As I had an extra day off This weekend, I decided to get our bike fleet back in working order. I had a blowout of my tire back in the summer, and hadn't had the funds to get a new set of tires. They were due as they were over 10 years old. So I patched tires on D2's bike, my wife's bike, and D1's bike. Then D2's tire sprang another leak. I patched that only to find out that Jenny's had sprung yet another leak. Her rear tire has blown (split-down-the-side-of-the-tube blown) out 2 tubes. I went down to the bike store and purchased some rim tape even though it didn't need any that I could see. After putting the tire back on, and replacing both of my tires, the weekend was over. And now both my bike and my wife's have issues. Her rear tire is wobbly and needs to have the spokes adjusted. My derailers need to have the cable's replaced. Ugh. It is a lot of work to keep your family's fleet running!
We recently had our Aunt and Uncle and my cousin over for dinner. His dad is always finding deals on bikes and just found him a newer model full suspension that he sold to my cousin for $100. It is a Trek something or other. Good deal. I will keep my eyes pealed for deals like that.
While in the bike store, I asked to see some of the latest model bikes. There were two types of bikes that I found pretty wild. Cannondale has a bike called the "Lefty" that I am rather partial to just for its name. The other type of bike I saw had 29" wheels which help with shock absorption. While these were both out of my price range, I thought they looked pretty cool.
The other interesting thing I found out at the bike shop was a tire that Specialize makes that is near puncture proof. I bought a couple of the $26 variety. The sidewalls were not puncture proof. For $55 a tire, you can have the puncture proof version. For my model, there is a wide strip of Kevlar that is embedded in the tire. I think this is a pretty cool idea. For the ER (Epic Ride), my bike will definitely be sporting a couple of these tires. All the benefits of the foam tires, but none of the weight!
Well that is all for now. I wish I could have said that I even went riding this weekend. I will have to wait for the snow to melt.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Bike Maintenance
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3 comments:
It IS hard to keep the fleet running. I don't think we can ever boast of even one week where everyone's bikes were all in working order. But then again, we didn't work at it constantly. But I cannot remember ever going on a family ride. Good luck S1. I love you
Mom
I can't believe how hard you worked and how little you have to show for it. Maybe better luck next time? I bet the guys at the bike shop recognize you on sight by now. Thanks for your valiant efforts!
Ah, the 'Way of the Wrench' continues.... Sometimes you just can't win. Always have a book on tape, hand cleaner, paper towels, and your favorite beverage. Then if it doesn't go the way you wish, or takes longer than you thought, you remain slaked, entertained and reletively clean at the end of the day. :)
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