The brake levers arrived on Friday, but I didn’t get around to twiddling wrenches until today.

The cables still look a mess, but I did manage to take it around the block and everything works.

Sort of.

The rear wheel is so far out of true that I can’t really get the brakes adjusted to a functionable state. As I see it, this leaves me with two options.

1. Take the wheel to the LBS to have it trued
2. True it myself

The problem with option 1 is that it will cost money and it will spoil the whole do-it-yourself vibe I have going here.

The problem with option 2 is that I don’t know how to true a wheel, and even if I did, I don’t have the proper tools.

I have already spent all the money I care to on this project, but the ability to true a wheel would be quite manly. So, it’s a race. I need to save up for a truing stand and a spoke wrench, and learn all about wheelbuilding before the first snowfall. Otherwise, I will have to swallow my manly pride and take it to the shop.