CSH Skate

Awesome skate tonight from the CSH shop. We did a solid pace for 35 miles, usually around 19mph but with some 20+ sections and hard efforts on the hills. My fitness is coming along and while I am not in 2005 form I am starting to feel stronger and skating way better then at anytime last year.

Version three of design for mounting blocks.

My ideas for mounting blocks have evolved a bit more.

This version uses a traditional aluminum block with four threaded holes. I like the idea of four holes so the skater would have some redundancy if a threaded hole ever fails. I am clearly paranoid about stripping threads but I actually think doing so is relatively rare. The block is also wide so it will allow for wide range of frame adjustment and stiffen the boot quite a bit in the mounting area. The blocks are also asymmetric such that the front block hangs back and has a horse shoe shape to stiffen the critical area where the second wheel comes close to the boot. The rear block is more traditional. The idea is that this block would allow for a boot design that brings the foot very close to the second wheel and not suffer from problems with sag leading to the wheel rubbing the carbon.

I also plan to machine the blocks from the top and the bottom to reduce weight by carving out some of the excess material from the block.

Road Dog

Hard 25 mile skate with Radovan.

Skated with Kendra and Radovan

We did our normal 30 mile skate out at Radovan’s house.

Shot this quick video of Kendra leading up hill on Rock Springs Church.

I also got a little clip of Radovan skating by himself.

After the skate we had a nice BBQ dinner.

More design work on the mounting block

Now I am thinking about using mounting blocks with an array of threaded holes. No special nuts or sliding or anything complex just a simple array of threaded holes with a strong alloy. The blocks would be made out of a high strength alloy so the threads would be quite strong.

I still plan to use the apron around the lip of the block so the block will be held well by the carbon fiber. I also plan to use an exposed face on this style of block.

More design work on the mounting block

I did a bit more design work on the mounting blocks project. To explore ideas. This version drops the idea of sliding mounts but keeps the idea of using a replaceable nut. Nut replacement in this design would be through windows inside the boot sole. Making the nut replaceable adds complexity to the boot construction but I think it is an important area to consider new ideas. Failure of aluminum threads is common and while helicoils can be added for thread repair this can often be done only once and it is a difficult procedure for a skater on the road who does not have a full shop.

With a replaceable nut design you have two options. One approach is to provide a slot so the nut can be slipped in from the bottom. The other option is to provide some sort of window in the boot shell for a nut to be slipped in from above. This block design is based on the idea that the boot shell will provide access to the nut when the skater removes the insole. The actual nut can be slipped into the slot from above to replace worn threads. I am currently trying to avoid the need for a slot. I am torn about the need for a slot. If the boot is properly manufactured a slot for fore/aft sliding is of limited appeal and I think such an approach does weaken the boot slightly so this version does not provide a slot.

Currently I am designing around the idea of using a standard hex nut although I might consider adapting the system to use a custom nut similar to the one Luigino uses for their slotted system. I am not sure if the replacement nuts in the Luigino system are inserted from the inside of the boot or from the outside of the boot but regardless it is a nice looking system based on photos I have seen on the web.

The sides of the my block design are shaped to provide a lip that will enhance the block retention in it’s carbon fiber pocket. This block design would also lend well to exposed mounting surfaces if I decide to go that way. With this block the lip around the base would provide containment holding if the face was left exposed.

Visit to Andy’s shop

I had a busy afternoon and evening.

After work, I did a quick MTB ride at Delta Lake. On road about 10 miles but I road hard and it was off road. The new chain on the bike was skipping a lot so that is a problem I will need to look into in the future.

After the ride I went to visit Andy Stewert. Andy is a local bicycle frame builder and his shop was a very cool place to visit. We chatted about bikes and making stuff. The stuff he makes is really well crafted and it opened my eyes to what is possible for creative bicycle building. At some point in the future I am interested in building a bicycle frame but this year my focus is still going to be on inline skating stuff.

Planning stages for making some skating boots.

I am in the planning stages for making some skate boots. My goal would be to build some boots that compliment my skate frames and provide performance equal to that of other top end skate boots. At this point my motivation for the project is simply to produce good boots for myself and use it as a chance to play with a new type of manufacture.

A mounting block design with fore/aft sliding.

I thinking a lot about making skate boots and I think this is the year to do it. I started with some quick CAD work for frame mounting blocks.

The idea is to provide a block with areas for two sliding nuts to allow for fore/aft frame adjustment. It should also be possible to replace the nut if something goes wrong.

Ride of Silence

Last night was the ride of Ride of Silence.

The RoS is a chance for cyclists to get together to remember riders who were killed by cars. We road in support of our friend Sara Joe who’s mother was tragically killed while leading a bicycle ride.