It ain't no virgin anymore

Over the past few days I've finished the build of the new bike. As you know I had started with the project at my local bike shop and prepared it to the point that I could just slap the rest of the components/cables on and it would be ready. I decided to do it in my kitchen, and discovered that a gap in appliances make a wonderful bike stand.

 

Along the way, I learned that good cable cutters (preferably Shimano) are an essential for the (home) mechanic, so will have to try to get my hands on a pair soon. With inner and outer cables dangling off various places, I went to Finsbury Cycles to borrow theirs. After that, I was off to Mamachari, to work on the gears and chuck the front wheel into the truing stand. I'm rather proud to announce that my rear wheel is quite straight; the front wheel needed a little adjustment, but wasn't horribly out of true. Not bad for a first time wheel builder, eh?

I fiddled a long while with the gears, and had to bend the chain ring, too but, eventually, got everything sorted and let Noah take it for a quick test ride. I may be a mechanic myself, but I've not exactly worked on hundreds of bikes, and since I was going on a ride today, I wanted to be sure everything's fine. Luckily it was. 

Met with one of my cycling club members and off we went along the canal, through Hyde Park, stopped for a quick latte, and then went back. It was a joy. I must say that my heart beat a little faster knowing that I have build that bike. Anyway, here a few pictures of us (the bike and me!).

Viscount Aerospace Sport

Stella & the Viscount

Smiling despite the cold

Guess I have to work on that pose!