Parts arriving

Loads of Pugsley parts are arriving. Still waiting on the rims to arrive before we can go to powder coat.

The forecast is for 3 days of snow. I'm really looking forward to getting this put together.

Pugsley Build Kit

Now that I have cut off the cantilever studs there is no going back.

I’ve ordered everything I need for the build now using a variety of sources including on-line vendors, my local bike shop, Craigslist and E-Bay.

I wanted to keep the cost under control so I chose a mix of Shimano XT and STX drive train components matched with a pretty unique shifting system that is well suited for the Pugsley. I’m using just the lever from a 9-speed Dura Ace bar-end installed on a Paul "Thumbie" mount that works just like an old school thumb shifter. Unlike Shimano’s complex rapid-fire shifters, which are prone to locking up or refusing to shift in cold weather, thumb shifters are quite reliable in sub-zero temperatures. In case a derailleur is damaged this setup also provides a friction mode that is missing on other Shimano shifters.

I chose the Speedway Cycles rim in a 70mm width. They cost the same as a Large Marge, are a bit wider and quite a bit lighter as the have a 1” hole between each spoke. I’m using a XT rear hub on one wheel and a Surly single speed hub rear hub on the other. Cuz’ Pugsleys don’t have front wheels.

For brakes I’m going to use Avid BB-7 disks with the smallest rotors – 160mm. I originally planned to get the massive 203mm downhill version because the price difference is only $20. But after riding one with smaller brakes the some snow recently and talking to the guy who owns it I think the there is plenty of power and what is really needed in the “limited-traction” environment is more feedback and better control so I got the smallest ones.

I using a Jones H-Bar for this – they seem to be the bar of choice for a Pugsley and work really well with the thumb shifter set up. I’ve got a 120mm Thomson stem and a set of XTR V-brake levers from another bike

I’m still thinking about the finish – I’ve got another few days before all the parts going to powercoat arrive so I have plenty of time. I’ve looked at a lot of white bikes, a lot of camouflage and really haven’t found what I am looking for.

I’ll be working with Spectrum Powercoating in Colorado Springs, CO. They have already done a white/como bike. I looked at it and found the pattern to be a little too organic. I envisioned something more geometric -- like the camo on WW2 ships. I found some of the current USA/USMC digital desert camouflage has a really cool pattern that might be able to translate to a white/silver palette well.

Also on Spectrum’s site is the “Other White Moots” which I really like. The nearly monochromatic effect of silver on white is exactly contrast I am looking for.

So I think I want a three color “digital” pattern using a white base, and light silver and medium silver pattern. The effect should be pretty subtle and only applied to the bottom third of the frame – the fork tips, BB cluster, chain-stays and rear drop-outs.

Pugsley Frame Modifications

Since I'm going to build this bike with disk brakes it really doesn't need the mounts for cantilever brakes -- so I cut them off. I'm going to have the frame powder coated another color anyway so removing the mounts is pretty easy. I started with a 4.5" angle grinder with a thin cutting wheel. then a put in a 80 grit grinding wheel and removed almost all of the old mount. I then uses a small air powered angle-headed die-grinder to remove the last bits. I then used a 12" file the length of the tube to smooth everything out. I finished it with 80 grit Emory cloth. It will take a tiny bit of filler to smooth everything out (that die grinder is a little more aggressive than I thought) but after powder coating everything should be invisible.

Pugsley!

A weekend at Pueblo Motorsports Park

Kathy joined me at the NASA-RM event last weekend -- her first time in the new car. She rode along during three sessions including a practice rolling start and had a pretty good time.

Yes, Its true

The movie "The Hangover" is a funny as everyone says.

Espresso Beans

I buy my Espresso here:

Inteligentsiacoffee.com — Black Cat Espresso, Old Faithful
Stumptowncoffee.com — Hairbender Espresso, My current favorite

Other famous roasters

Vivace — I use both their espressos, this is super traditional Ialian, not my fave.
Blue Bottle — Excellent new roaster, I’ll try them when I get tired of Stumptown.

Local Denver Roasters

Kaladi Brothers, University Blvd. -- Best Local beans
Crowfoot Valley, Castle Rock — Even localer for me.

Super-Z

One of our cats, Zoe a.k.a. Super-Z, is sick. She has a pretty good sized lump on her side. She is going in for surgery this morning to have the lump removed and biopsied.

Good Luck, Z.

Ugghh, Starbucks

This morning, out of desperation, I again gave Starbucks a chance and once again I was disappointed by piss-poor espresso. What I got was a watery, crema-free, and burnt tasting and pretty typical of Starbucks.

I literally can't remember the the last time I had even a tolerable espresso for those jokers. In fact I wonder if I have ever had a tolerable espresso from any Starbucks.

So my quest for good espresso in Philadelphia continues....

Strike Three

I have tried to find good Espresso in Philly since I started coming here two years ago. I thought I finally found pay dirt in Caffe del Academia. They certainly talk a good story and the shop looks promising, but sadly the Baristas are simply too inconsistent. I've had good espresso there a few times but the number of times I've had bad (and often really bad) espresso in likely higher.

This morning was a prime example. The barista pulled for over 40 seconds because she was getting a pastry for another customer durring the pull. I though maybe she knew what she was doing but suspected otherwise. Of course, the espresso was watery and sour. Classic overextraction.

Why is it that there are at least a dozen great espresso shops and there seem to be none here?