My new bike arrives, and assuming it’s a fit, I’ll pick it up tomorrow. So for now, an update on the old one, an 06 Gary Fisher Marlin. This season has been the most riding I’ve ever done. I’ve averaged six days a week starting back in April. My typical ride as been between and hour and ninety minutes, tending toward the longer end recently. Nearly all of the riding has been in Bradley Palmer and Willowdale. I’ve attended most of the Monday night NS-NEMBA rides. I’ve lost 40 lbs.

The bike has held up quite well. No significant breakage except for a couple of rear spokes. Early in the season I removed the front derailer, figuring that I didn’t use it much. This worked pretty well early on. But by September, the drivetrain was getting tired, so I decided to replace it. I ordered a low-end shimano cassette and chain, and new chain rings, but I couldn’t get the crank off the bike, and managed to strip out the threads. I brought it to the local shop, and they bailed me out. So I had to order a new crank and BB – Jenson USA had a deal on some take-offs: $40, plus $5 for the BB. Here’s the bike after the operation:

The bike rode much more nicely after this. I’m not sure if the ratios had changed, or that perhaps I use different gears being 40lbs lighter, but I found the bike seemed to shift chainrings by itself at the most annoying moments. So, I re-installed the front derailer, and use it a good bit now.

All things considered, it’s been a great bike to get started with. It’s been pretty strong, especially considering I started this at around 230 lbs. I’m replacing grenerally because I ride a lot now, and I’d like something that’s a bit better all around. There are some specific areas I’d like to fix with the new bike. The first is fit. The old bike is a “large” 19″ frame, and the effective top-tube length feels just a bit long (I’m 5′10″). The other is the brakes – I really want hydraulic disks. Finally, the 2.35 rear tire just doesn’t fit. I like riding the 2.35’s at 32-34 lbs. Given that I’m a good bit ligher now, I could probably go down to 2.2’s for the rear tire, but I’d like wider tires to fit.

Well, it’s not really “goodbye” either. I’ll still be riding it now and then, and I’ve got 4 kids to train.