Category: Builds

“When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Since getting a sewing awl, I’ve been thinking of how to repurpose all the scrap material around me. Among them: the RED marine vinyl remaining from upholstering Senator Buff’s saddle.

Freehanding didn’t go so well, so I went to the other extreme and made a 3D model. The wireframe UV map makes a perfect sewing pattern.

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Digital precision is great, but without real world skills to back it up, the results are pretty sloppy overflowing with handmade charm.

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Seriously though, it’s kind of cute. And “character” over “precision” fits in pretty well with this build.

Having a super wide gear range is nice, but not without issues. Besides clunky front shifting, the smaller rear gears can’t be used with the small front chainring – the rear derailleur folds too far thanks to the excess chain length. Adjusting the rear derailleur positioning (B-Tension) seems to help, but that impacts rear shifting performance.

With the new freewheel in back, I also wasn’t spinning out on the lowest gear possible, even on downhills. Time to try a smaller big ring in front.

With work on HB-03 winding down, it’s time to revisit HB-02 and its deteriorating suspension elastomers.

From left to right:
• The orange third-stage elastomers continue to hang tough
• Clear polyurethane tube replaces our dearly-departed second stagers
• Black PU rod for the first stage (remnants of the RED originals can be seen in the background)

The new parts are quite a bit more stiff than what they’re replacing, but it’s still more cushiony than a rigid fork.

Finally, decent weather for a test ride…

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Still needs some adjustments, but for the most part rides super smooth.

The final piece. An 18 tooth difference between front chainrings makes drops more of a possibility. Summon catcher: