Friday, January 7, 2011

Latest Project

Yesterday I received a box from Velo Orange - there were a couple of specials they offered that I could not pass up.

I've been thinking about re-fendering my Tricross again - several years ago I had plastic fenders that cracked. Velo Orange had a set of their own 48mm fluted aluminum fenders. They advertize them as being heavier than the Honjo fenders they stock, which, in my book, is good. Maybe they'll last a little longer?


The nice thing about these fenders is they are pre-drilled in the right places, so mounting was easy (I suppose about as easy as mounting fenders gets).

I like the new bling. But I may have emasculated the tricross. I could have used the fenders on my ride home yesterday. The highway crews were out in force yesterday afternoon spreading sand, some of which my front tire kicked up and got in my eye. Not anymore!

Maybe not the rough-and-tumble life this beast was built to live, but it gets lots of love.

I also ordered a compact crank that was on sale for a ridiculously low price. I may put this on the Kuwahara, or maybe the Trek. I haven't decided.If I put it on the Trek, that could spark a whole series of upgrades I'm not ready for.

Well, now you know what I'll be thinking about for the next week.

Happy riding!

13 comments:

Steve A said...

Perhaps it is just me, but I think those fenders would go better on the Tricross if you painted them a flat or semi gloss black. They'd still work just as good, but the shiny silver doesn't fit the Tricross personality.

Alternately, coat them with black, spray-on Plastidip.

rlove2bike said...

The fenders look cool. New stuff seems to peak the interest no matter what the hoby...at least it does for me.

Jon said...

I looked at those cranks, for an upcoming project, but I decided to go with a triple.

Those sure are pretty, though.

Pondero said...

There's a man who knows how to say "yes" to opportunity. Well done.

TrevorW�� said...

Always good to get new 'stuff' for your bikes.
As rlove2bike says it can really rekindle an interest whatever the hobby

Trevor

Big Oak said...

Steve - I know, I debated. Not being an aesthete, I went for the bling. My Amish neighbors might like the black plastic dip, though.

Steve A said...

I looked at the photos more closely. My Tricross lacks a drilled hole bracing the seat stays that yours has and which you used for the important upper attachment. Would your rear fender be stable enough without that attachment? The ridges on the fenders do look like they help even with less attachment. Just idle curiosity, you understand.

On the other hand, I DID have an SKS fender that failed recently...

GreenComotion said...

Congrats on the new, very nice looking fenders!
Peace :)

Big Oak said...

Steve - no, without the seat stay brace there would be no lateral stability for the top of the fender. You could rig some type of support, if needed. I am guessing you have the carbon frame - my frame is aluminum with the carbon fork.

Doug said...

I've always have used Planet Bike fenders. I switched this last fall to some VO fenders on my cross bike commuter and I love 'em. The beefy stays really cut down on the wobble that I used to get on the PB fenders.

MELI. said...

a shining way to start the year! awesome, I could never ride without fenders in the city...the urban streets are always raining of surprises ya never know... ;-)
hppy 2011! xxomeli

Big Oak said...

meligrosa - Happy New Year to you, too!

Apertome said...

Looks great, I have more-or-less the same fenders, and love them. I did have a crack develop in one, but I mounted its replacement better, and haven't had that problem again.