2012

Thought I would check in with the ol blog and just say that I'm starting to get ready for the new year.  Haven't been riding as much as I should have the past few months, but the good side is that I have been riding, so as long as I get things ramped up now, I'll be in good shape come summer! 

I have been focusing on getting my Serotta back together.  After I canibalized it last fall (to get the CX bike going), it's been in pieces since.  Just ordered some cool new parts for it today.  Got some Easton EC90 Ergo bars and EC90 stem (both are carbon fiber) on an unbeleiveable Performance Bike closeout price.  Also ordered a new rear derailler.  I needed the derailler for the new 11-28 cassette that I got for Christmas!  This is the gear ratio I'll be using for the Iron Horse Classic coming up this May! 

Getting registered for the Iron Horse Classic is big news also, registration opened Dec 1, the races were sold out in about 2 days and everything, including the tour was sold out in 5 days!  Wow! that's a fast sellout compared to last year.

Also, registered for the Leadville Lottery.  Won't know anything about that until Mid February.  It sure would be nice to get in the easy way for once.

Also, been sifting through ebay for a set of Aero Carbon Tubular Wheels.  If your not a bike nerd like myself, these are superlight and aerodynamic and that means fast.  Although I'm not doing so good at dieting right now, I do plan to be in the 160's for race weight, and at that point spending money on light parts is beneficial because I'll have no fat left to lose!

New Schwinn Approved Speedometer

Finally got one of these bought on ebay for a reasonable price. Just finished cleaning it up and getting everything working again. I had to take apart the head unit and get the input drive shaft freed up, it was froze. The worm drive that mounts on the wheel came in pieces and was full of old grease that had turned into concrete. Had to do a bit of grinding on the worm drive as I think the previous owner applied too much force to it and partially stripped a tooth (due the old grease). A bit roughed up but works fine!

 

My objective with this Varsity is to find every possible "Schwinn Approved" option there is for it and install it. The parts don't have to be mint, but they do need to work and look reasonably good. The bike itself is all original including, the Panasonic tires, all the original reflectors, shifter cable housings, and handlebar tape. Every part has been cleaned and regreased and works like new.

 

Here's what I have so far for the optional accessories:

• Chrome fenders
• Soubitez 6v 3W Front & Rear Dyno Light System
• Front Quick Release
• Rear Rack
• Seat Bag
• Speedometer with 27" worm/cable drive

 

Here's some of the other accessories I'm on the lookout for, not all of these accessories are compatable, but I still want them for the collection:

• Wire Grocery basket
• Handlebar bell
• Brooks Saddle
• misc tools, etc, that I could put in the seat bag

Everything "Schwinn Approved" of course!

New cross frame assembly.

Got a sweet deal on this frame off of ebay last week.  It just came in today, switching all the components from the Raleigh touring frame to this single purpose cyclocross machine!