Spring Upgrade

My Trek 520 of 1993 vintage got a spring upgrade this past
weekend.

-- New, wider (44 cm) bars.

-- Conversion from threaded to threadless stem (adapter
plus 3 inch riser). 130 mm long stem with 7 degree rise.
The bars are now a bit higher than they've ever been. I
like it.

-- Fourth layer of Cinelli tan cork tape. I think the bars
are now a thick as I ever would want to have them, and
perhaps a bit too thick. We'll see.

-- 37 mm Conti "Contact" tires front and rear replacing my
old 32 mm Conti TT. I'm going to do the Nebraska Badlands
this summer along with part of RAGBRAI and decided it was
time to fatten up the tires. Ride is definitely a bit
smoother.

-- On order, a new handlebar bag. The old one has a steel
support frame that would not fit over the new stem.

I was looking at the bike a bit today while at work, admiring it.
The black LX cranks have shiny patches around where the pedals
attach where shoes have worn off the paint; the dark forest green
painted steel frame has a few areas of rust creeping in here and
there but mostly just dirty. The small chainring is original and
has an "gray aluminum" look to it, while the middle and large rings
(Race Face) are dirty, yet polished steel looking. The black Mavic
rims have completely polished sides from years of brake pad
interaction. (After by rim blowout of a couple weeks ago, I think
its time to replace them...next year).

I was thinking the wear on the bike is sort of a badge of honor.
Years of taking me to work or taking me across the country. Sort
of like an old dog that gains sentimental value from all the years
of loyal service, heightened by grayness and age.

I really love my 520.


SMH