Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater
Well, I guess I'm in the market for a new bicycle
I don't think I'd mentioned it on here, but I went ahead and ordered some stuff to convert my Norco Cypress mountainbike to use a disc brake in front. I've got an Avid BB7 caliper and rotor, and Rock Shox Dart 3 on the way, and I found a used front wheel with a disc hub at Recycled Cycles. While I was in Recycled, I also picked up a used stem, to see if getting the handlebars a touch closer to me would make the bike more comfortable
So, that's cool and all. Hooray for disc brakes. But I went to put on the stem today (easier than I'd feared), and noticed what seemed to be a little line of dirt or oil or something on the head tube (the steering pivot point on the frame). Hmm, I thought. I rubbed it to get it off, and noticed that not only was it not rubbing off, but it was also quite rough.
Upon closer inspection, I realized it was about a 2" crack running from the upper bearing race to the middle of the tube. D'oh!.
In other words, the frame is toast. It's not safe to ride, or sell to anyone else to ride. It's almost certainly not repairable, since you'd have to weld right at the bearing surface, in aluminum. Not really practical. It'd certainly be worth recycling. There's a faint chance that this is covered under warranty, but my receipt certainly went to the great filing cabinet in the sky years ago, so it's probably a moot point.
Anyway, I guess that means I'm in the market for a new bike. I'll keep my eyes out, who knows what I might find.
Posted at 19:58 permanent link category: /bicycle
Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater