Dirtbag Road Bike Build Part 1

Have been wanting to rebuild a road bike for riding to get more mileage. Though to keep costs low had to do it as cheaply as possible as I want to get a Cyclocross bike this winter. Plus it came about simply due to a discussion with someone with the misguided belief that one has to spend lots of money to have a road bike or a tri bike.

First step was the frame which was easy. Had an old Centurion Le Mans in my parents basement so had it shipped out. Once I received it I stripped it of all the parts. And after a trip to Rona for black spray paint. The reason for this is there was rust in some spots from the frame being chipped and such from use. Painstakingly cleaned the rust off section by section and painted each section black. After everything was cleaned and painted. Began adding layer after layer of paint- basically sprayed it once then let it dry. Once that was done added a few layers of clear coat. Sure would love to have the old Centurion 1980's paint job but I am not that skilled. And am no where near the Hamster level of skill that is the Dicky.

www.teamdicky.blogspot.com/

While this was going on sourced various times. Set of road brakes $25, wheels $60, brake levers $30, cranks acquired from a parts swap, chain parts bin, bars freebie, tires $25, Derrailleurs freebies, and cassette parts bin. Pretty much less than $300 bucks with the only part remaining to get being a Octalink V1 BB. Plus need some tires, hoping to find some 700x25's if I can.

Now keep in mind this is only for fun. The bike will be spending the winter mounted to the old Turbo Trainer as riding road bikes in snow and ice is not fun. That is what the cross bike will be for as well as the Concubine V2. Though the next project will definitely be the funding of a cross bike for 2011.

The reality is that this is a build project to see how cheaply one can build up a road bike. It's to challenge the present convention that one needs to shell out large sums of cash to ride or race well. Shortly the build will be complete and Part 2 will be the full cost and other such as uninteresting weight weenie gibberish as can be applied to a non UCI approved project bike.

Paul's After Fun

Some pic's of post Paul's fun.

The new offering from Herbert Titslinger.







Surf and Turf.

Paul's Dirty Enduro 2010

Headed out to Ganaraska Forest for the 15th on September 18th. This year after my knees deciding to go on strike during the 60k only did the 30k.

Going into this my goals where really to simply ride it, I lost 2 weeks of training as my lower back did it's annual go on strike. So wasn't able to do as much as I wanted to before hand. So with no expectation headed out, the nice thing with the Dirty Enduro is those racing the 30k get a civilized 1pm start time.



After getting the call up to the start and the usual reaction to nerves it was line up time. Only carried one bottle with some Eload mixed in.



For about the first 3k we rolled along at an easy pace as everyone sorted out there place. Plus trying to avoid the usual first corner pile up as everyone over brakes.

At about the 3 k mark I upped my pace a bit. My plan at that point was to pass a bunch of riders before we hit the singletrack. Trying to avoid getting blocked. Once was in the singletrack the flow began. Felt good going through the singletrack. Even cleaned the section that I hade to dismount and run through the brush to get around a 5 rider pile up in 2009.

I should mention the weather was better then 2009, not a hot. and we missed out on any rain storms despite the dark clouds that seemed to be nearby. It seems that everyone at the Crank The Shield got the rain effect.

The first 15km went well, maintained a nice pace. Focus was completely on having fun and riding the flow. I think I scared a couple of people bombing down some of the DH's clearing logs and bouncing off a couple of trees. The same fun as in 2009 but on the Mistress this time. Can sat that I had more fun riding the Mistress this time.

After a brief stop at the aid station that marked the half way point and refilled my water bottle. Headed back out to resume the last 15km. Back on the singletrack resumed then fun flow ride I was having. I did up the pace for the last half. About the 20k point had the fun of getting stung by a angry wasp. Someone had missed the line and stirred the nest when they went wide.

At about the 7k out point one of the volunteers called out 7k left. Pushed it a bit for the next few km's. After some fun descents and technical sections suddenly was the left turn onto the grass. Followed by the sprint and sweeping right hander into the finish area.



And that was it. Another Paul's Dirty Enduro done and in the books. Goal was met that being to simply have a good ride and have fun. The Mistress held up and so did my knees. Now it was time for some Chili and hang out into the evening with the Don Rats.

Already starting plans for 2011. Looking at being able to ride it sans pack next year. But more on that plan later.

Froriders Inducted.

Way to go guys.

http://www.nsmb.com/3927-froriders-inducted

Jolly Rogers

Today headed out to Rige's Trails past CFB Kingston. Over 2 and a half hours of riding.

The road out.


Passing the base.




Canadian Shield




There's a trail here some where.




Near the end stopped at my local Italian Food supplier for fresh Foccaccia to eat at home.

Macauley Blood Ride

Since i wasn't able to go to the Don for a BDDR went to Macauley for a 5 hour ride.

Tight fit.


Double track. Thankfully no quad types around.


Wind chime.


About half way through the ride chain slipped while under load. One nice knee smash to fork crown. But still finished the ride.

New And destroyed

Destroyed on of the cogs in my cassette. Good thing I butcher apart my cassettes and build my own to fit my needs. Makes it easy to replace cogs.


Chromag Trailmaster saddle. Got it second hand off Pinkbike. It's covered in leather. And is outstandingly comfortable. No pokey sharp edged roadi type saddle

Freshly installed Hope BB.