Misfit Psycles FME Bar

I picked up a Misfit Psycles FME handlebar today.  For $22 it's hard to go wrong.  It provides a better wrist/hand position for control, and it's almost half the weight of the factory one.

The factory Kona handlebar weights 607 grams.  The Misfit FME bar weights 336 grams.

To install it, I had to pry the stem clamp open a bit to slide the centre section of the handlebar in.  I probably could have rammed it in, but I didn't want to scratch the finish.  =)  

The FME's riding position feels similar to the bar it replaced, and has more handlebar/knee clearance for tight, slow speed turns.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 11, 2011: The price of the handlebar went up.  Yikes!

UPDATE NOVEMBER 18, 2011: The extra bit of drop and reach from this bar puts extra weight over the front wheels. The bike feels more balanced and puts me in a slightly more aggressive riding position.  

UPDATE NOVEMBER 28, 2010: I can feel the handlebar flex a little on rough surfaces.  It takes a little edge off the bumps. 

Removed The Chain Guard

Work has finally eased up a bit.  Now I have a chance to ride my bike.

I removed the chain guard for no particular reason.  I never really like the way it looked.  It's too "swooshy".  The type of chain guards on old three speed bicycles would look better.

I also reinstalled the kickstand too (not shown in this picture).  It was to useful to leave off.

UPDATE:  Chain gaurd and bracket weighs 170 grams.

Current Pictures

Just posting some current pictures of the whole bike.

New Seat Post

I installed an aluminium seat post today.  It's a micro adjustable type.  I bought it @ ebay.  It got here fast, but it took awhile to clear Canada Customs. >=(

The seat post size for the 2010 Kona AfricaBike is 27.2 mm.

Weight

After removing my kickstand (8mm Allen or hex key), I'm gonna try to weigh all the parts I've changed or removed. 

• Basket, bracket, and bolts 955 grams
• Kona bell (haven't weighed it yet)  
• Bell I'm using now (haven't weighed it yet)  
• Kona Stem (steel) 522 grams
• Profile Design Stem 282 grams
• Kona handlebar 670 grams
• Misfit Psycle FME handlebar 336 grams 
• Kona grips 121 grams
• Oury grips 100 grams
• Kona saddle 486 grams
• Brooks B67s saddle 810 grams
• Chaingaurd and bracket 170 grams 
• Wheel lock with key 404 grams
• Kickstand 182 grams
• Wheel & pedal reflectors 48 grams
• Specialzed 1.25" Fatboy tires 390 grams x 2
• New seat post collar 21 grams (haven't weighed the old one) 
• Original inner tubes (haven't weighed it)
• Specialized inner tubes (haven't weighed it)
• Kona seat post 401 grams
• Aluminum seat post 259 grams 
• Original pedals 245 grams x 2
• Tektro 849 AL linear pull calipers only (no pads) 119 grams
• Avid Single Digit 5 linear pull calipers (haven't weighted it)
• Kool Stop Thinline brake pads (haven't weighed it)
• Front/rear fender 477 grams
• Cyclocomputer 44 grams

My bike originally weighed approximately 19 kg (42 lbs).  Now it's about 15 kg (34 lbs).  I'm not a weight weenie, but it's neat to know these things.

P.S.  This list will constantly be updated.

P.S.S.  I weighed it today (July 1, 2011) and updated this post.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 18, 2011:  The kick stand goes back on. =)

UPDATE JANUARY 18, 2012:  Weighed the whole bike with a digital hanging scale today.  Before I used a bathroom scale.  That was pretty difficult and not very accurate. The official weight is 15.19 kg or 33.48 lbs.

A New Old Bell

I have a vintage bell that I wanted to use.  It's in rough condition, but it still works like a charm.

Since I wrapped my handlebar with paracord, the factory bell had to be relocated.  It was in the way of my new found hand positions.  Besides, it wouldn't fit over the handlebars anyway.

I decided to attach this new old bell to the stem.  The screws were too short so I bought some longer ones (M4 .70 20).

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2, 2011:  I removed this bell and installed a different one.  

Paracord Wrapped Handlebar

I wrapped the handlebar with paracord for a little more traction, and to take away the bite from touching cold/hot metal.  I'm sure handlebar tape will be more comfortable, but it's good enough for now.

I used a "constrictor knot" at the beginning, and end of the paracord wrapping. The ends were also sealed with a lighter to stop it from fraying.

When I'm riding on the "drop bar position", the shifter cable would be in the way. Repositioning the shifter so the cable runs along the side of the handlebar helped a lot. The bell got in the way too.  I'm gonna try mounting it on the side of my stem.

I may have to re-wrap them.  Next time I'll add something between the handlebar and the paracord to make them more comfortable.

UPDATE:  I tried adding thin cloth like sheets of foam to the handlebar.  It was more comfortable, but the wrapping didn't look very good.  So I removed the foam sheets and re-wrapped them with "olive drab" paracord instead.