The Bike That Phill Built: Saddle

The saddle is an all important bit that will offer the support necessary for my delicate buttchecks whilst peddling for hours on end. Upon seeking advice I was told that each person has a unique bum and as such a bit of trial and error is essential. Further research from a friend alerted me to the fact that a big soft looking saddle doesn't always mean a more comfortable ride.

Satisfying yes...

I test rode a quite small and narrow saddle - the Selle Italia Flite Max Gel Flow (its quite expensive) - but it caused my right testicle to ache after 10 kms or so on the road.
I then tried this saddle - the WTB rocket (team black). Comfortable and yet affordable.

Its the colour that makes it so comfortable

black

240g

leather | flex-tuned shell | comfort zone | dna padding | kevlar corners

Saddle = $63 (including 10% discount)

Total
Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
Handlebars $135
Headset $ 77.50
Cassette $ 89.90
Crankset $198.02
Rear Derailleur $108
Brakes $86.38
Front Derailleur $54
Seat Post $54
Brake Levers $45
Handlebar Tape $22.60
Tubes $12.60
Tyres $71.95
Chain $31.50
Pedals $58.45
Shifters $153.00
Stem $36
Saddle $63

$2890.90

The Bike That Phill Built: Stem

The stem is a piece of equipment that is attached to the front forks via the headset and also holds the handle bars in place. I don't have a close up of my stem but the important aspects are its length - as this dictates how far forward you lean whilst riding, and its bar bore - which needs to be the correct size of the handle bars. My handlebars require a 31.8mm clamp. It also had to match my fork width and I wanted a road stem to suit my drop down handlebars. I bought a Token Matrix Stem.

A picture of my stem sourced from the net

Once I had the stem I took my bike into Maladjusted and they attached the headset for me (this was a procedure that is best done with the proper equipment). The result is shown below!

One happy Gatt and his frame

Bar Bore: Ø31.8mm

Steerer Clamp Dia.: Ø28.6mm

Angle: ±8°

Titanium bolts or Cromo Bolts for options

Extension: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130mm

Stem = $36 (including 10% discount)

Total
Frame Set $1099+
Wheel Set $ 495
Handlebars $135
Headset $ 77.50
Cassette $ 89.90
Crankset $198.02
Rear Derailleur $108
Brakes $86.38
Front Derailleur $54
Seat Post $54
Brake Levers $45
Handlebar Tape $22.60
Tubes $12.60
Tyres $71.95
Chain $31.50
Pedals $58.45
Shifters $153.00
Stem $36

$2827.90

The end of an elastic era

For years I have possessed a remarkable ability to, at full pace whilst carrying heavy backpacks, fall upon either of my ankles and shrug off the injury. My ligaments behaved like rubber bands and would spring back in place with barely a change in my stride.

This all changed on Monday night when out on a light jog I managed to snap two ligaments in my right ankle, forever reducing my seemingly inherent joint flexiblity. Now I hobble like a cripple as I throw money to the local physio in an attempt to return my ankle to its former strength. Most disturbingly this has happened just weeks before the the hotly contested RSC cricket match.

Success in 2009

In an unbleivable effort by our Resident's committe Fenner was able to pull in

2nd in the Interhall Sports Shield

and for the first time in eight years

1st in the Interhall Arts Shield -

we came first in every arts event except talent night (3rd) and Theatre Sports (last). This year I was a member of two teams - the winning pool (8-ball) team and I entered the talent show in the non-musical category conducting a science show in which I set myself on fire (don't try this at home kids).

Road Relay 2009

Road relay is a running event held at ANU between the Halls and Colleges. Eight legs consisting of four 1500m circuits and four 3000m circuits are completed by four males and four females from each university residence. Last year Fenner came 3rd in an amazingly close finish involving Bruce and Burgmann. This year we turned up with a stronger team and hoped to push for a second place finish. We started well and entrenched ourselves in third place by the fourth leg (that's me).

Here I am coming in to the finish.

Once again running the 3km leg I moved myself from anchor to fourth runner to help ensure the other colleges couldn't catch us. I wiped 10 seconds off my personal best with a time of 10mins 15secs.

A photo taken about two seconds later; yes it does look like I'm about to cry, and yes I wanted to.

Unfortunately we were unable to catch John's who finished in second 2mins ahead of us, or Burgmann who had a team of super heros and finished 2 mins ahead of Johns. Our second consecutive thrid place in Road Relay is a nice change from three years ago which was our fourth consecutive last place. It also enabled us to finish second on the Sports shield, the highest we have ever finished in my long time at University.

The 2009 Road Relay Team: Buddee, Tani, Me, Martyn, Jusatin, Tara, Flick, Michelle