Yesterday I built a new bucket cart. The one it replaced was built in 1989 (which replaced a total piece of crap someone else built in 1987).
As I pushed my first bucket of matrix out of the mixing room, I was amazed at how effortlessly the cart moved across the floor.
Scary fast.
It's amazing what you can get used to over time. No more wrestling around corners anticipating a capsize on ever bump, leaning it against the table so it's one now "short wheel" wouldn't let the bucket start to slide and kick the cart out to the side. No more worrying about when the cracked 2x12 would finally give way to a 150 pound bucket.
What does this have to do with bikes?
Well the smoothness of the new wheels, the ease of motion reminded me of when you give your bike an overhaul. These days with cartridge bearings I don't think you get the full effect but back in the day (hop in the way back machine Sherman) of cup, cone and loose balls, that first ride after an overhaul would have the same sensation.
You would roll effortlessly.
So I suggest you find out just how nice a newly overhauled bike can be. Replace those bearing, cables and housings (if you have cables and housings), put on some new grips, and polish it up all purty. If you lack the skills or time to do it, it's a great time to bring it to a bike shop. Lots of shops offer a discount on off-season overhauls, and the mechanics probably would rather fix your bike than have to clean their work stations (but maybe not as much as looking at Internet porn).
1 comment:
Always a motivating side to your blog posts Charlie, whether its riding in winter, commuting, or going out to conduct some form of bike maintenance I am inspired. Thank you, now I will go clean my wheels.
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