Schwinn Typhoon Mark IV - front wheel

The front wheel is done.

The wheel is done and the tire is mounted. The fork isn't raked like that. There isn't a rear wheel on it and the rear dropouts are on the deck. I'm real happy with the wheel came out. The tire is a Compass Rat Trap Pass 2.3"x26" tire. If you thought a big tire like that has to be heavy and slow you would be wrong. It weighs the same as the 2"x26" Schwalbe Kojaks that I'm riding now.

This my front Kojak. The Kojack has supple sidewalls which make it fast and comfy. The Rat Trap Pass will be even more so. The Kojaks were a lot faster than the 1.3"x26" Continental Sport Contacts I rode the Seattle to Portland on last year. Part of it is I ran 70psi in the Sport Contacts, 45psi in the Kojaks and probably 40psi in the Rat Trap Pass tires. High volume, low pressure, and supple side walls.

This is the Sport Contact last year. It weighs the same as the Kojak and the Rat Trap Pass. It doesn't have supple sidewalls.

I have the spokes prepped for the rear wheel. Next is to lace that up.

Schwinn Typhoon Mark IV - wheel assembled - mostly

The first step is lacing the wheel without tensioning the spokes. Just get the spokes going through the right holes in the hub and rim with a spoke nipple attached. It's been 40 years since I laced a wheel. It was fun to do.

Here it is with 35 spokes installed. I was shorted one on my spoke order. When I get that last spoke installed then the spoke nipples are turned so that the spokes are inserted all the same amount. That will straighten out the spokes. Then out with the spoke wrench and hand turning the spoke nipples adjusting the spokes to get the rim laterally and radially true. Also checking that the rim is centered on the hub. The red arms on the wheel truing stand check that the rim is true. Then keep tightening until the tension is correct.

Schwinn Typhoon Mark IV - new front wheel

It seems there is some assembly required.

36 stainless steel spokes, one Origin8 track hub, one Rhyno Lite rim, and 36 red splined spoke nipples. The next step is to lace the them up attaching the right spoke in the right holes of the rim and hub to give a 3 cross pattern.

We take bicycle wheels for granted but they are the heart of an efficient bicycle. These 4 components make a remarkably light and strong structure.

Schwinn Typhoon Mark IV - wheel building

When I was racing bicycles in the early 1970s I built my own wheels. Until 1976 when I was trying to adjust the dish in a new rear wheel I was builiding when I warped the rim. I said "Never again!" Since then I've had others build my wheels. Until now. I found a number of wheel building resources on the web that have changed my mind. I need new wheels for my "new" Schwinn Mark IV.

Measuring the effective rim diameter in order to determine spoke length. 3 cross, 36 holes. I'm using The Professional Guide to Wheel Building for instructions. Wheel Fanatyk a great resource for wheel building tools and spokes.

Schwinn Typhoon Mark IV - beginnings

But wait! There is another bike project.

Another Schwinn Typhoon project. The Mark III I have been riding the past rear and a half as a fixed gear bike. The Mark IV will have 16 speeds. Hopefully in time for this year's Seattle to Portland bicycle ride.

 

Schwinn cantilever frames like this started production in 1938 and were made pretty much unchanged until the mid 1970s. I bought this frame on eBay for $87. It was the best available and at a good price. It turned out to be another Typhoon the same year as my Mark III.

I widened the space between the rear dropouts to take the wider 8 speed hub. The kickstand is off for cleaning and lube. I've started sanding the rust and rubbing out the frame with rubbing compound. 

Zoe's Motobecane - beginnings

Another bike project started.




Zoe has had this bike since she was 19. It's an early 1970s Motobecane Mirage. Made in France. It's been a dust collector since I've known her. Zoe had a chance to ride the Nishiki that I built for Katie and she loved it. Now to upgrade the Motobecane like I did to Katie's bike.




The first step is taking it apart. A quick clean on the frame. I can't get the right side bottom bracket bearing cup off so it will have to go to the bike shop. These are the parts I can reuse. The rack was last seen on the Trek that William rode on last year's Seattle to Portland. All else will be new. It will be a little different challenge since the French used different thread and tube diameter standards but there are solutions. It should be a very nice riding frame.

1,000 miles for the year.

I'm over 1,000 miles for the year. My minimum goal preparing for the Seattle to Portland is 2,000 miles. Half way there! This month is the month with the most miles. This week is 170 miles. I just finished 32 miles and there will be two 70 mile rides this weekend. Most are going around and around Crockett Lake. I never tire of the views. Those are the Olympic Mountains. The green hump is Fort Casey.

Katie's bike in it's new home

 Katie's bike in Colorado Springs on a Thursday afternoon when she should be at work. The bike looks very happy.