TNL Bicycles Volume I: Wild And Wacky Action Bike

I don't know why it wasn't showing up earlier.

I've never thought to get on a bike like that.

2 Attachment(s)

15 Miles yesterday

11 Today.

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1267991049

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1267991049

nearly 60 degrees out, but its still winter in the woods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shidoshi

I know this isn't a whole lot to go on information-wise, but there's a person here in the complex that I live in who is selling this bike for $50. It would basically be a step to getting back into the habit of riding period, which if I did I could then maybe look for a new bike of a higher quality level.

Any thoughts?

Sorry to be late to the party here, but I'd advise you not spend a cent on that bike. It's junk made of cheap alloys that will bend under normal riding conditions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fe 26

The only thing I don't really get about fixies are people who take vintage bikes and gut them. Worse yet, paint over them in something like neon green paint.

Every generation does this to SOMETHING and they always regret it. Thousands of priceless 50's, 60s, and 70's American Guitars were butchered in the 80's to make "shred" machines that reflect the "musician." Bodies were completely ruined by being routed to take a Floyd rose bridge. And I have never met anyone with one of these guitars that did not regret it.

Not quite the same. Nothing is 'gutted' in this case. Old parts are replaced (hubs, etc) on old frames that 9/10 times were beyond salvage anyway. It's not like the bike couldn't be built back up in the same (often worthless) configuration if desired.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fe 26

This may show my bike ignorance, but I've always wondered this: Why do people put the bike saddle up past the handle bars by 5 inchs?

I might have short legs. My legs are straight with my foot on the pedal when I have the saddle level with the handle bars. And even with the saddle level with the handle bars, my feet are not flat with the ground. The bike is at a 60 degree angel with the ground and I'm on my tip toes.

That sounds about right. You should just barely be able to toe the ground upright in the saddle if at all. Have your mechanic size you out and adjust your saddle, sweep. etc. My general rule is: err too small for short rides for added control, but err too tall for any distance for the sake of your knees and back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finch

There isn't one. Bike enthusiasts don't give a shit what you ride as long as you're not a dick about it. It's everyone else who can't shut up about what they think they know.
How's that for snide elitism?

Exactly. Everyone I've ever met who's been all "fixies are trendy hipster shit blah blah" have all been sitting around fat-assed inhaling Doritos and cigarettes and probably couldn't make it up that hill with 50 gears- but they wouldn't know either way, because they've never even tried a fixie and the last time they rode at all was in fading memories.

This is not to say they're for everyone (I don't much care for them) or everywhere. But they're great for getting around flat urban areas (like the majority of U.S. cities) and ideal for inclement weather, plus they're cheaper to build up and much easier to maintain. It's funny that none of their critics ever cite their far bigger disadvantage- the stress they put on the rider's knees and ankles.

Having logged a few miles now on my Trek 7000...

HOLY FUCK does a having a nice light bike make a huge difference.

Scored an almost complete Disc brake conversion for it too this weekend. Levers, Calipers, Cables and front rotor all for free off a wrecked Gary Fisher for free...

Need to locate the rear bracket to fit the rear caliper to the trek mounting holes, and a rear rotor, and the bolts for the front rotor.

I haven't posted a picture of my bike, I should it's pretty awesome. Got it for $80 from a co-worker because it was too short for him.

I've thought about getting a fixie, because I hate having to coast and it'd be a better work out. Also I've secretly loosened all the bolts iin Finch's bike!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thief Silver

because I hate having to coast

What? That's a new one.

I ride my bike in part for the exercise, coasting makes me feel lazy and is essentially no gain to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finch

LAZY COASTER

It was more the idea that you have to coast.

You can't imagine the fact I could go down a hill way too fast for the lower gears to do anything, and the heavy gears would make me go way faster than safe?