Alt Bike Culture - Pics of your "alt bike(s)"?

I'll start. It's not my bike, but I bought it for my nephew for christmas '04 because it was on his christmas list. It was a crazy cool bike. I can't wait to go riding with him!

I almost got one for myself. I'm 35, and was asking me wife if she'd buy me that "Schwinn from Kmart". She liked it too, so it would have been a sure thing, but they left very little room for any kind of custom mods. I love the back wheel, but it can't be laced to any other hub. Little kids don't care, but to a big kid, it was kind of a letdown. I'll have to build a few myself instead.

Your nephew is lucky to have such a cool aunty.

If you go to http://www.jbimporters.com you can find custom accessories as well as replacement parts for Schwinn Stingrays. I bought one last year to add to my collection. Not very comfortable to ride especially for an adult. They are supposed to be coming out with a full size version. Also check out the Stilletto athttp://www.giantbicycle.com and all the bikes at www.electrabike.com . P.S.--I posted a couple of my bikes in a thread below.

Here's my chopper. I call it "Dewey" (spelled D-U-I). I've had it for about 5 years now and it hasn't broken yet (knock on wood), but don't worry I still ride it like it could break at any time. You can't really see it clear in the pics, but I glued on an Oregon Ducks patch on as a headbadge. It adds a bit of color to the black primer look.

Here's my chopper. I call it "Dewey" (spelled D-U-I). I've had it for about 5 years now and it hasn't broken yet (knock on wood), but don't worry I still ride it like it could break at any time. You can't really see it clear in the pics, but I glued on an Oregon Ducks patch on as a headbadge. It adds a bit of color to the black primer look.

Nice chopper. :) Where'd you get that fork, or did you make it?

peace,
sam

I almost got one for myself. I'm 35, and was asking me wife if she'd buy me that "Schwinn from Kmart". She liked it too, so it would have been a sure thing, but they left very little room for any kind of custom mods. I love the back wheel, but it can't be laced to any other hub. Little kids don't care, but to a big kid, it was kind of a letdown. I'll have to build a few myself instead.

Your nephew is lucky to have such a cool aunty.


I am a cool aunty... thanks! :)

I couldn't believe it was on his christmas list- so I badgered my sister-in-law until she drove me to the Target, then I got the bike and threw it in her car, then we got it home that night and hid it. The next night, I put it together, and in the morning, he was so excited to have it that we took it outside and he rode it in the parking garage. Alas, I heard he hasn't ridden since I left (inactive parents), so when I get back there, we're going to do some serious riding.

I know some folks don't like this bike, but for kids, I think it's a great bike for them to have. It's so retro cool, I think.

Koffee

Nice chopper. :) Where'd you get that fork, or did you make it?

peace,
sam

Made it. The bike was an afternoon project a buddy and I did. It went well enough that we built another one after this one. We cut the original fork in half, stuck each end in a long pieces of steel scrap, and welded around each seam. The fork legs sleeve about 6 inches into the extra metal. The only weak spot seems to be the crown, but that's more Huffy's fault than mine. We also lengthened the downtube to slacken the head angle.

Nice work, phattTyre. The weak fork crown seems to be a very common problem, and probably the most common place for chopper failure... I'm trying to figure out some easy ways to do a triple tree configuration, so the fork blades will be supported at the top and the bottom of the headset.

What sort of welding process did you use? We've been doing MIG since it's easy and relatively inexpensive. Someday I'd like to get into TIG, but so far we haven't needed it. (though the all-aluminum full-suspension tall bike isn't going to get finished without a TIG machine that we can borrow..).

peace,
sam

I'll start. It's not my bike, but I bought it for my nephew for christmas '04 because it was on his christmas list. It was a crazy cool bike. I can't wait to go riding with him!

Wow! Aunt Koffee, can I be your nephew too? ;)

Wow! Aunt Koffee, can I be your nephew too? ;)

As long as I don't have to birth ya. ;)

Koffee

I am a cool aunty... thanks! :)

I couldn't believe it was on his christmas list- so I badgered my sister-in-law until she drove me to the Target, then I got the bike and threw it in her car, then we got it home that night and hid it. The next night, I put it together, and in the morning, he was so excited to have it that we took it outside and he rode it in the parking garage. Alas, I heard he hasn't ridden since I left (inactive parents), so when I get back there, we're going to do some serious riding.

I know some folks don't like this bike, but for kids, I think it's a great bike for them to have. It's so retro cool, I think.

Koffee

Get that kid on his bike! And get him a little jar of Mother's polish, so he can keep it shiny.

That's the plan. He was almost in tears when he was telling me he hasn't been able to ride. I understand, though. Both parents work, both are tired when they get home, and mom works at least 50 hours a week. I'll be there to pick up the slack and I'll get those kids on their bikes. I didn't get everyone in the household bikes for nuthin!

Koffee

Your nephew is lucky to have such a cool aunty.


Echo?

Never hurts to hear it again. :D

I love those kids to death!

Koffee

I'm looking forward to moving back to the states so I can see my little nieces and nephews. Luckily, my brother and sister are into bikes in a bog way, so the kids should have that interest too.

I've witnessed Koffee's love for her nephews, and she is being very humble in what she's saying.

Spotted on Duke University's East Campus:

http://www.duke.edu/~jhe3/images/chop01s.jpgenlarge (http://www.duke.edu/~jhe3/images/chop01.jpg) http://www.duke.edu/~jhe3/images/chop02s.jpg enlarge (http://www.duke.edu/~jhe3/images/chop02.jpg)

Spotted on Duke University's East Campus:

http://www.geocities.com/edinger03/images/chop01s.jpgenlarge (http://www.geocities.com/edinger03/images/chop01.jpg) http://www.geocities.com/edinger03/images/chop02s.jpg enlarge (http://www.geocities.com/edinger03/images/chop02.jpg)

Now those are some nice bikes! :)

Koffee

From last years Halloween Critical Mass.

The Black Labels were out at Palmer's the othe night :

http://www.werstnet.com/site_images/blog_images/4_27_05/Tall_Bikes.jpg

The other shot I took that had the mutant recumbant and another tallbike in the background locked to a tree didn't really turn out...

Here's my chopper. I call it "Dewey" (spelled D-U-I). I've had it for about 5 years now and it hasn't broken yet (knock on wood), but don't worry I still ride it like it could break at any time. You can't really see it clear in the pics, but I glued on an Oregon Ducks patch on as a headbadge. It adds a bit of color to the black primer look.

I saw one of these for the first time this past Sunday. All I could think was wtf is that..

I always thought that swing bikes where pretty cool. I’d like to see someone make and ride a tall-swing-bike bike. Attatched image is from:

[url]http://raleigh-chopper-net.tripod.com/SWing_Bike_Gallery.htm

http://raleigh-chopper-net.tripod.com/photogallery/photo21486/hootsw4.jpg

I always thought that swing bikes where pretty cool. I’d like to see someone make and ride a tall-swing-bike bike. Attatched image is from:

[url]http://raleigh-chopper-net.tripod.com/SWing_Bike_Gallery.htm

http://raleigh-chopper-net.tripod.com/photogallery/photo21486/hootsw4.jpg

cool bike :)

Here's my chopper. It's some old BMX frame that I extended the wheelbase on by bolting on pieces from the rear triangle of a junky mountain bike. One day a week, my mother-in-law babysits my one-year-old, so I have to drive to her house in the morning to drop him off. I built this ride over the weekend so I could keep it locked up near her place (which is only about a ten-minute ride to work), park my car in her garage, and then tool over to the office. Yesterday was the inaugural ride and I got plenty of funny looks while cruising through downtown Boston in my work clothes. It helps that I'm 6'4", so I look especially absurd on this thing, even though it's pretty comfortable to ride. (As you can perhaps tell, the emphasis in this build was on keeping costs and attractiveness down, since the bike has to be locked outside most of the time. Most of the parts were from the garbage, but I had to buy the copper pipe, er, I mean the seat post at Home Dep-- the LBS, and the wheels, fork, and saddle came from a cheap kids' bike from Target. Total cost: $40.)

http://photos11.flickr.com/12416269_807f553698.jpg

http://photos9.flickr.com/12416270_3edc5b19aa.jpg

here's one in Iowa City:

Double Tall (http://www.dailyiowan.com/news/2005/05/05/Photos/Todays.Photos-948446.shtml) - scroll down a little.

http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper599/stills/43u58v0n.jpg

There's a full story about this in today's DI (have to register, but it's free) - from the photo page, click back to home, then click on Abandon All Spokes, Ye Who Enter Here (under 80 Hours).

Ya-
Keep an eye on those wheelbase-extensions. there is a lot of stress on the rearmost bolts. You'd be smart to fabricate some kind of seat stays from the wheel to your seat to support your weight better.



Here's my chopper. It's some old BMX frame that I extended the wheelbase on by bolting on pieces from the rear triangle of a junky mountain bike. One day a week, my mother-in-law babysits my one-year-old, so I have to drive to her house in the morning to drop him off. I built this ride over the weekend so I could keep it locked up near her place (which is only about a ten-minute ride to work), park my car in her garage, and then tool over to the office. Yesterday was the inaugural ride and I got plenty of funny looks while cruising through downtown Boston in my work clothes. It helps that I'm 6'4", so I look especially absurd on this thing, even though it's pretty comfortable to ride. (As you can perhaps tell, the emphasis in this build was on keeping costs and attractiveness down, since the bike has to be locked outside most of the time. Most of the parts were from the garbage, but I had to buy the copper pipe, er, I mean the seat post at Home Dep-- the LBS, and the wheels, fork, and saddle came from a cheap kids' bike from Target. Total cost: $40.)

Here is a picture of my bike :) I have red lights under it :D
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=29756

You call those choppers? *This*...is a chopper. Spotted outside a LBS.

You call those choppers? *This*...is a chopper. Spotted outside a local LBS.

A local local bike store? :p

Here is a picture of my bike :) I have red lights under it :D
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=29756

Nice bike. I have a Stiletto as well: chrome/black with Maltese cross mirrors and pedals and a chrome bullet light. I haven't added any lighting like you have and don't plan to, but I am considering adding a three foot sissy bar.

You call those choppers? *This*...is a chopper. Spotted outside a local LBS.

That thing is intense. I bet it's hard as hell to ride with that tiny rear wheel!! Looks like fun though. :D

peace,
sam

Sam,

Turn around.... That's the FRONT wheel! :)


Reminds me of a friend of mine. He was partying at a neighbors house across the lagoon from his place in Tuckerton, NJ. Well, after a rousing night of banging back brewskies and slamming down shots, he gets in to his little paddle boat... BACKWARDS. He was hollering that someone stole the g/d pedals and he can't get home. We had the toughest time trying to convince him to turn around in the boat.

Oh hehe, I was looking at the bike right, I just wrote the wrong thing! That'll teach me to get all doped up on allergy medication right before work.. :P

peace,
sam

My summer cruiser...


http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/gallery/_Images/Member%20Images/Miscellaneous/2005518185843_902.jpg

Here are my mid-life crisis bikes. Ahhhh, the memories of an aging baby boomer. :o I have 3 others that have never been taken out of their boxes. Next weekend I'll be riding one of these around the Indianapolis 500 around race time.

My summer cruiser...


http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/gallery/_Images/Member%20Images/Miscellaneous/2005518185843_902.jpg

Those wheels are SCHWEET. :beer:

i don't know if anybody has posted a link to this site (sorry if they have), but check out the bikes on the scallywags (http://www.scallywagsbikeclub.com/past/02_Maydayparade.html) bike club web site.

i don't know if anybody has posted a link to this site (sorry if they have), but check out the bikes on the scallywags (http://www.scallywagsbikeclub.com/past/02_Maydayparade.html) bike club web site.

The coolest scallywags bike is the 'circle' bike.

http://www.scallywagsbikeclub.com/images/2004/monster_nation/pages/p_lot_circlebike2.htm

A little bmx with a hoop from front wheel to back. Jam on the front brakes & ride a loop. At the 03 May Day parade a saw him do 2 in a row. Pretty damn cool. Quite the crowd pleaser as well.

There are som rad chops here! Spent too long looking them all over. I am looking for chopper photos for my gallery at http://www.chopzone.com ,so feel free to cruize over and enter your ride!

Later - keep choppin'

Brad

http://www.bustedspoke.com/Photos/bs3983.jpg

here's mine...

http://www.bustedspoke.com/Photos/bs3983.jpg

here's mine...

That is a great pic!

A few months back, a friend of mine and bus-driver was complaining that he had to be trained on how to assist cyclists who wanted to use the new bike racks, similar to the one shown in the pic, being installed on the local transit system here. I mentioned to him that I may have played a role in the racks being installed on the buses as I had been writing to the Mayor for over a year urging him to introduce the program. While the racks were introduced just a few months ago, ironically my two main bikes: a 7'6". Firebike and 6'9" Stiletto, do not fit. I never planned to use the racks anyway. :D

That is a great pic!

Thanks.. Where I live there's a strong cycling activist community and when asked, the city was really willing to add bike racks as they were planning to upgrade to new busses. They now have them on all the old busses as well and I wanted to take a fun shot with the chopper not fitting that was used for an article about the racks installed on the busses. The bus driver was too funny. He insisted on looking puzzled and I think he got a kick out of the whole idea. :D

Haus, that picture is great! I love the look on the bus drivers face. :)

peace,
sam

This is an early photo of the couch-bike, before it was turned into a triple by adding another seat and crankest behind the seat, The TV bike that was to be ridden in front of it burned up due to a short in the inverter that powered the 29" TV (note to self, next time use a fuse) OK it's not really a bike as it had four wheels but it sure was "ALT"

The drive system used a mid drive, so the bike used a 3x7x7 drive on each side, for a total of 147 gear combos... 35 feet of chain, four rear dérailleurs, two front, built from 15 bikes an old swing-set and a pull out sleeper couch, max speed on the flats was about 12 MPH, never wanted to try a good down hill run on it, turning radis was about 17 feet (the next will tun in its own length)

I don't think I have seen a link to Chicagos' own Rat Patrol:
http://rat-patrol.org

I see some of these guys all over my neighborhood. They have a great site too.

You can buy some prebuilt lowriders and customs here:
http://www.lovelylowrider.com

They have some cool bikes with the old school flavor. If I weren't so tall I'd get myself one. ;)

I really dig the spinners:
mms://media.bicycledesigner.com/bicycledesigner/Spinner_Bike_broadband.wmv

I will post my pic of me and my friends Bike on monday when he gets back from the lake.
Its all silver with a very very small front wheel on it. custom seat, extra wheel attached, and a "stearing wheel".

Lots more pictures of lots and lots of bikes here:

http://mywilson.homestead.com/gallery0.html

That's the gallery for Bike Rod and Kustom magazine.

Those thinking of building one could do worse than go to:

www.chopperbicycle.net

Which is a great forum for those involved in building.

here is our bike

One thing missing from all these choppers.
A back seat for the ladies.

You have a chopper, you have to have a cutie in a neon thong on the back seat.

One thing missing from all these choppers.
A back seat for the ladies.

You have a chopper, you have to have a cutie in a neon thong on the back seat.


Ride behind a man?!?!? You've got to be kidding... you guys can't even pee straight and you think a woman with any sense would want ro dide behind you. Seriously now?!!?!


j/k :D


Anyhow, here's mine. Work in progress. Seriusly thinking about an 80cc motor kit.

Before & after

EDIT: Oh yeah, it also qualifies as small rear (26 x 2.125) large front (27 x 1 1/4)