Recent content by rob feature

  1. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    All Summer later Now that I'm an expert in failing to find a wheel for the Allant, I'm also a wheelbuilder. A humbled one. But it finally came together Going to do some final tension and sanity checks tomorrow before taping, but hoping for a shakedown ride this weekend. This rim should...
  2. rob feature

    When cycling, do you like listening to music?

    Yeah, that may be the solution. Sucks that I have to spend so much money to offset the googans, but that's where we are now :rolleyes:
  3. rob feature

    When cycling, do you like listening to music?

    Sadly I'm listening to music less these days while riding. The epidemic of fast ebikes on the paths just make it too sketchy anymore. At any time I might get passed, closely, by some moron on a motorcycle masquerading as something 'legal' at 40 - 50 MPH on a bike path. And it gets worse every...
  4. rob feature

    Must carry tools: what are yours?

    Bitchin'. I carry almost this same kit - piece for piece except for some brands. Right down to the Park valve stem tool :). I've used everything but the plugs in the field. Apologies to self for jinxing self I carry a few more things on the bike or in a backpack - depending on the bike &...
  5. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    I almost never use power tools on bikes, but this is one place that it just works. Super slow and low power mode of course. Almost never use a flathead driver on, uh, anything either. This gets the nipples off pretty easily after a few turns from a spoke wrench to zero the tension all the way...
  6. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    Among early observations - this rim is poorly built. Not only is jagged machining crust left on the holes, but I found a couple sharp nipples - apprentice marks 🕵️‍♀️ Ever wondered how you got a flat but didn't run over anything?
  7. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    In case you were wondering. I'm taking the 'high road?'. Farming this out is too much work. I'm kinda curious anyway. So, disassembled the wheel, learned a few things along the way. Next task - determine ERD, order up a rim and a few more tools, and attempt a rim swap. Assuming the hub...
  8. rob feature

    Specialized drop prices in North America for Levo range. Permanent drop due to competitive market.

    Yeah, I found the nomenclature to be a little tricky as well
  9. rob feature

    Specialized drop prices in North America for Levo range. Permanent drop due to competitive market.

    Not crazy about the color, but don't buy bikes to stare at them either.
  10. rob feature

    Cheers on the 4th!

    Don't let the dummies hijack your good time. We still have a lot to celebrate. Cheers y'all! Pool day for me. Made some new friends. BBQ here in a bit. Life is good!
  11. rob feature

    Specialized drop prices in North America for Levo range. Permanent drop due to competitive market.

    Ima gonna drop by some local dealers next week & see if I can score a Turbo Vado 4 for a decent price. Website says $2.8k. Maybe I can do better than that?
  12. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    I'm not working with a hub motor. It's a regular MTB wheel fed off a Bosch mid-drive. Yeah, I may not buy the Park stand. Still shopping around. There are much cheaper options available for occasional use. And I do have some more wheel work on my list. Wanna swap the hoops on my Yeti...
  13. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    Yeah, I thought it was a bit lofty as well. They wanted $150 for the wheel build - so apparently about $400 in parts somewhere? I didn't ask for a fancy rim or anything. Or a tire or tape or valves. Not sure exactly which parts you're talking about above, but holler at me on the side -...
  14. rob feature

    How wide are your handlebars?

    740mm on my Allant. 800mm on MTBs. One rule I've heard through the years is do some pushups. Wherever you put your hands gives you a good idea of where you'd want a bar. I have a One-up carbon bar on one of my hardtail MTBs and I swear it takes out enough small vibrations to combat fatigue.
  15. rob feature

    Cracked Allant rear rim

    That has to be Lennard Zinn (of Zinn & the art of Bicycle Maintenance fame)? He lived in Louisville when I lived there. Shop address is Louisville. Yeah, good call! I live on the other side of the metro now, but would totally drive up there to use his crew for this.
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