Commuting - Converted My GT Kara K2 to Commuter.... WOW!

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7482/gtleft1af.jpg

I had a 1989 GT Karakorum K2 that was hanging in my rafters forever. It is a solid bike, but seldom ridden so a few years back I put Tom slicks on it and used it for Urban Assault riding, just for tooling around in regular shorts and regular shoes.

Since I started commuting to work again, I needed something that was a bit more utilitarian, so I thought why not put fenders on this so I can ride to work in my business casuals if I needed to with out getting all dirty.

So here is the bike today as I got home from work.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8220/gt17gp.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/5642/gt115pt.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/2710/gt129jd.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/3241/gt139pr.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5900/gt141wb.jpg

Yeah, shes not much to look at, but WHAT A FUN RIDE she is! :eek: :D The Slicks pumped up to 100psi make it almost as fast as a road bike, yet it blasts through gravel covered streets and water streaks like nobodies business, and with out making a mess on me. I can't believe how fun this bike is, it brings back the freedom I felt as a child on a bike.... Nothing to serious.

I park down town in a locked compound, so she is pretty protected, I hope it does not get stolen, but at least it's a bit more indiscreet and hopefully thieves will pass it over for flashier mounts.

Yes that Bianchi saddle is funny, but it's in better shape than the Original GT saddle. I want to maybe put a rear rack on it later.

Very nice set up. I like the idel of the slicks.

Thanks CigTech :) The Slicks really make it fast, yet it's surprizing how grippy they are on ice. I had to ride over a few patches of ice while climbing some switchbacks to a bridge, I tried spining out the rear tire by stomping on the pedal quickly, it did not break traction at all. Maybe if I tried harder, but I was surprized they gripped so well.

You may have had the gear set to high to break traction. try it at a slower speed with the gear in 2nd or 3rd. I think that would break the traction. Where did you get thoese tiers. I need some for the Bent bike I am building.

You may have had the gear set to high to break traction. try it at a slower speed with the gear in 2nd or 3rd. I think that would break the traction. Where did you get thoese tiers. I need some for the Bent bike I am building.

Yes I'm sure I could have broke traction, the point was they gripped better than I though they would.

I bough tthem at my local LBS for about $20 cdn each.

You can get them at MEC for less, but with shipping they may come out the same. They are not really a pure slick like my Specialized Fat Boys, but they are close.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4011357_v1_m56577569830526554.jpg

MEC Link Here (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776201&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693841&bmUID=1144388628567)

Performance Link Here (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=1443&subcategory_ID=5425)

Here is a cool looking tread for $9.99

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/44_1656.jpg
Forte City ST MTB Tire

Viper, are your handlebar end extenders aftermarket? If so, can I ask the manufacturer?

Dave

Very nice bike, now it just needs a rack and a blinkie. :)

Viper, are your handlebar end extenders aftermarket? If so, can I ask the manufacturer?

Dave

Hey Dave, which ones? The purple ones or the black ones?

The Black ones are generic MEC branded ones More Here (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442281235&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693629&bmUID=1144547546199)

The purple ones are Tranz X, I don;t know if they are vailble anymore as those are from the late 80's :o



Very nice bike, now it just needs a rack and a blinkie.

I actually have a Jim Blackburn rack that I attached with this long bracket that clamped to the seat post binder, but I was not happy with the way it fit. So I may look for another alternative or another rack.

I have a Blinkie too, just havent installed it as I have a built in blinkie in my backpack.

Thanks!

Yeah, shes not much to look at, but WHAT A FUN RIDE she is!What are you talking about? She's beautiful!



The Slicks pumped up to 100psi make it almost as fast as a road bike, yet it blasts through gravel covered streets and water streaks like nobodies business, and with out making a mess on me. I can't believe how fun this bike is, it brings back the freedom I felt as a child on a bike.... Nothing to serious.I've got a similar project in mind.... Can't wait!

What are you talking about? She's beautiful!


I've got a similar project in mind.... Can't wait!

Thanks Blue :) She does have a look that I like :lol:

It'll look better once I get the rack on it.


Can't wait to see your project.

Hrm, you copied mine, right down to the snowbank in the background! I posted these pics awhile ago in the Classic forum, weird how similar they are. I hated the U-brake thing on the rear so brazed on some pivots for V-brakes and now this thing is super :)

http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/7030/gt0014dj.jpg

Hello Viper, your commuting bicycle is almost perfect, and why? Because a Nexus 8 would make the perfect commuting machine.

Hrm, you copied mine, right down to the snowbank in the background! I posted these pics awhile ago in the Classic forum, weird how similar they are. I hated the U-brake thing on the rear so brazed on some pivots for V-brakes and now this thing is super :)



WOW! That's Bizarre :beer: Nice bike, I had never seen yours before :)

Yes I did not like the Ubrake either, but I'm willing to live with it. It works well. I had to take a heat gun to the Planet Fenders and mold it a little bit to allow clearance of the brake and fender.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9344/fender0nm.jpg

These fenders are awesome. I rode to work today in the rain, and I was clean when I got to work. It was still raining when I rode home. My jacket, pants and pack are still clean with no road spray at all. There is only a little bit on my shoes and on the lower cuff of my pants, however it's marginal.



Hello Viper, your commuting bicycle is almost perfect, and why? Because a Nexus 8 would make the perfect commuting machine

Thanks caotropheus! A Nexus as in the hub?

A Nexus as in the hub?

I'm pretty sure he means the Shimano Nexus 8-speed internally-geared hub. Remember the Sturmey Archer 3-speed hubs of the 60s? This is like one of those on steroids. Same theory, just more gears and lots of refinement.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/shimano-nexus.html

Thats what I thought :)

I get the same feeling when I ride my wife's 1989 GT Timberline. I got it tuned up and put new wheels and a 9 speed on it last year. I would rather ride it around town vs my road or tourig bike. And yes, it brings the kid back out in me every time I ride it! The bad part is when I ride with my wife and I HAVE to ride the road bike!;)