weeks.

The backyard ivy patch surrounding a tree. This whole section is now mulched as well as the strip down the left fence.

The house is coming along pretty well, despite the hazardous shape I left it in this morning. I spent the entire past weekend doing house work; ripping out the huge patch of ivy in the back and disposing of it at the dump, spreading two full truck loads of mulch in the back yard, peeling the faux bricks from my bedroom wall and spending a number of hours scraping the remaining glue and multiple layers of paint off the same wall so that eventually I’ll be able to prime and paint it. Hopefully with a couple more hours of work I’ll have the entire wall scraped clean and can start with the primer this weekend.

The bedroom (yes it is peach and HAD a floral border wall paper. You can sort of make out the "bricks" on the left wall there. Those are gone and now there is paint and glue remnants instead. I'll try and get the pics up from my cell camera.

Painting has become my top priority as I’ve started to eye colors from the Home Depot paint samples. I think that will be a great place to start for me since it can be done relatively inexpensively and will keep me busy for a good bit of time. The more expensive and extensive projects will have to wait until more finances are available. Hopefully I’ll post some pictures up soon, though without internet at home my photo uploading capabilities are limited as well. Ah, some pre-move in photos will give some basic ideas of what I’ve been working on.

The dining area is also surrounded by faux bricks although these have not been painted over and look somewhat decent in my eyes. The wall to the right is also covered will basic wall paneling. Despite the fact that I don't think they look terrible these walls will once again be painted drywall when I've finished with some of the other areas. My tastes just don't match the 70's. You should see the kitchen...