Done. Finally.

The conversion took far longer than it should have, though part of the blame goes to very hot weather –  I work outside. But it’s finally, finally finished.

After getting a helmet — the old late-70s Bell just won’t do anymore — I rode about a mile today. The gearing at 42/17 is good, no spinning on the flats, and though I couldn’t make the hills today, that’s because of my lack of conditioning, not because of the gearing. The bike originally specked at 33 lbs, it’s down to about 25. Still on the heavy side, but pretty good for a steel pipe oldie.

It rolls so easily now, and is almost silent when pedaling. And there really is something almost transcendent about just pedaling, without thinking about shifting and tinkering.

The conversion was a good thing. It wasn’t worth spending a whole lot of money on, but I have my old bike back, and a new way of experiencing biking. This feels good. I’ll be thinking about it for a while.

Pictures soon.