Re: Hot Rod Girl update 7/24 - custom low profile headset
So today was my birthday. I got up to watch the Tour go up Mt. Ventoux, then drove my girlfriend to work. I had gone to get spokes for my rear wheel a couple days ago, but apparently I only counted out 35 spokes. so I headed down to the shop for 1 spoke. I used to work there, and they are cool, so I just tensioned it up there, and put the hub back together to finish the wheel. (I couldn't get the cog off of the driver, so I just left the hub dissassembled for lacing, and put it back together once the spokes were in.)
as usual with this kind of project, there were a million questions from everyone... so I said... you'll see it. I'll go home, slap the bike together, and ride back. So that's what I did:
After a quick test around the block, she's ready for her maiden voyage:
... ya hate to see her go, but ya love to watch her leave :lol:
after showing it off to the staff at Spoke N' Sport, I went to my girlfriend's work to show her, and get a smoothie.
it rides pretty well, it's quite fast actually. the steering geometry is a little wacky, but with a little getting used to, it will be fine. at speed you can get into a tuck, hands on the curve of the bar, forearms resting on the grips, chest on knees. and yes, that takes you faster than a person should probably go on this kind of geometry :shock: . I tried pedaling at that speed (I'd estimate approximately 50 Km/h) but that's a bad idea..... slight the side to side motion of pedaling is amplified through the steering and gets a little hairy. The bike is a woman's bike after all, and I am too big for it as a result. It has never been my intention to make it fit me, but I think it will fit my girlfriend ok.
Overall I am very happy with the ride though, and it sure got a lot of stares. Also, thanks to this site, I knew to put oil on the braking surfaces of this kind of coaster. I was shocked the first time I hit the brakes and got a skid!
Happy birthday to me! 8)
now to break out the pinstriping kit, mount the fender and lights, and it's pretty much ready for the finished gallery.
So today was my birthday. I got up to watch the Tour go up Mt. Ventoux, then drove my girlfriend to work. I had gone to get spokes for my rear wheel a couple days ago, but apparently I only counted out 35 spokes. so I headed down to the shop for 1 spoke. I used to work there, and they are cool, so I just tensioned it up there, and put the hub back together to finish the wheel. (I couldn't get the cog off of the driver, so I just left the hub dissassembled for lacing, and put it back together once the spokes were in.)
as usual with this kind of project, there were a million questions from everyone... so I said... you'll see it. I'll go home, slap the bike together, and ride back. So that's what I did:
After a quick test around the block, she's ready for her maiden voyage:
... ya hate to see her go, but ya love to watch her leave :lol:
after showing it off to the staff at Spoke N' Sport, I went to my girlfriend's work to show her, and get a smoothie.
it rides pretty well, it's quite fast actually. the steering geometry is a little wacky, but with a little getting used to, it will be fine. at speed you can get into a tuck, hands on the curve of the bar, forearms resting on the grips, chest on knees. and yes, that takes you faster than a person should probably go on this kind of geometry :shock: . I tried pedaling at that speed (I'd estimate approximately 50 Km/h) but that's a bad idea..... slight the side to side motion of pedaling is amplified through the steering and gets a little hairy. The bike is a woman's bike after all, and I am too big for it as a result. It has never been my intention to make it fit me, but I think it will fit my girlfriend ok.
Overall I am very happy with the ride though, and it sure got a lot of stares. Also, thanks to this site, I knew to put oil on the braking surfaces of this kind of coaster. I was shocked the first time I hit the brakes and got a skid!
Happy birthday to me! 8)
now to break out the pinstriping kit, mount the fender and lights, and it's pretty much ready for the finished gallery.
