Thursday, April 2, 2015

Bike Syracuse

Bike Syracuse is an association that "provides a sense of belonging while working with the whole child building physical fitness, academic achievement, and self-discipline while having fun. Our program includes tutoring, excursions to parks, museums and races, participation in community and cultural events and breakfast and lunch on Saturdays. The bicycle is a tool that we use to encourage children to race after all kinds of dreams. It draws out the children's strength and courage, and challenges their fear". 



You can contact Bike Syracuse there: Contact

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Meanwhile in France...

Let's see what my brother Stéphane is doing across the Atlantic:





Oh! Snap! He's got his own thing going! He's good!

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Zebrakenko Upgrade



Got that old Japanese Zebrakenko lightweight 10 speeds classic road bike. Tires are busted, there's some rust, some dirt, handlebar tape is worn and faded:


First I removed all the derailleurs, brakes, cables, as well as the small chainwheel. Then I rebuilt the back wheel, changing the classic five cogs hub for a 120mm Velosteel one speed coaster hub from the Czech Republic:


The new hub came with an 18t sprocket, which was too small for the big 52t front chainwheel. So I changed it for a 21t Surly sprocket.


The new sprocket has the right threading, but is a 1/16" too thick, so I filed it down with a belt sander until it was exactly 1/4".


New rim strip:


A good cleaning:


Then I flipped the handlebar and cut it into bulhorns. Put new tubes and tires, wrapped the bulhorn in handlebar tape, changed the chain for a thicker one, tying everything in red color: 




Tuesday, March 3, 2015