After a journey this weekend I checked out my cellphone and located dozens of unusual photos and movies on my cellphone:
At first I believed I should be selecting up the sign from a rover on a distant planet:

However wanting nearer I discerned what seemed to be some terrestrial-looking bushes:

Then I performed one of many movies and realized I should have not have locked my cellphone earlier than placing it again into my jersey pocket after taking a photograph, and it had been capturing all these things proper by way of the material:
I don’t know whether or not this can be a testomony to the ability of immediately’s cell phone cameras or the sorry state of my wardrobe.
In all probability somewhat little bit of each.
Anyway, right here is the intentional photograph I took earlier than returning the cellphone to my pocket whereupon it started to freak out:

This photograph is illustrative of the truth that early fall is an optimum time for the biking of bicycles.
An excellent bike additionally helps:

“However the place’s the decrease half of the bike?,” you could be questioning.
Okay, don’t get mad.
“What did you do?,” you’re now asking sternly by way of clenched enamel.
Look, I’ll let you know, however it’s important to promise you don’t get mad.
“HOW THE HELL CAN I PROMISE TO GET MAD IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DID.”
Fantastic, no matter, right here you go:

At this level your anger could have given solution to profound disappointment:

And definitely I perceive. Right here’s what was on there earlier than:

Not solely was the silver (each in colour and branding) sq. taper crank extra in line with the bike’s aesthetics, but it surely was additionally a triple, netting me each gear I might presumably need. Moreover, the disappearance of the triple from the trendy bicycle is a superb tragedy, and one more symptom of the dumbing down of America and the world–a pathetic concession to the youthful generations who’re just too lazy and silly to function a entrance derailleur.
Sorry, but it surely’s true.
So not solely have I betrayed the triple, however I’ve additionally betrayed my very own vow to myself to make no additional adjustments to this bicycle, which as I confirmed over my end-of-summer trip was (and I hate this expression, however I’ll use it anyway) “dialed:”

Nonetheless, like the girl who tried to revive that Jesus portray, I can’t go away nicely sufficient alone:

And ever since receiving the newest OM-1 prototype I’ve thought that it actually belonged on the Roadini:

So I moved it over from the Platypus:

Changing it with the sooner prototype that had been on there earlier than:

And as all the time, this episode of “Fool’s Workshop” has been dropped at you by Dumonde lubricants:

Dumonde
Simply As a result of You Suck, That Doesn’t Imply Your Lubricants Ought to Too
So in any case, I’d been wanting to maneuver the derailleur over, and as I ready to take action I couldn’t questioning how the Roadini would really feel with a extra streamlined drivetrain. I imply I already had the stuff, and it’s not like several of that is irreversible, so I figured what the hell, whereas I’m below the hood I would as nicely attempt it out:

It’s doable I could revert to the triple, particularly if I trip with the bike once more subsequent 12 months, however within the meantime it really works nicely. Clearly the entrance derailleur requires much less trimming, and with the bigger rear cassette I additionally placed on there I nonetheless have a decently low gear. And whereas I’m definitely not one to fuss over Q-factor, I don’t thoughts the narrower one on the double.
As for the questionable aesthetics of the crank, whereas it might be at odds with the timeless luggery of the Roadini, I personally don’t actually thoughts it. Additionally, it’s removed from essentially the most confused Roadini on the market:

I’ve no connection in any respect with the vendor, I simply stumbled upon it and was fascinated. And whereas it might be polarizing, I recognize it for example of how there’s nothing stopping you from placing collectively a Rivendell any means you need. There’s no regulation that it’s important to observe the playbook or attempt to copy Ultraromance.
Talking of Rivendells, I see the Charlie Gallop is now obtainable for preorder:

Possibly we’ll see one with SRAM Crimson AXS.