Resolutions, crafts of a different kind, and a new bike stand!

Yesterday was dedicated to crafts, but much different than the quilting, sewing, and baking that I’ve been so fond of the last couple of weeks.  I made strides towards fulfilling my first New Year’s resolution, which is to become a better bike mechanic.  I spent most of Saturday building this DIY bike stand for repairs to make it happen.  (Better bike mechanic is all relative, by the way.  Heck, I’d settle for “learn to fix the easy things and stop throwing my money away at the Local Bike Store.”  I think that’s obtainable in 2010, don’t you?)

So far so good.

(First order of business?  Turn that pesky reflector around.)

Anyway, this thing is about 5 feet tall for easy access to all the moving parts without getting on your hands and knees.

Pictures aren’t great, because it was blustery, windy and snowing today when I took these, so everything is relegated to my over-cluttered disorganized garage with bad light.  Goodness knows I wasn’t leaving the house.  Above is Ryan’s bike on the stand.

This is the clamp that makes it all work.  It involved a drill press, some table sawing, and drilling through metal to make this little doohickey.  It was a fun little project that I’m proud of, and made me feel like I was in 8th grade woodworking class again.  Even though the thing is on the clunky side (and definitely in the “inelegant” category…), it should get the job done!

What are your resolutions this year?  Anything crafty (or otherwise)?  I’d like to hear about them!  In the meantime, I hope your 2010 is going along swimmingly so far.

Posted by robyn on January 3rd, 2010 under crafts, random



4 Responses to “Resolutions, crafts of a different kind, and a new bike stand!”

  1. jane Says:

    You made a bike stand?!?! Wow, I’m so massively impressed (and kind of jealous, i need one too, I have to replace my mudguards (fenders) and fit some new lights…). I’m still working on my resolutions – they’re coming along slowly but surely!
    Happy new year!
    .-= jane´s last blog ..2009… =-.

  2. robyn Says:

    Jane, you’re too kind! It’s a monster of a bike stand and I’m not sure where or how we’ll store it, but it was fun to make! Not that hard, either. Check out Jim Langley’s site for instructions you can purchase. Very well-explained! -Robyn

  3. robyn Says:

    Oh, and *I’m* jealous of your fenders! I don’t have any, but have considered them…

  4. Kristine Says:

    We have these co-op’s here in LA where you pay like $7 a day and you can go in and people (all volunteers) will teach you how to fix your bike. You should see if there’s something like that in your area.

    You can also check out Zinn’s Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance book, assuming you don’t already have it 🙂
    .-= Kristine´s last blog ..A Disneyland Birthday! =-.

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I'm Robyn. Thanks for stopping by! This is my craft blog.

Contact me at robyn [at] dognamedbanjo [dot] com.

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