Washer debate in wheel building

I have heard both sides in terms of using brass washers at the spoke/hub connection in wheel building

(for washers)
"In order to prevent the play which causes damage, professional
wheelbuilders use brass washers.
The result is a spoke hub joint free of play. You seldom see a
professional wheel without washers."
Gerd Schraener, The Art of Wheelbuilding 

(against washers)
"very thin flanges can lead to spoke breakages. One solution is to use
brass washers as packing between spoke and hub flange. This was common
old old generation hubs, but all of today's aluminum hubs have
adequate flange thickness, making the use if washers unnecessary"
Roger Musson, Professional Guide to Wheel Building

AIDS Ride Wheel Build for Team Lope

I am fortunate enough to have been asked by my buddies at Team Lope to build wheels for this bike and this ride.  The ride is from SF to LA, andno one rides it fixed.....except Team Lope.  These wheels will have Soma Hubs, H+Son Black Rims, black DT Swiss Double Butted spokes with the blackest of brass nipples.

The hubs came in today, rims in 2 days

The rims and spokes finally arrive...waiting on the doorstep

The H+Son Rims come in these nice little "rim baggies"

Rims naked

Only brass nipples will do, and for this particular job, only black brass nipples will do

DT Swiss Double Butted Spokes, black (2.0/1.8)

Got the front wheel strung, but only hand-tightened. ALOT of care in involved in not scratching the rim with the threaded end of the spoke while spoking. This is a classic 3X pattern, with 269mm Double Butted (2.0/1.8) spokes.

Got the rear wheel strung this morning,

The process has only just begun, as the truing process is what I would consider where 80% or so of the effort goes.

Whenever I work on things that are black and gold, I think of Rocky's 1977 Trans Am from Rocky II
"There aint gonna be no rematch, Rock"

At this point, the  spokes only hand-tightened and awaiting a session on the TS-2D

OK, for spoke tension, ever rim is different.  I consulted the rep from H+Son, and he told me that a range from 110psi to 130psi will work.

Joe, You can use 110-120. The rim can handle up to 130 without any problems.
Best,
-Tzusing

I am aiming for 120psi, in case the client wants to bump them up to 130psi someday.  So, to tension spokes correctly, I consult the reference card that came with my Park Tool Tensionometer.  For 1.8mm spokes, to achieve 120psi tension my meter needs to return a reading of...

...23....

Its in the truing stand for the front wheel.  I spend some time getting it into the ballpark, but not to final tension just yet.

What I like about deep sectioned wheels (these have a 42mm section)  is that the start and stay pretty true...what I dislike is that they are hard to adjust.

Oh, its time for the .1mm gauges.

These guys help get to a fine grain of detail...in keeping lateral and radial run-out below .5mm

Ready for shipping

1970's Centurion 718_066

Here is a 1970's Centurion that came in from a previous client (see his bike).  The task with this one is to restore this bike in all its 10-speed glory.  Work involved includes new bottom bracket, new chain, drop stem a few inches, new bar tape, new tape/tubes/tires and new brake and derailer (see Sheldon Brown's article about the spelling of this word) cables, wheel truing and a general cleaning.

(Did I mention its like 14 degrees outside)

These shifters will move from the stem to the bottom tube

Nice old headbadge

Here I am measuring the distance the chain-rings extend from the frame, as a I am looking to install a new sealed bottom bracket and want to ensure exact clearance.

Chainring and crank arms came off without a problem

Original bottom bracket spindle, measured for the same reasons as above

Lowering the quill stem 3"

New tape/tubes/tires

Progress so far

Modern sealed/cartridge Shimano Bottom Bracket installed.  The spindle length was longer on this bike ( 122.5mm) than on fixed gear bikes as this bike is to retain its multi-chainring.  This requires more distance from the frame.

The shifter was moved from the stem to the down-tube.  Initially, we were going to try and re-use the original shifter, but one didnt fit, and the other was damaged. The interesting thing about this shifter that the the left (front) if friction, and the right (rear) is indexed

New tires, chain and Bottom bracket.  Adjusted the front derailleur and now working on the rear.  With a nice clean up, this bike will soon sparkle

718_063 1969 Schwinn Varsity

Here is a 1969 Schwinn Varsity, @ 50.5 cm.

As is usual with American bikes of this era, they were built with an "American" standard bottom bracket shell/housing.  To use modern cartridge bottom brackets and 3 piece cranksets, the bottom bracket needs to be removed and converted.

The original bottom bracket cups are in very good condition once I took the 1-piece crankset out

718_039 The Brown Bomber

Here is a classic early 1970's Schwinn Suburban.  This picture depicts its condition as purchased.  Note lack of headset and "American" sized bottom bracket shell.

This frame also didnt have a seat post clamp, so I fitted a new one

The Schwinns of this era were built with a single (Ashtabula or "American") crank, thus have a wider bottom bracket shell.  in order to fit a modern bottom bracket and crank to this frame, a bottom bracket conversion kit is used (converting from "American" to "European")

This baby once graced the streets of Simi Vally, California

Chicago made

I am fitting this bike with hand built Velocity Fusions.

Since this bike didn't come with its original headset, I had to retrofit one with my surplus of Schwinn headset parts.  Better than new.

A Schwinn Approved seat from this era.

Fitting the crankset on the bottom bracket conversion

Lacing the Velocity Fusions rims with Velocity Hubs and DT Swiss Double-Butted Spokes

Mock-up with wheels

There is a pretty deep drop from the fork to the braking surface on the rims. A dop this large requires brakes that have an extra ling reach.

718_062 Raleigh Technium

This is a classic Raleigh Technium that has been in the shop before.  What makes this frame special is that it is an early aluminum frame.  First time through a few months ago, we built up a Velocity B43 Rear wheel.



This time around we installed a new bottom bracket, crank, pedals and chain.

You may also notice that this bike has no brakes.  On all bikes that we build from scratch, brakes are standard equipment, as it is technically illegal to ride brakeless in NYC. However, this bike was more of a repair/retrofit, and the client didn't want brakes...

25 degree commute

Not that I am complaining, but it was very cold on the ride today.  25 on the way in, 30 on the way home...with a great sunset on the Brooklyn Bridge

2009 Salsa Casseroll (718C_060)

Full Image Gallery

This project is a fixed-gear build using a 2009 Salsa Casseroll frame

The wheels are TI Grey Velocity Fusions.  Velocity was having a dealer sale this month where it was actually cheaper for me to have the wheels assembled by them as opposed to buying the components separately and building myself. On this frame, the rear wheel spacing is 130mm, instead of the 120mm I generally see on older road frames.  This increased width helps the frame accommodate larger tires and fenders.

Just received the frame, here is an initial mockup

Using a headset press, the pressed cup are installed

It was a cold one today, so we built inside

Hand sewn leather toe-clip covers (sewn by client)

16 tooth cog

Hakkapelitta 10 bad-ass studded tires on Velocity Fusion rims

Final image

Brooks bar tape to match saddle

718 Cyclery

1975 Centurion (718_059)

Complete Photo Gallery

This bike (1975 Centurion...history) came into the shop as a trade-in. A woman had initially wanted to convert this frame to a fixed gear (all 40lbs of it), but she then fell in love with a track bike we had in stock so she traded in this classic.  It was in pretty good shape, albeit dirty.  Also, it had 2 low quality u-locks attached that I had a tough time removing.  This frame has been reserved for an upcoming, so I have started the prep process.

Lots of grime after living untouched in a basement for 20 years, but below teh surface was a great lugged frame.

I removed the headset and set them in my hi-tech parts washer (a used sushi tray with de-greaser solution).  These will soak for a few days before the parts are removed and polished to their former glory. I try very hard to reuse headset components, as the original parts have grown old together with the frame.  introducing a new headset is like introducing a new organ into the body, sometimes its rejected.

The frame itself needed a good scrubbing, so again de-greaser solution and a soft wire brush

A sort of mockup

The fork had  a decent amount of surface rust and dirt on the lower chome part...a Dremmel with a steel brush attachment makes short work of it

(left ="before, right = "after")

Getting a good seatpost fit is always a challenge on vintage road frames, as the generally is some frame warp over time.  I usually have a wide selection of seatposts, just for this occasion.  This guy turned out to be a non-standard 25.8mm

I built up these wheels using Velocity Razor rims, All-City hubs and DT Swiss double-butted spokes (294mm)

On many vintage frames, the threading on the fork has some damage or wear which makes fitting a headset difficult after restoration.  Here I am chasing the fork threads; cleaning and re-cutting the threads where damaged.

Similarly, and more prevalent, is damage to the fine threads inside the bottom bracket shell.  Again, here is the process of chasing the threads so that the new BB cartridge can fit snugly.

It was 20 degrees today, so we moved the build indoors

Build in-progress.  the client choose to reuse the stem, bars and brake levers.

Final Photo

In the end, this was a great build with a fantastic client.  A steel frame was saved and reused

718 Cyclery Website

New wheels for my old Bottecchia

Low-Tech Parts Washer

On older bikes, I like to recondition the headset as opposed to installing a new one. In my experience, the pieces of a headset and the frame usually "grow old together", warping, flexing and fitting so right. Introducing a new headset is like introducing a new organ into the body, sometimes it rejects it.

My reconditioning process is simple and low tech...a soak in degreaser for a week and carful scrubbing usually reverts the parts to near new condition.

Bike Update

Here is a bike we did about a month ago....with client upgraded grips.

Link to original build gallery

1977 Centurion

718 Cyclery Website
1977 Centurion Full Build Gallery

It's getting cold, so this was an indoor build.  I came across this frame on Craig's List; bought from a building manager who was cleaning out his building's basement.

I really liked the 70's Japanese blue and silver "centurion" feel, so I built Velocity Deep V Ti Grey wheels, and found a Soma crank that had nice exposed details on the chain-ring.  I used a Nitto stem and Soma Track bars.

Its 57cm, with a wider wheelbase.  As with other Japanese bikes of this era 9Fuji, Nishiki, etc), the fork hole for the brake was a great distance from the braking surface of the 700c wheels, necessitating the use

of Tektro 556's, which have a pretty deep reach

See full component list below:

• Velocity Deep V Rims, Ti Grey, Machined Front, Non-Machined Rear
• Velocity Track Hubs
• DT Swiss Double Butted Spokes/brass nippples
• Hutchenson Nitro Tires 700x28
• Nitto Stem
• Soma Track Drops
• Soma Hellyer Crank, 46t, 170mm, 1/8"
• All-City Track Pedals
• KMC "rustbuster" Nickle plated chain
• Soma 16t cog
• Velocity Lock Ring
• Dimension Alloy Seat Post 26.2mm
• Velo Plush Saddle

Winter Wheel Building

Spent the evening building 2 wheel sets

Pratt at December dusk

718_057

www.718c.com

Tough build in the 40 degree rain...used the canopy and had a client was wasn't afraid of a few raindrops. This bike was a Mission Valencia frame, 59cm in a matte black finish. We went with black components when available, and used a silver chain, silver/brass nipples and machine surfaced rims to accent the darkness.

I built up the Deep V's with black double-butted spokes, black velocity hubs and silver nipples. We built it as a single speed, so the age-old challenge of routing the rear brake cable was present. The method I have settled on is to use small brackets.

Components include:

• Mission Valencia frame/fork, 56cm
• hand-built Velocity Deep V rims
• velocity Hubs
• DT Swiss double-butted spokes
• brass nipples
• SRAM 48t/170mm crank
• Cane Creek headset
• Dimension Stem
• Tektro 710 brakes
• Tektro Sabre brake levers
• Soma 16t alloy cog
• KMC "rustbuster" chain
• All-City Track pedals, with half toe clips

This may be the last one of the calendar year, which would bring our collaborative build total to an even 52.

718C_056

Just finished this one in the 35 degree cold:
see full gallery @ http://www.718c.com/images/718_056/index.html

This bike was commissioned by an artist who like a previous/similar bike we had done a few weeks ago. This was supposed to be a fixed gear, but at the last minute he wanted it to be a single speed. I feel pretty strongly that singlespeed bikes require 2 brakes. The issue was aesthetics, in that the front wheel has a machined surface, but the rear does not. I offered to replace either wheel so that the braking surfaces match, havent heard back.

Rack of shame

This bike rack seems to have every lock type known to man....with none of them succesfully securing a bike

Rack of Tears

1960 Cararro complete

Powder Coating results

1960 Carraro

718C_018 takes shape

718C_011 95% complete

718C_010 Complete

718C_009 Complete

718C_010 Graphics

718C_009 Graphics

718C_013 75%

718C_010 85%

718C_009 95%

718C_010 gets wheels and tyres

718C_009 at night

718C_009 Gets Wheels and Tyres

718C_010 New Wheels

Night OPS

718C_009 Progress

718C_010 Taking Shape

For Sale

718C_015 1964 Dunelt

718C_014 Saddle + Build

Pair of 1965 Varsitys

718C_014 update

Rainy Bike Sale

718C_007 Mock-up

Bike Sale

Bike sale, Saturday may 2, 11-3. 305 16th Street...here's the Craig's List posting

718C_006 update

718C_008 update

718C_007 Progress

718C_006 ("Diablo") Comes Alive

Brooklyn Fixed Gear Builders and Riders

Our 1st meetup went very well...assembling 718C_010

Shop Images

718C_010 comes to life

718C_007 "World Sport"

Updated builld images

Press Release

My press release got picked up in a mountain biking website

http://www.abc-of-mountainbiking.com/news/200904/start-ups-giving-back.asp

40 year old pedals

New Arrival (718C-009)

I think I found the perfect bike for my wife

718C_008 in the front yard

718C_007 (mock up #1)

718C_005 "71 Collegiate"

718C_005 "71 Collegiate" complete

Buddy Bike?

Last pics of 718c_004 before being sold

Riding to work woth me on the R train

718c_004's beat up cousin

Bike signage

New bike racks

718C_004 "71 Collegiate" update

71 Collegiate Update

Here is a restoration build, re-using many original parts from the 1971 Schwinn Collegiate

I got a chance to use my new headset press, which worked like a charm.

I left all of the cable bosses on the frame, as I was seeing this as a restoration that someone may want to convert back someday

CCM Bike

Just acquired this classic CCM Canadian made bike yesterday. Great detail, including an alligator ribbed fender, the letters "CCM" in/on the chainwheel and a very cool chainguard. I am thinking of making this a touring bike, complete with Brooks saddle and retro racks/panniers.

My 14 Little Billboards

I am sponsoring (as well as coaching a Little League) team this season. This is my 4th season coaching, and every year, after the first practice, I try to remind myself why I let myself get involved with the mayhem.

Website update (part 9, at least)

So, I made some changes to my website tonight, to fix 2 main issues that have been bugging me.

• The 1st issue was that the site relied too much on Flash, and consequently was hard to update and you run the risk of someone not having Flash installed in their browser..also, sometimes I think Flash is too slick for its own good!

• The 2nd issue was that there were too many layers of navigation before a visitor got to the good stuff...the bikes And I never really liked the 1999-era rollover bars. So, I have simplified the navigation, and actually combined it with images. Here is the "new" version http://www.718c.com/tables.html You can rollover the 6 images on the right, but the links aren't active yet. Compare this to the current site: http://www.718c.com

The company itself is doing well, amd most importandtly I am having a great time doing it. I am advertising on Facebook and Google, as well as getting listed as Local Business on Google for Maps search (in Google Maps, go to zipcode 11215, and type in "custom bikes"). Thanks for your continued support.

Morning rattle

The Brooklyn Bridge bike/ped walkway is elevated above the roadways, and made of thousands of wooden planks. The noise is soothing as you roll up across and down them, and as you get really moving the clickety-clack begins to turn into a roar

Morning

With daylight savings time, there are new (well, not really new, lets say different that the last 6 months) sunrise angles...here is looking from the Brooklyn Bridge North through the Manhattan Bridge, 7am

Paint Gun 101

First tests painting with a compressor and paint gun (on 718C_005).  There is so much more control over quantity, flow and tip shape as compared to rattle-cans.  Also, the ability for custom colors is obvious. For earlier coats, I was able to have a wide pattern to build up gradual base coats, and for final coat I was able to lay the paint on very smooth with no runs.  I mixed a Carolina Blue on the frame, and a stock blue on fork and chain-guard.

Delivery Herd

NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour

My son and I are signed up to do this 42 mile trek through the 5 boroughs of NYC...my bet is we do 10 miles.

Beinecke Library, Yale

My firm did this building in 1963, and I sit close to this picture in our gallery.  Love the pic because of the great collections of bikes in the quad.

(here is an interview with Gordon Bunshaft)

http://www.som.com/content.cfm/gordon_bunshaft_interview_on_beinecke_library

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beinecke_Rare_Book_Library

44 Degrees!

Spring may be here. Today I rode on with shorts and my wool Team Lope
jersey. I hope this milder weather "sticks"

Out for a spin

Went out for a spin on Sunday on Bumblebike, with my son riding his
custom bike as well.

718C_005 (71 Collegiate)

Work will hopefully continue on 718C_005 (71 Collegiate) today with the nice weather that appears to be here to stay.

Using a combination of chemicals, drill-attached wire brushes, a 
dremmel tool and steel wool, the plan is to strip the frame today. 
Tomorrow I am hoping to get my paint gun/ compressor set up so that I can paint the frame.

Night in the Shop

View Looking back at the house

On the Map

I finally got accepted as a Local Business by Google Maps...typing in "bikes", "fixed gear", "fixies", etc will get my listing on the map.

BikeSnobNYC Part 1

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/02/bike-buzz-old-bikes-new-humiliations.html

BikeSnobNYC Part 2

Got mentioned by the mighty BikeSnobNYC today

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/03/repentance-back-pedaling-under-duress.html

Rusted tangle

These 3 bikes (can you make out all 3?) haven't moved in at least 4
years, and are probably fused together.

Ouch

Like a kick to the teeth.

On the Move

My local bike store of choice. No attitude, every part, expert advice
and mechanics.

7th ave, Brooklyn

Field Modification

Note fire extinguisher and pull box.

Team 7-11 Jersey

I recently was given the Team 7-11 Jersey of rider Andrew Weber from the EARLY 1980'S.  Team 7-11 was an influential force in US cycling in the 80's

Snow Day

I have been trying to ride into work on a daily basis all winter. It's
been a pretty cold and icy winter, so I have only been averaging 3-4
days/week. Today we received a foot of snow, which will probably leave
snow and ice on the streets for a few days. My biggest fear in these
conditions is out-of-control cars.

The Magic Thread

http://www.thirdraildesignlab.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=10447

This is the thread that really got it started for me...30+ pages and over 470 threads on how to build a fixed gear bike.  The masters who helped me are the founders of Team lope in SF.  Check out their builds and forums at:

http://www.teamlopecycling.com/

Work begins on 718C_005 and 006

Initial mock-ups of 718C_005 and 718C_006 started in the cold today.  718C_005 (top picture) will be interestng as it is relatively old frame (1971 Collegiate), and looks to have small diameter seat post and stems (an an existing chainguard and kickstand).  I am thinking of a Carolina Blue paint job on this one.

718C_006 (below) looks to be a Scwhinn World Sport from 1984-ish, and having not measured it yet looks to be a 21" frame.  This is the 2nd frame I have got that came with an existing Bottom Bracket, and I am nit sure if I will be replacing it.  Also, i am going to try to totally remove the crown/frame races from the frame durting painting.

Workshop almost complete

The workshop is almost operational, after relocating to the backyard from the family room a mere 40' feet away. 

 

Press Release

LOCAL START-UP'S FIRST STEPS INCLUDE GIVING BACK

Brooklyn, NY - Its not often that one of the first orders of business of a start-up company is giving money away, buy 718 Cyclery's founder Joseph Nocella recently did just that. As a board member and coach for the all-volunteer St Francis Xavier Youth Organization of Brooklyn, NY, he and other board members were faced with the loss of crucial sponsors for the upcoming youth baseball season, mostly due to the downturn in the economy. Mr. Nocella, who recently founded 718 Cyclery in Park Slope, Brooklyn, had a feeling that he could do a little more. Returning home from a recent board meeting where the sponsor loss was outlined, Mr. Nocella had the realization that his young company could begin what he hopes will be a long relationship with the community. "I had a hard time that evening, thinking that maybe I could do more to help out an organization who's mission I am totally committed to...but wondering if this new company had the resources. In this economy, and with a new business, the last thing that comes to mind is giving away money".

Mr. Nocella contacted the Organization's President, Mr. Javier Rosario, with an offer to help out. "I don't think I had finished my sentence, when he accepted my offer", Mr. Nocella recalls. "Before I knew it, my company was giving back, simple as that". As a longtime coach, Mr. Nocella says he will be coaching his sponsored team this spring in the Prospect Park Baseball Alliance's Pony Division (co-ed, ages 7-8). "It will be weird, seeing my logo on the back's of my team's jerseys, but I know that my sponsorship really makes a difference directly". 

About 718 Cyclery- 718 Cyclery is a Brooklyn based company, founded in 2008. The company restores vintage bike frames, adds modern components, to create unique modes of transport. 718 Cyclery's bikes have been featured on many online galleries showcasing bike restoration and customization, and the company maintains a forum that describes the restoration process as an educational tool.

About Joseph Nocella- Joseph Nocella, R.A., LEED AP is a Registered Architect and works for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in New York City. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he see's 718 Cyclery's mission as being very environmentally responsible. "On the one hand, we are reusing the frames of the past. In addition, we are adding more bikes (and hopefully removing some cars) from our roads". As a truly local business, he see's the people of New York City as role models for the rest of the country in terms of non-automobile modes of transit. "Be it bikes, buses or subways, I have always felt that New Yorkers certainly set the bar in terms of sustainable means of transportation, and my company's mission is directly tied to those aspirations".

HTML Version
http://www.prlog.org/10189977-local-startups-first-steps-include-giving-back.html

PDF Version
http://www.prlog.org/10189977-local-startups-first-steps-include-giving-back.pdf

# # #

Evening Ride Home 2

Evening Ride Home 1

718c Workshop

...under construction, workshop of 718 Cyclery is moving ahead.  Granted its an 8x10 metal shed, but hey, it gets me out of the house.  My plan of leaving tools all over the house has finally triggered my wife to say "fine, buy a shed!"

The assorted and winter-faded yard furniture will be on the way out.

718C_004 the final days

The final days and hours of a bike build are the most unpredictable. It is sort of a blur wherethings just come together at something different than the intended pace. the build for 718C_004 "tempo" was not without diversions and alternates, but in the end I am very happy with it (and wish i could keep it).

Lonely Bike Room

We have this incredibly spacious bike room here at 14 Wall, probably room for 100 bikes (its actually bigger than the pic shows, as the room wraps around the corner to the left).  Granted I have been riding in some pretty cold weather lately, but i am usually teh only bike down there. Poor Bumble_Bike is all alone

Cold Commute

Today it was 43 degrees with a whipping wind coming over the Brooklyn Bridge at 7am.  It actually wasn't as cold as I thought.  I may get some winter tights, but the thought of wearing tights makes me squirm. (I got the tights)

 

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/02/bike-buzz-old-bikes-new-humiliations.html