We prefer to wrench in the kitchen - the lighting is good and clean-up is easy - so the Raleigh was put into the stand. The previous day, I'd purchased a new tire - a Panacer Pasela no less! - locally to replace a blown tire, plus I surprised my son with bicycle shorts, a well-deserved treat for his 30+ mile daily jaunts. This particular son struggles in school, so for him to embrace a sport, and for his passion to align with our own, well, I will support him as much as possible! As for the bicycle, he likes a lean, lightweight bicycle, which, in his mind, means without racks or fenders. He removed the quick release rear wheel, stripped the tube and blown tire and had replaced the tube and tire himself, mostly, with my additional help cinching and securing the new tire back onto the rim.
Once we finagled the wheel in the dropouts, he adjusted the rear brake pads so they clamped the rims instead of the tire - initial cause of the blowout. He also inspected the front brakes and made similar adjustments, then removed a front fender. He also cleaned up the frame and wiped the chain. I was proud that he's taking pride in his work and improving the Raleigh, a bicycle he seems to have adopted as his own.
Three days into his program, our son is enjoying the long rides He brings home printed maps of each ride and seems to be enjoying himself!
You, Annie, are a _great_ parent.
ReplyDelete+1 on that sentiment Doug
DeleteAw shucks, thanks! No surprise, our son is eating like crazy.
DeleteFantastic project. The Grand Prix is a good bike. So glad your son loves to ride bikes and work on them.
ReplyDeleteSo many cool things! Vintage Steel, Parent child bonding over a share interest, watching your child gain skills, confidence and passion, makes me realize I need to coax my daughter out on a few rides this summer. New Panaracer Pasela about $24, having your son change his own tire & tube and seeing his love for old steel....priceless
ReplyDeleteWe found out this evening that our son preferred the mountain bike course as first choice, and bike touring came in second. Either way, he loves cycling!
Deletethere are lugged steel mt bikes to be found ...just saying
DeleteThat is awesome. I hope at least one of my children will share my love of bikes
ReplyDeleteI think this is all fantastic! There are so many who struggle in school but prove to have talents outside the academic realm. Good for you and your son! And I always think that when someone is really INTERESTED in something then they really WANT to learn, as opposed to being forced to study things they have no interest in. I have 4 adult children, all very different in their talents - my youngest son seemed to do very little homework at all in his last 2 years at secondary school. He just wasn't interested - but somehow scraped magically through his exams. He then went on to become a successful joiner, which did involve studying. I wish your son all the best in his chosen studies.
ReplyDeleteI like that stand! I've never seen one that's low down like that, only ones which mean lifting the bike up high. What sort is it?
I was going to echo Annie's thoughts... Performance Bicycle seems to have good deals on stands. Also Nashbar is a good place to check too (especially when they have coupons available). I bought one for our household - oh, I'd say it was about 8 years ago now, and it has the ability to move up and down for different heights (not a problem in our household as we are on the shorter side, but a nice feature to have) and has serviced our abuse well. :)
DeleteHi Lizzie. We purchased the stand years ago from Performance Bicycle for around 100 USD.
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie. I think I'll have another look at what's available here in the UK.
DeleteI noticed your rubber band method of keeping the front wheel from flopping - nice! I use an old toe strap which also comes in handy when traveling with the bike when its in the bike rack
ReplyDeleteMy husband also uses a toe strap. I couldn't easily locate one so I made due with rubber bands.
DeleteNot entirely related, but I do love the looks of the older Raleigh bicycles. I seem to be drawn to them [moth ----> flame].
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love reading stories like this, Annie! It's great to see younger generations excited about bicycles and riding in general. Definitely have to agree with Doug and Ryan... some great parents must be found in this mix.
Thanks for the smile today! Very much needed. :)
I see Raleigh has renewed the Grand Prix model and is selling a very nice updated version. :) Check it out.
DeleteOh great, Annie... I don't need to be looking at more bicycles! hee hee
DeleteUsually, newer models don't appeal to me as much, but I will definitely go and check it out.
I love everything about this post! It is so great to hear about a teenager learning to wrench and enjoying the ride. Plus, that's such a good looking bike.
ReplyDelete