As readers likely know, I’ve spent the majority of my riding in the last few months exclusively on Crook, in preparation for Aids Lifecycle. I wanted maximum saddle time possible, even if all I can get in there most of the time is work commutes and store runs. Anyway, as a result, the bike that was built just prior, Ghostal, hasn’t gotten a ton of ride time, maybe only a few hundred miles. A recent jaunt to the store on Ghostal, followed by a ride in to work today, gave me time to reflect on what Bob Marley called ‘Stuff and shtuff and thins and tings’

1. Ghostal remains my most comfortable bike. More so than the road bikes, more so than wrongBike or even my coffee catcher. WHAT! I can’t quite place my finger on it. Some crossroads between steel, sizing, whisper quiet and tight drivetrain, perfect saddle break-in, don’t know. It’s just… it’s BUTTER is what it is.

2. I want to understand why Ghostal’s drivetrain is the tightest, quietest one in the stable. It flows like it has zero slip whatsoever. No ticking of the cog. No stretch. No weird mystery clacking like Crook. It’s just… silent and smooth. I need to do some experiments to try and get Crook quieter. Change chains? Because the chainline is perfect.

3. If not for my intent to have brake lever accessibility in the most stable ride position for descents, I’d use bulls on Crook. I think of all the bar shapes I’ve used over the years, these bars, which have now been on three different bikes, are the most fun. Hand positions, style, everything.

4. The one thing that keeps me from really letting loose on Ghostal is the brakeless rim surface. It isn’t machined. When I use my brake, I CAN stop it, albeit not easily, but it lets loose the shrieks of Lovecraftian color smells. It’s awkward so I don’t like to do it (unless I’m TRYING to make noise with it, which is obnoxious but fun… tap tap tap of the brake to call out to another rider.) So I think when the ALC thing is done, I’ll chase down an all white machined rim wheel and swap out, so I can have the level of braking power to which I’m accustomed. I don’t CARE if braking surfaces are a modern invention. I like em.

Anyway, just some thoughts. LOVE riding this bike.

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Related posts:

1. Crook: Notes From the Getaway
2. Bike Build Process Log: Ghostal by the Horns
3. Ghostal: The First Ride