Categories: all aviation bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater

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Thu, 03 May 2007

Wow, 48 is sure a lot of spokes

I have successfully laced both wheels, and started tensioning them. I don't have an adjusting stand at home, so I'll take them in to work tomorrow or over the weekend and work on them there.

The rear wheel, at 48 spokes, is pretty impressive. It's not any harder to work with than a 36 or 32 spoke wheel, except that there are more adjustments to make, and the finger clearance is less. Lacing it up was exactly the same procedure, except it took longer. I was wrong to think a 48 spoke wheel would be hard to deal with.

I'm taking pictures as I go, but bed sounds a lot more appealing than uploading pictures right now. Later.

Posted at 23:04 permanent link category: /bicycle

It Begins!

All my wheel parts arrived today. I now officially have enough parts to start building things for the Xtracycle.

I'll probably put together a webpage about all this, but for now, you'll have to be content with a list, and maybe a picture later on.

Things I have purchased specifically for this project:

  • Rims (Sun Rhyno Lite, 36h front, 48h rear)
  • Hubs (Shimaho HF08 tandem 48h rear, Shimano XT disc front)
  • Spokes (261 and 260mm DT double-butted front, 268mm DT DB rear)
  • Rim tape (Velox)
  • 203mm brake rotors (Alligator round -- $17 each? sure, I'll try)
  • Headset (FSA "The Pig")
  • Front fork (Rock Shox Dart 3)
  • Rear gears (7 speed Shimano cassette, 13-34 tooth)

Things I already had for whatever reason:

  • Frame (new Norco Bigfoot, warranty replacement)
  • Brake calipers (castoff/upgraded Avid BB5 from the Gary Fisher)
  • Cranks and front sprocket (from the original Norco)
  • Miscellaneous other parts from the original bike

Tonight, I'll try lacing the wheels. With an offset front wheel and a 48 spoke rear, I have set myself an excellent challenge. Oh my. I'll be posting here more or less frequently as I make progress. I know a number of people have said, "Oh, let me know how that turns out." I will, in future, direct them here.

Posted at 17:58 permanent link category: /bicycle

Categories: all aviation gadgets misc motorcycle theater

Written by Ian Johnston. Software is Blosxom. Questions? Please mail me at reaper at obairlann dot net.