Monday, August 28th

Moving!


I'm about to box up the computer. Thought I'd type up a quick something. Tomorrow is the big day. Should have the computer hooked up by Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully the phone company will have everything operational, so all I have to do is plug in and go. We'll see. There may be some communication lag time. Thanks for your understanding. Now the big question . . . will everything fit? Argh!!
Cranky on 08.28.06 @ 12:12 PM PST [link]

Thursday, August 24th

Still Going . . .


5 days until blast off! Our house is brimming with chaos. Grandma and the Hansen trio are showing today. Nothing like house guests during the big move. Happy to have them though.

After years of swearing off kids (their beautiful 3 year old daughter will be the ring bearer) and marriage, my pattern drafter is finally getting married this weekend. Congratulations Mike and Saremy!

I got pulled over yesterday for blowing a stop sign on my bike. To the cop’s credit, he was courteous and made some good points about setting an example and all that. One thing I learned was the authorities (in this particular college campus jurisdiction) consider stopping as “perceived by oncoming traffic. That doesn’t mean you have to trackstand or unclip.” If a cyclist stops at an empty intersection, does anybody perceive it?

Speaking of stopping, I know I’m the last one in the bicycling blogosphere to post this story, but in case you haven’t seen it, check out this ridiculousness.

Cranky on 08.24.06 @ 03:20 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, August 22nd

Going Going . . .


FINALLY! NEW STOCK IS IN THE HOUSE! I’ve been filling backorders like nobody’s business. I’m already out of SM Lucy’s. What a drag! There’s about a 2 month lead time with production. During that time I received more orders than anticipated. I filled what I could on a first come first served basis. QBP shipped yesterday. They should be completely restocked in a couple weeks. I’m also running lean on LG Hankster’s. Get them while you can! The next round won’t be available until early November.

We move to Portland in ONE WEEK! Suffice it to say my life is crazy at the moment. I’m running on fumes. I’ll be able to take orders during the transition BUT I’ve decided to black out some shipping dates. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, August 25th – End Shipping
Monday, September 4th – Resume Shipping

I may also be out of touch with email during that time. Although I doubt there will be much of a lapse in communication. The phone number will temporarily stay the same. In the coming weeks expect that to change to a 503 number. The PO Box will change too. For you mailing types, don’t sweat it, your mail will get forwarded. I should have a new box come mid-September. All of this will be re-posted on the front page by the end of the week.

Cranky on 08.22.06 @ 02:28 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, August 15th

SSWC06


Dang! If only I had more time and money. I'd be on my way to the land of my forefathers for this weekend’s Single Speed Worlds. If only.

Cranky on 08.15.06 @ 05:00 PM PST [link]

Friday, August 4th

180mm Cranks


I had a friend ask me the other day about 180mm cranks. Why me? He discovered I run them on my 29er. Well, not only do I use them on the Soulcraft, but also on my ‘cross/commuter and my townie bike.

When I got my P.O.S. townie it came with 180mm Cook Bros cranks. I’ve always ridden 175s, so I thought it would be interesting to bump up a notch. Please keep in mind folks I’ve got long legs. The stomping power with the 180s on there was awesome. I’ve got long levers to begin with and this just up’d the ante.

Peddling through corners can be a problem, but that’s typically a no-no regardless of crank length – especially with flat pedals. I’ve had a few close calls there, but nothing major. I’m pretty conscious of it now and try to relax and just coast through the corners like a good boy. My townie is a single speed, not a fixed gear. I would never run 180s on a fixie – I recommend the shortest cranks you can find for that application.

Several years ago a friend was getting rid of a set of 180mm Race Face turbine cranks + TI bottom bracket for a good price. I snapped those up and stuck them on my ‘cross bike. I’ve always been leery of trail riding with long cranks. But thought I’d give it a go on the ‘cross because, as you know, ‘cross racing is mostly flattish and the turns are usually pretty hairpin – not a lot of pedaling there. I’m really liking them, having had them on there now for a few seasons.

And now the mtn. bike. Again, I had never really considered running 180mm cranks on a mtn. bike because of the clearance concern. When I got the 29er I found that my clearance was going up about 5mm. Viola! I had an opportunity. Another friend had another set of the exact same RF cranks + BB and he too was willing to unload for a good price. Maybe I should have stopped there, with people ditching their long cranks, but the thing is, they both had them on 26” mtn. bikes and they’re both smaller riders – not by much, but smaller none-the-less. I’d have to say it’s a pretty sweet setup on the 29er. Bigger is better all the way around. I hung up a little on some technical climbing singletrack in CO, but I doubt shorter cranks would have been much help. I definitely have to stay over the cranks – once I get behind them it’s a suffer fest. And I still have to watch the uphill pedal stroke on contour trails, but I did before anyway.

So there you have it . . . my two cents about 180mm cranks. It’s not something I would preach, but if you're built like a pole (like me) and you're at all curious, I would try it. It might work for you.

Cranky on 08.04.06 @ 02:33 PM PST [link]