How many bikes do I need?

You know that itch? That itch where every two wheeled machine triggers a yearning deep inside of you that you can't live without it.

I get that every day. Every time I ride, every time I think about a stretch or road, trail, or field. I don't know if it the gluttonous American way about me, or just the bike loving freak inside me.

It has been a difficult fight for me. A struggle within myself to be happy with what I have. But the desire to ride a different bike for different situations and loves makes me buy crazy. I can't afford more bikes, nor do I really need them. I figure it is the curse of a true lover of bikes. I don't have the bug to buy that $10,000 special roadie, or the $7,000 downhiller. I like the middle price, and the inexpensive. I look at a Surly Karate Monkey, and think "Oooo, that's nice". I can look at a Fuji single speed to try in the "Mad Max Beyond" velodome.

You see, I don't have that champagne taste with PBR budget. I have Sam Adams taste with a PBR budget.

I look at my fleet; A HED R1 Roadie with all the fixins, A HED TT frame with about the same. A Cannondale F400 turned into a Xtracycle. A Specialized CX, a Phat Cycle Stretch I picked up at half price during Interbike a few years past. And for my favs... A 1980 Mongoose MTN Fixie/SS, and a 1979 Proteus Road Fixie.

So what's the problem. Why think of needing anything else? I don't know. Maybe it is the great American spirit to buy more than I need, or at least lust for more than I need. I work in the bike biz. I have options to get things at whole sale, or better. That doesn't help my curse. It actually fuels it.

I am working on my problems. I know I can overcome this addiction. I need help though. 1-800-Bikes-Off.

Please pray for me, as I am sure my affliction rates high on your worry list.

Russ

I need to take some time to set up this backdrop. Bike Mechanic Russ is one of the greatest individuals I have ever met. The wisest, the broadest knowledge of many topics, and just a good ol funny guy. Ever met someone who could quote Jerry Lundergaard, Sun Tzu, Richard Dawkins, and John Stewart in one sitting without breaking stride? Me Niether, until I had the chance to finally sit down and speak with russ in depth. Now I consider him a good friend, and amazing tennis player.

The simple, vegitarian, bike buiding, help everyone-screw no one lifestyle he maintains is refreshing and some to strive towards.

His knowledge of bikes is amazing. Decades of building, repairing, and no-nonsense service has cemented himself into the lore of bike shops far and wide.

When talking of how the Dudes' rug really tied the room together, think of Russ as that rug (minus the pee smell). Tying the world of bike, bike repair, and BS together into a great Persian rug.

Take the bike to Russ that needs some minor work. He will give it a thorough look over. Throw it on the stand. Flip it over. Run through the gears. If Russ finds that part that needs to be replaced, he will point it out, tell you your options, and the pros and cons to repair vs. replace (or vise versa). When it is decided that the part in question needs some service work, Russ will pause a second, and say "Well, that piece will need to be replaced, and be a little expensive".

You hold your breath... Looking at the rear brake needing to be replaced expecting a price to be laid down in the hundreds. Russ will then say "I think it may be at least $37 dollars". You look back at him with wonder, and say in a unsure voice "Uh, I think that will be OK. Go ahead."

What a guy.

He keeps his shop of cardboard floors, and countless screw bins full of the odds and ends of bikes from the past - at about 1 degree warmer or colder than the ambient temperature of the outside air. he says it helps him stay acclimated to the conditions he will encounter that night during his midnight ride (never mind the savings on heat/air overhead help keep down the cost on that $37 brake job).

There are very few things that Russ refers to as "Epic" from his rides. He had seen a blog post once that listed about 70 things that makes a ride "Epic". He says he has had only two. You have to experience at least one or two of those items during a ride for it to be considered EPIC (examples being have to stitch up a sucking chest wound with your spare butyl or having to ford a 40 foot deep by 100 foot wide river with you bike held over your head).

In my opinion Russ has had countless Epic rides every month. From getting a flat on his Pugsley 5 miles of gravel from home, at 2 AM on a Tuesday night, 12 degrees below zero (Actual temp - no wind chill shit here - actual temp) - because if he stopped to change the flat, all his fingers would turn into 10 blackened little frozen turds, and fall off. Now that is a bike man.

I will be talking about Russ as this blog takes off, and I wanted to make the introduction to one of the greatest people you will ever meet (virtually or in person)

New Brakes

Been riding with Big D, Jeremy, and Marky through the trails and felt a little lacking on my 80's Mongoose Fixie. The need to coast down some of the hills and over the roots, rocks, and horse dung made me inquire with the Master Bike Wrench, Mr. Russell about the SS.

Russ just happened to have a rusty nasty wheel laying around the shop. Put on a BMX 16T Free Hub, and presto - I have a SS.

Now, I need brakes. I had left the stock lever on for the front Canti brake, but wanted something to match. Russ just happened to have a NEW IN BOX set of Campy Euclid Shifters, Brake Levers, and U Brakes. Sweet!!!!

Took them home, and spend a few hours upgrading. The Huge Euclid Brake Levers are the biggest to ever be seen in the world. They have this "Two Handed Reach Around" type leverage. I could fill the frame with concrete and still be able to stop this rolling down a hill like a Steam Powered Canonball Rotary 457 Locomotive on Steroids. (More to come on the Old 457).

Here it is

Well, first of all - Need to introduce this blog. No real issues to address, or thoughts to convey. Just got this whole thing started, and wanted to pass on my thoughts as time goes on, or maybe even pass along others thoughts and use them as my own. Hope you don't mind.