Two Wheel Blogs

I have been quiet for a while (perhaps some of you have missed my less-than-inspired words lately). Well I have been busy dealing with foul weather, sick kids, and business. Today, marks my 7th day that I have not ridden, and the weather outside tells me that I will hit number 8 before I break this streak. It is warm but raining, hailing, and blowing (hard)...I have ridden worse, but my immune system has taken more than a few hits this week (sick kids and little sleep), so I am going to play it safe. So I use this opportunity to catch up on some stuff (and write about it).

Below is my To-do List for today:

1. Clean my bike. Enough said.

2. Continue work on "Super Tires" for 2-old. My regular readers know that I have been working on some special tire projects lately. The results so far are better than great! You see, I have gotten tired (pun intended) of shelling out 40 bucks every 3 rides for a new tire. I get a nice tire, ride it, and 3 rides (or less) later, the sidewall gets a nice cut (the tire is ruined). Enter the "Super Tire". This is a mod that I have documented in previous posts, but it warrants repeating (because I will reference this further down my to-do list). I start by vulcanizing a poly-ply reinforced section repair over the area of the cut. These section repairs are the same type repair that used to be used on biased ply passenger car, truck and farm tires during the re-capping process (they are very strong). Then after the repair has cured, I vulcanize in an additional layer of butyl rubber to the entire casing of the tire. The result is a tire that is well over 2 pounds, but is suitable for extremely careless riding even at very low air pressure. I have been running this set up for a while now and must report great results...and high rolling resistance. Those who ride with me can attest to the LOW pressures that I am running with this set up (no flats, pinches, or troubles).

This is what I used to deal with every few rides...

3. Install new cleats on my shoes. I know that CrankBros cleats wear fast, but I am thinking that my SPDs have worn out almost as fast. I am pulling out of these XTR pedals constantly. Even with the tension set to maximum, I am coming off the pedals a lot. I do a lot of hopping around and I rely on my pedals to help out (I do not think I could ever go back to flats).

4. Install a new chain. It has been over 45 days...its way over due, and I can hear this chain begging to be retired every time I ride.

5. Inspect my wheels. I recently had them re-built, so it is time to check tension. I am really liking the job that this builder did for me, but I think it would be wise to check and see how well his build is holding up. Time to get out the tensiometer. I check them most every ride by pinching spoke crossings, but I think it is time to quantify the condition...and possibly set up an appointment for him to re-tension them.

6. Re-start my Core Strength training. I have a program, but I quit doing it....oh, Lord!....I can not even recall when I stopped doing it. This is going to be painful!

7. Begin project "Super Winter Tires". Basically, I am going to DIY some studded tires built on the platform that I documented in #2 above. Others report very good results with DIY studded tires*. Basically, you screw about 100 sheet metal screws through your tire casing prior to vulcanizing the layer of butyl rubber inside the casing. These tires look fearsome, grip the ice well, and provide insanely high rolling resistance...a great setup for winter...and for a guy with a pile of "junk" tires laying around.

8. Cook up a huge pot of something to eat. Sundays are great for eating. It s a tradition in this house to cook a big meal (all day long) on Sunday, then invite someone over to help eat it.

9. Basic Sunday household chores (clean everything, do laundry, and so forth). I don't seem to have time during the week to do this...so it happens on Sunday.

GOOD LORD! That is a lot to do. I think I might do less damage to my suffering immune system to just go out and ride! Oh well, it is a plan. Time to see how much of it I can get done.

Have a good week!

* Update: I did it. Here's how my DIY studded bike tires project turned out.