New methods

I've started to get the hang of working with my silicone mold-making material, though it's not quite as foolproof as I had hoped, I think that once dialed in, it will give me some better results with less work. So far, however, it's been equal results with more work. Probably going to have to take a wait and see attitude here though.

Hope that angle is right

I've started and stopped this project a number of times, so in the end I hope that things work out the way they're supposed to. It took me far too long to figure out the appropriate spacing for the jig based on the BB86 bottom bracket that I'm going to try to use on this one. I think that a major advantage of the BB86 for cyclocross is the potential for increased mud clearance up front. Last year's Gary Fisher something or other cross bike had some wicked clearance built in as a result of the integrated BB.

Star Crossed

This is probably going to get finished a bit too late for cyclocross season this year, which is probably fine, since I've definitely not got the fitness or the time at the moment to do much in a race. I'm trying out my new improved assembly method, and am finally getting pretty solid with the mitering, so that is a welcome change. I've opted not to go with the tapered fork that I was hoping for, since it's simply too much pain to try to get one this year. Maybe for a future project I might consider it. I will likely try to get one of the new TRP shorty V brakes for the front to try to eliminate any fork shudder. If I can find a CX fork with disc tabs, that might be a pretty cool option as well.

Brompton fail

The 2010 Brompton World Championships are now over, and were kind of a bust for me. I was feeling pretty speedy, had a good fold, and a nice first lap, but unfortunately didn't really have the luck as I flatted halfway through lap 2. Bummer. I was hoping to do the stars and stripes proud, and it wasn't easy to bear the weight of a nation on my shoulders like that. But hey, that's bike racing for you.
http://www.brompton.co.uk/bwc/2010/