Shouldn't I be happier?

"Rex Kerr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Maybe one day I'll run across some old parts that'll get it running
again without dropping too much cash.

On the positive side... the Nishiki came to life at the expense of an
old mountain bike... I'll probably take the parts back and get that
one on the road again since I've got 6 road bikes and no mountain bike!

I shouted myself an expensive new touring bike a few months ago, but I just
can't give up my old one. In fact I prefer it - not even sure why I bought
the new one now.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I shouted myself an expensive new touring bike a few months ago, but I
just can't give up my old one. In fact I prefer it - not even sure why I
bought the new one now.

I had a bona fide touring bike for years that was perfect--if I were about 6
feet tall. It had a 23" frame, which makes it, what, 59 cm? It was always
'way too tall for me, but I didn't know any better. Now that I have one with
a smaller frame, I still didn't want to give up the old one!

Pat

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going. What finally persuaded me that his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

[1] Three mine, two my kids'.

[2] My bikes are named after American conservationists: Henry is named
for Thoreau, and commuter bike Waldo for Emerson. I had intended to name
my newest bike Leopold, after Aldo. (Aldo and Waldo being just a little
too close.) But this bike is so--zonal--with its silver paint and black
accessories, that I ended up naming him Ansel.

Quoted message said:

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going. What finally persuaded me that his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

[1] Three mine, two my kids'.

[2] My bikes are named after American conservationists: Henry is named
for Thoreau, and commuter bike Waldo for Emerson. I had intended to name
my newest bike Leopold, after Aldo. (Aldo and Waldo being just a little
too close.) But this bike is so--zonal--with its silver paint and black
accessories, that I ended up naming him Ansel.

Do people often name their bikes? A friend of mine is restoring a 1978
Volkswagon Vanagon, which he has named "Brooke." And I call my car "The
Neilmobile", which is close to being a name, although it's more
properly a title. But I've never heard of naming your bike.

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness.

My son had a Trek 7000-series ATB which we racked and fendered, put
slicks on, and in general, made a good city commuter out of. We traded
it on an excellent, vintage Trek 613 last summer and he was pretty sad
for a while too. The 613 was very different, being a lugged, steel
sport-tourer not a citified aluminum trail bike. But he figured it out
soon enough. There's no sorrow these days. For Christmas it's getting
one of Peter White's generator/LED light systems. Your 520 will be an
old friend soon.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going.

If "Henry" is not completely broken, please consider dontating it to one of
the organizations that recycles bikes and sends them to Third World
countries (e.g., http://www.bikesfortheworld.org/ ). Or, Google "donate
bicycles", or ask your local bike shop. With any luck, Henry can provide
service to someone else, rather than winding up in a landfill.

GG

Quoted message said:

What finally persuaded me that his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

[1] Three mine, two my kids'.

[2] My bikes are named after American conservationists: Henry is named
for Thoreau, and commuter bike Waldo for Emerson. I had intended to name
my newest bike Leopold, after Aldo. (Aldo and Waldo being just a little
too close.) But this bike is so--zonal--with its silver paint and black
accessories, that I ended up naming him Ansel.

On 24 Dec 2006 12:12:48 -0800, "The Historian" <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Do people often name their bikes? A friend of mine is restoring a 1978
Volkswagon Vanagon, which he has named "Brooke." And I call my car "The
Neilmobile", which is close to being a name, although it's more
properly a title. But I've never heard of naming your bike.

I used to name things like that, but I don't anymore. When they get
stolen, or destroyed, or become the object of hatred of another for
irrational reasons, the loss is reduced.

I don't think the rest of the world is out to get me, but I've learned
not to invest too much in anything, because the chances are that I
won't have it for long...be it material or otherwise.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Quoted message said:

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going. What finally persuaded me that his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

[1] Three mine, two my kids'.

[2] My bikes are named after American conservationists: Henry is named
for Thoreau, and commuter bike Waldo for Emerson. I had intended to name
my newest bike Leopold, after Aldo. (Aldo and Waldo being just a little
too close.) But this bike is so--zonal--with its silver paint and black
accessories, that I ended up naming him Ansel.

Surely, "Henry" deserves a better fate than a dumpster ride to the
landfill! Someone, somewhere can offer "Henry" a home and a new life.

On 24 Dec 2006 12:12:48 -0800, "The Historian" <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Do people often name their bikes? A friend of mine is restoring a 1978
Volkswagon Vanagon, which he has named "Brooke."

Picking a small nit, the Vanagon model designation was not used in the
US in 1978; that year, the model available was just a Van. (The
Vanagon model has the flatter nose, the non-torsion-bar front
suspension, the relocated fuel tank which allowed the rear area deck
to be lower than the Van's, and eventually was fitted with the
absolutely awful "waterboxer" engine that I renamed "the popcorn
motor" not long before I left the VW dealer system.)

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Werehatrack said:

On 24 Dec 2006 12:12:48 -0800, "The Historian" <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Do people often name their bikes? A friend of mine is restoring a 1978
Volkswagon Vanagon, which he has named "Brooke."

Picking a small nit, the Vanagon model designation was not used in the
US in 1978; that year, the model available was just a Van. (The
Vanagon model has the flatter nose, the non-torsion-bar front
suspension, the relocated fuel tank which allowed the rear area deck
to be lower than the Van's, and eventually was fitted with the
absolutely awful "waterboxer" engine that I renamed "the popcorn
motor" not long before I left the VW dealer system.)

You can see Brooke here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/chesshistorian/TheIncredibleShrinkingHistorian

Go to the end of the photo album. Ignore the fat bicyclist in front of
her.

Quoted message said:

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going. What finally persuaded me that his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

HEY! Bikes belong in the dining room, not the garage! I thought everybody
knew that. And, don't dump the bike--donate it to your local bike recycling
group.

Pat in TX

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rex Kerr said:

Well, I did it... I bought the Trek 520 that I've been talking about at
Chain Reaction to replace my tired commuting bike... I'm excited, can't
wait to go for a ride... but when I got home and parked it next to my
old Nishiki I just felt this overwhelming sadness. I've had many good
miles on that bike, and now I'm just going to put it in storage!

Chronic crowding in my garage (five bikes [1] and one car) has just
about persuaded me that it's time to toss my veteran 1973 Astra 10-speed.
I've had that bike through thick and thin, ridden it in places from El
Paso to Edmonton, towed my first trailer with it, had all kinds of fun on
it.
But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going. What finally persuaded me that
his
time had come was riding the other two bikes, and then getting aboard the
old warhorse and comparing condition, fit, and handling. I'll miss the
old steed, but the new bikes will ease the pain.

Bill

[1] Three mine, two my kids'.

[2] My bikes are named after American conservationists: Henry is named
for Thoreau, and commuter bike Waldo for Emerson. I had intended to name
my newest bike Leopold, after Aldo. (Aldo and Waldo being just a little
too close.) But this bike is so--zonal--with its silver paint and black
accessories, that I ended up naming him Ansel.

Surely, "Henry" deserves a better fate than a dumpster ride to the
landfill! Someone, somewhere can offer "Henry" a home and a new life.

Agree. If you're in the S.F. Peninsula or South Bay, you can donate your
bike here:

http://www.mtcc.us/

Don't throw it out!

Pat said:

HEY! Bikes belong in the dining room, not the garage! I thought
everybody knew that.

Well, /road/ bikes, anyway. Mountain bikes are content in the garage.
(Although both of mine need work to be rideable 🙁 )

Bill "actually rode the 'rain bike' Friday -- the pavement had a few wet
spots" S.

Pat said:

HEY! Bikes belong in the dining room, not the garage! I thought everybody
knew that.

Do you really keep your bike in the dining room? I've heard of being
attached to it....

GaryG said:

Quoted message said:

But next time the city puts one of those big open-top dumpsters out in
my neighborhood, "Henry" [2] is going.

If "Henry" is not completely broken, please consider dontating it to one of
the organizations that recycles bikes and sends them to Third World
countries (e.g., http://www.bikesfortheworld.org/ ). Or, Google "donate
bicycles", or ask your local bike shop. With any luck, Henry can provide
service to someone else, rather than winding up in a landfill.

Agreed, but if it's too much trouble to donate it at least leave it
propped up near the street with a "FREE!" sign in plain sight for a few
days. Chances are it'll quickly find a new home where it'll be ridden
or at least provide some spare parts to keep another bike ridable.

Pat said:

Quoted message said:

I shouted myself an expensive new touring bike a few months ago, but I
just can't give up my old one. In fact I prefer it - not even sure why I
bought the new one now.

I had a bona fide touring bike for years that was perfect--if I were about 6
feet tall. It had a 23" frame, which makes it, what, 59 cm? It was always
'way too tall for me, but I didn't know any better. Now that I have one with
a smaller frame, I still didn't want to give up the old one!

Pat

My first good road bike was just a hair too big, also. Can't make
myself get rid of it. Even though I have a new bike, I still split time
with the old one. I've been tempted, but not enough.

The Historian said:

Pat said:

HEY! Bikes belong in the dining room, not the garage! I thought everybody
knew that.

Do you really keep your bike in the dining room? I've heard of being
attached to it....

If you have a tolerant spouse, you can get away with nonsense like that.
Mine's in the living room most of the time, though it is temporarily
displaced to the den on account of the Christmas tree.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

Surely, "Henry" deserves a better fate than a dumpster ride to the
landfill! Someone, somewhere can offer "Henry" a home and a new life.

In order to be a decent, safe ride again, Henry would need numerous
repairs. First and worst, the bottom bracket is shot.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Additionally, I'd have to replace the entire drive train

Quoted message said:

Do you mean freewheel and chainrings? Or are you saying the FD and RD
must go, as well?

For some reason "FD" and "RD" aren't ringing a bell this morning.
Front and rear what?
I'd expect this bike to need every part in the drive train: pedals,
cranks, bottom bracket bearings, chain rings, chain, rear sprockets
(bike's too old for a "cassette" as we now know it). And as long as I was
at it, I'd want new bearings in the rear wheel, if not a whole wheel, see
below:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and both wheels

Front has hit one too many potholes (I ride fast in the dark on my
daily commute) and is very badly bent up. I had to use channel lock
pliers to reduce rim damage enough that I could even ride home the day of
the mishap. Use the front brake these days, and it feels like you're
pounding the bike, or your braking hand, with a hammer. Rear wheel might
be salvagable, but given its age I wouldn't vouch for the bearings or the
spokes. Tires, oddly, are possibly the best parts left on this bike. I
put new ones on and rode the bike for a couple of weeks before I bent the
rim and decided I'd caught the bug and needed a whole new, and much
sturdier, ride. (Henry's replacement on the commute has double-strength
rims, shocks, and armored tires.)

Quoted message said:

Might just be the ideal urban commuter, no one will steal it and it's
already "ugly", so damage from being locked up outdoors is moot.

You keep talking, and I might just keep Henry and hand him over to my
son who's off to college in a year or so. Still very uncertain about that
bottom bracket, though.

Bill

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|Real e-mail: [email hidden], minus the letters w/ tails.|
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Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle <[email hidden]> wrote:

> Surely, "Henry" deserves a better fate than a dumpster ride to the
> landfill! Someone, somewhere can offer "Henry" a home and a new life.

In order to be a decent, safe ride again, Henry would need numerous
repairs. First and worst, the bottom bracket is shot.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Additionally, I'd have to replace the entire drive train

Quoted message said:

Do you mean freewheel and chainrings? Or are you saying the FD and RD
must go, as well?

For some reason "FD" and "RD" aren't ringing a bell this morning.
Front and rear what?

Oh, sorry. Front and rear derailleur.

Quoted message said:

I'd expect this bike to need every part in the drive train: pedals,
cranks,

Are the pedals and crankarms damaged in some way?

Quoted message said:

bottom bracket bearings, chain rings, chain, rear sprockets
(bike's too old for a "cassette" as we now know it). And as long as I was
at it, I'd want new bearings in the rear wheel, if not a whole wheel, see
below:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and both wheels

Front has hit one too many potholes (I ride fast in the dark on my
daily commute) and is very badly bent up. I had to use channel lock
pliers to reduce rim damage enough that I could even ride home the day of
the mishap. Use the front brake these days, and it feels like you're
pounding the bike, or your braking hand, with a hammer. Rear wheel might
be salvagable, but given its age I wouldn't vouch for the bearings or the
spokes.

Bearing balls are cheap. Check to see if the cones are usable. If the
spokes aren't breaking, they're probably okay?

BTW, how many miles on this bike?

Quoted message said:

Tires, oddly, are possibly the best parts left on this bike. I
put new ones on and rode the bike for a couple of weeks before I bent the
rim and decided I'd caught the bug and needed a whole new, and much
sturdier, ride. (Henry's replacement on the commute has double-strength
rims, shocks, and armored tires.)

Quoted message said:

Might just be the ideal urban commuter, no one will steal it and it's
already "ugly", so damage from being locked up outdoors is moot.

You keep talking, and I might just keep Henry and hand him over to my
son who's off to college in a year or so. Still very uncertain about that
bottom bracket, though.

Is it the right side of the bottom bracket shell has the damaged
threads?

Quoted message said:

Bill

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|Real e-mail: [email hidden], minus the letters w/ tails.|
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