Stupid Hurts

So I decided a bit back that I wanted another [tag]fixed[/tag] [tag]gear[/tag] [tag]bike[/tag] to replace my [tag]langster[/tag] that was sold while I was in the [tag]hospital[/tag]. I almost bought another one of the same bike, but they are amazingly hard to come by in this part of the world. So after a bit of research I decided it would be best to [tag]build[/tag] my own [tag]fixie[/tag] this time.

I started by hunting up an interesting [tag]frame[/tag]. I came across a steel [tag]Italian[/tag] time trial frame that was odd enough to make a good start for a build.

I figured while I was waiting for parts to start coming in for it I would go ahead and sew up a top tube pad to match my bag.

Given my predilections for things that are odd or interesting means I have to put up with making things myself or special ordering stuff. This time was was no different than the others. While I was able to pull several parts from my big box of spare parts I keep lying around. Several things either had to be special ordered or found hidden in a box under a self at one of the local bike shops.

But even that being the case, the build has managed to come together fairly smoothly and well under budget. I have had loads of fun doing the research and hunting down the parts. The wheels had to be custom built to keep the overall project cheap.

It almost ready to be ridden. Today I went into my local bicycle shop to pick up my tires. Unfortunately they had to be special ordered as well. When I got there they told me “we are sorry they aren’t in yet, and we don’t know when they are coming in.” After a bit of talking, I found out that the $14 dollar tires I had ordered had no estimated time of arrival but they would gladly sell me some $45 dollar tires to ride on until mine came in. I chose to pass.

So I have spent most of my free time since New Years learning how to machine [tag]sew[/tag]. I can hand sew decently well, but the machine expereince is completely new to me. But it is loads of fun, currently I am working on a new [tag]messenger[/tag] [tag]bag[/tag].[thumb:425:c] I have also been taking advantage of this opportunity to try something a little more ambitious than my last bag and doing a little [tag]embroidery[/tag] on the flap . Eventually it will have a kind of rising sun thing going on there.
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[tag]Pockets[/tag] are fun!
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I have also managed to patch up all my torn up jeans, and as [tag]Martha[/tag] [tag]Stewart[/tag] said “That is a good thing.”