Well, the heckler is poetry in motion. So I thought to myself, what better way to celebrate this than blatantly plagiarising the lyrics of <what I think is> a well known song. A shiny new 50 cent piece to the first person to identify it. And a pineapple after for admitting to the world you know what the song is....
Ridin' like a boss
Hitting jumps like a hammer
Just a juvenille but a winner
It'll never be a quitter
Tasty like a raindrop
The Heckler's got the look
Heavenly bound
Cause heaven's got a number
When the wheels are spinning round
Sky blue is the colour
Rides like a wild dog
The Heckler's got the look
Heckler's got the look (It's got the look) Heckler's got the look (It's got the look)
What in the world can make a green-eyed guy turn blue
When everything I'll ever do I'll do for it
And I go la la la la la Hecklers got the look
Fire in it's shocks
Sexy to it's frame
It's a tiger in disguise
Banging on the head set
Shaking like a mad bull
The Heckler's got the look
Swaying on the berms
Moving like a cheetah
It's a miracle of man
Loving is a great track
Kissing it with fat tyres
The Heckler's got the look
Heckler's got the look (It's got the look) Heckler's got the look (It's got the look)
What in the world can make a green-eyed guy turn blue
When everything I'll ever do I'll do for it
And I go la la la la la Hecklers got the look!
....Look up awesome in the dictionary and there is a picture of me.
Justin.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The Maiden Voyage
Crowds of people waited in anticipation. The countdown was on. The crowd was buzzing. The week had finally arrived. Some paid a hefty price to get the best seats. Pre-event entertainment kept them from loosing their cool at the excitement of the spectacle that awaited them....
...That was the night before the maiden voyage. The Rugby League double-header, first round of finals - The Sharks v Cowboys and (my) Roosters v Manly, which I am happy to say, the Roosters were victors.
Alas, the maiden voyage of the Heckler was a somewhat more subdued affair the next day. A lazy Sunday afternoon ride at Old Man's Valley, Hornsby. Being the smart cookie I am, I was not foolish enough to commit to a morning ride - knowing post match celebrations may leave the mind and body somewhat resistant to a birds fart ride - gotta love my commitment now, don't you?
I did however remember to bring my trusty artsy-fartsy photographer, who proved yet again that an iPhone & an artsy-fartsy photo editor is all this connoisseur of mountain bike p0rnography needs.
Behold yours truly on his trusty <new> steed...
I will use only two word to describe how it rode. Fucking Awesomely.
I am so happy with the result. The Giant served me well for many years. But bless it, with age came the creaks and squeaks. The Heckler makes only the noises I expect:
- The ZZZZZZZZZZZ of that Hope Pro 2 rear hub when free wheeling (yes world, Justin is approaching).
- The Tss Tss Tss of that front RockShox Revelation Fork going about it's business.
- And the sweet sweet sound of a new set of Nobby Nic's crunching their way across the dirty and rock.
....And NOTHING else. Silence from all those new parts working harmoniously together.
What impressed me most is how well it "rolls" (I mistimed a few obstacles from seemingly arriving at them earlier than expected). It climbs FAR better than expected as well. I also felt the stability of the 15mm thru-axle up front (rather than the traditional 9mm skewer I had on the Giant).
There is very little I need to change other than possibly lowering the handle-bars by removing a spacer (note in a previous blog I purposely left length in the steerer so I can shorten if I want) as well as a few squirts of air in the rear shock.
It seems also my concerns over the width of the cranks can be put to bed. The chain apparently changes chain-rings up front without hitting the frame, nor do the cranks hit the swing arms.
I must admit to one small issue on the maiden voyage - more an ID 10 t error from its creator. New cables stretch - a lot. So much so that from the time of build to just before the first ride, the gears were already skipping. The day before I tightened the cables, but alas did not tighten the rear one enough, and well, a lap into the ride was left with no gears. 2 minute on-track fix.
For just a moment, I declare there are only 6 deadly sins. Feel envious. Desire what I have, I know it cannot be stopped.
Are you done? I now re-instate the 7th deadly sin.
Carry on. Ride on.
Justin.
...That was the night before the maiden voyage. The Rugby League double-header, first round of finals - The Sharks v Cowboys and (my) Roosters v Manly, which I am happy to say, the Roosters were victors.
Alas, the maiden voyage of the Heckler was a somewhat more subdued affair the next day. A lazy Sunday afternoon ride at Old Man's Valley, Hornsby. Being the smart cookie I am, I was not foolish enough to commit to a morning ride - knowing post match celebrations may leave the mind and body somewhat resistant to a birds fart ride - gotta love my commitment now, don't you?
I did however remember to bring my trusty artsy-fartsy photographer, who proved yet again that an iPhone & an artsy-fartsy photo editor is all this connoisseur of mountain bike p0rnography needs.
Behold yours truly on his trusty <new> steed...
I am so happy with the result. The Giant served me well for many years. But bless it, with age came the creaks and squeaks. The Heckler makes only the noises I expect:
- The ZZZZZZZZZZZ of that Hope Pro 2 rear hub when free wheeling (yes world, Justin is approaching).
- The Tss Tss Tss of that front RockShox Revelation Fork going about it's business.
- And the sweet sweet sound of a new set of Nobby Nic's crunching their way across the dirty and rock.
....And NOTHING else. Silence from all those new parts working harmoniously together.
What impressed me most is how well it "rolls" (I mistimed a few obstacles from seemingly arriving at them earlier than expected). It climbs FAR better than expected as well. I also felt the stability of the 15mm thru-axle up front (rather than the traditional 9mm skewer I had on the Giant).
There is very little I need to change other than possibly lowering the handle-bars by removing a spacer (note in a previous blog I purposely left length in the steerer so I can shorten if I want) as well as a few squirts of air in the rear shock.
It seems also my concerns over the width of the cranks can be put to bed. The chain apparently changes chain-rings up front without hitting the frame, nor do the cranks hit the swing arms.
I must admit to one small issue on the maiden voyage - more an ID 10 t error from its creator. New cables stretch - a lot. So much so that from the time of build to just before the first ride, the gears were already skipping. The day before I tightened the cables, but alas did not tighten the rear one enough, and well, a lap into the ride was left with no gears. 2 minute on-track fix.
For just a moment, I declare there are only 6 deadly sins. Feel envious. Desire what I have, I know it cannot be stopped.
Carry on. Ride on.
Justin.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Always wear protection....
Pain in the bum putting protection on. It doesn't look as good, and sometimes may not necessarily feel the same.
But we all know it is necessary to stop all those dings and scratches from messing up the frame.
WHAT DID YOU THINK I WAS TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE?!
Protection. One of the final instalments in this epic tail that is the great bike build of 2013 (yes only taken me 8 freakin' months!).
So, a nice shiny new frame, and given the damage the Giant sustained over its innings, I thought I would put on some protection to try and keep the Heckler looking half decent. Additionally, the Giant had an anodized frame, this is just a gloss colour coat - so I think will show the scratches more than the Giant.
Believe it or not, the core ingredient to this frame protection is contact. Yes, good old simple, newsagent $4.95 contact. You will forgive me for not adding this to the progressive total. Additional to the contact, I got some specific bike protection stickers for the higher traffic areas.
Of main concern in bike protection is the points on the frame that are likely to cop stones kicked up from the tyres and rub points with you legs, shoes and most importantly, the cables.
Putting on the protection was probably the longest, most tedious job with many hours spent in the garage while I carefully applied the protection, bubble free (the pile of rejects on the floor testament to this not always going to plan).
Here is a collection of photos showing how I have applied it in various places. You may need to look more closely at some as the protection is clear. Now most importantly this is all removable/replaceable.
It is fair to say that (like most things) the protection has taken away from the aesthetic look (and feel) of the bike. But knowing it comes easily after serving its purpose, I am a happy man.
Keeping "up" the good work,
Justin.
But we all know it is necessary to stop all those dings and scratches from messing up the frame.
WHAT DID YOU THINK I WAS TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE?!
Protection. One of the final instalments in this epic tail that is the great bike build of 2013 (yes only taken me 8 freakin' months!).
So, a nice shiny new frame, and given the damage the Giant sustained over its innings, I thought I would put on some protection to try and keep the Heckler looking half decent. Additionally, the Giant had an anodized frame, this is just a gloss colour coat - so I think will show the scratches more than the Giant.
Believe it or not, the core ingredient to this frame protection is contact. Yes, good old simple, newsagent $4.95 contact. You will forgive me for not adding this to the progressive total. Additional to the contact, I got some specific bike protection stickers for the higher traffic areas.
Of main concern in bike protection is the points on the frame that are likely to cop stones kicked up from the tyres and rub points with you legs, shoes and most importantly, the cables.
Putting on the protection was probably the longest, most tedious job with many hours spent in the garage while I carefully applied the protection, bubble free (the pile of rejects on the floor testament to this not always going to plan).
Here is a collection of photos showing how I have applied it in various places. You may need to look more closely at some as the protection is clear. Now most importantly this is all removable/replaceable.
Keeping "up" the good work,
Justin.
The first p0rno shoot
No airbrushing this baby....
NOTE: Photos are pre gravity dropper, so sorry again for the rather average looking seat post.
I will let the photos do the talking.
Justin.
NOTE: Photos are pre gravity dropper, so sorry again for the rather average looking seat post.
I will let the photos do the talking.
Justin.
Trouble brewing? The cranks
Greetings bike lovers and infidels,
So a potential issue with the bike is the width of the cranks compared to the width of the pivot point and "swing arm" on the Heckler. There is very little room for the chain to move between the small and large chain ring up front. It's all too hard to convey in writing so check out this photo. The point of concern is in the red box for those who are a beer short of a six pack.
A trial run proved my fear with some paint coming off just below the pivot point bolt, indicating the chain scratching on the frame.
The bottom bracket came with two spacers to push the cranks out further from the frame. I thought about putting both on the chain ring side, however, I have a similar issue on the other side where the back of the crank "may" hit the swing arm (I anticipate their being some sideways flex in the swing arm.
So, a spacer each side:
So a potential issue with the bike is the width of the cranks compared to the width of the pivot point and "swing arm" on the Heckler. There is very little room for the chain to move between the small and large chain ring up front. It's all too hard to convey in writing so check out this photo. The point of concern is in the red box for those who are a beer short of a six pack.
The bottom bracket came with two spacers to push the cranks out further from the frame. I thought about putting both on the chain ring side, however, I have a similar issue on the other side where the back of the crank "may" hit the swing arm (I anticipate their being some sideways flex in the swing arm.
So, a spacer each side:
Additionally, to at least try and protect the swing arm's, I have put on chain protectors on each size (fabric/velco black wrap in the above photos).
I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I think after my handy work it will be ok - it had better be. I can't really widen the cranks anymore, which may mean, gulp, new wider cranks.
Justin.
Empty Boxes & a DOH! Moment
So it seems I am well and truly on the final stretch. All my boxes are empty. Which means all the contents are on the bike. Yahooooo!
But before I get too much ahead of myself, and you. Much to the disappointment of some of my riding brethren, it is not quite yet ready to Heckle the trails of Sydney and beyond. I need to do the following still:
I removed the headset, took out the fork and filed down. Remember in a previous post I mentioned the cut I did was not completely straight. Being careful not to get the iron filings in all the workings of the bike, about 10minutes of filing did the job. Fork back on, headset on, tighten,
tighten,
tighten,
SNAP!
Dohhhhh! I applied too much pressure to the headset bolt - meant more for bringing the headset together before tightening the stem - I pushed my luck and snapped it. I thought I would need a new head doctor. However, I managed to get the head doctor out of the steerer and remove the broken bit of bolt.
Would you believe that in what I consider not a particularly complete supply of spare bits and pieces I found a bolt, with the correct thread size as a replacement. Being VERY careful not to snap this one I screwed it back together.
But before I get too much ahead of myself, and you. Much to the disappointment of some of my riding brethren, it is not quite yet ready to Heckle the trails of Sydney and beyond. I need to do the following still:
- File down the steerer
- Tune the gears
- Affix cable caps to stop fraying
- Apply protection
- Relocate the Gravity Dropper from the Giant to the Heckler
- Shorten Cables (not necessary pre-ride)
- Final once over and tightening
I removed the headset, took out the fork and filed down. Remember in a previous post I mentioned the cut I did was not completely straight. Being careful not to get the iron filings in all the workings of the bike, about 10minutes of filing did the job. Fork back on, headset on, tighten,
tighten,
tighten,
SNAP!
Dohhhhh! I applied too much pressure to the headset bolt - meant more for bringing the headset together before tightening the stem - I pushed my luck and snapped it. I thought I would need a new head doctor. However, I managed to get the head doctor out of the steerer and remove the broken bit of bolt.
Would you believe that in what I consider not a particularly complete supply of spare bits and pieces I found a bolt, with the correct thread size as a replacement. Being VERY careful not to snap this one I screwed it back together.
Time cost of this little mishap was around ~45mins, but I was just super glad I didn't need to go an order a new head doctor.
Justin.
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