the curious randonneur: 02/07/11

Monday, February 7, 2011

Fendies on my Fixie

The top photo is a close-up of the component parts of the "Spring Thing" I bought from Velo Orange to help convert my old Fuji fixed gear from 700c to 650B. As you can see in the second photo (from the Velo Orange website), this contraption allows for the proper installation of the rear fender on horizontal dropouts by allowing for adjusting the distance from the front of the rear fender to the chainstay bridge. Also, one can install a wheel where otherwise there is little clearance by pushing the fender forward a little. Clever.

Clearly, you could build up your own "Spring Thing" yourself, but I hadn't even thought of it until I saw the Velo Orange "Spring Thing".

Here, you can see the "Spring Thing" in service.

Here is the rear wheel now properly fendered.

Front Wheel.

Now, I just need to figure out a new rack/brake interface. Not quite happy there.

Keep it springy,

CurioRando

What the heck is a Randonneur?

In General

In general terms, the French word randonneur is what in English we'd call an ambler or a rambler.

In Cycling

In cycling terms, a randonneur is a long distance cyclist who participates in non-competitive, organized cycling events called brevets. Brevets are typically 200k, 300k, 400k or 600k in length with specified time limits. The grandpapa of all is the Paris Brest Paris event which is 1200k in 90 hours. It is held every four years; next up is this August 21 - 25.

In France

Randonneuring began in France when the limits of cycling as a practical form of transportation were being explored and the bicycle was perhaps the central form of transportation for work and leisure for the masses.

As for me...

See my first post (May 31, 2009) for more on why I began this blog, and my personal randonneuring objectives.

Of Interest to the Curious

Monday, February 7, 2011

Fendies on my Fixie