She's here! The Mixte has landed :)

[Trek420]

Welcome back. This is so much fun when you love the frame but hate or dissatisfied with everything else.

In my mind building up a customized bike is every bit as fantastic as going full custom. Enjoy the ride.

[hebe]

Thank you Trek �� I was starting to wonder if I was planning on throwing good money after bad. I just know that that mixte is never leaving, so it might as well be as good as it can be. I’ll keep you updated.

How are you?

[Trek420]

Thank you Trek �� I was starting to wonder if I was planning on throwing good money after bad. I just know that that mixte is never leaving, so it might as well be as good as it can be. I’ll keep you updated.

Most of our bikes are refurbed, rebuilt. I can find the threads about them here. Most of what I know about bikes was learned over the process. My late Trek 420 and namesake was completely customized. A GT Outpost trail I used to have. Love to follow along on your process.

And you can always post it here; http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=19205&page=65

How are you?

I’m tired. Really tired. Tired and relieved.

Knott was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer last October. I quit my job (which is good. Hated the job), took retirement, cared for her through chemo and surgery. She’s now NED. Means No Evidence of Disease Which is amazing, really. But I’m seriously De-contitioned.

Watch this space as I attempt to make a comeback.

[hebe]

That sounds like a rollercoaster of a year. I'm glad you were able to take the time to support Knott, and how wonderful for you both that she is now NED! All the very best to you both. Good luck with your comeback, I'll be watching and encouraging you from this side of the pond.

I had a hysterectomy in January after several years of wretchedness. Now that I am largely recovered I really want to start enjoying my bikes again. Just need the mechanic to come back from his holiday or wherever he's gone so I can crack on with my plans!

[rebeccaC]

hebe….Your dawes is a wonderful and practical day-to-day steel utility bike frame! I see component upgrades as just part of the process of getting to what feels comfortable, safe and working for a persons needs. Enjoy getting back into riding!!!!!!!!

She’s now NED..

that REALLY makes me smile

[hebe]

Thank you Rebecca!

The bikes came back from servicing today and the Dawes is in better shape than when it was new - honestly. Brakes are much improved (actually effective), the handlebar is correctly aligned for me both vertically and horizontally, both wheel hubs have had some kind of alchemy invoked to make the spinning better and so on. It almost seems to ride itself and the basket doesn't feel as if it's even there any more. I didn't swap the tyres as it's an archaic wheel size (26 and a weird fraction inches) so there's barely any choice. Also, with the rest of the improvements (and correct pressure) the tyres felt much more secure. I'll ride it as it is and see if I want to change anything else later. He really loved the bike, which I wasn't expecting at all, and it was great to see how much he cared.

The Vita is lovely too - he fitted new leather grips to match the Brooks saddle and checked it all over. It felt so odd being back on 700c wheels, I was all over the place for the first few yards! B was thrilled to have her Frog back too and followed me down the road.

[Trek420]

Thank you Rebecca!

The bikes came back from servicing today and the Dawes is in better shape than when it was new - honestly. Brakes are much improved (actually effective), the handlebar is correctly aligned for me both vertically and horizontally, both wheel hubs have had some kind of alchemy invoked to make the spinning better and so on. It almost seems to ride itself and the basket doesn't feel as if it's even there any more. I didn't swap the tyres as it's an archaic wheel size (26 and a weird fraction inches) so there's barely any choice. Also, with the rest of the improvements (and correct pressure) the tyres felt much more secure. I'll ride it as it is and see if I want to change anything else later. He really loved the bike, which I wasn't expecting at all, and it was great to see how much he cared.

The Vita is lovely too - he fitted new leather grips to match the Brooks saddle and checked it all over. It felt so odd being back on 700c wheels, I was all over the place for the first few yards! B was thrilled to have her Frog back too and followed me down the road.

Pictures please! Sounds lovely.