Category Archives: Accessories

Finish Line Cross Country

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I’ve gotten lazy in my old age. I never went so far as to remove my chain to clean it, but I used to watch it a bit more closely than I do now. I used to use ProLink on my road bike. That stuff is great but kind of light, and it definitely requires a bit more attention. I’ve used Finish Line Cross Country for years on my mtb, and have really appreciated its ability to keep the drivetrain running smooth on long muddy rides. Then I started using it on my commuter, which I often put away wet twice a day in rainy Seattle. Now I just use it on all my bikes. The stuff is awesome. Provides solid, durable protection. And if you’re working on a friend or relatives bike and get the feeling it won’t get oil on the chain for a while, use this stuff. I swear they put perfume in the bottle–definitely has a sweet smell. And hey, it’s green…

Finish Line Cross Country

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Campagnolo Pump Head

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I bought this pump head for a Silca pump that never ended up on a custom frame because a) I didn’t manage to get the pump to the painter in time to have it match the frame and b) I started using mini pumps. These were the best pump heads on the market back in the 80s, and I always felt they’d be good against dogs if it really came down to it. Those little blue feet never lasted long, though…

Used for: 10 years
Price paid: don’t remember
Purchased at: Palo Alto Bicycles
Rating: 5 stars!

Campagnolo pump head

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Benotto Bar Tape

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Why do I still have three packages of Benotto bar tape? I’m not really sure. I still have Benotto tape on one bike, too. As a friend of mine once said, “Benotto is the only tape you can puke on and then wipe off.” So it’s the best tape if you do a lot of interval training. It also lasts forever, whether on the bike or in the package. I never tried the “heat with flame” thing mentioned in the instructions on the back of the package.

Used for: 25+ years
Price paid: $1.98
Purchased at: Palo Alto Bicycles
Rating: 5 stars!

Benotto bar tape

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Dawn Dishwashing Liquid

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I’m not sure that Dawn really helps save wildlife (and a friend of mine tells me that Proctor & Gamble is super evil). But it does a seriously amazing job of getting bike grease and oil stains out of clothes. It also works as a good quick hand cleaner when you don’t want to go all the way with something like Phil Wood hand cleaner.

Used for: 5 years
Price paid: around $1.50
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 5 stars!

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid

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Phil Wood Hand Cleaner

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This is my favorite hand cleaner and I just picked up two more tubs in my recent Rivendell order. It doesn’t totally trash your hands with chemicals like some of the more commercial stuff. It claims to be “100% natural and biodegradable” and Rivendell says it’s made out of wood pulp. Someone told me that Phil Wood simply repackages a product that is available for a lot less, but I haven’t found it–if someone does, let me know. A few more pics after the jump!

Used for: 10 years
Price paid: $8
Purchased at: Rivendell
Rating: 5 stars!

Phil Wood Hand Cleaner

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My Latest Rivendell Order

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I’ve always had a hate/love relationship with Grant Peterson. I love him cause he helped kill off the ridiculous Biopace chainrings back in the 80s. Some of you may remember Bridgestone’s MB-2 ads proclaiming “round chainrings!” Yes! Sweet! However, Grant’s dislike of Shimano caused him to spec a lot of weird crap on his bikes, and I regularly cursed his name while building up Bridgestones back when I was a lowly wrench in bike shops. The Giants and Treks went together easily, while those B-stones with their crappy Suntour derailleurs, Ritchey cantis and crummy wheels were a pain in the ass. I think Grant was the last person on the planet to switch to the Shimano cartridge BBs. Anyway, I wasn’t sorry to see B-stone go away, and find it humorous that they have such a following today. Yes, the catalogs were cool and the colors were cool and lugs are cool and the X0 bikes were cool but for the most part Bridgestones were inferior to the garden variety Giants and Treks from the same era. Continue reading…

Rivendell Order

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