Half-Fast Mike
Lanterne Rouge-et-vert
- May 22, 2007
- 4,644
- 3,700
Summer bonus is just around the corner. Truthfully it's just 1/14th of my salary that's withheld by the man for six months. But anyway it's a little spare cash to fund my cheapo trip to California in July and some new bits for the bike.
The 2005 Shimano Tiagra components on my red custom-built steel Panasonic frame have been through three bikes; the first two Y's Antares aluminium frames tore at the BB thanks to my awesome pedaling force. The Panasonic frame meanwhile endured a snapped chainstay after a crash in Kyushu last year. This was welded back together by the LBS in a tiny fishing village at 8.00 a.m. in the middle of Golden Week. (Phew!) It's not a pretty weld, but it's stong and adds character like a tattoo or a scar.
Time for an upgrade - I think I've earned it! I'm going to get the 2011 Shimano 105 series components installed, with a 50/34 compact krank and 11-28T cassette. The new 105 STI levers feature hidden shift as well as brake cables, making the handlebar area tidier.
Although I could probably install them myself, the bike hasn't had a professional service for some time so I'm going to ask Aoyama-san at HiRoad to do the work while I watch and learn.
I toyed with the idea of fitting a 12-32T sprocket array and a Deore MTB derailleur to make climbing much easier. But on balance I think I'll prefer the sleek looks of the 105. Currently my largest cog is 27T so I'll get a slightly lower low gear anyway.
Nothing particularly wrong with the Tiagra parts, so I'll hand them down to a friend who has a bike from 1985 which he still rides as-built. Lovely frame, and with moderner mech it's going to be sweet.
I want to replace the handlebars, too - something 26mm and ergonomic, i.e. with a flat section in the forward drop. I'll find one somewhere.
No questions for you lot really. But if anyone has any observations or abuse to share...
--HF Mike--
The 2005 Shimano Tiagra components on my red custom-built steel Panasonic frame have been through three bikes; the first two Y's Antares aluminium frames tore at the BB thanks to my awesome pedaling force. The Panasonic frame meanwhile endured a snapped chainstay after a crash in Kyushu last year. This was welded back together by the LBS in a tiny fishing village at 8.00 a.m. in the middle of Golden Week. (Phew!) It's not a pretty weld, but it's stong and adds character like a tattoo or a scar.
Time for an upgrade - I think I've earned it! I'm going to get the 2011 Shimano 105 series components installed, with a 50/34 compact krank and 11-28T cassette. The new 105 STI levers feature hidden shift as well as brake cables, making the handlebar area tidier.
Although I could probably install them myself, the bike hasn't had a professional service for some time so I'm going to ask Aoyama-san at HiRoad to do the work while I watch and learn.
I toyed with the idea of fitting a 12-32T sprocket array and a Deore MTB derailleur to make climbing much easier. But on balance I think I'll prefer the sleek looks of the 105. Currently my largest cog is 27T so I'll get a slightly lower low gear anyway.
Nothing particularly wrong with the Tiagra parts, so I'll hand them down to a friend who has a bike from 1985 which he still rides as-built. Lovely frame, and with moderner mech it's going to be sweet.
I want to replace the handlebars, too - something 26mm and ergonomic, i.e. with a flat section in the forward drop. I'll find one somewhere.
No questions for you lot really. But if anyone has any observations or abuse to share...
--HF Mike--