I admit it. I spend more time on this bike than any of the others, and
I've spent the least amount of money on this rock solid workhorse.
What gives? Well, this is my campus bike, locked up outside all year except
the spring, summer, and winter break. This bike is a 1980s sport touring
frame of unimpressive quality. The tubing is not butted, it is heavy as heck,
and I've managed to chip most of the paint off by now.
But she works! This bike started as a ten dollar salvation army purchase in
Greenville, NC. She lived for a year as a shitty 10 speed, was reborn as a
hack of a single speed, and today (after many evolutions and part changes)
survives as a kickin' fixed gear with some serious mileage.
This bike is my transport day in and day out. I don't walk anywhere unless
I have I'm carrying something seriously heavy. That means this bike sees a lot of
snow, rain, slush, hail, grit, dirt, and ice. I clean the chain from time to time,
but I still go through about two a year.
The components are a pretty odd mix. The rear wheel is the original steel POS,
with a steel freewheel hub, plated spokes, and a lot of rust. I redished her,
slapped a cheap cog on with a BB lockring, and presto- fixed! The chain is
whatever the cheapest chain on the market is (5 dollar generic) with an 8 spd
SRAM quick link. The cranks are some beat sugino 170s with the large ring moved
to the inner spot, and the smaller ring left on so I didn't have to buy single
stack bolts. The BB is a used cartridge from an abandoned c-dale tourer, the
bars are ancient steel drops, and the levers are awful dia-compe, but they work.
There are mounts for both front and back blinker lights, which are great at night.
The front brake is a seriously shitty centerpull, but I haven't found a good
replacement because it needs a super long reach to hit the 700c wheel (the frame
is built for 27" wheels) and i don't want to actually spend any money on this bike.
No rear brake, it's not necessary. I pulled the lever so it doesn't rattle, and kept
the hood for hand placement symmetry. The front wheel is a 700c heavy touring rim
with a fat 38c cross tire. This makes all the difference during the long winters
characterized by a lot of snow and ice, and very little non-potholed road. The only
new components on this bike were the bar tape and the coda stock racing saddle.
For an outside-beater, nothing beats a completely non-absorbent plastic saddle.
This beater is a winner. Don't knock it. If my job next year makes me either a
commuter or a messenger, this will be my bike. To make this bike perfect, I'd put
a cross lever on the front brake, a nicer wheel on the back, and a better feeling
brake lever on the bars.
edit: 2009.
this bike was handed down to my brother, lasted a couple more college years, and
was then run over by a snowplow while buried in a snowbank. RIP.
