I’ve been watching this saddle for years. I always wanted to try it, but I never pulled the trigger. Well at this price point you can’t go wrong. I may buy two.
Ironspoke 2.0 is falling in line. It should be a good time to build a bike. During the lockdowns and then the anticipated supply chain issues, the local bike shops just got bombarded. They couldn’t keep anything in stock. Used parts were highly coveted because people were bringing their old bikes in to get fixed. Brand new bikes were sold to the highest bidder. Wrenches worked around the clock on building new bicycles, tweaked bottom brackets and flat tires. The world was shut down, but the joy of cycling was truly in the ether.
Two years later and that cycling boom went bust.
I think this saddle is a prime example of the current state of affairs of the bicycle marketplace. I read about these crazy stories where shops have all of this inventory, but it’s crazy inventory. They go from expecting 10 sets of Shimano XT wheels to then receiving 50 Cane Creek Headsets. The point is the market is flooded with tons of quality parts, and I’m hoping to capitalize on that. It’s been a while since I’ve walked into a bike shop but from what I hear there is plenty of product on their floors.
For years I’ve read about Brooks saddles. I could never justify the costs, especially for something that supposedly can’t be appreciated until hundreds of miles are spent on that saddle. Well, this Microfiber Touring Saddle from Velo Orange looks like it may be an economical alternative. I wonder how accurate the reviews are. On a site like this I’m thinking they are the real McCoy.
Finished…well almost
New Ironspoke Bike Buid
It’s been a while since I wrote a proper review of a current piece of music, but I’ve been working on one. I totally dig I Don’t Live Here Anymore by THE WAR ON DRUGS. This is an album that requires multiple listening sessions because songs on this album seem to improve with each listen, but the entire review has been placed on the backburner because I’m building a second fixed gear bike.
I suppose there are worse hobbies to have.
Back in 2011/2012 I built my first fixie. This was before it was over (I always thought it especially comical that Fred Armisen’s character wheels up on a single speed and NOT a fixie). I turned a mountain bike into a road bike.
Ironspoke 2.0 will be the transformation of a 1985 Schwinn Mesa Runner into a slick tired urban assault weapon. And as this will be my sixth bike, it will certainly be amongst my weaponry. I purposely went with a frame a size smaller than I typically ride because I want to be able to move around above the frame. I’ve been eyeing the Velo Orange Klunkers handlebars and they will most certainly fit into the mix. The initial gearing will be 46/16.
The Mesa Runner was originally designed and marketed as a comfort bike. No matter the lower end components as they mostly ended up in the garbage can. I bought this bike because of the frame and the rear drops. The top mount Shimano shifters were cleaned and will be kept. The plan is to utilize an old, mismatched wheelset that I cobbled together for my first mountain bike back in the early 90s. I “found” these wheels sitting on the floor under my workbench. Suntour XC Pro Pedals with grease guard will be used. I think I paid $40 for these pedals 30 years ago. They were an upgrade from the stock pedals on my old DiamondBack Ascent EX. Shortly after upgrading I switched to clipless so these pedals went into storage pretty early on. They are in great shape. These pedals regularly sell for $125-150 on eBay. I guess the point is, there will be some nice trinkets on this new build. I’m thinking of spending some cash on a really good crankset.
The bottom bracket is grinding a bit and will be completely removed after I take it into the shop and the chain line is verified. Once this comes out the real work on the frame can begin. I plan on running just a front brake. I was going to run just a rear brake because I wanted to have the ability to spin the front wheel but that’s just crazy talk. So, the rear brake bosses will be ground off the frame along with any other needless cable guides and such. I’m actually thinking of putting a rear rack on this bike. This would be one freaking mean ass rails to trails bike. Color is still being decided but I’m leaning toward orange. Then again, black with flames may be something to consider.
The rear wheel I want to use needs re-dished. And there is a spoke that needs fixed. These are all obstacles that can be addressed at the same time by the wheelsmith. You can see the existing chainline in the above photo. That wheel was originally set up with a cluster of gears. Now, there will be a single cog and lock ring. So that connection between the front ring and the rear cog needs to be a dead nut straight line.
The next task is to take the frame and rear wheel I want to use to Cycle Symphony to see if I can have done what I want done.
…Much more to follow
Lots of twists and turns
9/17/2002
The Dude: This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-yous. And, uh, a lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder’s head.
This bike has been quite the ride so far, although I’ve never even turned the crank.
I said something to a younger guy the other day about time. He didn’t get it. I didn’t used to get it. Time certainly flies. When you look around and see mortality.
Lot to catch up on about the frame but let it suffice to say that I went from wanting to create a fixed gear jumping bike with only a rear brake, to wanting to build something I can take in the woods. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the wheel size. I’ve already purchased the wheels – one a full priced vintage wheel from eBay and the other a $10 find from a local shop that’s been in business since the Nixon Administration. But they are going on the bike I will be selling.
The wheels are being a challenge. I started on the front wheel. This is the $10 find. Well as I bought the wheel the guy said “Well, you may have to repack it, but other than that, it’s a great wheel” Of course I acted like I’d performed this procedure before. Well, let me tell you – dealing with loose bearings is a challenge that every person who considers themselves even slightly mechanically inclined, needs to try.
But it’s not been easy, and I haven’t finished it yet. If I can get it right without having to return to the shop for assistance; that’s the goal.
I already know I need to swap out the rear axle as it doesn’t quite fit properly in the frame. Trying to avoid having to adjust the rear drops. On my current bike I used a tool at Kraynicks. Last I heard about that store was that it caught fire. I have seen other ways to narrow the rear drops, but it was just something I didn’t want to mess with on this bike.
Long story short, I went into a local bike shop asking about buying a set of wheels to fit a frame I’d purchased. The guy came out and said he had the perfect set of wheels and he proceeded to roll out a Schwinn mountain bike from that same era. Except this was in a larger frame and it was the next step-up quality wise. The frame looked amazing. It looked…perfect. Instead of the jumping bike I’d build something I could take off road. A fixed gear mountain bike. It kinda seems a bit psychotic.
New plan…
build the bike on a low budget and then sell it. For someone my age, I’m going to build THE perfect rails to trails beast. Hipsters will appreciate it and chicks will dig it. And the rider will be totally satisfied.