It's that time again. Updates to this chameleon bike aka "Traker Rumbler" aka "CyclePro Radix" aka "Sterling FS600" etc. Previously in my last update i had just put on some wheelcovers over the Troxel mags with coaster brake. I told you in this topic how i was having trouble making the bendix coaster hub work smoot and tried one of those JB coaster adapters...
Well, it didn't work like i expected. Yes, that's the gadget that allows you to use regular freewheel over that special freewheel-threaded driver that'll fit both Suntour and Bendix coaster hubs. I thought "this is just fantastic! Now i can keep the Bendix coaster internals while enjoying a smooth freewheel ride! Woohoo!"
I was wrong.
In fact nowhere near. The JB adapter mixed with Bendix coaster sucked. Big time. Although the idea is actually pretty clever but i think ACS ultimately did it better.
The problem. When pedaling, the JB adapter wants to stay engaged causing the rear wheel to seroiusly drag because the rear hub "doesn't know" it should be coasting, not engaging, when you stop pedaling. And because it's freewheel instead of cog there's no way to release it by back-pedaling. Basicly, the sucker wants to stay engaged forever until you remove it or, if you add a small spring that would dis-engage it from the drive side of the hub. Phew.. Gets way too complicated for a bike that is only used for an occasional sunday cruise.
So, i decided to get rid of the Troxels.. with heavy heart cause i liked the red. I have tried the un-brake, i have taken the brake blocks out completely and finally took a shot with the JB adapter. None of them worked.
Plan B.
I had my white Hutch star mags and some red Haro tires lying around useless so i thought "heck, i'll put these on and freshen up the color scheme at the same time!" I did, and am now very pleased. Plus i now have a regular good 'ol freewheel hub that actually WORKS.
Here's the photos of the new look. Previously it was white tires over the red mags, now it's red tires over white mags which in my opinion, does better justice to the wheelcovers and balances the overall looks or what?
Hmmm... maybe i shoud dye the seat red too don't you think?
Thanks for spending your time reading this.
-Timo