Just get out there and ride! Don't need lycra or special shoes. A helmet is optional...your choice.

I am just a guy with a love of the bicycle and a firm believer it is a viable form of transportation. The bicycle is an amazing invention. It allows a small human to transport a large load over long distances easily. It is THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT FORM OF TRANSPORTATION...PERIOD!!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Giant Excursion


Yet another bike from my collection! FWIW I did an inventory of bikes this past weekend, I currently have 20 in my shop/storage area and another 16 in the outside storage/scrap pile. None of them are what anyone would consider high value, and many in the scrap pile are department/discount store specials that were given to "the crazy guy that likes bikes".

The Excursion started out life as a European Trekking bike with flat bars. All I have done to it is add drop bars, brifters and a well used leather saddle. I am not sure I like the brifters or not, if not I will change them over to bar end shifters, which I know I like on a tour bike.

The bike is equipped with Shimano Deore LX drive train, a bottom bracket generator, full fenders and racks. It also came with the standard rear wheel ring lock. One neat feature that is also a PITA is the generator wiring utilizes the aluminum strips in the fenders. You have a small male snap end on the fender and the light wiring snaps to it, only problem is if you break one of the female snaps they are impossible to replace. I have managed to cobble together a suitable replacement, but would prefer to have something more original.

This actually the second one of these bikes I have had, the first was stolen and this one is the replacement. My brother found it in a shop in Clemmons, NC. Apparently Giant was a bit premature bringing these over to the US, because they never sold well in 1989. AFAIK they were only offered for one year.

Aaron

Some Days...


Some days you are better off just staying in bed...or not working on your bicycle! This is the freewheel from my Expedition Bike build. I am reworking a 1989 Giant Iguana mountain bike to use for loaded rough road touring. The freewheel is showing some wear, so I figured take it off and replace it, simple right? Not now, I managed to break the removal tool and crack the freewheel housing AND it is still stuck on the hub. So I guess the next step will be to decide whether to purchase a new free hub or cold set the frame for the wider cassette hub. Anyone know if a Shimano 6 speed cassette will work with a Suntour XCM derailleur and shifter?

Aaron