the loot

Abby and I had a really good Christmas this year. we hung out with my family, ate loads and opened lots of presents. I think it's fair to say that a good time was had by all, including Kano, my parents dog. he loves having people around and got to eat loads of leftovers. here is a pic of us relaxing by the fire. Kano is a cool dog, smelly, but cool.



right, now for the bike stuff. I was lucky enough to get quite a bit of bike stuff for Christmas, so here is what I got:

MKS Sylvan track pedals, NOS Christophe steel toe clips and black leather Christophe straps.



I also got some really cool little black leather (elk hide) covers that you sew onto the end of the toe clips. I've not got round to this yet, but will do in the next week or so. the toe clips will look really good with these on them.

A dirty harry brake lever.



Shimano 105 front brake



brake cable and cable housing




White Oury grips. these are really very, very cool.



I've put the brake lever and the grips onto my bars (the grips were really quite difficult to get on, i've got the friction burns on my hand to prove it!)

I should have a few more bits and bobs coming from my sister and Jim (her boyfriend) in the next few days. Jim's dad owns a bike shop that I would highly recommend you pay a visit to if you can, check out his website http://www.in-gearonline.co.uk/

anyway, they went to see him the other day and had a look through his box of spare parts and I believe there are some goodies on the way for me, although they wouldn't tell me what they are so that it is a surprise. I imagine Zoe will even wrap them up, she's a bit like that.

they will also be delivering (although sadly not as a present) some Navigator Pista track wheels, which I ordered up from Jim's dad, or Pete as he is otherwise known. I'll post a picture once they arrive, but if you stick the name into google then you'll find them easily. they are really tasty, black rims, black hubs and black spokes. once I have these my bike will actually start looking a bit like a bike, rather than a pile of parts. The wheels are threaded on both sides of the hub and come with 2 sprockets, one 15 tooth and one 16 tooth, and lock rings for both, so that will save me a few quid.

when I brought my frame it came with a headset attached to it via a cable tie. from what I can see all of the parts of the headset are present and correct. I have fitted it and it seems to work, but I'm not totally convinced. it doesn't seem as smooth as it should be and does make a bit of a noise. I'll see if it still does this when the wheels are attached and if so I think I'll get a new one.

So, I've got a bit to be getting on with and depending on what Zoe and Jim bring when they come round for New Year I might well have a lot to be putting together. Fingers crossed.

Happy New Year.