Bike Tuning

I have recently discovered a new hobby.

“Bike Tuning”.

At first it wasn’t really a hobby. About a month ago, I sent my bike for a total tune up at the bike shop.
Just after it came out of it, I tested the bike on a trail, and broke it. I have already explained about the replacement of the broken derailleur. What I fail to mention, is that I also spent a good hour cleaning the bike, taking out every wire and oiling it. Checking the brakes, and restoring some of the lost tension of them.

Last night I was thinking about it. This “bike Tuning” hobby, is simple enough for me to do it, and at the same time, complex enough to provide some challenge, and of course, enjoyment time.

This week, after tuning it, I have been out, testing it. Going up hills, downstairs, off road terrain, jumping, breaking hard, climbing the sidewalk, etc. I know this will probably get the bike out of shape, but now I can enjoy it, as I know, when I go home, I can always tune it myself. It is like a double joy. Playing with the bike, and healing the bike.

Today I want to the Causeway with my friend Jelix and his brother. This is the place where most of the time I bike around.
The Amador Causeway is a land fill made to connect three small islands, Noas, Perico and Flamenco with the mainland.
It is a 10Km long ride, and sometimes, I ride all the way to the top of the Flamenco Island (proper authorization is required to get there).

Today I brought my digital, and took a shot to show off what am I talking about.

A night of mental peace.

So last night right after I arrived home, at around 7:30pm, I went to the Causeway to “play” with my toy.

And surpriseling for me, the “Alivio” worked like a charm. Perfect shifts on all gears. Including the 34T position.

I am not sure if it was the “Alivio” along, or the combination of other happy events I had yesterday, plus the new gadgets fort the bike (like the front and rear lights, and the compact tool set). But I felt like I could bike for ever. The bike felt better than new. So smooth, so good.

Now, after 35km I got hungry and the tiny M&M´s snacks were not enough, so I called for the night.

And after I pack the bike back in my car, I just sat down for a while, and felt such a mental peace. And all I could think of was “Life is good”.

Here is a picture I took moments before I got to the parking lot. On the left, a portion of the picture, the “Country Suites Hotel” and the restaurant “Fridays” can be seen. And for the really curious, on the upper right corner, there is a sign saying “calle sin salida” (that is Spanish and it means “dead end street”).

The Alivio rear derailleur.

I broke my bike a couple of weeks ago, and since all the derailleurs available on the local store where over a $100.00, I decided to get it over the net.

My knowledge of bike parts is quite limited, so first I checked the Trek web site.

There was not much information there. So I limited myself to read what derailleur had each bike.
Mine (a Trek 4100) came with an “Acera” derailleur. The next bike model, the 4300 had an “Alivio” derailleur.
I searched for that at Amazon.com, and found it.

“A new sleeker design for 2001. 11t pulleys. 30t max cog. Advanced light action design. 8 speed. Black. 306g”.

That sounds cool. I had no idea what 11T or 30T meant, but sure sounds cool, and for $20.00 it was a good deal.


Last night I was sitting on the floor, the bike in front of me, without the seat and seat post, and upside down.

I had replaced successfully the derailleur hanger, and was on the way for the derailleur itself.

I screw it to the hanger, and attach the wire to it. I start cranking the bike, and shifting gears.
But it seems to be way to tight on the lower range gear.

I lean back a bit, and reach for the instructions pamphlet (always the last to read). And I noticed on the specs one more time, “30T max”. Quickly took a look back at the bike, and I saw “Mega-Range 34T”… OOPS!.

Well, now I know more about bikes. I know what the 30T, 11T, 14T and 34T stands for. Funny.
Also I did manage to make the Alivio derailleur work. It has like 2mm gap between itself and the cassette, and not so light action on that shift.

Nevertheless, it gets the work done. Soon I will find out if it is good enough for muddy trails or not.
And if it breaks, I’ll replace. And for $20.00 I think it was a good education on derailleurs.

And this is somewhere at te Causeway. It is my current Computer Wallpaper.

A close up. (too much free time?)

Got a Digital camera, and started to play with it.

Today I went to the swimming pool with my friend Jelix.
Then as we swim a lot, we went to eat. On the way out from Nikos, I spotted a nice sunset. Quickly took the camera out, lowered the car window, and took the shot.
I deliberately underexposed the shot by -2.0 to make it look more dramatic.
I feel satisfied with the result. What is seen, is the Panama Ports Company.

A new toy.

Yea, this is me.
Yea I got a new “toy”.
It has been over eight months since I dumped my previous (and first) digital camera.
It was a 0.7mega pixel one that served me well.
Until it had a close encounter with salty water.
Hopefully, the new camera will outlast the previous one (or maybe not).
Time will tell if class 7 water resistant is enough for me, or not.

This picture was taken at my office. I had just unwrapped the amazon.com box.
I was quite exited, and my associate Melquiades took the shot.
On the back, it is Maria, leaving from the production room.

This is my associated Melquiades.
He is a great guy. Quite dependable. Great friend.

Yes, I took the picture. And as most of the pictures I take, it looks aerial.
No, I did not stand on top of anything. That is really how the world looks like from my point of view.
Yes, I am a tall guy. But I do not realize I am, until I see pictures of me next to regular people.