The Great Bicycle Build Completes

My younger son and I finished building my 3-speed road bike this afternoon.

We rewrapped the handlebar that I had botched earlier.  Then we added a half link to the chain, which had been too tight before.  With the addition of the half link, the chain is now slightly loose but workable.  If I find that the chain pops off when I hit a bump, I may need to add a chain tensioner.

Then we ran the shift cable back to the shift mechanism for the Nexus gear hub.  As the final build step, we put on the pedals.

I took a test ride around the neighborhood and the 3-speed rode marvelously.  The proportions of the bike put me in a comfortable riding posture.  The shifting was precise and immediate.

I am very grateful for the entire build process, which has progressed in fits and starts since October last year.  Working with my son is always a pleasure and the end result is a bicycle I should enjoy riding for years.

Here are the glamour shots.