Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Fix two things, break one

OK, I was able to replace old my bike seat (lower one, below, with the stuffing coming out) with the new one in an identical model (top one), both Forté Contour Women's Saddles. This involved transferring the water bottle holder to the new one, and getting it aligned just right on the bike, which means endless playing around with threads and fittings. I think I have it all squared away now, FINALLY, though.

But replacing the sliced-up handlebar tape didn't go nearly as well. It took me a couple of tries to wrap it correctly with the "Felt" logo on the outside. Then getting the brake handle loose involves two Allen-wrench settings linked to some kind of obscure internal fitting. Now the brake lever is loose and I can't seem to tighten it without disassembling the whole thing again. Grrr!

Before:After:
Maybe I should just toss out the whole works and replace it with a fancy new $600 carbon aerobar set, eh? Nah, not this year.

7 comments:

:) said...

Wow, that is some lunch box you have between your aerobars... Nice job on the tape wrap. It always takes me a few times to get it perfect too.

I *heart* Buttercup and her yellow tires!

Fe-lady said...

Nice job! I refuse to work on my bike anymore. Even had a stand at one time. Now I always take it in. I am getting lazy in my old age!

Bolder said...

i'd just replace the whole bike.

you're spending too much time on repairs...

only 65 days training days left till Christmas...

Iron Pol said...

I agree with Bolder.

Can I have the yellow tires?

Really, though, it's good to be able to do the work on your own bike. And it does look a lot neater. I'm lucky, as The Pol-R Express has a free 90 day check up due in September.

Mojo said...

Nice wrap job, Nancy!

Nancy Toby said...

Bolder,
Quit being mean to Buttercup.

Nancy Toby said...

BTW, the tires are Continental 4000s, which come in 5 or 6 different colors. You too can have colored tires like the COOL triathletes!!