The Bike That Phill Built: Cassette

The cassette is a fancy name for the rear sprocets of a bike - it is also known as a block, cluster or freewheel (or so I'm told). I was ready to spend a bit of money on what I thought would be an expensive piece of equipment. However I received advice that in reality the expensive cassettes do not offer a huge advantage over the cheaper ones - and so I didn't splurge on this component.

Rear Sprockets - on a chair

Ideally I was looking for a nine speed. This allows for a range of gears necessary for me to coast at good speeds on flats and downhills, and also be able to attack fairly steep slopes with ease. The ten speeds tend to erode chains due to rubbing from the extreme angles created when running in either the easiest and hardest possible gearing combiniations, and the extra speed I may be able to coax out of my bike is simply not worth this issue.

The back of the cassette. You can see the spider crossing in the middle

Another aspect of the cassette sprockets that relates to the number of cogs is size of the cogs, ie how many teeth I wanted on each cog. The more teeth the larger the cog and the harder the gear (or easier, I always forget which is which). I opted for the 11-32 (11 teeth on the smallest and 32 on the largest) because it was available.

A profile shot with a hand model. You can tell just by looking at the hand that its owner must be HOT!

LastlyI had to take into account is what I could actually fit onto the bike. The hubs that I purchased with my wheels do not allow for 10-speed cassettes, and it also could not be a threaded cassette (as in like a screw has threads). I have a feeling this is kind of standard but I was careful all the same.

Number of Sprockets	9-speed HyperGlide
Sprocket Material	steel
Sprocket Finish	Chrome/Nickel
Chain Compatibility	Super Narrow HG
Average Weight	282g
Option 1	11-28T (bg-group)
Sprocket Sizes	11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32
Titanium Sprockets

The cassette slips easily onto the rear hub...

There is a mention of HyperGlide in the specs. My understanding is that this is a Shimano initiative that is now standard across all brands. It has the teeth ramped in such a way that it allows for smoother transition of the chain from one cog to the next.

Bit by bit it is starting to resemble a bike

SLX Cassette Sprocket = $89.10

Total
Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
Handlebars $135
Headset $ 77.50
Cassette $ 89.90

$1896.40

The Bike that Phill Built: Water bottle Cages

A gift I received from Byron on my B'day - I was deadset paraniod I would leave the in the pub. Fortunately they made it home and now I will never be thirsty whilst riding my bicycle

Also known as water bottle thingies these will be fine additions to my superbike

A quick check of the frame set specs and you will see it is specifically mentioned to have 'braze -ons' for mounting two water bottle thingies.

To be honest you could fit a nice bottle of wild turkey in those.

It was a great idea for a gift and most importantly it doesn't add anything to my running total.

Yes, they'll attach nicely - and combined with my vodka hydration pack and beer helmet I should be all set.

Birthday Bash

Once again we returned to ONeil's and half price drinks ($3.00 pints) to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately exams sucked a few people from the delightful evening, but this didn't stop the rest of us from having ball.

Elise and I sharing a moment - it seems I may have had a wee bit to drink by this stage

Much to my surprise I received a knock on my door at 6 or 7pm on the Thursday 11th and in piled Dave, Anthea, and Bart with beer in hand. After many good chuckles we headed down to the local bowling club for dinner and trivia where we met Pete.

Dave and Anthea - somehow everytime I get drunk with Anthea something eventful happens!

After getting suitably thumped we caught a cab to O'Neils where Elise was waiting for us with her pa. Soon after Pinko and Jen turned up, ready for a few cold drinks after their hard session training at rugby and soccer respectively. Phil Byron turned up later with a thoughtful gift.

Pinko, Jen, and Phil the bike mechanic.

Adam trundled by after a quiet night at Action. Being a good bloke he offered to give me a lift into town which ended being a lift home due to some miscommunication and extreme inebriation. Thanks to all who popped in to help my celebrate a most special day. Importantly I didn't return home to find my motorbike vandalised like last year.

The Bike that Phill Built: Headset

The headset is a small, yet expensive mechanism that allows for the smooth turning of the front wheel. They are extremely important because this is the single area on your bike where the most shock is experienced by the smallest amount of surface. A cheap headset will need the bearings to be repeatedly replaced.

A headset - its only 2.9 cm high!

I looked a few different brands but finally decided on the cane creek S8 B11e. I had to make sure the headset was a threadless 1-1/8" (from frame specs).

size	1 1/8 in. (28.6 mm)
material	6061 T-6 Aluminum
weight	99.4 g (excl. spacers and preload assembly)
upper bearing	Stainless Steel ACB

The headset pulled apart, the back row is the lower cup and front row the upper cup - from the right to left we have the casing, cartridge bearings (silver circular thingies), a seal to stop dirt and muck, and finally some sort of lid

This piece will have to be put on professsionally as the top of the fork needs to be cut to size and the fitting of the headset is very technical.

This is where the headset will be installed

This little sucker is worth over $200 but I scoured Ebay and found a brand new headset for $77.50 including postage and handling. Once it arrived i had it checked by Phil Byron to ensure I wasn't ripped off by a counterfeit. Apparently its Kosher (there were official stamps on the bearings)!

The full model

Cane Creek S8 Headset B11e = $77.50

Total
Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
Handlebars $135
Headset $77.50
$1806.50

The Bike That Phill Built: Handlebars

There's not too much to handlebars and I just took recommendation from one of MalAdjusted many experts.

Not a MalAdjusted expert

I took it for a 'testride' on one of their store bikes. The handlebars are 42cm drop downs and quite lightweight. Most notably they flare out near the bottom allowing for a more comfortable wrist position.

Testriding Bond's invisibike - a gadget yet to make its debut

This can be compared to the angled handlebars of touring motorbikes (Harleys, Shadows, V-Twins etc) as opposed to straight bars found on most road bikes (any bike I've owned, Pinko's GS, etc). There are also small bumps on the bottom of the bars which are supposed to be ergonomic

BELL LAP BAR

• Designed for cyclocross use
• 7075-T6 aluminum
• 12° flared drops and larger bends
• Anatomic bend, double-groove
• 26.0 or 31.8mm clamp, 42-46cm sizes
• 144mm drop, 82mm reach
• Black bead-blast finish

This little beauty caught me by surprise to at a hefty $135. I thought that included everything to attach it to the bike but I was very, very wrong (this will happen a lot). I also need to purchase a stem (read: pissweak piss of metal to attach handlebars to forks). Next on the agenda is the headset, a very important ball bearing kit that allows the forks to turn smoothly in the frame (notice how on my bike the forks aren't attached yet).

The headset should join the fork and frame, then I can get the bike standing up!

Salsa Bell Lap Bar = $135

Total
Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
Handlebars $135
$1729

Next is the Headset. this piece of equipment is quite complex and I assumed it was simple and just part of the handlebars too. Ooops!

The Bike that Phill Built: Wheels

My second purchase for the bike was a set of wheels - there were three components I had to consider:
1. The rims
2. The spokes
3. The hubs
Once these were picked I had the option of putting the wheel together myself or allowing professionals to do it for me. In the end I opted for the professionals after research into the process. Installing spokes and than adjusting spoke tension is highly involved and I decided that after this bike is finished I can pull apart the wheels on my old bike.

I'm smiling as I'm yet to see the price - honestly who would have thought wheels could be so expensive. On the upside the store threw in rim tape for free

1. The rims I chose were an Australian brand known as Velocity. They produce extremely high quality wheel, but due to the fact their Australian they are not well known. The rim size is 700c (29") and is standard for touring bikes - as far as I know its the largest wheel diameter. The rim I chose is called the DYAD and is shown below. Its made slightly wider than usual rims suiting loaded touring. While its not the lightest rim available its the far from the heaviest and it offers the strength necessary for long distance rides.

700C BSD: 622
Weight: 480g
ERD: 596

Black

2. Spokes are a little less involved, really all I had to decide on was how may. The more spokes there are the more weight the wheels can hold without buckling - esp. on rough roads/tracks, however they do add overall weight and this is an easy, nonexpensive area to cut down on weight. I was planning on having 28 spokes front and 32 back but in the end I took the advice of Phil Byron, my bike mechanic, and ordered 32 spokes front and back (in case I decide on front panniers on day).

3.Hubs were decided for me when I jumped on the net and realised how much they were. I allowed for Velocity to install their stock (space sealed cartridge bearing) hubs. The job of the hubs is to allow the wheels to turn freely without picking up grit, and this is what the rear sprockets attach too so the hubs I choose can limit the gearing system options. These allow for 9-speed cassettes which is ideal. You can also check the Rear Dropouts from the first post - this spacing was crucial towards allowing the hubs I wanted to allow the sprockets I want.

The bike so far - not much to it...yet

Velocity DYAD 700c wheel set $550 - (10%) = $495
Due to my project I am now getting 10% off all purchases
Total

Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
$1594

The Bike that Phill Built

I've moved on from houses - now I'm builing a bike. After mcuh discussion with a bike mechanic friend of mine (whose name is also Phillip - you might remember him from such entries as Trailwalker 2008) I was advised that it is much more expensive to build one than buy one - but I don't care! Who needs to worry about money during a financial crisis. I've done much background study and I have decided to order my bike piece buy piece. When a new part comes in, I'll order another. It will be a touring machine!!!! Seriously - How hard can it be?

Excuse me! Sir! Mr Bike assisstant - what the hell are these? I bought a frameset, how do these belong to the frame?

The first thing I order was the frameset. This was quite a tough decision that took a bit of research but I finally decided upon a Surly Cross Check in brown (the most ugly colour, but I'm not purchasing for looks.

This is my frame and in baby shit brown - my favourite colour

This is a 52 inch frame that built for options - if I want it I can put it on (nearly). the only thing I can't have are disc brakes, but after mcuh deliberation I decided I'm not going to purchase disc brakes (not necessary) so why extra for a frame that supports them?

I will be transforming this...

...into this

(except way cooler!)

Specs

Tubing:	100% Surly 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded
Rear dropouts:	Semi-horizontal dropouts with adjusters give you single-speed compatibility and wheel base adjustability. Our Gnot-rite spacing (132.5mm) allows you to run 130mm road hubs and 135mm MTB hubs
Braze-ons:	Bosses front and rear to take cantilever or linear-pull brakes, eyelets at the dropouts, rear rack bosses, dual water bottle mounts, downtube shifter bosses
Seatpost diameter:	27.2mm
Seatpost clamp diameter:	30.0mm, Surly Constrictor included
Headset:	1-1/8" threadless
Bottom bracket:	68mm wide, standard English threaded 1.37x24t
Tire clearance:	Fatties Fit Fine (FFF) stays and our beautiful slope-crowned custom fork provide room for tires up to 700 x 45 with mud and fender clearance. For real!
Chainring clearance:	Manipulated stays so you can fit the size rings you want. Go nuts
Color:	Beef Gravy Brown
Weight:	56cm = 4.88 lbs (2.2 kg) Fork - uncut = 2.19 lbs (.99 kg)

Confused at all these specs? Never fear as I go through and purchase new stuff I describe how it all fits in.
And finally the running cost of it all - the economic setback couldn't have come at a worse time for my little project adding a cool $300 to the cost of the frame (compared to last years model)

Surly Cross Check Frame Set $1099

Next I gotta get me some wheels!

Finals Pressure

For five consecutive years yours truly has guided the Fenner girls to a Softball GrandFinal. Although never lacking in talent, the players of all the teams I have coached have possessed a range of experience. One of Fenner's attributes has been the experienced nuturing the inexperienced through their first season so that when the inexperienced play again next year they can pass on their acquired knowledge.

Bec becomes opening batter after a steller preseason - the crusher of spirits she is personally responsible for many of our victories

In 2009 Fenner went undefeated to the finals, - a big hitting team that intimidated all opponents with sheer strength of bat,

Kristine steps up to the plate - our star pitcher who also holds a coveted home run hitter spot.

but unfortunately for the fifth consecutive year Fenner Hall has exited the competition in second place.

Flick makes a succesful play to first. A new recruit along with Kristine who takes the field at shortstop, a position reserved the best fielder. She also steps in to bat at #3 as my biggest hitter.

A hard fough final against eventual champions Burgmann 10-9, it was a game that came down to the final second last better with last out coming just after the final run was scored.

Super coach or super dud? Five consecutive losses in five consecutive grand finals. Maybe its time I changed lucky caps?

In other news the Fenner Rugby League team made the grand final for the first time in about a decade. After taking an early lead against favourites John XXIII the boys were severly disappointed to enter the second half at 6 all. This one eyes supporter believes that Johns may have had an extra man on the field dressed as a referee after witnessing some terribly inconsistant calls and nasty high tackles. However after what was a close game until the last ten minutes Fenner finally lost to a rugby team that has won the last 8 GF by a substantial amount.