I’ve been debating more than a year what to do about the growing scabs of rust on Dionysus. There’s a large patch on the top tube where it’s pretty evident I didn’t adequately clean the frame before we started painting as part of the Rehabilitating Ol’ Paint project, and there are a number of smaller spots where the paint has been scratched or chipped.

One option, of course, would be another repaint. I’ve found a paint brand that’s more readily available locally, and I had an easier time working with it when I sprayed Kuroko’s new fork with clear coat. The second option would be to buy a new frame, and I’ve been window shopping for that for — well, since before the rebuild and repaint, actually.

Last weekend I made the decision and mounted up on Dionysus and biked down to Blue Lug. I had in mind a Surly Bridge Club, and I’d got a message from Blue Lug a couple of months ago they had them in stock. By the time I’d got to the store my mind had gone blank, and I asked for a Cross Check: a similar model that’s out of production.

The salesman steered me to a similar model, the Straggler. We spent some time discussing what I was planning, and he agreed most of the parts would simply swap over. He spent some time measuring Dionysus’s frame, and then had me ride a bike of a similar size. I just needed a moment to know: it was a good fit.

After I’d chosen the frame and color — metallic grey — the salesman asked what other bits I’d be purchasing together. I said I’d start with the headset, and when he asked what color I said that depends on what I choose for the cable housing. He showed me a display with a rainbow of choices — perhaps 20 in all. I immediately selected the purple. OK, so the headset? The store does have purple headsets, but they’re rather pricey Chris King and Phil Wood models. Instead I chose a black headset from White Industries, a companion to the one I’d installed on Kuroko during the fork swap.

The goods were delivered Tuesday morning, while I was on the road with José. I opened the box that evening, after sorting out the laundry from the trip, having dinner and taking care of the dishes. It all looked wonderful, except … there was no fork in the box! I emailed the salesperson (I had his card), but I didn’t receive any reply Wednesday or Thursday. Finally I called Thursday afternoon, and after a hasty apology I was assured the fork would be delivered Friday. And indeed it was waiting for me when I got home from the office yesterday.

	Weight (kg)
Frame	2.42
Fork	1.22
Total	3.64

The first step in any project is to record the weight. I’m going to weigh Dionysus as is, then the bare frame and fork when we get to that stage, and finally the completed Hornsby. Much of the project will be like-for-like, but there will be some changes: disc brakes vs. the original V-brakes, and 650B rims with narrower tires. There may be another change as well. In fact, I can practically guarantee it.

We’d planned a cherry blossom viewing today, but as this shot from the Workshop in the Sky attests, it’s cold and raining. I might yet do a few preliminary steps with Hornsby, such as removing the warning labels and making sure all the accessory bolts are properly greased. But then again, I might just leave it for warmer weather.