Commuting with the Brooks Cambium

With the Randomuter (aka Surly Cross Check) in the shop for maintenance I rode Ciao Bella (aka Bianchi San Jose) to work on Tuesday however one change was made to the bike.  My Brooks Cambium Saddle has been sitting idle after trying it on my mountain bike so why not try it on the Bianchi.  I figured with the shorter distances that I usually ride on this bike it would be perfect for my fourth point of contact and it is!  That or it's finally starting to break in but that is pretty hard to tell.

We have a Winner!

I usually don't sign up for online contests but when it's biking relating I always throw caution to the wind and go for it.   A couple of weeks ago, I checked out this FB page from Kitsbow that one of my mountain biking buddies "liked" and filled out their entry form for a Brooks saddle give-a-way and I won!  I have never won anything like this before and it couldn't have come at a better time because I have been looking for a new saddle for my Cross Check!  

 

I have had a love hate relationship with Brooks saddles having tried 3 or 4 different saddles over the last 10 years and never found that Goldilocks saddle!  The Fi'zi:k saddle was sweet but when I placed my fourth point of contact on the Brooks Cambium I almost came to tears!  It's like in The Last Samurai and Katsumto's last dying words are when he sees the falling Cherry Blossom petals before him:  "Perfect. They... are all... perfect..." 

This saddle is perfect!  I haven't even ridden on it yet but I can tell from just the first sit that it's going to be wonderful to ride.  It's so flexible and yet supportive, not too stiff (like the B-17) and not too squishy (like the B-66 or Racer), just right!  Once again, a big THANK YOU to Kitsbow!  I will definitely be buying some of their products in the near future and not because I won the saddle.  Check out their webiste:  Kitsbow -Mountain Bike Wear-.  They have some truly innovative cycling gear.

Kitsbow Longsleeve All Mountain Jersey

I like their Long Sleeve Mountain Jersey with the side pockets instead of back pockets because a majority of mountain bikers, including myself, wear a hydration pack and reaching into the back pocket with the pack back there is always a pain, but on the sides is perfect.  Also perfect for a phone or a camera.  Of course the perfect combination would be zippered side pockets and back pockets that would cover all disciplines such as cold weather roadies, singlespeed mountain bike racers, and Gravel Grinders!

The Friday Fix: My Favorite Fixed Gear Commuter

Finally had some good lighting to take some pictures of the Stinson. I can't get over how smooth this bike rides and can't wait to ride it again. The only thing I am going to add to it is fenders.

I also have to loose the red bottle cage, just have to stop by the LBS and get a yellow one.

The FUBars are back and really fit well with the bike.

48:17, not quite a 3:1 ratio but pretty close and according to Sheldon, that's 77 gear inches! Compared to the Bridgestone (42:16) which was 68 gear inches, I can definitely tell the difference.

At first I thought the Brooks was a little hard but my butt is now getting used to it. It looks really nice on the bike.

Day 13: Life without my Edge; laps at the Racebrook Tract

I got a buyer for the 'Stone from Craigslist and planned on meeting him in Orange at 9 AM, so I got up at 5:30 AM Saturday morning and headed down to the Racebrook Tract to test out the Qball with some new equipment. After two weeks, I think who ever found my GPS has decided to keep it. Looks like I am going to have to replace it because as you can probably tell I am having some withdrawl issues.

For one, just look at the map above. That's the quality you get from the GPSMAP60 unfortunately. Granted In comparisson to the map I made earlier this year. Clearly this GPS is not made to record points as fast as the Edge and that is probably why the quality of the tracks are so low. I did, however, mount an odometer on the Qball but I am not sure how accurate it is. My wheel and tire size wasn't listed in the chart so I measured it out manually and punched in the values. I probably need to test it out on the road and see how accurate it is indeed.

Still on the fence whether I will be doing any more races this year. Not because of an ailments or injuries, rather time. The only free weekend I have at the moment for a race is the Landmine Classic but that is a long one and I really need to start training for it. So that's what I did today here at the Racebrook Tract. I don't think Wompatuck is flat as this place but it was good to get out and get some miles in.

Pictured above is this four point buck that I came upon under the power lines. I stopped to take a picture of him and we was looking at me the whole time and twitching his tail. I got the feeling that he was trying to decide whether to charge me or flee. His lady was off to the right nibbling on some berries.

Never saw any other mountain bikers on the trail but I was there in case they needed help, wearing my Trail Ambassador jersey. Of course by the end of the ride, it was a little muddy. The section in Woodbridge was well drained, still greasy, but really good overall, but everything else was still kind of sloppy.

First time riding with B66 was great, although it started out like I was planning on getting rid of it after the first mile. It just felt off, that is until I raised the seatpost another inch and that made all the difference! It creaks alot but it provided some nice cushion.

I picked up another Brooks Saddle the other day, a brown leather Brooks Professional that I put on the Stinson. Have not tested it out but I am sure it will be different. Still I love the classic look of these saddles. I did end up selling the 'Stone and now I am fixed gear-less! I am in the process of building up the Stinson and I might have it ready for Monday's commute. If not, looks like I will be riding the 'Goose.

Brooks B66 on the Qball

Did a little work on the Qball this weekend. Went back to the Bonty 2.2 in the rear and the tube inside is a Flat Attack.

Apparently, there is some Stan's like goop inside so that if a puncture occurs, it will self seal. I was a little skeptical thinking the tube was going to weigh a ton, not that I am a weight weenie, but when I got it on the scale, I was shocked!

Only a four ounce difference! The tube weighs as much as the fluid contents of my can of beer! Now that the Fixation is gone the only bike I have now for reconning new trails is the Qball and this tube is perfect for that. Of course, doing Bike Maintenace with a frosty PBR and listening to Led Zeplin is heaven!

I got the B66 with the Stinson and wasn't sure whether I really wanted it or not. I put it up on Craigslist for $100 to see if anyone would bite. One guy low balled me at $40 (that's what I paid for it) but I responded that I would take $75. The guy actually said yes and before I let it go I tried it out on the Stinson and it wasn't bad so I told him I decided to keep it. He understood.

The other day, I picked up another Brooks, a Professional, which I think is a B68 for Stinson and decided to try the B66 on the Qball. After a few test spins in the driveway and a few adjustments later, I decided that it would be perfect.

If I turn the Qball into a Monster Cross, this saddle will really complement the bike.

1998 Marin Stinson

Last fall I saw this cool looking bike at the Bicycle Goodie Shop in Bethel with a Brooks Saddle on it that was in for repairs.  Linda, the shop owner, told me that the rear internal hub couldn't be repaired and that the owner was now looking to sell the bike but of course what caught my eye was the Saddle.  When I first asked the price was way too much for a bike that was basically broken and didn't include the Brooks.

On Wednesday of this past week I happened into the shop and saw that the bike was still there and the owner throught the seller might come down on the price.  Got his number and made an offer which he didn't like.  I left him my name and number and said to call me if he reconsiders.  Six hours later, he did, and for a little extra he through in the Brooks B66 saddle!  

This bike is the perfect platform for fixed gear commuter/cross bike.  Originally, I was going to convert the Qball into a Monster Crosser, assuming I could sell the Fetish Fixation and find a 29er frame.  That could still happen but for now I have a 700c fixed gear conversion to work on and this will be the perfect fixed gear commuter, which means I have to sell the Bridgestone as well.

Here are the specs according to Bikepedia:

Bicycle Type	Hybrid
Sugg Retail	$379.00
Weight	Unspecified
Sizes	13.5", 15.5", 17.5", 19", 20.5", womens 17.5"
Colors	Matte forest green

Frame & ForkFrame ConstructionTIG-weldedFrame Tubing MaterialTange chromolyFork Brand & ModelRST 800Fork MaterialAluminum/chromoly, triple-clamp crownRear ShockNot applicable

Components
Component Group	Shimano Nexus
Brakeset	Shimano Nexus Roller brake brakes, Shimano Nexus levers
Shift Levers	Shimano Nexus
Front Derailleur	Not applicable
Rear Derailleur	Not applicable
Crankset	Aluminum, 44 teeth
Pedals	Resin
Bottom Bracket	Shimano BB-CS11, 116mm spindle
BB Shell Width	68mm English
Rear Cogs	4-speed internal, 19 teeth
Chain	KMC UG-50, 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost	Aluminum micro-adjust, 27.0mm diameter
Saddle	Marin Comfort
Handlebar	Aluminum, 2" rise
Handlebar Extensions	Not included
Handlebar Stem	Aluminum
Headset	1" Victor VP-H67

Wheels
Hubs	Front: Shimano Altus, Rear: Shimano Nexus Roller brake
Rims	Alex VP-18F, 36-hole
Tires	700 x 38c Marin Lite
Spoke Brand	Steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Nipples	Brass nipples

Now I have to take the rear wheel off and see if I can convert that to a fixed gear or do I need another rear wheel.  Also have to take off the drive train cover and count teel on the front ring.  According to Bikepedia, it's a 44t upfront.  If that is the case, I am saved, if not I have to find a new crankset.  I am thinking Nitto flared drops.  One break and fixed of course.