12boy
Guru
- Location
- Casper WY USA
I have many cheap mods.......among them are:
SPD 2 way pedals, good for regular shoes or SPDs
Velo Orange model 6 leather saddle (narrow, about 150 mm)
Chris King Gripnut headset...no adjustment in over 10 k miles.
I put a small bit of rubber fuel line type hose just big enough to fit over the suspension block bolt inside the elastomer. It no longer squeaks and the ride is very firm.
QR handle bar stem, in lieu of a bolt and moustache bars, taped, twined and shellacked with Dura Ace road brakes with a QR that allow for wheel removal without deflating the tire or loosening the brake. I replaced the 10mm brake cable bolts with Allens so I don't need to carry a 10 mm wrench. I find my Lezyne pump which screws on much easier to use than the kind that close with a lever.
Mountain bike/V-brake noodle on front brake.
Lightweight saddle bag large enough for a jacket, tool roll and 20 oz water bottle hanging off saddle.
A smallish home made front bag and and another larger one that holds about 6 books for choice options as well as the large open Brompton bag.
Very thin non rotating wheels to park the bike but not catch my shoes or boots when riding
12/17 sprockets and 58/38 chain rings (greasy finger shift) for lightweight but fairly large gear range. 78 to 36 gear inches.
Threaded hole in frame over rear triangle spindle allowing for adding heavy oil for bushing/spindle lubrication.
My LBS suggested tubeless tire sealant in lieu of Slime to prevent flats and so far, since using it there have been none.
I can fold this bike completely by using the stem QR to rotate the bars, but I really only do this to transport the bike by car, such as if I need to get picked up by my wife or for intercity travel. Might fold it all the way 5-10 times a year. Even so, I ride it a lot simply because I enjoy the ride, and the load carrying capacity.
All this was done over the 6 years or so I have had this bike and although I have some other favorites I ride also, if I could only have one this would probably be it for the type of riding I do.
SPD 2 way pedals, good for regular shoes or SPDs
Velo Orange model 6 leather saddle (narrow, about 150 mm)
Chris King Gripnut headset...no adjustment in over 10 k miles.
I put a small bit of rubber fuel line type hose just big enough to fit over the suspension block bolt inside the elastomer. It no longer squeaks and the ride is very firm.
QR handle bar stem, in lieu of a bolt and moustache bars, taped, twined and shellacked with Dura Ace road brakes with a QR that allow for wheel removal without deflating the tire or loosening the brake. I replaced the 10mm brake cable bolts with Allens so I don't need to carry a 10 mm wrench. I find my Lezyne pump which screws on much easier to use than the kind that close with a lever.
Mountain bike/V-brake noodle on front brake.
Lightweight saddle bag large enough for a jacket, tool roll and 20 oz water bottle hanging off saddle.
A smallish home made front bag and and another larger one that holds about 6 books for choice options as well as the large open Brompton bag.
Very thin non rotating wheels to park the bike but not catch my shoes or boots when riding
12/17 sprockets and 58/38 chain rings (greasy finger shift) for lightweight but fairly large gear range. 78 to 36 gear inches.
Threaded hole in frame over rear triangle spindle allowing for adding heavy oil for bushing/spindle lubrication.
My LBS suggested tubeless tire sealant in lieu of Slime to prevent flats and so far, since using it there have been none.
I can fold this bike completely by using the stem QR to rotate the bars, but I really only do this to transport the bike by car, such as if I need to get picked up by my wife or for intercity travel. Might fold it all the way 5-10 times a year. Even so, I ride it a lot simply because I enjoy the ride, and the load carrying capacity.
All this was done over the 6 years or so I have had this bike and although I have some other favorites I ride also, if I could only have one this would probably be it for the type of riding I do.
