Braking
Lever: Tektro
I utilized my vintage Taiwanese MTB Tektro 4-finger brake levers crafted from aluminum. It might not be widely known that during the 1990s, there were also lighter 2-finger levers available. However, these are too narrow and not very comfortable for road cycling or extended tours. As with all older alloy components, the paint on the parts tends to peel. While some might consider this unattractive, I see it as character.
V-Brakes: Tektro 855AL
Even my friend at the bike parts store suggested switching to disc brakes. However, as a DIY mechanic, I stuck with V-Brakes. They're cost-effective, easy to install, and deliver precise and reliable braking when correctly adjusted. I upgraded the new brake pads with high-quality used red/black Kool Stops, which I recommend for enhanced braking performance and protection of the alloy rims due to their softer material.
Wheelset
As mentioned, I used my old MTB wheelset, the rim, the spokes and the hubs were all fine - I would say around 80% new.
Rim:
front: KD Rims, 6061-T6 alloy (made in Taiwan), 28 straight round spokes, Bitex hubs w/sealed bearings (made in Taiwan)
rear: Mountain Sport rims, alloy, 28 aero spokes, Shimano Deore hubs
Tire & Tube:
Front & rear tire: Kenda Kwick Roller Sport folding, 26' x 1.5 (40-559), tubes: Kenda 1.5/1.75 F/V.
After experience the performance of original Kenda tires, I replaced the rear tire out to a 'made in Germany' Continental Grand Prix 26' folding 1 1/8 (28-559) road tire. The responsiveness and acceleration of the bike improved dramatically, elevating the entire bike to a new level. I would like to replace the front tire with the same Continentals, but I sold the 2nd one before this build.
Comments on the wheelset and the tires
The wheelset is robust and functioning well, so I'm not overly worried about the aero spokes on the rear. My friend suggested the Kenda tires for their high quality, but they seem sluggish and heavy when riding. While these Kendas provide a smoother ride over road surfaces compared to my narrower 25mm road tires, they don't grip well on wet roads, as I slipped on a rubber surface at a very slow speed.
Later, I took my other rear wheelset already with Continental Grand Prix, 26*1 1/8 (28-559) mounted some time ago. These tires offer a distinctly different experience compared to the Kenda's. With the same material, construction, and design as Continental's larger 700c brothers, they have the same high-quality feel as my road bike and roll much faster than their Taiwan-made counterparts.
From my experience, 26' wheels and tire sizes are becoming rare, not just in Taiwan. With the rise of 700c tires for road and gravel bikes and the shift in standard mountain bike tires from 26' to 27.5' and even 29', the original 26' size is losing popularity and is seen as an outsider in the industry. Finding lightweight rim brake wheelsets is becoming more challenging, and there is little development in 26' road tires. You can find good 700c road tires weighing around 200g each, yet the smaller 26' tires, which should be lighter, weigh about 500g each.
On this frame I could get up to 700c or 29' wheels, but not every MTB frame has the space required for changing to larger wheels.
Assembling
Since I had most of the parts available and some experience in assembling bikes from parts, the entire process went very smoothly. I had the special tools, such as those for the bottom bracket, and everyone has hex or Allen keys in various sizes at home—a good cable cutter is essential!
As I mentioned, I had to purchase
-a front derailleur
-a new set of rear V-brakes for safety reasons
and I opted for a new square tapered crankset with a traditional 113.5 sealed bottom bracket.
Before starting the assembly process, I had a picture in my mind of the bike I wanted to create for my needs. I can select whatever parts I need for the task, and it is very satisfying not only to assemble it piece by piece but also to see it come together as a complete product.
I take pride in finding the 'old' 25.4 handlebar/stem combination in silver, contrasting with the black dominance here in Taiwan. The fork has been restored from a bumped original by smoothing out the scratches and has been painted on a smooth base coat as a one-of-a-kind by myself.
Costs
Since some components originated from the original build and my parts bin, it's challenging to assign a price to the entire bike. I purchased some new parts for functionality and safety, specifically:
- crankset including bottom bracket: USD 24.00
- front derailleur: USD 15.00
- cantilever brakes (front and rear): USD 10.00
I spent approximately USD 49.00 on new parts, not including shipping, with the rest being an innovative type of recycling. When compared to a mid-range road bike, you can see how affordable this build turned out to be. While I cannot and will not put a price on the value of my hands, body, and soul, the joy from building it definitely helped to increase my life expectancy.
Riding Experiences
The bike was designed and built to withstand tough conditions with exceptional stability, basically a true mountain bike. This stability is essential when carrying loads up to 25kgs on the rack and in both clip-on bags, whether for shopping or recycling. The wider tires help smooth out Taiwan's poor-quality roads with bumps and occasional cracks. While riding on these surfaces, I learn to take it easy and brake very gently.
This 'working bike' is equipped with flat, wide pedals suitable for everyday shoes, although I prefer clipless pedals with cleated shoes. I have the flexibility to ride in any shoes I like and walk freely after cycling. The upright seating position enables me to see further and let me better anticipate approaching traffic. Overall, it is a very nice bike that I enjoy a lot.
Some thoughts...
In Taiwan, I can watch Eurosport, which broadcasts all from of cycling sports, from road and cross to mountain bike races, and everything in between. Too many cyclists try to emulate these cycling sports during their own rides, but it is not advisable on public roads. Normal people don't have sponsors, a mechanic to fix issues on the road, or anyone waiting beside the road providing food and drinks while you ride.
Although I own both a road racing bike and an endurance road bike, this Wheeler mountain winter bike has rekindled the initial joy of why I began cycling. I don't need to wear special cycling attire (apart from the shorts), I can use any shoes with my flat pedals, and my saddle bags have ample space to carry items not just on cycling tours but also for shopping, recycling, and more.
This bike doesn't give me any pressure to perform, alone or in a group. The upright position helps me to scan the environment for possible dangers or the beauty of a scenery, and I can stop to take a photo whenever I feel something interesting. I park this bike unlocked in front of any convenience store or coffee shop and can enjoy the company of my family and friends.
And isn't this the real joy of cycling?
Dream on, Gerhard
-The end of the story but the beginning of new chapters-
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