Cannondale Mountain Bike Single Speed on Ebay - SOLD

SOLD - This Cannondale 20" frame has been around for some time and was turned into a Single speed as a project.  The frame is either an M2000 or M1000 from between 1990 to 1996.  Its does not seem to have the decals to support this  I cannot find the serial number on Vintage Cannondale web-site http://www.vintagecannondale.com but is BI-0301 as far as I can make out and it is located on the inside of the RH seat stay.  The frame is completed by Pepperoni Forks.

Condition of the frame- The structure is sound but there are a lot of scuffs and scratches particularly around the chain stay and on the forks.  Some of these have been highlighted in the images below

The headset is 1.25" and is brand new
There is a new saddle and seat post
The rear brakes are new Suntour self energising Cantis whereas the front are some very good cantis of unknown make.
 The FSA 175 cranks hold a new Talon 44 tooth single speed chain ring
The rear sprocket and cassette conversion is also new as is the singulator.

Other components are used including some great tektro brake levers and bar ends.


The Rims are Mavic 231 and Ritchley Rock under slick tyres.

Here are some images

Picture shows the frame number on the RH seat stay

A lot of scuff marks on  the inside of the chain stay

Classic Orange P7 and Gios frame

In the same week an Orange P7 Mountain Bike and a Gios Frame came into the workshop as donations.  The Orange P7 had interesting rigid forks with the brake stubs on the trailing side, which many would argue is the right side for the front brakes to be on.  It has great components: Deore 27speed gears and Avid brakes.

 
However,  the forks were wanted for a different project and so were swapped for front shocks

The Italian Gios frame came in from a very generous donor.  Building this into a bike will be a rare pleasure.  The fame is covered in in-bossed detail - the makers name and the Italian flag.  The whole frame and forks  have been chromed and then the frame only has been painted to provide durability 

   

Specialized Hardrock pro Frame with Marzocchi Forks

This frame came in last week - It's disc only so not really our thing.  It does have a pair of Marzocchi MZ Comp forks which still seem to work however are very scuffed.  The frame is 19 inch, retains the gear hanger and has plenty of scratches which are highlighted in the following images.  This is now on ebay

better weather, more bikes and dresses?

Green Bicycle Dress

With the warmer weather finally arrived bikes are now more visible on the than ever.  I have been told the Corsham's Ladies clothes shop (Madison see opposite) has a dress in it covered in bicycle images and today in Wilkinsons there were cushions covered in images of bicycles.  Is there something in the air or is it just the initial signs of madness?  I have heard reports from Bespoke Bristol of the ranks of beautiful bikes, components, lugs, tools but I'm kind of glad I didn't go as the next stop would be 'the funny farm'.

Spindles has been inundated with great donations recently - an old Orange MB, A Claude Butler, several Specialized frames as well as some nice components.  The shop is looking very crowded so we need to sell some bikes.  I've been crafting a bike check list so that we don't forget to tighten the pedals or the chain set.  It's actually quite difficult trying to cover every possible detail on every kind of bike while maintaining an 'easy to use' feel.  We will probably have two sheets, one for maintenance jobs and the other for bikes that we sell so the customer knows more about what they are getting.  We have used the forms provided by Sustrans however they are very basic and pertain to a safety check.

The Spindlers did some free maintenance work at the Chippenham Wheelers White Horse Weekend and it was good to see a wide variety of bikes and a reasonable range of ages amongst the participants not just old blokes on touring bikes.  The Sunday was very busy as lots of maintenance issues has been 'discovered' the day before.  Next weekend may be are busiest yet due to good weather and the farmers market.  The weekend after is a Spindles' Ride to Merkin's Cafe near Bradford-on-Avon starting at 1:30pm see you there. 

Support a film about Afghan Female cyclists

This is taken from Kickstarter.com and is worth supporting.


The Film
The bicycle is a commonly used metaphor for change and freedom – wheels in motion, self powered movement, pedaling a revolution.
No where is this truer than in Afghanistan today as the Women’s National Cycling Team begins to take shape. Cycling is the last taboo for women in Afghanistan, women do not ride bikes. It is considered offensive and much like the women that dared to ride their bikes in petticoats in the late 1800's - the stigma of immorality and promiscuity is hard to push past. But also like America where the bike was intrinsically linked with the women's suffrage movement… it could be a vehicle for change in Afghanistan.

Our film will follow these women through their practice sessions, riding the backroads and highways outside of Kabul. We'll also get an intimate look at their lives when they're not on their bikes, documenting their lifestyles, home life, and their role as a woman in the male dominated country. Their passion and bravery is empowering to women internationally, while challenging gender barriers and setting an example to Afghan women at home.





http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/210471486/afghan-cycles?ref=live

April bikes are coming out

I didn't go to spindles last week due to other commitments.  Spindles' ride last week was postponed as it was too cold whereas today brought perfect cycling conditions, cool and sunny with little wind.  First I caught up on the outstanding jobs that needed doing.  I bike that I had build over 2 years ago came in for a service which had changed hands a few times and had not been ridden much.  A quick tune of the gears and brakes along with some new air in the tires was all it needed.  Edgar talked to a couple who had brought some donations which turned out to be an Italian Alfredo Gios frame and some nice bits to go with it.  This was generosity personified.  In fact there were a number of great donations throughout the day along with a number of good maintenance jobs which included a renovation of a Moser.
The ride started at 3:15pm in Biddestone where 10 of us, including 4 kids, headed off to Giddeahall,then Yatton Keynell, Grittleton, Stanton Saint Quinton, Kington st. Michael, Allington and back to Corsham.  What we needed is a place name with a 'Z' and 'X' in it and we would have used all the letters on the alphabet in the place names.  A challenge for next time.  I handed out cakes half way around which went down very well while Tim came to be rescue of Ben with a couple of bananas to cure the fatigue that had suddenly set in.  It was a very pleasant way to spend Saturday last afternoon.  
I'll post some pictures of the donated bikes later.
Next week is the Chippenham Wheelers White horse weekend.

Events Coming up March/April 2013

Our Monthly cycle ride will take place at about 2pm on Saturday 30th March 2013 from Corsham Community Centre.  At usual the destination  will be very weather dependant but we will brave the weather whatever it my bring.  A cup of tea and a sticky bun at a Cafe is guaranteed.

The Following week on the 6th April the two tunnels project in Bath will open with a cycling festival.  This is billed to be the longest cycling tunnel in the UK.  see http://www.twotunnels.org.uk/ for details.

A Good Cycling Wine

We have been trying a number of wines that feature bicycles on the labels, top amongst them is Como Sur Pinot Noir which is an Organic wine from Chile.  Chile is said to have the cleanest atmosphere and environment for growing vines and the people at Como Sur use bicycles to get around the vineyard.  I don't know much about wine but this one does taste nice. Now here is the blurb... This Pinot Noir made from grapes grown organically that has been certified by BCS Öeko Garantie GmbH. It is appealing in its rich and deep bright red colour, and has a complex and developed nose that is governed by sweet wild fruit aromas, where notes of cherries and berries are enhanced by slight toasty hints. This Pinot definitely has a personality of its own. It’s tasteful, with soft tannins and an excellent structure.


I've had the Gladiator's Cabernet Sauvignon a couple of times, not as nice as the Como Sur however this also depends on the accompanying food.   Blurb...  A big, muscular wine, a weighty tannic structure make their presence felt throughout.  True to its appellation, the 2010 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet has the strength and power characteristic of wines from Lodi. A deep purple color supports a dense, black cherry dominated aroma. Cherry flavors continue to headline through to the finish, supported by lighter accents of plum, cola and cedar.

Some more wines with bicycles that I haven't tried yet are are follows.

Trashed at the Pound

I think this will be a good film, at the Pound in Corsham- http://www.poundarts.org.uk/pound/EventDetails.aspx?artid=2020

Spring is here

The sun came out today and I was actually warm for a change.  At least 2 of the larger jobs were cleared, we sold a bike and all is reasonable well with the world.  The rumour is that there will be a Corsham cycling festival this year in the Autumn.  Quite what that means it up for grabs so I would be interested in what you thing it should include.  Here are my ideas

• Close of some roads in Corsham and get people on bikes.
• lots of stalls
• lots of food
• Themed bike rides - Tandems - tricycles - single speeds - etc.
• Free bike maintenance
• Find some world record to do with the number of bikes in a specific place and break it - read on... 
• Longest Time Juggling Three Balls Behind Back While Bicycling
• Longest Tandem Bicycle Ride With A Full-Sized Artificial Skeleton In Back Seat
• Fastest 1/4 Mile Bike Ride With Dog
• Most Decorations On A Bicycle
• Largest Bicycle Pile On Top Of A Person
• Most Back Wheel Pogo Jumps On A BMX Bike In 15 Seconds While Wearing A Lifejacket

read more at http://recordsetter.com/bike-world-records

We probably need to make up our own record 

Ideas please

Our Inaugural Ride

The last Saturday of February was cold and we wavered on whether to go, but 10 people started out at 2:30pm heading for Atworth Farm Shop (known asNeston).   We rode down Valley Road and though Leafield, up to Neston, turn right for Chapel Plaister then left at Chapel Plaister, left at the main road and then left into the Farm shop for tea.

It's an inspiring experience and the air was thick with ideas on themed riders - Single speeds - Tandems - Choose a Bike from Spindles - It's not just about nerdy bike things, its the joy of the open road  Next ride  Saturday March 30th.

The age ranges went from 9 through to 70+ and it turned out to be very sociable.  Two Jims, two Bens, a Nick, Edgar, Josh, Mole, Tim and Alistair, here are the starters.

Then we had Edgar and Jim with his tricycle

Josh with his own build - Carbon alloy combination with Campag - Shimano components

A Close-Up

The other Jim's 8 speed Charge

Spindles Ride

On the 23rd of Feb we will pack up early and go for a ride to a tea shop - weather permitting.  Join us for a ride starting at 2.00pm at Corsham Community Centre- hope to finish about 4.30pm - watch this space.

Ken's classic Italian Racer

 Ken came in on Saturday to show us his Italian classic Racer of the 1980s made from Columbus tubing.  Its a stunning machine with fantastic lug work that provides a strong finish.  The frame was built in his garden shed and the whole bike weighs less than 20lbs.  There are a number of modern compromises to the not least of which is the chain-set that has a practical 50/36 coupled with the wide ratio 6 speed cluster and the pedals.  The components are nearly all Campagnolo.  Ken is looking for some period Campag shifters of the 80 vintage to replace the existing 60s model.
More information will follow.  Enjoy the images

bikes stolen in Bristol area

Got a report of 4 bikes stolen and we have pictures for 3
Viper Fujitif Carbon (white), it's a full susser with flexi carbon chain stays, it currently only has a single-ring (red) up front, 36 tooth, and no front changer. Mix of Hope & Goodridge steel braided brake hose. Rear gear cable is Nokon. Ergon carbon grips. Rockshox Reba Team. Time Pedals. Hope Mono Mini disk brakes. Mavic 717 rims on black Hope Pro 2 hubs. Fox RP3 shock.



Giant TCR 2 Composite (black). This pic was taken when new, it hasn't changed at all other than I put on some Red Look Carbon pedals from earlier 90s. Oh, new Vittoria tyres, white/black tread, and new SwissStop brake blocks.



Unbranded Titanium (brushed titanium) - has two sprockets on the rear but it is a singlespeed doesn't have the green tyres any more, they are back to the standard black. Most unusual is the two cogs on the rear but only one is in use at any one time. Hope Headset in red. Rockshox Sidi Team forks. Mavic Crossmax SL wheelset.


Haven't found pictures of silver Raleigh woman's style silver MTB yet

Tall bikes 1600 miles

I want one!

Train ‘n Wheels: Caltrain Threatens the Perfect Commute

I came across this article about bikes on trains which our train operators could take note of the picture below
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/10/bikes-on-board/

The American experience

The american experience of the bicycle.  3 eclectic views from america on bikes, transport and good design

A view from Portland



Gerorina Terry designs and builds bikes for Woman and is completely self taught



This guy is surprisingly good and his message gets better and more comprehensive and inspiring as it continues.

Why we shouldn't bike with helmets

This talk add to the helmet debate.  I must declare that I only ware a helmet when riding in icy conditions or may be in a city.  The arguments presented here are compelling

Why bicycles do not fall down

I came across this TEDx talk about the stability of bicycles and its brilliant.
This could have a profound affect on the development of the bicycle

Two MBs on a cold day

I decided to build up a single speed Cannondale and a geared Marin.  The Marin is a standard 3x7 however we did not have any suitable MB forks so I put a 700c pair in which works rather well.

The Cannondale frame has been around as long as spindles.  The frame is fantastic as are all Cannondale frames of this vintage.  However if is was to be geared then a considerable amount of money would be needed to justify the frame.  Hence the single speed idea and it works.