Franken-Dingle
Posted: September 23, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: Bianchi, Bicycle, Bike Shop, biking, building, Campagnolo, creating, cycling, Engineering, freshly pressed, happiness, hipster, Jamis, jogging, life, Lifestyle, Local Bike Shop, love, lululemon, Mechanic, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, perspective, philosophy, pilates, principles, Repair, running, Saturday, simple, simplicity, Single speed, tinkering, weight, whole foods, WordPress, writing, yoga 15 CommentsI have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them-
WARNING – What you are about to read will cause a chain reaction (literally) during your Saturday morning club ride. Lycra clad purist will recoil in horror if you whisper in hushed tones “Franken-Dingle” chasing the head of the line. For you see, some believe that Franken-Dingle does exist, that there is carbon clad, sub 20 pound make that 18 pound Dual Speed (<–What?!?) road bikes tearing up gravel roads and local crit circuits from hither and yon. It should also be noted that the trendy – hip – ironic folks at the corner bodega recoil in horror upon seeing this bike.
For some of us shade tree bike mechanics, building and riding bikes is just for fun, a way to enjoy a hobby that’s in line with our thoughts and beliefs about living simply. Understanding the significance of embracing humility is profound– we rebuild Bianchi Reparto Corse wheel-sets to wither time away during the evening after work, we adjust and tune Campagnolo Centaur Century Grey crank-sets with our kids on the weekend to teach them the virtues of proper chain length – line and tension. Although for others (like the dude writing you this morning), living simply and riding simply is a method to connect to a larger set of philosophies and principles.
My decision to embrace living simply, is simply my way of staying grounded in the face of a high-tech, sped-up, warp-drive world. Turning a wrench, teaching my son hands on, building and riding bikes offers a passionate connection to the long-lost tradition of “doing” rather than “let me Google it real quick … “. We truly are adrift in a sea of mass culture and gadgets.
My challenge to you? Put a claim in on your true self, click in and ride, set a path to a more reflective, more fulfilling life. Pretty cool huh?!?
The Build:
*All the pieces and parts on this wonderful ride were sourced from the following: Local Bike Shop(s), Craigslist, Friends and finally the garage my wife said was getting “cramped” with spare bike parts everywhere!*
Frame – Crank-Set – Seat Post – Saddle – Headset – Handlebars – Stem – Brakes … From a good friend.
Wheelset – Campag Cogs/Spacers … Bartered and traded gear at my Local bike shop.
Fork – Cables – Housing … Met an awesome family on Craigslist, selling a “crashed” Felt Z Series road bike. Top tip: Strap down your bike on your vehicle before heading out on the highway!
Bar Tape – Brake Levers … Bought at the bet bike shop in Omaha – Omaha Bicycle Co.
Chain Stop – Bottom Bracket – Chain – Chain Tensioner – Pedals – Tubes/Tires … The messy garage!
Notes:
Our modern world moves way too fast, and our lives would be more fulfilling, dense with meaning and purpose if we slowed “things” down just a touch …
CultFit 
ah, to live a simple life… i hear ya!
Its easier said than done sometimes. 🙂 I hope all is well, take care!
Oh, fine. I’ll ride later on. Don’t think wishing for Fall here to be wind-less will ever happen.
But when I encounter a Franken-Dingle and I fall off my bike… it’s your fault. 😉
The last 15 miles or so of my ride yesterday afternoon, celebrating Fall mind you … were spent riding into a southern wind at 20mph. Still had fun though! 🙂 Little man has a knack for naming bikes, come on now – don’t be shy, what’s the name of yours?!?
Lol! Not shy at all!
I give names, too. Makes it more personal than a piece of something. My bike’s name is Bō, though I think of it as my bow and I’m the arrow. My vehicle’s name is Brio for vigour and liveliness.
Should have named my dog that!
And my wind is twice as strong as yours!!
Thaaat sounded funny. haha! 😉
I didn’t understand a lot of this post, as I know nothing about bikes, except I would probably fall off of one. It would appear the biker is in his own world when he pedals and therefore should be forgiven all the road rules they choose to ignore? Like stop signs, red lights, changing lanes. I don’t know how many bikers I’ve almost hit. Maybe I should shout Franken-Dingle rather than “Watch out.”
I’ll avoid taking the easy biker v. driver stance. Its so cliched and tired. Maybe next time, just run them over and be sure to send a tweet or a quick text chronicling your conquest? If you don’t finish them off the first time you run them over? Back up and do a better job …
No, I’m pretty sure I’ll just leave them to their karma. I just hope it doesn’t involve me or my car.
I’ll race ya. 😉
I wouldn’t stand a chance mate on this 18lb dingle – speed bike unless … The entire ride was uphill of some sort or another! Which is what I love about being an engineer by day and gear ratio guesstimater by night. As set up now: 53 big ring, 39 small ring with a 17 tooth cog in the back. Chug up hills all day long with no worries, no pace downhill though due to spinning out of gear. Always something to tinker with. I hope your new ride is treating you well and I don’t think we could ask for better riding weather in the weeks ahead, take care!
Thanks my friend… It’d be a fun ride, race or no – I was just fooling (the wink). 39/17? You must have legs like tree trunks man, that’s a hella tough climbing gear. It is a cool bike you’ve got there.
Sweet ride, sir. I love how I spot something new each time I look! The egg beaters are perfectly quirky.
I swear by egg beaters, they are the only pedal I have ridden for the past 10+ years now, absolutely love em. This bike is definitely “quirky” … XO Carbon rear derailer acting as a chain tensioner is just the beginning. 😉
Awesome! Keep it up.