I haven’t tried these, but noticed them on the Rene Herse site yesterday - TPU tubes. They might be a good solution for the mermaid bike if you don’t want to deal with sealant issues, but don’t want to use the standard butyl tubes either. They say they are a little thicker than the TPU tubes available elsewhere, for easier installation and strength, and also state they are suitable for rim brakes, another reason I had never considered TPUs for my bikes. Speaking of superstition around flats, I made a patch repair kit with spare tube, tools, a Speedier tire lever and a cussin patch tin for each of my bikes since Will’s newsletter discussion earlier last year, mostly in Elf pouches, and haven’t had a repairable flat since. Only a valve tear on the wheel of my Burley Nomad trailer, but that was discovered at home. I too don’t usually get many flats, maybe three or four a year at most.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 9:04:49 PM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: > @Leah, > > As mentioned from Piaw Na using helicopter tape to protect your frame > set, I second this. I have purchased a 30ft roll of this tape a couple of > times. There is enough to cover your whole bicycle with some left over for > those areas that you may have forgotten. I highly recommend it. The tape > will not pull off the decals on your bike. I purchased it through AMAZON: > > > https://www.amazon.com/ISC-Racers-Tape-HT2308-Helicopter-OG/dp/B000O65W9Y/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.buPLsr2A8kh-Z7-LkH5V-7V73ci-XePAKKiJp09d30HjiyKhljNdUz_Px5zrCLLlmLyGlhLcfAQeOhFIcmBYOAenJ0OCNwR9LH5hPtHN2PqauT_2UgKUcES8RhF_Ih5R7akLSWeMWAJ_BmaFZ1yNLXUem5W_AawhhW59jPRHcNc9jKGmUmnmfQv7ho_ppe3nLV8N_h6NICTV3g2QBzaBx875nc-qRPY3yyPY4FrUh8M.pHNjEpAjru8kRd9aIqnyEFhTWagYpGbaxZZfbWbP0nU&dib_tag=se&keywords=helicopter+tape&qid=1742529398&sr=8-6 > > Kim Hetzel. > > On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6:29:50 PM UTC-7 Ben Miller wrote: > >> Leah, It sounds like you're setup is currently working, so if you're >> happy with it, just ride! But if you continue to have problems, try the >> assembly grease/paste/compound. If you got $140 burning a hole in your >> pocket, and don't like the aesthetics and/or still concerned, buy the 31.8 >> Albos! They are options! :) >> >> Kat, I agree with Jason and Will! I don't see much value in tubeless >> outside MTB/Fat bike tires. I do have them setup on one of my road-ish >> bikes, but I've had absolute horror stories with them. And this is with a >> completely tubeless "ready" system. It's really made me question some of my >> life choices. >> On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 5:55:44 PM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: >> >>> If you are not riding big tires in dubious terrain, I don't believe >>> there is a benefit to tubeless. I have 5 bikes set up tubeless; I am not >>> at all certain it's saved me from much of anything, but it does give me >>> piece of mind in running low pressures on singletrack amid the new england >>> rocks. If you haven't flatted in memory, there is certainly no benefit - >>> carry on with tubes! >>> >>> Will >>> >>> On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 8:50:13 PM UTC-4 Jason Fuller wrote: >>> >>>> Tubeless is definitely in the "over-hyped" category for me, as someone >>>> who also rarely gets flats with tubes. I can imagine if you live somewhere >>>> with thorny things that tubeless could be life changing, but I'm of the >>>> opinion that if tubes aren't giving you problems, there's no reason to >>>> "fix >>>> it" with tubeless. More mess, more periodic maintenance, more scrapping >>>> of >>>> otherwise good tires because they won't hold sealant anymore, etc. >>>> >>>> Lots of people have next to no issues with tubeless, and it's true that >>>> small punctures become a non-issue instead of a trailside repair, but I >>>> think most people run tubeless solely because it's the latest technology >>>> and we're conditioned to believe whatever is the latest is also the >>>> greatest. All of us here know better :) >>>> >>>> On Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 17:35:36 UTC-7 Kat wrote: >>>> >>>>> I don't want to derail the stem/clamp/handlebar part of this >>>>> discussion but call me tubeless-curious. I feel like I mainly see >>>>> complaints about the difficulty of sealant. Are the benefits (from what I >>>>> can tell, less weight, less flats) good enough to outweigh the fussiness >>>>> of >>>>> setup? >>>>> >>>>> For me, I can't recall the last time I had a flat honestly. Although I >>>>> am definitely jinxing myself by saying that. And I am not a weight >>>>> weenie, >>>>> so I just don't get the appeal of tubeless. I'm ready to be enlightened >>>>> though! >>>>> >>>>> Kat & her monogamous, do it all, Appaloosa >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:04:14 AM UTC+10 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Ah man, Ben, NOW what am I gonna do??? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Mar 20, 2025, at 6:57 PM, Ben Miller <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Leah, >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Well, you got my attention now! Haha. >>>>>> >>>>>> A few things: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> 1. Soma/Merry sales sells an aluminum 31.8 clamp Albatross bar >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/nitto-handlebar-b352-albatross-2766?category=781#attr=3506,1359,1211>. >>>>>> >>>>>> It's 1 cm wider (56 vs Riv's 55), but still narrower than the Billie. >>>>>> I >>>>>> know you just purchased a new handlebars, but this might be option >>>>>> for you >>>>>> with a 31.8 Faceplater? >>>>>> 2. I mentioned with in another recent post, but more bolts >>>>>> doesn't necessarily mean more better. The maximum clamping power of a >>>>>> clamp/stem is only related to the lowest torqued bolt in the >>>>>> clamp/stem. I >>>>>> know this is counterintuitive, but it's all about the bolt size, not >>>>>> the >>>>>> number of them! Since M8 bolts can be torqued higher M5, a Tallux >>>>>> stem can >>>>>> be torqued to a higher spec and likely offer better holding power >>>>>> compared >>>>>> to Faceplaters with their M5 bolts. (Torque specs are *only *for >>>>>> bolts, those will break long before you're able to damage a handlebar >>>>>> thru >>>>>> over tightening) >>>>>> 3. Besides the bolts, the other major factor preventing bars from >>>>>> slipping is the clamp diameter. That's why MTB have gone to 31.8+ >>>>>> size >>>>>> clamps (it's not to stiffen them, because then you'd have to increase >>>>>> the >>>>>> diameter much more than just at the clamp). So, everything else being >>>>>> equal, an Albatross 25.6 in a 25.6 clamp or shim will slip easier >>>>>> than an >>>>>> Albatross 31.8 in a 31.8 clamp. (Shims really just convert your 31.8 >>>>>> clamp >>>>>> to a 25.6 clamp, *not *to 31.8 handlebars) >>>>>> 4. Final note on torque specs: to get the maximum clamping force >>>>>> from your multi-bolt stem, always torque to the maximum torque spec. >>>>>> One of >>>>>> the things that multiple bolts do offer, is a decreased likelihood of >>>>>> breaking a bolt. However, with a single bolt, you're better off >>>>>> torqueing >>>>>> to the lower end of the spec, to decrease the likelihood of breaking >>>>>> your >>>>>> single bolt. And this is the reason why stems with M8 bolts can have >>>>>> only 1 >>>>>> bolt, but stems with M5 bolts need to have 2 or more. The lower end >>>>>> of the >>>>>> torque spec for an M8 bolt is still 2 or more times greater than the >>>>>> max >>>>>> torque for an M5. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> All that said, I do have a set of drop bars with 25.6 clamps size in >>>>>> a 4-bolt stem shimmed from 31.8 to 25.6 on a rigid MTB, so I don't >>>>>> necessarily think there is anything wrong with it. But albatross bars >>>>>> are >>>>>> going to generate a lot more torque on the clamp area with their big >>>>>> long >>>>>> levers of swept backiness :) >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Best of luck! >>>>>> On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:38:34 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Ben! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I did now know this hot tip, but boy, it would have helped me. Now >>>>>>> of course I have it all put in place and am loathe to take it apart >>>>>>> again, >>>>>>> but I’ll google that compound and get it so I have it on hand. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So, the Great Stem Swap of ‘25. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I developed the most annoying tic in my red Platy’s bar/stem >>>>>>> interface. The bar was aluminum in the 25.4 clamp Tallux. It made me >>>>>>> crazy. >>>>>>> Adhesive was applied to the bar at the collar where the clamp grabs it, >>>>>>> which has so far worked. But before we realized the source, I was >>>>>>> blaming >>>>>>> the stem. And I thought, that’s IT, I’m done dealing with wide bars on >>>>>>> these one-bolt stems. And I decided I’d change over all the stems to >>>>>>> Faceplaters. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I included my son’s Clem because it lives a rough life and needs the >>>>>>> security of a 4 bolt stem, I think. He had stock steel Bosco bars in >>>>>>> his 59 >>>>>>> Clem. Ugly. Wide. No collar, just a textured area where the clamp goes. >>>>>>> His >>>>>>> bike wintered at our house, and when we reconnected to go to the Philly >>>>>>> Bike Expo together, I returned his bike to him and he got to try it out >>>>>>> at >>>>>>> the Philly rides. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The bars slipped immediately. And they had not slipped with the >>>>>>> stock Tallux stem. Because Riv was at the Expo I showed them. I had >>>>>>> installed with the torque wrench everything. The fix was we should get >>>>>>> rid >>>>>>> of both stem and bar and replace with the 31.8 clamp Faceplater with a >>>>>>> 31.8 >>>>>>> Tosco bar. That bar was way too wide for the bike to live in college >>>>>>> bike >>>>>>> racks so I said, no, Albatross or Billie, which are 25.4. They said it >>>>>>> should still be the 31.8 Faceplater stem, even though the bar is 25.4. >>>>>>> Would offer more gripping. And that’s how we ended up here. I wish I >>>>>>> just >>>>>>> had a 25.4 but I defer to experts because I am afraid of doing things >>>>>>> wrong >>>>>>> and damaging precious sons or their bicycles. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I would not be surprised if Riv is changing these stems. They have >>>>>>> already DCd the 225 angled Faceplater in favor of the 90-190s. Maybe >>>>>>> they >>>>>>> will get rid of the 25.4 bars and just do the standard 31.8 instead. I >>>>>>> wish >>>>>>> they would, and I don’t know why they haven’t. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Who is still following this? Is anyone tracking? It’s a lot… >>>>>>> L >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2025, at 4:16 PM, Ben Miller <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Leah, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Can you describe your "Great Stem Swap of ‘25" a bit more? You had a >>>>>>> 25.6 mm bar with a 25.6 clamp Technomic or similar stem? And wanted to >>>>>>> swap >>>>>>> in a 25.6 clamp Faceplater? But then was told to use a 25.6 bar with a >>>>>>> 31.8 >>>>>>> clamp FP with shims? Is that correct? If so, very curious! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Carbon Assembly Grease/Compound, like Park Tool's SAC-2, is great >>>>>>> for setting up handlebars with shims. The "grease" acts like a weak >>>>>>> glue >>>>>>> during assembly, holding things in place, much like using actual grease >>>>>>> during loose ball bearing assembly. But then during operation, it >>>>>>> increases >>>>>>> the friction 'tween the surfaces to help improve the clamping of the >>>>>>> bars/shims. Maybe you did this? But given your description and >>>>>>> frustrations, I'd thought I'd mention it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:02:42 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi Kai! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I do the exact method you describe - the 4 oz Orange Seal Endurance >>>>>>>> bottle with tube right into the presta valve. But the tire came >>>>>>>> unseated >>>>>>>> anyway. That green bike has been problematic - and last year I had the >>>>>>>> tires replaced for that reason and it had been fine. No idea why it’s >>>>>>>> acting up again unless it was just because I unseated it by filling >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> valve while standing on its kick stand. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I’m excited to see this rack! Amazing you can make your own. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I have never heard of swapping derailleur pulleys! Anyone? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2025, at 12:31 PM, Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY < >>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I personally think shims are pretty great!, certainly best to >>>>>>>> avoid, but when they’re necessary to use in order to use what you’ve >>>>>>>> got, >>>>>>>> great. >>>>>>>> One thing I was curious about was your method of sealant refilling. >>>>>>>> Sounds like you pop the bead out of the wheel and pour it in? Then >>>>>>>> hope for >>>>>>>> a relatively mess free reseating? It works, but not as good as sending >>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> through the valve stem. If you’re not familiar, your presta valves on >>>>>>>> your >>>>>>>> tubeless wheel sets have easily removable cores that, when removed, >>>>>>>> provide >>>>>>>> an open tube into the tire. Orange seal sells these small bottles with >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> properly sized feeder tubes to make it easy and clean. They also >>>>>>>> provide a >>>>>>>> dipstick/reamer to clear that tube into the tire in case that sealant >>>>>>>> has >>>>>>>> sealed over the valve. It’s very straightforward and rarely messy, and >>>>>>>> no >>>>>>>> reseating of the tire necessary, just pump it up and you’re on your >>>>>>>> way. >>>>>>>> As for my bike life lately, I’m working on a rack for my Clem, and >>>>>>>> was scrounging for small bits of brazing rod last week to finish some >>>>>>>> small >>>>>>>> stuffs and accidentally used some brass rod that looked the part. >>>>>>>> Didn’t >>>>>>>> “flow” like it was supposed to, but all’s well after some filing and a >>>>>>>> trip >>>>>>>> to the olde welding shoppe. >>>>>>>> Last question- do you and anybody else out there dedicated to >>>>>>>> friction shifting swap your lower and upper derailleur pulleys? I >>>>>>>> believe >>>>>>>> the idea is that no side to side float on the upper pulley gives more >>>>>>>> feedback to your body’s sensors when it’s not settled, and presumably >>>>>>>> could >>>>>>>> lead to less ghost shifting? >>>>>>>> Curious. >>>>>>>> -Kai >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> <IMG_1038.jpeg> >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 8:23:58 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Ooh, John, fork stops - I did not know about these. I also have a >>>>>>>>> purple Platypus with a Nitto Basket Rack and the bars DO swing around >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> hit the top tube at times. I will go find your thread so I can see >>>>>>>>> what >>>>>>>>> those are. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Also, I thought the same re: shims. But this was the rec from RBW >>>>>>>>> so I went along with it. More clamping surface, and such. I am not an >>>>>>>>> engineer, just a layperson in that world but I find the flaking of >>>>>>>>> steel >>>>>>>>> unnerving. And this is my SON’S bike, and heaven forbid I would ever >>>>>>>>> set >>>>>>>>> him up with something that could be unsafe. (This college kid thinks >>>>>>>>> nothing about the bike. He *might* notice a flat tire, but I doubt >>>>>>>>> it. He >>>>>>>>> just rides it and enjoys it and thinks absolutely nothing else about >>>>>>>>> it. I >>>>>>>>> got him new tires, dynamo, and better gearing and he noticed none of >>>>>>>>> it on >>>>>>>>> the inaugural ride.) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Jay - I have the exact same feelings you do but none of the skill. >>>>>>>>> I cannot convert bars and install cables and housing…kudos to you for >>>>>>>>> trying and muddling through when the parts aren’t playing nicely >>>>>>>>> together. >>>>>>>>> I do not lay in bed and rack my brain over mechanical problems - I >>>>>>>>> hand >>>>>>>>> wring and feel anxious and desperate until I arrive in Pedal’s >>>>>>>>> parking lot >>>>>>>>> and see glorious, wonderful M working at the stand. I don’t have >>>>>>>>> anything >>>>>>>>> wrong that he can’t put right. I used to cry in Vegas bike shop >>>>>>>>> parking >>>>>>>>> lots because it never went well and they never understood my bikes >>>>>>>>> and I >>>>>>>>> often left their shops with new problems. But this shop - they >>>>>>>>> usually get >>>>>>>>> it right, so if hearts come out of my eyes when I see them, it’s to >>>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>>> expected because of my long and tragic Bike Shop History. I have been >>>>>>>>> there >>>>>>>>> enough that I now have a labor code in the computer -the “Leah Labor >>>>>>>>> Code” >>>>>>>>> and I’m not joking. For a time there was a Leah Shelf with stuff for >>>>>>>>> my >>>>>>>>> bikes on it. I am their best, most hapless customer. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Everyone tells me it’s not hard to work on bikes. That you can’t >>>>>>>>> really mess things up. But I find it astounding how many little >>>>>>>>> things you >>>>>>>>> can get wrong that make the bike unsafe. A couple months ago I had my >>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>> stem slammed and guess what - that’s dangerous. Guess what else - it >>>>>>>>> can >>>>>>>>> get stuck. Another problem glorious, wonderful M had to fix for me. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> L >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2025, at 7:19 AM, John Robert Williams < >>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Good Morning Leah....I feel your pain....I'm 3-4 hours north of >>>>>>>>> you and not only do we have the wind off the frigid lake, we've had >>>>>>>>> SNOOOOW...all the schools are closed up here today in TVC. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On your tire issue, if you cannot put the bike on the stand >>>>>>>>> because of not enough exposed seat post, try hanging your bike on the >>>>>>>>> top >>>>>>>>> of the repair stand by the nose of the saddle...yes, it may rock back >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> forth, but they balance quite nicely up there. At least it gets the >>>>>>>>> wheel/tire up off the ground and allows you to spin the wheel to >>>>>>>>> slosh >>>>>>>>> the sealant around before pumping it up. A trick I learned from the >>>>>>>>> sealant >>>>>>>>> guys, (but it takes removing your wheel) is to put in the sealant in >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> then lay the wheel across the top of a 5 gallon bucket (or any >>>>>>>>> bucket, I >>>>>>>>> guess). Then flip it over, wobble it like a hula-hoop to get the >>>>>>>>> sealant >>>>>>>>> into all the cracks along the bead. Let it sit for 5 mins at least >>>>>>>>> per >>>>>>>>> side. It always works for me. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On the shim front (pun intended), it's at best a draconian crude >>>>>>>>> "patch" of a mis-match. Stems that don't fit bars, or vice-versa, are >>>>>>>>> just >>>>>>>>> a full stop for me. They are never a tight, snug fit. Then, as you >>>>>>>>> have >>>>>>>>> found they dig in and do unnecessary damage to the bar. Shims are a >>>>>>>>> weak >>>>>>>>> attempt to blend old and new standards. Buy the stem to fit the bar. >>>>>>>>> NITTO's are nice, but they are not the only game in town. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On the paint chip, I hear you there too! It would be nice if RBW >>>>>>>>> made some nice small logo stickers that acted like band-aids over a >>>>>>>>> zit. A >>>>>>>>> classy solid cover-up that looks like it belongs there. (you seem to >>>>>>>>> have >>>>>>>>> their ear!). Before I put the fork stops on the Platypus, the front >>>>>>>>> rack >>>>>>>>> whipped around and took a nice chunk out of the downtube, the first >>>>>>>>> day. >>>>>>>>> GRRR! Oh well, I'm treating it like a warn-in pair of jeans. They >>>>>>>>> can't >>>>>>>>> stay showroom perfect forever. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Please do the WARM UP Sunshine dance for us....the next ten days >>>>>>>>> look like sheer misery here. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I hope this helps! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> JohnRobertWilliams >>>>>>>>> Traverse City, MI >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I just want to talk bikes for a little bit. Threads with subjects >>>>>>>>>> are great and all, but so is talking shop. And we are about to hit a >>>>>>>>>> spate >>>>>>>>>> of cold weather here in SW Michigan and I am a little morose after a >>>>>>>>>> few >>>>>>>>>> days of Pretend Spring. I did get 25 miles in today and Monday, but >>>>>>>>>> now I >>>>>>>>>> want to talk shop. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I don’t know what you all have been up to, but I have been >>>>>>>>>> fighting with and fidgeting with my bikes. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Recently, I went through a great stem swap where I changed over >>>>>>>>>> most of my bikes to Faceplater stems. I even put one on my college >>>>>>>>>> boys’ >>>>>>>>>> big old Clem with Bosco bars. I even used my new torque wrench, >>>>>>>>>> and…the >>>>>>>>>> bars slipped! So now I have new Albatross bars and stem and shims >>>>>>>>>> because >>>>>>>>>> Riv believes this 31.8 clamp will grip 25.4 bars better. I have >>>>>>>>>> little >>>>>>>>>> experience with shims. And what I have learned about them is that >>>>>>>>>> they will >>>>>>>>>> set you to cussing. You want the bars centered, but then the shims >>>>>>>>>> slink >>>>>>>>>> out of their spot. When you want to nudge them just a bit, they have >>>>>>>>>> bitten >>>>>>>>>> into the center of the Albatross bar and you must find a way to >>>>>>>>>> knock them >>>>>>>>>> loose. Then the whole bar moves and you have to re-center and line >>>>>>>>>> up the >>>>>>>>>> gaps in shim/clamp. When you knock the shims loose a few times you >>>>>>>>>> realize >>>>>>>>>> there are metal shavings on your fingers, which means you are >>>>>>>>>> damaging >>>>>>>>>> stuff. And every time you decide to adjust the position you have to >>>>>>>>>> fight >>>>>>>>>> with the shims AND loosen and re-tighten 4 bolts with your torque >>>>>>>>>> wrench. I >>>>>>>>>> have emailed 2 people about this, badgering them to check my work >>>>>>>>>> and say >>>>>>>>>> it’s safe. I made peace with the shims being a millimeter uneven >>>>>>>>>> because at >>>>>>>>>> least the bars are centered. Then I went to wash the metal shavings >>>>>>>>>> off my >>>>>>>>>> hands. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Shims. In short, I hate them. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> During the Great Stem Swap of ‘25, I managed to drop a hex >>>>>>>>>> wrench. I heard the ping of it striking the top tube of my raspberry >>>>>>>>>> Platypus on its way down. Ah, my first real paint chip, and right in >>>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>>> place I’ll see every day. Tonight, I painted that chip with nail >>>>>>>>>> polish I >>>>>>>>>> found in a close color match. It’s passable, but sad. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I turned my attention to the mermaid Platypus, which I have no >>>>>>>>>> good excuse to have anymore, and noticed the rear tire is flat >>>>>>>>>> again. This >>>>>>>>>> is because on Monday, I decided I would top off the sealant, and >>>>>>>>>> could not >>>>>>>>>> be bothered to put the bike in the stand. The clamp on the stand >>>>>>>>>> needs more >>>>>>>>>> seatpost and I didn’t want to raise my saddle. So I did it with the >>>>>>>>>> bike on >>>>>>>>>> the kickstand and was never able to recover the seal between rim and >>>>>>>>>> tire. >>>>>>>>>> I have gotten by with this in the past. Got cocky and have now been >>>>>>>>>> brought >>>>>>>>>> low. Every week, and you can set your watch by it, I do the walk of >>>>>>>>>> shame >>>>>>>>>> into the shop. I fling open their door, the cowbell rings, and I >>>>>>>>>> announce, >>>>>>>>>> “Guys! A terrible thing has happened!” I will go there again >>>>>>>>>> tomorrow >>>>>>>>>> because a terrible thing has happened - that seal did not hold and >>>>>>>>>> we are >>>>>>>>>> back to flat tire and dripping sealant. They are sick of me at this >>>>>>>>>> point >>>>>>>>>> but they are Michiganders, good folk through and through, and they >>>>>>>>>> do not >>>>>>>>>> let on. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Meanwhile, Charlie. I’ve been running away with Charlie on club >>>>>>>>>> rides. High winds have really cramped our style. Charlie and I are >>>>>>>>>> on a >>>>>>>>>> learning curve. I try and find out if the sounds he’s making are >>>>>>>>>> benign or >>>>>>>>>> malignant. There was a screeching pedal (a terrible thing that >>>>>>>>>> happened!) >>>>>>>>>> that my shop addressed. But now there is ghost shifting and >>>>>>>>>> something >>>>>>>>>> whirring when I stand to climb and toss my weight on the drive side >>>>>>>>>> of the >>>>>>>>>> bike. Charlie had been denied his accoutrements because I tried to >>>>>>>>>> make him >>>>>>>>>> Pure Road Bike and keep his accessories minimal. We failed miserably >>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>> I’ve junked up the bars just like Charlie’s a Platypus. The final >>>>>>>>>> piece, >>>>>>>>>> his German mirror, arrived today. I still don’t know if Charlie is >>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>> faster than a Platypus. Nothing is fast in these winds. We are out >>>>>>>>>> there >>>>>>>>>> shredding our thighs, trying to brave winds and get fit for the >>>>>>>>>> season with >>>>>>>>>> Charlie and his junked-up non-aero bars. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> What have you all been up to? Are you having the same struggles? >>>>>>>>>> Who else is wanting to throw up their hands and just talk shop? >>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5175834e-31c3-4cea-87cb-37ee34020bdan%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5175834e-31c3-4cea-87cb-37ee34020bdan%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> John Robert Williams >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/ksvlbi-Jd6w/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>> to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAC9csfddSL-XZ0oqJ3w%3DtiDkPj5-LXn7Xt5cL%3DE7_LFAQ9Zyhg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAC9csfddSL-XZ0oqJ3w%3DtiDkPj5-LXn7Xt5cL%3DE7_LFAQ9Zyhg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/ksvlbi-Jd6w/unsubscribe >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/51fd15ac-1390-4ff8-8fa1-4cf6e89040b3n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/51fd15ac-1390-4ff8-8fa1-4cf6e89040b3n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> <IMG_1038.jpeg> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/ksvlbi-Jd6w/unsubscribe >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/71869656-0a84-439b-a4ee-28ed1f87d13bn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/71869656-0a84-439b-a4ee-28ed1f87d13bn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/ksvlbi-Jd6w/unsubscribe >>>>>> . >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>> >>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/91c037f2-e7f5-49e9-8dc5-4514e65b194en%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/91c037f2-e7f5-49e9-8dc5-4514e65b194en%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3d59b602-7b01-4125-a52b-e9c51f8b7435n%40googlegroups.com.
