A while ago I announced on this blog that I was going to do up Iggy the Giant Iguana mountain bike that I crashed before I started this blog. I am proud to announce that significant advances have been made towards the completion of this project., these advances are:
1. The fitting of a new handlebar stem and Ahead converter which happened a week after the beginning of the commencement of the project. This lead to some uming and aring about the new handlebars. It also involved a lot of work removing the stopgap stem from a child’s bike.
2. The fitting of new handlebars. I was initially looking at putting either shallow drop bars or moustache bars. I decided I would use bar end shifters but due to the cost limitations I was not going to be able to use indexed shifting. I found I could not locate any moustache bars in Canberra or in the Blue Mountains. I decided that I would go with drop bars and make Iggy a form or touring bike.
3. Handle bar installation. The handlebars became an issue as I went around the ACT bike shops looking for likely replacements. I found that there was not much in the way of moustache bars so I wound up having to go with drops. I found that the handlebar stem limited what I could get and was looking at breaking the bike budget on new bars but fortunately there was a miracle find. I went to Blaxland Cycles and found a pair of 2nd had bars which fitted just fine. I also found that they stocked friction bar end shifters. I fitted the drops the night I bought the bars.
4. The fitting of new brake levers. In order to save some more money and to give Iggy a more retro look I decided to use a set of brake levers I got from the Shogun Katana road bike when I got a set of drop bars which came complete with levers fitted. I found that I could do this quite well and was amazed when I could see Iggy coming together.
5. The fitting of the bar end shifters and the bar tape. I took Iggy to Blaxland Cycles at Katoomba. Blaxland Cycles at Katoomba is a shop owned by Blaxland Cycles operated by the owner of Blaxland Cycles son. It has not had much business and I was able to drop Iggy off and get the bar end shifters fitted and new bar tape on the handle bars without making appointments. I also got the brake cables fitted. The problem with indexed shifters was I can only get 8 speed shifters which may have worked well with a 7 speed cassette. I have heard of people having issues with 8 speed shifters on 7 speed cassettes though.
6. The fitting of mudguards. I took the mudguards off an old Coke mountain bike. I fitted these to the old Coke bike because I wanted to do it up but I found it was not supposed to be ridden. I fitted them to Iggy and it has improved the bike’s look no end. Iggy will be a good bike to ride after rain given that it now has mudguards.
7. The fitting and installation of a new seat post I had a look at the old seat post and have some live memories about the old seat shifting as it had issues with its mountings. I decided a new seat post and saddle would be a brilliant idea. On Tuesday I took the old seat post to On your bike Civic and asked for a new post. Given that the post has a particular measurement the guys at On your bike Civic had to order a seat post in. I got a call on Friday to tell me it had arrived and I happily took it home after work and fitted it.
8. The purchase and fitting of a Brooks saddle. Before I ordered the seat post I decided to get a Brooks Saddle. In order to make sure that the bike still came in at a reasonable price; I decided to go on ebay to see if I could source a Brooks Saddle at a reasonable price. Brooks saddles normally sell for prices in excess of $150. I scored a Brooks saddle from someone in Tasmania for $60. I fitted the saddle when I installed the seat post on Friday. The saddle has some scratches and abrasions and will need a coating of the polish/oil that Brooks recommend for protecting and seasoning their saddles. It is a beautiful saddle made of leather. It is a B17 model so it seems that it matches Iggys brown brindle finish.
9 The installation of a new bike computer. I scored a bike computer from Kathmandu. I got the new computer for $19 at the Kathmandu store in the Canberra Centre. I fitted the computer last night and tested it. Given that Kathmandu is a shop that specialises in outdoor gear; the bike computer was not one of the best. I probably would not be able to use it for any of my bikes using 700c tyres. However as Kathmandu was catering to mountain bikers and recreational cyclists using 26 inch tyres, the bike computer is ideal for a 26 inch tourer/commuter.
All that appears left to do is get a new set of SPD pedals fitted – I am definately going to do this on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday when I get paid. I can get a pair for On your bike Civic for $50 or a pair for $56 at Lonsdale Street Cyclery. I gather I can get free fitting at Lonsdale street. Either bike shop that fits the pedals will have some trouble with the old pedals being rusty and probably a bugger to get out of the cranks. Once that the pedals are installed the bike will to some smaller items to make it road worthy. This items include a bell – yeah I know but a bell is a legal requirement in Australia.
I will also get a red reflector and something to fit a red light to either the seat post or the rack. The rack may also be replaced as it is gold and a bit delicate. I will post a further update when the bike is finished and I get some photos.
