Sunday morn in the greeway.
Mobile posts?
Aug 27th, 2010 by Andrew
I’m going to try and post a little more often now that I have a mobile device that I can post from. I’d like to post shorter entries with photos from my rides.
sometimes the simplest rides are the best rides
Aug 15th, 2010 by Andrew
Yesterday, I installed a lovely new set of Paul brakes on the Canti-Rom. I convinced E to go on a short shakedown ride with me. The weather was very hot and humid, so she came with me reluctantly, grumbling about the heat. Dropping down into the ravine of the Greenway the temperature felt just a little cooler. Stopping by the creekside here and there, we watched as the green and iridescent black damselflies (aka fairies) flitted through the woods. A regal red tailed hawk watched us from the dead tree across the creek. Finally, we played with the minnows at the little pool by the bridge by tossing in small pebbles. The fish rose up for the ripples looking for a meal. E looked up from me beside the creek and said “Dad, you know this is actually pretty fun” as she tossed another pebble in the pool.
still riding
Aug 1st, 2010 by Andrew
I’ve been very quiet here for a few months. Work has been very hectic and getting in the way of writing anything meaningful, or otherwise here. I’m still riding to work most days, but recently I’ve had to make treks out to Mississauga several times week. This has been cutting into my riding time, but work is work.
Recently, I was dismayed to read there was a fatal collision between a motorist and a cyclist at an intersection that I ride through regularly on my route to/from work. This hit far too close to home.
I’m planning on a bit of a solo light touring effort in the Bancroft area in a few weeks. I need to get some new tires and I’m looking in to the brake issue. I think I might treat myself to the Paul’s but they are mucho dinero. Good thing I’ve got a birthday coming soon!
I like to do as much maintenance on my bike as possible. I like messing with the tools and replacing parts at they wear out. The one thing that I have a really hard time with on my Rivendell Romulus is replacing the cantilever brake pads. I’ve used brand name and generic vee brake replacement shoes and inserts as well Kool Stop salmon pads and I still get squealing from the front brake. (I haven’t tried the no-squeal pads from Velo Orange, perhaps they are next for a test). I’ve tried moderate toe-in, lots ‘o toe-in and no toe-in and I still get squealing from the front brake. I took my bike in to the shop once to get the brake pads replaced and I got squealing from the front brake. I’ve had the bike for almost 5 years now and brake squealing from the front has been an issue the whole time.
OTOH, I’ve changed the pads on my vee break equiped hybrid and I can get them to run properly.
The canti brakes themselves are Tektro Oryx. They have a ‘low profile’ design that might be part of the culprit. I think I’ve exhausted the pad placement (save the no-squealers) so what’s next? Replace the straddle cable with something lower? A new set of brakes?
I’ve been drooling over the combo of a Paul neo-retro front canti for the front wheel and touring canti for the rear wheel for some time. It might be time to add some bling to the machine.
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monkeymartian
two wheeled in york region, ontario, canada
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