[Bilsko]

@jopamora 99821 wrote:

Velo Mine has good prices on machine built wheelsets. They also have hand built wheelsets, but those would get you close or past your $500 limit.

exactly the kind of source that I’m looking for

[Bilsko]

@Harry Meatmotor 99816 wrote:

Any shop that uses QBP as a distributor can get a hold of QBP’s in-house prebuilt wheels – they go by the moniker Quality Wheels. They’re all hand built and very high quality for the dollar. the need for a hex bolt axle is going to limit your hub choices to very few – it’s not terribly common among sub-$500 TARCK wheelsets.

good tip – the rarity of the hex bolt setup is why I’m inlcined to have something built up with Pauls. Have them on one of my current SSFG wheelsets (bolt and nut on the other) and don’t want to go back.

[Bilsko]

@AFHokie 99784 wrote:

Could you post a photo of that? I’m having a hard time visualizing how you describe the bikes on the stand in the space you described. I’m using a Topeak Dual Touch 2 stand in a location that’s a little too short to stack the bikes one above the other without some overlap. Wondering if your method would work better.

Looks like this, but now I have the rear wheel off of the Surly:

https://twitter.com/Bilsko/status/361118624800448513

[Bilsko]

@Harry Meatmotor 99790 wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BCCB4W/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944579862&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002AGFNBS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Z3D7H6VNJ0Z7QSST65M

like stated above, most B&M shops will be able to get similar quality as the above link for only a little more dough. If you want a little wider rim, look at the h+son TB14 rims laced to whatever hubs you want. Miche also makes some really nice and affordable TARCK wheelsets in the $250-$300 range (and, imho, Miche uses some really, really nice cartridge bearings for the price).

I’ve seen the Amazon offerings…just not that impressed with the low-quality hubs that most builds seem to use. And I am not a fan of the bolt on hubs that require a nut – Hex bolt is much better IMO.

As for built-my-own, I’d love to but don’t have the time to dedicate to it.

Of course having the LBS build up something from scratch is a good way to go, but I’d like to see some pre-packaged wheelsets (like the Amazon ones, only a little better). UniversalCycles and Competitive have some options…just trying to see if people have other sources they’d recommend.

[Bilsko]

@BeatrizPascual 99769 wrote:

Do you know any cheap place where I can fix the bike?

If you work downtown, the District Hardware Bike Shop (24th St) is very reliable and has reasonable prices. Near Chinatown, BicylceSpace is another good place to go.

if you bought the bike at a shop here in DC, you might consider taking it to them.

[Bilsko]

@dcv 99766 wrote:

I have Hozan lockring pliers, works better than the single sided tools
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=40354

That is much nicer than the single-sided tool that I use, which is essentially a bike-specific spanner wrench.

[Bilsko]

Its gonna be pretty tough to get out of spending over $100

I have the Top Peak TwoUp in the living room with two bikes haning on it right now. Not enough space to have them mounted properly (horizontally), I have them both hanging vertically with the seat tubes resting on the stand arms. It’s location behind the TV makes it tough to get set up to use as a service stand, and the few times that I have used the stand, its been adequate but not great.

If you want to do your own work, you really would do well to get a stand that will support and secure the bike.

All of that said, if it looks like the type of thing you’d like, I’ll gladly part with mine for $100.

[Bilsko]

Is there public bike parking anywhere within a stone’s throw of the White House / Old Exec bldg? I know there’s parking inside the security gate, but don’t think I’ve everseen anything anywhere nearby.

[Bilsko]

Five days, five ways

[Bilsko]

They were there:
http://instagram.com/p/szpDkwNonW/
and
http://instagram.com/p/szo8fetonF/

[Bilsko]

@Harry Meatmotor 92133 wrote:

Anyone else riding? I’m planning on doing the metric with a few NCVC riders.
http://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/frederick-md/

I’m riding (a deferred entry from last year) – probably Imperial, maybe metric since I haven’t had any time to ride this summer.

[Bilsko]

The study was pretty poorly designed, so there’s not much reason to pay attention to it.
Two main issues:
— The sample size was 42 men.
— Participants self reported through an online survey.

From the reporting website ( http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/07July/Pages/Cycling-linked-to-prostate-cancer-but-not-infertility.aspx ):
Despite these seemingly alarming results, regular cyclists do not need to panic – this type of study cannot prove increased cycling time leads to prostate cancer; it can only prove an association.

Also, the prostate cancer analyses were only carried out on fewer than 42 men, which is only a relatively small sample of men. With such a small sample, it increases the possibility that any association is the result of chance. Most experts would agree that the health benefits of frequent cycling outweigh the risks.

[Bilsko]

Awful news – as Emm says, chek with your home owners/renter insurance for coverage. Its a great looking bike – hoping you can get it back.

Also, can we all agree that Bike shops just need to stop selling cable locks altogether. They’re not doing anyone any good – regardless of be a more affordable option…you’re likely to end up paying more in the end with a stolen bike.

[Bilsko]

@cyclingfool 88984 wrote:

According to Ft Belvoir’s website, you need DoD ID to use Walker Gate. Is that not so?

I’ve gone onto Ft Belvoir, but never by bike, though I did buy my current bike (frame) from a man living on base housing there.

The rules seem to be kind of inconsistent. I go through Tully gate regularly for work and whenever I forget my CAC Card, the Driver’s License works just fine. Not sure about other gates.

[Bilsko]

You: Red shirt aggro guy sucking my wheel east bound on RCP at the Peters Point circle (38.892031,-77.055236 )

Yeah, you’re right, I really should have called out or signaled my intention of crossing the street, given that you were continuing up the RCMP sidewalk up to Lincoln Circle.

The good thing is, you had your nose so far up my saddlebag at that point that there’s no way you would have missed my hand signal to turn, you #myopiclittletwit.

#ItsNotThePeloton and I still haven’t gotten my CAT 6 license yet.

Oh and I really shouldn’t have worn a wool jersey today.

[Author]

Posts