Project Mach : Mark 3 v1.0

[dandekarvaibhav]

After 2 years and tonnes of BZ bandwidth and still tweaking.

Fellow bikers, presenting you with the Mach that should have been stock in the first place.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101902515627340112925/JPEG?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-vivuVyfndHw&feat=directlink

Each and every item was sourced with lots of patience and wait.. either for right information or right material.. colour... finish... and so on.
Now only things remaining are Double chain-ring and cranks.
Need them in Black but available only in brushed aluminum finish.
I will even lose my clipless virginity on this bike.

[shankarbn]

Awesome looking bike man! Particularly this pic

Can you share list of all the changes that you made? What wheels are those?

[Anool]

new bar tape looks kick ass.
in the last pic, why do the brake lever arms look askew.
Can't you lose that stand ?

[vkalia]

Very cool! Care to share a write-up on the project?

[wanderingwheels]

Beautiful. I like your taste; everything looks in place. I would also like to make the above-mentioned request.

[san2411]

That's the most beautiful BSA I have ever seen . Wish T&T has some creative minds like you

[dandekarvaibhav]

After nearly buying an MTB from Kaushik, had sat on the fence for a long time deciding between a Road bike or a Hybrid. As I was going nowhere, thought about a small investment till the clarity issues are resolved.

March 28th 2010

Mach was mine, Sardar cycle at Mahim was the place where wheels started rolling finally. The stock bike was a very straight forward affair.

Typical hybrid handle bar
Shimano Revoshift shifters
V-brakes
Single chainring
6-speed freewheel
27-1/4" wheels

In a month of riding it was established that I am not a Hybrid person.
Lack of compassion for fellow cyclists.
Insatiable need for speed.
Utter contempt for rickshawallahs.
Ridiculous straight handle bar.
Rajesh Nair, Vandit Kalia & Kaushik Iyer. & their (Ohhhh.. so orgasmic) workouts.

Drop bar was the first nail. Metro cycles at Kalbadevi became my second home thereafter. Their welcoming nature and endless History of components lecture was my usual Saturday affair. I had decided a very classic look for the drop bar look. Simply adore those long brake cables rising over the hoods. Wrapping bar tape was something I was dreading in the whole process. http://bicycletutor.com/ to the rescue. The video is so detailed, that my first wrap was over in just an hour. I re wrapped it to sort out a few mm discrepancies. But the whole experience was and still is satisfying. Only eye sore was the Suntour shifter on the flats eating the premium real estate.

This avatar was decommissioned in next 9 months. The stem had to be replaced... Due to consistent riding my flexibility increased in leaps and bounds. Longer stem was calling. This was also the beginning of Weight weenie metamorphosis. After a long phone call with Metro guys and comprehensive list of "Needs" I was off to Kalbadevi.

What was in the box?

110mm alloy Quill stem.
Zoom ergo drop handle bar.
Simplex stem mounted friction shifters. ( small history lesson : http://sportifbicycle.blogspot.in/2011/01/simplex-retro-friction-shifters-part-1.html)
Black bar tape.
Duro, nylon 27-1/4" tyres.

Boy!!! threading and aligning, an Ergo dropbar through a Quill stem is a matter of infinite patience. Thanks my year old son (then), I had loads of them. The setup was tested, tweaked and is still enjoyed. Friction shifting is oh so awesome. I honestly think they should provide friction shifting to all entry level bikes.

Within a week alloy Brake levers and Seat was also procured from Fomas.

I was deeply satisfied that I have shelved some weight of the bike and that would help me go faster. Physics is such a bitch. Concept of angular velocity rained my party pretty prematurely. The need for speed was ever increasing. The calculator was summoned and numbers were crunched. The study ultimately followed. On the other side came a wicked laughter and a pearl of wisdom "A pound off the wheels = 2 pounds off the frame." Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_performance

This is basically true for all rotating components of the bike. That included Wheels, Cranks, Pedals, Chainring, Cassete, Chain(?).

The wheels came in December 2011 and were accompanied with Sturmey Archer Track hubs. The rims are generic Taiwan. I had a choice of Brushed Al Kinlin and the ones I have. I chose the latter on base note of colour and leap of faith on Metro cycles. I am told, that the manufacturer also produces for Mavic.

The alloy seat post and seat were not available then but got a call on 8th of March for the same. The alloy seat post was of 27.3Ø and required is 28Ø In sheer frustration the seat is now clamped to same MS stock seat post. Will be changed on first signal.

Now the only change that remains is Bottom bracket and double chain ring with new cranks.

After this sojourn of DIY I am certain of fixing my roadie ride (whenever that comes) all by myself. DIY is my way of meditation... and it works wonders for me.

[kaustubhpatil]

awesome !!!!

[dandekarvaibhav]

Logged in just to add:

Thank you Rajesh, for the unique Italian way of wrapping Bar-tape. The clean look is way to rocking. The process equally dreadful.

Mies did say " Simplicity is not simple"



Where is my jersey now..........

[Carpediem]

Congrats Vaibhav. That's a nice looking Mach there. I hope the guys at BSA take a lesson or two from you.

[dandekarvaibhav]

Thanks Guys!

The write up might have proved, why I chose pictures to tell my story

Anool :

That stand gives me a lot of brownie points during chai break on our Saturday & Sunday rides. All the "standless" roadie rides are leaning on Mach, while we all are jesting around. I also use this bike a lot for Bread and Eggs trips... So.. yeah it stays..... for some more time

The rear brake is acting funny for eons. Lots of Rim rubbing. I changed the stock brakes for the same reason. Looks like the issue is with the Brake-Boss... I will eventually take a file and tweak it. But as you know, the rear brake is usually disengaged, so may be not worth the effort.

Shankar :

The wheels are generic Taiwan rims coupled with Sturmey Archer track hubs. It was great to see double wall, alloy rims in 27-1/4" size.

* Spellcheck wants to correct Sturmey to Sturdy (Me likes) *

[dandekarvaibhav]

Also wanted to share these :

Mark 1 : The stock edition.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101902515627340112925/JPEG?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-vivuVyfndHw#5724789681728771602

Mark 2 : Hybrid wants to be a Roadie.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101902515627340112925/JPEG?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-vivuVyfndHw#5724789638549552050

Thanks.

[harism]

That's a super reinterpretation of what a Mach ought to have been. Congratulations!
And ah, Metro... spent many years as a kid eyeing their bikes and wondering if I'd ever get one of them :p

[bikeyvenky]

That's a super reinterpretation of what a Mach ought to have been. Congratulations!

+1

Excellent job, Vaibhav!

[vijay.cp]

nice job, awesome looking bike

[prabuddhadg]

Nice write up Vaibhav. Tinkering with a bike is so much fun.

[satish_appasani]

Vaibhav

You have done very nicely on your bike. Your hardwork shows in it.

Can you please share the cost involved? I have a 10 years old Mach 1 with drop handles and 21 gears. I am looking to replace the wheels, pedals and brakes first. Can you please share where you sourced them from and the cost?

[dandekarvaibhav]

Satish,

No I will not help you.
Instead, can you give me any ideas, as to how I can convince you......Ahem... to sell that bike to me?

Are you based in Mumbai, if not.. then without Metro... looks difficult.

[dandekarvaibhav]

That's a super reinterpretation of what a Mach ought to have been.

Really, Wonder whats keeping TI to do the same.

And ah, Metro... spent many years as a kid eyeing their bikes and wondering if I'd ever get one of them :p

That place use to stock Flying Pigeon when I was a kid..... Hot stuff!

Venky, Vijay, Prabuddha, Thanks guys.

BTW Venky, Prabuddha... you master Tinkerers are the fuel.

[satish_appasani]

Satish,

No I will not help you.
Instead, can you give me any ideas, as to how I can convince you......Ahem... to sell that bike to me?

Are you based in Mumbai, if not.. then without Metro... looks difficult.

Vaibhav, what is so special about my Mach compared to yours? For sure it is a different frame. I guess it is 22". Anything else?

I am in Hyderabad. I am getting in touch with the people @ "The Bike Affair" here if they can help me.

First I want to replace wheels and Pedals.

[alphazed1]

hey vaibhav, awesome drool maal bike here you ve made it into.. now tht is exactly how a mach should be.. fantastic stuff.

[dandekarvaibhav]

Vaibhav

I have a 10 years old Mach 1

The frame, my friend...... the Frame.

Its all about the frame.

Well, lets do one thing.... Make a list of mods you want and I will ship them to you.
Subject to availabilty from Metro that is. Anything for a Mach lover.


Even better.... you ship your Mach to me & I'll ship mine to you. Barter system.
Come on.... you getting a steal here...

[dandekarvaibhav]

Thanks Alphazed 1

[satish_appasani]

Vaibhav

If you want to avoid me polluting your thread about my bike, I will start a PM conversation with you.

[dandekarvaibhav]

Maybe you can start a new thread.

I should have done it too.