Bikes, Biking, Biker

Not in a real hurry to fix these bikes. I'd rather wait, do it slowly, then become extremely frustrated. I have many bike specific tools, but am waiting on some cable pullers/4th hand to work on the brake cables on a couple of these bikes. I grew up "winging" it with tools because we didn't have the proper tool or it was "not where it was supposed to be", so I know the frustration of not having the proper tool, and not having it handy. I'll wait.... (whistling and tapping my fingers). It's also been extremely hot, so I'm ok. It's just now dipping into the 90s and occasionally 80s :O So, since currently, My Schwinn, SchwinnFo, GT, and Trek, are not in working order, I'm taking my Huffy to a nearby trail for some much needed trail riding - both paved and dirt. There's much to be said for a simplistic, comfort, one-speed cruiser!

Initially my intent was to fix up my bikes and make some videos as I was doing so, to help other people. Well, after watching several videos, there are some pretty knowledgeable people out there, and you don't need me. Although, I've found some to be bogus, and most of them contradict each other. I say "bogus" because one guy is supposedly straightening out a wobbly wheel, does all these adjustments, and the wheel is still wobbly, and he's like "Look! I fixed it!" NOT. He does the same thing in another video where he makes V-Brake adjustment look easy. Again, NOT fixed! I found his videos to be helpful in other ways, however, like when it came to some of the specialty tools that are available, that I didn't know about, some that I did, but just never splurged for them. So, as I am STILL having issues with the darn brakes, not just on the SchwinnFo bike, but the Trek as well, and undoubtedly will continue, as I have never quite gotten the knack of adj...

Every time I think that a bike is set to go, something else comes up. So here it is... Got both front and rear tires and wheels cleaned up from the over 25 yr old crumbled Mr. Tuffy tube protectors on the Trek 930. Replaced the tubes, tube protectors, and remounted the wheels. Now the brake cables are slipping and won't tighten up. On the one hand I want to do a complete overhaul of the Trek bike and start from the bottom up. On the other hand, I just want to get it going, and overhaul bits at a time - keeping it in running condition. That, really, is my goal. I really don't want to start from scratch with a non-usable bike. I want to keep it usable... take apart the rear wheel one weekend... ride it the next day... take apart the front wheel...etc. It really does need a complete overhaul... I'm just hoping I can do it the way I want to do it, and not the way it seems to be heading. :O

With help, I got the brakes done. Did a short test ride on the SchwinnFo (Not really "Schwinn", faux Schwinn, Schwinn faux = ScwhinnFo). Disappointed as it isn't nearly as fun to ride as the Huffy. Who'da thought! It just feels unsafe and uncomfortable. Cannot wait for the new Huffy parts (better handlebars and ergonomic grips) to come for the SchwinnFo, but unfortunately, the Huffy warehouse, apparently, is behind on shipments. Hopefully SOON! One thing I also noticed about the slightly wider handlebars, and more gentle curve, is stability. Never even occurred to me, until yesterday, trying to ride the SF with the (slightly) narrower bars. I am somewhat wobbly in my old age, and that bit of "widerness" (lol) helps a great deal! I was in my early 30s when I was racing. I felt that I was in my prime still. Now, I'm 60, and well, not so much my prime, obviously, or I wouldn't have bought a couple of granny bikes, lol. I NEED that stability! (And no, tr...

After stripping the two "Trash bikes", I am now back onto the SchwinnFo (Faux Schwinn = FoSchwinn = SchwinnFo). Adjusted the handlebars and seat to my liking. Added on the pedals. Finished taking off the "wrapping" to find that the back rack was bent up and way over to one side of the bike. The metal on this bike is really thick and sturdy and it's been hard to get that to "push" back. It moved a little bit, but I think I'm going to have to take it off and hammer it. Literally, take a rubber hammer to it. When I put on the front tire, I left the fender off. Just easier to not deal with it. I like the way it looks anyway. Maybe eventually cut the fender to about 6" and just use the frame mount bolt for it. Easier and less in the way than the long fender and wire hangers holding it down at the wheel hub. The fender is very thick and sturdy. Not the cheap thin metal, say, that the Huffy has. I really do like some components on the Huffy though....

So finishing up stripping the two Trash bikes. The Genesis, I took off the derailleur, pedals, chain. The Next bike I got the two tires, one tube was good. The rear wheel had bad bearings so I didn't keep it. The front wheel was wasted. They're ready to go to the bike co-op where they'll be able to salvage the rest.

So I decided that I'm gonna take off some more parts from the otherwise decent Genesis "trash" bike. It's not such a decent bike anymore, now that I've stripped it :O Gonna take off the front derailleur, and possibly the crank set. We'll see. Gotta inspect those teeth. Maybe just take the chain ring guard. Schwinn bike came today. It is all zip tied together, but otherwise is in 5 parts. The frame, rear wheel section and handlebars are one, then the front wheel separate, the seat, the pedals. 5 parts. I was going to do an "unboxing", but the box was almost totally torn to shreds and the easiest way to get the bike in my garage was just to finish tearing open the box and bring the parts in separately. Gonna be doing a video when I actually set it up.