Saturday, May 23, 2009

Stripped down, degreased, new rubber and a lube!

No I haven't just bought a wet-suit...what were you thinking!

One week to go before the training plan starts and in preparation I dropped my bike off at my new LBS (local bike shop). After the move my old LBS (which was ok but not great) is thirty miles away. So after a bit of research I narrowed it down to two and a call to each decided it; it never fails to amaze that people never consider their telephone manner with customers, and that sealed the deal! So off the Wins Wheels I went.

Stripped down chainset, degreased, new cables, wheels re-trued, one new tire (that had been squared off on the trainer) and then rotated, new brake blocks, new bar tape; after a moving fall, relubed, wash and polish and we were good to go. My poor bike was humbled lined up next to S-Works, Ceverlos and Willers and couple of Pinarellos but while the bike is important it's the engine that counts!

I have about a 1000 miles to cover starting next week so starting best foot, or pedal as it were, forward. Here are a few before and after photos.

Cassette and rear hub before (above) and after (below)


Bottom crankset/bracket (before) above and after (below)


Well worn Continental 4000 squared off by the trainer, replaced and rotated to front

Here's the final product, in full stealth mode:

9 comments:

  1. Interesting that you run a triple on the front. Any particular reason?

    Oh, I checked out the bike shop website - it revoked fond memories of our holiday earlier this months ... we weren't far from were you are.

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  2. Shiney like new. A mean lean flyin' machine.

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  3. Yeah, I need to do the same. It's just hard to find the time to not use the bike for a few days.

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  4. Bikes sure do seem like a lot of work!

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  5. Oh, you bike as well!!!

    Just read your racing tips below...so true, especially going into a race without any pressure works always best for me. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I thought you were going to fill us in on the recent vacation with the wife :-D

    Purty purty! I probably need to drop mine off soon for a clean up....

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  7. If you could hear me, you would hear a "wolf whistle"
    Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!

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  8. At first I thought maybe I was clicking on soft-core porn! j/k

    Nice and shiney!

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  9. bike looks great! pinar-what? jk
    bike snobs suck indeed - the engine is all that matters!
    let's hook up for a ride for sure!

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