Look KG 381 carbon fiber repair

Here is the Look KG381 carbon fiber bike that I'm in the process of repairing. The drive side chain stay was cracked at the lug joint, as well as the seat stay at the brake bridge. In the pic to the left the chain stays just recived the last 4 of 9 structural layers of carbon fiber and the vacuum bag was just applied. The first 5 layers of carbon were applied and just the drive side chain stay was bagged to build the chain stay up to the same profile as the lug. The last 4 layers covered the lug entirely to the bottom bracket. The vacuum bag was sealed off on the down tube and seat tube just above the water bottle bosses and closed on the other side of the chain stay drop outs, the seat stays were unbolted and left out of this bagging process. I also had to insert the seat post coated with high vacuum grease to close off the seat tube and a small curved shim was bonded in place in the head tube to close off the down tube. A spacer was added between the dropouts to protect the chain stays from the massive force of the vacuum bag.

After 8 hours in the vacuum bag and my pump beginning to smoke, I turned off the heater and the pump and peeled away all the media to revieal this... It turned out perfectly. Just playing around with it the repared drive side chain stay is far stiffer than the factory side. I still have to sand off some small ripples from the peel ply and add a cosmetic layer of carbon before this is complete. I'll update this post with pictures of the seat stay as they become availible.

This bike should be on the road by the weekend.

-blonde fab

NASCAR bar

Check out what I'm calling the NASCAR bar

A new way to customize your ride

You can use stickers, paint, or photos to add to your cockpit customization

The big question is who's bike am I doing the NASCAR bar on next?

blondefab

Team Blonde Fab's new motor pacer

Today we put together the new moto pacer for the 2008 season. I will be piloting this contraption until my leg is able to push me forward under its own power.

According to the MFR's website this little 80cc motor will push this bike up to 35-40 mph. I can't wait to get a computer mounted up to the bike and see what it will do. As a few of my buddies were zipping around on it, it looked as it was doing 25+ with no problems.

The entire "pedal assist" kit weighs in at 19lbs. which makes this 45lb. bike with 3 hp get a supposed 150 mpg.

I can see some of my friends outfitting their cruiser bike with these as well and start some sort of strange race series.

I put in an inquiry today to see what they would sell me 5 more for. If it is reasonable they will be in my shop in just over a week.

I will do a full review of this product once ample testing has been completed.

blondefab

bike porn

I’ve heard the term ‘bike porn’ many times but usually it is referencing some fine Italian handmade bicycle or the latest hot gadgetry…. Until now, the masterminds over at http://www.albes.com/ took advertising their bike shop to a whole new level. It is genius; it will grab the attention of any adolescent cyclist and I’m sure the permanent marker on the inner thigh of the star of the video will get any fingers to type in the web address.

Here’s the Youtube link. You may have to sign in as the video is NSFW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecuaakMNbk

Enjoy,

blondefab

Opinionated Cyclist on Youtube

Have you had the privilege of seeing the Opinionated cyclist on Youtube? http://www.youtube.com/user/OpinionatedCyclist A friend of mine sent me a link to one of many 10 minute videos. Although the guy is totally off his rocker and is constantly eating carrots, I found myself watching the entire video, followed by another one. I introduced a few more of my cycling friends to the Opinionated cyclist and after a couple of days it became quite a conversation topic.

Here are a few of his most viewed videos:
About his bike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c5fAxpeDFs
About his other bikes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1VU32kx9I
About triathlons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvnwwVeQzZQ

He also has many other videos addressing pro racing, his favorite riders, accessory reviews including a cycling basket that is sold at Walmart.

I’m still trying to figure out if this guy is for real but if he is… (I’m taking a collection of bike parts to assemble an old Look KG381 for the guy. All I ask is that the parts are shimano 9 speed compatible and functional). We'll have to find an allies in SC to see if they can spot his bike outside of Walmart.

There are not many folks out there that are this obsessed about cycling and their bike is a 30 pound Huffy.

I hope you find as much entertainment out of this guy as I did. What a nut!

blondefab