Riding Bikes

Not much to report. My buddy and I did an easy 37mi, last Saturday. Did some short intervals, on the return. He had family commitments starting late-morning, so not much time. He bought and installed a Brooks B67 and is finding it better than the previous Cloud 9, now that he can wear a proper cycling liner.

Folding bicycles have come up, elsewhere, and I stumbled onto a belt-drive folder that could be the perfect truck bicycle. No chain or derailleur grunge to foul a truck interior.
PRIORITY FOLDER

 

I have a Montague paratrooper folder that saw a lot of truck time and riden in 20 states. As far as chain mess, it never happened since i put it chain facing away from seat

 

I got this dusty rascal lately. Marlin 7 gen 2.
Upgraded the stack crank from 28T to 32T and hollowtech II BB. I ride on flat terrain so 32T feels better. The original BB was creaking from the very start. Hearing that it is an ongoing problem, even after the warrenty replacement I decided to end it right at the beginning. Also, changed the pedals and the stem. After a few hours, I think the seat must go for something better fitting my rear. Maybe that famous Brooks imperial B17 or more sporty C17.
They say that's an entry level mtb but considering my rather casual, fitness oriented style of riding this should do the job fine. I also have fx3 but for gravel trails, I think this is better. I have been active for the last 12 months, with improved diet and roughly 6 000 miles cycling some weight lifting now and then too, I am 65 lbs trimmer. From 295lbs to 230lbs. I still have room for improvement but I think I hit the plateau for now. Riding a bike for an hour or two a day, gets you a good appetite too.

 

I’ve not been on a bike, since my last update.

My buddy, his brother, and a couple others, rode from Springfield, IL, to Alton, IL (86mi). Then, camped at a boat ramp. In the morning, they put canoes in the Mississippi River and paddled to The Arch. That’s a pretty remarkable accomplishment, for a group of guys sitting at a Cracker Barrel, hatching hairbrained ideas, ~2 months ago.

I was at the bike shop, today, getting new crank arms that allowed the lowering of my gear inches to 21.9”. I’d like to have gotten <20”, but, that’ll require a complete crankset and BB. I’m not doing the cyclotourist thing, so I’ll see how this goes.

While in there, he had a new Trek CF MTB frame in the stand. I was surprised to see a “Made in China” sticker on it. He said all their CF frames are made in China, now. That’s pretty shameful, IMO. They may as well slap Pinarello stickers on them.

 

Tons of riders doing the big wheel BMX thing with their old MTB’s. Modern components are so much nicer than the era stuff.

My 1963 BSA and 1964 Armstrong (unfinished) on 700c and all sealed bearings. I can’t remember if I’ve posted them before? But, these started out as ratty, British 3-speeds. All the weight was in the heavy, original components. These bikes are flyweights, now.

 

So, I gotta tell you this saddle makes a night and day difference compared to the stack one and it is not even broken in yet. I did 4 hour ride on it last Monday and the pain in the bum did not limit the longevity of the ride. I just got tired legs, first.

 

I bought it for $120 on Amazon. That's B17 model. Considering that it's supposed to last 20 years...lol...that's not a bad investment or so I hope.