tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post8881817359657442112..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: Road biking in JanuaryJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-30770876550034449772010-01-24T21:13:29.713-07:002010-01-24T21:13:29.713-07:00In the case of Glacier Cycles, love 'em though...In the case of Glacier Cycles, love 'em though I did, they were impossible to use as a retail shop. I'm all about convenience over savings; I bought all of my mountain trekking gear at local gear shop Foggy Mountain even though I could have got it for half the price or less online. But Glacier never had what I needed. I went in there once to buy a new helmet - A HELMET! - and they were fresh out. Also didn't really stock much in the way of parts. Everything had to be special ordered and their repair turnover time was downright glacial (ha ha ha.) It still beat the alternative, which is nothing.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-29146966648250076102010-01-24T16:14:43.566-07:002010-01-24T16:14:43.566-07:00Sadly, there will be more & more bike shops (a...Sadly, there will be more & more bike shops (and other shops) closing up because people like you & I keep buying things more inexpensively on the internet. I'm also in your shoes in that I'm dreadful at fixing my own bike.......bike repair rookiehttp://www.threewheelbicycle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-80363998283119868092010-01-23T20:19:39.986-07:002010-01-23T20:19:39.986-07:00Jilleo,
The guys mean well...they don't unders...Jilleo,<br />The guys mean well...they don't understand the difference between "complaining to get it out of your system" and "soliciting advice on how to be a different person". <br />protoceratopsUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05087021135991117406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-41949023400251608382010-01-23T17:17:05.369-07:002010-01-23T17:17:05.369-07:00I would second WPG: The Zinn books are great. I am...I would second WPG: The Zinn books are great. I am not particularly handy, but I have learned to do a lot of maintenance and repair myself. I am slow, but it is actually fun.boomerprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846157913874319797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-24984057904473289522010-01-23T10:48:48.428-07:002010-01-23T10:48:48.428-07:00As others have said, it is not very complicated to...As others have said, it is not very complicated to mount a cassette on a wheel. Check out the Park Tools site for a step by step guide as well as a list of all the tools you need.<br /><br />And you can always ask us questions!Powerful Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08456467783332176859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-12718268169387085742010-01-23T09:35:30.205-07:002010-01-23T09:35:30.205-07:00I would opt for running shoes too... given the ult...I would opt for running shoes too... given the ultimate ultimatum. :)Ali B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01889426949288610589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-71450976858265092642010-01-22T22:18:59.811-07:002010-01-22T22:18:59.811-07:00OK, maybe there's a small chance I could learn...OK, maybe there's a small chance I could learn the fairly simple mechanics of a bicycle. But the process so far has been so frustrating for me that I'm fairly certain if I were given the ultimatum: "Learn to fix everything on a bicycle or never ride a bicycle again," I would buy a good pair of running shoes and never look back.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-29426695643899534522010-01-22T20:48:45.753-07:002010-01-22T20:48:45.753-07:00Give her a break folks.... I can fix bikes and bui...Give her a break folks.... I can fix bikes and build wheels and everything, but can't write or tell stories about my adventures very well at all, when I do it is forced or not very interesting.<br />That's why I bought her book - she can put endurance into much better words and emotions than I could ever express.<br /><br />P.S. You complained very eloquently. Sounds like quite the pinch.Cleaveland Mountaineeringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14409800648289261373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-58699590267227351762010-01-22T20:31:56.608-07:002010-01-22T20:31:56.608-07:00I sense a streak of stubbornness - ? Can't tak...I sense a streak of stubbornness - ? Can't take the time to learn to fix a bike? Good lord, girl, all you have is time for yourself. I know people with demanding f/t jobs, families, other pursuits and they take the time to learn new things. You are way too young to be so set in your ways. Loosen up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-21308218711069989782010-01-22T18:11:09.486-07:002010-01-22T18:11:09.486-07:00Checkmate.Checkmate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-81258278038447879302010-01-22T18:04:37.122-07:002010-01-22T18:04:37.122-07:00I also wanted to add that I would really rather no...I also wanted to add that I would really rather not ride a bike that I've fixed myself, fearing for my own safety. I feel this way even when I install my own brake pads. I just don't trust my own shoddy work, even with outside instruction. An example of this is my front brake calliper, which broke shortly before I started the Tour Divide. With help from my ex-boyfriend via telephone, I was able to jam the broken piece back in place. I didn't have time to get the work checked over before the race. But a big crash I had outside Steamboat Springs is directly related to this repair.<br /><br />I maintain that some people are just not natually inclined and therefore severly disadvantaged when it comes to mechanical understanding. Yes, you can teach a non-artist how to draw, but you have to assume it's going to be a laborious process with ultimately disappointing results.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-20273044457656955472010-01-22T17:25:14.540-07:002010-01-22T17:25:14.540-07:00I know, I know, I need to learn to fix my bike. I ...I know, I know, I need to learn to fix my bike. I get it.<br /><br />It's really not as easy as you people make it out to be. When non-creative types tell people they don't know how to draw, people would never think of urging them to learn, but yet, non-mechanical types such as myself are supposed to grasp the very bewildering would of mechanical workings (and, yes, mechanics are just as bewildering to me as quantum physics.) It took me many, many tries to learn how to change a tire. Then it took many, many tries for me to learn how to snap a quick link on a broke chain. The same can be said for installing brake pads, installing a kevlar spoke, tightening my head set, installing a saddle. These are a handful of things I can do myself. They took me a LONG time to get down pat. Forgive me if I'd rather not spend the many hours it would take to learn the more complicated matters of bike repair. :-)<br /><br />That said, this post was just about complaining. Of course I know I have options for people to help me in town if I look. I am bummed the bike shop closed down, but I alone couldn't keep them in business. Their selection was very limited and there just aren't that many cyclists in town. It's sad a town of 30,000 can't support an LBS, but it seems we can't.<br /><br />And I did call Mr. Lesh. The dude never returns calls. :-)Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-49608576136795486132010-01-22T15:40:40.411-07:002010-01-22T15:40:40.411-07:00This made me smile, I just finished reading your b...This made me smile, I just finished reading your book, two weeks after I stumbled on your blog, you rode the Iditarod, yet the bike repairs remain a mystery, great! :o)Paulhttp://didnothingfatal.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-15156301855742311952010-01-22T15:17:39.968-07:002010-01-22T15:17:39.968-07:00In college I made a deal with a guy to change oil ...In college I made a deal with a guy to change oil in my car in exchange for a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It worked out great for both of us. I say you find someone who enjoys working on bikes and is good at bike repair work and make an exchange of some sort. You can always learn to do the repairs yourself of course if you want to. If you are like me, I just want it done.Luleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246266087939726697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-60093162660265809982010-01-22T15:14:28.480-07:002010-01-22T15:14:28.480-07:00Two words Jill: Sheldon Brown
You can do the rep...Two words Jill: Sheldon Brown<br /><br />You can do the repairs yourself! I know you can (and must) do it!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15301821696895686537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-29244938459322820362010-01-22T13:20:48.001-07:002010-01-22T13:20:48.001-07:00dan has gotten good with wheels. he and i can fix...dan has gotten good with wheels. he and i can fix this for you within a day or two. just gotta ask.Geoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03238385683129822240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-35307871050448059182010-01-22T12:35:51.130-07:002010-01-22T12:35:51.130-07:00I highly recommend the Leonard Zinn books if you c...I highly recommend the Leonard Zinn books if you choose to go the DIY route. I've been using them for years now, and I find them to be a great resource. Clear, concise, comprehensive, etc. It really isn't that hard to do your own work. I'm not even that "handy", and I've been able to figure out most of the basics. Good luck.WPGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14428252062711374285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-42296877238304077972010-01-22T07:58:40.135-07:002010-01-22T07:58:40.135-07:00I second the notion of buying a decent stand and s...I second the notion of buying a decent stand and some basic specialized tools, and learning to wrench your own bike-it is fun to do, and is especially valuable given the fact that you no longer have an LBS. I was scared to touch most parts on my bike a year ago, and now I'm disassembling and reassembling shifters and derailleurs.<br /><br />Also, I cannot believe that you haven't joined the forums at MTBR.com. Go log on there and say that you're Jill from Juneau, and all the meatheads there will be falling all over themselves to help you (probably me included). I would bet that you know several of the people there already (esp. in the Alaska forum), and you'll likely run across some new local cycling buddies as well.Fishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07725745238385417058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-7642194171709127032010-01-21T21:43:21.906-07:002010-01-21T21:43:21.906-07:00We're going to see more this if people don'...We're going to see more this if people don't wise up and support local businesses. I urge you (and everyone else who lives in a small town) to read Heather Lende's blog. She is a writer/runner/cyclist in Haines who has a good sense of what it means to buy locally.<br /><br />http://www.heatherlende.com/blog<br /><br />She is not only a good writer, she has a deep sense of community as well as a lifetime of outdoor adventure.<br /><br />Meanwhile, suck it up and learn to fix your own bike ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-8019897510234108732010-01-21T18:04:13.036-07:002010-01-21T18:04:13.036-07:00I drove by Glacier Cycles the other day and they h...I drove by Glacier Cycles the other day and they have a sign up now that says basically we're gone call 321-bike. That's owned by http://www.cycleak.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-18931535261841031852010-01-21T15:41:43.581-07:002010-01-21T15:41:43.581-07:00The irony! Wanted your cake and eat'n it up to...The irony! Wanted your cake and eat'n it up too, hmm? Well, we all do, but you just have to fight that...everyday...the man don't want you to fight it...wants you to do what's easiest, cheapest. Well, now your community has no bike shop and you gots no one to blame for this but yourself (and your ilk). I'm sorry if I'm coming off harshly (I enjoy your writing), but, you know, it's all connected, right? C'mon now!...use those long rides to go deeper...thinking that is...yes, it hurts sometimes, but we must, eh? ~matt fAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-66880602001415358052010-01-21T11:31:52.822-07:002010-01-21T11:31:52.822-07:00Speak to Mr. Lesh.
ASpeak to Mr. Lesh.<br />AAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-51522149918466955672010-01-21T11:26:17.170-07:002010-01-21T11:26:17.170-07:00You may not even need to remove the cassette. I t...You may not even need to remove the cassette. I think the best advice for you is... find a friend. Most cyclist have a cassette tool and chain wip. Getting a spoke of the right length is a different story. Road wheels have a 130 rear spacing and Karate M. has a 135 so the road wheel will most likely not work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-88226388692844470712010-01-21T10:47:30.092-07:002010-01-21T10:47:30.092-07:00I feel your pain. Not only are you out of commissi...I feel your pain. Not only are you out of commission when something happens but you have to wait for parts to be shipped online. Then pay hazmat if you want certain lubes or grease... I prefer a couple of real beater-bikes with interchangeable parts.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-64458774453749959522010-01-21T10:21:31.724-07:002010-01-21T10:21:31.724-07:00Hey...
One spoke isn't a problem. I'm 23...Hey...<br /><br />One spoke isn't a problem. I'm 235#'s and have raced mountainbikes missing a spoke. Just tighten up the existing loose spokes with a spoke wrench. If you don't have one you can use a crecent wrench, but this may be bad for future tightening.<br /><br />Once your spokes are tightened, you wheel will be close to true and probably rideable. If not, continue to play around tightening the spokes. Tightening some and loosening others until you have a decently true wheel.<br /><br />Ride.<br /><br />This will work until you can order a cassette tool and new spoke or small trueing stand.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08992868958386544520noreply@blogger.com