Okay, I've been outed so now you lot have to help
- europa
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Okay, I've been outed so now you lot have to help
Postby europa » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:19 am
But don't worry, I'm not turning to the dark side.
I'm looking for something to tour fire trails, walking trails, grassy paddocks. Just relaxing days on the bike in rough terrain where my touring bike won't appreciate going.
I also need a spare bike around the house for my son's mates to ride when they come over, something that won't be as inappropriate as his rusting bmx to chase him on his roadie
I do not envision me doing hard core mtb stuff - riding down mountainside goat tracks, jumping creeks and boulders. That's for the young and fit - I'm demonstrably neither and have discovered pain.
I will NOT be buying new or even near new - I simply don't have the money. Besides, this is a project bike, something to fill in some shed time and then to ride as described above. I'm envisioning buying an old frame (it can come complete if it likes) at a 'good' price and turning it into a bike over time.
So youse experts, let's get a discussion going on what I need (frame style, suspension?, gearing, bars, blondes, medication) - rough road/track day trip rambling grid.
Richard
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Postby timbo » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:28 pm
- europa
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Postby europa » Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:45 pm
Suspension forks are an issue though. Worth getting? What level should I be looking at (don't want to buy rubbish but am not in the market for top end stuff either ... unless the price is right)? If I get a frame with chromo forks, can I add suspension forks later? Can you rebuild forks and if so, all forks or just the better quality ones?
Richard
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Postby LuckyPierre » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:22 pm
I've got two hi-tensile steel frames ready to rebuild, but I'll happily throw them out if a Cro-Mo one crops up. I built one up from a Trailbeaker 1 frame (flat bars, older Acera components and Innova slicks from Torpedo7) and it was really pleasant to ride - and its regular rider still thinks its a pretty good fit to requirements. I also stripped and re-furbished a Trailblazer 3 (hardtail) that easily keeps up with plenty of much 'grander' bikes - usually to the annoyance of their owners.
I originally thought that a Cro-Mo road frame would work, but I think something a bit stronger, with 650mm wheels suits occasional gravel better. Plenty of road frames went all sorts of places in the past though!
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Postby timbo » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:30 am
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Postby LuckyPierre » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:36 pm
- AUbicycles
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Postby AUbicycles » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:16 pm
V-Brakes would be your best best, cost effective and brake effective .. and very easy and nice to ride with. You can start with the bottom of the range Shimano (Alivio or Deore) MTB components.
Keep us up to date and let us know which decisions you make.
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Postby scottyj » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:57 am
We are now such a wealthy society (it seems) that people just throw bikes out when they want to upgrade, or when a bike needs some maintenance. If you have small kids, take your pick of the 12", 16" and 20" bikes on offer. They are thrown away when the kids grow out of them. I have enough of these bikes in the garage for my kids and 4 friends that come over.
I have started providing bikes (free of course) to single mums and less well-to-do families at my kids school - all good "dump bikes".
I scored my cro-mo framed Apollo Vitesse racer from the transfer station. Came with triathlon bars and functioning computer. This is not my number one bike, taking me 25km to work and back every day. There are good bikes to be had for next to nothing. Many may require a service, which often means a bottom bracket job or some other bearings, but most are OK.
If you feel that you need to, you can ask a council employee if it is OK to look through the bikes, but in my experience they are only too pleased to see someone take them away. Anyway, there is your cheap option. One more hint - take some tools with you because you just might spot some accessories on other bikes while you are there. Cheers. Scott the tight arse.
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Postby AUbicycles » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:09 am
This is a great time for a plug for the website featured on the homepage of bicycles.net.au - Bicycle Recycling Network is promoting the reuse of old bicycles in various ways and forms.scottyj wrote:You will be amazed at the quality and quantity of bikes that are disposed of in this manner. Some are resold but most end up as scrap or solid fill.
We are now such a wealthy society (it seems) that people just throw bikes out when they want to upgrade, or when a bike needs some maintenance.
Scotty, if you don't know it already have a look. If it makes sense, get yourself added as you sound like you are doing a good turn and it might save you from heading down the tip too much (if people know you will give their old bikes a better home).
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Postby Mulger bill » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:30 pm
Get one if you can find one, CrMo gives a magical ride quality that you just won't find in a beer can. But you knew that already.
A bounce fork will have your wrists thanking you, something simple like an RST elastomer job is easy to maintain, if it ever needs it.
See if you can find Deore or Alivio components within budget. This will give you 24 or 27 well spaced ratios that should let you climb walls if that's what blows your hair back.
V Brakes with Koolstop Thinline pads (look for screw on, not post fit pads, easier setup) are very good, discs are great, but likely over budget.
Most rigid MTB forks will take a pannier and you can buy bolt on racks for bouncers (see Dirtworks website).
Don't go dual bounce unless you're getting seriously dirty, a half decent hardtail will do all you've stated easily, the extra weight, expense and maintenance of a dually rules them out here.
Good luck with the search for a new lover, I can't wait to hear details
Shaun
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Re: Okay, I've been outed so now you lot have to help
Postby heavymetal » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:55 am
I think the ideal bike for you to tour fire trails etc, would need to be unique, how about an exercise bike?europa wrote:In another thread, I warned that my next project will be an mtb (or hybrid)
But don't worry, I'm not turning to the dark side.
I'm looking for something to tour fire trails, walking trails, grassy paddocks. Just relaxing days on the bike in rough terrain where my touring bike won't appreciate going.
I'm getting seriously concerned about your health. I go away and look at your post count
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Postby pospete » Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:11 am
- europa
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Postby europa » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:12 am
I am rather taken by the DIY recumbent. Of course, that will take some money to get started ...
Nope, the search is on for an mtb. I'm starting with freebies or so close to it it doesn't matter. When I find that that hasn't worked, I'll look at actually paying for my donor bike - seeing this is a project rather than a needed item, there's no time frame (besides, I've got a 14' wooden boat I should be finishing )
Richard
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Postby heavymetal » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:10 pm
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- europa
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Postby europa » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:42 pm
I'd appreciate that thanks Karen. I've been trying to track down someone like that because I want to help, but no-one seems to know of anyone.cludence wrote:Europa, it only just occured to me. There is a genlteman over in South Australia who fixes bikes to give to people in his area. I am sure he would have something you could use. I can PM his email to you if you like.
Karen.
Richard
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- europa
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Postby cludence » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:41 pm
Karen.
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